Category: Asia

  • Privileged to be part of this celebration: Indian diaspora in UK celebrates Yoga Day

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Marking the 11th International Day of Yoga, members of the Indian diaspora and local communities across the United Kingdom came together in large numbers to celebrate the ancient Indian practice that continues to unite people across cultures and borders.

    This year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” underscores the holistic connection between individual well-being and planetary health.

    From iconic London landmarks to the serene campuses of Oxford and Cambridge, yoga mats were unrolled at various venues, drawing enthusiastic participation from people of all ages and backgrounds.

    Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, highlighted the significance of this year’s celebrations, stating, “This year, under the special theme of International Yoga Day suggested by India, the focus was to take yoga to as many places as possible. Our cultural centre organised Yoga Day events across several locations in the UK, particularly in major university towns such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Southampton, in collaboration with many partners.”

    In London, a large public yoga session was held in the heart of the city, where historic architecture offered a stunning backdrop to a vibrant display of unity and wellness. The event was open and free to all, attracting a wide spectrum of participants.

    One resident shared their experience, saying, “We’re celebrating the 11th International Day of Yoga at a free event open to everyone here in London. It’s a magnificent day, with the city’s historic buildings providing a beautiful backdrop. It’s truly a privilege to be part of this celebration, to come together and practice yoga. I love yoga, and I believe everyone should try it.”

    The Indian High Commission and its cultural wing also engaged with local yoga studios, community organisations, and universities to extend the reach of Yoga Day beyond metropolitan centres, ensuring inclusivity and broader participation.

    As yoga continues to gain global popularity, the International Day of Yoga has become a cornerstone of India’s cultural diplomacy, promoting health, harmony, and shared humanity.

    —IANS

  • Privileged to be part of this celebration: Indian diaspora in UK celebrates Yoga Day

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Marking the 11th International Day of Yoga, members of the Indian diaspora and local communities across the United Kingdom came together in large numbers to celebrate the ancient Indian practice that continues to unite people across cultures and borders.

    This year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” underscores the holistic connection between individual well-being and planetary health.

    From iconic London landmarks to the serene campuses of Oxford and Cambridge, yoga mats were unrolled at various venues, drawing enthusiastic participation from people of all ages and backgrounds.

    Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, highlighted the significance of this year’s celebrations, stating, “This year, under the special theme of International Yoga Day suggested by India, the focus was to take yoga to as many places as possible. Our cultural centre organised Yoga Day events across several locations in the UK, particularly in major university towns such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Southampton, in collaboration with many partners.”

    In London, a large public yoga session was held in the heart of the city, where historic architecture offered a stunning backdrop to a vibrant display of unity and wellness. The event was open and free to all, attracting a wide spectrum of participants.

    One resident shared their experience, saying, “We’re celebrating the 11th International Day of Yoga at a free event open to everyone here in London. It’s a magnificent day, with the city’s historic buildings providing a beautiful backdrop. It’s truly a privilege to be part of this celebration, to come together and practice yoga. I love yoga, and I believe everyone should try it.”

    The Indian High Commission and its cultural wing also engaged with local yoga studios, community organisations, and universities to extend the reach of Yoga Day beyond metropolitan centres, ensuring inclusivity and broader participation.

    As yoga continues to gain global popularity, the International Day of Yoga has become a cornerstone of India’s cultural diplomacy, promoting health, harmony, and shared humanity.

    —IANS

  • Privileged to be part of this celebration: Indian diaspora in UK celebrates Yoga Day

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Marking the 11th International Day of Yoga, members of the Indian diaspora and local communities across the United Kingdom came together in large numbers to celebrate the ancient Indian practice that continues to unite people across cultures and borders.

    This year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” underscores the holistic connection between individual well-being and planetary health.

    From iconic London landmarks to the serene campuses of Oxford and Cambridge, yoga mats were unrolled at various venues, drawing enthusiastic participation from people of all ages and backgrounds.

    Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, highlighted the significance of this year’s celebrations, stating, “This year, under the special theme of International Yoga Day suggested by India, the focus was to take yoga to as many places as possible. Our cultural centre organised Yoga Day events across several locations in the UK, particularly in major university towns such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Southampton, in collaboration with many partners.”

    In London, a large public yoga session was held in the heart of the city, where historic architecture offered a stunning backdrop to a vibrant display of unity and wellness. The event was open and free to all, attracting a wide spectrum of participants.

    One resident shared their experience, saying, “We’re celebrating the 11th International Day of Yoga at a free event open to everyone here in London. It’s a magnificent day, with the city’s historic buildings providing a beautiful backdrop. It’s truly a privilege to be part of this celebration, to come together and practice yoga. I love yoga, and I believe everyone should try it.”

    The Indian High Commission and its cultural wing also engaged with local yoga studios, community organisations, and universities to extend the reach of Yoga Day beyond metropolitan centres, ensuring inclusivity and broader participation.

    As yoga continues to gain global popularity, the International Day of Yoga has become a cornerstone of India’s cultural diplomacy, promoting health, harmony, and shared humanity.

    —IANS

  • Kurukshetra hosts record-breaking event with one lakh participants on International Yoga Day

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The 11th International Day of Yoga began with powerful energy and unity as Kurukshetra in Haryana hosted a record-breaking yoga session, where one lakh people, including 40,000 schoolchildren, came together to perform yoga at the sacred Brahma Sarovar.

    The grand state-level event was led by Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev and attended by Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini, Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, MP Naveen Jindal, and several other dignitaries.

    Under the guidance of Swami Ramdev, participants engaged in yoga asanas, pranayama, and meditation, creating a visually striking and spiritually uplifting atmosphere. The event marked a historic moment in Haryana’s wellness movement and aimed to set a world record for the largest synchronised yoga session at a single location.

    Deputy Commissioner Neha Singh said the event was a milestone in Kurukshetra’s cultural and spiritual journey. “This grand Yoga Mahakumbh not only put Haryana on the global wellness map but also supported the vision of a ‘Yoga-Yukt, Nasha-Mukt Haryana’,” she noted.

    The mass yoga session featured diverse practices including yoga asanas, pranayama, and meditation, embodying the values of wellness and harmony.

    Meanwhile, across the country and abroad, celebrations echoed the spirit of the day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the national-level event from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, under the ‘Yoga Sangam’ initiative. He joined lakhs of citizens in performing the Common Yoga Protocol from 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.

    Over one lakh locations across India hosted similar sessions, uniting an estimated two crore participants in a synchronised celebration of health and well-being.

    Now in its 11th year, International Yoga Day has become a global movement, with India continuing to play a leading role in promoting a culture of mindfulness, discipline, and holistic living.

    IANS

  • Kurukshetra hosts record-breaking event with one lakh participants on International Yoga Day

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The 11th International Day of Yoga began with powerful energy and unity as Kurukshetra in Haryana hosted a record-breaking yoga session, where one lakh people, including 40,000 schoolchildren, came together to perform yoga at the sacred Brahma Sarovar.

    The grand state-level event was led by Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev and attended by Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini, Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, MP Naveen Jindal, and several other dignitaries.

    Under the guidance of Swami Ramdev, participants engaged in yoga asanas, pranayama, and meditation, creating a visually striking and spiritually uplifting atmosphere. The event marked a historic moment in Haryana’s wellness movement and aimed to set a world record for the largest synchronised yoga session at a single location.

    Deputy Commissioner Neha Singh said the event was a milestone in Kurukshetra’s cultural and spiritual journey. “This grand Yoga Mahakumbh not only put Haryana on the global wellness map but also supported the vision of a ‘Yoga-Yukt, Nasha-Mukt Haryana’,” she noted.

    The mass yoga session featured diverse practices including yoga asanas, pranayama, and meditation, embodying the values of wellness and harmony.

    Meanwhile, across the country and abroad, celebrations echoed the spirit of the day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the national-level event from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, under the ‘Yoga Sangam’ initiative. He joined lakhs of citizens in performing the Common Yoga Protocol from 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.

    Over one lakh locations across India hosted similar sessions, uniting an estimated two crore participants in a synchronised celebration of health and well-being.

    Now in its 11th year, International Yoga Day has become a global movement, with India continuing to play a leading role in promoting a culture of mindfulness, discipline, and holistic living.

    IANS

  • Kurukshetra hosts record-breaking event with one lakh participants on International Yoga Day

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The 11th International Day of Yoga began with powerful energy and unity as Kurukshetra in Haryana hosted a record-breaking yoga session, where one lakh people, including 40,000 schoolchildren, came together to perform yoga at the sacred Brahma Sarovar.

    The grand state-level event was led by Yoga Guru Swami Ramdev and attended by Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini, Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, MP Naveen Jindal, and several other dignitaries.

    Under the guidance of Swami Ramdev, participants engaged in yoga asanas, pranayama, and meditation, creating a visually striking and spiritually uplifting atmosphere. The event marked a historic moment in Haryana’s wellness movement and aimed to set a world record for the largest synchronised yoga session at a single location.

    Deputy Commissioner Neha Singh said the event was a milestone in Kurukshetra’s cultural and spiritual journey. “This grand Yoga Mahakumbh not only put Haryana on the global wellness map but also supported the vision of a ‘Yoga-Yukt, Nasha-Mukt Haryana’,” she noted.

    The mass yoga session featured diverse practices including yoga asanas, pranayama, and meditation, embodying the values of wellness and harmony.

    Meanwhile, across the country and abroad, celebrations echoed the spirit of the day. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the national-level event from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, under the ‘Yoga Sangam’ initiative. He joined lakhs of citizens in performing the Common Yoga Protocol from 6:30 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.

    Over one lakh locations across India hosted similar sessions, uniting an estimated two crore participants in a synchronised celebration of health and well-being.

    Now in its 11th year, International Yoga Day has become a global movement, with India continuing to play a leading role in promoting a culture of mindfulness, discipline, and holistic living.

    IANS

  • Iran, Israel launch new attacks after Tehran rules out nuclear talks

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Iran and Israel exchanged fresh attacks early on Saturday, a day after Tehran said it would not negotiate over its nuclear programme while under threat and Europe tried to keep peace talks alive.
    Shortly after 2:30 a.m. in Israel (2330 GMT on Friday), the Israeli military warned of an incoming missile barrage from Iran, triggering air raid sirens across parts of central Israel, including Tel Aviv, as well as in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

    Interceptions were visible in the sky over Tel Aviv, with explosions echoing across the metropolitan area as Israel’s air defence systems responded.

    At the same time, Israel launched a new wave of attacks against missile storage and launch infrastructure sites in Iran, the Israeli military said.
    Sirens also sounded in southern Israel, said Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency service. An Israeli military official said Iran had fired five ballistic missiles and that there were no immediate indications of any missile impacts.

    There were no initial reports of casualties.

    The emergency service released images showing a fire on the roof of a multi-storey residential building in central Israel. Local media reported that the fire was caused by debris from an intercepted missile. Israel began attacking Iran last Friday, saying its longtime enemy was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Iran, which says its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes, retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel.

    Israel is widely assumed to possess nuclear weapons. It neither confirms nor denies this.

    Its air attacks have killed 639 people in Iran, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, a U.S.-based human rights organisation that tracks Iran. The dead include the military’s top echelon and nuclear scientists.

    In Israel, 24 civilians have been killed in Iranian missile attacks, according to authorities.

    TALKS SHOW LITTLE PROGRESS

    Iran has repeatedly targeted Tel Aviv, a metropolitan area of around 4 million people and the country’s business and economic hub, where some critical military assets are also located.
    Israel said it had struck dozens of military targets on Friday, including missile production sites, a research body it said was involved in nuclear weapons development in Tehran and military facilities in western and central Iran.

    Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said there was no room for negotiations with the U.S. “until Israeli aggression stops”. But he arrived in Geneva on Friday for talks with European foreign ministers at which Europe hopes to establish a path back to diplomacy.
    U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday reiterated that he would take as long as two weeks to decide whether the United States should enter the conflict on Israel’s side, enough time “to see whether or not people come to their senses”, he said.

    Trump said he was unlikely to press Israel to scale back its airstrikes to allow negotiations to continue.
    “I think it’s very hard to make that request right now. If somebody is winning, it’s a little bit harder to do than if somebody is losing, but we’re ready, willing and able, and we’ve been speaking to Iran, and we’ll see what happens,” he said.

    The Geneva talks produced little signs of progress, and Trump said he doubted negotiators would be able to secure a ceasefire.
    “Iran doesn’t want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us.

    Europe is not going to be able to help in this one,” Trump said.
    Hundreds of U.S. citizens have fled Iran since the air war began, according to a U.S. State Department cable seen by Reuters.

    Israel’s envoy to the United Nations, Danny Danon, told the Security Council on Friday his country would not stop its attacks “until Iran’s nuclear threat is dismantled”. Iran’s U.N. envoy Amir Saeid Iravani called for Security Council action and said Tehran was alarmed by reports that the U.S. might join the war.

    Russia and China demanded immediate de-escalation.

    A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran was ready to discuss limitations on uranium enrichment but that it would reject any proposal that barred it from enriching uranium completely, “especially now under Israel’s strikes”.

    -Reuters

  • Iran, Israel launch new attacks after Tehran rules out nuclear talks

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Iran and Israel exchanged fresh attacks early on Saturday, a day after Tehran said it would not negotiate over its nuclear programme while under threat and Europe tried to keep peace talks alive.
    Shortly after 2:30 a.m. in Israel (2330 GMT on Friday), the Israeli military warned of an incoming missile barrage from Iran, triggering air raid sirens across parts of central Israel, including Tel Aviv, as well as in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

    Interceptions were visible in the sky over Tel Aviv, with explosions echoing across the metropolitan area as Israel’s air defence systems responded.

    At the same time, Israel launched a new wave of attacks against missile storage and launch infrastructure sites in Iran, the Israeli military said.
    Sirens also sounded in southern Israel, said Magen David Adom, Israel’s national emergency service. An Israeli military official said Iran had fired five ballistic missiles and that there were no immediate indications of any missile impacts.

    There were no initial reports of casualties.

    The emergency service released images showing a fire on the roof of a multi-storey residential building in central Israel. Local media reported that the fire was caused by debris from an intercepted missile. Israel began attacking Iran last Friday, saying its longtime enemy was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Iran, which says its nuclear programme is only for peaceful purposes, retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel.

    Israel is widely assumed to possess nuclear weapons. It neither confirms nor denies this.

    Its air attacks have killed 639 people in Iran, according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, a U.S.-based human rights organisation that tracks Iran. The dead include the military’s top echelon and nuclear scientists.

    In Israel, 24 civilians have been killed in Iranian missile attacks, according to authorities.

    TALKS SHOW LITTLE PROGRESS

    Iran has repeatedly targeted Tel Aviv, a metropolitan area of around 4 million people and the country’s business and economic hub, where some critical military assets are also located.
    Israel said it had struck dozens of military targets on Friday, including missile production sites, a research body it said was involved in nuclear weapons development in Tehran and military facilities in western and central Iran.

    Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said there was no room for negotiations with the U.S. “until Israeli aggression stops”. But he arrived in Geneva on Friday for talks with European foreign ministers at which Europe hopes to establish a path back to diplomacy.
    U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday reiterated that he would take as long as two weeks to decide whether the United States should enter the conflict on Israel’s side, enough time “to see whether or not people come to their senses”, he said.

    Trump said he was unlikely to press Israel to scale back its airstrikes to allow negotiations to continue.
    “I think it’s very hard to make that request right now. If somebody is winning, it’s a little bit harder to do than if somebody is losing, but we’re ready, willing and able, and we’ve been speaking to Iran, and we’ll see what happens,” he said.

    The Geneva talks produced little signs of progress, and Trump said he doubted negotiators would be able to secure a ceasefire.
    “Iran doesn’t want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us.

    Europe is not going to be able to help in this one,” Trump said.
    Hundreds of U.S. citizens have fled Iran since the air war began, according to a U.S. State Department cable seen by Reuters.

    Israel’s envoy to the United Nations, Danny Danon, told the Security Council on Friday his country would not stop its attacks “until Iran’s nuclear threat is dismantled”. Iran’s U.N. envoy Amir Saeid Iravani called for Security Council action and said Tehran was alarmed by reports that the U.S. might join the war.

    Russia and China demanded immediate de-escalation.

    A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran was ready to discuss limitations on uranium enrichment but that it would reject any proposal that barred it from enriching uranium completely, “especially now under Israel’s strikes”.

    -Reuters

  • Blending science and spirituality: ISRO observes International Yoga Day with call for collective wellness

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday said it is honoured to participate in the global observance of the International Day of Yoga 2025, celebrated annually on June 21.

    In a post on X, ISRO stated that it is participating in the event under the official theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” which underscores the vital connection between individual wellness and planetary care.

    “ISRO is honoured to participate in the global observance on June 21 under the official theme ‘Yoga for One Earth, One Health,’ which highlights the vital link between individual wellness and planetary care,” the space agency posted.

    ISRO said it continues to integrate scientific pursuit with mindful well-being. The organisation also urged all citizens to adopt yoga as a means to cultivate health, strengthen resilience, and contribute to a sustainable world through collective practice.

    “This #IDY2025, ISRO reaffirms its commitment to integrating scientific pursuit with mindful well-being. We invite all citizens to take up yoga—cultivate health, strengthen resilience, and contribute to a sustainable world through collective practice,” it added.

    The theme for this year, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” echoes India’s vision of global wellness. It reflects an integrated vision of well-being and emphasises the interconnectedness of human and planetary health, drawing from the Indian ethos of Sarve Santu Niramaya (May all be free from disease).

  • Ministry of Mines celebrates IDY 2025 with mega event, 35,000 attend in Hyderabad

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Ministry of Mines is celebrating the 11th International Day of Yoga with great enthusiasm and nationwide participation, in alignment with this year’s global theme — “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.” The theme reflects the deep connection between individual well-being and the health of the planet, with yoga serving as a powerful tool for both.

    Inspired by the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Ministry has launched a series of impactful initiatives to promote yoga as a way of life among its workforce and the larger community.

    As a prelude to the global celebration, the Ministry conducted a comprehensive 6-day Yoga Boot Camp (14–20 June) across its field offices and CPSEs — including NALCO, HCL, MECL, IBM, GSI, JNARDDC, and NIRM. The boot camp featured inclusive yoga sessions for officials, mine workers, contractual staff, local communities, school children, and women employees — even at underground mine entrances. Wellness talks, Y-Break demonstrations, and creative contests also formed an integral part of the week-long engagement. In total, over 20,000 individuals participated across the country.

    A major highlight was the mega yoga event held on 20th June at LB Stadium, Hyderabad, organised under the leadership of Union Minister for Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, as part of the International Day of Yoga countdown. The event witnessed a record turnout of over 35,000 participants, including personnel from the Indian Army, Central Government offices, yoga organisations, students, and citizens. The mass yoga session emerged as a powerful symbol of unity, wellness, and collective energy.

    These initiatives reflect the Government of India’s broader vision of integrating wellness into workplace productivity and societal well-being. The Ministry of Mines remains committed to furthering this mission through yoga — for individuals, for communities, and for the planet.

  • International Yoga Day: Indo-Tibetan Border Police perform yoga at altitude of over 14000 ft

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    On the 11th International Day of Yoga, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) performed yoga on the banks of Pangong Tso at the Border Outposts (BOPs) Dhan Singh Thapa and Chartse, located at altitudes between 14,100 and 14,200 feet.

    Visuals showed officials from the 24th Battalion of the ITBP performing yoga at the scenic lakeside location of Pangong Tso.

    Earlier, on Friday, the 54th Battalion of the ITBP held a yoga session as a prelude to International Yoga Day. Sharing visuals on X, the ITBP wrote: “54 Bn #ITBP organised a yoga session as a prelude to International Yoga Day 2025. Himveers participated with zeal, reinforcing the spirit of wellness and discipline.”

    The 4th Corps of the ITBP in Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh, also organised yoga sessions at altitudes above 12,000 feet. Sharing the update on X, the ITBP posted: “4th Corps #ITBP, Dirang (Arunachal Pradesh) organised yoga sessions and cleanliness drives at the Corps Headquarters and forward posts at altitudes above 12,000 feet.”

    The ITBP held several yoga sessions last week as a lead-up to International Yoga Day.

    Meanwhile, Indian Coast Guard personnel gathered in Visakhapatnam to celebrate International Yoga Day. On the eastern coast, officials aboard Coast Guard Ship Rani Abbakka practised yoga along Tamil Nadu’s sacred shores.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Visakhapatnam on Friday evening, where he will lead the celebrations for International Yoga Day.

    This year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” echoes India’s vision of global wellness and reflects the integrated approach to well-being. It emphasises the interconnectedness of human and planetary health, drawing from the Indian ethos of “Sarve Santu Niramaya” (May all be free from disease).

    According to the Ministry of AYUSH, the Prime Minister will perform the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) with over 3 lakh participants at the Visakhapatnam venue, synchronised with more than 10 lakh locations across the country under the ‘Yoga Sangam’ initiative.

    The mass demonstration will take place from 6:30 to 7:45 AM and is expected to see unprecedented participation from across the country.

    He will be joined by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in a large-scale demonstration of India’s global wellness vision.

     

  • International Yoga Day: Indo-Tibetan Border Police perform yoga at altitude of over 14000 ft

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    On the 11th International Day of Yoga, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) performed yoga on the banks of Pangong Tso at the Border Outposts (BOPs) Dhan Singh Thapa and Chartse, located at altitudes between 14,100 and 14,200 feet.

    Visuals showed officials from the 24th Battalion of the ITBP performing yoga at the scenic lakeside location of Pangong Tso.

    Earlier, on Friday, the 54th Battalion of the ITBP held a yoga session as a prelude to International Yoga Day. Sharing visuals on X, the ITBP wrote: “54 Bn #ITBP organised a yoga session as a prelude to International Yoga Day 2025. Himveers participated with zeal, reinforcing the spirit of wellness and discipline.”

    The 4th Corps of the ITBP in Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh, also organised yoga sessions at altitudes above 12,000 feet. Sharing the update on X, the ITBP posted: “4th Corps #ITBP, Dirang (Arunachal Pradesh) organised yoga sessions and cleanliness drives at the Corps Headquarters and forward posts at altitudes above 12,000 feet.”

    The ITBP held several yoga sessions last week as a lead-up to International Yoga Day.

    Meanwhile, Indian Coast Guard personnel gathered in Visakhapatnam to celebrate International Yoga Day. On the eastern coast, officials aboard Coast Guard Ship Rani Abbakka practised yoga along Tamil Nadu’s sacred shores.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Visakhapatnam on Friday evening, where he will lead the celebrations for International Yoga Day.

    This year’s theme, “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” echoes India’s vision of global wellness and reflects the integrated approach to well-being. It emphasises the interconnectedness of human and planetary health, drawing from the Indian ethos of “Sarve Santu Niramaya” (May all be free from disease).

    According to the Ministry of AYUSH, the Prime Minister will perform the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) with over 3 lakh participants at the Visakhapatnam venue, synchronised with more than 10 lakh locations across the country under the ‘Yoga Sangam’ initiative.

    The mass demonstration will take place from 6:30 to 7:45 AM and is expected to see unprecedented participation from across the country.

    He will be joined by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for AYUSH, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in a large-scale demonstration of India’s global wellness vision.

     

  • Neeraj Chopra triumphs at Paris Diamond League

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra delivered a commanding performance at the Paris Diamond League, claiming top spot with a powerful 88.16m throw on his very first attempt at Stade Charléty on Saturday.

    His opening throw set the benchmark for the evening and remained unmatched throughout the competition. Despite recording three fouls in his six attempts, the early effort was enough to keep him in the lead in a highly competitive field.

    Germany’s Julian Weber, a former Diamond League champion and one of Chopra’s fiercest rivals, came closest with a strong 87.88m effort, also in the first round. Despite a consistent series, Weber was unable to surpass Chopra’s mark and finished second.

    Brazil’s Luiz Maurício da Silva delivered a career-best 86.62m throw in the third round, placing third and setting a new South American record in the process.

    This was Chopra’s first appearance at the Paris Diamond League since 2017, when he finished fifth with a throw of 84.67m as a junior world champion. The Paris meet marked the eighth stop on the 2025 Diamond League circuit, which will culminate in a two-day final in Zurich this August.

    Chopra began his 2025 campaign with a win at the Potch Invitational in South Africa, throwing 84.52m. He made headlines in Doha by breaching the elusive 90m barrier for the first time, setting a new Indian national record with a 90.23m effort—though he was narrowly edged by Weber’s personal best of 91.06m.

    The rivalry continued at Poland’s Janusz Kusociński Memorial, where Weber again finished ahead with 86.12m to Chopra’s 84.14m in wet, tricky conditions.

    In Paris, however, Chopra reclaimed the lead—and reminded the world why he remains one of the sport’s most formidable athletes.

    IANS

  • Neeraj Chopra triumphs at Paris Diamond League

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra delivered a commanding performance at the Paris Diamond League, claiming top spot with a powerful 88.16m throw on his very first attempt at Stade Charléty on Saturday.

    His opening throw set the benchmark for the evening and remained unmatched throughout the competition. Despite recording three fouls in his six attempts, the early effort was enough to keep him in the lead in a highly competitive field.

    Germany’s Julian Weber, a former Diamond League champion and one of Chopra’s fiercest rivals, came closest with a strong 87.88m effort, also in the first round. Despite a consistent series, Weber was unable to surpass Chopra’s mark and finished second.

    Brazil’s Luiz Maurício da Silva delivered a career-best 86.62m throw in the third round, placing third and setting a new South American record in the process.

    This was Chopra’s first appearance at the Paris Diamond League since 2017, when he finished fifth with a throw of 84.67m as a junior world champion. The Paris meet marked the eighth stop on the 2025 Diamond League circuit, which will culminate in a two-day final in Zurich this August.

    Chopra began his 2025 campaign with a win at the Potch Invitational in South Africa, throwing 84.52m. He made headlines in Doha by breaching the elusive 90m barrier for the first time, setting a new Indian national record with a 90.23m effort—though he was narrowly edged by Weber’s personal best of 91.06m.

    The rivalry continued at Poland’s Janusz Kusociński Memorial, where Weber again finished ahead with 86.12m to Chopra’s 84.14m in wet, tricky conditions.

    In Paris, however, Chopra reclaimed the lead—and reminded the world why he remains one of the sport’s most formidable athletes.

    IANS

  • Yoga for One Earth, One Health: PM Modi to lead grand 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations from Visakhapatnam

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) is set to be celebrated on a grand scale on Saturday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the national event in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

    The theme for this year is “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” which echoes India’s vision of global wellness and reflects the integrated vision of well-being. It emphasises the interconnectedness of human and planetary health, drawing from the Indian ethos of “Sarve Santu Niramaya” (May all be free from disease).

    PM Modi arrived in Visakhapatnam on Friday evening and was received by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

    “#InternationalYogaDay On behalf of the people of Andhra Pradesh, I welcome Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji to our state for the celebration of International Yoga Day tomorrow. All the districts of Andhra Pradesh are geared up to participate in the grand culmination of #Yogandhra!” the Andhra CM said in a post on X.

    According to the Ministry of AYUSH, the Prime Minister will perform the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) with over 3 lakh participants at the Visakhapatnam venue, synchronised with over 10 lakh locations across the country under the ‘Yoga Sangam’ initiative.

    The mass demonstration will be held from 6:30 to 7:45 AM and is expected to attract unprecedented participation from across the country.

    He will be joined by Union Minister of State (IC) for AYUSH and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav, along with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, in a massive demonstration of India’s global wellness vision.

    More than 2 crore people are expected to participate in yoga sessions at over 1 lakh locations across the state.

    The Government of Andhra Pradesh is also coordinating a Guinness World Record attempt to mark the occasion.

    Additionally, the Andhra Pradesh government will award over 50 lakh yoga certificates to registered participants, making this decadal edition of IDY a truly historic moment in India’s health and wellness journey.

    As part of the celebrations in Visakhapatnam, a remarkable Surya Namaskar programme was organised at Andhra University today, where around 25,000 tribal children performed 108 Surya Namaskars in 108 minutes. This unique initiative highlighted the enthusiastic participation of tribal communities and reflected yoga’s deepening reach at the grassroots level.

    Delhi, too, is set to actively participate in the national celebration. Yoga events will be held at 109 locations across the capital, including a grand programme at the historic Red Fort on Saturday.

    Organised by Brahma Kumaris in collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH, and supported by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga and the Archaeological Survey of India, the Red Fort event will highlight the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”

    To ensure the inclusive reach of yoga’s benefits, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a letter to all Gram Pradhans, noting, “It is a matter of pride that yoga has positively transformed lives not only in India but across the world.”

    As in previous editions of IDY, the Prime Minister’s message has infused Gram Panchayats with renewed enthusiasm, resulting in a significant rise in yoga-related activities at the grassroots level, particularly in Panchayats, Anganwadis, and Community Health Centres. The introduction of 10 Signature Events to encourage public participation for IDY 2025 has elicited an unprecedented response from across the country and abroad.

    Against the target of 1 lakh registrations for the June 21 event, more than 11 lakh organisations and groups have registered for the Yoga Sangam event at their respective places through the Yoga portal of the Ministry of AYUSH.

    Rajasthan topped the list with 2.25 lakh registrations, followed by three more states that crossed the 1 lakh registration mark.

    To honour this milestone year, the Ministry of AYUSH has conceptualised 10 Signature Events, rolled out over 100 days. These events cater to different sections of society and showcase the evolving landscape of yoga in India and abroad.

    They include Yoga Sangam, which involves mass yoga demonstrations across over 1,00,000 locations alongside the national event; Yoga Bandhan, which includes international collaborations and the exchange of yoga delegations; Harit Yoga, which integrates yoga with environmental actions like tree plantations and cleanliness drives; and Yoga Park, which involves upgrading public parks into dedicated yoga spaces.

    It also includes Yoga Samavesh, an inclusive yoga outreach with customised protocols for marginalised groups; Yoga Prabhava, a comprehensive 10-year impact report on IDY and its societal outcomes; Yoga Connect, a global online yoga summit held on June 14, featuring global experts and policymakers; Yoga Unplugged, youth-centric campaigns combining tech, trends, and traditional yoga; Yoga Maha Kumbh, a series of large-scale events celebrating yoga’s cultural and spiritual dimensions; and Samyoga, which showcases the integration of yoga evidence with modern healthcare practices.

    The decadal celebration is being coordinated through a Whole-of-Government approach, involving ministries, departments, state governments, urban local bodies, and Indian missions abroad.

    Preparatory activities have been ongoing for weeks, with special drives, yoga camps, and competitions organised by various government bodies.

    Globally, Indian embassies and cultural centres are actively conducting yoga demonstrations and awareness campaigns, further strengthening India’s cultural diplomacy and leadership in wellness. With its strong foundation over the past ten years and enthusiastic participation from all sectors, IDY 2025 is poised to be a landmark moment in India’s wellness journey.

    The message is clear — yoga is not only a gift from India to the world but also a pathway to a healthier, more harmonious, and sustainable future for all. 

    (ANI)

  • MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard Cutter Stratton Arrives in Kagoshima, Leads Joint Operations with Partner Coast Guards

    Source: United States Coast Guard

     

    06/20/2025 07:41 PM EDT

    U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (WMSL 752) arrived in Kagoshima, Japan, June 16 to conduct the first-ever trilateral operations between the U.S. Coast Guard, Japan Coast Guard (JCG) and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) within Japan’s territorial waters. This engagement builds on Operation SAPPHIRE, the U.S.-Japan Coast Guard bilateral effort aimed at strengthening interoperability to support maritime governance, peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

    For breaking news follow us on twitter @USCGHawaiiPac

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI: Global AI Spotlight: DataGlobal Hub Assembles Hundreds of Industry Leaders for GDAI 2025, The Largest Global Virtual AI & Data Conference

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PHOENIX, June 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DataGlobal Hub, a fast-growing global media platform at the forefront of Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) news and insights, is proud to officially unveil the top speakers for Global Data & AI Virtual Tech Conference (GDAI 2025), a highly anticipated global summit convening the brightest minds in technology, innovation, and data leadership.

    GDAI 2025 is scheduled for August 22nd to 24th, 2025, with the theme, “AI, Data, and the Future of Innovation,” bringing together thought leaders, professionals, and trailblazing creators from around the world to spotlight emerging technologies, transformative enterprise strategies, and the societal shifts shaping tomorrow’s workplace.

    One Global Conversation: Three Tracks

    GDAI 2025 will deliver practical value through three tailored conference tracks that reflect the evolving realities of data, business, and human potential:

    • AI and Data Innovation: Uncover the latest breakthroughs in tech—from advanced large language models and automation to the exciting frontier of generative AI.
    • Enterprise Data Strategy & Leadership: Delve into essential topics such as data governance, ROI, ethics, and data monetization, empowering you to lead with confidence in the digital age.
    • The Future of Work & AI in Society: Engage with thought leaders on the evolving landscape of work, the impact of AI regulation, and the creative shifts driving today’s job market.

    What to Expect at GDAI 2025

    • Visionary Keynotes: Hear from AI pioneers, business executives, and future-thinkers on the possibilities ahead
    • Breakout Panels & Fireside Chats: Candid conversations and debates on real-world challenges and emerging trends
    • Live Demos & Product Showcases: Get front-row access to the tools, platforms, and AI systems shaping the next decade
    • Hands-On Masterclasses: Expert-led workshops with real applications and live feedback
    • Global Networking & VIP Sessions: Curated virtual spaces to connect, collaborate, and grow

    Introducing conference speakers

    GDAI 2025 is a global platform for possibility.

    With over 100 top speakers expected, GDAI 2025 will feature dynamic keynotes, powerful panel discussions, and interactive tools designed to transform your thinking. Some of our speakers include industry leaders from top organizations like OpenAI, MetaAI, Nvidia, CNN, NBC and more

    • Vijaykumar Jangamashetti: Senior Google Cloud Consulting Architect, Trusted Advisor, Keynote Speaker & Research Scholar. 38k+ LinkedIn Followers
    • Sheena Yap Chan: Wall Street Journal & Publishers Weekly Bestselling Author, Keynote Speaker, featured on FOX, NBC News, MindValley, Manila Times, delivered speeches for NASA, Live Nation, UKG. 31k+ LinkedIn Followers
    • Brenton House: 519k+ Youtube Subscribers, Principal Cybersecurity & AI Advisor, IBM WebMethods, Keynote Speaker, LinkedIn TopVoice, 22k+ LinkedIn Followers
    • Shikhar Kwatra: Youngest Indian Master Inventor, Partner Solutions Architect at OpenAI, 500+ Patents. Former Senior AI/ML Partner Solutions Architect AWS, Former Data & AI Architect IBM, Author, Einstein Visa Green Card Recipient, 27k+ LinkedIn Followers
    • Chris McGraw: National Director for Permanent Placement Practice, Lorien, Cybersecurity & Cloud Infrastructure Expert, Speaker.
    • Pamela Paterson: Two Times International Best-Selling Author, Keynote Speaker, Business Systems Analyst, Project Manager. Pamela has worked with over 100 organizations globally and authored 10 books
    • Erich Archer: Emmy-Award Winning Producer, Founder, CGA Creative, AI Media Strategist & Storytelling Consultant. 15k+ LinkedIn Followers.
    • Khuyen Tran: Founder of CodeCut, Senior Developer Advocate at Nixtla, Ex-Senior Data Engineer at Accenture, Ex Technical Writer at NVIDIA. 109K+ LinkedIn Followers
    • Joe Perez: Amazon Best-Selling Author, Keynote Speaker, Executive Board Member, Digital Directors Network. 19K+ LinkedIn Followers
    • Queen Smith: Vice President & Enterprise Coach, Citibank, Founder & CEO AgileCentric, Former Senior Consultant, Deloitte
    • Jarrett Albritton: VP of Strategy at WriteSea, Ex Senior Enterprise Account Executive at IBM, Featured on Nasdaq, Conference Speaker, Soken at DIVERSITECH, AfroTech. 16K+ LinkedIn Followers
    • Sneha Singla: Director of Software Engineering at Salesforce. 4K+ LinkedIn Followers
    • Vishal Ganagarapu: Executive Director, Finance Data & Analytics at Mizhuo Financial Group, Fmr VP, Finance Data Architecture & Transformation at Goldman Sachs, Fmr Pricing Transformation Consultant at Dell Technologies
    • Mary Grygleski: Director of Emerging Technologies at Callibrity, TEDx Speaker, President of Chicago Java Users Group, Chicago Chapter Organizer- Gen AI Collective, Chicago Chapter Co-Lead-AICamp, Fmr Senior Developer Advocate at DataStax
    • Einat Orr: CEO & Co-Founder of LakeFS, Forbes Business Council Member. 19K+ LinkedIn Followers
    • Ritesh Modi: Principal AI Engineer at Microsoft, Best-Selling Author of 10 books, Public Speaker. 12K+ LinkedIn Followers
    • Arthur Kaza: Head of Tech Academy & Data Science at AKIENI, Google Developer Expert-AI, AI Research Scientist at Woxsen University 21K+ LinkedIn Followers
    • Isaac Agya Koomson: Founder & CEO of KIA-START UP CONSULT
    • Shankar Narayanan SGS: Principal Architect at Microsoft, Author, Top 10% of programmers on HackerEarth, ONCON ICON TOP 10 DATA & ANALYTICS PROFESSIONAL 2024, Snowflake Data Superhero, 8K+ LinkedIn Followers
    • Kamal Gupta: CNN’s Ex-Senior Staff Software Engineer, Software Development Engineer at Amazon.
    • Jayita Bhattacharyya: Data Scientist at Deloitte, Ex-Application Developer at IBM, Software Engineer, Hackathon Wizard, Spoken at NVIDIA AI Inference Day by Collabnix, Codebasics AI & Data Fest 2025, FOSS United Hyderabad 2025, GDG Durgapur Developer Summit 2024. 13K+ LinikedIn Followers
    • Siddharth Parakh: Director of Engineering at Medable, Ex-Software Development Manager III at Amazon, IEEE Sr Member and member of IEEE Computer Society, Author of 5+ books on Technology by Manning Publication, Judged Multiple Awards such as Globee, Business Intelligence etc…
    • Enudeme Jonathan: CEO & Founder of Zummit Africa, Co-Founder of Data Rango, Board Member International Law Association of Nigeria (ILA)- Committee on AI and Technology Law. Featured on Business Insider, Yahoo Finance and Arise News.
    • Vivekanandan Srinivasan: Senior Manager-GenAI Enablement at Verizon, Ex-BI Solutions Architect at Lumel, Top 1 percentile globally in Kaggle Kernels.
    • Ayoade Adegbite; Specialized Data Analytics Mentor at CareerFouny, Analytics Engineer, Ex-Data Analyst Engineer at WirePick.
    • Felipe Cabrini: Senior Software Architect & Specialist, Cloud Architect at Pagseguro Pagbank, JAVA Instructor at FIAP, Sao Paulo
    • Roisin Benett: Chief AI Officer, Founder & CEO MarketingMentors, Perplexity AI Business Fellow. Empowering Small Businesses to Grow Smarter with AI. 11K+ LinkedIn Followers
    • Etibar Aliyev: Team Lead – AI at Google, AI Expert & Leader Advisor at Packt, Member of Leaders Excellence at Harvard Square, AI Frontier Network, International Association of Algorithmic Auditors (IAAA), AI Consultant at AI IXX, AI Advisor at AlphaSense. 12K+ LinkedIn Followers.
    • Fatima-Bint Ibrahim: Bayobab Core Network Engineer, Organizer of Ghana Data Science Summit(IndabaX Ghana), Ex-Huawei Associate Core Network Engineer, Python Ghana Co-Lead User Groups, AI & ML Researcher.
    • Partha Pritam Deka: Senior Staff Engineer & Data Science Leader at Intel, Fmr Staff Data Scientist at General Electrics, Ex-Data Engineer at Cisco, Best-Selling Machine Learning Book Author, NeurIPS/ICML Reviewer, Keynote Speaker, CSCMP Innovation Award – AI Solution.
    • Mikhail Lvovskii: Founder & Principal Consultant at BonaMente, Chief Transformational Officer at Guidi Consulting, 12K+ LinkedIn Followers
    • Rahul PrasadFounder of RSTech Softwares, Public Speaker, Strategist.
    • Ferry Haris: CEO of FEHA & CyberSecurity Advocate.
    • Pooja RayChaudhuri: Software Engineer at C3 AI, Ex-Software Engineer at TikTok.
    • Samantha St-Louis(Allegrini): CEO & Technical Trainer at CloudFirst AI, CEO & Founder, AI Strategist at BeBaby, AI Engineer & Cloud Solutions Architect at Smarter Consulting, Public Speaker & Technical Writer
    • Knut Relbe-Moe: Chief Technology Officer at Dapt AS, Product Manager & Founder of DocsNode, Partner Relationship Manager at Lightning Tools, Microsoft MVP, Public Speaker.
    • Edward Morgan: “Founder & CTO at Gordian Knot, Ex-Associate Director of Engineering at Chewy, C100 Award Recipient, Recognized by the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.”
    • “Madhuri Koripalli: Software Engineer II at Microsoft, Ex-Senior Software Engineer Specialist at DELL EMC, Ex-Software Engineer at Verizon, Ex-Web Application Developer at TESLA
    • Alison Cossette: Data Science Strategist, Founder of Partrun Inc, Developer Advocate at Neo4j specializing in Graph Data Science. 6K+ LinkedIn Followers
    • Aquayemi-Claude Akinsanya: CEO & Founder of Garnetts Clothing Brand & Range, Public Relations Volunteer at United Nations, Inclusion Thematic Lead at The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, Regional & Country Representative of Global Network of Persons with Disabilities, Author, Environment Advocate, Ex-Jury Judge Panel Member of the Telly Awards. 5K+ LinkedIn Followers
    • Chinazor Vivian Kalu: UK Black Tech Resident Technologist, Senior Programme Manager at Niyo Group, Nominee 2023 50 Most Influential Women in UK Tech Award, Women in Data Science Ambassador at Stanford UniversityWorld’s Top 100 Chief Data Officers (2023, 2024), Top 100 Data Influencers (2024), and Top 40 Chief AI/Analytics Officers, Chief Hat at Data Hat AI, Ex-Chief Data Officer at OneFootball. 9K+ LinkedIn Followers
    • Rishi Nareshbhai Lad:
    • Kshitij Kumar: Principal Integration Engineer at ModernaTx, Inc, Recipient of Titan Business Technology Award for excellence in integration engineering, and the Globee Award for technological innovation in healthcare,
    • Barkha Herman: Founder of WiTVoices, South Florida Women in Technology, Ex-Developer Advocate at StarTree, Speaker, Technologist, Podcaster
    • Bhaskar Goyal: Software Engineer III at Google, Ex-Software Engineer II at Goldman Sachs, Expedia Group, AI & ML Specialist. Recipient of the IEEE Richard E. Merwin Award
    • Alfred Ojukwu: Senior Virtualization Specialist at Microsoft, Ex-chair of Blacks at Microsoft(BAM) worldwide 9K+ Followers on LinkedIn
    • Olubayo Adekanmbi: Founder & CEO Data Science Nigeria, CEO & CO-Founder EqualyzAI
    • Paula García Esteban: Top Voice LinkedIn Data Visualization, Data Visualization & AI Specialist, ML Instructor at LinkedIn Learning, 14K+ LinkedIn Followers
    • Lianne Potter: Award-Winning Digital and Cyber Anthropologist, Cybersecurity Operations and Technology Leader, Podcast Host, Author, Keynote Speaker. 15K+ LinkedIn Followers
    • Sharanya Vasudev Prasad: Cybersecurity, Networking and AI Product Manager at Cisco
    • Tarun Parmar: Principal Software Engineer at Skyworks Solutions, Ex-Senior Data Engineer at Tesla, Ex-Senior Engineer- Data Scientist at Samsung
    • Matthew Livesey: Principal, Lead Engineering & Analytics DK at ADC Consulting, Ex-Data Solutions Cloud Lead at Danske Bank
    • Aldan Creo: Technology Research Specialist at Accenture Lab, Grand Prize Winner, HackUPC(Biggest Hackathon in Europe) May 2024, Recipient of the Fulbright Foreign Student Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Institute of International Education- July 2024.
    • Angus Allan: “Senior Product Leader at CreateFuture, Governance Group Member of the Scottish AI Alliance, Keynote Speaker Featured on Forbes, WIRED, ITPro, LeadDev, Digital Leaders’ 2024 “”AI Experts of the Year”
    • Andrew Park: Founder of Edensoft Labs, VP- Software Engineering at G3 Technologies Inc
    • David Melamed: CTO & Co-Founder of Jit, Ex-Snr Tech Lead, CloudSecurity CTO Office at Cisco
    • Naveen Reddy Dendi: META’s Software Engineering Manager, Ex-Netflix Engineering Leader, Ex-Coinbase Engineering Manager, Ex-Facebook Software Engineer, Ex-Amazon Software Engineer.
    • Victor Agboli: PhD Researcher at the University of Florida, Public Health Data Scientist, Ex-Research Analyst at Bamboo. 5K+ LinkedIn Followers.
    • Vaishnavi Gudur: Senior Software Engineer at Microsoft, Ambassador of AI Frontier, Peer Reviewer.
    • Samuel Iheagwam: Senior Data Developer & DataBase Administrator at Qore Technologies
    • Er. Ms. Kritika: Gold & Silver Medallist, International Olympiad of Mathematics, Young Engineer Award 2024, Best researcher Award (2024) and the Young Researcher Award 2023, Cybersecurity Researcher, Author
    • Hridesh Sharma: Software Engineer at Brudite Private Limited, Principal Solution Architect, AWS & Python Specialist
    • Emmanuel Boniface: Machine Learning Mentor at Aifinite Learning, Machine Learning Researcher at University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Founder & President of Algorithmic Explorers
    • Simon Müller: Managing Director & CTO at watxx, Co-Founder of triebwerk, Lecturer at IU University of Applied Sciences
    • Mary Njoki Waweru; AI Trainer, Specialist & Strategist
    • Taeyang Kim: Machine Learning Engineer, Pattern Inc
    • Savi Grover: NBC’s Software Quality Assurance Engineer, Ex-Ford Senior Software Quality Engineer.
    • Shari Oswald: Microsoft 365 Solutions Architect & Consultant, LinkedIn Author & Instructor
    • Kayode Makinde: AI Researcher, Data Scientist
    • Shahzeb Akhtar: Director of IP Strategy & Technology at UnitedLex

    Be Part of the Future; Join the Movement

    GDAI 2025 invites organizations, researchers, students, AI practitioners, and data enthusiasts to contribute to this global dialogue by registering for the conference.

    Scholarship Award

    Jori Glover is one of our outstanding scholarship recipients, she’s the nation’s top-ranked track and field hurdler and a D1. Jori is also a celebrated Hackathon champion, blending athletic excellence with emerging tech leadership. She was awarded our prestigious tech scholarships at the University of Southern California (USC), where she plans to pursue a major in Robotics and Gaming starting in 2026 as part of the Class of 2030.

    About DataGlobal Hub

    DataGlobal Hub is a global media organization dedicated to advancing data literacy and AI awareness through compelling content, thought leadership, and world-class events. Our mission is to empower individuals and organizations to thrive in an AI-driven world by connecting them with the right tools, stories, and communities.

    Call to Action

    We invite speakers, organizations, students, enthusiasts, and professionals to be part of this global conversation.

    • Want to partner with us? Apply here: https://dataglobalhub.org/events/gdai/partnership
    • Registration: Secure your spot now: https://dataglobalhub.org/events/gdai/register

    Learn More About DataGlobal Hub:

    Website: https://dataglobalhub.org

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dataglobalhub?igsh=YzljYTk1ODg3Zg==

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dataglobal-hub/

    X (Twitter) : https://x.com/DataGlobalHub

    Media Contact

    Company Name: DataGlobal Hub

    Website: https://www.dataglobalhub.org/

    Contact Person: Mojeed Abisiga, CEO

    Email: abisigadamilola@gmail.com

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5e28b935-621c-4851-ab49-5e358cd6edca

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cf8c05a0-628c-4563-8296-8874c14a1ea6

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese vice premier calls for championing humanity’s common values, promoting multipolar world

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

    Chinese vice premier calls for championing humanity’s common values, promoting multipolar world

    ST. PETERSBURG, June 20 — Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang on Friday called for championing humanity’s common values, and promoting an equal and orderly multipolar world as well as universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

    Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks when delivering a speech titled “Championing Humanity’s Common Values and Promoting a Multipolar World” at the plenary session of the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

    Ding said that a decade ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping noted in his speech at the General Debate of the 70th Session of the UN General Assembly that peace, development, equity, justice, democracy and freedom are the common values of all mankind and the lofty goals of the United Nations.

    The important proposition transcends differences among different countries, ethnic groups, social systems and ideologies, drawing a value-based concentric circle for building a community with a shared future for mankind, and has received extensive support and positive responses from the international community, he added.

    At present, global changes unseen in a century are accelerating, multiple risks are intertwined, and humanity is confronted with many common challenges, said Ding, calling for reviewing President Xi’s important speech to steer the world toward a bright future of peace, security, prosperity and progress.

    The Chinese vice premier put forward a four-point proposal.

    First, uphold the concept of global governance featuring extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. Promote equal rights, opportunities, and rules for all nations, and safeguard UN authority and international fairness.

    Second, jointly build an open and pluralistic world economy. Take concrete steps to safeguard the multilateral trading system and international economic order, expand and fairly share the “pie” of economic globalization, and create more opportunities for Global South countries.

    Third, advocate exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. Respect the diversity of human civilizations, support all nations in exploring their own paths to realizing values, and oppose any “new Cold War” or ideological confrontation.

    Fourth, safeguard global peace and development by building trust, settling conflicts, and enhancing security through dialogue, passing the torch of peace to future generations for lasting stability and common prosperity.

    Ding stated that China and Russia are true friends who share weal and woe, and good partners for mutual success. Last month, President Xi paid a state visit to Russia and attended the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War, he said, adding that the two heads of state agreed to further consolidate political mutual trust, strengthen strategic coordination, and jointly deliver a resounding stance for upholding the outcomes of World War II and international fairness and justice.

    China is willing to work with Russia to elevate the China-Russia relationship to greater heights, broaden its dimensions, and strengthen its resilience, expand high-quality mutually beneficial cooperation, so as to better benefit the two peoples, said Ding, urging the two countries to strengthen coordination and collaboration on multilateral platforms such as the United Nations, and make greater contributions to building a more just, equitable, and prosperous multipolar world.

    Ding said that despite the increasing impact of external shocks, China’s economy has continued to show a positive trend, demonstrating robust vitality and resilience to the world.

    China will expeditiously implement more proactive and effective macro policies, focus on stabilizing employment, enterprises, markets and expectations, and use the certainty of high-quality development to counter the uncertainties of the rapidly changing external environment, he said.

    No matter how the external environment changes, China’s door to opening up will only swing wider open, said Ding, adding that enterprises from all countries are sincerely welcome to invest and start businesses in China, actively participate in the process of Chinese modernization, and share China’s development opportunities.

    In the interactive session after the address, Ding responded to questions from the plenary session moderator on major-country relations and China-Russia cooperation in education and technology.

    On the sidelines of the forum, Ding met respectively with Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, Russian oil company Rosneft’s chief executive Igor Sechin, and Gazprom CEO Alexey Miller.

    The two sides agreed to fully leverage the roles of the China-Russia Investment Cooperation Committee, the China-Russia Energy Cooperation Committee and the China-Russia Energy Business Forum, promote the high-quality development of investment and energy cooperation, and provide more impetus for the development of bilateral relations.

    Ding also had brief and friendly conversations respectively with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, National Security Advisor of Bahrain Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile.

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier holds talks with New Zealand’s PM

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

    Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    BEIJING, June 20 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in Beijing on Friday.

    Li emphasized that strengthening strategic communication and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between China and New Zealand are of great significance in light of all the changes and turbulence in today’s world.

    President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister Luxon this morning, pointing out the direction for the development of bilateral relations in the next stage, Li said, noting that China is willing to work with New Zealand to carry forward traditional friendship, consolidate political mutual trust, and expand practical cooperation, to promote common development and deliver greater benefits to both peoples.

    Highlighting high complementarity between the two economies, the premier proposed aligning development strategies to explore more converging interests, upgrading cooperation quality in all fields for higher-level win-win outcomes.

    He called on the two sides to further expand the scale of trade, continuously promote the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment, expand cooperation in emerging fields and better promote regional economic integration.

    China stands ready to import more quality agricultural and food products from New Zealand, and will continue to encourage capable Chinese enterprises to invest in New Zealand, and hopes that New Zealand will provide a fair and open business environment for Chinese enterprises operating in the country, Li said.

    China welcomes New Zealand as the guest country of honor at the China Annual Conference & Expo for International Education 2025 and is willing to deepen exchanges with New Zealand in education, tourism, think tanks, and subnational cooperation, to enhance mutual understanding and amity between the two peoples.

    At present, the global economic and trade landscape is undergoing profound transformation and adjustment, Li said, adding that China is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation with New Zealand within frameworks such as the United Nations, World Trade Organization, and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, safeguard the rules-based multilateral trading system, create an open, inclusive and non-discriminatory international economic cooperation environment, and inject more stability and certainty into the turbulent world.

    Luxon reaffirmed New Zealand’s adherence to the one-China policy, expressing willingness to maintain high-level exchanges with China, strengthen mutual understanding and trust, and deepen exchange and cooperation in the fields of trade, agriculture, tourism, and education.

    New Zealand is also willing to enhance communication and coordination with China in such areas as response to climate change and green development, jointly committing to upholding the international order and promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, Luxon said.

    After the talks, Li and Luxon jointly witnessed the signing of multiple cooperation documents covering customs, food safety, organic product certification, climate change, and cultural heritage.

    Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who is on an official visit to China, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 20, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI: XY Miners: Real-time Bitcoin (BTC) Dogecoin (DOGE) mining, no hardware required

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, June 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

    In 2025, the cryptocurrency market continues to heat up, and “Bitcoin mining” has once again become a hot keyword for investors and blockchain enthusiasts. Bitcoin (BTC) is not only the most influential digital asset, but also a “digital gold” that can bring passive income. With the development of technology and the rise of cloud mining platforms, ordinary users can now easily participate in Bitcoin mining and obtain considerable daily income without investing in high equipment costs. Taking advantage of this advantage, you can easily earn side income.

    XY Miners makes Bitcoin mining easier?

    Cryptocurrency mining used to require expensive equipment, expertise, and a lot of electricity. XY Miners saves all this trouble, and users don’t have to buy, install, or maintain mining machines by themselves. Just rent computing power or mining machines on the platform, and the platform will mine at a remote mine and distribute the cryptocurrency revenue generated every day to users.

    How to join XY Miners?

    1. Sign up in less than a minute( $15 Signup Bonus, Earn $0.5 Daily

    2. Choose from a variety of mining plans based on different budgets and profit goals.

    • Antminer L7 Investment: $100 Total Return: $106 (including $6 profit)
    • Antminer L9 Investment: $500 Total Return: $537.50 (including $37.5 profit)
    • Antminer S21+ Investment: $1,000 Total Return: $1,146.30 (including $146.3 profit)
    • Antminer S19e XP Hyd Investment: $5,000 Total Return: $7,355 (including $2355 profit)
    • Antminer S21+ Hyd Investment: $10,000 Total Return: $16,048 (including $6048 profit)
    • On-rack Filecoin Miner Investment: $50,000 Total Return: $89,990 (including $3,9990 profit)

    (The platform has launched a variety of stable income contracts, which can be viewed on the XY Miners official website.)

    3.Once your contract is active, the system begins mining for you instantly. Daily income is calculated every 24 hours, and you can withdraw or reinvest at any time.

    XY Miners’ core advantages include

    • Renewable energy drive:The mines are located in Northern Europe, Canada, Asia and North America, regions with abundant green energy resources. All operations rely on solar, hydroelectric and wind power.
    • Users do not need to purchase expensive mining equipment, maintain it, or sign contracts.
    • Provide deposits and withdrawals of multiple cryptocurrencies: DOGE, BTC, ETH, SOL, XRP, USDC, LTC, USDT-TRC20, USDT-ERC20 and other cryptocurrencies.
    • Intuitive interface designed for beginners and experienced miners.
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    summary:

     If you are looking for ways to increase your passive income, XY Miners is a great choice. XY Miners can help you grow your cryptocurrency wealth in “autopilot” mode with minimal time investment. Passive income is the goal of every investor and trader, and XY Miners can help you maximize your passive income potential easier than ever before.

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    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wicker Announces over $21 Million in Airports Grants

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Mississippi Roger Wicker

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., released the following statement after the Federal Aviation Administration awarded Mississippi with a total of $21.48 million in 52 grants. These funds will support critical improvements such as runway construction, lighting, signage, and terminal improvements to ensure the continued efficiency and safety of the national airspace system.

    “Upgrading local air travel is an investment in the future of Mississippi. This funding will bring necessary advancements to our airport systems and provide more business opportunities for Mississippians. I look forward to these improvements being made to spur economic development in our great state,” said Senator Wicker.

    List of FY25 Airport Improvement Program Funding totaling to $11,582,235:

    1. City of Hattiesburg – $233,510
    2. City of Columbus – $150,000
    3. City of Carthage and County of Leake – $404,519
    4. Cities of Drew & Ruleville & Sunflower County – $506,988
    5. City of Grenada – $595,646
    6. City of Madison – $185,725
    7. Clarksdale-Coahoma County Airport Board – $150,000
    8. City of Prentiss – $600,000
    9. City of Houston – $300,000
    10. County of Calhoun – $412,290
    11. City of Lexington – $106,099
    12. City of Indianola – $97,800
    13. County of Columbia & Marion – $809,984
    14. City of Magee – $544,091
    15. City of Greenville – $186,000
    16. University of Mississippi – $150,000
    17. Jackson Municipal Airport Authority and City of Jackson – $3,208,417
    18. Jackson Municipal Airport Authority and City of Jackson – $122,400
    19. County of Prentiss – $250,000
    20. County of Pontotoc – $583,469
    21. Holly Springs-Marshall County Airport Board – $419,577
    22. County of Tishomingo – $53,675
    23. Gulfport Biloxi Regional Airport Authority – $89,775
    24. Jackson Municipal Airport Authority and City of Jackson – $158,334
    25. County of Jackson – $330,653
    26. Hinds Community College – $450,000
    27. Gulfport Biloxi Regional Airport Authority – $142,253
    28. Tishomingo Districts 1, 2, 3 – $159,000

    List of FY25 Airport Infrastructure Grant Funding totaling to $9,895,282:

    1. County of Calhoun – $215,000
    2. Jackson Municipal Airport Authority and City of Jackson – $749,000
    3. Hattiesburg-Laurel Regional Airport Authority – $941,918
    4. City of Kosciusko – $247,928
    5. City of Carthage and County of Leake – $536,000
    6. County of Prentiss – $333,788
    7. County of Walthall – $100,000
    8. Clarke County Board of Supervisors – $260,263
    9. Clarksdale-Coahoma County Airport Board – $95,000
    10. City of Grenada – $300,000
    11. City of Houston – $228,939
    12. City of New Albany and County of Union – $99,370
    13. City of Magee – $380,550
    14. Holly Springs-Marshall County Airport Board – $110,000
    15. University of Mississippi – $182,500
    16. City of Corinth / County of Alcorn – $313,263
    17. County of Pontotoc – $204,369
    18. City of Prentiss – $110,000
    19. City of Winona and County of Montgomery – $281,000
    20. City of Olive Branch – $546,374
    21. Tupelo Airport Authority – $977,770
    22. County of Tunica & Tunica County Airport Commission – $475,603
    23. County of Tishomingo – $120,936
    24. Cities of Drew & Ruleville & Sunflower County – $444,000

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI USA: AG Brown sues Toppenish grower for discriminating against Washington farmworkers and women

    Source: Washington State News

    SEATTLE – Attorney General Nick Brown today filed a civil rights lawsuit against Toppenish-based Cornerstone Ranches and its affiliates, alleging the hops and apple grower discriminated against local and female farmworkers by unlawfully terminating them and replacing them with foreign H-2A agricultural workers.

    Cornerstone fired local workers after holding them to unfair productivity standards and other requirements not applied to H-2A workers, laid off local workers while H-2A employees continued to work, and regularly reduced local workers’ hours and schedules.

    During the fall harvest season of 2021, local workers performed about 91% of farm labor hours at Cornerstone Ranches. By the same period two years later, their share of the work had shrunk to 59% of farm labor hours. Cornerstone more than doubled the number of H-2A workers that it hired from 2021 to 2023, all the while telling local workers that no work was available.

    These actions dramatically reduced Cornerstone’s female workforce in violation of the Washington Law Against Discrimination. The average weekly hours worked by females in Cornerstone’s farm labor workforce dropped by 39%, when comparing June 2022 to April 2023 with the same period a year later. All of the H-2A agricultural workers that replaced them were male.

    Additionally, the lawsuit says Cornerstone violated the Consumer Protection Act by, among other things, misleading local job seekers by telling them there was no work available and by failing to disclose the pay rate and hours of H-2A contract jobs to local workers, as required by law.

    “The H-2A program was never intended to be a back-door source of labor when there are qualified workers here in Washington eager to take on the jobs, but that’s exactly how Cornerstone has used it,” Brown said. “The Attorney General’s Office is committed to fighting for the rights of local farmworkers and ensuring that employers follow the law.”

    The federal H-2A program is meant to address temporary labor shortages by allowing employers to hire seasonal agricultural workers from other countries. To be eligible for the H-2A program, employers must certify that there is a shortage of U.S.-based workers who are willing, qualified, and able to work.

    As part of the program, employers must offer local workers the same benefits, wages, guarantee of hours, and working conditions offered to foreign H-2A workers, which Cornerstone failed to do.

    Cornerstone Ranches, Cornerstone Orchards, and Cornerstone Farm Management, collectively referred to as Cornerstone, produce more than 1 million pounds of hops and 30 million pounds of apples every year. Despite displacing the local workforce, the grower presents itself on its website and on social media as an independent farm that cares deeply about the Yakima Valley community and local workers, describing its employees as “family” and praising its “amazing team.” And after Cornerstone praised a specific local worker on its public Facebook account, it later fired that person while continuing to employ H-2A workers.

    The Attorney General’s Office wants to hear from people who worked at Cornerstone since 2020. Contact the Civil Rights Division by emailing cornerstone@atg.wa.gov or by calling 1-833-660-4877 and selecting Option 6.

    In the lawsuit, filed in Yakima County Superior Court, the state asks the court to declare that Cornerstone violated the Washington Law Against Discrimination and the Consumer Protection Act, permanently block the employer from continuing its unlawful practices, and provide relief for Washingtonians who were harmed.

    Assistant Attorneys General Alyson Dimmitt Gnam and Alexia Diorio, Investigator Jennifer Sievert, and Paralegal Anna Alfonso are handling the case for Washington state.

    -30-

    The Wing Luke Civil Rights Division works to protect the rights of all Washington residents by enforcing state and federal anti-discrimination laws. It is named for Wing Luke, who served as an Assistant Attorney General for the state of Washington in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He went on to become the first person of color elected to the Seattle City Council and the first Asian American elected to public office in the Pacific Northwest.

    Media Contact:

    Email: press@atg.wa.gov

    Phone: (360) 753-2727

    General contacts: Click here

    Media Resource Guide & Attorney General’s Office FAQ

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI: Wintrust Financial Corporation Announces Second Quarter and Year-to-Date 2025 Earnings Release Schedule

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ROSEMONT, Ill., June 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Wintrust Financial Corporation (“Wintrust”) (Nasdaq: WTFC) today announced it will release second quarter and year-to-date 2025 earnings results after the market closes on Monday, July 21, 2025 and host a conference call on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. (CDT).

    For individuals wanting to listen to a simultaneous audio-only web cast, this may be accessed at Webcast Link.

    Individuals interested in participating in the call by addressing questions to management should register for the call at Conference Call Link   to receive a dial-in number and unique PIN to access the call seamlessly. It is recommended that you join 10 minutes prior to the event start (although you may register and dial in at any time during the call).

    An accompanying slide presentation will be available on the Company’s web site at http://www.wintrust.com, Investor Relations link.

    A replay of the audio-only webcast and an accompanying slide presentation will subsequently be available at http://www.wintrust.com, Investor Relations, Investor News and Events, Presentations & Conference Calls link.   The text of the second quarter and year-to-date 2025 earnings release will be available at http://www.wintrust.com, Investor Relations, Investor News and Events, Press Releases link.

    About Wintrust

    Wintrust is a financial holding company with approximately $66 billion in assets whose common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Guided by its “Different Approach, Better Results” philosophy, Wintrust offers the sophisticated resources of a large bank while providing a community banking experience to each customer. Wintrust operates more than 200 retail banking locations through 16 community bank subsidiaries in the greater Chicago, southern Wisconsin, west Michigan, northwest Indiana, and southwest Florida market areas. In addition, Wintrust operates various non-bank business units, providing residential mortgage origination, wealth management, commercial and life insurance premium financing, short-term accounts receivable financing/outsourced administrative services to the temporary staffing services industry, and qualified intermediary services for tax-deferred exchanges. For more information, please visit www.wintrust.com.

    Forward-Looking Information

    This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Investors are cautioned that such statements are predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. Wintrust’s expected financial results or other plans are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” and the forward-looking statement disclosure contained in Wintrust’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recently ended fiscal year and in Wintrust’s subsequent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and Wintrust undertakes no duty to update the information.

    FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
    Timothy S. Crane, President & Chief Executive Officer
    David A. Dykstra, Vice Chairman & Chief Operating Officer
    (847) 939-9000
    Website address: www.wintrust.com 

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Premier Holds Talks with New Zealand Prime Minister

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 20 (Xinhua) — Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Lacson in Beijing on Friday.

    Li Qiang said that in the current chaotic international environment, strengthening strategic communication and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation between China and New Zealand is of great significance to both sides.

    As the Premier of the State Council noted, this morning, Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Prime Minister K. Lacson, during which they outlined guidelines for the development of interstate relations at the next stage. The Chinese side is ready to jointly develop traditional friendship with the New Zealand side, strengthen political mutual trust, expand practical cooperation in order to more effectively promote the common development of the two countries and bring greater prosperity to their peoples, Li Qiang said.

    The head of the Chinese government noted that the economies of China and New Zealand have a high degree of complementarity. The Chinese side is ready to strengthen the alignment of development strategies with the New Zealand side, identify new points of convergence of interests, improve the quality and effectiveness of cooperation in all areas, achieving mutual benefit and common gain at a higher level, Li Qiang added.

    He called on the parties to further expand the scale of trade, continuously promote the liberalization and simplification of trade and investment procedures, expand cooperation in emerging areas, and more effectively promote regional economic integration.

    The Chinese side, Li Qiang noted, is willing to increase imports of high-quality agricultural and food products from New Zealand, will continue to encourage investment by Chinese companies with relevant capabilities in the New Zealand economy, and also expresses the hope that the New Zealand side will create a fair and open business environment for Chinese enterprises.

    China welcomes New Zealand’s selection as the guest of honor of the 2025 China International Education Annual Conference and Expo, and is willing to deepen exchanges with New Zealand in areas such as education, tourism, think tank exchanges and regional exchanges to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, the premier said.

    At present, Li Qiang continued, the global trade and economic architecture is undergoing profound transformations and adjustments. The Chinese side is willing to strengthen communication and interaction with the New Zealand side within the framework of the UN, the World Trade Organization, APEC and other multilateral platforms, jointly uphold the rules-based multilateral trading system, form an open, inclusive and non-discriminatory environment for international economic cooperation, thereby bringing more stability and certainty to the turbulent world, the head of the Chinese government added.

    K. Lacson, for his part, assured that the New Zealand side firmly adheres to the one-China policy, is ready to maintain high-level contacts with the Chinese side, deepen mutual understanding and mutual trust, develop exchanges and cooperation in such areas as trade and economy, agriculture, tourism and education, promoting common development.

    The New Zealand side is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with the Chinese side in areas such as climate change mitigation and green development, jointly contribute to safeguarding the international order, and promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, Lacson added.

    Following the talks, the heads of government of the two countries jointly witnessed the signing of a package of bilateral documents covering areas of cooperation such as customs, food safety, organic certification, climate change and cultural heritage. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: CPC Delegation Visits Japan

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    TOKYO, June 20 (Xinhua) — A delegation of the Communist Party of China led by CPC Central Committee member Qu Qingshan visited Japan from June 18 to 20.

    Qu Qingshan, who also heads the Institute of Party History and Documentation of the CPC Central Committee, attended the launch of the Japanese version of a collection of excerpts from Chinese President Xi Jinping’s discourses on Chinese-style modernization and a seminar on Chinese solutions to global development.

    During the visit, Qu Qingshan also met with Hiroshi Moriyama, Secretary-General of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, Tetsuo Saito, Chief Representative of the Komeito Party, and Makoto Nishida, Secretary-General of the Komeito Party, former Prime Minister of Japan Yukio Hatoyama, and Speaker of the Kyoto Prefectural Assembly Ryuzo Aramaki. The two sides held in-depth discussions on China-Japan relations and party-to-party exchanges between the two countries.

    The two sides assured that they would implement the important agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries, deepen exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and comprehensively advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit between China and Japan. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: Implementation of AI will give BRICS economies about 2-3 trillion dollars by 2030

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Chernyshenko held a plenary session entitled “AI Science: A New Path to Leadership.” Leading Russian and foreign scientists discussed how AI science and innovation are shaping Russia’s new technological path to global leadership.

    At the session, the Deputy Prime Minister emphasized that the expected effect of introducing AI into the economies of the BRICS countries by 2030 will be around 2–3 trillion dollars:

    “According to various estimates, the expected effect of using AI technologies in the BRICS countries is between 2 and 3 trillion dollars. There is something to fight for – the share of advanced generative AI systems in this market is currently about 20%. Those who are the first to see the “golden” directions in the development of AI will discover a new Klondike, and if we conduct exploratory research in all areas, we will increase our chances of getting there.”

    The Deputy Prime Minister recalled that in December 2024, at the AI Journey conference, President Vladimir Putin proposed holding an international foresight in Russia – a strategic session on the future of artificial intelligence – in order to determine the directions of technology development together with scientists from around the world.

    The foresight is being implemented by the International AI Alliance Network, an organization that unites industry associations from 14 countries. The Russian part of the foresight is supervised by the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia and the Strategic Agency for Support and Formation of AI Developments (SAPFIR), a project office created on the basis of the Skolkovo Foundation, on behalf of the President of Russia.

    “In Russia, the President has set a national goal – ‘Technological Leadership’. One of the tasks is to form a new AI market for Russia. We are building a complete system – a foundation for Russia’s long-term leadership in AI science. At the same time, we understand that scientific leadership in AI is impossible without international cooperation and coordination of efforts. The future of AI should be built in cooperation, taking into account various scientific schools, cultures and approaches. For this reason, the results of the foresight are published openly, and every scientist in the world can make a contribution. The alliance plans to present the results to the UN and to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the annual AI Journey conference before November this year. This is our manifesto of openness, accessibility and trust for every member of the global AI community,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

    Last year, Russian experts identified 10 key areas of fundamental scientific research in the field of AI. They formed the basis for discussion at this year’s international foresight. Several sessions of the scientific dialogue on the global prospects of AI have already been held in Morocco, the UAE, Serbia and China. One of the foresight iterations took place at the Sber tech hub in St. Petersburg.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko emphasized that the state’s task is to ensure the completeness of research and competencies in the field of AI. To this end, within the framework of the federal project “Artificial Intelligence”, the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia is holding a grant competition among research centers, according to the results of which 13 teams were selected.

    “Investments in research centers have already demonstrated their success and effectiveness: 13 centers provide half of Russia’s entire scientific reserve in AI,” the Deputy Prime Minister noted.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko noted that the issue of personnel with knowledge of AI is also being addressed systematically.

    “Studying the effects of AI on humans, including dependence on AI decisions, is a meaningful scientific task, where major research is ahead. We are faced with a challenge: to provide not just education, but to cultivate a new type of thinking. To this end, a strategy for the development of education is being developed in Russia, which provides for the creation of a digital environment, individual educational, upbringing, career trajectories and assistants,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

    An important topic of the session was international foresight – a joint initiative aimed at identifying priority areas of research and development of AI at the global level. Participants also discussed current issues of artificial intelligence development, consolidation of efforts at the international level, tools for accelerating scientific progress and new forms of financing.

    The discussion was attended by Professor Ajit Abraham from India, who created a unique network of machine intelligence laboratories, uniting more than 1,000 researchers from 100 countries.

    Another participant was the CEO of the AIRI Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Ivan Oseledets, one of the leading experts in the field of machine learning, the second most cited Russian mathematician, professor at the Russian Academy of Sciences, and laureate of the Russian Presidential Prize.

    The speakers also included First Deputy Chairman of the Board of Sberbank PJSC Alexander Vedyakhin, Vice-Rector for Research at Serbia’s Singidunum University Nebojsa Bakanin, Professor at China’s Anhui University Ye Tian, Rector of Innopolis University Alexander Gasnikov, and Skoltech Professor Anhui Fan from Vietnam.

    Speakers focused on the role of fundamental science and support for research initiatives, including issues of task-oriented machine learning algorithms (narrow AI), as well as computation and data for AI, fundamental and generative models, human-machine interactions, optimization and mathematics.

    The results of the discussions at the session will form the basis of a foresight study to identify fundamental scientific problems in the field of AI.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: Russian science is not faceless – it has faces.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko greeted those gathered at the opening of the exhibition of portraits of leading Russian scientists “Science in Faces” as part of the XXVIII St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2025).

    The event was also attended by the Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov, the head of the Talent and Success Foundation Elena Shmeleva, and the Chairman of the Board and General Director of Sibur LLC Mikhail Karisalov.

    The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the exhibition traditionally starts on the sidelines of the SPIEF, takes place in the regions of Russia and ends at the Congress of Young Scientists.

    “Russian science is not faceless – it is in faces. It is extremely important that such projects popularize our science through remarkable people – physicists, biologists, geneticists, mathematicians, who through their discoveries contribute to achieving technological leadership. This is a national goal set by President Vladimir Putin. We have excellent positions in the world, we see them,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    The head of state instructed that Russia be among the top ten countries in terms of volume of scientific research, the Deputy Prime Minister added. Another task set by the President is to increase investments in science to 2% of GDP. The role of technology customers and enterprises is significant in this.

    In the fourth season of the exhibition “Science in Faces” the exposition included 23 portraits of laureates of key scientific awards. The heroes of the project represent 14 regions of the country: Moscow and the Moscow region, St. Petersburg, Belgorod, Voronezh, Murmansk, Nizhny Novgorod, Sverdlovsk, Tomsk, Tyumen regions, the Republic of Dagestan, the Republic of Tatarstan, Krasnodar Krai, the federal territory “Sirius”. The exhibition “Science in Faces” is held with the grant support of the Ministry of Education and Science as part of the Decade of Science and Technology announced by President Vladimir Putin, and is part of the “Science Nearby” initiative.

    “Behind every scientific victory there is a specific person who is in love with a particular discipline, a scientific field. It is important to have an idea of what attracted him to this work, to get acquainted with his biography. It is also important to talk about our contemporaries who are currently engaged in an amazing type of human activity – research and development,” said the head of the Ministry of Education and Science Valery Falkov.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko also assessed the stands of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Sports, the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, St. Petersburg and the regions of the Volga Federal District.

    The Ministry of Education and Science’s stand demonstrates the ministry’s priority areas of activity. Interactive panels provide details about the national project “Youth and Children”, the Decade of Science and Technology, the development of human resources, and much more. Three agreements on cooperation in science and higher education were signed in the presence of Dmitry Chernyshenko. On the sidelines of the SPIEF, the head of the Ministry of Education and Science, Valery Falkov, concluded strategic partnerships with businesses and the government of the Altai Republic.

    The Ministry of Sports stand features the GTO and Sports Museum zones, a 3D avatar of the famous hockey player Alexander Ovechkin. The exhibits include awards, cups and sports uniforms. At the stand, Dmitry Chernyshenko, Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev and President of the Russian National Badminton Federation Andrey Antropov discussed cooperation in the field of sports with the Chairman of the Indonesian Badminton Association Mohammad Fadil Imran. As a reminder, on the eve, June 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with the President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto.

    In addition, Dmitry Chernyshenko, together with the head of Rosmolodezh Grigory Gurov, assessed the stand “Rosmolodezh. Entrepreneurship”. The space is divided into three thematic zones: “Past” (clothing and accessories with historical motifs), “Present” (products reflecting modern trends) and “Future” (developments in the field of robotics and medical technologies). The stand presents products of more than 45 participants of the “Youth Market” project from 18 regions of the country. One of the brands of the “Youth Market” was the Center for Prosthetics and Rehabilitation “Dinamika”, it specializes in the creation of modern prostheses of hands and feet.

    Deputy Prime Minister and Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of Russia in the Volga Federal District (VFD) Igor Komarov inspected the stands of five regions of the VFD: Bashkortostan, Tatarstan, Kirov, Penza and Samara regions.

    At the St. Petersburg stand, Dmitry Chernyshenko was presented with information about the products of the company “Bionika 2.0” and the tourist cluster “Gorskaya”.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Wrecking the future: The Trump war on the ocean, climate, and communities

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    During his first 100 days President Trump has been actively working to dismantle and weaken environmental protections and attack those who fight to protect nature and our shared climate, putting the corporate profits of his billionaire friends ahead of people and the planet. © Saf Suleyman / Greenpeace

    President Trump’s second term

    The first months of any administration are often dedicated to setting the tone of what constituents can expect for the next four years. For Trump’s second term, that message is clear: let it all burn

    Drastic agency cuts, reckless executive orders, and blatant industry giveaways promise devastating immediate and long-term consequences for our oceans, our climate, and our communities. 

    Dismantling climate defense 

    NOAA, the nation’s premier science agency for understanding, monitoring, and protecting our oceans, atmosphere, and climate, plays an essential role in safeguarding ecosystems and communities. Its data, forecasts, scientific expertise, and stewardship also support major sectors like tourism, transportation, food, and retail that rely on NOAA’s services to operate safely, efficiently, and sustainably.

    Yet the Trump Administration has moved aggressively to gut NOAA’s capacity–firing scientists, defunding critical research, and shutting down its extreme weather database, a vital tool that has tracked the financial toll of climate disasters since the 1980s. These cuts come as extreme weather events are becoming more intense and frequent. In 2024 alone, Americans faced at least $182.7 billion in damages from 27 weather and climate disasters. Undermining NOAA’s ability to forecast threats, inform the American and global public, and support disaster response endangers lives while ensuring greater loss and damage, higher costs, and deep suffering as the climate crisis accelerates.  

    Among NOAA Fisheries’ vital programs is the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP), the nation’s primary line of defense against seafood linked to fraud, forced labor, and environmental harm. With more than 80% of the seafood consumed in the U.S. imported and the global seafood supply chain riddled with these problems, SIMP plays a crucial role in ensuring the integrity of what ends up on American plates. Cuts to NOAA directly harm domestic fisheries as well, which rely on the agency to provide weather and pollution alerts

    These efforts have been further supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB), whose programs help combat child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking around the world. 

    So while Americans have made it clear that they want to know where their food comes from and to trust that it is safe, ethical, and sustainable, the Trump administration is undermining the very systems that deliver these safeguards. By weakening SIMP and cancelling $500 million in ILAB grants, it is putting seafood workers at greater risk of abuse and exploitation, and exposing Americans to products tainted by these harms.

    Endangering ocean futures

    While more countries move towards a ban, moratorium, or pause on deep sea mining, the Trump Administration is charging in the opposite direction– reviving a cold war-era law, the Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act, to launch an unnecessary industry that threatens irreversible harm to fragile ecosystems we are only beginning to understand.

    Trump’s executive order “Unleashing America’s Offshore Critical Minerals and Resources” directs federal agencies to fast-track permits for seabed mining in both U.S. and international waters. Widely condemned as environmentally reckless and politically explosive, the move is a direct attempt to sidestep the International Seabed Authority (ISA)—the UN body charged with protecting the deep ocean as the “common heritage of humankind.” In doing so, it threatens to unravel global cooperation, weaken environmental oversight, and set a dangerous precedent for the exploitation of one of Earth’s last untouched frontiers. The order, while lining up another ‘get richer scheme’ for the billionaire broligarchy, also ignores calls from over 35 countries for a moratorium, disregards the voices of Pacific Island communities, and pushes forward despite overwhelming ecological, legal, and moral objections. 

    The push is further reinforced by a pair of sweeping executive orders that aim to bulldoze environmental safeguards in the name of “energy dominance.” One declares a so-called “national energy emergency,” suspending key regulatory safeguards under bedrock environmental laws like the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act, and the Clean Water Act. 

    Together, these orders will not just fast-tack deep sea mining but also accelerate offshore drilling, fracking infrastructure, and fossil fuel exports. This isn’t just deregulation—it’s a declaration of open season on the ocean. 

    All this comes as cobalt and nickel prices are plummeting, further undermining the already shaky economic case for mining the seafloor. Meanwhile, safer, cleaner, and more cost-effective alternatives, such as mineral recycling and domestic refining efforts, many of which are backed by the U.S. Department of Defense, are gaining momentum. But instead of investing in these sustainable solutions, the White House is reaching into the past to gamble with the future of our oceans and our planet. 

    ‘Unleashing’ America’s fishing industry into collapse

    In another destructive move, the Trump Administration has targeted New England’s fishing industry by opening the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts National Marine Monument–the first and only National Marine Monument in the U.S. Atlantic–to commercial fishing. This follows similar rollbacks opening the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument–long considered off-limits due to its ecological significance–to commercial fishing and broader dismantling of domestic fishing regulations.  

    There is no evidence that these protected areas harmed the fishing economy. But opening them to industrial fishing will cause irreversible damage, from increased bycatch and habitat destruction to plastic pollution from fishing gear, undoing decades of progress to end overfishing, rebuild fish stocks, and restore America’s fisheries

    At the same time, the earlier-mentioned cuts to NOAA will also hurt domestic fishing by leaving fishers without vital scientific insight needed for planning and responding to changing ocean conditions. This approach paves the way for overfishing and fishery collapse–again, directly contradicting the Trump Administration’s stated goal of supporting American fishing communities. 

    Scientists agree that protecting at least 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030 is essential to help marine ecosystems recover and thrive. When fish populations collapse, so do fishing jobs and fishing communities. Yet with these actions, the Trump Administration is again steering the US in the wrong direction—sidelining science, sustainability, and long-term economic resilience by jeopardizing the entire industry and the coastal communities it supports. 

    Taxing our health

    Trump’s chaotic tariff edicts have strained relationships with several key allies and raised costs for average Americans, all while giving fossil fuel interests a free pass. By exempting petrochemicals and polymers, the Administration has ensured that plastic packaging will remain cheap, abundant, and toxic. Companies like Coca-Cola, already the largest global producer of plastic packaging and the biggest source of branded plastic waste, are planning to ramp up plastic production in response to the tariffs on aluminum.  

    At the same time, the Administration issued yet another executive order, accompanied by a 36-page report, aimed at “bringing America back” to plastic straws. So, while more Americans struggle to make ends meet, they can be sure of one thing: there will be plenty of microplastics to go around.

    Plastics are not just a pollution problem; they are a public health crisis. Over 3,200 chemicals in plastics have been linked to a host of serious health conditions, including cancer, hormone disruption, reproductive problems, metabolic changes, obesity, premature births, neurological disorders, and learning disabilities. Toxic chemicals in plastic already cost Americans nearly $250 billion in healthcare expenses each year.

    And that burden is not shared equally. BIPOC and low-income communities face disproportionate exposure to pollution from plastic production, disposal, and incineration infrastructure, which are often located in or near their communities. These facilities poison the air, the water, and their bodies. While oil and gas companies rake in record profits and their billionaire CEO’s grow richer, these communities and working families across America are left paying the price. 

    Voters across the political spectrum – Democrats and Republicans alike– support strong action to reduce plastic pollution and protect public health. Yet, without pause at the staggering irony, the Trump Administration is slashing Medicaid, gutting personnel and budget from the Department of Health and Human Services, and increasing our exposure to toxic plastic— all while touting a “Make America Healthy Again” agenda. But even in an era of  “alternative facts” and the attempted erasure of diversity, equity, and inclusion, the truth is impossible to ignore. There is nothing left to sacrifice. 

    Time to resist 

    While the pace and scale of recent changes can seem overwhelming, it is worth remembering that part of this administration’s strategy is to flood the zone and try to get ahead of legal challenges and other obstacles to their agenda. The Trump Administration, like the “tech bros” who fell in line behind the President, is moving fast and breaking things. But there is growing resistance to their actions. In the last few weeks, especially, the number of new and successful legal challenges has been growing, with some law firms and academic institutions pushing back against the administration’s demands. This includes EarthJustice, Greenpeace, and allies in a joint litigation against Trump’s attempt to continue offshore drilling. 

    Meanwhile, millions of Americans—across generations, faiths, races, genders, and political ideologies—have been hitting the streets to defend their human rights, their environment, and their democracy. These peaceful protests have made one thing clear: We will not be silenced. We won’t back down. We won’t stop defending our communities in the face of government corruption and corporate greed. 

    MIL OSI NGO

  • MIL-OSI: XRP can not only rise but also earn: holders can unlock new channels for passive income through JA Mining

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, UK, June 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Behind this market boom, investors are not only paying attention to price fluctuations, but are also looking for a more robust and sustainable way to participate – a path to achieve daily passive income with XRP as the underlying asset. This is also the key to JA Mining’s widespread attention and rapid growth.

    JA Mining: Building an intelligent and compliant XRP cloud mining platform

    JA Mining is a global digital asset mining service provider, focusing on providing users with low-threshold and high-efficiency cloud mining solutions. The platform has specially launched the XRP native cloud mining service, allowing users to participate in the global computing power network by holding XRP without mining machines and technical background, thereby obtaining stable daily income.

    Different from the traditional crypto investment model, JA Mining has optimized both the user experience and the financial model at the mining level, and is committed to making “digital asset interest” simple, controllable and sustainable.

    Three major advantages help users obtain stable passive income

    1. Native support for XRP and multi-currency mining

    JA Mining is one of the few platforms in the industry that supports XRP native mining. Users can directly recharge XRP to start computing power without currency exchange or complicated operations. At the same time, it supports mainstream assets such as BTC, ETH, DOGE, etc., providing investors with diversified choices.

    1. Global layout

    Data centers are located in Northern Europe, Southeast Asia, and North America. They are driven by green energy and combined with an AI computing power scheduling system to ensure maximum mining efficiency.

    1. Zero threshold experience + real-time income distribution

    New users will receive a $100 computing power package upon registration, and can try the mining function for free. All income is settled daily and supports instant withdrawal to ensure flexible control of funds.

    How to join JA Mining? 3 steps to quickly open the passive income channel

    1. Register an account

    Visit the official website (https://jamining.com/) and use email to quickly register.

    1. Top up assets or receive trial funds

    Supports XRP, DOGE, USDT and other mainstream currencies to top up, or choose the $100 trial computing power given by the platform for experience.

    1. Select the appropriate contract and start mining

    Users can choose the corresponding cloud mining contract according to funds and cycles. The platform will automatically allocate the optimal computing power and output income every day, truly realizing “assets remain unchanged, income continues”.

    (The above are some examples of contracts. For more contracts, please refer to the official website: https://jamining.com/)

    Let XRP not just be held, JA Mining opens the door to steady value-added

    XRP is at the critical intersection of ecological explosion and institutional recognition. For investors, instead of passively waiting for prices to rise, it is better to let XRP actively create value. With its mature technology, platform compliance, and flexible products, JA Mining has become one of the few solutions in the current market that can effectively integrate “holding coins” and “mining”.

    In this ever-changing market, making digital assets work for you is the key ability of future investment. JA Mining is becoming an important bridge for global crypto users to achieve this goal.

    Company name: JA Mining

    Company website: www.jamining.com

    Company email: info@jamining.com

    Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release does not constitute an investment solicitation, nor does it constitute investment advice, financial advice, or trading recommendations. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involve risks and the possibility of losing funds. It is strongly recommended that you perform due diligence before investing or trading in cryptocurrencies and securities, including consulting a professional financial advisor.

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Azerbaijan: Seven journalists sentenced in latest shocking crackdown on free speech

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Reacting to the sentencing to lengthy prison terms of seven media workers in the “Abzas Media case” in Azerbaijan, Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director, said:

    “The case against Abzas Media is an example of how Azerbaijan’s judicial system is being weaponized to muzzle independent journalism and calls for a strong international response. By pressing fabricated economic charges against journalists who exposed high-level corruption, the Azerbaijani authorities are sending a chilling message to anyone in the country who dares to challenge them. A strong international reaction should make clear that this is unacceptable.

    “The political repression in Azerbaijan today is staggering, yet we lack a united, principled stand against it from the international community, in defence of human rights. In stark contrast, major actors like the European Union persist in actively courting President Ilham Aliyev in search of lucrative gas deals.

    The political repression in Azerbaijan today is staggering, yet we lack a united, principled stand against it from the international community

    Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern Europe and Central Asia Director

    “The international community must exert real pressure on the Azerbaijani authorities to immediately release the Abzas Media journalists, imprisoned media workers from Toplum TV, Meydan TV and Kanal 13, and all other government critics imprisoned solely for exercising their right to freedom of expression, and to put an end to the Azerbaijani government’s systemic campaign against dissent.”

    Background

    On 20 June, the Baku Court of Serious Crimes sentenced seven media workers affiliated with the independent investigative outlet Abzas Media – including director Ulvi Hasanli, editor-in-chief Sevinc Vagifgizi, investigative journalist Hafiz Babaly, reporters Nargiz Absalamova and Elnara Gasymova, translator Muhammad Kekalov, and economist and Radio Free Europe correspondent Farid Mehralizade – to prison terms ranging from seven and a half to nine years. The charges included “currency smuggling,” “money laundering,” “tax evasion” and forgery of documents.

    Their prosecution and imprisonment are widely believed to be in retaliation for the media organization’s investigations into corruption among President Ilham Aliyev’s family and inner circle. These include reports on post-war reconstruction in Nagorno-Karabakh and illicit financial networks tied to state-linked companies. During the hearings, the defence highlighted numerous procedural irregularities, pressure on the defendants and witnesses, and a lack of credible evidence. Witnesses have withdrawn or denied previous statements, and defendants have reported ill-treatment in custody.

    At least 25 journalists are currently imprisoned in the country. Azerbaijan has the highest number of imprisoned media workers held on politically motivated charges since it joined the Council of Europe in 2001. Just on 7 May, independent journalist Ulviyya Ali, a contributor to Voice of America, was arrested.

    MIL OSI NGO