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Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Partners With Liberty To Bring Iconic British Designs to Samsung Art Store

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics today announced its collaboration with iconic British design house Liberty, bringing a curated collection of the brand’s most celebrated designs to Samsung Art Store.1 With this partnership, Samsung Art TV users around the world can now display 20 new designs from Liberty’s rich archive of timeless art and patterns from the comfort of their own homes.
     
    The collaboration merges the elegance of Samsung Art TVs with Liberty’s world-renowned archive, making the stunning designs available as digital artworks for the first time. Samsung curators worked closely with the in-house Liberty team to select patterns that would translate beautifully into a large-scale digital display that is alive with detail, light and color.
     
    “This partnership was driven by a shared desire to celebrate British design in new ways,” said Rachael Roberts, Partnerships Manager at Samsung UK. “With no other British design houses currently represented on Samsung Art Store, it felt like the perfect opportunity to bring Liberty’s unique voice to our global audience.”
     
    ▲ One of the most celebrated designs from Liberty named Artemis (2023), shown on 2025 The Frame by Samsung.
     
    Founded in 1875, Liberty has long been a symbol of British creativity and craftsmanship. Known for its distinctive prints and established history of design innovation, the brand’s influence spans art, fashion and interiors. For this partnership, the collection is introduced with Artemis as the featured design — a bold, botanical take on a classic Liberty design. Spanning over a century of heritage and creativity, the collection includes everything from the whimsical Enchanted Wood to the vibrant Jungle Trip design.
     
    “At Liberty, we’ve always believed in design that tells a story, and stories that evolve with time,” said Pere Bruach, Design Manager at Liberty. “Partnering with Samsung allowed us to reimagine our most iconic prints as living art, infusing them with a new dimension. These works, once found on silk and paper, are now reinterpreted for the home — bringing the spirit of Liberty and the timeless beauty of pattern and print into people’s everyday spaces.”
     
    ▲ 2025 The Frame Pro showcases ‘Marina’s Tea Garden,’ from Liberty’s Autumn/Winter 2025 collection. This bold floral patternhas been meticulously recreated to capture the rich colors and subtle tones of gouache brushstrokes. Available as a digital artworktailored to Samsung Art Store, it brings character, history and a touch of British charm to living spaces everywhere.
     
    Among the 20 Liberty designs featured, standout works include “Artemis,” “Marina’s Tea Garden,” “Fantasy Land,” and “My Grown Up Star,” from Liberty’s Autumn/Winter 2025 collection. Each design is presented as a digital artwork tailored to Samsung Art Store, bringing character, history and a touch of British charm into living spaces everywhere.
     
    “When selecting the right pieces for Samsung Art Store, we were drawn to those that best encapsulate Liberty’s visual language,” Bruach added. “From nostalgic 1930s florals and hand-painted botanicals to eclectic geometric designs and enchanting landscapes, the collection reflects the full spectrum of our creative heritage. Artemis, for example, felt like a natural fit for The Frame — it speaks to the blend of tradition and modernity that defines both our brands.”
     
    “Liberty’s legacy of storytelling makes them a dream partner,” said Roberts. “Our vision for the Art Store has always been to make art and design that brings meaning to people’s lives accessible, and Liberty’s prints bring exactly that — a daily joy and a sense of place.”
     
    This new collaboration underscores Samsung Art Store’s mission to democratize access to global art, with a growing archive of over 3,500 artworks from the world’s most renowned museums and art institutions. Now, with the addition of Liberty’s British classics, a new chapter in which printmaking heritage meets innovation begins.
     
     
    About Liberty 
    Liberty is a movement dedicated to discovery, animated by arts, culture, design and the pursuit of beauty. Liberty is famed for its original curation, directional design and celebration of craftsmanship. In the spirit of our founder, Arthur Lasenby Liberty, we remain unapologetically eccentric and committed to bringing good design to all.
     
     
    1 Liberty artworks are available through the Samsung Art Store in all service countries except India.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Facing Earthquakes and Extremes, Asia-Pacific Deepens Disaster Cooperation Incheon, Republic of Korea | 01 August 2025 Issued by the APEC Emergency Preparedness Working Group The meeting’s agenda covered digital-based disaster risk management strategies, community leadership in disaster response and strengthening multi-layered governance.

    Source: APEC – Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

    A powerful earthquake off the coast of Kamchatka jolted the Asia-Pacific just hours before emergency officials from APEC economies convened in Incheon for the 21st meeting of the APEC Emergency Preparedness Working Group (EPWG), a timely reminder of how disasters can ripple across the region without warning.

    “Disasters know no borders, and they affect not only local communities but have long-term consequences for entire economies,” said Kim Gwang-yong, Vice Minister of Korea’s Ministry of the Interior and Safety, in his welcome address. “Cooperation and solidarity among APEC economies are more important than ever.”

    Vice Minister Kim highlighted Korea’s recent experiences with typhoons, heavy rainfall and wildfires, noting that the country has continuously improved its disaster management systems. 

    He also emphasized Korea’s commitment to sharing these best practices with fellow APEC economies and expanding cooperation in ICT-based early warning systems, disaster prediction models using artificial intelligence (AI), and community-centered disaster resilience strategies.

    The meeting’s agenda covered digital-based disaster risk management strategies, community leadership in disaster response and strengthening multi-layered governance. 

    Experts and officials discussed enhancing early warning systems, leveraging big data and satellite technologies and developing resilient infrastructure that can support disaster-affected communities. 

    Sessions also focused on advancing collaborative governance, bridging gaps in disaster risk management, and preparing communities for emerging risks.

    EPWG co-chair Dayra Carvajal of the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency, urged members to recognize the compounding risks affecting the region’s interconnected systems. 

    “From devastating earthquakes to wildfires and catastrophic flooding, this year has once again underscored the interconnected impacts of disasters in Asia-Pacific,” she said. “These compounding stressors that ripple through shared infrastructure remind us that events in one economy are frequently felt elsewhere.”

    “This year, we must endeavor to identify concrete and practical ways in which to strengthen the systems that sustain regional economic growth and prosperity: our infrastructure, markets and supply chains.”

    The agenda featured project updates and best practice exchanges by member economies including on topics such as disaster risk prediction and whole-community preparedness in urban, coastal and inland areas. Delegates examined how to bridge gaps in early warning systems, scale agile and adaptable governance across central and local levels and enable technology-driven disaster leadership.

    “The more we prepare, the more we can reduce disaster damage. And the more we cooperate, the stronger our response can become,” Vice Minister Kim concluded.

    Looking ahead, the group emphasized that continued collaboration under the newly launched EPWG Strategic Plan 2025–2027 will be essential to turn this momentum into durable systems of protection and preparedness. 

    The EPWG meeting is a key platform for promoting APEC’s vision of a resilient and prosperous future, with discussions expected to result in actionable policies and collaborative projects that can mitigate disaster risks, enhance regional preparedness and protect the lives and livelihoods of the 2.9 billion people who call the APEC region home.

    For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
    [email protected]

    MIL OSI Economics –

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

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

    Why UK recognition of a Palestinian state should not be conditional on Israel’s actions
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karen Scott, Professor in Law, University of Canterbury Getty Images The announcement this week by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on the recognition of a Palestininian state has been welcomed by many who want to see a ceasefire in Gaza and lasting peace in the region. In

    Governments are becoming increasingly secretive. Here’s how they can be made to be more transparent
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gabrielle Appleby, Professor of Law, UNSW Law School, UNSW Sydney Transparency is vital to our democratic system of government. It promotes good government, spurring those in power into better practice. Even when what is revealed is pretty revolting, transparency means those transgressions are known, and accountability for

    Wood fires, warm drinks, hot water bottles: 5 expert tips on how to avoid burns this winter
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Martin, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, School of Biomedical Sciences, Pathology and Laboratory Science, The University of Western Australia Alex P/Pexels It’s a cold, crisp evening and the air carries a chill that bites. As temperatures drop and houses get colder, we turn to trusted sources of

    Is Australia becoming a more violent country?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samara McPhedran, Principal Research Fellow, Violence Research and Prevention Program, Griffith University Almost every day, it seems we read or hear reports another family is grieving the murder of a loved one in a street brawl, another business owner is hospitalised after trying to fend off armed

    The royal commission recommended abolishing time limits on abuse cases – a year on, nothing has changed
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Zoë Prebble, Lecturer in Criminal Law, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Getty Images Among the 138 recommendations of the Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry’s final report to parliament was a clear call: remove the legal time limits that prevent survivors of historic

    Industrial-scale deepfake abuse caused a crisis in South Korean schools. Here’s how Australia can avoid the same fate
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Joel Scanlan, Senior Lecturer in Health Information Management, University of Tasmania South Korea’s deepfake crisis triggered a wave of protests in 2024. Anthony WALLACE / AFP Australian schools are seeing a growing number of incidents in which students have created deepfake sexualised imagery of their classmates. The

    Colombia is producing more cocaine than ever – and more is reaching Australian shores
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Cesar Alvarez, Lecturer in Terrorism and Security Studies, Charles Sturt University Members of the Colombian anti-narcotics police test cocaine after a drug bust. RAUL ARBOLEDA/AFP via Getty Images Imagine an area larger than the Australian Capital Territory, nearly twice the size of London and four times that

    How can I tell if I am lonely? What are some of the signs?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marlee Bower, Senior Research Fellow, Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use, University of Sydney gremlin/Getty Images Without even realising it, your world sometimes gradually gets smaller: less walking, fewer days in the office, cancelling on friends. Watching plans disintegrate on the chat as

    Rockabye baby: the ‘love songs’ of lonely leopard seals resemble human nursery rhymes
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lucinda Chambers, PhD Candidate in Marine Bioacoustics, UNSW Sydney CassandraSm/Shutterstock Late in the evening, the Antarctic sky flushes pink. The male leopard seal wakes and slips from the ice into the water. There, he’ll spend the night singing underwater amongst the floating ice floes. For the next

    Shark tales, a sinking city and a breathless cop thriller: what to watch in August
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexa Scarlata, Lecturer, Digital Communication, RMIT University As the cool nights continue, it’s the perfect time to cozy up with a new batch of captivating films and series. This month’s streaming highlights bring a little bit of everything, from gripping true crime, to thought-provoking political drama, and

    A Hawaiian epic made in NZ: why Jason Momoa’s Chief of War wasn’t filmed in its star’s homeland
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Duncan Caillard, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Communication Studies, Auckland University of Technology Jason Momoa’s historical epic Chief of War, launching August 1 on Apple TV+, is a triumph of Hawaiians telling their own stories – despite the fact their film and TV production industry now struggles

    As protesters condemn Western media ‘complicity’, Gaza journalists struggle for survival
    Asia Pacific Report Protesters demonstrated outside several major US media outlets in Washington this week condemning their coverage of the genocide in Gaza, claiming they were to blame over misinformation and the worsening catastrophe. Banging pots and pans to spotlight the starvation crisis, they accused the media of “complicity in genocide”. Banners and placards proclaimed

    The company tax regime is a roadblock to business investment. Here’s what needs to change
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alex Robson, Deputy Chair, Productivity Commission, and Adjunct Professor, Queensland University of Technology Erman Gunes/Shutterstock Productivity growth is a key driver of improvements in living standards. But in Australia over the last decade, output per hour worked grew by less than a quarter of its 60-year average.

    Grattan on Friday: Aggrieved Liberals stamp their feet, testing Sussan Ley’s authority
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra As any leader of a political party knows, when you demote people they can become difficult, or worse. Among Opposition Leader Sussan Ley’s multiple problems are two very unhappy former frontbenchers. Sarah Henderson, who was opposition education spokeswoman last term,

    Espionage cost Australia $12.5 billion in 2023-24, ASIO boss Mike Burgess says
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Espionage cost Australia $12.5 billion in 2023-24, according to a study by ASIO and the Australian Institute of Criminology. The figure includes the direct costs of known espionage incidents, including state-sponsored theft of intellectual property, as well as the indirect

    Labor well-placed to win three Bass seats in Tasmanian election, giving left a total of 20 of 35 MPs
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne Labor is well-placed to win three seats in the electorate of Bass at the Tasmanian election, although its party totals imply it deserves only two. This would

    The Muslim world has been strong on rhetoric, short on action over Gaza and Afghanistan
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University; and Vice Chancellor’s Strategic Fellow, Australian National University When it comes to dealing with two of the biggest current crises in the Muslim world – the devastation of Gaza and the Taliban’s draconian

    Kids need to floss too, even their baby teeth. But how do you actually get them to do it?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dileep Sharma, Professor and Head of Discipline – Oral Health, University of Newcastle Jonathan Borba/Pexels A survey from the Australian Dental Association out this week shows about three in four children never floss their teeth, or have adults do it for them. Many of the survey respondents

    Grief is the Thing with Feathers comes to the stage with a glorious intensity of purpose
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Huw Griffiths, Associate Professor of English Literature, University of Sydney Brett Boardman/Belvoir The idea of the titular Crow in Ted Hughes’ poems is wild, untameable and irreducible to words. In an early poem in the sequence, words come at Crow from all angles but he just ignores

    Politics with Michelle Grattan: independent MP Allegra Spender on making tax fairer for younger Australians
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra With parliament now finished its first fortnight’s session, attention will soon be on the government’s August 19-21 economic reform roundtable, bringing together business, unions, experts and community representatives to pursue consensus on ways to lift Australia’s flagging productivity. Independent member

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ‘The great mass of waters killed many thousands’: how earthquakes and tsunamis shook ancient Greece and Rome

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Konstantine Panegyres, Lecturer in Classics and Ancient History, The University of Western Australia

    The Roman baths at Sabratha, Libya, were damaged in the earthquake and tsunami of 365 AD Reza / Getty Images

    The Greek poet Crinagoras of Mytilene (1st century BC–1st century AD) once addressed a little poem to an earthquake. He asked the quake not to destroy his house:

    Earthquake, most dread of all shocks … spare my new-built house, for I do not know of any terror equal to the quivering of the earth.

    Like us, ancient people had many things to say about natural disasters. So, what information did they leave behind for us, and what can we learn from them?

    The story of Nicomedia

    One of the most vivid ancient accounts of an earthquake is found in the writings of the Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus (c. 330–395 AD).

    On August 24 358 AD, there was a huge earthquake at Nicomedia, a city in Asia Minor.

    As Ammianus recounts:

    A terrific earthquake completely overturned the city and its suburbs … since most of the houses were carried down the slopes of the hill, they fell one upon another, while everything resounded with the vast roar of their destruction.

    The human effect was devastating.

    The palace of the emperor Diocletian at Nicomedia was damaged in the quake of 358 AD.
    G. Berggren / Getty Images

    Most people were “killed at one blow”, says Ammianus. Others, he tells us, were “imprisoned unhurt within slanting house roofs, to be consumed by the agony of starvation”.

    Hidden in the rubble “with fractured skulls or amputated arms or legs”, injured survivors “hovered between life and death”, but most could not be recovered, “despite their pleas and protestations” resounding from beneath the rubble, according to Ammianus.

    Famous natural disasters in the ancient world

    A number of natural disasters involving earthquakes and tsunamis were especially famous in ancient Greek and Roman times.

    In 464 BC, in Sparta, there was a huge earthquake. People at the time said it was greater than any earthquake that had ever occurred beforehand.

    According to the Greek writer Plutarch (c. 46–119 AD), the earthquake “tore the land of the Lacedaemonians into many chasms”, collapsed the peaks of the surrounding mountains, and “demolished the entire city with the exception of five houses”.

    In 373–372 BC, the Greek coastal cities of Helice and Buris were destroyed by tsunamis. They were permanently submerged beneath the waves.

    An anonymous Greek poet evocatively wrote that the walls of these cities, which had once been thriving with many people, were now silent under the waves, “clad with thick sea-moss”.

    But arguably the most famous ancient tsunami occurred on July 21 365 AD on the northern coast of Africa, at that time controlled by the Romans.

    Again according to Ammianus, early in the morning there was a huge earthquake. Then, not long after, the water retreated from the shore:

    the sea with its rolling waves was driven back and withdrew from the land, so that in the abyss of the deep thus revealed people saw many kinds of sea-creatures stuck fast in the slime … and vast mountains and deep valleys, which nature had hidden in the unplumbed depths.

    Then, suddenly, the sea returned with a vengeance. As Ammianus tells us, it smashed over the land destroying everything in its path:

    The great mass of waters killed many thousands of people by drowning … the lifeless bodies of shipwrecked persons lay floating on their backs or on their faces … great ships, driven by the mad blasts, landed on the tops of buildings, and some were driven almost two miles inland.

    Earthquakes were famous for their sound. The Roman scholar Pliny the Elder (23–79 AD) explained that earthquakes have a “terrible sound” – like “the bellowing of cattle or the shouts of human beings or the clash of weapons struck together”.

    Ancient ideas about what causes earthquakes and tsunamis

    Like today, ancient people wanted to know what caused these phenomena. There were various different theories.

    Some people thought Poseidon, god of the sea, earthquakes and horses, was responsible.

    As the Greek writer Plutarch (c. 46–119 AD) comments, “men sacrifice to Poseidon when they wish to put a stop to earthquakes”.

    An ancient statue of Poseidon, god of the sea and earthquakes, from the island of Milos.
    Sepia Times / Getty Images

    However, other people looked beyond divine explanations.

    One interesting theory held by the philosopher Anaximenes (6th century BC) was that the earth itself was the cause of earthquakes.

    According to Anaximenes, huge parts of the earth beneath the ground can move, collapse, detach or tear away, thus causing shaking.

    “Huge waves”, said Anaximenes, are “produced by the weight [of falling earth] crashing down into the [waters] from above”.

    Ancient people knew nothing of tectonic plates and continental drift. These were discovered much later, mainly through the pioneering work of Alfred Wegener (1880–1930).

    Preparing for natural disasters

    Ancient Greeks and Romans had little way of predicting or preparing for earthquakes and tsunamis.

    Pherecydes of Samos (6th century BC) was said to have predicted an earthquake “from the appearance of some water drawn from a well”, according to the Roman statesman Cicero (106–43 BC).

    For the most part, though, ancient people had to live at the mercy of these occurrences.

    As the anonymous author of a treatise titled On the Cosmos once wrote, natural disasters are part of life on earth:

    Violent earthquakes before now have torn up many parts of the earth; monstrous storms of rain have burst out and overwhelmed it; incursions and withdrawals of the waves have often made seas of dry land and dry land of seas…

    While our understanding of these events (and our ability to prepare for them, and recover afterward) has improved immeasurably since ancient times, earthquakes and tsunamis are things we will always have to deal with.

    Konstantine Panegyres 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 great mass of waters killed many thousands’: how earthquakes and tsunamis shook ancient Greece and Rome – https://theconversation.com/the-great-mass-of-waters-killed-many-thousands-how-earthquakes-and-tsunamis-shook-ancient-greece-and-rome-262358

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: ‘The great mass of waters killed many thousands’: how earthquakes and tsunamis shook ancient Greece and Rome

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Konstantine Panegyres, Lecturer in Classics and Ancient History, The University of Western Australia

    The Roman baths at Sabratha, Libya, were damaged in the earthquake and tsunami of 365 AD Reza / Getty Images

    The Greek poet Crinagoras of Mytilene (1st century BC–1st century AD) once addressed a little poem to an earthquake. He asked the quake not to destroy his house:

    Earthquake, most dread of all shocks … spare my new-built house, for I do not know of any terror equal to the quivering of the earth.

    Like us, ancient people had many things to say about natural disasters. So, what information did they leave behind for us, and what can we learn from them?

    The story of Nicomedia

    One of the most vivid ancient accounts of an earthquake is found in the writings of the Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus (c. 330–395 AD).

    On August 24 358 AD, there was a huge earthquake at Nicomedia, a city in Asia Minor.

    As Ammianus recounts:

    A terrific earthquake completely overturned the city and its suburbs … since most of the houses were carried down the slopes of the hill, they fell one upon another, while everything resounded with the vast roar of their destruction.

    The human effect was devastating.

    The palace of the emperor Diocletian at Nicomedia was damaged in the quake of 358 AD.
    G. Berggren / Getty Images

    Most people were “killed at one blow”, says Ammianus. Others, he tells us, were “imprisoned unhurt within slanting house roofs, to be consumed by the agony of starvation”.

    Hidden in the rubble “with fractured skulls or amputated arms or legs”, injured survivors “hovered between life and death”, but most could not be recovered, “despite their pleas and protestations” resounding from beneath the rubble, according to Ammianus.

    Famous natural disasters in the ancient world

    A number of natural disasters involving earthquakes and tsunamis were especially famous in ancient Greek and Roman times.

    In 464 BC, in Sparta, there was a huge earthquake. People at the time said it was greater than any earthquake that had ever occurred beforehand.

    According to the Greek writer Plutarch (c. 46–119 AD), the earthquake “tore the land of the Lacedaemonians into many chasms”, collapsed the peaks of the surrounding mountains, and “demolished the entire city with the exception of five houses”.

    In 373–372 BC, the Greek coastal cities of Helice and Buris were destroyed by tsunamis. They were permanently submerged beneath the waves.

    An anonymous Greek poet evocatively wrote that the walls of these cities, which had once been thriving with many people, were now silent under the waves, “clad with thick sea-moss”.

    But arguably the most famous ancient tsunami occurred on July 21 365 AD on the northern coast of Africa, at that time controlled by the Romans.

    Again according to Ammianus, early in the morning there was a huge earthquake. Then, not long after, the water retreated from the shore:

    the sea with its rolling waves was driven back and withdrew from the land, so that in the abyss of the deep thus revealed people saw many kinds of sea-creatures stuck fast in the slime … and vast mountains and deep valleys, which nature had hidden in the unplumbed depths.

    Then, suddenly, the sea returned with a vengeance. As Ammianus tells us, it smashed over the land destroying everything in its path:

    The great mass of waters killed many thousands of people by drowning … the lifeless bodies of shipwrecked persons lay floating on their backs or on their faces … great ships, driven by the mad blasts, landed on the tops of buildings, and some were driven almost two miles inland.

    Earthquakes were famous for their sound. The Roman scholar Pliny the Elder (23–79 AD) explained that earthquakes have a “terrible sound” – like “the bellowing of cattle or the shouts of human beings or the clash of weapons struck together”.

    Ancient ideas about what causes earthquakes and tsunamis

    Like today, ancient people wanted to know what caused these phenomena. There were various different theories.

    Some people thought Poseidon, god of the sea, earthquakes and horses, was responsible.

    As the Greek writer Plutarch (c. 46–119 AD) comments, “men sacrifice to Poseidon when they wish to put a stop to earthquakes”.

    An ancient statue of Poseidon, god of the sea and earthquakes, from the island of Milos.
    Sepia Times / Getty Images

    However, other people looked beyond divine explanations.

    One interesting theory held by the philosopher Anaximenes (6th century BC) was that the earth itself was the cause of earthquakes.

    According to Anaximenes, huge parts of the earth beneath the ground can move, collapse, detach or tear away, thus causing shaking.

    “Huge waves”, said Anaximenes, are “produced by the weight [of falling earth] crashing down into the [waters] from above”.

    Ancient people knew nothing of tectonic plates and continental drift. These were discovered much later, mainly through the pioneering work of Alfred Wegener (1880–1930).

    Preparing for natural disasters

    Ancient Greeks and Romans had little way of predicting or preparing for earthquakes and tsunamis.

    Pherecydes of Samos (6th century BC) was said to have predicted an earthquake “from the appearance of some water drawn from a well”, according to the Roman statesman Cicero (106–43 BC).

    For the most part, though, ancient people had to live at the mercy of these occurrences.

    As the anonymous author of a treatise titled On the Cosmos once wrote, natural disasters are part of life on earth:

    Violent earthquakes before now have torn up many parts of the earth; monstrous storms of rain have burst out and overwhelmed it; incursions and withdrawals of the waves have often made seas of dry land and dry land of seas…

    While our understanding of these events (and our ability to prepare for them, and recover afterward) has improved immeasurably since ancient times, earthquakes and tsunamis are things we will always have to deal with.

    Konstantine Panegyres 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 great mass of waters killed many thousands’: how earthquakes and tsunamis shook ancient Greece and Rome – https://theconversation.com/the-great-mass-of-waters-killed-many-thousands-how-earthquakes-and-tsunamis-shook-ancient-greece-and-rome-262358

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI China: China urges Japan to take effective measures to ensure safety of Chinese citizens: FM spokesperson

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

    China has noted relevant reports on two Chinese men seriously beaten in Tokyo, and urged the Japanese side to implement effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in Beijing on Thursday.

    It was reported that two Chinese men were attacked by four men in Tokyo earlier on Thursday — resulting in serious injuries.

    In response, spokesperson Guo Jiakun told a press briefing that China has noted relevant reports, adding that the Chinese Embassy in Japan immediately expressed its concern to the Japanese side and is further verifying the situation.

    “We urge the Japanese side to take effective measures to ensure the safety of Chinese citizens,” Guo said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: SCO summit poised for fruitful outcomes

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

    This aerial view taken on June 16, 2023 shows a view of north China’s Tianjin Municipality. [Photo/Xinhua]

    The upcoming summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Tianjin will mark the largest gathering the SCO has ever seen, a Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday, highlighting China’s readiness to host a summit of friendship, unity and fruitful results.

    The SCO Summit, which is scheduled for Aug 31 and Sept 1, will bring together leaders of more than 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations, spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a regular news conference.

    China, which assumed the SCO’s rotating presidency in July 2024, will work with other member states to ensure the summit yields rich outcomes and injects more solidarity, coordination and vitality into the organization, Guo said.

    Looking back on the year, he said that China has made concrete efforts to advance its work as the SCO chair and achieved progress.

    China has hosted more than 100 events as the SCO chair, he said, adding that nearly half of them were institutional and covered multiple areas such as politics, security, economy and trade, investment, energy, the digital economy and people-to-people exchanges.

    These events strengthened solidarity and mutual trust among SCO countries, and allowed them to learn more from each other and achieve win-win outcomes, Guo said.

    China has worked with other member states to advance SCO reform and innovation in various fields to ensure smoother and more efficient operation of the organization, he added.

    Member states are accelerating consultations regarding the establishment of a comprehensive center for dealing with security threats and challenges, an information security center, a center for fighting transnational organized crime and a counternarcotics center, in order to build a new paradigm for regional security cooperation, the spokesman said.

    Over the past year, the SCO has further promoted the “Shanghai Spirit”, Guo said, noting that the organization has spoken up about major international and regional issues to uphold justice, firmly upheld the multilateral trading system and strongly condemned the abuse of armed force.

    The “Shanghai Spirit”, which is an underlying value for the SCO, promotes mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diversity of civilizations and pursuit of common development.

    In mid-July, foreign ministers of the 10 SCO member states and officials of the organization gathered in Tianjin to make preparations for the summit.

    Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who hosted that meeting, called for the organization to carry forward the “Shanghai Spirit” and strengthen cooperation to boost security and growth.

    Wang, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, encouraged all member states to get along well with each other and uphold international justice.

    Zhao Huirong, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences’ Institute of Russian, Eastern European and Central Asian Studies, said that China has made significant contributions to the development of the SCO, and the more than 100 events the country hosted over the past year reflect the great importance it attaches to the organization.

    Noting that the SCO is expected to adopt a strategy in Tianjin guiding its development through 2035, Zhao said the summit will become a historical moment for the organization. It will also help the SCO better address its member states’ call for cooperation to tackle international and regional challenges, she added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s gaming market sees 14% sales revenue growth in H1

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

    China’s gaming market sees 14% sales revenue growth in H1

    Xinhua | August 1, 2025

    A booth showcasing “Wuchang: Fallen Feathers” is pictured at the Bilibili World 2025 convention for digital content and creators in Shanghai, east China, July 11, 2025. (Bilibili/Handout via Xinhua)

    China’s gaming market saw its actual sales revenue reach a record high of 168 billion yuan (about 23.5 billion U.S. dollars) in the first half of 2025, up 14.08 percent year on year, according to the ongoing China International Digital Entertainment Industry Conference (CDEC) Summit Forum in Shanghai.

    During the period, the number of Chinese game users approached 679 million. The actual sales revenue of Chinese self-developed games in overseas markets exceeded 9.5 billion U.S. dollars, up 11.07 percent year on year.

    The major overseas markets for Chinese games are the United States, which accounts for 31.96 percent, followed by Japan and the Republic of Korea, according to an industry report released during the conference by China Audio-video and Digital Publishing Association.

    China is the world’s largest gaming market, with domestic sales revenue surpassing 325 billion yuan in 2024.

    “The Chinese gaming industry, with its profound cultural heritage and continuous technological innovation, is gaining high recognition on the world stage,” said Ao Ran, executive vice president and secretary general of the association.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Enduring legacy of anti-Japanese guerrilla base in northeast China

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

    Meng Qingxu, leader of the Hongshilazi Site excavation team, introduces a historical site at the ancient forests of Hongshilazi in Panshi City, northeast China’s Jilin Province, June 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Yan Linyun)

    Winding through the ancient forests of Hongshilazi in Panshi City, northeast China’s Jilin Province, wooden boardwalks overlook faint semi-subterranean house foundations, the remnants of a secret network once housing a field hospital, arsenal and command post for the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army.

    In the autumn of 1932, 27-year-old Communist Party of China (CPC) member Ma Shangde, under the alias Zhang Guanyi, arrived in the dense forests of Hongshilazi, which means “red rocks.” His mission was urgent and perilous: to unite scattered anti-Japanese militias into a single front against the formidable invaders. He carried a rallying cry that echoed through the trees, clear, simple and powerful: “Chinese don’t fight Chinese; save the bullets for the enemies.”

    He reorganized Panshi’s anti-Japanese volunteer forces into the South Manchuria Guerrilla Force of the CPC-led Red Army, achieving several victories against enemy encirclement and suppression campaigns. As one of the founders and key leaders of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, Ma would later be immortalized by history under his heroic name: General Yang Jingyu.

    These mountains, once the frontlines of guerrilla resistance, now tell a different story. As the CPC’s first anti-Japanese base in northeast China, Hongshilazi and the wider Panshi region have transformed from battlegrounds into a thriving hub of “red tourism,” where history lives on through footsteps and stories rather than ruins.

    For decades, the heroic struggle of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army existed mostly in scattered documents and fading memories, a legacy historians often called “recorded in text, but absent on the ground.” That began to change with the arrival of archaeologists, as their work has uncovered the long-lost physical traces missing from the historical record.

    “Telling the story of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army inevitably leads you to Hongshilazi,” said Wang Zhongshi, deputy director of the Hongshilazi Site protection center.

    The earliest archaeological survey of the Hongshilazi Site began in 1958, carried out jointly by the history department of Jilin University and the Jilin provincial cultural relics management committee. In 2019, the site was designated as a major national cultural heritage unit under protection.

    Launched in 2021, a five-year archaeological initiative — the first systematic excavation of a nationally protected site linked to the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army — has yielded remarkable results.

    By the end of 2024, archaeologists had identified more than 3,300 ruins scattered across the mountainous terrain and unearthed 938 artifacts tied to the guerrilla force, including locally-made Jingal muskets, single swords used by the youth battalion, and even a Japanese-made iron box containing gun repair tools.

    “No one really knew what the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army’s sites looked like or what their hidden camps were like until now,” said Meng Qingxu from the Jilin provincial institute of cultural relics and archaeology, who is leading the Hongshilazi Site excavation team.

    “These five years of work have resolved a long-standing issue: a history well recorded in writing but lacking physical evidence,” he said. Today, Hongshilazi stands as the largest, best-preserved, richest in content, and most fully functional complex of Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army sites in China.

    This file photo provided by the interviewee shows the scenery of Hongshilazi Mountain in Panshi City, northeast China’s Jilin Province, Dec. 12, 2023. (Xinhua)

    Preservation efforts at Hongshilazi extend far beyond excavation. A comprehensive master plan spanning 6,115 hectares divides the area into core protection zones, construction control zones and environmental buffer zones. While experimental backfilling protection is implemented in certain excavated areas, 2,400 meters of gravel paths and 600 meters of elevated wooden boardwalks now guide visitors through the terrain, offering access without disturbing the fragile ruins.

    To bring history to life, five key structures, including sentry posts and a clothing factory, have been rebuilt. Surrounding them, nine themed squares and 13 interpretive signs bring to life the arduous years of struggle endured by the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army.

    According to Meng, the next phase of site preservation faces significant hurdles, foremost among them the harsh climate of the forested region, marked by relentless freeze-thaw cycles that threaten the integrity of exposed remains.

    “We’re working with Jilin University to run long-term monitoring experiments, tracking surface temperature, humidity, pressure and watching how these variables shift across all four seasons,” Meng said. “Only with that data in hand can we develop future protection strategies.”

    The smoke of battle has long since cleared, yet the spirit of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, rooted in the forests of Hongshilazi, lives on in Panshi.

    Dozens of kilometers to the east, in Guanma New Village, tourists are arriving in growing numbers. In recent years, the village has embraced red tourism as a pillar of its rural revitalization, with the spirit of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army becoming a driving force for local development. A themed education exhibition hall now stands at the heart of the village, alongside a newly opened bookstore and cinema, transforming history into both a living classroom and a magnet for visitors.

    Once a primarily agricultural mountain village, Guanma is now charting a new path of diversified development, with red tourism and history education at its core, according to Zhang Hongqiu, director of the Panshi municipal bureau of culture, radio, television and tourism. In 2024, Panshi welcomed 1.7 million tourists, generating 850 million yuan (about 118.9 million U.S. dollars) in tourism revenue, with more than 70 percent of visitors drawn by red tourism.

    Panshi’s red heritage now threads through diverse sectors, from dining and homestays to local specialty agricultural products, enriching both the local economy and cultural landscape.

    As cultural tourism flourishes, Panshi’s agricultural development is keeping pace. On the hillsides above Beiguokui Village in Baoshan Township, 300 hectares of Jinxiu crabapple orchards burst into full bloom.

    Village Party secretary Luan Rensheng noted that the village’s unique blend of water and mountainous terrain is ideal for fruit tree cultivation. After years of varietal refinement, Jinxiu crabapples have emerged as the premier choice for large-scale planting, now cultivated as a premium product.

    Not far from the village, in a bustling factory, young entrepreneur Yang Shangbin is gearing up to add two new production lines. Since returning home in 2016, he has set up cold chain facilities, invested in cutting-edge equipment, and driven research and development, all with strong support from the local government. His company’s products, like crabapple wine, dried crabapples and crabapple tea, have quickly gained traction, with strong market demand.

    “We’re about to double our crabapple procurement this year,” Yang said. “There’s immense potential here at home. Starting a business brings promising opportunities.”

    Ma Chengming, Yang Jingyu’s great-grandson, now in his late 20s, chose to work in Panshi after graduating from university. “In my senior year, Panshi was the first stop on my journey retracing the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army’s route. Along the way, elders shared stories about their sacrifices,” he recalled.

    While working at the grassroots level in rural Panshi, Ma actively led initiatives to boost local prosperity. Beyond his primary responsibilities, he regularly gave talks on the red spirit in schools and communities, and volunteered as a docent at the village history museum. In sharing Panshi’s story, Ma speaks not only as a local resident but also as the great-grandson of a national hero who once fought there.

    Once, deep within the forests of Hongshilazi, fighters of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army laid down their lives to defend this land. Today, across the wide stretches of Panshi, a new generation is shaping its future with wisdom and hard work.

    “The spirit of my great-grandfather has long been woven into this land,” Ma said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Thriving under pressure: Chinese companies build resilience, boost innovation amid headwinds

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

    Thriving under pressure: Chinese companies build resilience, boost innovation amid headwinds

    Merchant Sun Lijuan (R) introduces products to an Indian merchant inside her shop at the Yiwu International Trade Mart in Yiwu, east China’s Zhejiang Province, May 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Han Chuanhao)

    “It’s hot and wet today,” chirped a doll in a clear, childlike voice, dressed in a pink floral blouse and a rainbow tulle skirt. The doll was on display at a toy stall in Yiwu City, a bustling trade hub in east China often dubbed the “world’s supermarket.”

    The question — “What’s the weather like today?” — came from stall owner Sun Lijuan, who has worked in the doll business in Yiwu for over a decade.

    Her latest model, now powered by AI, marks a major shift from the talking toys of the past. “It’s no longer just a doll that sings, tells stories, or answers basic questions,” Sun said. “Now it can respond to almost anything. For kids, it’s more like a companion — a friend.”

    Sun is currently developing Spanish-language versions and has asked long-time clients to take the new AI dolls’ smart modules to South America to test server connectivity.

    Amid global tariff headwinds, innovation is unfolding daily in Yiwu across a wide range of industries and products. Local businesses are steadily strengthening both resilience and innovation capacity, driving a 24.5 percent year-on-year increase in the city’s exports in the first half of the year.

    Visits by foreign buyers in Yiwu jumped 18.6 percent from a year earlier in the first five months, underscoring growing interest in the city’s expanding and evolving product lines.

    The resilience of the “world’s supermarket” echoed a robust 5.3 percent year-on-year growth in China’s GDP in the first half of the year. Behind this hard-won result against the global backdrop of economic and trade headwinds, businesses like Sun’s tell inspiring stories of agility and enterprise.

    Merchants participate in a language learning session at the Yiwu International Trade Market in Yiwu, east China’s Zhejiang Province, May 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Shuo)

    WEATHERING GLOBAL UNCERTAINTIES

    The rapid rollout of new products, Sun said, owes much to China’s strengths in innovation and talent. “Since the rapid ascent of DeepSeek earlier this year, we’ve been approached by many integrated circuit chip developers eager to collaborate on next-generation dolls,” she said. “I’ve never had so much contact with PhDs from top universities and tech firms.”

    This year has also been one of personal growth for Sun. After DeepSeek gained attention, the Yiwu International Trade Market began offering free AI training and she managed to pick up several software skills.

    In March, a long-time client from Mexico visited her shop and requested adjustments to the doll’s facial features and clothing. Sun made the edits on her computer within minutes, impressing the client and securing an order on the spot.

    “Many people have asked me whether external uncertainties have hit my factory hard, and I always say the impact has been limited,” Sun said, noting her factory has, over the years, developed talking dolls in multiple languages, including Spanish, English, Arabic and Russian, for more than 50 markets such as Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

    “Entrepreneurs in Yiwu who’ve made it this far have been tested by the market repeatedly. Without foresight, they would’ve been pushed out of the market long ago,” she added.

    The new AI-powered dolls cost three to four times as much to produce as older talking models, but they also bring higher profit margins, according to Sun.

    Sun Lijuan said the production cost of the new AI-powered dolls is three to four times that of traditional talking models — but the added technology also brings higher profit margins.

    Sun’s toy business offers a glimpse into a broader trend. Across China, companies are drawing on the country’s institutional strengths, vast market potential, resilient supply chains, a deep talent pool, and growing innovation and openness to sharpen their resilience and adaptability in an increasingly complex global landscape.

    SHARPENING INNOVATION

    On the vast Gobi Desert in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, towering high-voltage power lines form a striking “forest of steel.” Between the power lines, drones flit in and out of view like birds patrolling their territory, detecting minor faults or unusual objects on the towers and cables.

    This photo taken on Aug. 13, 2024 shows a 750-kilovolt (kV) power transmission line under construction in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Ma Yuan/Xinhua)

    This is a fully autonomous drone inspection system developed by technology company I-KINGTEC in north China’s Tianjin Municipality. A young tech firm founded just eight years ago is helping to solve one of the toughest challenges of power line inspections in uninhabited regions.

    Its “Orca” drone can autonomously take off, fly missions and collect data. Serving as its all-weather base, the “Tiger Den” station can automatically replace the drone’s battery pod — a task that once depended almost entirely on manual labor.

    “How to make drones truly unmanned throughout the entire workflow has been the question we sought to answer from the very beginning,” said Zhu Shengli, co-founder of the company. He noted that the firm’s technological breakthroughs have been made possible by China’s supportive policies for the low-altitude economy and a strong talent pool.

    At Zhu’s company, the average age of employees is just 27, and R&D staff make up 70 percent of the workforce. The company has filed more than 600 IP applications to date.

    It posted over 200 million yuan (28 million U.S. dollars) in revenue last year, and its first-quarter earnings this year have already exceeded the full-year total for 2024.

    China’s tech firms like Zhu’s have seen strong momentum this year. In the first half of 2025, the country’s high-tech sectors posted rapid gains, with value-added industrial output in high-tech manufacturing rising 9.5 percent, 3.1 percentage points higher than the overall industrial growth during the same period.

    Sheng Laiyun, deputy head of the National Bureau of Statistics, described the “accumulation of new growth momentum” as a key feature of China’s economic performance. He noted an accelerating integration of technological and industrial innovation, which is high on policymakers’ agendas.

    To boost innovation, China has introduced a series of policy measures this year, including setting up a national venture capital guidance fund expected to mobilize 1 trillion yuan, expanding re-lending for tech innovation and upgrades from 500 billion to 800 billion yuan, and launching a dedicated “sci-tech board” in the bond market. The measures aim to channel more financial resources into early-stage, small-scale, long-term, and hard-tech ventures.

    TAPPING VAST DOMESTIC MARKET

    At a time when global demand is uneven, China’s vast domestic market of over 1.4 billion people continues to serve as a powerful anchor. Consumer demand is evolving rapidly, driving the emergence of new business models and product innovations.

    Despite pressures on the broader food service sector, Xibei, a leading Chinese catering chain brand with nearly 400 outlets and around 17,000 employees, is charting a different course by upgrading its children’s meals and offering higher-quality options to attract family diners, a strategy that has helped lift overall sales.

    The chain now offers four kids’ meal set options. One standout is a 69-yuan set featuring a whole yellow croaker, organic vegetables, corn soup, shrimp and egg custard, mousse, and hand-rolled oat noodles. To ensure it’s safe for children to eat, each fish goes through three rounds of machine inspection followed by manual deboning.

    “Kids’ meals are emerging as a powerful driver of family dining. Parents are willing to invest in quality for their children,” said Song Xuan, vice president of Xibei.

    Sales of Xibei’s children’s meals rose 7.4 percent year on year last year. Families dining with children now make up about 50 percent of total tables across its outlets on average.

    Despite skepticism over China’s consumer momentum and concerns about weak market demand, Xibei offers a snapshot of the country’s evolving spending power.

    China’s consumer market continued to gain momentum in the first half of the year, with retail sales of consumer goods rising 5 percent year on year, 0.4 percentage points faster than in the first quarter. Consumption contributed 52 percent to GDP growth during the period, making it the main driver of the economy.

    The vast Chinese market is also a shared market for the world, with consumer goods imports totaling 7.4 trillion yuan between 2021 and 2024, according to the Ministry of Commerce. In terms of actual purchasing power, China’s retail sales of consumer goods surpassed those of the United States last year, reaching 1.6 times the U.S. level, based on World Bank data and calculations.

    Xiong Yi, China Chief Economist at Deutsche Bank, noted strong potential for further growth in services consumption. “China has likely reached a development stage where its population will have increasing demand for higher-quality services,” he said.

    To better meet differentiated demand and tap deeper into China’s growing dining market, Xibei plans to roll out lightly salted meal sets for toddlers as young as one or two years old.

    “We are confident in the long-term prospects of China’s catering industry, given its vast growth potential. To stay competitive in such a rapidly evolving market, we must continue to transform and upgrade,” said Jia Guolong, chairman and founder of Xibei.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: “Shoulder to Shoulder – to a Common Victory”: Xinhua Photo Exhibition Opens in Minsk in Honor of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War

    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

    MINSK, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) — A Xinhua photo exhibition titled “Shoulder to Shoulder – Towards a Common Victory” dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War opened in Minsk on Thursday. The exhibition was visited by more than 300 people, including representatives of Belarusian political, military and academic circles, media and public organizations.

    The exhibition features 34 photographs that vividly reflect the heroic struggle of the Chinese people against the Japanese aggressors, tell the touching story of the joint resistance of Soviet volunteer pilots and the Chinese people, and also demonstrate the deep military friendship between the peoples of China and Belarus during the World Anti-Fascist War.

    First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus Sergei Lukashevich, who visited the exhibition, shared his impressions.

    “This is an interesting and rich exhibition. It was very interesting for me to get acquainted with its content. Photographic documents are displayed here, the history that unites Belarus and China. Today, the two countries together advocate for the preservation of historical memory. It is very important now to talk about the true side of this history. This is also of great importance for young people, so that there is no distortion of the realities in which we live,” noted S. Lukashevich. According to him, historical truth for the peoples of China and Belarus is a very important element on which it is possible to build a correct, literate and educated society.

    In turn, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Belarus Zhang Wenchuan told Xinhua that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union and the World Anti-Fascist War.

    “China and the USSR, as the main theaters of military operations in Asia and Europe during World War II, became the mainstay in the fight against Japanese militarism and German Nazism, making a decisive contribution to the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War. The photo exhibition vividly reproduces the heroic deeds of the Chinese nation in the united resistance to the Japanese invaders, and also tells about the true friendship between China and the USSR, forged during the war years. After 80 years, China and Belarus firmly adhere to the course of preserving historical memory, joint development and protecting international justice, jointly striving for a brighter future for humanity,” the Chinese ambassador concluded.

    The exhibition was organized by the Minsk office of the Xinhua News Agency and China Image Group with the support of the Chinese Embassy in Belarus. –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-OSI Russia: Belarus is determined to deepen and expand cooperation with the PLA in all areas – Defense Minister

    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

    MINSK, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) — Belarus is determined to deepen and expand cooperation with the People’s Liberation Army of China (PLA) in all areas of mutual interest, Belarusian Defense Minister Lieutenant General Viktor Khrenin said Thursday during a ceremony to mark the 98th anniversary of the founding of the PLA.

    The Minister of Defense of Belarus emphasized that the country values constructive dialogue, exchange of experience and close coordination with the Chinese Defense Ministry. “We are confident that friendship and cooperation between Belarus and China will continue to grow stronger, contributing to the security of our states and peoples, as well as to maintaining peace on the planet,” V. Khrenin noted.

    In addition, he expressed his deepest respect and gratitude to the valiant soldiers of the Chinese army for their selfless service and combat readiness to defend the Motherland.

    “I would like to congratulate the PLA veterans separately. In this anniversary year, the year of the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War and the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japan and the end of World War II, we say words of gratitude to them for today’s peaceful skies, their courage and fortitude as true defenders of their Fatherland,” the Belarusian Defense Minister emphasized, and also wished good health and well-being to all servicemen, veterans and their families, prosperity and peace to the Chinese people.

    “Belarus highly values the outstanding role of the PLA in maintaining global and regional stability,” V. Khrenin summed up. –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-OSI Banking: Money Market Operations as on July 31, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 6,02,930.30 5.44 4.00-5.85
         I. Call Money 18,011.87 5.49 4.75-5.55
         II. Triparty Repo 3,98,426.75 5.43 5.00-5.55
         III. Market Repo 1,83,826.13 5.45 4.00-5.75
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 2,665.55 5.58 5.55-5.85
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 171.24 5.26 4.95-5.40
         II. Term Money@@ 1,211.00 – 5.30-5.75
         III. Triparty Repo 8,544.05 5.53 5.40-5.55
         IV. Market Repo 879.12 5.47 4.50-5.62
         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 Thu, 31/07/2025 1 Fri, 01/08/2025 13,075.00 5.49
    3. MSF# Thu, 31/07/2025 1 Fri, 01/08/2025 1,649.00 5.75
    4. SDFΔ# Thu, 31/07/2025 1 Fri, 01/08/2025 1,14,195.00 5.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -1,25,621.00  
    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 Tue, 29/07/2025 3 Fri, 01/08/2025 46,058.00 5.49
      Fri, 25/07/2025 7 Fri, 01/08/2025 1,25,008.00 5.49
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       10,299.21  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -1,60,766.79  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -2,86,387.79  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks          
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on July 31, 2025 9,96,170.04  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending August 08, 2025 9,56,146.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ July 31, 2025 0.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on July 11, 2025 5,38,578.00  

    @ 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: 2025-2026/820

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN receives a courtesy call by the new Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the United States Mission to ASEAN

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today received a courtesy call by the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the United States Mission to ASEAN, Joy Sakurai, who recently assumed her office. Both sides discussed the progress of the ASEAN-United States Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) and expressed their shared commitment to working closely together to further promote ASEAN-United States CSP.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN receives a courtesy call by the new Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the United States Mission to ASEAN appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Veerawit Tianchainan named New Greenpeace Southeast Asia Executive Director, Leading the Charge for Environmental Justice

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Bangkok, 1 August 2025 – Greenpeace Southeast Asia has appointed Veerawit Tianchainan as its new Executive Director, effective 1 August 2025. Assuming leadership at a time of intensifying escalating climate threats and systemic environmental injustices, Veerawit brings a bold and values-driven vision to lead the organisation in confronting the climate crisis and champion environmental justice across Southeast Asia.

    Greenpeace Southeast Asia has appointed Veerawit Tianchainan as its new Executive Director, effective 1 August 2025. Assuming leadership at a time of intensifying escalating climate threats and systemic environmental injustices, Veerawit brings a bold and values-driven vision to lead the organization in confronting the climate crisis and champion environmental justice across Southeast Asia. © Chanklang Kanthong / Greenpeace

    A seasoned leader in environmental and human rights advocacy, Veerawit brings over 25 years of experience working across Southeast Asia and globally. His career spans diplomacy, public policy, grassroots mobilisation and international cooperation with governments, multilateral institutions and civil society movements. 

    Early in his career, Veerawit worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Regional Office in Thailand before founding the Thai Committee for Refugees Foundation (TCR), the country’s first nationally registered non-profit organisation dedicated to refugee protection. Under his leadership, TCR became a leading advocate for the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and stateless persons across Thailand and the region. 

    Prior to joining Greenpeace, Veerawit held leadership roles with the USAID-WWF Mekong for the Future Programme, where he led initiatives on environmental governance, community rights and natural resource protection across the Lower Mekong and wider ASEAN region. He also served leadership roles at The Freedom Story in Chiang Rai and the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, and has advised the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand, the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights, and the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children and the Asian Research Center for Migration.

    Upon his appointment, Veerawit stated:

    “We can only secure a thriving future for people and planet by standing up to unjust systems and creating bold, fair alternatives that put communities and the environment first. Greenpeace is a force for transformation – driven by courage, hope, and the power of people coming together. I’m proud to stand with Southeast Asia’s communities as we fight for environmental justice and a dignified future for all.”

    Welcoming the new Executive Director, Wahyu Dhyatmika, Chair of Greenpeace Southeast Asia’s Board of Directors, commented:

    “Veerawit’s bold vision, deep roots in community engagement, and proven leadership come at a time when bold action is urgently needed. The Board is confident he will guide Greenpeace Southeast Asia with purpose and drive the systemic change required to meet today’s environmental challenges.”

    With presence in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, for over 25 years, Greenpeace Southeast Asia continues to champion renewable energy, forest and ocean protection, and climate justice – working alongside communities and grassroots movements to build a just, peaceful and sustainable future.

    Download the image of Veerawit here

    For media inquiries, please contact:

    Somrudee Panasudtha, Senior Media Campaigner, Greenpeace Thailand

    Tel. 081 929 5747 Email: [email protected]

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Public consultation launched on renewal of domestic free television programme service licences

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Communications Authority:

         The Communications Authority (CA) announced today (August 1) the commencement of a two-month public consultation on the applications for the renewal of domestic free television programme service (free TV) licences.

         The free TV licences of HK Television Entertainment Company Limited (HKTVE), i-CABLE HOY Limited (i-CABLE HOY) and Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) are due to expire between 2027 and 2028. The three licensees have submitted their licence renewal applications to the CA. In accordance with the requirements under the Broadcasting Ordinance (Cap. 562) (BO) and established procedures, the CA will carry out a detailed assessment of the licensees’ past performance and renewal proposals, and collect public views through various means, including carrying out a two-month public consultation, an opinion survey, a televised online public hearing (TOPH) and focus group discussions. The CA will take into account performances of the licensees, views of the industry and public, the latest market developments etc, and make recommendations on the licence renewal applications to the Chief Executive in Council before the end of March 2026.

         Members of the public may give their views through various means, including submitting views in writing by September 30, 2025 (by email: consultation-tv-2025@ofca.gov.hk, fax: 2507 2219 or mail to: Office of the Communications Authority (Attn: Broadcasting Section 33), 20/F, Wu Chung House, 213 Queen’s Road East, Wan Chai, Hong Kong); and/or by participating in the TOPH which will be held on September 20, 2025. For the TOPH registration arrangements and the details of the licensees’ services (including compliance records and investment plans), please visit the dedicated webpage on the CA’s website.

         The free TV licences of HKTVE, i-CABLE HOY and TVB are valid for 12 years from April 1, 2015, to March 31, 2027, May 31, 2016, to May 30, 2028, and December 1, 2015, to November 30, 2027, respectively. As required by the BO, the three licensees have submitted their licence renewal applications to the CA no less than 24 months before the expiry of the validity period of their licences. Having regard to the proximity of expiry of the three licences, the CA will carry out a consolidated review exercise for the renewal applications in accordance with the BO and established practice. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Voter registers released

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The 2025 provisional registers of electors for geographical constituencies (GCs) and functional constituencies (FCs) were released today, along with omissions lists for each type of constituency.

    The Registration & Electoral Office (REO) appealed to members of the public to check their registration status through “iAM Smart” or the voter registration website by August 25.

    The 2025 provisional register for GCs contains about 4,144,600 registered electors. The REO has received about 36,400 new applications for registration and about 115,400 applications from registered GC electors wishing to update their particulars.

    Meanwhile, the records of about 101,100 electors have been deleted due to death or other reasons.

    The 2025 provisional register for FCs contains about 193,700 registered electors. This factors in newly registered electors and electors entered on the omissions list due to death or other reasons.

    Notices regarding inspection of the provisional registers of electors and the omissions lists were published in the Government Gazette today.

    Under the law, copies of the provisional registers and omissions lists containing entries relating to individuals may only be shown in accordance with statutory requirements, and to specified persons only.

    However, copies of the provisional registers and omissions lists containing entries relating to corporate electors may be inspected by any member of the public. Click here for details and arrangements regarding access.

    The final registers will be published on September 25.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Lok Sabha to take up Goa ST representation bill and Merchant shipping bill

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Parliament has a list of important businesses for Friday, which includes The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024, and ‘The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024’.

    According to the list of business in the Lok Sabha, the bills will be moved for passage. The House also has private members’ business.

    Minister Prataprao Jadhav will make a statement regarding the status of implementation of the recommendations contained in the 137th and 150th reports of the Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare on Vaccine Development, Distribution Management and Mitigation of Pandemic Covid-19 pertaining to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

    The Lok Sabha will take up the ‘The Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024’ for further consideration.

    The bill was introduced by the Union Law Minister, Arjun Ram Meghwal, on December 17, 2024.

    The bill aims to enable reservation of seats in accordance with Article 332 of the Constitution for effective democratic participation of members of Scheduled Tribes and to provide for the readjustment of seats in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Goa, in so far as such readjustment is necessitated by inclusion of certain communities in the list of the Scheduled Tribes in the State of Goa, according to the list of business in Lok Sabha.

    Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal will move ‘The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024’ to update and unify existing law to align with international maritime treaties.

    The legislation will consolidate the law relating to ports, promote integrated port development, facilitate ease of doing business and ensure the optimum utilisation of India’s coastline; establish and empower State Maritime Boards for effective management of ports other than major ports; establish the Maritime State Development Council for fostering structured growth and development of the port sector; provide for the management of pollution, disaster, emergencies, security, safety, navigation, and data at ports; ensure compliance with India’s obligations under international instruments to which it is a party; take measures for the conservation of ports; provide for adjudicatory mechanisms for the redressal of port-related disputes. The Bill will be tabled for consideration and passage.

    In the Rajya Sabha, seven ministers will lay papers on the table concerning their ministries.

    The House will also see statements made by two Ministers.

    Union Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development Dr Pemmasani Chandra Sekha will make the following statements regarding: (a) Status of implementation of the Recommendations contained in the 2nd Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (18th Lok Sabha) on Demands for Grants (2024-25) pertaining to the Ministry of Rural Development (Department of Land Resources).

    (b) Status of implementation of the Recommendations contained in the 6th Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (18th Lok Sabha) on Demands for Grants (2025-26) pertaining to the Ministry of Rural Development (Department of Land Resources).

    Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing Industries Ravneet Singh Bittu will make a statement regarding the Status of implementation of Recommendations/Observations contained in the 3rd Report of the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways(18th Lok Sabha) on Demands for Grants (2025-26) about the Ministry of Railways.

    (IANS)

  • ‘Kashmir to Kevadia’: PM Modi welcomes Omar Abdullah’s Gujarat visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday lauded former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for visiting Gujarat’s Sabarmati Riverfront and the Statue of Unity, calling it a gesture that sends a powerful message of national unity.

    “Kashmir to Kevadia! Good to see Shri Omar Abdullah Ji enjoying his run at the Sabarmati Riverfront and visiting the Statue of Unity. His visit to SoU gives an important message of unity and will inspire our fellow Indians to travel to different parts of India,” PM Modi posted on X.

    The Prime Minister was responding to Abdullah’s post about his morning run at the riverfront during a two-day visit to Ahmedabad for a tourism promotion event.

    “While in #Ahmedabad for a tourism event, I took advantage of being here to get my morning run at the famed Sabarmati River Front promenade. It’s one of the nicest places I’ve been able to run, and it was a pleasure to get to share it with so many other walkers/runners. I even managed to run past the amazing Atal Foot Bridge,” Abdullah wrote.

    His visit comes amid efforts by the Jammu and Kashmir administration to revive tourism in the Union Territory, following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam that affected tourist inflow.

    During his Gujarat visit, Abdullah is meeting with tour operators and industry stakeholders to rebuild confidence in Kashmir as a safe and attractive travel destination.

    “Gujarat, along with Maharashtra and West Bengal, has always played a major role in Kashmir’s tourism economy,” he said, expressing optimism about the return of Gujarati tourists in large numbers.

  • Cabinet approves ₹2,000 crore grant to NCDC; Amit Shah thanks PM Modi for strengthening cooperative sector

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, on Thursday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the Cabinet approved a grant assistance of ₹2,000 crore to the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) for the next four years.

    The grant will be disbursed at ₹500 crore per year, with the objective of boosting the cooperative sector, particularly in rural areas. Shah highlighted the move as a step forward in realising the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’ (Prosperity through Cooperation).

    “In line with PM Modi ji’s mantra of ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi’, the NCDC is playing a crucial role in strengthening the rural economy. This financial support will help cooperatives launch new projects, expand existing infrastructure, and offer loans, thereby benefiting crores of members,” Shah said in a post on X. He added that the initiative would empower women to become self-reliant and generate employment opportunities for the youth.

    In another post, the Home Minister also welcomed the Cabinet’s decision to approve an expenditure of ₹6,520 crore under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana’ (PMKSY), including an additional allocation of ₹1,920 crore. As part of the scheme, 50 multi-product food irradiation units and 100 food testing laboratories will be set up across the country. Shah stated that these facilities will aid in food preservation, ensure better safety and quality standards, and help farmers fetch higher prices for their produce.

    Further, Shah lauded the Cabinet’s approval of four railway multi-tracking projects covering 13 districts in six states from the eastern, central, and western regions. These projects, with a total outlay of ₹11,169 crore, will add 574 km to the country’s railway network. According to the minister, this will not only improve connectivity but also boost trade and industry, while opening up fresh avenues for employment.

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Statement by Minister McClay following US tariff announcement

    Source: New Zealand Government

    The United States has confirmed that tariffs on New Zealand exports will increase from 10 per cent to 15 per cent from 7 August, placing us alongside other key US trading partners including Japan and South Korea.

    Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay says, this decision appears to be based on a calculation of trade deficits, with countries running a surplus with the US moved to the higher rate. In New Zealand’s case, the surplus is modest, around US$500 million, and is not overly significant in the context of the US economy.

    Over the past decade, our trade relationship with the US has seen periods where the US enjoyed a significant surplus and times, like now, when New Zealand has a modest one. Overall, our trade is balanced and complementary, reflecting the strength of a long-standing partnership.

    “I am seeking an urgent call with the US Trade Representative to make New Zealand’s position clear: this increase risks harming exporters and consumers of both countries. The US currently faces an average tariff of just 0.8 per cent when exporting to New Zealand, far lower than what we face into their market,” Mr McClay says. 

    “New Zealand exports around $9 billion of goods to the US annually. At 15 per cent, the impact will be considerable for exporters, many of whom absorbed or passed on the earlier 10 per cent rate. At 15 per cent, that becomes much harder.  

    “Our focus now moves to engaging directly with the US on this current announcement to seek changes to this decision.

    “New Zealand has always stood for open, rules-based trade. We will continue to advocate strongly for a resolution that supports our exporters and maintains the strength of our trading relationship with the United States.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • PM Modi invites citizens to share ideas for Independence Day speech

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday invited citizens across the country to share their ideas and suggestions for this year’s Independence Day address.

    In a post on X, PM Modi urged the public to contribute their thoughts via the open forums on MyGov.in and the NaMo app.

    “As we approach this year’s Independence Day, I look forward to hearing from my fellow Indians! What themes or ideas would you like to see reflected in this year’s Independence Day speech? Share your thoughts on the Open Forums on MyGov and the NaMo App,” the Prime Minister wrote.

    As per tradition, the Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag at the Red Fort in Delhi and addresses the nation every year on August 15.

    Last year, on India’s 78th Independence Day, PM Modi’s speech focused on the theme ‘Viksit Bharat @2047’, which outlines the Government’s vision to transform India into a developed nation by 2047.

    The Prime Minister also spoke on various key issues, including Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), improving ease of living, the role of women in the Air Force, tackling nepotism in politics, the safety of Bangladeshi Hindus, the idea of a uniform civil code, and India’s aspirations to host the 2036 Olympics.

    Continuing the ceremonial traditions, the Prime Minister also paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Raj Ghat and received a ‘Rashtriya Salute’ after hoisting the national flag. Last year, the salute was presented by the Punjab Regiment’s military band, which included one JCO and 25 other ranks, led by Subedar Major Rajinder Singh.

    This year marks PM Modi’s 12th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort, making him only the third Indian Prime Minister-after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi-to achieve this milestone.

  • Mission Karmayogi crosses 1.26 crore users, expands digital training across govt

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Mission Karmayogi, the central government’s ambitious civil services capacity-building programme, is witnessing robust nationwide adoption. As of July 21, over 1.26 crore govt officials across central and state levels have registered on the iGOT-Karmayogi digital learning platform.

    In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh confirmed that all ministries and departments of the central government have been fully integrated with the platform. The digital shift represents a transformative step in government training, moving away from conventional models to a more adaptive, role-based approach.

    The iGOT-Karmayogi portal provides customised training that aligns with the competency frameworks of individual departments. Of the total users, around 41 lakh are central government employees, while 85 lakh belong to various state services. The platform currently offers more than 3,000 live courses covering a range of functional, behavioural, and domain-specific competencies. Together, these courses have seen over 3.8 crore completions, reflecting the growing demand for continuous learning within public administration.

    Designed as a comprehensive digital learning ecosystem, iGOT-Karmayogi has been integrated with key training components such as induction sessions, mid-career programmes, and in-service development. It aims to equip civil servants with the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed to meet the evolving challenges of governance in the 21st century.

    To measure the initiative’s impact, the Department of Personnel and Training has introduced a Monitoring and Evaluation framework with clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track stakeholder performance and drive service delivery improvements.

  • Nifty, Sensex open lower as new Trump tariffs take effect

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Indian equity markets opened lower on Friday, tracking weak global cues following the announcement of new tariffs by former U.S. President Donald Trump. The pharmaceutical sector bore the brunt, with the Nifty Pharma index falling 2.75 per cent.

    At 9:25 AM, the Nifty 50 was down 51 points or 0.21 per cent at 24,716, while the BSE Sensex had declined 179 points or 0.22 per cent, trading at 81,005.

    In the broader market, both the BSE MidCap and BSE SmallCap indices posted marginal gains of 0.05 per cent.

    Among sectoral indices, Nifty FMCG stood out as the sole gainer, rising 1.46 per cent. Meanwhile, Nifty IT slipped 0.80 per cent and Nifty Metal declined 0.99 per cent, in addition to sharp selling in pharma stocks.

    Within the Nifty 50 pack, Hindustan Unilever (HUL) was the top gainer, rising 4.45 per cent, followed by Tata Consumer Products, Hero MotoCorp, Maruti Suzuki, and Trent. On the losing side, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories led with a 1.41 per cent decline, followed by Cipla, ONGC, Larsen & Toubro, and Tata Steel.

    “Despite Nifty’s bounce yesterday, the index remains vulnerable unless it sustains a move above the 24,800 mark. A close above this level could potentially open the path toward 25,000. On the downside, immediate support lies at 24,600, followed by 24,500,” said Hardik Matalia, Derivatives Analyst at Choice Equity Broking.

    “As elevated volatility and conflicting technical signals prevail, traders are advised to follow a cautious ‘sell-on-rise’ approach, especially when using leverage. Book partial profits during rallies and maintain tight trailing stop-losses. Fresh long positions should only be considered if the Nifty sustains above 25,000,” he added.

    On July 31, former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing revised “reciprocal” tariffs on several countries including Syria, Laos, South Africa, and Myanmar. The new tariff rates, ranging from 10 per cent to 41 per cent, are set to take effect from August 7.

    Strong earnings from U.S. tech giants Microsoft and Meta Platforms failed to lift Wall Street. The S&P 500 fell 0.37 per cent, marking its third straight day of losses. The Dow Jones Industrial Average declined 0.74 per cent, while the Nasdaq Composite remained flat with a marginal dip of 0.03 per cent.

    “In the near term, markets will be influenced by tariff-related developments. Since the implementation date is August 7, affected countries still have time to negotiate for revisions. Yesterday’s market behavior indicates that investors view the 25 per cent tariff as a short-term issue,” said Dr. V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

    Asian markets also opened weak. South Korea’s Kospi led the regional decline with a 2.94 per cent fall, followed by Japan’s Nikkei 225, which dropped 0.38 per cent. Shanghai Composite shed 0.10 per cent, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index edged up 0.13 per cent.

    On the institutional front, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) extended their selling streak for a ninth consecutive session, offloading equities worth ₹5,588 crore on July 31. In contrast, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) remained net buyers for the 19th straight session, investing ₹6,372 crore.

    -IANS

  • MIL-OSI: BW Energy: Second quarter and first half 2025 results 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BW Energy delivered strong operational performance in the first half of 2025, driven by high production uptime, competitive cost levels, and a solid safety record with zero lost time incidents. The Company’s project portfolio continues to advance, with final investment decisions taken on both the Maromba development and the Golfinho Boost project. In addition, a substantial oil discovery was made at the Bourdon prospect in the Dussafu area, further expanding BW Energy’s resource base. Backed by strong cash generation and a resilient financial structure, BW Energy is well placed to drive growth and create long-term shareholder value. 

    HIGHLIGHTS 

    Strong operational performance 

    • H1 2025 net production of 6.2 (4.6) million barrels, equal to 34.2 (25.4) kbopd  
    • Operating cost1 of USD 18.3 (26.2) per barrel and zero lost time incidents 
    • Assumed operatorship of the BW Adolo FPSO 

     Successfully developing and increasing the resource base 

    • Final investment decision made on Maromba and Golfinho Boost projects 
    • Substantial oil discovery of 25 mmbbls in the Bourdon prospect  

    Robust financial results 

    • H1 2025 EBITDA of USD 281.1 (185.8) million and net profit of USD 109.7 (61.9) million 
    • Q2 2025 EBITDA of USD 99.0 million and net profit of USD 26.7 million 
    • Operating cash flow of USD 162.0 (85.1) million  
    • Cash position of USD 192.9 (244.2) million at 30 June 
    • New and upsized RBL facility up to USD 500 million


    2025 guidance unchanged 

    • Production: 11-12 mmbbls (30-32 kbopd) 
    • Operating cost1: USD 18-22 per barrel 
    • CAPEX: USD 650-700 million 
    • G&A: USD 19-22 million 

     (Numbers in parenthesis refer to H1 2024) 

    1) Operating costs exclude royalties, tariffs, workovers, crude oil purchases for domestic market obligations, production sharing costs in Gabon, and incorporates the impact of IFRS 16 adjustments 

    Comment from the CEO of BW Energy, Carl Arnet:  

    “BW Energy delivered a strong first half of 2025, with production above the upper end of our guidance range and operating costs at significantly more competitive levels than in 2024. This reflects continued focus on safe, efficient operations and disciplined cost management across the portfolio.

    During the period, we moved key development projects into execution, marking an important step forward in our growth strategy. The Maromba development in Brazil is now underway and will be transformative for BW Energy, increasing production to more than 90,000 barrels per day in 2028.

    Furthermore, we strengthened our portfolio, confirming new resources at the Bourdon prospect in the Dussafu licence. These are highly profitable barrels that highlight our strategy of leveraging existing infrastructure and pursuing fast‑track developments to accelerate value creation.

    Our financial foundation remains robust, with low leverage and strong underlying cash generation. This gives us the resilience to navigate market volatility while continuing to deliver growth and long‑term value for our shareholders.”


    Please find attached the report for the first half of 2025 and the second quarter presentation. 

    The report, presentation, excel data book and webcast will be available on:

    www.bwenergy.no/investors/reports-and-presentations 

    CONFERENCE CALL/WEBCAST  

    BW Energy will today hold a conference call followed by a Q&A hosted by CEO Carl K. Arnet and CFO Brice Morlot at 14:00 CEST.  

    The presentation may also be followed via webcast on:  

    https://events.webcast.no/viewer-registration/qQC1bQEB/register  

    Please note, that if you follow the webcast via the above URL, you will experience a 30 second delay compared to the main conference call. The web page works best in an updated browser – Chrome is recommended. 

    Conference call information:  

    To dial in to the conference call where the second quarter results and Q&A will be hosted, please dial in to one of the following numbers:  

    Participants dial in numbers: 

    DK: +45 7876 8490 
    SE: +46 8 1241 0952 
    NO: +47 2195 6342 
    UK: +44 203 769 6819 
    US: +1 646-787-0157 
    Singapore: 65-3-1591097 
    France: 33-1-81221259 
     
    Conference code: 980877  

    For further information, please contact: 

    Martin Seland Simensen, VP Investor Relations

    +47 416 92 087  

    Martin.simensen@bwenergy.no 

    About BW Energy: 

    BW Energy is a growth E&P company with a differentiated strategy targeting proven offshore oil and gas reservoirs through low risk phased developments. The Company has access to existing production facilities to reduce time to first oil and cashflow with lower investments than traditional offshore developments. The Company’s assets are 73.5% of the producing Dussafu Marine licence offshore Gabon, 100% interest in the Golfinho and Camarupim fields, a 76.5% interest in the BM-ES-23 block, a 95% interest in the Maromba field in Brazil, a 95% interest in the Kudu field in Namibia, all operated by BW Energy. In addition, BW Energy holds approximately 7% of the common shares in Reconnaissance Energy Africa Ltd. and a 20% non-operating interest in the onshore Petroleum Exploration License 73 (“PEL 73”) in Namibia. Total net 2P+2C reserves and resources were 599 million barrels of oil equivalent at the start of 2025.  

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.  

    Attachments

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of Underwriting Auction conducted on August 01, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    In the underwriting auction conducted on August 01, 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)
    6.68% GS 2040 16,000 8,001 7,999 16,000 0.23
    6.90% GS 2065 16,000 8,001 7,999 16,000 0.28
    Auction for the sale of securities will be held on August 01, 2025.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/821

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of the 7-day Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR) auction held on August 01, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Tenor 7-day
    Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 2,00,000
    Total amount of offers received (in ₹ crore) 1,71,795
    Amount accepted (in ₹ crore) 1,71,795
    Cut off Rate (%) 5.49
    Weighted Average Rate (%) 5.49
    Partial Acceptance Percentage of offers received at cut off rate NA

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/822

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • Manufacturing to research, India playing key role in new foldable series: Samsung

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    From local manufacturing to research and development, India has a significant role in the development of the new foldable series, JB Park, President and CEO, Samsung Southwest Asia, said on Friday.

    According to him, the company engineers from the Bengaluru R&D facility have contributed significantly in the development of new Z Fold7 and the Z Flip7 devices.

    “I am happy to share that these new phones are being manufactured at our Noida factory,” Park said.

    “Our latest foldables represent the next leap in smartphone innovation. They are the thinnest and lightest Galaxy Z series designs yet. They deliver cutting-edge performance and come with seamless Galaxy AI integration,” added Park.

    The company received a record 210,000 pre-orders for its seventh generation foldables – Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy ZFlip7 and Galaxy Z Flip7 FE – in just 48 hours in India – signalling rapid mainstreaming of the foldable form factor in the country.

    The ‘Made in India’ Galaxy Z Fold7 is surprisingly gaining significant traction from not only tier 3 markets, but also tier 4 and beyond, amid a resilient economy and rising aspirations across the country, the company informed.

    Park said the new devices will “help us mainstream the foldables in India”.

    “Galaxy Z Fold7 delivers the Ultra experience in the thinnest, lightest and most advanced Fold yet. Galaxy Z Flip7 packs flagship power, intelligence and personality into a compact and iconic form,” he mentioned.

    On AI, he said that today, on-device AI is independent of being in the cloud or a third-party source.

    “But tomorrow, I think it’s more of how people are using the AI. Like in India, you have so many dialects that you need someone to interpret. Tomorrow, it will all be done simultaneously on the devices. So you don’t have to memorise things. You don’t have to have an opinion of a lawyer or doctor. You just can have a massive intelligence that’s connected on your device to a cloud that can guide you to a better solution. I think that’s how the technology will evolve,” said Park.

    (IANS)

  • Trying to convince people to visit J&K, says Omar Abdullah to PM Modi’s praise of his Gujarat visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday responded warmly to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s praise for his recent visit to Gujarat, reaffirming the critical role tourism plays in J&K’s economy and national integration.

    In a post on X, Abdullah wrote: “I’m a firm believer that travel broadens the horizons & the mind, @narendramodi ji. It’s especially important for us in J&K, as tourism is a crucial part of our economy and has the potential to gainfully employ lakhs of people. That’s why my colleagues and I are trying to convince more of our fellow Indians to visit J&K, especially after the tragic events earlier this year.”

    His remarks came in response to a message from PM Modi, who had lauded Abdullah’s visit to the Sabarmati Riverfront and the Statue of Unity during a recent tourism event in Ahmedabad.

    “Kashmir to Kevadia! Good to see Shri Omar Abdullah Ji enjoying his run at the Sabarmati Riverfront and visiting the Statue of Unity. His visit to SoU gives an important message of unity and will inspire our fellow Indians to travel to different parts of India,” the Prime Minister posted on X.

    Abdullah had earlier shared his experience from Gujarat, where he went for a morning run along the Sabarmati Riverfront.
    “While in #Ahmedabad for a tourism event, I took advantage of being here to get my morning run at the famed Sabarmati River Front promenade. It’s one of the nicest places I’ve been able to run, and it was a pleasure to share it with so many other walkers and runners. I even managed to run past the amazing Atal Foot Bridge,” he wrote.

    The J&K Chief Minister was on a two-day visit to Gujarat aimed at promoting the Union Territory as a travel destination, particularly in the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which led to a temporary decline in tourist activity.

    During his visit, Abdullah met with tour operators and travel industry stakeholders to rebuild trust and attract more domestic tourists to the region. He also held a meeting with Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

    -IANS

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 55 drugs added to co-care plan

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The basic-tier drug list under the Chronic Disease Co-care Pilot Scheme has been expanded from 59 items to 114 items starting from today.

    The Health Bureau said the 55 additional drug items cover antidepressants and drugs for the management of chronic hepatitis B, osteoporosis and thyroid disorder. More items have also been included to address health problems associated with episodic illnesses, such as drugs for relieving asthma exacerbation, gout, nausea and vertigo.

    Scheme participants prescribed with drugs on the list need not pay for such medications.

    The expanded list will provide family doctors with greater flexibility to cater for patients’ clinical needs, the bureau added.

    To date, more than 140,000 people have enrolled in the pilot scheme. As of July 23, about 85,000 participants had completed screenings, with around 34,000 being diagnosed with prediabetes, diabetes mellitus, hypertension or hyperlipidaemia, and proceeding to treatment.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –