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Category: Asia Pacific

  • MIL-OSI: AIXA Miner Launches AI-Powered Cloud Mining Services After Securing FinCEN MSB License

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Image by AIXA Miner

    NEW YORK, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AIXA MINER CLOUD MINING INVESTMENT LTD (“AIXA Miner”), a U.S.-based cryptocurrency mining platform, has launched the next phase of its AI-powered cloud mining services for Bitcoin (BTC), Litecoin (LTC), and Dogecoin (DOGE) following its recent registration as a Money Services Business (MSB) under the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).

    With this approval, AIXA Miner complies with national anti-money laundering (AML) standards and international financial regulatory frameworks. The designation strengthens the platform’s position as a legally recognized participant in the digital asset economy.

    Founded in 2020 and headquartered in the United States, AIXA Miner operates over 100 data centers across North America, Europe, and Asia. These facilities are powered entirely by renewable energy sources, including wind and solar, supporting the platform’s long-term environmental commitments.

    The cloud mining service allows users to allocate computing power through short-term contract packages. Mining operations are executed on high-performance GPU and ASIC infrastructure, with earnings automatically calculated and processed. The system eliminates the need for hardware ownership or technical setup, focusing on user accessibility and operational efficiency.

    AIXA Miner Potential Earnings

    AIXA Miner has recently integrated artificial intelligence to further optimize resource distribution and power allocation across its network. Enhanced algorithms improve processing speed, reduce energy waste, and increase overall system resilience.

    Security protocols include offline cold wallet storage, McAfee® SECURE compliance, and Cloudflare® network protection to ensure secure data handling and fund transfers.

    “The FinCEN MSB license reflects our commitment to regulatory transparency and operational integrity,” said a company spokesperson. “We aim to provide scalable, legally compliant infrastructure for cloud mining built on renewable energy and AI innovation.”

    About AIXA Miner
    AIXA Miner is a legally registered cloud mining platform that leverages AI-powered mining technologies and a global renewable energy infrastructure to deliver secure and sustainable access to cloud mining services. Its operations are guided by regulatory standards, cybersecurity practices, and environmental responsibility.

    Media Contact:
    like.Mikkelsen
    AIXA Miner Cloud Mining Investment Ltd
    like.Mikkelsen@aixaminer.com
    https://aixaminer.com/

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: 

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/601038eb-4c89-453d-a182-b85bd19b4d7a

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4457b653-2cb4-499c-9775-85a4b1a66df1

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Israelis ‘now realise’ what Palestinians and Lebanese have been suffering, says analyst

    Asia Pacific Report

    A Paris-based military and political analyst, Elijah Magnier, says he believes the hostilities between Israel and Iran will only get worse, but that Israeli support for the war may wane if the destruction continues.

    “I think it’s going to continue escalating because we are just in the first days of the war that Israel declared on Iran,” he told Al Jazeera in an interview.

    “And also the Israeli officials, the prime minister and the army, have all warned Israeli society that this war is going to be heavy and . . .  the price is going to be extremely high.

    “But the society that stands behind [Prime Minister] Benjamin Netanyahu and supports the war on Iran did not expect this level of destruction because, since 1973, Israel has not waged a war on a country and never been attacked on this scale, right in the heart of Tel Aviv,” Magnier said.

    “So now they are realising what the Palestinians have been suffering, what the Lebanese have been suffering, and they see the destruction in front of them — buildings in Tel Aviv, in Haifa destroyed, fire everywhere.

    “The properties no longer exist. Eight people killed, 250 wounded in one day.

    “That’s unheard of since a very long time in Israel. So, all that is not something that the Israeli society has been ready for,” added Magnier, veteran war correspondent and political analyst with more than 35 years of experience covering decades of war in the Middle East and North Africa.

    Peters criticised over ‘craven’ statement
    Meanwhile, in Auckland, the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa (PSNA) criticised New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters for “refusing to condemn Israel for its egregious war crimes of industrial-scale killing and mass starvation of civilians in Gaza”.

    It also said that Peters had “outdone himself with the most craven of tweets on Israel’s massive attack on Iran”.


    Iran missiles strikes on Israel for third day in retaliation to the surprise attack. Video: Al Jazeera

    Co-chair Maher Nazzal said in a statement that minister Peters had said he was “gravely concerned by the escalation in tensions between Israel and Iran” and that “all actors” must “prioritise de-escalation”.

    But there was no mention of Israel as the aggressor and no condemnation of Israel’s attack launched in the middle of negotiations between Iran and the US on Iran’s nuclear programme, said Maher.

    “It’s Mr Peters’ most obsequious tweet yet which leaves a cloud of shame hanging over the country.

    “Appeasement of this rogue state, as our government and other Western countries have done over 20 months, have led Israel to believe it can attack any country it likes with absolute impunity.”

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Canon, Coral Spawning Lab, and Nature Seychelles Team Up to Regenerate Coral Reefs


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    Canon EMEA (Canon-CNA.com) is partnering with Nature Seychelles, a leading non-profit organisation in the Western Indian Ocean, and the Coral Spawning Lab (CSL), to lead a first-of-its-kind project designed to safeguard the Seychelles’ vital marine ecosystems. The project aims to restore and protect coral reefs against climate change by embracing a new method of coral regeneration in the region.

    Canon will provide investment to Nature Seychelles for the construction and operation of a coral breeding facility as well as Canon imaging equipment to enhance observation and documentation of coral spawning, to be used in citizen science, and for education and awareness. Canon’s equipment will allow researchers to witness coral spawning events in detail previously not seen before.

    This will be the first of its kind in the region and will enhance Nature Seychelles’ new Assisted Recovery of Corals (ARC) facility, a land-based coral aquaculture facility aimed at boosting coral restoration efforts to save reefs from the impacts of climate change.

    With support from Canon and CSL, Nature Seychelles will develop a deeper understanding of coral reproductive timing, post-settlement growth, and survival. The technology provided will also facilitate photomicrography, photogrammetry, and the production of high-quality imagery and videos for researchers.

    The new cutting-edge coral breeding facility will create a genetic bank of resilient coral and document the process like never before. It will be built by CSL – a UK-based team of researchers that work to better understand the life cycles of reefs to equip communities with the information they need to regenerate coral ecosystems. CSL will also provide training in Seychelles to operate the facility.

    Coral reef restoration in the Seychelles has traditionally relied on the “coral gardening” (http://apo-opa.co/45rAo7K) technique where coral fragments are selected from existing reefs and grown in nurseries, before being transplanted back into degraded areas. However, given this process results in a reef populated by genetically identical corals, the technique falls short of creating corals that can routinely withstand the events that degrade them; for example, coral bleaching events, where stress triggered by rising ocean temperatures causes damage to their tissue. The lack of genetic diversity within gardened reefs is a critical weakness, rendering the technique only a temporary fix rather than a long-term solution for improving reef health and resiliency in the region.

    “Currently, we’re essentially cloning corals, creating reefs of genetically identical species,” explains Dr Nirmal Shah, CEO of Nature Seychelles. “Evolution thrives on diversity – the strong, the weak, the healthy, and everything in between. To build truly resilient reefs, we need to embrace true diversity. Canon’s partnership, alongside Coral Spawning Lab’s expertise allows us to do just that, by enabling us to breed corals and create a genetic bank of resilient species. Canon’s technology will also allow us to unlock the secrets of coral reproduction, leading to more effective conservation strategies and, ultimately, inspiring true change in how we protect and regenerate these vital ecosystems “

    Canon’s support is part of its broader commitment to environmental sustainability and using its imaging technology from cameras to satellites to further enable conservation efforts.

    Healthy coral reefs are crucial for the Seychelles’ tourism, fisheries, coastal protection, and biodiversity – and this partnership supports a more sustainable future for the islands.

    “Coral reefs are the foundation of our economy, our environment, and our way of life,” says Dr. Shah. “This partnership with Canon is not just about restoring reefs; it’s about safeguarding the future of the Seychelles.”

    Dr Jamie Craggs, marine biologist and co-founder of the Coral Spawning Lab, says: “The Coral Spawning Lab has always pushed the boundaries of coral reproductive science. This partnership with Canon and Nature Seychelles allows us to continue that tradition of innovation, combining our expertise with their cutting-edge imaging technology to develop new and more effective approaches to coral conservation.

    Working together, we can raise awareness about the urgent need for conservation with a broader audience. As a former underwater cameraman, I know the power of imagery to communicate complex scientific concepts and inspire action. By partnering with Canon, we can share the beauty and fragility of coral reefs with the world.”

    Peter Bragg, Sustainability and Government Affairs Director at Canon EMEA, says “Our partnership with Nature Seychelles and the Coral Spawning Lab in this innovative effort to protect the Seychelles’ vital coral reefs, demonstrates our commitment to biodiversity. The power of our imaging technology and expertise can play a significant role in building a more sustainable future for small island nations facing the challenges of climate change. By providing the tools to see, understand, and share the story of coral reefs, we hope to empower communities and raise awareness to protect these vital ecosystems for generations to come.”

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA).

    Media enquiries, please contact:
    Canon Central and North Africa
    Mai Youssef
    e. Mai.youssef@canon-me.com

    APO Group – PR Agency
    Rania ElRafie
    e. Rania.ElRafie@apo-opa.com

    About Canon Central and North Africa:
    Canon Central and North Africa (CCNA) (Canon-CNA.com) is a division within Canon Middle East FZ LLC (CME), a subsidiary of Canon Europe. The formation of CCNA in 2016 was a strategic step that aimed to enhance Canon’s business within the Africa region – by strengthening Canon’s in-country presence and focus. CCNA also demonstrates Canon’s commitment to operating closer to its customers and meeting their demands in the rapidly evolving African market.

    Canon has been represented in the African continent for more than 15 years through distributors and partners that have successfully built a solid customer base in the region. CCNA ensures the provision of high quality, technologically advanced products that meet the requirements of Africa’s rapidly evolving marketplace. With over 100 employees, CCNA manages sales and marketing activities across 44 countries in Africa.

