NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Same-sex partnerships bill published

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Registration of Same-sex Partnerships Bill was published in the Government Gazette today.

    The bill fulfils the obligation of the Government under Article 14 of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights (BOR14) – as declared by the Court of Final Appeal in the case of Sham Tsz Kit v Secretary for Justice – whereby an “alternative framework” will be established through legislation for legal recognition of same-sex partnerships, while providing for appropriate rights and obligations attendant on such recognition.

    The bill aims to establish a registration system for same-sex partnerships. It covers the setting up of a same-sex partnership registry, the conditions for registration of same-sex partnerships, the mode of application for registration and revocation of registration, and offences and penalties related to the registration mechanism.

    The bill also amends certain provisions in other legislation to provide for rights and obligations attendant on the recognition of same-sex partnerships.

    The Government said it respects the court’s judgment, and will fulfil its obligation under BOR14 by establishing an alternative framework through legislation. It stressed that the current proposal fully accounts for the actual situation and overall interests of Hong Kong, and strives to achieve an appropriate balance.

    The Government added that it will continue to maintain close communication with the Legislative Council to implement the bill.

    It reiterated that establishing the alternative framework to introduce a registration system for same-sex partnerships will not compromise the Government’s established position on upholding Hong Kong’s monogamous and heterosexual marriage system.

    The bill will be introduced in LegCo for first reading on July 16.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Republic of Korea-United States-Japan Trilateral Chiefs of Defense Joint Press Statement

    Source: US Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff

    Headline: Republic of Korea-United States-Japan Trilateral Chiefs of Defense Joint Press Statement

    Republic of Korea (ROK) Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Kim Myung-soo, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, and Japan Chief of Staff, Joint Staff Gen. Yoshida Yoshihide convened the 22nd Trilateral Chiefs of Defense (Tri-CHOD) Meeting on July 11, 2025, in Seoul. The three chiefs of defense recognized the importance of close trilateral cooperation in addressing security challenges on the Korean Peninsula, in the Indo-pacific and beyond.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Israeli strike kills 10 children near Gaza clinic with no immediate truce in sight

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    An Israeli airstrike hit Palestinians near a medical centre in Gaza on Thursday, killing 10 children and six adults, local health authorities said, as ceasefire talks dragged on with no immediate deal expected.

    Verified video footage from the strike in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip showed the bodies of women and children lying in pools of blood amid dust and screaming. One clip showed several motionless children lying on a donkey cart.

    “She didn’t do anything, she was innocent, I swear. Her dream was for the war to end and that they announce it today, to go back to school,” said Samah al-Nouri, sitting by the body of her daughter who was killed in the blast.

    “She was only getting treatment in a medical facility. Why did they kill them?” she said, with other bodies laid out around her at a nearby hospital.

    Israel’s military said it had struck a militant who took part in the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war. It said it was aware of reports regarding a number of injured bystanders and that the incident was under review.

    U.S.-based Project HOPE said the strike had hit right outside its Altayara health clinic. “Horrified and heartbroken cannot properly communicate how we feel anymore,” the aid group said in a statement.

    The Deir al-Balah missile strike came as Israeli and Hamas negotiators hold talks with mediators in Qatar over a proposed 60-day ceasefire and hostage release deal aimed at building agreement on a lasting truce.

    A senior Israeli official said on Wednesday that an agreement was not likely to be secured for another one or two weeks, however, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Thursday he was hopeful of a deal.

    “I think we’re closer, and I think perhaps we’re closer than we’ve been in quite a while,” Rubio told reporters at the ASEAN summit in Malaysia.

    Several rounds of indirect talks between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas have failed to produce a breakthrough since the Israeli military resumed its campaign in March following a previous ceasefire.

    Repeated attacks by Israeli forces in recent weeks have killed hundreds of Gazans, many of them civilians, and injured thousands, according to local health authorities, putting an enormous strain on the enclave’s few remaining hospitals.

    Dwindling fuel supplies risk further disruption in the semi-functioning hospitals, including to incubators at the neonatal unit of al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, doctors there said.

    “We are forced to place four, five or sometimes three premature babies in one incubator,” said Dr Mohammed Abu Selmia, the hospital director, adding that premature babies were now in a critical condition.

    An Israeli military official said that fuel destined for hospitals and other humanitarian facilities was let into the enclave on Wednesday and on Thursday.

    However, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that far more fuel was needed to keep essential life-saving and life-sustaining services operating.

    TALKS

    U.S. President Donald Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week to discuss the situation in Gaza amid reports that Israel and Hamas were nearing agreement on a U.S.-brokered ceasefire proposal after 21 months of war.

    Netanyahu said that if the two sides reach agreements on the U.S.60-day truce plan, Israel will begin negotiations on a permanent ceasefire.

    In a statement from Washington, he reiterated Israel’s terms for ending the war, including Hamas disarming and no longer ruling Gaza. Hamas has rejected calls to lay down its weapons.

    “If this can be achieved through negotiations – that’s good. If it’s not achieved through 60-day negotiations then we will achieve it by other means, by use of force,” Netanyahu said.

    A Palestinian official said the talks in Qatar were in crisis and that issues under dispute, including whether Israel would continue to occupy parts of Gaza after a ceasefire, had yet to be resolved.

    The two sides previously agreed a ceasefire in January but it did not lead to a deal on ending the war and Israel resumed its military assault two months later, stopping all aid supplies into Gaza for 11 weeks and telling civilians to leave the north of the tiny territory.

    Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has now killed more than 57,000 people, according to Palestinian health authorities. It has destroyed swathes of the territory and driven most Gazans from their homes.

    The Hamas attack on Israeli border communities that triggered the war in 2023 killed around 1,200 people and the militant group seized 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. At least 20 are believed to still be alive.

    There has also been repeated violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. An Israeli man was killed at a shopping centre in the territory on Thursday by two Palestinian militants, who were then shot dead, police said.

    In a separate incident, a Palestinian man was shot dead after he stabbed and injured a soldier, the army said.

  • Verbeek and Siniakova win Wimbledon mixed doubles title

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Czech Katerina Siniakova and Sem Verbeek of the Netherlands claimed the Wimbledon mixed doubles title on Thursday, defeating Britain’s Joe Salisbury and Brazilian Luisa Stefani 7-6(3) 7-6(3).

    Facing home favourite Salisbury and Stefani on Centre Court, the Czech-Dutch duo held their nerve, while Stefani appeared to be hampered by a leg issue in the second set.

    As Siniakova sealed victory with an overhead smash, the duo celebrated their first title together, Siniakova’s maiden mixed doubles Grand Slam and Verbeek’s first Grand Slam triumph of any kind.

    “It’s very special, I mean it means a lot — we had a lot of fun on the court and I really enjoyed it, it was a really amazing time here,” Siniakova said after lifting the trophy.

    For the 29-year-old Siniakova, the win added to her 10 Grand Slam women’s doubles titles, including the Australian Open crown with American Taylor Townsend in January.

    “Katerina, thank you so much, it’s been an honour to compete next to such a great doubles legend, one of the best to ever do it and thank you for making this a Thursday I will remember for the rest of my life,” the 31-year-old Verbeek said.

    Salisbury, who faced the disappointment of home fans hoping to see a British champion, said margins did not fall in his and Stefani’s favour.

    “It’s always tough to lose a final but they played amazing so congratulations. They were too good in the tie-breaks today,” Salisbury said.

    (Reuters)

  • 3rd Test: Root lifts England to 251-4 vs India on tense first day at Lord’s

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Joe Root’s patient unbeaten 99 led England to 251-4 on an attritional and compelling first day of the third test against India at Lord’s on Thursday.

    With the series level at 1-1 after two high-scoring matches, England won the toss in good batting conditions but they lost Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley cheaply and with pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah back in their attack India sensed a big chance.

    Root and Ollie Pope, however, adopted a risk-free approach, a far cry from the aggressive Bazball style of cricket England have adopted in recent years, to rebuild the innings, and Ben Stokes made 39 not out to leave the match finely poised.

    “We want to be a team that is positive and entertaining, but we want to play to the situation,” Pope said.

    “Our order is pretty fast scoring on our good days, we all know we can score hundreds off 120 balls, but we need to dig in off this sort of surface.”

    Earlier, Stokes won the toss under clear skies and would have expected his top order to take full advantage.

    India won the second test by 336 runs to level the series without Bumrah and he bowled a probing opening spell as the touring side rode the momentum of their excellent performance at Edgbaston.

    Crawley drove Akash Deep sweetly to the cover boundary before greeting Mohammed Siraj to the attack with another crisp hit through the off side but neither he nor Duckett looked comfortable on a slow pitch.

    Immediately after the drinks interval, Nitish Kumar Reddy struck in his first over when Duckett fell for 23, playing a loose stroke to a ball down the leg side and feathering a catch to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.

    Pope was dropped off his first ball, a very hard chance to Shubman Gill at gully, before Reddy squared up Crawley with a fine delivery and he edged it to Pant to depart for 18.

    STUNNED SILENCE

    A packed crowd at the home of cricket was stunned into near silence as India celebrated wildly and Reddy continued to extract movement off the pitch as England laboured to 83-2 at lunch.

    Root reached his 67th test half century to go with 36 hundreds for England’s leading all-time runscorer, the milestone coming off 102 balls and including seven fours.

    India suffered a blow when the free-scoring Pant was forced off the field with a finger injury but Pope was out for 44 to the first ball after tea, driving loosely at spinner Ravindra Jadeja and nicking the ball to stand-in keeper Dhruv Jurel.

    When Bumrah speared in a rapid ball that clipped the top of Harry Brook’s off stump to send the in-form batter back to the pavilion for 11 with England on 172-4 India sensed they were back in the ascendancy.

    But Root continued to bat smoothly and found a reliable partner in Stokes, the experienced pair defying the tiring Indian bowlers and keeping the scoreboard ticking over in the evening sunshine.

    Root tried to complete his 37th test century before the close but was unable to do so, and he will return on Friday when England will bid to put pressure on India by posting a commanding first-innings total.

    “Joe Root has inspired everyone in the changing room and in this country,” Pope said.

    “His work ethic and the way he goes about his cricket is inspirational over such a long career. Fingers crossed he can make it a massive one tomorrow.”

    (Reuters)

  • Anisimova outlasts Sabalenka, Swiatek fells Bencic to lock in Wimbledon final

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Amanda Anisimova tore up the script and soared into her maiden Wimbledon final by outclassing world number one Aryna Sabalenka with fierce determination and fearless shot-making on Thursday and will meet Iga Swiatek for a shot at Grand Slam glory.

    Anisimova’s 6-4 4-6 6-4 victory extended her record over her equally powerful rival to 6-3, and kept alive American dreams of a third women’s Grand Slam champion this year after Madison Keys won the Australian Open and Coco Gauff won the French Open.

    Standing in her way will be five-times major winner Swiatek, who continued her new-found love affair with grass this year to blaze into her first final at the All England Club with a breezy 6-2 6-0 demolition of Tokyo Olympic champion Belinda Bencic.

    In Saturday’s final, Anisimova, 23, will look to become the first American to win Wimbledon since Serena Williams in 2016.

    “This doesn’t feel real right now, honestly,” a beaming Anisimova said shortly after her big battle.

    “Aryna is such a tough competitor and I was absolutely dying out there. Yeah, I don’t know how I pulled it off. I mean, she’s such an incredible competitor and she’s an inspiration to me and I’m sure so many other people.

    “We’ve had so many tough battles. To come out on top today and be in the final of Wimbledon is so incredibly special. The atmosphere was incredible. I know she’s the number one, but a lot of people were cheering for me. Huge thanks to everyone.”

    On an oven-like Centre Court where the temperature climbed to 30 degrees Celsius, Sabalenka twice rushed to the aid of ill fans by supplying bottles of cold water and an ice pack, before she cracked under pressure from her opponent in the 10th game.

    Anisimova, competing in her first Grand Slam semi-final since her 2019 French Open run as a gifted teenager, made her opponent sweat for every point and wrapped up the opening set when the Belarusian produced a double fault.

    With her back against the wall, Sabalenka fought like a tiger, the animal that has become her totem, and broke for a 4-3 lead en route to levelling the match at one set apiece after some sloppy errors from 13th seed Anisimova’s racket.

    Having matched each other’s decibel levels in a cacophony of grunting, the duo swapped breaks at the start of the decider but Anisimova pounced again when Sabalenka sent a shot long and went on to reach the showpiece match.

    COMPLETE DISBELIEF

    Anisimova, who took a mental health break in 2023, said that making the final of a Grand Slam for the first time at Wimbledon left her in complete disbelief.

    “It’s been a year turnaround since coming back and to be in this spot … I mean, it’s not easy and so many people dream of, competing on this incredible court,” Anisimova added.

    “It’s been such a privilege to compete here and to be in the final is just indescribable.”

    Watching the second semi-final that will determine her next opponent was very much on Anisimova’s mind despite a near three-hour workout in testing conditions.

    “It’s going to be an incredible match and whoever comes out on top, it’s going to be a battle in the final,” she said.

    “Hopefully I can finally spend some time with my family.”

    The 27-year-old Sabalenka, who was beaten in the Australian and French Open finals, was left to lick her wounds after missing the chance to become the first woman since Williams in 2014-15 to reach four straight major title matches.

    It was a more straightforward path to the final for Swiatek, the claycourt specialist who had never got past the last eight at Wimbledon before this year, as she broke Bencic twice in the first set and three times in the next to romp to victory.

    “Honestly I never even dreamt it was going to be possible for me to play in the final so I’m super excited and just proud of myself,” the Pole said.

    “Tennis keeps surprising me. I thought I’d lived through everything even though I’m young. I thought I’d experienced everything on the court. I didn’t experience playing well on grass so I’m super excited and enjoying it.”

    Saturday’s title showdown will crown a new Wimbledon champion for the eighth successive year.

    “I don’t think I’ve played Amanda on the WTA Tour. We played in juniors and she can play amazing tennis,” the 24-year-old Swiatek added. “She loves fast surfaces.

    “I’ll have to be ready for fast shots for her being proactive but I’m just going to focus on myself and prepare tactically tomorrow.”

    (Reuters)

  • PSG and Chelsea set for Club World Cup final showdown in US

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Paris St Germain (PSG) will face Chelsea in the final of FIFA’s revamped 32-team Club World Cup on Sunday, capping off a month-long tournament in the United States that, while sparking debates about the weather and calendar, has delivered drama akin to a nations’ World Cup.

    The French and English sides, two of European football’s most powerful and richest clubs, will compete for the honour of being the first champions of FIFA’s expanded competition, created with the promise of revolutionising club football and as a glittering curtain-raiser for the 2026 World Cup in North America.

    The final, scheduled for midday at a sweltering MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, follows a tournament filled with surprises, including shock exits for Manchester City and Inter Milan at the hands of underdogs Al Hilal and Fluminense.

    PSG have been in scintillating form, winning seven of their last eight matches without conceding a single goal. Luis Enrique’s side showcased their high-pressing, fast-paced, vertical style to devastating effect in a 4-0 demolition of Real Madrid in the semi-finals. Two early turnovers, forced by PSG’s relentless press, led to a commanding two-goal lead within nine minutes.

    The Parisians, fresh off their maiden Champions League triumph last month, are chasing their first world title. Manager Luis Enrique has revitalised the team, replacing departing stars Neymar, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe with a youthful, dynamic squad committed to his total football ethos.

    Midfield orchestrator Vitinha has been pivotal, while flying fullbacks Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi provide width and pace. Up front, Ballon d’Or contender Ousmane Dembele has shone, delivering crucial goals and assists.

    PSG’s defensive solidity has also been remarkable, with their high turnover rate — averaging seven per hour of play —proving instrumental throughout the competition.

    Luis Enrique, who has already experienced glory leading Barcelona to a treble a decade ago, has never lost a one-off club final, winning 11 of 11.

    Chelsea, meanwhile, have taken the longer road to the final, arriving in the U.S. after winning Europe’s third-tier Conference League following a sub-par domestic campaign in which they barely managed a top-four Premier League finish.

    Chelsea have rallied in the tournament and the final gives manager Enzo Maresca a chance for redemption after being questioned due to struggles with a squad that cost Chelsea over 1 billion euros ($1.17 billion) in recent years.

    The mid-tournament addition of Joao Pedro has proven inspired, with the Brazilian forward netting twice in their semi-final win over his childhood team Fluminense.

    He has combined well with Cole Palmer in attack, while Chelsea’s midfield trio of Enzo Fernandez, Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo has excelled at breaking up play and exploiting spaces.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of Underwriting Auction conducted on July 11, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    In the underwriting auction conducted on July 11, 2025, for Additional Competitive Underwriting (ACU) of the undernoted Government securities, the Reserve Bank of India has set the cut-off rates for underwriting commission payable to Primary Dealers as given below:

    Nomenclature of the Security Notified Amount
    (₹ crore)    		 Minimum Underwriting Commitment (MUC) Amount
    (₹ crore)    		 Additional Competitive Underwriting Amount Accepted
    (₹ crore)    		 Total Amount underwritten
    (₹ crore)    		 ACU Commission Cut-off rate
    (Paise per ₹100)
    New GS 2032 11,000 5,502 5,498 11,000 0.16
    7.09% GS 2074 14,000 7,014 6,986 14,000 0.37
    Auction for the sale of securities will be held on July 11, 2025.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)     

    Press Release: 2025-2026/693

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of Underwriting Auction conducted on July 11, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    In the underwriting auction conducted on July 11, 2025, for Additional Competitive Underwriting (ACU) of the undernoted Government securities, the Reserve Bank of India has set the cut-off rates for underwriting commission payable to Primary Dealers as given below:

    Nomenclature of the Security Notified Amount
    (₹ crore)    		 Minimum Underwriting Commitment (MUC) Amount
    (₹ crore)    		 Additional Competitive Underwriting Amount Accepted
    (₹ crore)    		 Total Amount underwritten
    (₹ crore)    		 ACU Commission Cut-off rate
    (Paise per ₹100)
    New GS 2032 11,000 5,502 5,498 11,000 0.16
    7.09% GS 2074 14,000 7,014 6,986 14,000 0.37
    Auction for the sale of securities will be held on July 11, 2025.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)     

    Press Release: 2025-2026/693

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN participates in a Pull Aside with Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, met today with Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, Rt Hon Winston Peters, on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Foreign Minister and the Secretary-General recalled their meeting in May 2025 during the Secretary-General’s working visit to New Zealand. They also briefly exchanged views on ways to further strengthen ASEAN-New Zealand relations, particularly in preparations for the ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit on the 50th Anniversary of their partnership, scheduled to be held in October 2025.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN participates in a Pull Aside with Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN participates in a Pull Aside with Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, met today with Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, Rt Hon Winston Peters, on the sidelines of the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) and Related Meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Foreign Minister and the Secretary-General recalled their meeting in May 2025 during the Secretary-General’s working visit to New Zealand. They also briefly exchanged views on ways to further strengthen ASEAN-New Zealand relations, particularly in preparations for the ASEAN-New Zealand Commemorative Summit on the 50th Anniversary of their partnership, scheduled to be held in October 2025.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN participates in a Pull Aside with Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Cambodia: Revocation of citizenship would be heinous violation of international law – Amnesty International

    Source: Amnesty International

    Responding to a National Assembly-approved amendment to the Cambodian Constitution that allows for the revocation of Khmer citizenship, Amnesty International’s Regional Research Director Montse Ferrer said:

    “As the proposal moves closer to becoming reality, anyone who speaks out against or opposes the ruling party will be at risk of having their citizenship revoked. We are deeply concerned that the Cambodian government, given the power to strip people of their citizenship, will misuse it to crackdown on its critics and make them stateless.

    “Revoking citizenship can violate many rights, including the rights to a nationality, to enter your own country and to take part in the conduct of public affairs. Without citizenship, people may not be able to access healthcare, get a job, go to school, migrate or get married. Stateless individuals often face social exclusion, discrimination and are at risk of exploitation and abuse. For many Cambodians, their Khmer citizenship is akin to their identity.  

    “Despite this repressive amendment moving forward, it comes against a backdrop where the Cambodian authorities have completely failed to safeguard the independence and integrity of the country’s courts – a failure further compounded by the Constitutional Council stating an amendment was possible. Judicial independence is key to safeguarding people’s rights including the right to nationality and reversing a culture of impunity. This has enabled the government’s authoritarian practices to continue unchecked, such as its persecution of opposition leaders, activists and independent journalists.

    “Revoking citizenship often violates human rights, and when done in a way that renders people stateless is a dangerous step that is prohibited under international law. Revoking a person’s citizenship must not become a political tool to silence and intimidate critical voices, and Cambodian authorities must immediately reverse the amendment, end their authoritarian practices and uphold their international human rights obligations and the rule of law. The international community should publicly condemn the Cambodian government’s heinous proposed amendment to the constitution.”

     

    Background

    On 11 July, an extraordinary session of the National Assembly was convened in which a draft amendment to the Constitution that would allow for the revocation of Khmer citizenship was debated and approved.

    President of the Senate, Hun Sen, had previously called on Cambodia’s Minister of Justice to consider the proposal to amend the Constitution. On 27 June, he said in a speech that this proposal was to “revoke citizenship from Cambodians who side with foreign nations to harm our country”.

    The National Assembly-approved amendment to the constitution adds in new language to the effect of “[r]eceiving and losing and revoking Khmer nationality shall be determined by law.”

    The Constitutional Council of Cambodia said on 2 July that a proposed amendment to Article 33 of the Cambodian Constitution was possible. Article 33, before amendment, stated that: “Khmer citizens shall not be deprived of their nationality … [and] Khmer citizens residing abroad enjoy the protection of the State. The acquisition of Cambodian nationality is determined by law.”

    Cambodia has been ruled for decades by the Cambodian People’s Party, which controls the judiciary and military.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • Rubio to meet China’s Wang Yi in Malaysia amid trade tension

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, the State Department said, in what will be the first in-person meeting of the two counterparts.

    Washington’s top diplomat arrived in Malaysia on Thursday in his first trip to Asia since taking office, where he joined foreign ministers of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Kuala Lumpur and met with senior Malaysian officials and his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov.

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

    Rubio is attending the East Asia Summit and ASEAN regional forum on Friday, which include Japan, China, Russia, Australia, India, the European Union and more.

    Analysts said Rubio would be looking to press the case that the United States remains a better partner than China, Washington’s main strategic rival, during the visit.

    His meeting with Wang comes amid escalating trade tensions, with China this week warning the United States against reinstating hefty tariffs on its goods next month.

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

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

    Trump has also threatened to levy an additional 10% tariff on countries aligned with BRICS.

    Originally comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, the BRICS grouping is seen largely as China’s effort in establishing an economic grouping to counter Western powers and has since expanded to include members such as Indonesia and Iran.

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

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

    Trump earlier this week said Washington lately has a really good relationship with China and that the two strategic rivals are getting along well.

    “We have had a really good relationship with China lately, and we’re getting along with them very well. They’ve been very fair on our trade deal, honestly,” Trump said, adding that he has been speaking regularly with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

    Rubio on Friday will also meet with the Japanese foreign minister and South Korea’s deputy foreign minister, just days after Trump announced 25% tariffs on both allies, effective August 1.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-Evening Report: Hendra virus has killed a horse in Queensland. Should we be worried?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vinod Balasubramaniam, Associate Professor (Molecular Virology), Monash University

    CJKPhoto/Getty

    The death of an unvaccinated horse from Hendra virus this week in southeast Queensland is the state’s first reported case in three years.

    Before that, Australia’s last case was in July 2023, when another unvaccinated horse died in New South Wales.

    The new incident is a stark reminder that, while rare, this persistent virus poses a deadly threat to both animals and humans.

    So, what is Hendra virus? And how is it passed on? Here’s what you need to know.

    What is Hendra virus?

    Hendra virus is found only in Australia. It is named after the Brisbane suburb Hendra, where it was first identified in 1994 – an outbreak that killed 13 horses and one human.

    Hendra is a highly pathogenic virus, meaning it causes severe, often fatal illness.

    It is a kind of henipavirus, which belongs to the large family of Paramyxoviridae. Henipaviruses such as Hendra are zoonotic, which means they occur naturally in animals but can also be passed on to humans.

    Australia’s native flying foxes or fruit bats (the genus Pteropus) are Hendra’s natural “reservoir host”. They carry the virus without symptoms.

    Outbreaks occur when the virus is transmitted to horses and occasionally to humans through infected horses. It is not known to affect other animals.

    Can humans get Hendra?

    Although alarming, human cases of Hendra virus remain exceedingly rare. Only seven confirmed cases have been reported since 1994, resulting in four deaths.

    Each human case occurred after close contact with an infected horse or horses.

    Those who contracted Hendra were typically veterinarians or horse trainers exposed to blood, mucus or other bodily fluids while caring for the horse or determining its cause of death.

    Direct transmission of Hendra from bats to humans, or between humans, has not been documented.

    How does it spread?

    Hendra exists year-round in flying fox populations, who shed virus particles in bodily fluids, but don’t get sick themselves.

    Horses mainly become infected through grass, feed or drinking water that has been contaminated by flying fox saliva, urine or feces. Although horse-to-horse transmission is possible, it is not common.

    An infected horse will show rapid symptoms including:

    • fever
    • breathing difficulties
    • nasal discharge
    • increased heart rate
    • neurological signs, such as muscle twitching, loss of coordination, and disorientation.

    The infection progresses rapidly. In around 75% of cases, death follows within 48 to 72 hrs of symptoms beginning.

    How dangerous is Hendra for horses?

    Cases are infrequent but severe. Hendra has killed over 100 horses since it was identified in 1994.

    Around 75–80% of infected horses either die naturally or are euthanised due to welfare concerns. This high death rate underscores the need for preventive measures.

    Vaccination is the main way to prevent infection in horses. No vaccinated horses have developed the disease since a highly effective vaccine became available in 2012.

    Veterinary authorities strongly recommend vaccination for horses, especially in Queensland and northern New South Wales, regions historically affected by the virus.

    Other preventive measures include: placing feed and water containers away from areas frequented by flying foxes, regular stable cleaning, and keeping horses in stables overnight during months when bats are most active.

    This is typically May to October, sometimes known as “Hendra season”. But there are signs climate change and habitat destruction may be changing when and where flying foxes roost and potentially worsening the risk of outbreak.

    How to prevent human infection

    There is no vaccine for humans against Hendra virus.

    Preventing virus transmission from horses to humans requires strict biosecurity and hygiene protocols.

    People who work with potentially infected horses must use personal protective equipment, including gloves, masks, eye protection and disposable gowns.

    Rigorous hand hygiene practices – such as thorough washing with soap and water or alcohol-based sanitisers after horse contact – are vital.

    If you suspect your horse is sick, avoid direct contact and get veterinary help straight away.

    Vinod Balasubramaniam receives funding from the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation in Malaysia.

    – ref. Hendra virus has killed a horse in Queensland. Should we be worried? – https://theconversation.com/hendra-virus-has-killed-a-horse-in-queensland-should-we-be-worried-260586

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Republic of Korea-United States-Japan Trilateral Chiefs of Defense Joint Press Statement

    Source: US Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff

    Republic of Korea (ROK) Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Kim Myung-soo, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, and Japan Chief of Staff, Joint Staff Gen. Yoshida Yoshihide convened the 22nd Trilateral Chiefs of Defense (Tri-CHOD) Meeting on July 11, 2025, in Seoul. The three chiefs of defense recognized the importance of close trilateral cooperation in addressing security challenges on the Korean Peninsula, in the Indo-pacific and beyond.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Republic of Korea-United States-Japan Trilateral Chiefs of Defense Joint Press Statement

    Source: US Defense Joint Chiefs of Staff

    Republic of Korea (ROK) Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Kim Myung-soo, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Dan Caine, and Japan Chief of Staff, Joint Staff Gen. Yoshida Yoshihide convened the 22nd Trilateral Chiefs of Defense (Tri-CHOD) Meeting on July 11, 2025, in Seoul. The three chiefs of defense recognized the importance of close trilateral cooperation in addressing security challenges on the Korean Peninsula, in the Indo-pacific and beyond.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s high-speed rail tech boon for world, picturing new vision for connectivity

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

    Guests attend the 12th World Congress on High-Speed Rail in Beijing, capital of China, July 8, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    China’s fast-evolving high-speed rail technology is not only reshaping domestic mobility, but also playing an increasingly significant role in enhancing global connectivity and driving infrastructure development, experts said at the 12th World Congress on High-Speed Rail.

    The event, held from Tuesday to Friday in Beijing and co-hosted by China State Railway Group and the International Union of Railways (UIC), drew more than 2,000 participants from over 60 countries, regions and international organizations.

    “In less than two decades, China has created the largest and most advanced high-speed rail system in the world, reshaping mobility, the economy and regional development,” said Alan Beroud, chairman of the UIC, during his keynote speech at the opening ceremony.

    China’s achievement is more remarkable given that at the beginning of this century, the country had no high-speed railways. Back then, passengers relied on slow and often overcrowded trains, making cross-country journeys time-consuming and exhausting.

    Today, the country operates about 48,000 kilometers of high-speed rail, more than twice the length of all other countries’ networks combined. The system links 97 percent of cities with populations of 500,000 or more.

    Guided by an innovation-driven strategy, China has emerged as a global front-runner in the sector. The country has spearheaded the development of all 13 system-level international standards for high-speed rail set by the UIC. Its flagship models, such as the CR450 electrical multiple unit, the world’s fastest high-speed train with a test speed of 450 kilometers per hour, have redefined new global benchmarks for speed and safety.

    For many countries, especially those still developing their infrastructure, China’s story is more than a feat of modernization — it serves as a practical pathway to achieving broader development.

    “Most countries experience the same starting point like China,” said Ulan Kulov, deputy general manager of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan Railway Co. “We can go this way faster if we learn from China, because we don’t have to reinvent it, and we can use existing technologies and go fast forward.”

    While leading in development at home, China is also exporting its expertise abroad, partnering with more than 40 countries and regions. From Asia to Europe and beyond, its high-speed rail projects are leaving a growing global footprint.

    The Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway in Indonesia, built entirely with Chinese technology and standards, slashed travel time between the two cities from more than three hours to just 46 minutes. In Europe, the China-backed Hungary-Serbia Railway has cut travel time between Budapest and Belgrade from eight hours to three, benefiting more than 11 million passengers since operation.

    The China-Laos Railway stands as a key project promoting regional connectivity and trade. As of May, the railway had transported more than 52.7 million passengers, including over 510,000 cross-border travelers, and carried more than 59.4 million tonnes of cargo, with cross-border shipments exceeding 13.7 million tonnes.

    Daochinda Siharath, managing director of Lao National Railway Authority, said the China-Laos Railway was the first railway built to modern technical standards that Laos had operated. “The railway has directly and indirectly supported the socioeconomic development in Laos, and also boosted the income of people living along the route,” the official said.

    Beyond advancing infrastructure in developing nations, China’s high-speed rail is also creating new opportunities for traditional railway players.

    When attending a parallel exhibition on modern railway technology, Hitachi NICO Transmission Co., Ltd., a Japanese company that entered the Chinese market in 1980, highlighted the importance of joint innovation.

    “In the past 40-plus years, it was through our development in China that we seized unprecedented opportunities,” said Matsui Shiro, president of the company. He noted that Japanese and Chinese companies are highly complementary in areas such as specialized components, co-development, and integrated solutions.

    “The Belt and Road Initiative has opened new doors for China-Japan joint ventures in third-party markets,” Matsui said. “We see great prospects for effective partnerships in many areas.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mainland Shunde cuisine brand “Under Big Banyan” establishes regional headquarters in Hong Kong to drive overseas expansion (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Mainland Shunde cuisine brand “Under Big Banyan” establishes regional headquarters in Hong Kong to drive overseas expansion (with photo) 
    Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK Mr Arnold Lau said, “We welcome ‘Under Big Banyan’ to join Hong Kong’s diverse food and beverage landscape. The brand’s choice of Hong Kong as its international gateway underscores our city’s role as an ideal springboard connecting the Mainland and the global market, highlighting Hong Kong’s strengths in internationalisation, cultural inclusiveness and its business environment, providing strong support for brands to go global.”
     
         The Chairman of “Under Big Banyan”, Mr Liu Weihua, said, “We chose Hong Kong not only for its geographical advantages, but also for its market – with strong spending power and an internationalised customer base, serving as an excellent platform for promoting Shunde cuisine overseas. Hong Kong attracts tourists from all over the world, helping to significantly boost our brand’s international exposure. The city’s multicultural environment also allows us to assess the suitability of our dishes for global markets.”
     
    Mr Liu added, “Hong Kong’s robust business infrastructure, legal and tax transparency and seamless connection with the Mainland enable us to validate our overseas business model at a lower cost. The new regional headquarters in Hong Kong will oversee and co-ordinate our business operations across Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Southeast Asia. Additionally, we will establish an international training base for Cantonese chefs, nurturing local catering talent to support the brand’s long-term development.”
     
    He stated that the essence of Shunde cuisine is “never tire of fine food, the charm of home cooking”, emphasising lightness, freshness, tenderness, and smoothness. The signature dishes of “Under Big Banyan” are braised goose with black bean sauce, fresh fish skin and pan-fried stuffed lotus root, combining nutritional value with great taste that meet the global demand for high-quality Chinese cuisine. Hong Kong, as a culinary hub of Asia, will serve as a vital gateway for promoting Shunde’s culinary culture to the world.
     
         “Under Big Banyan”, founded in 2019, currently operates over 50 directly managed stores across various cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the brand has received numerous industry accolades. With the mission of delivering “freshly made Shunde cuisine”, the brand is dedicated to showcasing the unique flavours of Shunde food with freshness as its core value – a commitment that has been widely embraced by diners.
     
    To download event photos, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720327419962Issued at HKT 11:45

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Mainland Shunde cuisine brand “Under Big Banyan” establishes regional headquarters in Hong Kong to drive overseas expansion (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Mainland Shunde cuisine brand “Under Big Banyan” establishes regional headquarters in Hong Kong to drive overseas expansion (with photo) 
    Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK Mr Arnold Lau said, “We welcome ‘Under Big Banyan’ to join Hong Kong’s diverse food and beverage landscape. The brand’s choice of Hong Kong as its international gateway underscores our city’s role as an ideal springboard connecting the Mainland and the global market, highlighting Hong Kong’s strengths in internationalisation, cultural inclusiveness and its business environment, providing strong support for brands to go global.”
     
         The Chairman of “Under Big Banyan”, Mr Liu Weihua, said, “We chose Hong Kong not only for its geographical advantages, but also for its market – with strong spending power and an internationalised customer base, serving as an excellent platform for promoting Shunde cuisine overseas. Hong Kong attracts tourists from all over the world, helping to significantly boost our brand’s international exposure. The city’s multicultural environment also allows us to assess the suitability of our dishes for global markets.”
     
    Mr Liu added, “Hong Kong’s robust business infrastructure, legal and tax transparency and seamless connection with the Mainland enable us to validate our overseas business model at a lower cost. The new regional headquarters in Hong Kong will oversee and co-ordinate our business operations across Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Southeast Asia. Additionally, we will establish an international training base for Cantonese chefs, nurturing local catering talent to support the brand’s long-term development.”
     
    He stated that the essence of Shunde cuisine is “never tire of fine food, the charm of home cooking”, emphasising lightness, freshness, tenderness, and smoothness. The signature dishes of “Under Big Banyan” are braised goose with black bean sauce, fresh fish skin and pan-fried stuffed lotus root, combining nutritional value with great taste that meet the global demand for high-quality Chinese cuisine. Hong Kong, as a culinary hub of Asia, will serve as a vital gateway for promoting Shunde’s culinary culture to the world.
     
         “Under Big Banyan”, founded in 2019, currently operates over 50 directly managed stores across various cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the brand has received numerous industry accolades. With the mission of delivering “freshly made Shunde cuisine”, the brand is dedicated to showcasing the unique flavours of Shunde food with freshness as its core value – a commitment that has been widely embraced by diners.
     
    To download event photos, please visit: www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720327419962Issued at HKT 11:45

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Trump puts 35% tariff on Canada, eyes 15%-20% tariffs for others

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States would impose a 35% tariff on imports from Canada next month and planned to impose blanket tariffs of 15% or 20% on most other trading partners.

    In a letter released on his social media platform, Trump told Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney the new rate would go into effect on August 1 and would go up if Canada retaliated.

    The 35% tariff is an increase from the current 25% rate that Trump had assigned to Canada and is a blow to Carney, who was seeking to agree a trade pact with Washington.

    An exclusion for goods covered by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) on trade was expected to stay in place, and 10% tariffs on energy and fertilizer were also not set to change, though Trump had not made a final decision on those issues, an administration official said.

    Trump complained in his letter about what he referred to as the flow of fentanyl from Canada as well as the country’s tariff- and non-tariff trade barriers that hurt U.S. dairy farmers and others. He said the trade deficit was a threat to the U.S. economy and national security.

    Canadian officials say a miniscule amount of fentanyl originates from Canada but they have taken measures to strengthen the border.

    “If Canada works with me to stop the flow of Fentanyl, we will, perhaps, consider an adjustment to this letter,” Trump wrote.

    Carney’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The prime minister said last month that he and Trump had agreed to wrap up a new economic and security deal within 30 days.

    Trump has broadened his trade war in recent days, setting new tariffs on a number of countries, including allies Japan and South Korea, along with a 50% tariff on copper.

    In an interview with NBC News published on Thursday, Trump said other trading partners that had not yet received such letters would likely face blanket tariffs.

    “Not everybody has to get a letter. You know that. We’re just setting our tariffs,” Trump said in the interview.

    “We’re just going to say all of the remaining countries are going to pay, whether it’s 20% or 15%. We’ll work that out now,” Trump was quoted as saying by the network.

    Canada is the second-largest U.S. trading partner after Mexico, and the largest buyer of U.S. exports. It bought $349.4 billion of U.S. goods last year and exported $412.7 billion to the U.S., according to U.S. Census Bureau data.

    Carney, who led his Liberal Party to a comeback election victory earlier this year with a pledge to tackle trade challenges with the U.S., had been aiming to negotiate a trade deal with its key trading partner by July 21.

    Trump, in his letter, did not specifically address how trade negotiations were proceeding, but he said the “tariffs may be modified, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your Country.”

    Last month, the Carney government scrapped a planned digital services tax targeting U.S. technology firms after Trump abruptly called off trade talks saying the tax was a “blatant attack.”

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Money Market Operations as on July 10, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 5,98,675.70 5.28 4.00-6.60
         I. Call Money 19,066.40 5.36 4.75-5.45
         II. Triparty Repo 3,86,756.85 5.25 5.15-5.30
         III. Market Repo 1,90,297.90 5.32 4.00-5.60
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 2,554.55 5.52 5.45-6.60
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 639.00 5.15 4.95-5.36
         II. Term Money@@ 580.00 – 5.60-5.70
         III. Triparty Repo 2,035.00 5.30 5.25-5.38
         IV. Market Repo 0.00 – –
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Thu, 10/07/2025 1 Fri, 11/07/2025 1,078.00 5.75
    4. SDFΔ# Thu, 10/07/2025 1 Fri, 11/07/2025 1,24,621.00 5.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -1,23,543.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo Wed, 09/07/2025 2 Fri, 11/07/2025 97,315.00 5.49
      Fri, 04/07/2025 7 Fri, 11/07/2025 1,00,010.00 5.47
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       5,515.78  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -1,91,809.22  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -3,15,352.22  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks          
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on July 10, 2025 9,31,896.42  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending July 11, 2025 9,52,318.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ July 10, 2025 0.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on June 13, 2025 5,62,116.00  

    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).

    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.

    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.

    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.

    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.

    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/692

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – ProCare welcomes Pharmac’s move to improve access to asthma inhalers and long-acting contraceptives

    Source: ProCare

    ProCare welcomes Pharmac’s announcement to improve access to some asthma inhalers and long-acting contraceptives from 1 August. The changes represent a significant step forward in supporting equitable, patient-centred primary care across Aotearoa.

    The changes will impact funded treatments, including:

    • combination inhalers branded as Symbicort Turbuhaler, DuoResp Spiromax, and Vannair
    • long-acting contraceptives branded as Mirena, Jaydess, and Jadelle.

    From next month, patients will be able to receive a three-month supply of the inhalers at once, and these, along with the long-acting contraceptives will be stocked in general practices for the first time.

    This change will reduce the need for people to visit their pharmacy to pick up their prescription and mean people can learn how to use their inhalers and collect them at the same time, rather than returning for a follow-up.

    Bindi Norwell, Chief Executive at ProCare sees the decision as a win for increasing accessibility to treatment and for efficiency of work in primary care.

    “Reducing barriers to get timely access to treatment, especially for people managing chronic conditions like asthma means our health care professionals can help them get better health outcomes sooner.

    “However, we do want to sound a warning to members of the public around the IUD insertions. As per Medical Council requirements, GPs are required to ensure that patients are informed and have time to ask questions before giving their consent to any procedure. Patients may need to book a double or triple appointment depending on the treatment chosen.

    Mihi Blair, Kaiwhakahaere Hauora Māori (General Manager – Māori Health and Equity) at ProCare believes these changes will mean the support provided to patients can be done more equitably.

    “For Māori, Pacific peoples, and those living in rural areas, easier access to essential treatments can make a real difference to their health. It’s encouraging to see Pharmac responding to the needs of our communities.”

    ProCare supports aligning medicine access with clinical guidelines and responding to how we can improve patient experience. The changes will help streamline care delivery, reduce administrative burden, and empower clinicians to provide timely, effective treatment.

    “We look forward to working with our practices to implement these changes smoothly and ensure patients are informed and supported,” says Norwell.

    About ProCare

    ProCare is a leading healthcare provider that aims to deliver the most progressive, pro-active and equitable health and wellbeing services in Aotearoa. We do this through our clinical support services, mental health and wellness services, virtual/tele health, mobile health, smoking cessation and by taking a population health and equity approach to our mahi. As New Zealand’s largest Primary Health Organisation, we represent a network of general practice teams and healthcare professionals who provide care to more than 830,000 people across Auckland and Northland. These practices serve the largest Pacific and South Asian populations enrolled in general practice and the largest Māori population in Tāmaki Makaurau. For more information go to www.procare.co.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: International Symposium on the History and Modernity of the South China Sea Held in Beijing

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhua) — The International Symposium on the History and Modernity of the South China Sea was held in Beijing on Thursday.

    Participants held in-depth discussions on topics such as the international order formed after World War II, China’s sovereignty over the South China Sea islands and nearby maritime areas, etc.

    Wu Shitsun, chairman of the Huayang Center for Maritime Cooperation and Ocean Governance, said China’s sovereignty over the islands in the South China Sea and their adjacent waters has solid historical and legal foundations, as China has governed the region since ancient times and in accordance with the international order formed after World War II.

    “China’s defense of its sovereignty over islands in the South China Sea is about upholding international order, not undermining international rules,” he told the symposium.

    Referring to the illegal arbitration award in the South China Sea in July 2016, he stressed that China and ASEAN should step up consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea and jointly safeguard peace and stability in the region.

    Rommel Banlaoi, president of the Philippine Society for International Security Studies, said the arbitration ruling had damaged Philippine-Chinese relations and complicated the geopolitical situation in the South China Sea.

    The symposium brought together more than 150 experts, scholars and representatives of organizations from more than 10 countries and regions around the world, including China, Indonesia, the Philippines, the United Kingdom and Canada. -0-

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Guests at a feast in Iran’s Zagros Mountains 11,000 years ago brought wild boars from all across the land

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Petra Vaiglova, Lecturer in Archaeological Science, Australian National University

    Kathryn Killackey

    Have you ever stopped by the grocery store on your way to a dinner party to grab a bottle of wine? Did you grab the first one you saw, or did you pause to think about the available choices and deliberate over where you wanted your gift to be from?

    The people who lived in western Iran around 11,000 years ago had the same idea – but in practice it looked a little different. In our latest research, my colleagues and I studied the remains of ancient feasts at Asiab in the Zagros Mountains where people gathered in communal celebration.

    The feasters left behind the skulls of 19 wild boars, which they packed neatly together and sealed inside a pit within a round building. Butchery marks on the boar skulls show the animals were used for feasting, but until now we did not know where the animals came from.

    By examining the microscopic growth patterns and chemical signatures inside the tooth enamel of five of these boars, we found at least some of them had been brought to the site from a substantial distance away, transported over difficult mountainous terrain. Bringing these boars to the feast – when other boars were available locally – would have taken an enormous amount of effort.

    A big feast from before the dawn of agriculture

    Feasting activities are widely documented in the archaeological record, primarily from communities that rely on agriculture to generate a food surplus. In fact, it has been suggested feasting may have been a driving force behind the adoption of agriculture, although this theory has been widely debated.

    While evidence from after the adoption of agriculture is plentiful from all reaches of the globe, evidence pre-dating agriculture is more sparse.

    What is special about the feast at Asiab is not only its early date and that it brought together people from wider reaches of the region. It is the fact that people who participated in this feast invested substantial amounts of effort, so that their contributions involved an element of geographic symbolism.

    Food and culture

    Food and long-standing culinary traditions form an integral component of cultures all over the globe. It is for this reason that holidays, festivals, and other socially meaningful events commonly involve food.

    We cannot imagine Christmas without the Christmas meal, for example, or Eid without the food gifts, or Passover without matzo ball soup.

    What’s more, food makes for gifts that are highly appreciated. The more a food item is reminiscent of a specific country or location, the better. It is for this reason that cheese from France, crocodile jerky from Australia, and black chicken from Korea make for good currency in the world of gift giving.

    Just like today, people who lived in the past noticed the importance of reciprocity and place, and formulated customs to celebrate them publicly.

    At ancient feasts at Stonehenge, for example, research has shown people ate pigs brought from wide reaches of Britain. Our new findings provide the first glimpse of similar behaviour in a pre-agricultural context.

    How to read a tooth

    Did you know that teeth grow like trees? Much like trees and their annual growth rings, teeth deposit visible layers of enamel and dentine during growth.

    These growth layers track daily patterns of development and changes in the dietary intake of certain chemical elements. In our study, we sliced the teeth of wild boars from Asiab in a way that allowed us to count these daily growth layers under the microscope.

    We then used this information to measure the composition of enamel secreted at approximately weekly intervals. The variability in the isotopic ratios we measured suggests at least some of the wild boars used in the feast at Asiab came from considerable distance: possibly from at least 70 km, or two or more days’ travel.

    The most likely explanation is that they were hunted in farther reaches of the region and transported to the site as contributions to the feast.

    Reciprocity is at the heart of social interactions. Just like a thoughtfully chosen bottle of wine does today, those boars brought from far and wide may have served to commemorate a place, an event and social bonds through gift-giving.

    The work was funded by Early Career Research grants from Griffith University and the Society for Archaeological Science.

    – ref. Guests at a feast in Iran’s Zagros Mountains 11,000 years ago brought wild boars from all across the land – https://theconversation.com/guests-at-a-feast-in-irans-zagros-mountains-11-000-years-ago-brought-wild-boars-from-all-across-the-land-260179

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Guests at a feast in Iran’s Zagros Mountains 11,000 years ago brought wild boars from all across the land

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Petra Vaiglova, Lecturer in Archaeological Science, Australian National University

    Kathryn Killackey

    Have you ever stopped by the grocery store on your way to a dinner party to grab a bottle of wine? Did you grab the first one you saw, or did you pause to think about the available choices and deliberate over where you wanted your gift to be from?

    The people who lived in western Iran around 11,000 years ago had the same idea – but in practice it looked a little different. In our latest research, my colleagues and I studied the remains of ancient feasts at Asiab in the Zagros Mountains where people gathered in communal celebration.

    The feasters left behind the skulls of 19 wild boars, which they packed neatly together and sealed inside a pit within a round building. Butchery marks on the boar skulls show the animals were used for feasting, but until now we did not know where the animals came from.

    By examining the microscopic growth patterns and chemical signatures inside the tooth enamel of five of these boars, we found at least some of them had been brought to the site from a substantial distance away, transported over difficult mountainous terrain. Bringing these boars to the feast – when other boars were available locally – would have taken an enormous amount of effort.

    A big feast from before the dawn of agriculture

    Feasting activities are widely documented in the archaeological record, primarily from communities that rely on agriculture to generate a food surplus. In fact, it has been suggested feasting may have been a driving force behind the adoption of agriculture, although this theory has been widely debated.

    While evidence from after the adoption of agriculture is plentiful from all reaches of the globe, evidence pre-dating agriculture is more sparse.

    What is special about the feast at Asiab is not only its early date and that it brought together people from wider reaches of the region. It is the fact that people who participated in this feast invested substantial amounts of effort, so that their contributions involved an element of geographic symbolism.

    Food and culture

    Food and long-standing culinary traditions form an integral component of cultures all over the globe. It is for this reason that holidays, festivals, and other socially meaningful events commonly involve food.

    We cannot imagine Christmas without the Christmas meal, for example, or Eid without the food gifts, or Passover without matzo ball soup.

    What’s more, food makes for gifts that are highly appreciated. The more a food item is reminiscent of a specific country or location, the better. It is for this reason that cheese from France, crocodile jerky from Australia, and black chicken from Korea make for good currency in the world of gift giving.

    Just like today, people who lived in the past noticed the importance of reciprocity and place, and formulated customs to celebrate them publicly.

    At ancient feasts at Stonehenge, for example, research has shown people ate pigs brought from wide reaches of Britain. Our new findings provide the first glimpse of similar behaviour in a pre-agricultural context.

    How to read a tooth

    Did you know that teeth grow like trees? Much like trees and their annual growth rings, teeth deposit visible layers of enamel and dentine during growth.

    These growth layers track daily patterns of development and changes in the dietary intake of certain chemical elements. In our study, we sliced the teeth of wild boars from Asiab in a way that allowed us to count these daily growth layers under the microscope.

    We then used this information to measure the composition of enamel secreted at approximately weekly intervals. The variability in the isotopic ratios we measured suggests at least some of the wild boars used in the feast at Asiab came from considerable distance: possibly from at least 70 km, or two or more days’ travel.

    The most likely explanation is that they were hunted in farther reaches of the region and transported to the site as contributions to the feast.

    Reciprocity is at the heart of social interactions. Just like a thoughtfully chosen bottle of wine does today, those boars brought from far and wide may have served to commemorate a place, an event and social bonds through gift-giving.

    The work was funded by Early Career Research grants from Griffith University and the Society for Archaeological Science.

    – ref. Guests at a feast in Iran’s Zagros Mountains 11,000 years ago brought wild boars from all across the land – https://theconversation.com/guests-at-a-feast-in-irans-zagros-mountains-11-000-years-ago-brought-wild-boars-from-all-across-the-land-260179

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Appointments to Financial Reporting Review Panel

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Appointments to Financial Reporting Review Panel 
    The appointments and reappointments, made in accordance with the Accounting and Financial Reporting Council Ordinance (Cap. 588) (AFRC Ordinance), are:
     
    New Convenors
    ———————-
    Mr Paul Donald Hebditch
    Mr Eric Tang Ying-cheung
    Mr Tang Yiu-chung
     
    New Members
    ———————-
    Ms Fanny Hsiang Yuet-ming
    Mr Alexander Kaung Wai-ming
    Mr Lam Chi-ki
    Ms Carrie Lau Kar-yee
    Mr Jason Li Jiasheng
    Mr Ng Chun-man
    Ms Elza Yuen Wai-yiu
     
    Reappointed Member
    ——————————-
    Mr Jacob Lee Chi-hin
     
    A spokesman for the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau today (July 11) said, “The Accounting and Financial Reporting Council (AFRC) is a key regulator for corporate governance of companies listed in Hong Kong. One of the statutory functions of the AFRC is to initiate enquiries concerning non-compliance with legal, accounting or regulatory requirements in a listed entity’s financial reports.
     
    “The FRRP, a statutory body established under the AFRC Ordinance, is indispensable to the discharge of the AFRC’s statutory functions of enquiries. The work of the FRRP will benefit from the rich experience and professional knowledge of the members.
     
    “We would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt appreciation to the two outgoing Convenors and nine outgoing members for their valuable contribution to the work of the FRRP in the past years,” the spokesman added.
     
    When an enquiry case arises, the AFRC may appoint one Convenor and four or more members from the FRRP to form a Financial Reporting Review Committee which will enquire into the relevant non-compliance of the case. The Committee will submit an enquiry report on the case to the AFRC for consideration and, where appropriate, follow-up action.
    Issued at HKT 11:00

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Gazettal of two pieces of subsidiary legislation under Copyright Ordinance

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Gazettal of two pieces of subsidiary legislation under Copyright Ordinance 
         The above two pieces of subsidiary legislation are made under section 46(1) of the Ordinance. They aim to specify libraries, museums and archives and prescribe conditions for certain permitted acts for use of copyright works, and at the same time replace the Copyright (Libraries) Regulations (Cap. 528B) currently governing some of the relevant permitted acts.
     
         A spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said, “The Copyright (Amendment) Ordinance 2022 (the Amendment Ordinance), which came into operation on May 1, 2023, not only has strengthened copyright protection in the digital environment, but also maintained a proper balance between copyright protection and reasonable use of copyright works. The Amendment Ordinance has introduced and expanded the permitted acts for specified libraries, museums and archives to facilitate their reasonable use of copyright works in their collections during daily operations, promoting research, private study, as well as knowledge dissemination and preservation of historical and cultural heritage. Therefore, it is necessary to update the relevant subsidiary legislation to facilitate the above.”
     
         The spokesperson added that the Government had earlier conducted a public consultation on the legislative proposals for the two pieces of subsidiary legislation and had carefully considered and taken on board the views of stakeholders. The proposals will provide specified libraries, museums and archives with a statutory framework which is clear and complies with the Ordinance, thereby enabling them to more effectively perform and fulfil their functions in education and the inheritance of knowledge and culture.
     
         The two pieces of subsidiary legislation will be tabled before the Legislative Council on July 16 for negative vetting. Upon completion of the relevant legislative procedures, the Government will carry out publicity and educational activities to enhance the awareness of the relevant provisions among the specified libraries, museums, archives and their users, and to enable the relevant stakeholders to get fully prepared before the two pieces of subsidiary legislation come into effect on January 1 next year.
    Issued at HKT 11:00

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Import and Export (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 gazetted

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Import and Export (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 gazetted 
         A spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said, “We are grateful to the Legislative Council for passing the relevant bill to provide the legal basis for the implementation of TSW Phase 3, achieving another important milestone on trade facilitation. The TSW not only overhauls and enhances the document submission workflows between participating government agencies and the trade, but also enhances the efficiency of cargo clearance in Hong Kong and helps consolidate Hong Kong’s status as an international trade centre and a logistics hub. The Government is pressing ahead with the development and testing of the information technology (IT) system of TSW Phase 3, with the target of rolling out the services by batches from 2026 onwards.”
     
         The Government is implementing the TSW in three phases to provide a one-stop electronic platform for the trade to lodge business-to-government trade documents for trade declaration and cargo clearance. Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the TSW have been in full service since 2020 and 2023 respectively, covering 42 types of trade documents in total. Phase 3 is the final and most complex phase of the TSW. It involves a large volume of documents submitted by a wide range of stakeholders, covering Import and Export Declarations (TDEC), cargo information required to be submitted under different transport modes (including Advance Cargo Information, Cargo Manifests and Cargo Reports), and applications for Certificates of Origin and Dutiable Commodities Permits. The IT system of Phase 3 will replace the long-established GETS and major cargo clearance systems of the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department (C&ED), and the trade will be required to use the TSW to submit relevant trade documents.
     
         Features of Phase 3 include:     To provide sufficient time for the trade to migrate to the new system, the Amendment Ordinance has included provisions on transitional arrangements to allow parallel run of TSW Phase 3 and GETS for a certain period of time. The C&ED will also launch a series of publicity, promotion and training programmes and provide support services prior to the rollout of Phase 3 services to ensure a smooth transition for the trade.
     
         The main provisions of the Amendment Ordinance come into operation today, except for some provisions relating to the deletion of the existing legal framework of GETS, which shall take effect on a day to be designated by the Commissioner of Customs and Excise by notice published in the Gazette.
    Issued at HKT 11:00

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Trilateral Meeting between Malaysia, Republic of Türkiye, and the ASEAN Secretariat convenes in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Source: ASEAN

    A Trilateral Meeting was convened today in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, involving Malaysia, as the ASEAN Chair, Türkiye, and the ASEAN Secretariat. The Meeting was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, The Honourable Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan and attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, Hakan Fidan, and Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn. The Meeting discussed the ASEAN-Türkiye Sectoral Dialogue Partnership, including progress in the implementation of the ASEAN-Türkiye Practical Cooperation Areas (2024–2028) and explored untapped opportunities to further strengthen collaboration between ASEAN and Türkiye.

     
    The post Trilateral Meeting between Malaysia, Republic of Türkiye, and the ASEAN Secretariat convenes in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Trilateral Meeting between Malaysia, Republic of Türkiye, and the ASEAN Secretariat convenes in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Source: ASEAN

    A Trilateral Meeting was convened today in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, involving Malaysia, as the ASEAN Chair, Türkiye, and the ASEAN Secretariat. The Meeting was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, The Honourable Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan and attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, Hakan Fidan, and Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn. The Meeting discussed the ASEAN-Türkiye Sectoral Dialogue Partnership, including progress in the implementation of the ASEAN-Türkiye Practical Cooperation Areas (2024–2028) and explored untapped opportunities to further strengthen collaboration between ASEAN and Türkiye.

     
    The post Trilateral Meeting between Malaysia, Republic of Türkiye, and the ASEAN Secretariat convenes in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –