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Category: Asia Pacific

  • India hosts first assembly of International Big Cat Alliance in Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The first Assembly of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), a global initiative envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the conservation of big cats, was held in New Delhi on Monday. The meeting was chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and attended by ministerial delegations from nine countries, including Bhutan, Cambodia, Eswatini, Guinea, India, Liberia, Suriname, Somalia, and Kazakhstan.

    In his address, Bhupender Yadav highlighted India’s global leadership in wildlife conservation under PM Modi’s guidance and called on big cat range countries to collaborate closely under the IBCA framework. He stressed the importance of collective action to protect the habitats of the seven major big cat species — Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma.

    The Assembly unanimously endorsed Bhupender Yadav as the President and S.P. Yadav as the Director General of IBCA. It also ratified key documents, including the Headquarters Agreement with India, the Workplan, Rules of Procedure, and Financial Regulations, laying the groundwork for effective operations of the alliance.

    The IBCA, established by the Government of India through the National Tiger Conservation Authority in March 2024, comprises 95 range countries. It aims to create a global platform for conservation cooperation, knowledge sharing, and technical and financial support to halt the decline of big cat populations and safeguard biodiversity.

    The participating nations reaffirmed their commitment to the alliance’s goals and pledged to work collectively toward conserving these majestic species and securing the planet’s ecological future.

  • India hosts first assembly of International Big Cat Alliance in Delhi

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The first Assembly of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), a global initiative envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the conservation of big cats, was held in New Delhi on Monday. The meeting was chaired by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and attended by ministerial delegations from nine countries, including Bhutan, Cambodia, Eswatini, Guinea, India, Liberia, Suriname, Somalia, and Kazakhstan.

    In his address, Bhupender Yadav highlighted India’s global leadership in wildlife conservation under PM Modi’s guidance and called on big cat range countries to collaborate closely under the IBCA framework. He stressed the importance of collective action to protect the habitats of the seven major big cat species — Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma.

    The Assembly unanimously endorsed Bhupender Yadav as the President and S.P. Yadav as the Director General of IBCA. It also ratified key documents, including the Headquarters Agreement with India, the Workplan, Rules of Procedure, and Financial Regulations, laying the groundwork for effective operations of the alliance.

    The IBCA, established by the Government of India through the National Tiger Conservation Authority in March 2024, comprises 95 range countries. It aims to create a global platform for conservation cooperation, knowledge sharing, and technical and financial support to halt the decline of big cat populations and safeguard biodiversity.

    The participating nations reaffirmed their commitment to the alliance’s goals and pledged to work collectively toward conserving these majestic species and securing the planet’s ecological future.

  • Astronomers locate universe’s ‘missing’ matter

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The universe has two kinds of matter. There is invisible dark matter, known only because of its gravitational effects on a grand scale. And there is ordinary matter such as gas, dust, stars, planets and earthly things like cookie dough and canoes.

    Scientists estimate that ordinary matter makes up only about 15% of all matter, but have long struggled to document where all of it is located, with about half unaccounted for. With the help of powerful bursts of radio waves emanating from 69 locations in the cosmos, researchers now have found the “missing” matter.

    It was hiding primarily as thinly distributed gas spread out in the vast expanses between galaxies and was detected thanks to the effect the matter has on the radio waves traveling through space, the researchers said. This tenuous gas comprises the intergalactic medium, sort of a fog between galaxies.

    Scientists previously had determined the total amount of ordinary matter using a calculation involving light observed that was left over from the Big Bang event roughly 13.8 billion years ago that initiated the universe. But they could not actually find half of this matter.

    “So the question we’ve been grappling with was: Where is it hiding? The answer appears to be: in a diffuse wispy cosmic web, well away from galaxies,” said Harvard University astronomy professor Liam Connor, lead author of the study published on Monday in the journal Nature Astronomy.

    The researchers found that a smaller slice of the missing matter resides in the halos of diffuse material surrounding galaxies, including our Milky Way.

    Ordinary matter is composed of baryons, which are the subatomic particles protons and neutrons needed to build atoms.

    “People, planets and stars are made of baryons. Dark matter, on the other hand, is a mysterious substance that makes up the bulk of the matter in the universe. We do not know what new particle or substance makes up dark matter. We know exactly what the ordinary matter is, we just didn’t know where it was,” Connor said.

    So how did so much ordinary matter end up in the middle of nowhere? Vast amounts of gas are ejected from galaxies when massive stars explode in supernovas or when supermassive black holes inside galaxies “burp,” expelling material after consuming stars or gas.

    “If the universe were a more boring place, or the laws of physics were different, you might find that ordinary matter would all fall into galaxies, cool down, form stars, until every proton and neutron were a part of a star. But that’s not what happens,” Connor said.

    Thus, these violent physical processes are sloshing ordinary matter around across immense distances and consigning it to the cosmic wilderness. This gas is not in its usual state but rather in the form of plasma, with its electrons and protons separated.

    The mechanism used to detect and measure the missing ordinary matter involved phenomena called fast radio bursts, or FRBs – powerful pulses of radio waves emanating from faraway points in the universe. While their exact cause remains mysterious, a leading hypothesis is that they are produced by highly magnetized neutron stars, compact stellar embers left over after a massive star dies in a supernova explosion.

    As light in radio wave frequencies travels from the source of the FRBs to Earth, it becomes dispersed into different wavelengths, just as a prism turns sunlight into a rainbow. The degree of this dispersion depends on how much matter is in the light’s path, providing the mechanism for pinpointing and measuring matter where it otherwise would remain unfound.

    Scientists used radio waves traveling from 69 FRBs, 39 of which were discovered using a network of 110 telescopes located at Caltech’s Owens Valley Radio Observatory near Bishop, California, called the Deep Synoptic Array. The remaining 30 were discovered using other telescopes.

    The FRBs were located at distances up to 9.1 billion light-years from Earth, the farthest of these on record. A light-year is the distance light travels in a year, 5.9 trillion miles (9.5 trillion km).

    With all the ordinary matter now accounted for, the researchers were able to determine its distribution. About 76% resides in intergalactic space, about 15% in galaxy halos and the remaining 9% concentrated within galaxies, primarily as stars or gas.

    “We can now move on to even more important mysteries regarding the ordinary matter in the universe,” Connor said. “And beyond that: what is the nature of dark matter and why is it so difficult to measure directly?”

    (Reuters)

  • Netherlands beat Nepal after first-ever T20 triple Super Over

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Netherlands beat Nepal but needed a record-breaking three Super Overs to clinch victory in their Twenty20 tri-series match in Glasgow on Monday, the first time a triple Super Over has been seen in T20 or limited-overs cricket.

    The Dutch posted 152 for seven and appeared set for the win as Nepal required 16 runs from the final over, but Nandan Yadav scored a boundary on the last ball to force a Super Over.

    Nepal made 19 runs which the Dutch matched thanks to Max O’Dowd hitting a six on the final ball, and a second Super Over was needed for only the second time in men’s international cricket, after India and Afghanistan last year.

    The Netherlands, batting first, hit 17 runs and Nepal again stayed in the match after Dipendra Singh Airee hit a six on the last ball to mark the first instance of a third Super Over.

    It failed to live up to the drama of the previous two with Nepal failing to score a single run and with the Dutch needing just one run, Michael Levitt smashed a six to finally seal the win for the Netherlands.

    The Dutch, who lost their opening match of the series with Scotland on Monday, have a rest day on Tuesday to recover but Nepal are straight back into action against the Scots.

    (Reuters)

  • Chelsea kick off Club World Cup campaign with dominant win over LAFC

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Chelsea got their FIFA Club World Cup campaign underway with a 2-0 victory over MLS side Los Angeles FC in front of thousands of empty seats at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

    Thousands of seats were visibly empty in a 71,000-capacity stadium as Chelsea made a winning start in Group D. According to Sky Sports, the official attendance of the fixture was 22,137, which indicates that the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was less than a third full.

    In the first half, former Tottenham and LAFC’s current goalkeeper, Hugo Lloris, was called into action and denied Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke from racing away with an early lead. Chelsea grew in possession, pushed LAFC back and eventually broke the stalemate.

    In front of a limited number of fans, Pedro Neto’s 34th-minute goal gave manager Enzo Maresca’s side a 1-0 advantage. The Portuguese breached the offside trap and latched onto Jackson’s precise pass. He cut the ball back in and fired it into the bottom corner to put the Conference League winners 1-0 ahead in the contest.

    Chelsea fans caught a glimpse of their latest acquisition, Liam Delap, in action midway through the second half. Chelsea had to work hard for their second but eventually got it in the second half. Delap was brought onto the field and engaged in back-and-forth passes with Cole Palmer. He put his quick feet on exhibition and eventually set up Fernandez to tap it home in the 79th minute for a 2-0 triumph.

    After the contest, Chelsea boss Maresca didn’t shy away from expressing his surprise on the thousands of seats that were empty throughout the fixture and said as quoted from Sky Sports, “The atmosphere and environment was a bit strange. The stadium was almost empty.”

    LAFC manager Steve Cherundolo gave his opinion and said, “I think it is different each game you look at,” he said, adding, “In the Rose Bowl in LA, there was a huge crowd for the game between PSG and Atletico Madrid. Maybe LA likes football more than Atlanta, I don’t know, we should judge at the end.”

    (ANI)

  • MIL-Evening Report: View from the Hill: Cancelled Albanese-Trump meeting a setback on tariffs, AUKUS

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    Anthony Albanese’s failure to get his much-anticipated meeting with US President Donald Trump is not the prime minister’s fault, nor should it be characterised as a “snub” by the president.

    There was always a risk of derailment by outside events, particularly when the scheduled get-together was late in the piece, rather than soon after the president’s arrival in Canada for the G7.

    Nevertheless, the result is something of a debacle for Albanese.

    The prime minister needs to meet the president. Pressing issues – tariffs, AUKUS and defence – require discussion at leadership level. Quite apart from having the two leaders, who’ve never met, establishing some personal relationship.

    It would have been especially desirable for the prime minister to convey, at the highest level, Australia’s views on the importance of and progress on AUKUS, as the month-long US inquiry into the agreement begins. This inquiry, announced last week, is examining whether the pact serves the US’ interests.
    It’s also difficult to see Australia being able to extract concessions on the US tariffs without a discussion between the leaders. Possibly something can be done in phone calls between the two. But they seem as rare as hen’s teeth.

    The Albanese government’s spin is, no matter, there will be a chance for a meeting when Albanese goes to the US in September to address the United Nations leaders’ week. He can make a side trip to Washington.

    Perhaps. But let’s wait to see the invitation to Washington. Many leaders are in the US at that time, wanting to get to the capital.

    Anyway, it’s become increasingly clear Albanese is not keen on facing the now-risky Oval Office ritual. Trump may be in a bad mood. The US journalists present could be feral.

    If Albanese hopes the meeting would be in New York, that would be at the whim of Trump’s schedule.

    Looking back, whatever the counterarguments (that included the complication of an election campaign), the prime minister should have tried very hard to get to Trump earlier, including braving the Oval Office.

    This is not because Australia should kowtow to the Americans, but because any Australian prime minister should engage, as soon as possible, with a new US administration, especially when the president is as volatile as this one.

    When things slip, as they have now, it all becomes trickier to navigate.

    Those with good memories might recall this is not the first time Albanese has found himself victim of a presidential no-show. In 2023, then president Joe Biden was supposed to come to Australia for the Quad, and address the federal parliament.

    Because of a deadlock in negotiations over the US budget, the president didn’t make it. (Later he issued Albanese an invitation for an official visit to Washington, seen as compensation. Not a precedent Albanese should rely on.) The Biden no-show was a big inconvenience but no more, given the very positive relations between the Albanese government and that US administration.

    Some in Labor would think about the Trump issue in domestic political terms – that given Australians don’t like Trump, it’s not that important whether there is a meeting. But that sort of approach is not in Australia’s national interests.

    An exchange at the joint news conference Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer (who has a deal on tariffs) gave in Canada is instructive.

    Question: On the AUKUS submarine agreement, is that still proceeding?

    Keir Starmer: Yep, we’re proceeding with that. It’s a really important deal to both of us. I think the President is doing a review. We did a review when we came into government, so that makes good sense to me.

    Donald Trump: We’re very long-time partners and allies and friends, and we’ve become friends in a short period of time. He’s slightly more liberal than I am, to put it mildly.

    Starmer: I stand slightly on the left.

    Trump: But for some reason, we get along.

    Starmer: We make it work.

    Somehow, Albanese needs to find a way to “make it work”.

    Michelle Grattan 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. View from the Hill: Cancelled Albanese-Trump meeting a setback on tariffs, AUKUS – https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-cancelled-albanese-trump-meeting-a-setback-on-tariffs-aukus-258968

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: View from the Hill: Cancelled Albanese-Trump meeting a setback on tariffs, AUKUS

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

    Anthony Albanese’s failure to get his much-anticipated meeting with US President Donald Trump is not the prime minister’s fault, nor should it be characterised as a “snub” by the president.

    There was always a risk of derailment by outside events, particularly when the scheduled get-together was late in the piece, rather than soon after the president’s arrival in Canada for the G7.

    Nevertheless, the result is something of a debacle for Albanese.

    The prime minister needs to meet the president. Pressing issues – tariffs, AUKUS and defence – require discussion at leadership level. Quite apart from having the two leaders, who’ve never met, establishing some personal relationship.

    It would have been especially desirable for the prime minister to convey, at the highest level, Australia’s views on the importance of and progress on AUKUS, as the month-long US inquiry into the agreement begins. This inquiry, announced last week, is examining whether the pact serves the US’ interests.
    It’s also difficult to see Australia being able to extract concessions on the US tariffs without a discussion between the leaders. Possibly something can be done in phone calls between the two. But they seem as rare as hen’s teeth.

    The Albanese government’s spin is, no matter, there will be a chance for a meeting when Albanese goes to the US in September to address the United Nations leaders’ week. He can make a side trip to Washington.

    Perhaps. But let’s wait to see the invitation to Washington. Many leaders are in the US at that time, wanting to get to the capital.

    Anyway, it’s become increasingly clear Albanese is not keen on facing the now-risky Oval Office ritual. Trump may be in a bad mood. The US journalists present could be feral.

    If Albanese hopes the meeting would be in New York, that would be at the whim of Trump’s schedule.

    Looking back, whatever the counterarguments (that included the complication of an election campaign), the prime minister should have tried very hard to get to Trump earlier, including braving the Oval Office.

    This is not because Australia should kowtow to the Americans, but because any Australian prime minister should engage, as soon as possible, with a new US administration, especially when the president is as volatile as this one.

    When things slip, as they have now, it all becomes trickier to navigate.

    Those with good memories might recall this is not the first time Albanese has found himself victim of a presidential no-show. In 2023, then president Joe Biden was supposed to come to Australia for the Quad, and address the federal parliament.

    Because of a deadlock in negotiations over the US budget, the president didn’t make it. (Later he issued Albanese an invitation for an official visit to Washington, seen as compensation. Not a precedent Albanese should rely on.) The Biden no-show was a big inconvenience but no more, given the very positive relations between the Albanese government and that US administration.

    Some in Labor would think about the Trump issue in domestic political terms – that given Australians don’t like Trump, it’s not that important whether there is a meeting. But that sort of approach is not in Australia’s national interests.

    An exchange at the joint news conference Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer (who has a deal on tariffs) gave in Canada is instructive.

    Question: On the AUKUS submarine agreement, is that still proceeding?

    Keir Starmer: Yep, we’re proceeding with that. It’s a really important deal to both of us. I think the President is doing a review. We did a review when we came into government, so that makes good sense to me.

    Donald Trump: We’re very long-time partners and allies and friends, and we’ve become friends in a short period of time. He’s slightly more liberal than I am, to put it mildly.

    Starmer: I stand slightly on the left.

    Trump: But for some reason, we get along.

    Starmer: We make it work.

    Somehow, Albanese needs to find a way to “make it work”.

    Michelle Grattan 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. View from the Hill: Cancelled Albanese-Trump meeting a setback on tariffs, AUKUS – https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-cancelled-albanese-trump-meeting-a-setback-on-tariffs-aukus-258968

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • Healthy crowds and Messi mania lift Club World Cup, but quality gap shows

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The expanded Club World Cup has kicked off with healthy crowds, “Messi mania” and a festival atmosphere in Miami, giving an early vindication to world football body FIFA after fears of empty stands and global disinterest.

    FIFA controversially awarded Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami a backdoor route into the tournament, ensuring the sport’s biggest name would be there after he propelled soccer to new heights in a country often ambivalent to the world’s most popular game.

    Some 61,000 fans packed the Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday to watch the Argentine and teammates play Egyptian giants Al-Ahly in a goalless draw.

    Another strong crowd turned out on Sunday for the clash between Paris St Germain and Atletico Madrid, which ended in a one-sided 4-0 win for the Champions League winners.

    However, Bayern Munich’s 10-0 demolition of semi-professional Auckland City underscored the worrying gulf in quality between some of the competing clubs.

    But the opening weekend largely delivered what FIFA had hoped for: vibrant crowds and global representation.

    South American supporters made their presence especially felt.

    More than 1,000 Boca Juniors fans in blue and gold turned Miami Beach into a party strip on Sunday ahead of their opening match, singing club anthems and waving flags in scenes reminiscent of a World Cup carnival.

    “Wherever you go, Boca is here,” Gaston San Paul, a fan who flew in from Entre Rios in Argentina, told Reuters.

    “Wherever we are we do this,” he added, referring to the “Banderazo” (flag party), a fan gathering destined to mark territory ahead of a game.

    Boca and Real Madrid games were among the top early ticket sellers, according to FIFA, which said that top markets after the U.S. were Brazil, Argentina and Mexico.

    Talk of empty stands was at least provisionally dismissed as well as heightened anxiety in the immigrant-heavy Miami area following recent federal immigration raids.

    At the heart of the opening weekend buzz was Messi, whose presence has elevated Inter Miami’s profile and guaranteed global glamour for the tournament.

    $1 BILLION DEAL

    Messi, who received a standing ovation before kickoff, was unable to find the net against Al-Ahly but provided flashes of brilliance in a tightly contested, physical match.

    FIFA is banking not only on Messi’s star power but also on a radical new broadcast strategy. The tournament is being streamed for free worldwide by DAZN in a $1 billion deal.

    That agreement followed Saudi Arabia’s SURJ Sports Investment, a subsidiary of the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), acquiring a minority stake in DAZN for a reported $1 billion — another marker of the kingdom’s growing investment footprint in sport.

    The partnership, one of the largest broadcast packages in football history, is central to FIFA’s push to maximize digital engagement and position the Club World Cup as a global spectacle ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America.

    The $1 billion prize money, which ensures a hefty $125 million for the winners, was an obvious incentive for the European clubs.

    “There’s a lot of money at stake. If you have the chance to earn a lot of money at a tournament, you should take the chance,” former Bayern legend Karl Heinz Rummenigge said in the run-up.

    DAZN has yet to provide viewership data.

    While the crowds gave FIFA reason to be cheerful, the Bayern Munich v Auckland City match raised awkward questions about the tournament’s balance as the German champions obliterated their opponents 10-0.

    Despite the lopsided contest in Cincinnati, the overall mood among organizers was one of optimism, calling the opening weekend a resounding success.

    Many Floridians, however, did not know a global soccer event was taking place in their state.

    “There is a World Cup? Hockey?,” said one person working in a restaurant in Miami Beach.

    “This tournament is new, and it is different. It is the very first time clubs and players from all over the world have had the chance to face each other in competitive matches on a global stage,” FIFA said, referring to the 32-club format after the previous editions featured seven.

    With group matches continuing through the week and Boca’s opener against Benfica expected to draw another bumper crowd in Miami later on Monday, FIFA will be hoping to build on the early momentum — and avoid more one-sided encounters like the one in Cincinnati as European teams appear to be a level above those from other continents’.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Foreign directors visited the Moskino cinema park and the Gorky Film Studio

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    Representatives from 20 countries gathered at the XIX International Media Forum of Young Journalists “Dialogue of Cultures”, which was held in Moscow in May. Bloggers, journalists, directors, producers, cameramen and correspondents visited the sites of the Moscow film cluster. They noted the support measures introduced by the Moscow Government for foreign filmmakers to attract them to the capital, including a rebate system – compensation for part of the costs of filming.

    The guests visited the main sites of the Moskino cinema park, including the Center of Moscow, Cowboy Town, Chroma Key, TU-154 Airplane, Berlin Streets, Moscow Cathedral Square and Prince Andrey’s Chambers, Far Eastern City, Moscow of the 1940s, Remote Village, and County Town, and assessed its scale and capabilities.

    Six new filming locations have appeared in the Moskino cinema parkThe largest natural chromakey in Europe is located in the Moskino cinema park

    “The most important feature of the cinema park is the large number of sites for creating projects on a variety of topics. Here you can shoot science fiction films using natural chroma key, and historical films, filming on the sites of “Cathedral Square”, “Streets of Berlin” and “Moscow of the 1940s”. Each set is made with authenticity and close attention to detail. This is a large-scale project that has no equal in Europe. Relations between Russia and India are strengthening and developing every year, so I hope that our partnership will bring interesting joint projects,” said director Arun Chadha from India.

    The international delegation also visited the oldest and largest film production company, the Gorky Film Studio, which is celebrating its 110th anniversary this year. By the end of 2025, its area will increase to 100 thousand square meters.

    “Moscow is a city where you can and should shoot films, there is everything for this. I really liked the sites of the Moscow film cluster, which I managed to visit, there are very few like it in other capitals of the world, I would even say, only a few. A unique project has been created in Moscow. We need to make films about this,” Serbian documentary filmmaker Milan Jankovic noted the uniqueness of the Moscow infrastructure for filming.

    He was supported by Turkish director Muhammet Beyazdag.

    “I am impressed by the meeting with Moskino and the capabilities of the Russian capital for creating film projects. The Moscow film cluster allows film industry professionals from all over the world to shoot films of any complexity, to implement any ideas. The city’s film sites amaze with their scale and uniqueness. I want to tell Turkish filmmakers about this,” Beyazdag Muhammet emphasized.

    Sobyanin told how virtual technologies simplify film shooting in MoscowSobyanin: Gorky Film Studio to Become Part of World-Class Film Cluster

    In early May, directors also visited the Moscow film cluster facilities Oliver Stone And Emir Kusturica, who plans to shoot his films in the Moskino cinema park.

    The Russian capital has provided support measures for foreign filmmakers. Since April 1, a grant has been in effect for the production of international films in Moscow. Film crews consisting of Moscow and foreign film companies can apply for it. Industry representatives will be able to reimburse up to 30 percent of film production costs. The maximum payment for one project will be 50 million rubles. The new support measure will expand the capabilities of the Moscow film cluster and make the city even more attractive to international market players.

    The Moskino cinema park is part of Sergei Sobyanin’s “Moscow – City of Cinema” project and an object of the Moscow cinema cluster, which is being developed by the capital Department of Culture. The first stage of creation has already been completed here: 24 natural sites, four pavilions and six infrastructure facilities have been built, including the sets “Center of Moscow”, “Moscow of the 1940s”, “Vitebsk Station”, “Cathedral Square of Moscow”, “County Town”, “Cowboy Town”, “St. Petersburg Bar” and others. On weekends and holidays, the cinema park hosts staged filming, concerts, music and film festivals, performances, meetings with filmmakers and professional master classes.

    The Moscow Film Cluster is an infrastructure facility, services and facilities for filmmakers, which are being developed by the Moscow Government within the framework of the Moscow — City of Cinema project. Its structure includes the Moskino film park, the Gorky Film Studio (sites on Sergei Eisenstein Street and Valdaisky Proyezd), the Moskino film factory, the Moskino cinema chain, the film commission and the Moskino film platform.

    Get the latest news quickly official telegram channelthe city of Moscow.

    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.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/155342073/

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Trump says his G7 summit departure not linked to any Israel-Iran ceasefire offer

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Donald Trump said late on Monday his early departure from the Group of Seven nations summit has “nothing to do with” working on a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, refuting comments by French President Emmanuel Macron who said the U.S. president made a ceasefire proposal.

    Macron “mistakenly said that I left the G7 Summit, in Canada, to go back to D.C. to work on a ‘cease fire’ between Israel and Iran,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform as he left the G7 summit in Canada to return to Washington.

    “Wrong! He has no idea why I am now on my way to Washington, but it certainly has nothing to do with a Cease Fire. Much bigger than that,” Trump added in the post.

    Macron said earlier on Monday Trump had made an offer for a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. “There is indeed an offer to meet and exchange. An offer was made especially to get a ceasefire and to then kick-start broader discussions,” Macron told reporters at the G7.

    Trump left the G7 summit in Canada early to return to Washington due to the Middle East situation.

    The air war between Iran and U.S. ally Israel – which began on Friday when Israel attacked Iran with air strikes – has raised alarms in a region that had already been on edge since the start of Israel’s military assault on Gaza in October 2023.

    Since the Israeli strikes on Friday, the two Middle Eastern rivals have exchanged blows, with Iranian officials reporting over 220 deaths, mostly civilians, while Israel said 24 civilians were killed.

    Israel, the U.S. and other Western nations have long sought to pressure Iran to curb its nuclear weapons development.

    Tehran denies seeking nuclear weapons and has said it has the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including enrichment, as a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

    Israel, which is not a party to the NPT, is the only country in the Middle East widely believed to have nuclear weapons.

    Washington said Trump was still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-Evening Report: Decoding PNG leader Marape’s talks with French President Macron

    ANALYSIS: By Scott Waide, RNZ Pacific PNG correspondent

    The recent series of high-level agreements between Papua New Guinea and France marks a significant development in PNG’s geopolitical relationships, driven by what appears to be a convergence of national interests.

    The “deepening relationship” is less about a single personality and more about a calculated alignment of economic, security, and diplomatic priorities with PNG, taking full advantage of its position as the biggest, most strategically placed island player in the Pacific.

    An examination of the key outcomes reveals a partnership of mutual benefit, reflecting both PNG’s strategic diversification and France’s own long-term ambitions as a Pacific power.

    A primary driver is the shared economic rationale. From Port Moresby’s perspective, the partnership offers a clear path to economic diversification and resilience.

    But many in PNG have been watching with keen interest and asking: how badly does PNG want this?

    While Prime Minister James Marape offered France a Special Economic Zone in Port Moresby (SEZ) for French businesses, he also named the lookout at Port Moresby’s Variarata National Park after President Emmanuel Macron drawing the ire of many in the country.

    The proposal to establish a SEZ specifically for French industries is a notable attempt to attract capital from beyond PNG’s traditional partners.

    Strategically coupled
    This is strategically coupled with securing the future of the multi-billion-dollar Papua LNG project.

    Macron’s personal undertaking to work with TotalEnergies to keep the project on schedule provides crucial stability for one of PNG’s most significant economic ventures.

    For France, these arrangements secure a major energy investment for its national corporate champion and establish a stronger economic foothold in a strategically vital region between Asia and the Pacific.

    In the area of security, the relationship addresses tangible needs for both nations.

    PNG is faced with the immense challenge of monitoring a 2.4 million sq km Exclusive Economic Zone, making it vulnerable to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

    The finalisation of a Shiprider Agreement with France provides a practical force-multiplier, leveraging French naval assets to enhance PNG’s maritime surveillance capabilities. This move, along with planned defence talks on air and maritime cooperation, allows PNG to diversify its security architecture.

    For France, a resident power with Pacific territories like New Caledonia and French Polynesia, participating in regional security operations reinforces its role and commitment to stability in the Indo-Pacific.

    Elevating diplomatic influence
    The partnership is also a vehicle for elevating diplomatic influence.

    Port Moresby has noted the significance of engaging with a partner that holds permanent membership on the UN Security Council and seats at the G7 and G20.

    This alignment provides PNG with a powerful channel to global decision-making forums. The reciprocal move to establish a PNG embassy in Paris further cements the relationship on a mature footing.

    The diplomatic synergy is perhaps best illustrated by France’s full endorsement of PNG’s bid to host a future UN Ocean Conference. This support provides PNG with a major opportunity to lead on the world stage, while allowing France to demonstrate its credentials as a key partner to the Pacific Islands.

    This deepening PNG-France partnership does not exist in a vacuum.

    It is unfolding within a broader context of heightened geopolitical competition across the Pacific.

    The West’s view of China’s rapid emergence as a dominant economic and military force in the region has reshaped the strategic landscape, prompting traditional powers to re-engage with renewed urgency.

    increased diplomatic footprint
    The United States has responded by significantly increasing its diplomatic and security footprint, a move marked by Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Port Moresby to sign the Defence Cooperation Agreement.

    Similarly, Australia, PNG’s traditional security partner, is working to reinforce its long-standing influence through initiatives like the multi-million-dollar deal to establish a PNG team in its National Rugby League (NRL), a soft-power exercise reportedly linked to security outcomes.

    This competitive environment has, in turn, created greater agency for Pacific nations, allowing them to diversify their partnerships beyond old allies and providing a fertile ground for European powers like France to assert their own strategic interests.

    A strong foundation for the relationship is a shared public stance on environmental stewardship. The agreement on the need for rigorous scientific studies before any deep-sea mining occurs aligns PNG’s national policy with a position of environmental caution.

    This common ground extends to broader climate action, where France’s commitment to conservation in the Pacific resonates with PNG’s status as a frontline nation vulnerable to climate change.

    This alignment on values provides a durable and politically important basis for cooperation, allowing both nations to jointly advocate for climate justice and ocean protection.

    For the Papua New Guinea economy, this deepening partnership with France is critically important as it provides high-level stability for the multi-billion-dollar Papua LNG project and creates a direct pathway for new investment through a proposed SEZ for French businesses.

    Vital economic resource
    Furthermore, by moving to finalise a Shiprider Agreement to combat illegal fishing, the government is actively protecting a vital economic resource.

    For Marape’s credibility in local politics, these outcomes are tangible successes he can present to the nation as he battles a massive credibility dip in recent years.

    Securing a personal undertaking from the leader of a G7 nation, gaining support for PNG to host a future UN Ocean Conference, and enhancing national security demonstrates effective leadership on the world stage.

    This allows him to build a narrative of a competent statesman who, through “warm, personal relationships”, can deliver on promises of economic opportunity and national security while strengthening his political standing at home.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Decoding PNG leader Marape’s talks with French President Macron

    ANALYSIS: By Scott Waide, RNZ Pacific PNG correspondent

    The recent series of high-level agreements between Papua New Guinea and France marks a significant development in PNG’s geopolitical relationships, driven by what appears to be a convergence of national interests.

    The “deepening relationship” is less about a single personality and more about a calculated alignment of economic, security, and diplomatic priorities with PNG, taking full advantage of its position as the biggest, most strategically placed island player in the Pacific.

    An examination of the key outcomes reveals a partnership of mutual benefit, reflecting both PNG’s strategic diversification and France’s own long-term ambitions as a Pacific power.

    A primary driver is the shared economic rationale. From Port Moresby’s perspective, the partnership offers a clear path to economic diversification and resilience.

    But many in PNG have been watching with keen interest and asking: how badly does PNG want this?

    While Prime Minister James Marape offered France a Special Economic Zone in Port Moresby (SEZ) for French businesses, he also named the lookout at Port Moresby’s Variarata National Park after President Emmanuel Macron drawing the ire of many in the country.

    The proposal to establish a SEZ specifically for French industries is a notable attempt to attract capital from beyond PNG’s traditional partners.

    Strategically coupled
    This is strategically coupled with securing the future of the multi-billion-dollar Papua LNG project.

    Macron’s personal undertaking to work with TotalEnergies to keep the project on schedule provides crucial stability for one of PNG’s most significant economic ventures.

    For France, these arrangements secure a major energy investment for its national corporate champion and establish a stronger economic foothold in a strategically vital region between Asia and the Pacific.

    In the area of security, the relationship addresses tangible needs for both nations.

    PNG is faced with the immense challenge of monitoring a 2.4 million sq km Exclusive Economic Zone, making it vulnerable to illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

    The finalisation of a Shiprider Agreement with France provides a practical force-multiplier, leveraging French naval assets to enhance PNG’s maritime surveillance capabilities. This move, along with planned defence talks on air and maritime cooperation, allows PNG to diversify its security architecture.

    For France, a resident power with Pacific territories like New Caledonia and French Polynesia, participating in regional security operations reinforces its role and commitment to stability in the Indo-Pacific.

    Elevating diplomatic influence
    The partnership is also a vehicle for elevating diplomatic influence.

    Port Moresby has noted the significance of engaging with a partner that holds permanent membership on the UN Security Council and seats at the G7 and G20.

    This alignment provides PNG with a powerful channel to global decision-making forums. The reciprocal move to establish a PNG embassy in Paris further cements the relationship on a mature footing.

    The diplomatic synergy is perhaps best illustrated by France’s full endorsement of PNG’s bid to host a future UN Ocean Conference. This support provides PNG with a major opportunity to lead on the world stage, while allowing France to demonstrate its credentials as a key partner to the Pacific Islands.

    This deepening PNG-France partnership does not exist in a vacuum.

    It is unfolding within a broader context of heightened geopolitical competition across the Pacific.

    The West’s view of China’s rapid emergence as a dominant economic and military force in the region has reshaped the strategic landscape, prompting traditional powers to re-engage with renewed urgency.

    increased diplomatic footprint
    The United States has responded by significantly increasing its diplomatic and security footprint, a move marked by Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Port Moresby to sign the Defence Cooperation Agreement.

    Similarly, Australia, PNG’s traditional security partner, is working to reinforce its long-standing influence through initiatives like the multi-million-dollar deal to establish a PNG team in its National Rugby League (NRL), a soft-power exercise reportedly linked to security outcomes.

    This competitive environment has, in turn, created greater agency for Pacific nations, allowing them to diversify their partnerships beyond old allies and providing a fertile ground for European powers like France to assert their own strategic interests.

    A strong foundation for the relationship is a shared public stance on environmental stewardship. The agreement on the need for rigorous scientific studies before any deep-sea mining occurs aligns PNG’s national policy with a position of environmental caution.

    This common ground extends to broader climate action, where France’s commitment to conservation in the Pacific resonates with PNG’s status as a frontline nation vulnerable to climate change.

    This alignment on values provides a durable and politically important basis for cooperation, allowing both nations to jointly advocate for climate justice and ocean protection.

    For the Papua New Guinea economy, this deepening partnership with France is critically important as it provides high-level stability for the multi-billion-dollar Papua LNG project and creates a direct pathway for new investment through a proposed SEZ for French businesses.

    Vital economic resource
    Furthermore, by moving to finalise a Shiprider Agreement to combat illegal fishing, the government is actively protecting a vital economic resource.

    For Marape’s credibility in local politics, these outcomes are tangible successes he can present to the nation as he battles a massive credibility dip in recent years.

    Securing a personal undertaking from the leader of a G7 nation, gaining support for PNG to host a future UN Ocean Conference, and enhancing national security demonstrates effective leadership on the world stage.

    This allows him to build a narrative of a competent statesman who, through “warm, personal relationships”, can deliver on promises of economic opportunity and national security while strengthening his political standing at home.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • G7 expresses support for Israel, calls Iran source of instability

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Group of Seven nations expressed support for Israel in a statement issued late on Monday and labeled its rival Iran as a source of instability in the Middle East, with the G7 leaders urging broader de-escalation of hostilities in the region.

    The air war between Iran and Israel – which began on Friday when Israel attacked Iran with air strikes – has raised alarms in a region that had already been on edge since the start of Israel‘s military assault on Gaza in October 2023.

    “We affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself. We reiterate our support for the security of Israel,” G7 leaders said in the statement.

    “Iran is the principal source of regional instability and terror,” the statement added and said the G7 was “clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”

    Israel attacked Iran on Friday in what it called a preemptive strike to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Since then the two Middle Eastern rivals have exchanged blows, with Iranian officials reporting over 220 deaths, mostly civilians, while Israel said 24 civilians were killed.

    Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and has said it has the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including enrichment, as a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

    Israel, which is not a party to the NPT, is the only country in the Middle East widely believed to have nuclear weapons. Israel does not deny or confirm that.

    President Donald Trump planned to leave the G7 summit in Canada early to return to Washington due to the Middle East situation.

    The United States has so far maintained that it is not involved in the Israeli attacks on Iran although Trump said on Friday the U.S. was aware of Israel‘s strikes in advance and called them “excellent.” Washington has warned Tehran not to attack U.S. interests or personnel in the region.

    “We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza,” the G7 statement said, adding the nations were also ready to coordinate on safeguarding stability in energy markets.

    An Israeli strike hit Iran‘s state broadcaster on Monday while Trump said in a social media post that “everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran.”

    Separately, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also discussed the Israel–Iran war in phone calls with his British, French and European Union counterparts on Monday.

    Washington said Trump was still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran.

    (Reuters)

  • G7 expresses support for Israel, calls Iran source of instability

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Group of Seven nations expressed support for Israel in a statement issued late on Monday and labeled its rival Iran as a source of instability in the Middle East, with the G7 leaders urging broader de-escalation of hostilities in the region.

    The air war between Iran and Israel – which began on Friday when Israel attacked Iran with air strikes – has raised alarms in a region that had already been on edge since the start of Israel‘s military assault on Gaza in October 2023.

    “We affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself. We reiterate our support for the security of Israel,” G7 leaders said in the statement.

    “Iran is the principal source of regional instability and terror,” the statement added and said the G7 was “clear that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.”

    Israel attacked Iran on Friday in what it called a preemptive strike to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. Since then the two Middle Eastern rivals have exchanged blows, with Iranian officials reporting over 220 deaths, mostly civilians, while Israel said 24 civilians were killed.

    Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons and has said it has the right to develop nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, including enrichment, as a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

    Israel, which is not a party to the NPT, is the only country in the Middle East widely believed to have nuclear weapons. Israel does not deny or confirm that.

    President Donald Trump planned to leave the G7 summit in Canada early to return to Washington due to the Middle East situation.

    The United States has so far maintained that it is not involved in the Israeli attacks on Iran although Trump said on Friday the U.S. was aware of Israel‘s strikes in advance and called them “excellent.” Washington has warned Tehran not to attack U.S. interests or personnel in the region.

    “We urge that the resolution of the Iranian crisis leads to a broader de-escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, including a ceasefire in Gaza,” the G7 statement said, adding the nations were also ready to coordinate on safeguarding stability in energy markets.

    An Israeli strike hit Iran‘s state broadcaster on Monday while Trump said in a social media post that “everyone should immediately evacuate Tehran.”

    Separately, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also discussed the Israel–Iran war in phone calls with his British, French and European Union counterparts on Monday.

    Washington said Trump was still aiming for a nuclear deal with Iran.

    (Reuters)

  • Heavy rains to lash several districts in Tamil Nadu

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has issued heavy to very heavy rainfall warning for several districts in Tamil Nadu, predicting formation of a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal.

    The warning comes as persistent rains lash the Nilgiris and ghat areas of Coimbatore, triggering multiple incidents of tree falls and mudslides that have kept rescue teams on high alert.

    According to the RMC, an upper air cyclonic circulation prevailing over the northwest Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a low-pressure area by Tuesday.

    Forecasters say there is a high likelihood that the system will deepen further and move in a northwesterly direction in the coming days. The weather agency attributed the ongoing weather fluctuations to the combined effects of this emerging low-pressure system and a strengthening southwest monsoon. As a result, a red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall has been issued for isolated areas in the Nilgiris and Coimbatore’s ghat sections until June 18.

    Theni and Tenkasi districts have also been placed on a heavy rainfall watch. Additionally, light to moderate rainfall is expected over isolated locations in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal through the weekend.

    Chennai, however, is likely to see only sporadic rainfall over the next few days.

    As the southwest monsoon gains strength and the low-pressure area moves toward southern Gujarat, the city is expected to experience humid conditions with low chances of rain, said independent weather expert K. Srikanth.

    “The strengthening of western wind flow and a delayed sea breeze indicate that Chennai will likely witness more humidity than rain in the coming days,” Srikanth observed. He added that the heavy rains seen in Chennai and surrounding districts last week were due to the weak progress of the southwest monsoon.

    Meanwhile, several locations in the Western Ghats recorded substantial rainfall on Monday. Avalanche in the Nilgiris received 29 cm of rain, while Chinnakallar in Coimbatore recorded 18 cm. Other regions, including Upper Bhavani, Pandalur, and Solaiyar, also reported heavy rainfall.

    Authorities have urged residents in affected areas to remain cautious and avoid travel through vulnerable routes during peak rainfall hours.

    (With inputs from IANS)

     

  • Heavy rains to lash several districts in Tamil Nadu

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Chennai has issued heavy to very heavy rainfall warning for several districts in Tamil Nadu, predicting formation of a low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal.

    The warning comes as persistent rains lash the Nilgiris and ghat areas of Coimbatore, triggering multiple incidents of tree falls and mudslides that have kept rescue teams on high alert.

    According to the RMC, an upper air cyclonic circulation prevailing over the northwest Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a low-pressure area by Tuesday.

    Forecasters say there is a high likelihood that the system will deepen further and move in a northwesterly direction in the coming days. The weather agency attributed the ongoing weather fluctuations to the combined effects of this emerging low-pressure system and a strengthening southwest monsoon. As a result, a red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall has been issued for isolated areas in the Nilgiris and Coimbatore’s ghat sections until June 18.

    Theni and Tenkasi districts have also been placed on a heavy rainfall watch. Additionally, light to moderate rainfall is expected over isolated locations in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal through the weekend.

    Chennai, however, is likely to see only sporadic rainfall over the next few days.

    As the southwest monsoon gains strength and the low-pressure area moves toward southern Gujarat, the city is expected to experience humid conditions with low chances of rain, said independent weather expert K. Srikanth.

    “The strengthening of western wind flow and a delayed sea breeze indicate that Chennai will likely witness more humidity than rain in the coming days,” Srikanth observed. He added that the heavy rains seen in Chennai and surrounding districts last week were due to the weak progress of the southwest monsoon.

    Meanwhile, several locations in the Western Ghats recorded substantial rainfall on Monday. Avalanche in the Nilgiris received 29 cm of rain, while Chinnakallar in Coimbatore recorded 18 cm. Other regions, including Upper Bhavani, Pandalur, and Solaiyar, also reported heavy rainfall.

    Authorities have urged residents in affected areas to remain cautious and avoid travel through vulnerable routes during peak rainfall hours.

    (With inputs from IANS)

     

  • Monsoon to reach Bihar within 48 hours, IMD issues orange alert for northern districts

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    After days of sweltering heat and high humidity, relief is finally in sight for Bihar, with the southwest monsoon set to arrive via Purnea and Kishanganj within the next 48 hours, according to the Meteorological Centre in Patna.

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for several districts in North Bihar, warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning.

    Over 20 districts, including Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Munger, East and West Champaran, Siwan, Saran, and Katihar, are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall in the coming days.

    Heavy rain warnings are specifically in place for Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, and Kishanganj, where thunderstorms accompanied by winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph are expected.

    Rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours has further confirmed the onset of the monsoon.

    Notable rainfall figures include Bikramganj (Rohtas) – 30 mm; Raghunathpur (Siwan) – 25.6 mm; and Hathwa (Gopalganj) – 20.8 mm

    Despite the rain, Chhapra remained the hottest place at 41.1 degrees Celsius, though temperatures dipped slightly in about 20 districts.

    The Disaster Management Department has issued advisories urging people to avoid open areas and refrain from standing under trees during lightning or thunderstorms.

    The IMD has further warned of thunderstorms and gusty winds on June 17 in the districts of West Champaran, Siwan, Gopalganj, Kishanganj, Katihar, Bhagalpur, Banka, Nawada, Gaya, and Rohtas.

    Residents have been advised to stay indoors during inclement weather, avoid standing near electric poles or trees, and stay updated with local weather alerts.

    With easterly, moisture-laden winds intensifying, the IMD expects the monsoon to become fully active across Bihar by June 17-18, bringing consistent rainfall and a noticeable drop in temperatures across the state.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Monsoon to reach Bihar within 48 hours, IMD issues orange alert for northern districts

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    After days of sweltering heat and high humidity, relief is finally in sight for Bihar, with the southwest monsoon set to arrive via Purnea and Kishanganj within the next 48 hours, according to the Meteorological Centre in Patna.

    The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for several districts in North Bihar, warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning.

    Over 20 districts, including Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Munger, East and West Champaran, Siwan, Saran, and Katihar, are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall in the coming days.

    Heavy rain warnings are specifically in place for Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Supaul, Araria, and Kishanganj, where thunderstorms accompanied by winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph are expected.

    Rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours has further confirmed the onset of the monsoon.

    Notable rainfall figures include Bikramganj (Rohtas) – 30 mm; Raghunathpur (Siwan) – 25.6 mm; and Hathwa (Gopalganj) – 20.8 mm

    Despite the rain, Chhapra remained the hottest place at 41.1 degrees Celsius, though temperatures dipped slightly in about 20 districts.

    The Disaster Management Department has issued advisories urging people to avoid open areas and refrain from standing under trees during lightning or thunderstorms.

    The IMD has further warned of thunderstorms and gusty winds on June 17 in the districts of West Champaran, Siwan, Gopalganj, Kishanganj, Katihar, Bhagalpur, Banka, Nawada, Gaya, and Rohtas.

    Residents have been advised to stay indoors during inclement weather, avoid standing near electric poles or trees, and stay updated with local weather alerts.

    With easterly, moisture-laden winds intensifying, the IMD expects the monsoon to become fully active across Bihar by June 17-18, bringing consistent rainfall and a noticeable drop in temperatures across the state.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The UN General Assembly declared December 4 as the day of struggle against unilateral sanctions

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    UNITED NATIONS, June 17 (Xinhua) — The United Nations General Assembly on Monday declared December 4 as the International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures.

    The adopted resolution calls on States to refrain from adopting, enacting or applying any unilateral economic, financial or trade measures that are not in accordance with international law and the UN Charter and that impede or undermine the full achievement of socio-economic development, particularly in developing countries.

    The document notes that the establishment of the International Day will complement ongoing efforts to raise global awareness of the negative consequences of unilateral coercive measures and will contribute to strengthening international cooperation and solidarity between countries in eliminating the consequences of such sanctions.

    The resolution was supported by 116 delegations, 51 countries voted against, and six abstained. The countries of the Global North voted against, including the EU, Australia, the UK, Canada, Japan and the US. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Agreement on suspending short-stay visa-free travel to respond to security concerns and rights violations

    Source: European Parliament 3

    EP and Council teams have reached an agreement on grounds for suspending visa-free travel for short stays into the EU.

    A reform of the mechanism to suspend short-stay visa-free travel into the EU, agreed today between Parliament and Council negotiating teams, will allow the EU to respond more flexibly when countries backslide on important principles of their visa waiver agreement, which can include security concerns and human rights violations.


    New grounds for suspension

    In future, violations of the United Nations Charter, severe breaches of international human rights or humanitarian law, and not complying with international court decisions will be valid grounds for suspending visa-freedom. This helps align the grounds for suspension with the grounds for granting the visa waiver in the first place, and can create a deterrent effect.

    With the new law, additional grounds for suspending the visa waiver will include hybrid threats, such as state-sponsored instrumentalisation of migrants aimed at destabilising or undermining society; and investor citizenship schemes (“golden passports”), which raise security concerns. A country’s lack of alignment with EU visa policy, potentially making it a transit country for illegal entry into the EU, will also be a valid ground for suspending visa-free regimes. Existing grounds, including a lack of cooperation on readmissions, will be maintained.


    No impunity for third-country government officials

    To deter third-country governments from violating the terms of their short-stay visa waiver agreement, the agreed law gives the EU more flexibility to target government officials (who may bear responsibility for a government’s human rights breaches or other violations) with suspensions of visa freedom.

    Based on an EP proposal, it was agreed that the Commission can prevent member states from exempting from visa suspension diplomatic and service passport carrying government and state officials.

    Under current legislation, “substantial” increases in numbers of people staying without permission, of asylum applications from a country with a low recognition rate, or of serious criminal offences can also trigger visa freedom suspension. During negotiations, it was agreed that the threshold for assessing such an increase will be set to 30 %. The threshold for calculating a low recognition rate of asylum application will be set at 20 %. In well-justified cases, the Commission can also deviate from these thresholds.


    Quote

    After the vote, rapporteur Matjaž Nemec (S&D, Slovenia) said: “Reformed visa rules will give the EU a revamped tool to respond to geopolitical situations and new threats. Visa policy can contribute to upholding EU values by ensuring that there are consequences when a foreign government breaches human rights and international law. In such cases, their government representatives and diplomats should have their visa-free access to the EU revoked, and this agreement makes that more likely.”


    Next steps

    Before it can enter into law, the provisional agreement needs to be formally adopted by both Parliament and Council.


    Background

    Nationals of 61 third countries can currently travel to the Schengen area for short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period) without a visa (source: EP Research Service). See also this Council website for a map of current visa agreements.

    According to the current law, the European Commission (following a proposal by a concerned member state or on its own initiative) can start the process of suspending visa-free travel from third countries into the Schengen area, first temporarily, pending further investigation and dialogue with the country in question, and then permanently if the issues are not resolved. To date, visa freedom has only been revoked once, in the case of Vanuatu.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: There’s a new ban on vaping in childcare centres, but what else do we need to keep kids safe?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Erin Harper, Lecturer, School of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney

    On Monday, the federal government announced new rules to boost safety in the early childhood sector.

    From September there will be mandatory reporting of any allegations or incidents of child physical or sexual abuse within 24 hours. Currently there is a seven-day window.

    On top of this, vapes will be banned from all early childhood services and there will be “stronger protections” around the photographing and filming of children. Services will be need to have clear policies on taking photos and videos of children, parent consent, CCTV use and using service-issued devices.

    Next week, Australia’s education ministers will meet to discuss what else can be done to improve safety in childcare services. What do they need to consider?

    What has happened so far?

    This week’s changes stem from a 2023 review by the national early childhood quality authority, which highlighted serious concerns about childcare safety.

    This found increasing reports of critical incidents in services relating to inappropriate discipline, inadequate supervision and harmful sexual behaviours.

    Education Minister Jason Clare explained he set up the review, prompted by concerns for children’s safety. This included allegations of multiple cases of abuse by a former childcare worker.

    But stories of mistreatment and neglect in childcare services have continued – with the ABC reporting cases of shocking abuse in some childcare centres this year.

    Too many incidents

    The national childcare quality authority reports there has been a slow but steady increase in the rate of confirmed breaches and reporting of serious incidents in the eight years to 2023-24.

    For example, the rate of reported serious incidents in 2023-24 was 148 per 100 approved services. This is higher than the rate of 139 in 2022-23 and 124 in 2021-22.

    Concerningly, current reporting levels may be an under-representation due to inadequate understanding of child safety among educators and confusion about when and how to report child safety incidents.

    This mirrors Australian research, which indicates a lack of time, understanding and support are barriers for medical staff reporting child abuse.

    Why is progress so slow?

    There is a chance the latest announcement may inadvertently cause families concern. Parents and carers might reasonably wonder why we currently have a seven-day window to report child abuse and how vapes were ever allowed in early education services to start with.

    Families may also wonder why stronger protections around filming their kids have not already been introduced – given early childhood services have been photographing children for years. The situation is further confused by the fact that some service providers may have developed and implemented their own policies.

    There is a long history of slow and reactive policy making and regulation in early childhood – as noted by a review published by the Australian Council for Educational Research as far back as 2006.

    The sector is also subject to complex and cumbersome structural frameworks. Services need to navigate different state and territory requirements as well as national regulations. There are also a raft of extra guidelines and codes, for example, Safe Sleep Practices by Red Nose Australia.

    What is needed now?

    Next week, federal and state education ministers will meet and discuss childcare safety once again. There are two important things they should keep in mind.

    1. We are still missing important data.

    We need a better evidence base on the exact nature and frequency of child safety incidents in childcare services. We need robust data so we can track longitudinal trends and assess the ongoing impact of new policies.

    At the moment this crucial information is obscured by inconsistent data records. While this is likely due to the complex interplay of federal and state governance, this is one of many issues in the sector that has long been documented.

    2. Early childhood educators are already overworked

    My 2024 research with colleagues shows many early childhood educators already know what safe and quality education and care looks like. But they are frustrated their ability to spend quality time with children is hampered by administrative tasks. This frustration is a key contributor to burnout, which is already rife within the sector.

    So governments should ensure important safety practices do not come with excessive, burdensome and confusing red tape.

    What about families?

    For families who are worried about the quality of care their children are receiving – it may help to know the vast majority of services (91%) met or exceeded the national standards as of February 2025.

    If you have specific concerns you can contact the regulatory authority in your state.



    Read more:
    How can you tell if your child’s daycare is good quality?

    Erin Harper 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. There’s a new ban on vaping in childcare centres, but what else do we need to keep kids safe? – https://theconversation.com/theres-a-new-ban-on-vaping-in-childcare-centres-but-what-else-do-we-need-to-keep-kids-safe-259035

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi meets Tajik President Emomali Rahmon

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

    Xi meets Tajik President Emomali Rahmon

    Xinhua | June 17, 2025

    Chinese President Xi Jinping met Tuesday with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.

    Xi arrived in the Kazakh capital of Astana on Monday to attend the second China-Central Asia Summit.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi meets Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov

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

    Xi meets Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov

    Xinhua | June 17, 2025

    Chinese President Xi Jinping met Tuesday with Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.

    Xi arrived in the Kazakh capital of Astana on Monday to attend the second China-Central Asia Summit.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Bamboo boom: Anji’s bamboo industry drives green development

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

    China SCIO | June 17, 2025

    Photo taken on June 12, 2025 shows the view of Yucun village of Anji county, eastern China’s Zhejiang province. Anji county has made great efforts to promote the green development in rural areas. [Photo by Cui Can/China SCIO]

    In the lush hills of Anji county, eastern China’s Zhejiang province, summer comes with the dense, whispering green of bamboo forests. Here, a single stalk of bamboo, humble and fast-growing, can find its way into upscale European restaurants as sleek dinnerware, or appear as a minimalist bamboo lamp on the shelves of MUJI and IKEA stores worldwide.

    With about 720 square kilometers of bamboo groves, Anji has embraced bamboo as both a cultural symbol and an economic resource. Today, it is emerging as a pioneer in developing bamboo industry to drive green development. 

    “Bamboo is not only tough and durable, but also renewable,” said Liu Yu, chief expert of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment. “Compared to wood, which can take over a decade to mature, bamboo is harvest-ready in just four to six years and can regrow without replanting.”

    Liu also noted that responsible harvesting benefits the ecosystem. “If left uncut, bamboo becomes prone to disease and pests. Its aggressive root system can also outcompete other plant life, reducing biodiversity.”

    A worker processes bamboo at a company in Anji county of Huzhou city, Zhejiang province, June 13, 2025. [Photo by Cui Can/China SCIO]

    To harness bamboo’s environmental potential, China in 2022 launched a “Bamboo as a Substitute for Plastic” initiative in collaboration with the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization. A year later, the National Development and Reform Commission and several other government departments introduced a three-year action plan to accelerate initiative. Anji was named one of the program’s first demonstration bases.

    Currently, more than 1,000 enterprises in Anji are involved in the bamboo industry, over 40 of which are large-scale operations. Around 70% of their products are exported to markets like the U.S., Europe, Japan, and South Korea, said Zhou Jihui, who oversees the “Bamboo for Plastic” project at Anji Development and Reform Bureau.

    Photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows the bamboo packaging, lighting, and tableware produced by a company in Anji county of Huzhou city, Zhejiang province. [Photo by Cui Can/China SCIO]

    Zhejiang Fenghui Bamboo and Wooden Products Co. Ltd., founded in 1990, is one of Anji’s largest bamboo manufacturers and exporters. When General Manager Liang Fenghui took over the business from his father in 2014, the company focused on low-value raw products like bamboo poles and fences. “The profit margins were slim, and environmental standards were rising. Many companies shut down, and some bamboo forests were abandoned,” he recalled. “We had to transform.”

    The company began to invest in developing a more diversified product line, ranging from bamboo kitchenware and dining items to garden products. It now offers a portfolio of over 1,000 bamboo products.

    And as Anji aligns itself with China’s broader green development strategy, local bamboo manufacturers like Fenghui are making sustainability a priority. “Our production process is now cleaner, and we’ve developed machinery that improves material utilization by at least 20%,” Liang said. 

    Today, Bamboo tableware accounts for 60% of the company’s revenue. It exports bamboo packaging, lighting, and tableware to clients across Japan, France, Spain, and the U.S. In 2024, the company’s export value reached 150 million yuan (about US$21 million), with Japan and France each accounting for 20% of sales, and the U.S. around 10%.

    According to Zhou of Anji Development and Reform Bureau, the county’s bamboo sector has improved incomes for more than 51,000 local farming households. In 2024 alone, bamboo-related income increased each household’s earnings by an average of 6,500 yuan. “And 167 village collectives each saw their revenues grow by more than 1 million yuan,” she said.

    Photo taken on June 13, 2025 shows bamboo tableware at a company in Anji county of Huzhou city, Zhejiang Province. [Photo by Cui Can/China SCIO]

    As Anji accelerates its “Bamboo for Plastic” initiative, the county has been exploring more ways to bring bamboo into everyday life. In hospitality, bamboo toothbrushes, combs, and takeaway cutlery are replacing plastics. In local markets, plastic bags have been gradually phased out in favor of biodegradable ones made from bamboo powder. “They decompose within three months and are stronger than plastics,” Zhou noted.

    And whereas plastic products are generally cheaper than bamboo products of the same kind, Zhou said price isn’t always the key concern. “Consumers, especially in hospitality, often care more about the product’s look and whether it matches their brand image than about the cost. That gives us more room to innovate.”

    To meet this rising demand, Liang is investing in design and branding. “We’re incorporating traditional Chinese cultural elements into packaging and product design to appeal to younger consumers. And with cross-border e-commerce platforms, we’re reaching more global audiences.”

    In 2024, the total output value of Anji’s bamboo industry reached 19.2 billion yuan, up 7% over the previous year, according to Zhou. “That was nearly 2.6 billion yuan more than in 2022. The growth momentum is very strong.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Lights on for SH22/Great South Road intersection

    Source: New Zealand Transport Agency

    A minor increase in journey times and some queuing at peak times can be expected for people travelling on SH22 as an inherent result of the new traffic lights, which are necessary to allow for safer and more efficient movements into and out of Great South Road.

    NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Regional Manager Transport Services, Stephen Collett says the signalisation of the intersection has been a necessary traffic mitigation ahead of future construction work on the SH1 Papakura to Drury project, when the Drury northbound off-ramp will be closed for an extended period. The temporary signalisation in its current lane layout will remain until the future four-laning of SH22 between Jesmond Road and Drury Interchange as part of the SH22 Drury upgrade project, which also requires traffic lights at the SH22 intersections with Great South Road and Jesmond Road.

    The expected commissioning (turning on) of the traffic lights in April had been paused to allow the system to gather real time traffic flow data, which revealed that current traffic flows on SH22 were higher than those used to design the signalisation of the intersection. A review of the design was then undertaken to confirm it was optimal for its temporary arrangement, which recommended two additional improvements to further mitigate potential peak hour queuing on SH22 following closure of the ramp, specifically in the southbound direction. Those recommended additions were to add a left turn slip lane from SH22 into Great South Road and to extend the length of the two-lane southbound exit of SH22 from the intersection, where the two lanes merge back into one.

    These two recommendations will be implemented by NZTA and further works will begin in July when the designs have been finalised. In the meantime, NZTA will commission the traffic lights to improve the overall safety of the intersection beyond that provided by the temporary traffic management measures currently in place. Activating the lights will also reduce the cost of temporary traffic management required to implement the additional improvements.

    “Great South Road is already a busy route that experiences safety and congestion issues at the intersection with SH22. With our construction activities ramping up on SH1, even before the closure of the northbound off-ramp more people may choose to use Great South Road for their travel, increasing existing pressures on the intersection,” Mr Collett says. 

    “When the lights are activated and as people become accustomed to the new signals, the Auckland Transport Operations Centre will monitor the intersection to ensure no safety issues arise. We thank everyone for their patience while we have taken the time to ensure the operation of these temporary traffic lights will be optimal for the period they will be in service.”

    People are also reminded that the intersection of Victoria Street with SH22 (beside Drury Interchange) is currently closed to realign the street directly opposite Mercer Street.  Following that realignment, the intersection will also be signalised as a required traffic mitigation ahead of the future demolition and rebuild of the Bremner Road bridge across SH1. These traffic lights are expected to be installed and operational near the end of this year.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CE: actions on app protect security

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    (To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

    Chief Executive John Lee said today that actions taken by the Secretary for Security and the Police Force in relation to a mobile application were necessary to safeguard national security.

    In remarks ahead of this morning’s Executive Council meeting, he emphasised that the Government will always take strict enforcement action in accordance with the law with regard to all activities and acts endangering national security.

    “According to the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), all citizens have the obligation to uphold national security. So Hong Kong as a Special Administrative Region of the PRC, the residents of Hong Kong have that constitutional obligation.

    “The mobile application in question was released under the guise of a game with the aim of promoting secessionist agendas of ‘Taiwan independence’ and ‘Hong Kong independence’. This endangers national security.

    “The Secretary for Security and the Hong Kong Police have taken action in accordance with the Implementation Rules for Article 43 of the Hong Kong National Security Law, carrying out their responsibilities and duties to safeguard national security – they are doing the right thing.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Enhancement measures implemented to safeguard employment priority for local workers under Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Enhancement measures implemented to safeguard employment priority for local workers under Enhanced Supplementary Labour Scheme      
    (i) To ensure that employers will not displace local employees with imported workers, the LD launched an online complaint form on the ESLS dedicated webpage (www.labour.gov.hk/eng/plan/iwESLS.htm          
    (ii) For applications of ESLS which thereafter pass the initial screening and will commence the four-week local recruitment process, the LD will display the names of applicant companies when publishing the job vacancies on the Interactive Employment Service website to encourage job seekers to apply for the jobs. 
              
    (iii) After an employer has submitted an ESLS application, other application(s) submitted by the same employer within the following six months will generally not be processed (except under exceptional circumstances, such as applications for renewal of imported workers’ employment contracts). 
              
    (iv) The LD will launch a special inspection campaign to check whether establishments employing imported workers have continuously met the manning ratio requirement of full-time local employees to imported workers of 2:1. In parallel, the LD will, adopting a risk-based approach, require employers to report information on full-time local employees and imported workers as well as the relevant manning ratios. The LD will investigate any suspected violations. If substantiated, the LD will impose administrative sanctions on the employers. 

         A Government spokesman reiterated that the priority of the Government’s manpower policy all along is to nurture the local workforce. On the premise of ensuring employment priority for local workers, the Government suitably allows employers to apply for importation of workers.      
         The ESLS also requires employers not to displace local workers with imported workers. In the event of redundancy, imported workers should be retrenched first. If there is sufficient evidence to substantiate any violation of the requirement, the LD will impose administrative sanctions on the employers, including withdrawal of approvals for importation of labour previously granted and refusal to process other applications submitted by the employers in the following two years.
          
         The LD will continue to closely monitor the local labour market, and from time to time review the operation and implementation arrangements of the ESLS, with a view to safeguarding employment priority for local workers. 
    Issued at HKT 14:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Iress partners with interop.io to deliver future-ready trading experiences

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Sydney, London, New York, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Iress today announced that it has partnered with the interoperability platform, interop.io, as part of the company’s broader strategy to focus and reinvest in its core trading and market data products. The partnership supports Iress’ commitment to delivering modular, personalised and high-performance trading experiences for its global trading and market data clients.

    interop.io provides the interoperability platform for capital markets firms to unify multiple applications into a harmonised smart desktop, in an aim to increase efficiencies and enable end-users to focus on higher value tasks.

    Through the partnership, Iress’ global trading and market data clients will be able to seamlessly connect and integrate third-party applications, news sources and notifications into a single workspace (known as “MyIress”), optimising trading workflows and reducing the manual risk associated with entering information across multiple platforms. By adopting open APIs and FDC3 interoperability standards, clients can embed custom or proprietary user interfaces, giving them full control to personalise and scale their workflows.

    Iress’ Executive General Manager – Product & Development, Michael Barbera, said: “This partnership marks a key milestone in Iress’ focus and reinvestment in trading technology. Through MyIress, we’re delivering a more scalable and personalised future, empowering clients to tailor their workflows, operate seamlessly across markets and time zones, and stay ahead in an increasingly complex, fast-moving landscape. 

    “Today’s trading landscape is shifting fast, with extended trading market hours, accelerated post-trade cycles, and heightened regulatory demands reshaping operational expectations for trading firms. Traders need to be agile, compliant and operationally resilient to maintain competitive edge across global markets. At the same time, firms are under pressure to modernise legacy infrastructure without costly replatforming.

    “Iress’ partnership with interop.io, which underpins MyIress, enables us to deliver zero-install, scalable architecture that reduces reliance on legacy systems and supports traders in designing high-performance workflows that suit their strategy, region or asset class choice. Interoperable systems are easier to monitor, test and audit, making them better suited to meet changing regulatory requirements, while providing enhanced compliance oversight via automated trade monitoring, reporting and real-time data sharing.”

    interop.io. CEO, Leslie Spiro, said: “There’s an ongoing industry focus on improving connectivity between market participants through technology that supports interoperability. We’re delighted to be partnering with Iress to deliver a best-of-breed ecosystem that enhances the user experience for their global trading and market data clients and ultimately improves the experience across the trading industry.”

    For more information on Iress’ trading and market data solutions click here.

    Ends

    Iress

    Tina Kane
    Mobile: +44 (0) 7887 947329 
    Email: tina.kane@therealizationgroup.com

    About Iress

    Iress (IRE.ASX) is a technology company providing software to the financial services industry. We provide software and services for trading & market data, financial advice, investment management, superannuation, life & pensions and data intelligence in Asia-Pacific, North America, Africa, the UK and Europe.

    www.iress.com

    About interop.io

    interop.io was formed in June 2023 through the merger of Finsemble and Glue42 to create the global powerhouse driving application interoperability in capital markets and beyond. Leveraging FDC3 and workflow automation, interop.io allows clients to create Straight-Through Workflows and benefit from unparalleled levels of business agility, a more productive workforce and better operational control. The firm employs over 120 people including 100 full-time R&D and implementation engineers located in New York, Charlottesville, London, and Sofia. For more information, visit interop.io.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Iress partners with interop.io to deliver future-ready trading experiences

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Sydney, London, New York, June 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Iress today announced that it has partnered with the interoperability platform, interop.io, as part of the company’s broader strategy to focus and reinvest in its core trading and market data products. The partnership supports Iress’ commitment to delivering modular, personalised and high-performance trading experiences for its global trading and market data clients.

    interop.io provides the interoperability platform for capital markets firms to unify multiple applications into a harmonised smart desktop, in an aim to increase efficiencies and enable end-users to focus on higher value tasks.

    Through the partnership, Iress’ global trading and market data clients will be able to seamlessly connect and integrate third-party applications, news sources and notifications into a single workspace (known as “MyIress”), optimising trading workflows and reducing the manual risk associated with entering information across multiple platforms. By adopting open APIs and FDC3 interoperability standards, clients can embed custom or proprietary user interfaces, giving them full control to personalise and scale their workflows.

    Iress’ Executive General Manager – Product & Development, Michael Barbera, said: “This partnership marks a key milestone in Iress’ focus and reinvestment in trading technology. Through MyIress, we’re delivering a more scalable and personalised future, empowering clients to tailor their workflows, operate seamlessly across markets and time zones, and stay ahead in an increasingly complex, fast-moving landscape. 

    “Today’s trading landscape is shifting fast, with extended trading market hours, accelerated post-trade cycles, and heightened regulatory demands reshaping operational expectations for trading firms. Traders need to be agile, compliant and operationally resilient to maintain competitive edge across global markets. At the same time, firms are under pressure to modernise legacy infrastructure without costly replatforming.

    “Iress’ partnership with interop.io, which underpins MyIress, enables us to deliver zero-install, scalable architecture that reduces reliance on legacy systems and supports traders in designing high-performance workflows that suit their strategy, region or asset class choice. Interoperable systems are easier to monitor, test and audit, making them better suited to meet changing regulatory requirements, while providing enhanced compliance oversight via automated trade monitoring, reporting and real-time data sharing.”

    interop.io. CEO, Leslie Spiro, said: “There’s an ongoing industry focus on improving connectivity between market participants through technology that supports interoperability. We’re delighted to be partnering with Iress to deliver a best-of-breed ecosystem that enhances the user experience for their global trading and market data clients and ultimately improves the experience across the trading industry.”

    For more information on Iress’ trading and market data solutions click here.

    Ends

    Iress

    Tina Kane
    Mobile: +44 (0) 7887 947329 
    Email: tina.kane@therealizationgroup.com

    About Iress

    Iress (IRE.ASX) is a technology company providing software to the financial services industry. We provide software and services for trading & market data, financial advice, investment management, superannuation, life & pensions and data intelligence in Asia-Pacific, North America, Africa, the UK and Europe.

    www.iress.com

    About interop.io

    interop.io was formed in June 2023 through the merger of Finsemble and Glue42 to create the global powerhouse driving application interoperability in capital markets and beyond. Leveraging FDC3 and workflow automation, interop.io allows clients to create Straight-Through Workflows and benefit from unparalleled levels of business agility, a more productive workforce and better operational control. The firm employs over 120 people including 100 full-time R&D and implementation engineers located in New York, Charlottesville, London, and Sofia. For more information, visit interop.io.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Telstra and Nokia partner to unlock network APIs for developers and enterprises

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press release
    Telstra and Nokia partner to unlock network APIs for developers and enterprises

    • Telstra’s muru-D Labs, a hub for incubating ideas, products, and technologies, will make network APIs available in a lab environment on Nokia’s Network as Code platform with developer portal.
    • The collaboration targets industry use cases for enterprises that leverage CAMARA and GSMA Open Gateway APIs.

    17 June 2025
    Espoo, Finland – Telstra, Australia’s leading telecommunications company, and Nokia today announced a new collaboration that will give developers secure access to network APIs to help build smarter applications and integrate them into advanced new use cases for enterprises and industries.

    Under the agreement, Telstra’s muru-D Labs will provide access to a select mix of live and simulated network APIs on Nokia’s Network as Code platform with developer portal, designed to make it easier for developers to build, test, and deploy new applications that securely tap into Telstra’s advanced network capabilities.

    The collaboration will focus on real-world use cases across industries, such as managing network traffic during large events, improving network observability, and prioritising critical services. The partnership will also explore Fixed Network use cases, having the developer platform consume API’s from Nokia’s service orchestration software already deployed in Telstra.

    Kim Krogh Andersen, Group Executive Product & Technology at Telstra, said the new collaboration reflects the company’s recently announced Connected Future 30 strategy and focus on delivering increasingly sophisticated and flexible connectivity capabilities to meet evolving customer needs. Core to this strategy is ‘Network as a Product,’ which aims to reinvent how Telstra creates and captures value from its networks by productising sophisticated network capabilities and opening up new business models.

    “We’re radically innovating at the core of our business and pushing the boundaries of our network leadership, so that our customers can get the connectivity they need in a changing environment. This new collaboration with Nokia is another way we are testing and learning how the power of the network can unlock new value in the tech ecosystem.”

    “By giving access to advanced capabilities through our network APIs, we’re enabling developers to create smarter, more responsive applications for enterprises. This is about working with our partner ecosystem to demonstrate how developers can securely interact with Telstra’s network and innovate at scale,” Andersen said.

    The initiative will include a local hackathon later this year, giving developers access to a selection of live network APIs and a sandbox environment to experiment with new ideas. This new collaboration builds on Telstra and Nokia’s long-standing partnership and supports Telstra’s Network as a Product vision of a software-defined, programmable network.

    Nokia’s network automation and Digital Operations solutions are laying the foundation for scalable API enablement by making it easier for partners, like Telstra, to offer developers on-demand access to programmable network capabilities with consistency and speed.

    “Our collaboration will deepen Telstra’s network integration into developer ecosystems and provide developers with greater choice, flexibility, and security in creating new applications,” said Shkumbin Hamiti, Vice-President and Head of Nokia’s Network Monetization Platform, Cloud and Network Services at Nokia. “As more developers explore network APIs, their feedback will shape the next generation of services, and we are excited to work alongside Telstra to drive this.”

    Nokia’s network API strategy centers around connecting multiple API ecosystems through its Network as Code platform. It offers operators the broadest range of network enablement options with robust multi-tier API security and provides developers simplified access to network functionalities.

    Nokia’s ecosystem of Network as Code platform partners has grown to over 50 and includes operators from around the world, as well hyperscalers, Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) platform providers, systems integrators, and vertical independent software vendors.

    About Nokia
    At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. 

     As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs, which is celebrating 100 years of innovation.  

    With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable, and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future. 

    About Telstra
    Telstra is Australia’s leading telecommunications and technology company. We offer a full range of services and compete in all telecommunications markets in Australia, operating the largest mobile and wi-fi networks. Globally, we provide end-to-end solutions including managed network services, global connectivity, cloud, voice, colocation, conferencing and satellite solutions. We have licenses in Asia, Europe and the United States and offer access to more than 2,000 points of presence across the globe. For more information visit www.telstra.com.

    About Telstra muru-D
    muru-D is Telstra’s hub for incubating ideas, products, and technologies, and plays a pivotal role in accelerating a portfolio of ~80 startup investments. The name muru-D has a meaningful origin rooted in the Sydney Aboriginal Eora language—muru means “path,” symbolising a journey or direction, while the D stands for “digital,” representing our focus on digital innovation. Together, muru-D signifies a pathway to digital innovation. 

    muru-D explores emerging technologies and rapidly prototype solutions, drawing on deep expertise in 5G, IoT, connectivity, edge computing, and applied AI. Through partnerships with industry, experts, and universities, we co-develop real-world solutions to real-world problems. Our process includes prototyping, proof-of-concepts, customer trials, hackathons and human-centred design workshops. 

    In addition to supporting Telstra’s innovation mission, muru-D backs founders driving social and technological impact across AI, VR, AR, drones, satellites, and robotics—amplifying innovation through our growing portfolio of startups. www.telstra.com.au/business-enterprise/muru-d 

    Media inquiries
    Nokia Press Office
    Email: Press.Services@nokia.com

    Telstra
    Steve Carey, General Manager Media 
    Phone: +61 413 988 640 
    Email: media@team.telstra.com                  

    Connect with Nokia on social media
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    The MIL Network –