    Canon’s corporate philosophy is Kyosei (http://apo-opa.co/4jTcjtZ) – ‘living and working together for the common good’. CCNA pursues sustainable business growth, focusing on reducing its own environmental impact and supporting customers to reduce theirs using Canon’s products, solutions and services. At Canon, we are pioneers, constantly redefining the world of imaging for the greater good. Through our technology and our spirit of innovation, we push the bounds of what is possible – helping us to see our world in ways we never have before. We help bring creativity to life, one image at a time. Because when we can see our world, we can transform it for the better.

    For more information: Canon-CNA.com

    About Nature Seychelles:
    Nature Seychelles is a leading environmental organization dedicated to the conservation and sustainable management of the Seychelles’ natural resources. Through research, education, and community engagement, Nature Seychelles works to protect the Seychelles’ unique biodiversity and promote a sustainable future for the islands.

    About Coral Spawning Lab:
    Coral Spawning Lab are pioneers in land-based sexual coral reproduction. Their groundbreaking research, technical expertise in coral propagation, and extensive experience in restoration projects enable them to advance research and selective breeding programs—helping repair damaged coral reefs at scales that can make a meaningful difference to our oceans and our planet. Their goal is to empower and equip every practitioner, reef manager, and restorer with the tools and knowledge needed to spawn coral in land-based facilities.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Animal Welfare – Three Greyhounds Dead in Three Days Underscores Need for Racing Ban

    Source: Greyhound Protection League of New Zealand

    Quick facts:

    • Three greyhounds died in three days of racing in New Zealand this week (12–14 June).

    • Fifteen greyhounds have died on racetracks so far in the 2024/25 season, with six weeks still remaining.

    • An alarming spike in lure-collapse deaths: six dogs this season, including three from the McInerney kennels: a family with a long history of serious welfare breaches.

    • Meanwhile GRNZ is facing a rehoming crisis of its own making: 672 dogs were awaiting adoption as of 1 November 2024, 349 of them still with trainers, not yet in the rehoming process. That number rose to 723 by 1 February 2025.

    • Despite this, in October 2024, GRNZ reported plans to increase breeding.

    • The Government has to hold firm, introduce legislation, and enforce the ban before more dogs pay with their lives.

    Three greyhounds have died on New Zealand racetracks in just three days of racing: a brutal illustration of the industry’s ongoing welfare crisis and the urgent need for the forthcoming ban.

    The three deaths occurred across three racetracks this week:

    • Homebush Sydney was euthanised on Wednesday 12 June after suffering a catastrophic spiral fracture of the left femur during a race in Invercargill (source).

    • Homebush Feijoa collapsed and died at the lure in Christchurch on Friday 13 June (source).


    • Midnight Brockie, also racing on Friday, suffered a fractured right hock and tibia with complete displacement at Whanganui and was euthanised trackside (source).

    “This is not reform. This is carnage,” said Emily Robertson, spokesperson for the Greyhound Protection League of New Zealand (GPLNZ). “Three dogs dead in three days of racing – and still this industry has the audacity to challenge the government’s decision to shut it down. It’s beyond belief.”

    Midnight Brockie, just three years old, had raced 49 times and earned $45,470 in prize money before her death. She was the littermate of Brockie’s Rocket, another greyhound who collapsed and died at the lure in Manukau in September 2024 (source).

    Greyhounds collapsing and dying at the end of their race – sometimes even after winning – is a particularly alarming new trend that has emerged over the past two seasons. In the 2023/24 racing season, three dogs died this way. So far in the 2024/25 season, that number has doubled, with six greyhounds collapsing and dying at the lure, including three from the Darfield, Canterbury kennels of trainer Jonathan McInerney.

    The McInerney family has a long and troubling history in the greyhound racing industry. In 2023, John McInerney Sr was banned from the sport for 12 months by the Racing Integrity Board (RIB) after being found guilty of multiple serious animal welfare breaches, including failing to provide veterinary care and pain relief to a dog for three weeks. The dog was later diagnosed with cancer and euthanised (source).

    In the same ruling, two dogs at his Manawatū satellite facility – operated by another son, Stephen McInerney – tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine.

    John McInerney Sr has faced a raft of other RIB charges. The most serious in recent years include:

    So far, 15 greyhounds have been killed on New Zealand racetracks since 1 August 2024, with six weeks of the racing season still to go. These figures reflect deaths alone, not the hundreds of serious injuries, including fractures, torn muscles, and other trauma that greyhounds continue to suffer on tracks every single week. GPLNZ warns that further deaths are likely unless urgent action is taken.

    “These aren’t freak accidents. They’re the inevitable result of a system that treats dogs as disposable,” said Robertson. “Despite repeated reviews, recommendations, and reassurances of reform, dogs continue to suffer and die.”

    In December 2024, the Government announced – with support from all political parties – that it would phase out greyhound racing in 20 months, after the industry was formally put on notice in September 2022. The ban decision followed multiple reviews, including the WHK Report (2013), the Hansen Report (2017), and the Robertson Review (2021), all of which raised serious concerns about animal welfare, high euthanasia and injury rates, data, and transparency in the industry.

    GRNZ is now seeking a judicial review to challenge the ban, a move GPLNZ describes as “a desperate attempt that delays the inevitable and prolongs the suffering of greyhounds used and abused by this industry.”

    “GRNZ should be focusing on ensuring no more dogs are harmed, winding down racing, and rehoming the dogs it claims to care about,” said Robertson. “The truth is, GRNZ is in the midst of a rehoming crisis of its own making – one that was already worsening even before the ban was announced.”

    Figures from the Racing Integrity Board, the agency tasked with overseeing all three racing codes in New Zealand, show that as of 1 November 2024, 672 greyhounds were awaiting adoption, with 349 of them still housed with their trainers, not yet in rehoming centres or foster care (source).

    “In their own annual report, GRNZ claimed to have rehomed 673 dogs in the 2023/24 season, meaning a full year’s worth of dogs were already sitting, waiting, and hoping for a home. That number rose to 723 by 1 February 2025 following the Government’s announcement of the ban,” Robertson said.

    “And instead of urgently addressing this backlog, GRNZ is spending its time and resources in court trying to keep this inherently dangerous industry alive — and perversely had actually planned to increase breeding numbers.”

    According to its own Animal Welfare Quarterly Progress Report (31 October 2024, p.12):

    “…an uplift is required to maintain current racing levels and the industry’s overall contribution to the economy. Providing support and incentives to encourage and sustain the breeding industry will be a key focus for GRNZ in 2025 and beyond.”

    GPLNZ is calling on the Government to hold firm, introduce legislation, and enforce the ban before more dogs pay with their lives.

    Notes:

    Greyhounds killed in the 2024/25 racing season on track are:

    1. Midnight Brockie – 13 June – Whanganui – fractured right hock and tibia with complete displacement

    2. Homebush Feijoa – 13 June – Addington – collapsed and died at the lure 

    3. Homebush Sydney – 11 June – Invercargill- spiral fracture left femur – euthanasia post race 

    4. Carrington Magic – 16 May – Whanganui  – open spiral fracture of left tibia fibula 

    5. Big Time Hinda – 10 April – Cambridge – collapsed at lure and dead on arrival 

    6. Know Motor – 8 March – Addington – fractured right radios ulna and died after surgery 

    7. Homebush Honey – 13 March – Addington – collapsed and died at track trial 

    8. Homebush Milo – 7 March – Addington – collapsed at lure and dead on arrival 

    9. Highview Amber – 27 December- Whanganui – complete fractures of left and right radius ulnas

    10. Call the tune – 13 December – Addington – cramp at lure, collapse in wash bay, transported to vet and euthanised due to an unmanageable hemorrhagic shock 

    11. Diamond Roman – 10 December – Invercargill- compound fracture of right tibia fibula which was severely comminuted and displaced 

    12. Homebush Shadow – Wednesday 27 November – Invercargill – complete fracture of the left radius ulna

    13. What’s on – 18 October – Addington – incident at lure, severe neck pain – diagnosed with fractured vertebrae and due to severity of fracture was euthanased 

    14. Brockie’s Rocket – 29 September – Manukau – collapsed and died at the lure (autopsy result – spontaneous tension pneumothorax)

    15. Rocket Queen – 20 September 2024 – Addington – compound fracture to its radius/ulna.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What is uranium enrichment and how is it used for nuclear bombs? A scientist explains

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kaitlin Cook, DECRA Fellow, Department of Nuclear Physics and Accelerator Applications, Australian National University

    Uranium ore. RHJPhtotos/Shutterstock

    Late last week, Israel targeted three of Iran’s key nuclear facilities – Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow, killing several Iranian nuclear scientists. The facilities are heavily fortified and largely underground, and there are conflicting reports of how much damage has been done.

    Natanz and Fordow are Iran’s uranium enrichment sites, and Isfahan provides the raw materials, so any damage to these sites would limit Iran’s ability to produce nuclear weapons.

    But what exactly is uranium enrichment and why does it raise concerns?

    To understand what it means to “enrich” uranium, you need to know a little about uranium isotopes and about splitting the atom in a nuclear fission reaction.

    What is an isotope?

    All matter is made of atoms, which in turn are made up of protons, neutrons and electrons. The number of protons is what gives atoms their chemical properties, setting apart the various chemical elements.

    Atoms have equal numbers of protons and electrons. Uranium has 92 protons, for example, while carbon has six. However, the same element can have different numbers of neutrons, forming versions of the element called isotopes.

    This hardly matters for chemical reactions, but their nuclear reactions can be wildly different.

    The difference between uranium-238 and uranium-235

    When we dig uranium out of the ground, 99.27% of it is uranium-238, which has 92 protons and 146 neutrons. Only 0.72% of it is uranium-235 with 92 protons and 143 neutrons (the remaining 0.01% are other isotopes).

    For nuclear power reactors or weapons, we need to change the isotope proportions. That’s because of the two main uranium isotopes, only uranium-235 can support a fission chain reaction: one neutron causes an atom to fission, which produces energy and some more neutrons, causing more fission, and so on.

    This chain reaction releases a tremendous amount of energy. In a nuclear weapon, the goal is to have this chain reaction occur in a fraction of a second, producing a nuclear explosion.

    In a civilian nuclear power plant, the chain reaction is controlled. Nuclear power plants currently produce 9% of the world’s power. Another vital civilian use of nuclear reactions is for producing isotopes used in nuclear medicine for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases.

    What is uranium enrichment, then?

    To “enrich” uranium means taking the naturally found element and increasing the proportion of uranium-235 while removing uranium-238.

    There are a few ways to do this (including new inventions from Australia), but commercially, enrichment is currently done with a centrifuge. This is also the case in Iran’s facilities.

    Centrifuges exploit the fact that uranium-238 is about 1% heavier than uranium-235. They take uranium (in gas form) and use rotors to spin it at 50,000 to 70,000 rotations per minute, with the outer walls of the centrifuges moving at 400 to 500 metres per second.

    This works much like a salad spinner that throws water to the sides while the salad leaves stay in the centre. The heavier uranium-238 moves to the edges of the centrifuge, leaving the uranium-235 in the middle.

    This is only so effective, so the spinning process is done over and over again, building up the percentage of the uranium-235.

    Most civilian nuclear reactors use “low enriched uranium” that’s been enriched to between 3% and 5%. This means that 3–5% of the total uranium in the sample is now uranium-235. That’s enough to sustain a chain reaction and make electricity.

    What level of enrichment do nuclear weapons need?

    To get an explosive chain reaction, uranium-235 needs to be concentrated significantly more than the levels we use in nuclear reactors for making power or medicines.

    Technically, a nuclear weapon can be made with as little as 20% uranium-235 (known as “highly enriched uranium”), but the more the uranium is enriched, the smaller and lighter the weapon can be. Countries with nuclear weapons tend to use about 90% enriched, “weapons-grade” uranium.

    According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran has enriched large quantities of uranium to 60%. It’s actually easier to go from an enrichment of 60% to 90% than it is to get to that initial 60%. That’s because there’s less and less uranium-238 to get rid of.

    This is why Iran is considered to be at extreme risk of producing nuclear weapons, and why centrifuge technology for enrichment is kept secret.

    Ultimately, the exact same centrifuge technology that produces fuel for civilian reactors can be used to produce nuclear weapons.

    Inspectors from the IAEA monitor nuclear facilities worldwide to ensure countries are abiding by the rules set out in the global nuclear non-proliferation treaty. While Iran maintains it’s only enriching uranium for “peaceful purposes”, late last week the IAEA board ruled Iran was in breach of its obligations under the treaty.

    Kaitlin Cook receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. What is uranium enrichment and how is it used for nuclear bombs? A scientist explains – https://theconversation.com/what-is-uranium-enrichment-and-how-is-it-used-for-nuclear-bombs-a-scientist-explains-259031

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi leaves for 2nd China-Central Asia Summit 2025-06-16 14:37:29 Chinese President Xi Jinping left Beijing on Monday for the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana at the invitation of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      BEIJING, June 16 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping left Beijing on Monday for the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana at the invitation of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

      Xi’s entourage includes Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and foreign minister. 

    loading…

    MIL OSI China News –

  • India Inc’s operating profit margins likely to rise to 18.5% in Q1 FY26: ICRA report

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India Inc’s operating profit margins are expected to rise by 10 to 40 basis points to 18.2–18.5% in the first quarter (April–June) of FY2026, continuing the sequential recovery seen over the past few quarters, according to a report released by rating agency ICRA on Monday.

    “This, coupled with a moderation in interest costs due to the Reserve Bank of India’s recent cumulative repo rate cuts of 100 basis points, is expected to improve the interest coverage ratio for India Inc. to around 5.1–5.2 times in Q1 FY2026, compared to 5.0 times in Q4 FY2025,” the report stated.

    Kinjal Shah, Senior Vice President at ICRA, noted, “Given the uncertain global environment, the private capital expenditure (capex) cycle is expected to remain measured. However, certain sunrise sectors such as electronics, semiconductors, and niche segments within the automotive space like electric vehicles will continue to attract investment, supported by the Government of India’s production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes.”

    He further added that entities linked to Indian Railways and the Defence sector are likely to see their large order books translating into higher revenues and earnings.

    ICRA’s analysis of 589 listed companies (excluding financial sector entities) for Q4 FY2025 revealed a 7.6% year-on-year revenue growth. This was driven by improved demand across consumption-oriented sectors such as consumer durables, retail, hotels, and airlines, as well as infrastructure-related sectors like power, real estate, and construction. In contrast, sectors such as iron and steel experienced a decline due to weaker global demand and an influx of cheaper imports from China.

    India Inc is expected to post stable revenue growth in Q1 FY2026, supported by resilient domestic demand. Rural demand is projected to remain healthy, while urban demand is likely to recover, aided by income tax relief measures, easing food inflation, and lower EMIs.

    However, ongoing geopolitical tensions continue to weigh on sentiment, particularly for export-oriented sectors such as agrochemicals, textiles, auto and auto components, cut and polished diamonds, and IT services.

    In Q4 FY2025, India Inc recorded a 63-basis-point year-on-year increase in operating profit margins to 18.5%, marking the highest level since Q4 FY2022. This expansion was driven by improved operating leverage on the back of strong demand in sectors like power, airlines, and real estate, along with some moderation in input costs. Sequentially, margins improved by around 41 basis points during the quarter.

    ICRA also observed that the interest coverage ratio of its sample set—adjusted to exclude sectors with relatively low debt levels such as IT, FMCG, and pharmaceuticals—improved on a year-on-year basis to 5.0 times in Q4 FY2025, up from 4.8 times in Q4 FY2024, owing to better profitability.

    Furthermore, range-bound debt levels and improved profitability across industrial, capital goods, and construction sectors in FY2025 contributed to a stronger financial position, as reflected in improved gearing and better debt-to-operating profit ratios.

    — IANS

  • India Inc’s operating profit margins likely to rise to 18.5% in Q1 FY26: ICRA report

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India Inc’s operating profit margins are expected to rise by 10 to 40 basis points to 18.2–18.5% in the first quarter (April–June) of FY2026, continuing the sequential recovery seen over the past few quarters, according to a report released by rating agency ICRA on Monday.

    “This, coupled with a moderation in interest costs due to the Reserve Bank of India’s recent cumulative repo rate cuts of 100 basis points, is expected to improve the interest coverage ratio for India Inc. to around 5.1–5.2 times in Q1 FY2026, compared to 5.0 times in Q4 FY2025,” the report stated.

    Kinjal Shah, Senior Vice President at ICRA, noted, “Given the uncertain global environment, the private capital expenditure (capex) cycle is expected to remain measured. However, certain sunrise sectors such as electronics, semiconductors, and niche segments within the automotive space like electric vehicles will continue to attract investment, supported by the Government of India’s production-linked incentive (PLI) schemes.”

    He further added that entities linked to Indian Railways and the Defence sector are likely to see their large order books translating into higher revenues and earnings.

    ICRA’s analysis of 589 listed companies (excluding financial sector entities) for Q4 FY2025 revealed a 7.6% year-on-year revenue growth. This was driven by improved demand across consumption-oriented sectors such as consumer durables, retail, hotels, and airlines, as well as infrastructure-related sectors like power, real estate, and construction. In contrast, sectors such as iron and steel experienced a decline due to weaker global demand and an influx of cheaper imports from China.

    India Inc is expected to post stable revenue growth in Q1 FY2026, supported by resilient domestic demand. Rural demand is projected to remain healthy, while urban demand is likely to recover, aided by income tax relief measures, easing food inflation, and lower EMIs.

    However, ongoing geopolitical tensions continue to weigh on sentiment, particularly for export-oriented sectors such as agrochemicals, textiles, auto and auto components, cut and polished diamonds, and IT services.

    In Q4 FY2025, India Inc recorded a 63-basis-point year-on-year increase in operating profit margins to 18.5%, marking the highest level since Q4 FY2022. This expansion was driven by improved operating leverage on the back of strong demand in sectors like power, airlines, and real estate, along with some moderation in input costs. Sequentially, margins improved by around 41 basis points during the quarter.

    ICRA also observed that the interest coverage ratio of its sample set—adjusted to exclude sectors with relatively low debt levels such as IT, FMCG, and pharmaceuticals—improved on a year-on-year basis to 5.0 times in Q4 FY2025, up from 4.8 times in Q4 FY2024, owing to better profitability.

    Furthermore, range-bound debt levels and improved profitability across industrial, capital goods, and construction sectors in FY2025 contributed to a stronger financial position, as reflected in improved gearing and better debt-to-operating profit ratios.

    — IANS

  • Amitabh Kant steps down as G20 Sherpa after 45 years of government service

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Amitabh Kant on Monday announced his decision to step down as the G20 Sherpa. His resignation comes after 45 years of government service in various roles, including G20 Sherpa, CEO of NITI Aayog, and Secretary of the Department for Industrial Policy and Promotion, among others.

    “After 45 years of dedicated government service, I have made the decision to embrace new opportunities and move forward in life,” Kant said in a post on X, titled ‘My New Journey’. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for accepting his resignation and for entrusting him with key policy responsibilities during his tenure.

    Describing the G20 Summit in India as a “significant milestone” in his career, Kant wrote in a LinkedIn post: “India’s G20 presidency was people-centric and inclusive, with meetings held across all states and union territories. This strengthened cooperative federalism, celebrated local culture, and upgraded infrastructure nationwide.”

    Kant also highlighted the successful inclusion of the African Union in the G20, which fulfilled India’s commitment to global equity and to amplifying the voice of the Global South.

    During his time at NITI Aayog, Kant led flagship initiatives such as the Aspirational Districts Programme, aimed at improving governance and development indicators in 115 of India’s most underdeveloped districts. He also played a pivotal role in shaping India’s digital public infrastructure, and championed innovation through the Atal Innovation Mission, manufacturing reforms via the PLI scheme, and sustainability through missions such as Green Hydrogen and Advanced Chemistry Cells.

    As Secretary of the DIPP, Kant played a significant role in rolling out major initiatives such as Ease of Doing Business, Make in India, and Startup India.

    Tracing his career to its roots in Kerala, Kant said his early exposure to grassroots development informed his later efforts — including the globally recognised Incredible India tourism campaign, which he described as inspired by the sector’s potential for job creation and economic growth.

    Kant’s next chapter, he said, would focus on contributing to India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat by empowering enterprise and innovation.

  • Amitabh Kant steps down as G20 Sherpa after 45 years of government service

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Amitabh Kant on Monday announced his decision to step down as the G20 Sherpa. His resignation comes after 45 years of government service in various roles, including G20 Sherpa, CEO of NITI Aayog, and Secretary of the Department for Industrial Policy and Promotion, among others.

    “After 45 years of dedicated government service, I have made the decision to embrace new opportunities and move forward in life,” Kant said in a post on X, titled ‘My New Journey’. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for accepting his resignation and for entrusting him with key policy responsibilities during his tenure.

    Describing the G20 Summit in India as a “significant milestone” in his career, Kant wrote in a LinkedIn post: “India’s G20 presidency was people-centric and inclusive, with meetings held across all states and union territories. This strengthened cooperative federalism, celebrated local culture, and upgraded infrastructure nationwide.”

    Kant also highlighted the successful inclusion of the African Union in the G20, which fulfilled India’s commitment to global equity and to amplifying the voice of the Global South.

    During his time at NITI Aayog, Kant led flagship initiatives such as the Aspirational Districts Programme, aimed at improving governance and development indicators in 115 of India’s most underdeveloped districts. He also played a pivotal role in shaping India’s digital public infrastructure, and championed innovation through the Atal Innovation Mission, manufacturing reforms via the PLI scheme, and sustainability through missions such as Green Hydrogen and Advanced Chemistry Cells.

    As Secretary of the DIPP, Kant played a significant role in rolling out major initiatives such as Ease of Doing Business, Make in India, and Startup India.

    Tracing his career to its roots in Kerala, Kant said his early exposure to grassroots development informed his later efforts — including the globally recognised Incredible India tourism campaign, which he described as inspired by the sector’s potential for job creation and economic growth.

    Kant’s next chapter, he said, would focus on contributing to India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat by empowering enterprise and innovation.

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Taiwan FDI Statistics Summary Analysis (May 2025)

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    According to the statistics, 819 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects with a total amount of US$5,482,475,000 were approved from January to May 2024. This indicates a decrease of 9.8% in the number of cases, but an increase of 76.64% in FDI amount compared to the same period of 2024.

    With regard to inward investment from Mainland China, 8 cases were approved with an amount of US$96,616,000 from January to May 2025. This indicates a decrease of 50% in the number of cases, but an increase of 515.9% in the FDI amount compared to the same period of 2024.

    In terms of Taiwan’s outbound investment (excluding Mainland China), 335 projects were registered from January to May 2025 with a total amount of US$15,222,183,000, indicating an increase of 10.93% in the number of cases, and an increase of 13.82% in the amount, as compared to the same period of 2024.

    As for Taiwan’s outward investment to Mainland China, 75 applications have been approved from January to May 2025, indicating a decrease of 40% compared to the same period of 2024. The approved investment amount is US$458,348,000, 63.93% less than the same period in 2024.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Int’l volleyball event gets ‘M’ Mark

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Major Sports Events Committee today announced that it has awarded “M” Mark status to the Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Hong Kong 2025 presented by China Life (Overseas) to be held from Wednesday to Sunday.

    Major Sports Events Committee Chairman Wilfred Ng said the competition has moved to Kai Tak Arena and will be the first international volleyball event held at Kai Tak Sports Park.

    “The VNL Hong Kong features elite teams from around the world. It not only promotes the development of volleyball in Hong Kong but also attracts overseas visitors to come to Hong Kong and stimulates the development of the hospitality, retail, and catering sectors, thereby further solidifying Hong Kong’s status as a centre for major international sports events.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Nvidia’s pitch for sovereign AI resonates with EU leaders

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Nvidia NVDA.O CEO Jensen Huang has been pitching the idea of “sovereign AI” since 2023. Europe is now starting to listen and act.

    The concept is based on the idea that the language, knowledge, history and culture of each region are different, and every nation needs to develop and own its AI.

    Last week, the CEO of the artificial-intelligence chipmaker toured Europe’s major capitals – London, Paris and Berlin – announcing a slew of projects and partnerships, while highlighting the lack of AI infrastructure in the region.

    In a place where leaders are increasingly wary of the continent’s dependency on a handful of U.S. tech companies and after drawing ire from the U.S. President Donald Trump, his vision has started to gain traction.

    “We are going to invest billions in here … but Europe needs to move into AI quickly,” Huang said on Wednesday in Paris.

    On Monday of last week, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced 1 billion pounds ($1.35 billion) in funding to scale up computing power in a global race “to be an AI maker and not an AI taker.”

    French President Emmanuel Macron called building AI infrastructure “our fight for sovereignty” at VivaTech, one of the largest global tech conferences.

    After Nvidia laid out plans to build an AI cloud platform in Germany with Deutsche Telekom DTEGn.DE, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called it an “important step” for the digital sovereignty and economic future of Europe’s top economy.

    Europe lags behind both the U.S. and China as its cloud infrastructure is mostly run by Microsoft MSFT.O, Amazon AMZN.O and Alphabet’s GOOGL.O Google, and it has only a few smaller AI companies such as Mistral to rival the U.S. ones.

    “There’s no reason why Europe shouldn’t have tech champions,” said 31-year-old Mistral CEO Arthur Mensch, sitting beside Huang, who has led Nvidia for more than three decades, at a panel at VivaTech.

    “This is a gigantic dream.”

    GIGAFACTORY PLANS UNLEASHED

    In France, Mistral has partnered with Nvidia to build a data centre to power the AI needs of European companies with a homegrown alternative.

    It will use 18,000 of the latest Nvidia AI chips in the first phase, with plans to expand across multiple sites in 2026.

    In February, the European Union announced plans to build four “AI gigafactories” at a cost of $20 billion to lower dependence on U.S. firms.

    The European Commission has been in touch with Huang and he had told the EU executive that he was going to allocate some chip production to Europe for these factories, an EU official told Reuters.

    Nvidia’s chips known as Graphics Processing Units or GPUs are crucial for building AI data centres from the U.S. to Japan and India to the Middle East.

    In Europe, a push for sovereign AI could reshape the tech landscape with domestic cloud providers, AI startups, and chipmakers standing to gain from new government funding and a shift toward in-region data infrastructure.

    Nvidia also wants to cement demand for its AI chips, ensuring that even as countries seek independence, they still rely on its technology to get there.

    POWER COSTS

    The push is not without challenges.

    High electricity costs and rising demand could strain sourcing of electricity for data centres. Data centres account for 3% of EU electricity demand, but their consumption is expected to increase rapidly this decade due to AI.

    Mistral, which has raised just over $1 billion, is trying to become a European homegrown champion with a fraction of the money U.S. hyperscalers or large data-centre operators spend in a month.

    “Hyperscalers are spending $10 billion to $15 billion per quarter in their infrastructure. Who in Europe can afford that exactly?” said Pascal Brier, chief innovation officer at Capgemini CAPP.PA, a partner of both Nvidia and Mistral.

    “It doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do anything, but we have to be cognizant about the fact that there will always be a gap.”

    Mistral has launched several AI models which are used by businesses but companies tend to mix them with models from other companies such as OpenAI, Anthropic and Meta Platforms META.O.

    “Most of the time it’s not Mistral or the rest, it’s Mistral and the rest,” Brier said.

    (Reuters)

  • World Test Championship format needs revamping despite riveting final

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A riveting World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa went a long way to boost the sagging credentials of the five-day game, but the format of the competition is in need of a revamp, according to many of the game’s top observers.

    South Africa beat Australia by five wickets at lunch on the fourth day of a fluctuating contest at Lord’s in which the bowlers dominated the opening two days. A total of 24 wickets were taken, but the tables were turned as wickets turned benign and the batsmen changed the course of the match.

    It was classic test cricket, as good as the excitement from any limited overs contest, but the overall WTC is a bewildering competition, devoid of uniformity and an unbalanced points system.

    There was much criticism of how South Africa managed to reach the final without playing either Australia and England in the two-year qualifying period.

    “It’s very hard for the average cricket fan to understand who’s the best team in the world and how exactly the top two teams make it to the final,” said former England captain Michael Vaughan, now a television pundit.

    The two finalists are decided by a table of test results, with points awarded for wins and draws. The pair with the highest percentage of points available to them advance to the final, which in 2027 could again be at Lord’s or in India, according to International Cricket Council officials.

    But there was a major discrepancy in South Africa playing only 12 tests compared to 19 for Australia and India, and even more by England (22).

    “I can’t remember if I’ve ever even given any real time to be specifically thinking about the World Test Championship to be honest because it’s utterly confusing,” added England captain Ben Stokes.

    Countries are free to decide how many tests they want to play, and in South Africa’s case, there is much less of an appetite for test cricket because they lose money.

    In the next cycle, which starts on Tuesday when Bangladesh begin a two-test series in Sri Lanka, the new champions will play 14 tests, this time including three test series against each of Australia and England but only two against India.

    Five test series are now only the preserve of contests between Australia, England, and India.
    “The fixture list is uneven; not everyone plays everyone else, and some have an easier ride than others,” wrote Michael Atherton last week.

    “Everyone knows the WTC in its present guise is flawed, and that solutions, with so many competing interests, are fiendishly difficult,” added the former England skipper.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 16 June 2025 Departmental update WHO launches Global Research Agenda on Knowledge Translation and Evidence-informed Policy-making

    Source: World Health Organisation

    On 15 May 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched the Global Research Agenda on Knowledge Translation and Evidence-informed Policy-making. The virtual event brought together over 800 participants from 100 countries, highlighting global commitment to strengthening the use of evidence in health policy and systems decision-making.

    The webinar included expert contributions on strategies for operationalizing the agenda across diverse contexts:

    • The webinar featured a keynote address by Jeremy Farrar, Chief Scientist at WHO, who emphasized the importance of embedding research into policymaking processes. Farrar stated, “I can only see [Knowledge Translation] as becoming more central and more critical to WHO’s function, not just in the role as Chief Scientist, but because this is something I have so passionately believed in and supporting of the team that have driven this forward, and I will continue that.”
    • The event also included a panel discussion with distinguished speakers who shared their insights on implementing the Global Research Agenda. Tikki Pang, Visiting Professor at the National University of Singapore, highlighted the role of Asian philanthropy in supporting research initiatives. Pang noted, “I think the funding stream that’s looking promising […] is the potential role of Asian philanthropies, […] especially through an organization called the APC, the Asian Philanthropy Circle. And what they try to do is to link researchers with potential funders amongst Asia’s leading philanthropies.”
    • Angela Bednarek, Director of Scientific Advancement at the Pew Charitable Trust, underscored the significance of investing sustainably in research that informs policy and practice. Bednarek remarked, “I’m hopeful that with a really comprehensive and accessible agenda like this one we’ll see even more funders recognize these as valuable areas of investment […]. For those seeking funding, I encourage embracing unusual partnerships. These questions transcend geography and issue areas.”
    • Walid Ammar, Director at the Université St Joseph in Lebanon and former Director General of the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health, discussed the need for active engagement of stakeholders in adapting the Global Research Agenda to regional contexts. Ammar stated, “A critical first step in adapting the Global Research Agenda to regional and national context would be the active engagement of research institutions, government bodies and other relevant stakeholders in the adaptation process.”
    • Rose Oronje, Director of Public Policy and Knowledge Translation at the African Institute for Development Policy, stressed the importance of involving groups already engaged in knowledge translation. Oronje stated, “An important part is bringing on board groups that are already very much involved in knowledge translation, […] groups that would steer the contextualization of this global agenda to the region.”
    • Donald Simeon, Director of the Caribbean Centre for Health Systems Research and Development, emphasized the importance of widespread acceptance and buy-in from regional stakeholders. Simeon commented, “The first step must be to ensure that there is widespread acceptance of the agenda among national and regional stakeholders, that is, they must be convinced of the value of the agenda before there is really true buy-in.”
    • Kathryn Oliver, Professor of Evidence and Policy at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, highlighted the need to share existing knowledge and lessons learned. Oliver remarked, “Although we have identified a number of evidence gaps through this research, we know a huge amount already, and one of the key lessons for researchers in this field is, we need to learn better how to share the lessons that we have already generated.”

    During the event, the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) announced a call for research proposals aligned with the Global Research Agenda.

    The call targets researchers from low- and middle-income countries working in public health institutions under ministries of health, universities, research institutes or nongovernmental organizations. Applications are open via the eTDR platform until 3 July 2025. Selected projects will receive phased funding beginning in 2025, with completion expected by January 2027.

    WHO encourages all stakeholders to align national and regional research agendas with the Global Research Agenda and to foster collaboration across sectors. This alignment aims to enhance the efficiency and relevance of health research and reduce duplication and research waste.

    Further information, including the webinar recording and related resources, is available on the Global Research Agenda website.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: 21Shares Expands Nasdaq Stockholm Offering with Five New Crypto ETP Listings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New listings reflect growing demand for regulated crypto investment products in the Nordic region

    Zurich, 16 June 2025 – 21Shares AG, one of the world’s largest issuers of cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs), today announced the crosslisting of five additional products on Nasdaq Stockholm, further solidifying its presence in the Nordic region and reinforcing its commitment to providing investors with regulated, transparent, and simple access to digital assets.

    The newly listed products include:

    • 21Shares Uniswap ETP (Ticker: AUNI)
    • 21Shares Avalanche ETP (Ticker: AVAX)
    • 21Shares Bitcoin Gold ETP (Ticker: BOLD)
    • 21Shares Solana Core Staking ETP (Ticker: CSOL)
    • 21Shares Ethereum Core ETP (Ticker: ETHC)

    These products join an existing suite of 21Shares products already available on Nasdaq Stockholm: the 21Shares Bitcoin ETP (ABTC), 21Shares Ethereum ETP (AETH), 21Shares Solana ETP (ASOL), 21Shares XRP ETP (AXRP), and 21Shares Bitcoin Core ETP (CBTC).

    “Our continued expansion in the Nordic region reflects the increasing demand from both retail and institutional investors for diversified and cost-effective crypto exposure,” said Mandy Chiu, Head of Financial Product Development at 21Shares. “By offering a broader selection of single-asset and thematic crypto ETPs, we’re empowering investors to build more customised and resilient portfolios through a familiar exchange environment.”

    “We are pleased to welcome the expansion of 21Shares’ product suite on Nasdaq Stockholm. These newly listed ETPs reflect the kind of innovation that is shaping the future of financial markets. As the ETP market continues to grow, we remain committed to modernising access to investment opportunities and supporting greater transparency,” said Helena Wedin, Head of ETF & ETP, Nasdaq European Markets.

    With this expansion, 21Shares now offers 10 ETPs on Nasdaq Stockholm, spanning large-cap cryptocurrencies, innovative index strategies, and staking-enabled products. All products are fully collateralised and traded in a regulated, liquid format, providing an easy gateway to digital assets without the need to manage wallets or custody directly. With annual fees ranging from 0.21% to 2.50%, these products are some of the most cost-efficient in the market.

    With listings across Europe that include Euronext Paris, Euronext Amsterdam, London Stock Exchange, and SIX Swiss Exchange, 21Shares is the largest and most diversified crypto ETP provider in the region.

    For more information on 21Shares’ full product suite, visit www.21shares.com.

    Notes to editors

    About 21Shares

    21Shares is one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange traded product providers and offers the largest suite of crypto ETPs in the market. The company was founded to make cryptocurrency more accessible to investors, and to bridge the gap between traditional finance and decentralized finance. 21Shares listed the world’s first physically-backed crypto ETP in 2018, building a seven-year track record of creating crypto exchange-traded funds that are listed on some of the biggest, most liquid securities exchanges globally. Backed by a specialized research team, proprietary technology, and deep capital markets expertise, 21Shares delivers innovative, simple and cost-efficient investment solutions.

    21Shares is a member of 21.co, a global leader in decentralized finance. For more information, please visit www.21Shares.com.

    Media Contact
    Matteo Valli
    matteo.valli@21shares.com

    DISCLAIMER

    This document is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for securities of 21Shares AG in any jurisdiction. Neither this document nor anything contained herein shall form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any offer or commitment whatsoever or for any other purpose in any jurisdiction. Nothing in this document should be considered investment advice.

    This document and the information contained herein are not for distribution in or into (directly or indirectly) the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which the distribution or release would be unlawful.

    This document does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in or into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. The securities of 21Shares AG to which these materials relate have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will not be a public offering of securities in the United States. Neither the US Securities and Exchange Commission nor any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States has approved or disapproved of an investment in the securities or passed on the accuracy or adequacy of the contents of this presentation. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

    Within the United Kingdom, this document is only being distributed to and is only directed at: (i) to investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”); or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”); or (iii) persons who fall within Article 43(2) of the Order, including existing members and creditors of the Company or (iv) any other persons to whom this document can be lawfully distributed in circumstances where section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply. The securities are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

    Exclusively for potential investors in any EEA Member State that has implemented the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) is made available on the Issuer’s website under www.21Shares.com.

    The approval of the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) should not be understood as an endorsement by the SFSA of the securities offered or admitted to trading on a regulated market. Eligible potential investors should read the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) and the relevant Final Terms before making an investment decision in order to understand the potential risks associated with the decision to invest in the securities. You are about to purchase a product that is not simple and may be difficult to understand.

    This document constitutes advertisement within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 and the Swiss Financial Services Act (the “FinSA”) and not a prospectus. The 2024 Base Prospectus of 21Shares AG has been deposited pursuant to article 54(2) FinSA with BX Swiss AG in its function as Swiss prospectus review body within the meaning of article 52 FinSA. The 2024 Base Prospectus and the key information document for any products may be obtained at 21Shares AG’s website (https://21shares.com/ir/prospectus or https://21shares.com/ir/kids).

    ###

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: 21Shares Expands Nasdaq Stockholm Offering with Five New Crypto ETP Listings

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New listings reflect growing demand for regulated crypto investment products in the Nordic region

    Zurich, 16 June 2025 – 21Shares AG, one of the world’s largest issuers of cryptocurrency exchange-traded products (ETPs), today announced the crosslisting of five additional products on Nasdaq Stockholm, further solidifying its presence in the Nordic region and reinforcing its commitment to providing investors with regulated, transparent, and simple access to digital assets.

    The newly listed products include:

    • 21Shares Uniswap ETP (Ticker: AUNI)
    • 21Shares Avalanche ETP (Ticker: AVAX)
    • 21Shares Bitcoin Gold ETP (Ticker: BOLD)
    • 21Shares Solana Core Staking ETP (Ticker: CSOL)
    • 21Shares Ethereum Core ETP (Ticker: ETHC)

    These products join an existing suite of 21Shares products already available on Nasdaq Stockholm: the 21Shares Bitcoin ETP (ABTC), 21Shares Ethereum ETP (AETH), 21Shares Solana ETP (ASOL), 21Shares XRP ETP (AXRP), and 21Shares Bitcoin Core ETP (CBTC).

    “Our continued expansion in the Nordic region reflects the increasing demand from both retail and institutional investors for diversified and cost-effective crypto exposure,” said Mandy Chiu, Head of Financial Product Development at 21Shares. “By offering a broader selection of single-asset and thematic crypto ETPs, we’re empowering investors to build more customised and resilient portfolios through a familiar exchange environment.”

    “We are pleased to welcome the expansion of 21Shares’ product suite on Nasdaq Stockholm. These newly listed ETPs reflect the kind of innovation that is shaping the future of financial markets. As the ETP market continues to grow, we remain committed to modernising access to investment opportunities and supporting greater transparency,” said Helena Wedin, Head of ETF & ETP, Nasdaq European Markets.

    With this expansion, 21Shares now offers 10 ETPs on Nasdaq Stockholm, spanning large-cap cryptocurrencies, innovative index strategies, and staking-enabled products. All products are fully collateralised and traded in a regulated, liquid format, providing an easy gateway to digital assets without the need to manage wallets or custody directly. With annual fees ranging from 0.21% to 2.50%, these products are some of the most cost-efficient in the market.

    With listings across Europe that include Euronext Paris, Euronext Amsterdam, London Stock Exchange, and SIX Swiss Exchange, 21Shares is the largest and most diversified crypto ETP provider in the region.

    For more information on 21Shares’ full product suite, visit www.21shares.com.

    Notes to editors

    About 21Shares

    21Shares is one of the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange traded product providers and offers the largest suite of crypto ETPs in the market. The company was founded to make cryptocurrency more accessible to investors, and to bridge the gap between traditional finance and decentralized finance. 21Shares listed the world’s first physically-backed crypto ETP in 2018, building a seven-year track record of creating crypto exchange-traded funds that are listed on some of the biggest, most liquid securities exchanges globally. Backed by a specialized research team, proprietary technology, and deep capital markets expertise, 21Shares delivers innovative, simple and cost-efficient investment solutions.

    21Shares is a member of 21.co, a global leader in decentralized finance. For more information, please visit www.21Shares.com.

    Media Contact
    Matteo Valli
    matteo.valli@21shares.com

    DISCLAIMER

    This document is not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for securities of 21Shares AG in any jurisdiction. Neither this document nor anything contained herein shall form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any offer or commitment whatsoever or for any other purpose in any jurisdiction. Nothing in this document should be considered investment advice.

    This document and the information contained herein are not for distribution in or into (directly or indirectly) the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan or any other jurisdiction in which the distribution or release would be unlawful.

    This document does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in or into the United States, Canada, Australia or Japan. The securities of 21Shares AG to which these materials relate have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There will not be a public offering of securities in the United States. Neither the US Securities and Exchange Commission nor any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States has approved or disapproved of an investment in the securities or passed on the accuracy or adequacy of the contents of this presentation. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the United States.

    Within the United Kingdom, this document is only being distributed to and is only directed at: (i) to investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”); or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”); or (iii) persons who fall within Article 43(2) of the Order, including existing members and creditors of the Company or (iv) any other persons to whom this document can be lawfully distributed in circumstances where section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply. The securities are only available to, and any invitation, offer or agreement to subscribe, purchase or otherwise acquire such securities will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

    Exclusively for potential investors in any EEA Member State that has implemented the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) is made available on the Issuer’s website under www.21Shares.com.

    The approval of the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) should not be understood as an endorsement by the SFSA of the securities offered or admitted to trading on a regulated market. Eligible potential investors should read the Issuer’s Base Prospectus (EU) and the relevant Final Terms before making an investment decision in order to understand the potential risks associated with the decision to invest in the securities. You are about to purchase a product that is not simple and may be difficult to understand.

    This document constitutes advertisement within the meaning of the Prospectus Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 and the Swiss Financial Services Act (the “FinSA”) and not a prospectus. The 2024 Base Prospectus of 21Shares AG has been deposited pursuant to article 54(2) FinSA with BX Swiss AG in its function as Swiss prospectus review body within the meaning of article 52 FinSA. The 2024 Base Prospectus and the key information document for any products may be obtained at 21Shares AG’s website (https://21shares.com/ir/prospectus or https://21shares.com/ir/kids).

    ###

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Issa Amro: Youth Against Settlements – ‘life is very hard, the Israeli soldiers act like militia’

    RNZ News

    Palestinian advocate Issa Amro has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize this year for his decades of work advocating for peaceful resistance against Israel’s illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank.

    The settlements are illegal under international law — and a record 45 were established last year under cover of the war on Gaza,

    Advocacy against the settlements has seen Amro become a target.

    He is based in the occupied West Bank, in Hebron — a city of about 250,000 mostly Palestinian people. He founded Youth Against Settlements.

    He paints a picture about what daily life is like.

    “Our life in West Bank was very hard and difficult before October 7 [2023 – the date of the Hamas resistance movement attack on southern Israel]. And after October 7, life became much harder. . . .

    ‘Daily harassment, violence’
    “So there are hard conditions. No jobs. No work. No movement in the West Bank. Schools are affected . . . There is daily harassment and violence — they attack the Palestinian villages, they attack the Palestinian cities, they attack the Palestinian roads.

    “In my city Hebron, it has got much, much harder. People are not able to leave their homes because of the closure of the checkpoints. The [Israeli] soldiers are very mean and adversarial . . .

    “The soldiers close the checkpoints whenever they want. In fact, the soldiers act like militia, not like a regular army.

    “My house was attacked in the last 20 months . . . ”

    • At least 55,104 people, including at least 17,400 children, have been killed in Israel’s war on Gaza. At least 943 Palestinians, more than 200 of them minors, have been killed in the occupied West Bank.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Banque de Développement des États de l’Afrique Centrale (BDEAC) secures EUR 100-million trade finance facility from Afreximbank

    African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has signed an agreement to provide the Banque de Développement des États de l’Afrique Centrale (BDEAC) with EUR 100-million trade finance facility to support critical regional integration projects in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC). The facility would also support the upgrading of trade-enabling infrastructure in the CEMAC region.

    The agreement was signed in Abuja, Nigeria, on June 5, 2025 on the sidelines of the official launch of the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE). Prof. Benedict Oramah, Afreximbank’s President and Chairman of the Board of Directors, signed for the Bank, while Dieudonné Evou Mekou, President of BDEAC, signed for his organization.

    Speaking after the signing, Prof. Oramah highlighted the significance of the facility in strengthening regional integration, saying, “This facility marks another significant milestone in Afreximbank’s efforts to deepen trade and investment, as well as close the trade-enabling infrastructure gap in the CEMAC region. With this line of credit, Afreximbank and BDEAC are sending a strong message to our people that it is through strong partnerships and by pooling our resources that we can collectively transform the economic fortunes of our people.”

    On his part, BDEAC President, Dieudonné Evou Mekou welcomed the signing of the new facility, noting that: “It confirms the excellent quality of the partnership between BDEAC and Afreximbank – two institutions at the forefront of financing African economies.  The establishment of this credit line will enable BDEAC to strengthen and diversify its interventions in the CEMAC zone, thereby contributing more significantly to regional economic integration, sustainable development, and the improvement of living conditions for the populations, in accordance with Strategic Orientation N°1 of the AZOBE 2023-2027 Strategic Plan.”

    The advent of this new facility confirms the excellent quality of the partnership relations that exist between the two financial institutions dedicated to African economies.”

    BDEAC is the regional development finance institution for the CEMAC regional block and has had a long-standing partnership with Afreximbank.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

    Media Contact:
    Vincent Musumba
    Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
    Email: press@afreximbank.com

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    About Afreximbank:
    African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa1), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

    For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • Australia coach McDonald backs stuttering Labuschagne

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Batter Marnus Labuschagne is still a key part of Australia’s future in test cricket despite failing to impress in their five-wicket defeat to South Africa in the World Test Championship final, coach Andrew McDonald said.

    Labuschagne opened alongside Khawaja, scoring 17 runs off 56 balls in the first innings and 22 off 64 in the second, with South Africa completing a remarkable turnaround on Saturday after successfully chasing down an imposing 282-run target.

    The 30-year-old has scored one hundred in his last 28 tests and has come away with single-digit tallies in four of his last 11 matches.

    “He’s a big part of the future of the team. Anyone that averages 45, 46 in test cricket at that age is important. We’ve got older players there that are closer to the end than the start,” McDonald told reporters.

    “We’ve got some younger players that are coming in. If he can get his game in good order for the next four or five years, he can underpin that batting order. But at the moment, he’d be disappointed with the returns. He’s missed out on big scores.

    “But we’re confident that he could return to his best and hence why we keep picking him. And at what point do we stop picking him? I think most players across their journey get dropped at some point in time…”

    Khawaja also struggled against South Africa, departing for a duck in the first innings and scoring just six runs in his second, but McDonald said the 38-year-old veteran’s presence in the team was invaluable.

    “He’s on contract, he’s an important player. He gives us stability at his best at the top. And we like to look at our players at their best,” McDonald said.

    “No doubt, a couple of failures here and people then start to talk about maybe it’s the end. I don’t see an end date with the way he’s training, the way he’s preparing, the way he’s moving.”

    Australia next travel to the Caribbean for a three-test series against West Indies beginning on June 25.

    (Reuters)

  • Steve Smith in doubt for Australia’s tour of West Indies

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Steve Smith will miss Australia’s first test against the West Indies in Barbados later this month and could sit out the entire three-test series with a finger injury, captain Pat Cummins said.

    Smith, one of the mainstays of the Australian team, suffered a compound dislocation of his right little finger fielding on the third day of the World Test Championship final against South Africa at Lord’s on Friday, missing the rest of the match.

    He was taken to hospital for x-rays but no surgery was required. However, he faces some time on the sidelines.

    “I’d say first test maybe unlikely, and then go from there, but it’s a bit early to tell,” Cummins said after Australia’s surprise defeat against a South Africa team that wrapped up their five-wicket victory on Saturday.

    The 36-year-old Smith was standing far closer to the stumps than normal when he dropped South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, who had scored two runs but went on to hit 66 in a significant contribution to his team’s success.

    Australia begin their three-test series in the Caribbean in Bridgetown over June 25-29 and play the other two tests in Grenada and Jamaica.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Xi Jinping left Beijing for Astana to attend the 2nd China-Central Asia Summit /detailed version-1/

    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

    BEIJING, June 16 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping left Beijing on a special plane for Astana on Monday to attend the 2nd China-Central Asia Summit. Xi’s trip will take place at the invitation of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

    Among those accompanying Xi Jinping are Cai Qi, member of the Standing Committee of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Wang Yi, member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Exclusive: China-Central Asia Cooperation Mechanism Demonstrates Its High Potential – Political Scientist from Kyrgyzstan

    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

    BISHKEK, June 16 (Xinhua) — The China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism has demonstrated its high potential. And the upcoming summit to be held in Astana, Kazakhstan, will give new impetus to achieving practical results, political scientist and director of the Institute of World Politics of Kyrgyzstan Sheradil Baktygulov said in an exclusive interview with Xinhua.

    Sh. Baktygulov noted that the political will of the leaders of China and the Central Asian countries plays a key role in the sustainable development and continuous strengthening of the China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism. And the personal participation of the leaders of the countries underlines the mutual respect and desire to deepen the partnership between the countries participating in this mechanism.

    According to him, this approach allows for the coordination of countries’ positions on key contemporary issues, strengthening trust between them, and also forming a unified approach to regional security and development.

    In May 2023, the first China-Central Asia summit was held in the Chinese city of Xi’an. The political scientist noted that since then, the platform has demonstrated its high potential. For example, it has managed to strengthen ties in the economic, political and security spheres, creating the basis for deeper integration in the future. China’s investment in the digital economy and logistics of the region has expanded.

    “The China-Central Asia platform demonstrates the ability of Central Asian states to pursue a consolidated policy, and also shows the major role of China as a key development partner in Eurasia,” the expert believes.

    Speaking about the achievements of the mechanism, Sh. Baktygulov noted the deepening of political trust and dialogue between the countries, the holding of high-level meetings, and the intensification of coordination on issues of ensuring security and regional stability.

    In addition, according to him, there is an increase in trade between Central Asian countries and China, the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway is accelerating, transport corridors are actively developing, the number of scholarships for students studying at Chinese universities is increasing, and exchanges in tourism, science and technology are expanding.

    “Therefore, there is growing confidence that the China-Central Asia summit in Astana will expand the horizons of cooperation between our countries and give new impetus to achieving practical results for the benefit of the region’s population,” the political scientist said.

    Touching upon the topic of cooperation between China and Central Asian countries, he noted that in recent years there has been a sharp increase in the number of joint projects, and, most importantly, there has been a qualitative leap in business cooperation in the economy, trade and energy. New transport and logistics corridors, infrastructure projects have also appeared, and visa-free regimes are being introduced.

    “Such interconnectedness is an excellent illustration of the fact that our countries strive to complement each other in order to obtain the greatest practical benefit from cooperation,” emphasized Sh. Baktygulov, believing that the “China-Central Asia” mechanism promotes mutual learning and strengthening of ties between peoples, and also shows an example of how it is possible and necessary to develop humanitarian and cultural cooperation in the context of a diversity of cultures and civilizations.

    Sh. Baktygulov also praised China’s significant progress in recent years, in particular, economic growth, infrastructure development and improvement of the population’s standard of living. In his opinion, behind these and other achievements are the painstaking work of millions of people, wise decisions and their consistent implementation, the country’s inexhaustible potential and the far-sighted leadership of the Communist Party of China.

    “The main contours of China’s national development have already been outlined. This is deepening reforms and opening up. Much attention is also paid to the active development of high-quality productive forces, strengthening innovative capabilities in science and technology, promoting green development and building a harmonious society,” the expert concluded. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SCST to visit Shanghai

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, will depart for Shanghai tomorrow morning (June 17), where she has been invited by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority to officiate at the opening ceremony and dinner of WestK Shanghai Week 2025.
     
    During her stay in Shanghai, Miss Law will also visit local tourism and cultural facilities and meet with relevant officials.
     
    Miss Law will return to Hong Kong at night on June 18 (Wednesday). During her absence, the Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Raistlin Lau, will be the Acting Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Iran war: from the Middle East to America, history shows you cannot assassinate your way to peace

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matt Fitzpatrick, Professor in International History, Flinders University

    In the late 1960s, the prevailing opinion among Israeli Shin Bet intelligence officers was that the key to defeating the Palestinian Liberation Organisation was to assassinate its then-leader Yasser Arafat.

    The elimination of Arafat, the Shin Bet commander Yehuda Arbel wrote in his diary, was “a precondition to finding a solution to the Palestinian problem.”

    For other, even more radical Israelis – such as the ultra-nationalist assassin Yigal Amir – the answer lay elsewhere. They sought the assassination of Israeli leaders such as Yitzak Rabin who wanted peace with the Palestinians.

    Despite Rabin’s long personal history as a famed and often ruthless military commander in the 1948 and 1967 Arab-Israeli Wars, Amir stalked and shot Rabin dead in 1995. He believed Rabin had betrayed Israel by signing the Oslo Accords peace deal with Arafat.

    It’s been 20 years since Arafat died as possibly the victim of polonium poisoning, and 30 years after the shooting of Rabin. Peace between Israelis and the Palestinians has never been further away.

    What Amnesty International and a United Nations Special Committee have called genocidal attacks on Palestinians in Gaza have spilled over into Israeli attacks on the prominent leaders of its enemies in Lebanon and, most recently, Iran.

    Since its attacks on Iran began on Friday, Israel has killed numerous military and intelligence leaders, including Iran’s intelligence chief, Mohammad Kazemi; the chief of the armed forces, Mohammad Bagheri; and the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hossein Salami. At least nine Iranian nuclear scientists have also been killed.

    Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly said:

    We got their chief intelligence officer and his deputy in Tehran.

    Iran, predictably, has responded with deadly missile attacks on Israel.

    Far from having solved the issue of Middle East peace, assassinations continue to pour oil on the flames.

    A long history of extra-judicial killings

    Israeli journalist Ronen Bergman’s book Rise and Kill First argues assassinations have long sat at the heart of Israeli politics.

    In the past 75 years, there have been more than 2,700 assassination operations undertaken by Israel. These have, in Bergman’s words, attempted to “stop history” and bypass “statesmanship and political discourse”.

    This normalisation of assassinations has been codified in the Israeli expression of “mowing the grass”. This is, as historian Nadim Rouhana has shown, a metaphor for a politics of constant assassination. Enemy “leadership and military facilities must regularly be hit in order to keep them weak.”

    The point is not to solve the underlying political questions at issue. Instead, this approach aims to sow fear, dissent and confusion among enemies.

    Thousands of assassination operations have not, however, proved sufficient to resolve the long-running conflict between Israel, its neighbours and the Palestinians. The tactic itself is surely overdue for retirement.

    Targeted assassinations elsewhere

    Israel has been far from alone in this strategy of assassination and killing.

    Former US President Barack Obama oversaw the extra-judicial killing of Osama Bin Laden, for instance.

    After what Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch denounced as a flawed trial, former US President George W. Bush welcomed the hanging of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein as “an important milestone on Iraq’s course to becoming a democracy”.

    Current US President Donald Trump oversaw the assassination of Iran’s leader of clandestine military operations, Qassem Soleimani, in 2020.

    More recently, however, Trump appears to have baulked at granting Netanyahu permission to kill Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

    And it’s worth noting the US Department of Justice last year brought charges against an Iranian man who said he’d been tasked with killing Trump.

    Elsewhere, in Vladimir Putin’s Russia, it’s common for senior political and media opponents to be shot in the streets. Frequently they also “fall” out of high windows, are killed in plane crashes or succumb to mystery “illnesses”.

    A poor record

    Extra-judicial killings, however, have a poor record as a mechanism for solving political problems.

    Cutting off the hydra’s head has generally led to its often immediate replacement by another equally or more ideologically committed person, as has already happened in Iran. Perhaps they too await the next round of “mowing the grass”.

    But as the latest Israeli strikes in Iran and elsewhere show, solving the underlying issue is rarely the point.

    In situations where finding a lasting negotiated settlement would mean painful concessions or strategic risks, assassinations prove simply too tempting. They circumvent the difficulties and complexities of diplomacy while avoiding the need to concede power or territory.

    As many have concluded, however, assassinations have never killed resistance. They have never killed the ideas and experiences that give birth to resistance in the first place.

    Nor have they offered lasting security to those who have ordered the lethal strike.

    Enduring security requires that, at some point, someone grasp the nettle and look to the underlying issues.

    The alternative is the continuation of the brutal pattern of strike and counter-strike for generations to come.

    The Conversation

    Matt Fitzpatrick receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Iran war: from the Middle East to America, history shows you cannot assassinate your way to peace – https://theconversation.com/iran-war-from-the-middle-east-to-america-history-shows-you-cannot-assassinate-your-way-to-peace-259038

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi leaves for 2nd China-Central Asia Summit

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Xi leaves for 2nd China-Central Asia Summit

    Xinhua | June 16, 2025

    Chinese President Xi Jinping left Beijing on Monday for the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana at the invitation of President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

    Xi’s entourage includes Cai Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and foreign minister. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Russell wins F1 Canadian GP as Norris-Piastri clash shakes up title fight

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

    George Russell claimed Mercedes’ first win of the season with a commanding drive from pole position in Montreal, but the biggest drama came behind as McLaren teammates and title rivals Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri collided late in the race.

    The contact occurred on lap 67 of 70 as Norris attempted to overtake Piastri for fourth. The Briton misjudged a move on the pit straight and ran into the back of the Australian’s car.

    Mercedes’s British driver George Russell competes during the qualifying session of the Formula One Canadian Grand Prix 2025 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Canada, June 14, 2025. (Photo by Song Haiyuan/Xinhua)

    Norris retired on the spot with front suspension damage, while Piastri continued to finish fourth behind Russell, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and the second Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli. The race ended under the safety car.

    Norris immediately took full responsibility over team radio: “It’s all my bad, all my fault. Unlucky, sorry. Stupid from me.”

    The incident, reminiscent of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button’s infamous clash at the same point in 2011, dealt a blow to Norris’ title challenge. Piastri’s points lead over his teammate now stands at 22 points, with Verstappen a further 21 points behind.

    Until the clash, Norris had run a good race from seventh on the grid on an inverted tyre strategy. Having gained on Piastri, the Briton surprised his teammate on lap 66 with a pass into the hairpin, but Piastri regained the position with a cut-back down the straight.

    As Norris aimed to slingshot past on the pit straight, he ran out of room and his front wing broke against the rear of Piastri’s car.

    While McLaren were left to rue the first clash between their two drivers this season, Russell delivered a composed and clinical performance out front.

    Having taken a surprise pole position in Saturday’s qualifying session, he converted it into victory with a strong start and controlled the pace throughout the afternoon. Despite closing the gap in the closing laps, Verstappen never truly threatened.

    Mercedes, however, may face a post-race protest from Red Bull, who allege Russell drove erratically under the safety car.

    Behind them, 18-year-old Antonelli secured his maiden F1 podium in just his tenth Grand Prix. The Italian overtook Piastri for third on the opening lap and showed maturity in defending the final podium place before Norris’ crash neutralized the race.

    Ferrari endured a frustrating day. Charles Leclerc finished a distant fifth after publicly questioning the team’s strategy to make two pit stops instead of just one. Teammate Hamilton finished a low-key sixth, although the Briton’s pace was affected by an early collision with a groundhog, which damaged his floor and cost him some downforce.

    Fernando Alonso continued Aston Martin’s mini-revival with a solid seventh place, followed by Nico Hulkenberg’s Sauber in eighth. Esteban Ocon secured ninth for Haas, and Carlos Sainz took the final point after executing a well-managed one-stop strategy.

    The 11th round of the 2025 Formula 1 season is the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring, where Russell won last year after Norris and Verstappen clashed while battling for the lead. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • Police forces being modernized under the leadership of PM Modi: Amit Shah

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Sunday handed over appointment letters to 60,244 newly recruited Civil Police Constables of the Uttar Pradesh Police during a grand ceremony held in Lucknow. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other senior dignitaries were also present on the occasion.

    Describing the recruitment as historic, Shah said the new recruits would become an integral part of India’s largest police force. He praised the Yogi Adityanath-led government for restoring law and order in the state, noting that the recruitment process was conducted with complete transparency — free from bribery, political influence, or caste considerations. Of the selected candidates, over 12,000 are women.

    Shah highlighted that modernization of the police force has accelerated under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and said the new recruits would carry forward the vision of a secure and developed Uttar Pradesh. He called on the youth to serve with the values of “security, service, and sensitivity.”

    Referring to recent legal reforms, the Home Minister said the implementation of the new criminal codes — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam — would ensure faster justice, with a target of verdicts within three years from FIR to the Supreme Court.

    He also praised Uttar Pradesh’s transformation from a riot-prone state to one governed by law and order. “Goons and mafias should fear the police, while the poor, Dalits, and backward classes should see them as protectors,” Shah asserted.

    Highlighting achievements of the Modi government over the past 11 years, Shah cited the upliftment of 25 crore people from poverty, significant infrastructure development, and enhanced national security — including responses to terrorist attacks and India’s advancements in space and technology.

    Shah concluded by urging the new recruits to uphold justice and contribute to the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047.

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Crown manager appointed to drive delivery of New Dunedin Hospital

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Health Minister Simeon Brown has today announced the appointment of a Crown manager to oversee the delivery of the New Dunedin Hospital Inpatient Building, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to ensuring the project is delivered successfully.

    “In late January, I confirmed the Government’s commitment to building the New Dunedin Hospital on the former Cadbury site – providing certainty to the people of Dunedin and the wider Otago and Southland regions,” Mr Brown says.

    “As part of that commitment, we are putting strong leadership in place to drive the next stage of this project. I’m pleased to announce the appointment of Evan Davies as Crown manager for the inpatient building project.”

    Mr Davies will lead the delivery of the inpatient facility, including confirming the procurement approach and finalising the construction contract. He will work closely with Health New Zealand to ensure alignment with the broader New Dunedin Hospital programme. It will also enable Health New Zealand to focus on the many other infrastructure work programmes currently underway.

    “Mr Davies brings over 30 years of senior leadership experience and a proven track record in delivering large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly in the health sector.

    “His appointment reflects the importance of this project to the Government. I’m confident he will bring the capability, oversight, and momentum needed to see it through.

    “This Government has committed a record $1.88 billion to the New Dunedin Hospital, making it the largest health infrastructure investment in New Zealand’s history.

    “That level of investment reflects our commitment to providing a modern, fit-for-purpose hospital that meets the needs of future generations.

    “This step will help ensure the project remains on track, and that we deliver a world-class facility providing timely, high-quality care in Dunedin,” Mr Brown says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: The historic High Seas Treaty is almost reality. Here’s what it would mean for ocean conservation

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sarah Lothian, Senior Lecturer in Maritime Law and Academic Barrister, University of Wollongong

    J Nel/Shutterstock

    The high seas are set to gain a greater level of protection when a long-sought after treaty finally enters into force.

    For almost 20 years, nations have debated the need for the High Seas Treaty, intended to protect marine life in the high seas and the international seabed. These marine areas together account for nearly two-thirds of the world’s ocean and harbour a rich array of unique species and ecosystems. The treaty is formally known as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement.

    Many hoped last week’s United Nations Oceans Conference would result in enough nations ratifying the treaty to bring it into force. As of today, 50 states of the 60 required have done so, while another 19 have promised to do so by the year’s end. A greater level of protection for our high seas is well and truly in sight.

    By United Nations standards, this is a cracking pace. The treaty-making process itself can take years, particularly as states need to incorporate the treaty into their domestic laws. This speaks to the urgency of the moment. Researchers and authorities have warned that the world’s oceans are now in deep trouble, threatened by climate change effects, overfishing, plastic pollution and other human-caused issues.

    Once the treaty enters into force, nations can begin to propose high seas marine protected areas, which could limit fishing and other activities. The question then will be how to police these marine protected areas.

    How did we get here?

    In June 2023, the High Seas Treaty was adopted by consensus at the UN Headquarters in New York. It was a long time coming.

    For decades, nations argued and negotiated over what this treaty might look like. How could the marine genetic resources of this global commons be shared fairly and equitably? How could protected areas be designated and managed? What was eventually thrashed out was a comprehensive international legal framework able to better protect and safeguard the rich and diverse web of life inhabiting the deep sea.

    Getting to this point was a real achievement.

    But for this treaty to enter into force, 60 countries have to ratify it. This means their governments must consent to be legally bound by the terms of the treaty.

    While Australia has pledged to ratify the treaty, it is still working through the ratification and domestic legal process. On a positive note, Environment Minister Murray Watt has indicated this will happen before the end of the year.

    What will the treaty actually do?

    At present, the high seas are regulated by a patchwork of global, regional and sectoral frameworks, instruments and bodies. However, none of these have a core mandate of protecting the biodiversity of the oceans.

    In 1982, the Law of the Sea Convention was adopted, giving every coastal nation rights over the waters extending to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres) from their coastline.

    Once you are past this, you’re in the high seas – the swathes of ocean not controlled by any one nation.

    If and when it comes into effect, the High Seas Treaty would give the world a way to set up large marine protected areas in the high seas. It would also apply to the international seabed – the seabed, subsoils and ocean floor lying beyond the continental shelf of a coastal state.

    Any new protected areas would likely have restrictions on activities such as fishing and shipping. But this will need to be done in consultation with relevant international bodies such as the International Maritime Organisation and regional fisheries management organisations.

    The treaty would go a long way to reaching key conservation goals set under the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Pact, which calls for protection of at least 30% of the world’s marine and coastal habitats by 2030.

    The treaty also sets up a mechanism for the sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources, financial and otherwise. Bacteria living in deep-sea ecosystems have attracted much scientific and commercial attention for potential use in medical research or pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries. Genetic resources from sea sponges have given rise to antiviral drugs targeting COVID and HIV as well as anti-cancer drugs.

    These resources were a major sticking point during the long negotiations.

    Many coastal countries lack the ability to participate in high seas research. As a result, they can miss out on these and other benefits. The High Seas Treaty recognises this and sets up a strong framework for capacity-building, technology transfer and technical assistance for developing nations.

    As nations fish out their territorial waters, some send fishing boats into the unregulated high seas.
    Richard Whitcombe/Shutterstock

    When will the oceans get a reprieve?

    Once the 60th nation ratifies the High Seas Treaty, it will enter into force 120 days later. This date could be as soon as May 1 next year, if the threshold is reached on January 1.

    Once this happens, this will be the date upon which the treaty gains legal force, meaning nations will have to comply with its obligations.

    That doesn’t mean huge new marine parks will come into being. There’s still much work to do to hash out the mechanics of how the treaty would actually work, how it would be overseen and how it would work with the International Seabed Authority which oversees deep-sea mining and the Antarctic Treaty System, among others. Negotiators face more work ahead to solve these outstanding issues before the real work can begin.

    That’s not to diminish this achievement. The progress on this treaty has been very hard won. Once it’s in effect, it will make a concrete difference.

    Sarah Lothian 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. The historic High Seas Treaty is almost reality. Here’s what it would mean for ocean conservation – https://theconversation.com/the-historic-high-seas-treaty-is-almost-reality-heres-what-it-would-mean-for-ocean-conservation-258710

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –