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Category: Asia

  • Govt bolsters Agri Stack with ₹6,000 crore allocation to empower farmers

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) announced a significant financial commitment of ₹6,000 crore to strengthen the Agri Stack initiative under the Digital Agriculture Mission (DAM) during the National Conference on Agri Stack: Turning Data into Delivery, held at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi. The funding, aimed at transforming India’s agricultural landscape through technology, will support States in building robust digital infrastructure for farmer-centric governance.

    The allocation includes ₹4,000 crore for developing Farmer Registries, including legal heir systems, and ₹2,000 crore for conducting Digital Crop Surveys. The funds will be disbursed on a first-come-first-served basis, incentivizing States to accelerate their adoption of digital tools. Shri Devesh Chaturvedi, Secretary (Agriculture), emphasized the importance of linking State Farmer Registries with updated Records of Rights (RoR) to ensure accurate farmer identification and seamless delivery of schemes like PM-KISAN, PMFBY, and KCC.

    A key highlight of the conference was the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Maharashtra, Kerala, Bihar, and Odisha, alongside the PSB Alliance with the National Farmers’ Welfare Program Implementation Society (NFWPIS). These agreements aim to provide small and marginal farmers with digital access to credit services through Farmer Registry-linked authentication, reducing paperwork and enhancing financial inclusion.

    The conference also saw the launch of the Special Central Assistance (SCA) Guidelines, jointly unveiled by the Secretaries of Agriculture and Land Resources, alongside other dignitaries. Technical sessions addressed challenges such as outdated tribal land records and errors in crop survey data, proposing solutions like remote sensing, AI/ML tools, and automated data validation to improve efficiency.

    Shri Pramod Kumar Meherda, Additional Secretary (Digital), MoA&FW, underscored the need for data quality assurance and compliance with Unified Farmer Service Interface (UFSI) standards. The initiative is poised to empower farmers with tools like Digitally Verifiable Certificates (DVCs) and farmer authorization systems, enabling secure sharing of land and crop information.

    The Ministry’s commitment to leveraging technology for transparent governance marks a significant step toward inclusive, data-driven agricultural development, promising better access to services for millions of farmers across India.

  • Agri Stack conference showcases AI innovations and state success stories

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The National Conference on Agri Stack: Turning Data into Delivery, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi, highlighted groundbreaking AI-driven innovations and state-led achievements in transforming India’s agricultural ecosystem through the Agri Stack initiative.

    A standout feature was the unveiling of an AI-powered chatbot, built using Google Gemini and trained on Agri Stack data, capable of answering farmers’ queries in multiple languages. Additional AI tools are being piloted for crop identification, facial authentication of surveyors, and optimizing backend systems, showcasing the Ministry’s push toward cutting-edge technology. The Chief Knowledge Officer and Advisor (CKO&A) introduced the Digitally Verifiable Credential (DVC), or Kisan Pehchan Patra, which allows farmers to generate authenticated credentials for specific land parcels and crops, integrated with DigiLocker and dynamically updated upon land mutation.

    The conference also launched a unified grievance redressal portal with OTP-based login, multilingual support, and audio upload features, enabling farmers to resolve land-related disputes efficiently. Farmers can now authorize representatives to access services or lodge grievances, enhancing accessibility.

    A dedicated session, “Insights from States on Agri Stack Usage,” featured presentations from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka. Maharashtra highlighted its progress in enrolling farmers in the Farmer Registry and sought central support for a Data Provisioning Engine (DPE) and an AI-driven advisory sandbox, Mahavistaar AI. Uttar Pradesh shared its success in integrating Agri Stack with MSP e-procurement for 2024, while addressing challenges in Digital Crop Survey (DCS) implementation. Karnataka showcased multi-layered innovations, including linking its FRUITS platform with banking systems, using Agri Stack for disaster relief, and integrating soil health cards for personalized advisories.

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov of Azerbaijan – Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator, Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO)

    Source: United Nations MIL-OSI 2

    nited Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced today the appointment of Ramiz Alakbarov of Azerbaijan as his new Deputy Special Coordinator and Resident Coordinator, Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO).  Dr. Alakbarov will also serve as Humanitarian Coordinator.  He succeeds Muhannad Hadi of Jordan, to whom the Secretary-General is grateful for his dedication and service.  The Secretary-General also thanks Sarah Poole of the United States, who has been providing steadfast support in an ad interim capacity. 

    Dr. Alakbarov brings more than 30 years of extensive international experience in executive leadership, strategic planning and policy-making, development programming and management, and humanitarian response.  He has been serving as the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia since 2023.  Prior to this, he held the position of Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan with the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), where he was also the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, from 2021 to 2023.  In Afghanistan, he also served as UN Resident Coordinator ad interim in 2020.

    Dr. Alakbarov has served in several positions within the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), including as Deputy Executive Director for Management and United Nations Reforms (ad interim) and Director of the Policy and Strategy Division in New York, Country Representative in Haiti, Deputy Regional Director of the Regional Office for Arab States in Cairo and Head of the Office in South Sudan.  Prior to these positions, he served in various roles at UNFPA supporting country programmes in Arab States, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia.  His roles included Programme Officer covering Sudan, Somalia, and Iraq and Humanitarian Response Officer for Operations, in Afghanistan, Palestine and the Great Lakes Region.  From 1992 to 1995, he was an Assistant Professor at Azerbaijan Medical University and a practicing physician.

    Dr. Alakbarov holds M.D. and Ph.D. degrees in internal medicine from Azerbaijan Medical University and a Master of Arts in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.  He is fluent in Azerbaijani, English, French, Russian and Turkish.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Anti-drug TV programme aired

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    A large-scale anti-drug variety TV programme “Let’s Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!” presented by the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) was held at TVB City in Tseung Kwan O this evening, with Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki delivering a speech at the programme.

    Mr Chan also officiated at the kick-off ceremony of a series of anti-drug performances along with Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung and Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk.

    The Chief Secretary said in his speech that Hong Kong was previously plagued by drug problems in the 1960s. Since the establishment of ACAN, the Government and various sectors of the community have been working together to combat drug problems.

    He noted that from 1977 – when records started to be kept – to 2024, the total number of reported drug abusers has dropped by as much as 70%. Last year, the number of young people under the age of 21 arrested for serious drug offences was at a record low. ACAN has been instrumental in the success of Hong Kong’s anti-drug efforts.

    Mr Chan said: “On behalf of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, I would like to express heartfelt gratitude to all those who have participated in the anti-drug cause. I would like to appeal to all members of the public to help spread the steadfast message of ‘Let’s Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!’ and work together towards a drug-free future to safeguard the health of every member of the public.”

    In the programme, various young idols and singers performed songs with positive messages, including an upbeat anti-drug theme song that shares with young people positive energy and encourages them to hold dear to positive values in life.

    Members of Customs, the Police Force and the Correctional Services Department also presented their performances in the programme.

    Additionally, the programme has arranged for artists to re-enact short plays based on the true stories of rehabilitees who have successfully quit drugs, and the rehabilitees have participated in the plays themselves.

    The programme will be broadcast on TVB Jade at 9pm on June 21.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why people become drug mules – and why harsh sentences don’t deter them

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jennifer Fleetwood, Senior Lecturer, City St George’s, University of London

    Yuri A/Shutterstock

    Thousands of British nationals are charged with drug smuggling abroad every year. The UK charity Prisoners Abroad reports a rise in the number of British people imprisoned abroad for drug offences in 2024-25, compared to the previous year, especially women under 34.

    Two recent examples making headlines are Bella May Culley, an 18-year-old woman from County Durham, and Charlotte May Lee, a 21-year-old from south London. Culley was arrested in Georgia with 14 kilos of cannabis. Lee was arrested in Sri Lanka, with 46 kilos of synthetic cannabis (she has denied knowing it was in her bag and has yet to be charged).

    If they are convicted, Culley and May face very long sentences. Reports suggest that Culley could receive up to 20 years or life imprisonment in Georgia. In Sri Lanka, May faces a sentence of up to 25 years.

    And another three young Britons face the death penalty after being charged with smuggling nearly a kilo of cocaine into Indonesia. All of these cases are ongoing and the suspects have not been found guilty of any crime.

    Why would people take the risk of such harsh punishments?

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    For my book Drug Mules: Women in the International Cocaine Trade, I spent over a year visiting prisons in Ecuador to speak to people convicted of drug trafficking. I spoke to drug mules as well as people who recruited and managed them to understand how the business works. I spoke to people from the UK, Europe, the US, southeast Asia and Africa.

    My research sheds light on how drug mules end up carrying such massive quantities, and why harsh punishments are an ineffective deterrent.

    Who becomes a drug mule?

    The abiding stereotype of the drug mule is someone who is motivated by poverty, often a woman from a drug-producing country. In fact, like most areas of crime, the majority of people arrested for smuggling drugs worldwide are men.

    People’s motivations for trafficking drugs are extremely varied. In my research, I came across people motivated by grinding poverty, debts or a chance to make a change in their lives. The sums they were promised ranged from £5,000 to £10,000.

    Some people didn’t expect to get paid at all, however. They became involved through debt (theirs or a family member’s), and carrying drugs was offered as a way to repay the debt. In rare cases, people became involved through threats and coercion.

    There are, broadly, two kinds of people arrested at international borders with drugs. The first is carrying drugs that they have bought (and packed) themselves, and probably only a small quantity which they might use or sell for a modest profit. They probably also bought their own tickets to travel.

    One trafficker I interviewed recalled that he carried only a few hundred grams of cocaine in a talc bottle. If caught, they can face custody, depending on the type and amount of drugs.

    The second kind is carrying drugs that someone else has paid for – they are drug mules. The person paying for the drugs (we could call them the investor) decides what is smuggled, where to and how it will be concealed – not the mule.

    Investors are, of course, motivated by profit: five kilos will be more profitable than just the one. And so, mules tend to carry much larger amounts than those carrying their own drugs.

    Drug mules typically do not know what they are carrying, or how much. When people working as drug mules receive the drugs, they arrive ready to evade customs. In some cases, more professional groups might pay a specialist to conceal the drugs more effectively.

    Traffickers have been known to evade detection by concealing cocaine in clear plastic products.

    Many people working as drug mules are misled about where they are travelling to, or may not know they are carrying drugs.

    Long sentences

    Understanding more about the role of drug mules sheds light on the harsh sentences that people accused of drug importation – like Culley and May – are facing. Possible sentences are very long, not only because Sri Lanka and Georgia have extremely tough drug laws, but also because of the large quantities of drugs involved.

    When it comes to sentencing people for drug offences, the quantity of the drug (or, in some countries the monetary value) has long been taken as a proxy for harm. As I have argued in my research, this is a disproportionate and unfair punishment.

    The key UN treaty on narcotic drugs requires countries to criminalise and punish activities relating to illegal drugs. The convention labels drug addiction as “evil”, paving the way for very harsh punishments for those who sell or transport drugs.

    Drug trafficking can even be punished by death in some countries – over 600 people were executed globally in 2024. In many cases, people were executed even though they were in possession of relatively small quantities of an illegal drug – often less than 100g.

    Each nation makes its own laws, but broadly speaking, more drugs means more punishment. This seems logical and proportionate, unless the person being charged with drug trafficking hasn’t made those decisions. And, as my research found, drug mules tend to be carrying larger quantities, paid for by investors or even groups of investors.

    The job of the drug mule is characterised by exploitation rather than choice. If they don’t choose where they travel to, or what they are carrying, then deterrent sentences will simply fail to deter. They only serve to punish those who are most powerless and most exploited in the international drug trade.

    Jennifer Fleetwood has previously receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council.

    – ref. Why people become drug mules – and why harsh sentences don’t deter them – https://theconversation.com/why-people-become-drug-mules-and-why-harsh-sentences-dont-deter-them-258514

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Chinese Culture Festival opens

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Chinese Culture Festival 2025 opened today at the Cultural Centre, launching over 280 events to be held from June to September, with Chief Executive John Lee addressing the opening ceremony via a video speech.

    The festival is presented by the Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau and organised by the Leisure & Cultural Services Department.

    In his video speech, Mr Lee said that the Government will fully leverage Hong Kong’s unique advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under the “one country, two systems” principle to promote outstanding traditional Chinese culture globally and ride on Hong Kong’s international network in telling good stories of China to the world.

    He pointed out that an important strategic direction featured in the Blueprint for Arts & Culture & Creative Industries Development, published by the Government last year, is on the promotion of the profound traditional Chinese culture.

    Mr Lee expressed confidence that the Chinese Culture Festival will become an annual signature cultural event in Hong Kong, presenting the rich and vibrant Chinese culture to audiences through innovative approaches.

    The Chief Executive added that the Government will continue to promote the essence of Chinese culture to citizens of Hong Kong and visitors from overseas and the Mainland, with a view to achieving “shaping tourism with cultural activities and promoting culture through tourism” and fostering the integration and mutual reinforcement of culture and tourism.

    Secretary for Culture, Sports & Tourism Rosanna Law attended the opening ceremony as an officiating guest.

    The opening programme of this year’s festival staged tonight is a contemporary dance performance “Dongpo: Life in Poems”. Through contemporary dance, the production deeply integrates various fine traditional Chinese culture elements, such as poetry writing, traditional Chinese painting, calligraphy, seal engraving, guqin, Chinese opera and martial arts.

    The programme also featured an open rehearsal under the “Chinese Culture for All: A Special Performance Series” this afternoon at the Grand Theatre of the Cultural Centre. Close to 400 primary and secondary school students and teachers as well as members of the community were invited to attend, free of charge.

    The thematic exhibition on “Dongpo: Life in Poems” is currently being held at the Cultural Centre Foyer, introducing the concept and structure of the production. The exhibition will run until tomorrow. Admission is free.

    Click here for the festival details.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Statement on Trump Decision to Withdraw From Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, issued the following statement on the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the historic Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement (RCBA) reached between the Federal Government and the Six Sovereigns—the states of Washington and Oregon, and the Nez Perce Tribe, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation:

    “Donald Trump doesn’t know the first thing about the Northwest and our way of life—so of course, he is abruptly and unilaterally upending a historic agreement that finally put us on a path to salmon recovery, while preserving stable dam operations for growers and producers, public utilities, river users, ports and others throughout the Northwest. This decision is grievously wrong and couldn’t be more shortsighted.

    “The Resilient Columbia Basin Agreement was the result of years of painstaking work—this was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to modernize infrastructure across the Columbia River Basin, support reliable clean energy, and save imperiled salmon and steelhead runs. The Trump administration’s senseless decision to tear it up is a betrayal of our Tribes and a tremendous setback for the entire Northwest.

    “After nearly 30 years of litigation, this agreement also led to a durable stay in court proceedings, which is now in jeopardy. I am going to continue doing everything I can to support the restoration of healthy and abundant salmon runs—including through the annual Appropriations process. We must save our salmon.”

    In August 2022, Senator Murray and Governor Inslee released joint findings and recommendations at the conclusion of an extensive, months-long joint federal-state process that evaluated the feasibility of breaching the Lower Snake River Dams as a way of protecting endangered salmon and steelhead species. Murray and Inslee concluded that breach was not feasible at that time as more needs to be done to replace the benefits of the dams–particularly investments in clean energy—but that it is imperative to prioritize major salmon recovery projects that can be undertaken in the near term. Senator Murray’s statement on the findings of the Murray-Inslee joint federal-state process is HERE.

    A final version of the independent report commissioned by Senator Murray and Governor Inslee can be found HERE. The independent report—along with months of public input, and discussion with stakeholders and Tribes—helped guide the Senator and Governor’s August 2022 recommendation.

    In December 2023, Senator Murray applauded the agreement reached between the federal government and the Six Sovereigns to allow for an extended stay in court proceedings on litigation involving the management of the Columbia-Snake River System.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: AAIB Update: Air India flight AI171

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    AAIB Update: Air India flight AI171

    Update on the fatal accident which occurred in Ahmedabad, India on 12 June 2025

    A team of four investigators from the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has arrived in India. They have expertise in aircraft operations, engineering and recorded data. Their role is to provide additional support and expertise to the safety investigation being led by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.

    The UK AAIB has ‘Expert’ status in the Indian safety investigation. In accordance with international protocols, release of information on the investigation rests solely with the Indian authorities.

    British nationals who require consular assistance or have concerns about friends or family should call the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO): 020 7008 5000.

    Updates to this page

    Published 13 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Province helps build global connections for B.C.’s life-sciences sector

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    B.C. will lead a delegation of companies to the BIO International Convention in Boston, Mass., to attract more investment to the province’s life-sciences sector and build relationships with other countries to help strengthen the economy against ongoing U.S. tariffs.

    Diana Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, will be at the conference June 15-19, 2025.

    BIO is the largest and most comprehensive international event for biotechnology, bringing 20,000 industry leaders together from across the globe. The ministry will showcase B.C.’s award-winning Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy to international delegates. The strategy builds on the momentum of the rapidly expanding sector and supports businesses to more easily commercialize their innovations.

    “We want attendees at BIO to know that B.C. is open for business and we are ready to welcome new investors and talent to join our growing life-sciences, health-care and technology sectors,” Gibson said. “With our competitive advantages, our talented people, world-class universities, and rich startup and scale-up ecosystem, B.C.’s life-sciences and biomanufacturing sector is growing faster than anywhere else in the country.”

    Gibson will highlight B.C.’s life-sciences sector as a global leader in innovative discoveries and world-leading products and services. Meetings are set with potential investors, venture-capital and other business partners to explore opportunities and foster critical relationships.

    “British Columbia’s life-sciences sector is an innovation powerhouse with world-class research, top-tier talent and a dynamic startup ecosystem,” said Wendy Hurlburt, president and CEO, Life Sciences BC. “As global investors and strategic partners seek impactful, breakthrough technologies, B.C. is at the forefront, offering exceptional opportunities to shape the future of health. At BIO 2025, Life Sciences BC and our delegation of almost 40 companies is inviting the world to discover why British Columbia is the place where the future of life sciences is being built.”

    Life Sciences B.C. will host its opening reception, which is one of the main go-to Canadian events at the conference with more than 200 attendees and approximately half being international audiences. B.C. delegates will promote common goals and their Team B.C. approach at the convention.

    “British Columbia is home to exceptional scientific talent and a life-sciences sector with real, growing momentum,” said Kenneth Galbraith, chair and chief executive officer of Zymeworks. “At Zymeworks, we’ve grown from our roots in Vancouver to a global company that is partnering with some of the world’s leading biopharmaceutical organizations to advance novel therapies for difficult-to-treat cancers. Our experience and expertise reflect the strength of British Columbia’s innovation ecosystem and its ability to support companies as they scale to make a real impact for patients in need.”

    Key discussions will include international talent mobility and workforce development, technology commercialization, strengthening collaboration between post-secondary institutions, expanding research and innovation partnerships in priority sectors, such as artificial intelligence and health tech, and highlighting B.C.’s strength as a clean-tech hub.

    B.C. continues to make record investments in its world-renowned research centres to support their discoveries and innovations. To date, government has invested more than $737 million and leveraged more than $1.2 billion in federal funding and private investment to expand the life-sciences sector.

    As Canada’s gateway to the Pacific, British Columbia is ideally located for easy and cost-effective international commerce, with a business day that conveniently overlaps with afternoon working hours in Europe, the morning in Asia and is synchronized for the full day with California and Washington state.

    Learn More:

    To learn more about the advantages of doing business in British Columbia, visit: https://www.britishcolumbia.ca

    For information about B.C.’s Life Sciences and Biomanufacturing Strategy, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/technology-innovation/life-sciences-biomanufacturing

    For more information about the BIO International Convention, visit: https://www.bio.org/events/bio-international-convention

    A backgrounder follows.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Seychelles: President Ramkalawan visits Paradise Arena ahead of International Boxing Tournament


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    President Wavel Ramkalawan visited the Paradise Arena at Roche Caiman earlier this week to assess preparations for the upcoming International Boxing Tournament being organised by Tides Seychelles.

    Set to be hosted on home soil later this month, the highly anticipated event will welcome boxers from across the Indian Ocean and beyond, further establishing Seychelles as a growing hub for regional sporting competitions.

    During his visit, the President had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Colvin Beaudouin representative of Tides Seychelles, as well as Mr. Ameer Afif from Hunt, Deltel & Co Ltd—the main sponsor of the event. The President also interacted with several local boxers and their coaches Mr Jerry Legras and Roland Raforme, commending their discipline, perseverance and dedication to the sport.

    President Ramkalawan expressed his appreciation for the initiative undertaken by Tides Seychelles and praised the collaborative effort between private sponsors, local organisers, and the boxing community in promoting youth engagement and sporting excellence in Seychelles.

    “The boxing ring is not just a platform for physical strength, but a symbol of discipline, respect and unity. I am proud to see our youth so determined and focused. Seychelles is proud of you,” said the President.

    He further encouraged the young athletes to continue striving for greatness, reminding them that representing Seychelles on an international stage is both a privilege and a powerful opportunity.

    The International Boxing Tournament promises to be a thrilling event on the nation’s sporting calendar and will serve as an inspiration for aspiring athletes across the country.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Anti-drug variety TV programme reviews 60 years of anti-drug history envisioning drug-free Hong Kong (with photos/video)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The large-scale anti-drug variety TV programme “Let’s Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!” presented by the Action Committee Against Narcotics (ACAN) was held at TVB City in Tseung Kwan O this evening (June 13). The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, delivered a speech at the programme and officiated at the kick-off ceremony of a series of spectacular anti-drug performances along with the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung; the Chairman of ACAN, Dr Donald Li; the Under Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk, and other guests.

         Mr Chan said in his speech that Hong Kong was previously plagued by drug problems in the 1960s. Since the establishment of ACAN, the Government and various sectors of the community have been working together to combat drug problems. From 1977, when records started to be kept, to 2024, the total number of reported drug abusers has dropped by as much as 70 per cent. Last year, the number of young people under the age of 21 arrested for serious drug offences was at a record low. ACAN has been instrumental in the success of Hong Kong’s anti-drug efforts.

         He said, “This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Action Committee Against Narcotics. I am glad to be able to take part in the programme today and review with everyone the development of the anti-drug efforts in Hong Kong on this important occasion…On behalf of the HKSAR Government, I would like to express heartfelt gratitude to all those who have participated in the anti-drug cause…I would like to appeal to all members of the public to help spread the steadfast message of ‘Let’s Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!’ and work together towards a drug-free future to safeguard the health of every member of the public.”

         At the opening ceremony, Mr Chan led the officiating guests in activating a device, after which seven props symbolising different drugs were dropped into a machine symbolising the destruction of pernicious drugs. Mr Chan led the officiating guests to read out the anti-drug slogan “Let’s Stand Firm. Knock Drugs Out!” to launch a series of spectacular anti-drug performances.

         Delivering a speech through a recorded short video for the programme, Dr Li said that the progress of Hong Kong’s anti-drug efforts owed a lot to the active participation of members of the public in Hong Kong and the concerted efforts of several generations in the fight against drugs over the past 60 years. He thanked everyone who had participated in anti-drug work before for their contributions. “I invite you, in front of the TV, to continue to participate actively in the anti-drug efforts. I believe that with your participation, a drug-free Hong Kong is just around the corner,” he added.

         In the programme, various young idols and singers performed songs with positive messages, including an upbeat anti-drug theme song that shares with young people positive energy and encourages them to hold dear to positive values in life.

         Members of Hong Kong Customs’ “Customs YES” played the harp and danced in a musical segment. Through the impact of classical music and modern dance, a message was conveyed that positive hobbies not only broaden one’s horizons and let one’s talents shine, but also strengthen one’s determination against drugs.

         Members of the Hong Kong Police Force’s “Leadership Institute on Narcotics” performed rope skipping and hip hop dance with energetic vibes, letting the audience know that one of the best ways to resist the temptation of drugs is to build a strong body and a determined mind through sports. Wushu athlete Juanita Mok and table tennis athlete Wong Chun-ting also cheered for youngsters in this segment with their respective fortes – Wushu (Taolu) that combines strength and flexibility, and table tennis, which is known for its speed.

         Members of the Correctional Services Department’s “Rehabilitation Pioneer Leaders” performed in the form of busking with ukulele, electric piano and guitars, in the hope of striking a chord with young people and expressing through the songs that a healthy state of mind is essential for staying away from drugs.

         In addition, the programme has arranged for artists to re-enact short plays based on the true stories of rehabilitees who have successfully quit drugs. The rehabilitees have participated in the plays themselves.

         Co-organised by the Narcotics Division of the Security Bureau and ACAN, and produced by Television Broadcasts Limited, the programme aims to review Hong Kong’s anti-drug history over the past 60 years and rally community support for combating drug problems. Audience members from different sectors, including students, youth groups and representatives from the education and social welfare sectors, attended the programme. This programme is one of the events held in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of ACAN.

         The programme will be broadcast on TVB Jade at 9pm on June 21. Members of the public are welcome to watch and disseminate anti-drug messages for building a drug-free Hong Kong together.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Google sues LATAM Airlines in US over Brazilian YouTube video dispute

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Google sued Chile-based LATAM Airlines in U.S. federal court on Thursday, seeking a declaration that Brazilian courts cannot force the tech giant to take down a YouTube video in the U.S. that accused a LATAM employee of sexually abusing a child.

    Alphabet’s Google, which owns YouTube, said in the lawsuit that LATAM was attempting to “make an end-run” around protections for free speech under the U.S. Constitution by suing in Brazil to force the video’s removal worldwide.

    “LATAM has not received any official communication about the court case,” the company told Reuters.

    Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda said in a statement that the company has “long supported the legal principle that courts in a country have jurisdiction over content available in that country, but not over what content should be available in other countries.”

    Right-wing social media companies Trump Media and Rumble filed a similar lawsuit in Florida in February against a Brazilian judge who had ordered them to remove the U.S.-based accounts of a leading supporter of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. A federal judge decided in the case that the companies were not required to comply with the order in the United States.

    According to Google’s lawsuit filed in San Jose, California, U.S. citizen and Florida resident Raymond Moreira posted two YouTube videos in 2018 of his 6-year-old son outlining allegations of sexual abuse that the child said he experienced from a LATAM employee while traveling as an unaccompanied minor.

    Moreira sued LATAM in Florida in 2020 over the alleged abuse, which led to a confidential settlement.

    LATAM sued Google in Brazil in 2018 seeking an order to remove the video from YouTube. A Brazilian appeals court is set to consider next week whether it has the authority to order Google to take down the video worldwide.

    Google asked the court in California on Thursday to declare that LATAM cannot force the tech giant to remove the video in the United States.

    Canada’s Supreme Court upheld an order for Google to remove some search results worldwide in a separate case in 2018. A California judge halted that order’s U.S. enforcement in 2017.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Two property owners fined over $110,000 in total for carrying out unauthorised building works

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Two property owners fined over $110,000 in total for carrying out unauthorised building works 
    The BD discovered certain UBWs at the two detached houses during a large-scale operation in September 2023 to inspect houses along the coastal area of Redhill Peninsula. Investigation by the BD found that the owners of the two houses had knowingly carried out the concerned building works without the prior approval and consent from the BD, contravening section 14(1) of the BO. Hence, the BD instigated prosecution action against the two owners under section 40(1AA) of the BO in August last year. The two owners were convicted and fined $30,000 and $82,980 respectively yesterday.
     
    A spokesman for the BD said today (June 13), “The Redhill Peninsula incident reveals that coastal detached houses with UBWs or illegal occupation of government land can pose safety hazards and risks to nearby slopes. If such contraventions are discovered, the BD will take vigorous enforcement actions and instigate prosecution actions. Property owners should consult building professionals before carrying out building works to ensure compliance with the BO.”
     
    The spokesperson said that these are the first two convictions for contravening section 14(1) of the BO in relation to the Redhill Peninsula incident. The BD has already instigated prosecutions against 30 detached houses on Redhill Peninsula, including the above two houses. Court hearings for these cases are being rolled out.
     
    Pursuant to section 40(1AA) of the BO, any person who knowingly contravenes section 14(1) (i.e. commencement or carrying out any building works without having first obtained approval and consent from the BD), commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine of $400,000 and to imprisonment for two years, and a further fine of $20,000 for each day that the offence continues.
     
    The Government has earlier on put forward proposals to amend the BO, including increasing the penalties to enhance deterrence against failure to comply with statutory notices or orders by the specified time and offences against serious UBWs. The Government is drafting the legislative amendments, with a view to submitting the amendment bill to the Legislative Council in the first half of 2026.
    Issued at HKT 22:42

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Sickle cell patients to get better treatment after £9 million boost

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 2

    Press release

    Sickle cell patients to get better treatment after £9 million boost

    Patients living with rare blood disorders to benefit from increased access to treatment and availability of services, thanks to £9 million investment.

    Patients with sickle cell disease are set to benefit from quicker and more accessible treatment thanks to major upgrades to life-saving technology.

    Backed by a £9 million investment from NHS England, the government is set to transform apheresis services – a specialised set of treatments which remove harmful components from a patient’s blood – by funding more specialist treatment centres, as well as expanding access to cutting-edge technology.

    Funding will ensure that Spectra Optia machines, which perform automated cell exchanges, are more widely available to patients with sickle cell disease. This process involves removing a patient’s sickled red blood cells, and replacing them with healthy donor cells.

    As well as helping patients benefit from more convenient care, this technology has the potential to save the NHS up to £12.9 million annually thanks to a reduction in time spent in hospital for patients and the reduced need for other treatments.

    Improvements will also be made to expand the availability of this treatment nationwide, which will include increased availability of out-of-hours services. This investment will also see an expansion of the specialist workforce to manage this advanced technology.

    This latest commitment comes as the government sets out how it is harnessing new innovations during London Tech Week, which shines a spotlight on the latest tech out there to improve our everyday lives.

    Health and Social Care Secretary, Wes Streeting, said:

    People living with rare conditions like sickle cell disease face immense everyday challenges, and can sometimes struggle to get the specialised care they need.

    To make our health service fit for the future, we have to harness the power of new technologies, and these machines provide a shining example of how ours is starting to make huge advancements in digital healthcare.

    Through our Plan for Change, this government will be the one that removes the barriers to getting the latest and best tech to our NHS frontline, so patients can access the best care available, closer to home.

    In England, there are around 17,000 people living with sickle cell disease – an inherited blood disorder, with 250 new cases a year. It is generally more common in people of Black African, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and South Asian heritage.

    Spectra Optia machines operate in hospitals across the country, with more than 20 NHS trusts currently supported to offer treatment using this technology for sickle cell. The technology works by automatically replacing affected red blood with healthy donor cells and has proved to be a lifeline for patients.

    The treatment lasts longer in the patient than simple transfusions and has been shown to be highly effective in reducing complications such as iron overload.

    Robert Ojeer, 35, from west London has lived with sickle cell disease his entire life. Receiving care at Hammersmith Hospital, part of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Robert receives automated red cell exchanges every 4 weeks. He said:

    I’ve been on the regular exchange programme since 2015. Before then I would only have had exchanges in emergency situations, when I had more complex sickle cell crises. But now I go more often, when the amount of sickle cells in my blood increases.

    Having access to automated exchange improves my quality of life. I have 2 children, and it means that I can play a bigger part in their lives. It means I can work and that I can just have a sense of normality – I can do things that everyday people would take for granted.

    I hope that every sickle cell sufferer in England can access these services. I’ve been really lucky, living only a 20-minute walk from the hospital with these machines, however, I realise this isn’t the case for everyone, so this is really great news for the sickle cell community as a whole.

    The red cell exchange service at Imperial College Healthcare runs a 24/7 service for adults and children and was the first in the country to provide automated red cell exchange for children.

    Spectra Optia delivers substantial value for money and improved patient experience, as fewer follow-up appointments are needed. By replacing simple top-up and manual exchange transfusions with the latest technology, it is estimated that the NHS will save almost £19,000 per patient, per year.

    Professor Bola Owolabi, NHS England Director of Healthcare Inequalities, said:

    This is great news for people living with sickle cell disease – a condition that disproportionately affects Black African and Black Caribbean communities.

    Sickle cell patients have needed new treatment options for decades and this additional funding will provide greater access to this life-changing technology which has the potential to significantly improve patients’ quality of life.

    Alongside this important step, the recent approval of a new gene-editing therapy for patients with severe sickle cell disease showcases the NHS’s clear commitment to improving outcomes for the 17,000 people living with the condition in England.

    Richard Stubbs, Chair of the Health Innovation Network and CEO of Health Innovation Yorkshire and Humber, said:

    Sickle cell disease disproportionately impacts people from West African and Afro-Caribbean communities, many of whom live in the most socio-economically deprived areas.

    These patients are at higher risk of hospital re-admissions and of dying in a hospital, making timely and accessible care vital.

    This new funding announced today will enable the technology to be used on a longer-term basis, supporting frontline staff and ensuring sickle cell patients receive more regular care closer to where they live, as well as continuing our focus on tackling healthcare inequalities.

    Alongside this, advances are being made through clinical trials to offer an expanded range of treatments for people with this condition.    

    In January, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence recommended a groundbreaking gene-editing treatment for sickle cell disease, which has been hailed as a ‘functional cure’ for sickle cell disease.

    Updates to this page

    Published 13 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Over 120 Central Asian farmers have completed training courses in China’s Shaanxi Province

    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 13 (Xinhua) — More than 120 farmers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have taken part in trainings organized by Weinan Vocational and Technical Institute (Weinan, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province) since December 2023.

    The first training course this year for farmers from five Central Asian countries started in Weinan on Wednesday, the Shaanxi Daily reported, with 30 students from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

    According to the plan, over the course of 10 days of training, participants will become familiar with the development of modern agriculture in China, advanced agricultural methods and technologies for processing agricultural products.

    In addition, the training participants will visit Linwei District, Baishui and Dali Counties, as well as Weinan High-Tech Zone and Yangling High-Tech Agricultural Demonstration Zone, where they will study the experience and technologies of agricultural development in China.

    The project to train Central Asian farmers is being implemented as part of the implementation of the results of the China-Central Asia summit, which was held in May 2023 in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province.

    China has advanced technologies for growing drought-resistant crops, which is of great importance for the development of agriculture in Central Asian countries.

    Weinan Vocational College will further optimize its training system and services, improve the quality of education in all areas, and strive to create favorable conditions for students to study and live, so as to contribute to promoting agricultural exchanges between China and Central Asia, said Jin Huafeng, director of the college. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada Disability Benefit

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Persons with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty than working-age persons without disabilities because of economic and social exclusion, barriers to employment, and other factors. Recognizing this, the Government of Canada created the new Canada Disability Benefit (CDB) to support the financial security of working age, low-income persons with disabilities by providing them with direct financial support.

    Through the Canada Disability Benefit Act that came into force on June 22, 2024, investments of $6.1 billion over six years provided under Budget 2024, and the Canada Disability Benefit Regulations that  came into force on May 15, 2025, the CDB is now enshrined into Canada’s social safety-net.

    The benefit is administered by Service Canada, and will provide a maximum of $200 per month, for a total of $2,400 per year, to low-income persons with disabilities between the ages of 18 and 64. It is estimated that this benefit will increase the financial well-being of over 600,000 low-income persons with disabilities. The benefit is intended to supplement, not replace, existing provincial and territorial income support measures and fill a gap in the federal social safety net between the Canada Child Benefit and Old Age Security for working-age persons with disabilities.

    As of June 20, 2025, people will be to apply in a manner that works best for them, including an online self-serve option. If needed, people can receive assistance applying for the benefit by phone or in person at their nearest Service Canada Centre. The first payments of the CDB will be made in July 2025 for applications received and approved by June 30, 2025.

    To receive the benefit, a person must:

    • be a resident of Canada for the purposes of the Income Tax Act
    • have been approved for the disability tax credit
    • be between the ages of 18 and 64
    • have filed an income tax return with the Canada Revenue Agency for the previous tax year (their spouse or common-law partner, if they have one, must have also file their taxes.)
    • be one of the following:
      • a Canadian citizen
      • a permanent resident
      • a protected person
      • a temporary resident who has lived in Canada for the past 18 months
      • someone who is registered or entitled to be registered under the Indian Act.

    If a person is married or has a common-law partner, their spouse or common-law partner must also have filed an income tax and benefit return with the Canada Revenue Agency for the previous tax year. In some exceptional cases, this requirement may be waived.

    With the support from the CDB, persons with disabilities will have more money to cover the costs of accessible housing, medical care and disability supports.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Mishawaka Man Sentenced to 420 Months in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SOUTH BEND – Late yesterday, Jonathan Alan Peters, 33 years old, of Mishawaka, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to one count of production of child pornography and one count of distribution of child pornography, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.

    Peters was sentenced to 420 months in prison, 15 years of supervised release.  Restitution will be imposed at a later date.

    According to documents in the case, Peters took photographs depicting images of child sexual abuse material. He then distributed the images to other people on the Internet. The investigation revealed he possessed 110 images and 29 videos which depicted child sexual abuse material.

    This case was investigated by the Homeland Security Investigations with assistance from the Indiana State Police and the Mishawaka Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah T Jones.

    The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood. In 2006, the Department of Justice created Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Gary Man Sentenced to 88 Months in Prison

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    SOUTH BEND – Yesterday, Nvaun Lewis, 30 years old, of Gary, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Damon R. Leichty after pleading guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney Tina L. Nommay.

    Lewis was sentenced to 88 months in prison followed by 3 years of supervised release.

    According to documents in the case, police conducted a traffic stop in Michigan City and found Lewis in possession of a loaded pistol with an extended magazine and a “full auto” switch. Lewis had multiple prior felony convictions, including robbery and armed robbery, and as such, is prohibited from possessing the firearm in this case.

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the Michigan City Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Import of Shipping Vessel – Relaxation

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    RBI/2025-26/55
    A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 07

    June 13, 2025

    All Authorised Dealer Category-I banks

    Madam / Sir,

    Import of Shipping Vessel – Relaxation

    Attention of Authorised Dealer (AD) Category – I banks is invited to Para C.1 of Master Direction – Import of Goods and Services (MD-Imports) dated January 01, 2016.

    2. With a view towards enhancing ease of doing business and keeping in view the sector-specific constraints, it has been decided to allow importers to make advance remittance for import of shipping vessel, without bank guarantee, or an unconditional, irrevocable standby Letter of Credit, up to USD 50 million, subject to the conditions mentioned in para-C.1.3.3 of MD-Imports, as applicable.

    3. AD banks may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents concerned.

    4. The directions contained in this circular have been issued under Section 10(4) and Section 11(1) of the FEMA, 1999 (42 of 1999) and are without prejudice to permissions / approvals, if any, required under any other law.

    Yours faithfully,

    (N. Senthil Kumar)
    Chief General Manager

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Along the Ancient Silk Road, Xi Jinping Forges New Ties with Central Asia

    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 13 (Xinhua) — In the summer sun-drenched Xi’an, China’s ancient capital, six pomegranate trees stand gracefully near the site of the first China-Central Asia Summit in May 2023, their branches hanging low and laden with fruit.

    Planted two years ago by Chinese President Xi Jinping and the leaders of five Central Asian countries, this living avenue serves as a vivid testimony to the increasingly close and dynamic ties between China and Central Asia.

    Building on past achievements, Xi and his Central Asian counterparts will gather in the Kazakh city of Astana later this month for a second summit to ensure even closer cooperation on trade, security and connectivity in the heart of Eurasia.

    FORMATION OF A NEW PARADIGM

    The Xi’an summit in 2023 was the first ever meeting of heads of state under the China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism. In the embrace of the ancient city, they agreed to hold the summit every two years, alternately in China and Central Asia.

    Last year, the mechanism was further institutionalized with the establishment of a secretariat in Xi’an, the capital of Xi’s home province of Shaanxi.

    The Chinese leader attaches great importance to China’s relations with the region. In his opinion, Central Asia is at a strategic crossroads, linking East and West, North and South.

    “Developing friendly and cooperative relations with Central Asian countries is a priority of China’s foreign policy,” Xi Jinping said during his first visit to Central Asia since being elected as China’s president in 2013.

    Since then, he has visited the region eight times, deepening partnerships bilaterally and through platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia.

    Today, Central Asia is the only region in the world where every country is a strategic partner of China. According to Xi Jinping, these partnerships have paved a new path of good-neighborliness and mutually beneficial cooperation, creating a new paradigm of international relations.

    The main event of the Xi’an summit was the signing of the Xi’an Declaration, in which the Chinese president and the leaders of the five Central Asian countries promised to work together to build a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.

    This promise is in line with the core idea of Xiplomacy’s diplomatic strategy: creating a community with a shared destiny for humanity. Notably, this idea has already been fully realized at the bilateral level in Central Asia.

    Sheradil Baktygulov, Director of the Institute of World Politics of Kyrgyzstan, noted that the common political will of Xi Jinping and the leaders of Central Asian countries is the key to the sustainable development of Chinese-Central Asian cooperation.

    “This cooperation not only strengthens bilateral ties, but also lays the foundation for a new model of multilateral cooperation in the Eurasian region,” he added.

    The Chinese leader’s strong personal rapport with Central Asian leaders is helping to strengthen these ties. At the Xi’an summit, Xi Jinping hailed Tajik President Emomali Rahmon as an “old friend.” During talks with Xi, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called him his “dear brother.”

    Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, also an experienced sinologist, arrived in Xi’an on his 70th birthday. Xi told him: “Your visit on such a special occasion speaks volumes about the strength of our bilateral relations and confirms your unique bond with China.”

    REVIVAL OF THE GREAT SILK ROAD

    “Start loading!” Xi Jinping and K.-Zh. Tokayev jointly gave this command at the launch ceremony of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route China-Europe, which took place in July 2024 in Astana.

    The event marked the formal establishment of a multi-dimensional connectivity network combining roads, railways, airlines and pipelines to better link Asia to Europe via the Caspian Sea. The network is expected to become a vibrant artery under the Belt and Road Initiative.

    While the ancient Silk Road witnessed vibrant trade and cultural exchanges between China and Central Asia, Xi Jinping sees the region as an important partner in modern Belt and Road cooperation.

    In September 2013, also in Astana, the Chinese President gave a historic speech at Nazarbayev University, where he first outlined his vision for the construction of the “Silk Road Economic Belt” – a key component of the Belt and Road Initiative.

    “We can actively discuss the best ways to improve cross-border transport infrastructure,” Xi said, “and work to build a transport network connecting East, West and South Asia to promote economic development and travel in the region.”

    In the years since, the Chinese leader’s vision has steadily been realized. For example, late last year, the Kyrgyz border city of Jalal-Abad hosted a ceremony to mark the start of construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway. In a congratulatory message, Xi Jinping called for the railway to become a “new demonstration project” for Belt and Road cooperation.

    The railway will start at the ancient Silk Road junction of Kashgar (Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Northwest China), pass into Kyrgyzstan via the Torugart Pass, reach Jalal-Abad and end in Andijan in eastern Uzbekistan.

    According to Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, this railway is not just a transport corridor, but an important strategic bridge connecting the countries of the East and West.

    Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative has effectively boosted trade, travel, and exchanges in the region. In 2024, trade between China and Central Asian countries reached a record US$94.8 billion, driven in part by the booming cross-border e-commerce. China is now the region’s top trading partner and a major source of investment.

    In 2014, Tajikistan became the first country to sign a memorandum of understanding with China on the joint development of the Silk Road Economic Belt. Since then, cooperation has yielded tangible results, many of which have been personally supported by Xi Jinping, ranging from the construction of new highways and power plants to new iconic buildings in cities.

    Tajikistan is also home to Central Asia’s first “Lu Ban Workshop” – a Chinese vocational education center that has already trained more than 1,500 students in practical skills in engineering, architecture, water management and environmental protection, cultivating talent for the country’s future development.

    During his state visit to Dushanbe in 2024, Xi Jinping told Emomali Rahmon: “I saw a more prosperous Tajikistan.”

    WEAVING THE “CULTURAL CANVAS”

    In the fall of 2022, during a visit to the legendary Silk Road city of Samarkand, Xi Jinping presented Uzbekistan President Sh. Mirziyoyev with a special gift: a miniature of Khiva, an ancient outpost on the Silk Road.

    Khiva is the first cultural heritage project in Central Asia supported by China. Years of restoration work led by Chinese specialists have given the ancient city a new look.

    “The project to preserve and restore historical monuments in Khiva, launched during my visit to Samarkand in 2013, has been successfully completed, further enhancing the charm of this ancient city,” Xi wrote in an opinion piece ahead of his 2022 visit to Uzbekistan.

    During his previous visit to the country in 2016, Xi met with Chinese experts working on the project. “Make sure the cultural relics are well protected,” he urged them.

    Since then, joint archaeological research by scientists from China and Central Asia has spread across the region, including the ancient city of Rakhat in Kazakhstan and the ancient Buddhist temple at Krasnaya Rechka in Kyrgyzstan.

    Xi Jinping has repeatedly stressed that the friendship between China and Central Asia has a long history. He has repeatedly referred to the life story of Zhang Qian, the Han Dynasty envoy who traveled west more than 2,100 years ago and opened the way for lasting friendship and exchanges between China and the region. He has also stressed the need to “build on our traditional friendship.”

    During his state visit to Kazakhstan in 2024, Xi, together with President K.-Z. Tokayev, opened the Kazakhstan branch of Beijing Language and Culture University, the same university where the Kazakh president studied Chinese in the 1980s. Xi expressed hope that the establishment of the branch would enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples, especially between the younger generations.

    During his visit, Xi met with a group of schoolchildren who greeted him in Chinese and sang a Chinese song. Some of them spoke of their dream of attending Tsinghua University, the Chinese leader’s alma mater.

    “I also wish with all my heart that you will be able to enter good universities in the future. And we will be glad if you continue your education in China,” the Chinese President said with a smile.

    Commenting on the broader impact of such exchanges, Uzbek political commentator Sharofiddin Tulaganov noted that under the cooperation mechanism between China and Central Asia, mutual learning between civilizations will be greatly expanded.

    In today’s complex international environment, he added, such institutionalized humanitarian exchanges will provide valuable cultural impetus to efforts to maintain regional peace and promote common development. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Hamas says Iran ‘paying the price’ for supporting Gaza militants

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Palestinian Islamist group Hamas said Iran, its strategic ally, was “paying the price” for supporting militant groups in Gaza in their decades-long struggle against Israel, after Israel launched large-scale attacks on Friday against Iran.

    Hamas leaders have repeatedly thanked Iran for its military and financial support to the group in its fight against Israel, including during the ongoing war that erupted in October 2023.

    “Iran is today paying the price for its steadfast positions in support of Palestine and its resistance, and its adherence to its independent national decision,” Hamas said in a statement.

    Tehran has vowed retaliation for Israel’s early morning attack on Iranian military and nuclear facilities that killed several top commanders. Israel said it was working to intercept 100 drones that were launched by Iran, but had not reached Israel.

    Hamas armed wing spokesperson Abu Ubaida said in a post on Telegram later on Friday that the group would stand by Iran in its conflict against Israel.

    “The Zionist enemy is completely deluded if it thinks that these treacherous strikes can undermine the fronts of resistance or stabilize the pillars of this fragile entity in the region,” he said.

    “On the contrary, it continues to make successive strategic mistakes that will bring it closer to its inevitable demise, God willing.”

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Banking: ASEAN Audit Committee Convenes its 50th Meeting

    Source: ASEAN

    On 13 June 2025, the 50th Meeting of the ASEAN Audit Committee (AAC) was held at the Nusantara Hall of the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. Under Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, the AAC discussed matters pertaining to internal and external audit, risk management, and governance of the ASEAN Secretariat. H.E. Dato’ Seri Wan Suraya Wan Mohd Radzi, the Auditor General of Malaysia, chaired the meeting. Delegations from the ASEAN Member States, and Timor-Leste as an Observer, participated in the annual meeting. The delegates engaged in a meaningful exchange of perspectives and best practices to further strengthen the ASEAN Secretariat’s internal control, risk management, governance, accountability and transparency.
     

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI: Small Capital, Big Profits – Double Your Deposit, 100x Leverage, No KYC on BexBack

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SINGAPORE, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Bitcoin recently broke the $100,000 barrier and established a solid position above it, many analysts are confirming that the long-awaited crypto bull market has officially returned. With heightened market volatility on the horizon, savvy investors are seeking the best tools to maximize their profits. BexBack, a leading crypto futures platform, is stepping up to the challenge by offering 100x leverage, no KYC, and a 100% deposit bonus to help traders make the most of this bullish market phase.

    How Can Smaller Capital Lead to Larger Profits? The Power of 100x Leverage

    In a volatile market like this, where every price movement counts, 100x leverage allows you to amplify your potential profits exponentially with a relatively small amount of capital. Here’s how it works:

    • Maximized Trading Power: Leverage allows you to open positions much larger than your initial deposit. For example, with 1 BTC at $100,000 and 100x leverage, you can control 100 BTC.
    • Small Price Movements, Big Profits: If Bitcoin moves from $100,000 to $110,000, a 100x leveraged position could yield a 1000% return, turning a small change in price into a significant profit.
    • Low Capital, High Return: Whether you’re new to trading or a seasoned investor, leverage gives you the ability to control much larger positions, amplifying your potential gains, all with a smaller initial deposit.

    However, with leverage comes responsibility. While high leverage can lead to impressive returns, it also magnifies risks, so it’s important to manage positions carefully.

    What Is the Double Deposit Bonus and How Does It Work?

    To further enhance trading opportunities, BexBack is offering a 100% deposit bonus to all users. This means if you deposit funds into your BexBack account, you’ll receive an additional bonus of equal value to your deposit.

    For example, if you deposit 2 BTC, you will receive an additional 2 BTC as a bonus, effectively doubling your available trading funds. While the bonus itself cannot be withdrawn directly, it can be used as margin, allowing you to control larger positions and making liquidation more difficult. Moreover, any profits earned from trading with the bonus can be fully withdrawn.

    The bonus acts as an extra margin, helping you manage trades in a volatile market. It’s an excellent way to start trading with more capital, increasing your chances of success without taking on more risk than you’re comfortable with.

    Why Choose BexBack for Crypto Futures Trading?

    BexBack stands out for several reasons that make it an ideal platform for crypto futures trading:

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    About BexBack

    Founded in Singapore, BexBack is a cutting-edge cryptocurrency derivatives platform offering futures contracts on over 50 digital assets, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Cardano, and XRP. BexBack is licensed under the US MSB (Money Services Business) regulations and is trusted by more than 500,000 global traders. With no deposit fees, no KYC, and a user-friendly interface, BexBack is designed to offer traders flexibility, security, and a seamless trading experience.

    Take Action Now—Don’t Miss the Opportunity to Maximize Your Crypto Profits

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Channel Factory Announces Latest Move to Elevate North American Executive Leadership Team

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, June 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Channel Factory, the global brand suitability and contextual advertising company, today announced the promotion of Nico Greco as the company’s Chief Revenue Officer (CRO), North America. Most recently serving as SVP, Head of Sales at Channel Factory, Greco’s appointment to the North American C-Suite follows a series of strategic moves that enhance Channel Factory’s growth and innovation. In his new role, Greco will report to Kevin Gentzel, newly appointed President, Americas.

    Earlier this year, Channel Factory announced a significant investment from Truelink Capital, as well as the addition of Gentzel to its leadership group. Both these moves and today’s announcement demonstrate a commitment to advancing the company’s ongoing growth.

    Greco, a sales veteran in the digital advertising industry with over 14 years of experience, has extensive experience working with both global agencies and technology companies. Since joining Channel Factory in early 2021, Greco has played a pivotal role in the company’s sales and expansion across the country, most recently serving as SVP, Head of Sales. Before joining Channel Factory, Greco worked as a Director at Amobee, where he focused on the company’s strategic agency partnerships.

    “From an outsider’s perspective, Nico Greco was someone whose career I followed with great interest. He’s been a valuable spokesperson for the company, and his proven track record for driving revenue growth and building strategic partnerships speaks for itself,” said Kevin Gentzel, recently appointed President, Americas at Channel Factory. “When I joined the company, Nico Greco was someone I couldn’t wait to start working with. With Nico as our new CRO for North America, we’re taking our plans for growth and expansion and strapping a rocket to our backs. It’s an exciting time for us and the right time in our industry for a move like this.”

    “Since day one, Channel Factory has demonstrated an incredible level of purpose-driven growth, innovation, and client satisfaction. It’s rare to work for a company that is doing work that you can truly believe in, and I’m eager to take on a larger role to expand on that vision and mission across North America,” said Greco.

    About Channel Factory
    Channel Factory is a global technology and data company that optimizes business performance and enhances brand reputation through ethical and effective contextual targeting. Utilizing proprietary AI and brand suitability technologically, Channel Factory ensures ads are placed on brand-safe, contextually relevant content across YouTube, CTV platforms, and social media, including Meta and TikTok. Through its conscious media planning, Channel Factory is committed to promoting sustainability, diversity, and positive content, helping brands achieve their goals while fostering a healthier digital ecosystem.

    Channel Factory has a presence in 31 countries across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and ANZ, providing advertisers with IAB standard category lists and customized content options in 49+ languages. For more information about Channel Factory, please visit http://www.channelfactory.com.

    Media Contact:
    Andrew Krepow
    andrew@broadsheetcomms.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Your next summer read and our award-winning podcasts – what you should read, watch, see and listen to this week

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Naomi Joseph, Arts + Culture Editor

    The Women’s prize was founded in 1991 in bold riposte to the year’s all-male Booker prize shortlist. It’s funny to think how male-dominated the industry once was when you look at it now. There has been a real renaissance in literary fiction by women since then. Take last year’s Booker prize shortlist where the only male writer nominated was Percival Everett for his brilliant book James.

    That women dominate the literary landscape has not diminished the need for the Women’s prize, however. In fact, I would say it has grown in boldness and depth, now taking on non-fiction, a world still dominated by men. The prize has also launched their first outstanding contribution award, which this year was won by the inimitable Bernadine Evaristo.

    This year’s shortlisted books are a testament to the depth and variety of fiction being written by women. From a multi-generational tale of one Iranaian family to a daring and laugh-out-loud comedy about the rehabilitation of Isis brides by a researcher who worked for the UN doing just that. It serves as a perfect summer reading list. I have read four of the books so far and have loved every single one for very different reasons.

    This year’s winner, The Safekeep by Yael van der Woeden, is a queer romance exploring the lesser-documented consequences of the second world war in the 1980s Netherlands. It’s a book I have gifted several times already and might be my favourite book of 2024. I would also recommend reading last year’s winner, Brotherless Night by V.V. Ganeshananthan, which has made its way slowly around The Conversation newsroom.



    Read more:
    Women’s prize for fiction 2025: six experts review the shortlisted novels

    Scotland on screen

    Set in Edinburgh, Netflix’s Dept. Q follows arrogant maverick detective Carl Mork (Matthew Goode) whose hubris got him shot through the neck, his partner paralysed and a rookie officer killed. Back at work after this horrifying ordeal, he’s wracked with survivor’s guilt and more than a touch of post traumatic stress disorder. He’s been banished to the basement to lead a new cold case unit.

    Surprisingly, instead of being the fool’s errand his commander thinks Dept. Q will be, Mork and his rag tag team find themselves suited to this sort of work. Rather than throw him completely off his game, his new obsessive qualities and hyper-awareness of negative stimuli actually make him better at his job. Our reviewer, an expert in psychological vulnerabilities, analytical thinking patterns and cognitive processing styles, thoroughly enjoyed the show and found it really chimed with his research into how trauma can change the brain.



    Read more:
    Netflix’s Dept Q. suggests that psychological trauma might help a detective investigate – neuroscience backs this up

    From a Scottish detective crime thriller series to a Scottish samurai-western film. Yes, you read that right. Tornado is a revenge tale about a young samurai performer on the run from a gang of bandits in 18th-century Scotland. It might seem like an odd splicing of genres, but in his review film studies scholar Jonathan Wroot argues that the two have a long-shared history. Both westerns and samurai films envision a world full of lone warriors, greedy gangs, wild landscapes, epic struggles and, of course, violence.



    Read more:
    Tornado is a Scottish samurai-western film – genres with a long-shared history

    Tornado is in cinemas now

    Big birthdays and news

    This year marks the 250th birthday of Jane Austen and JMW Turner. Though the pair never met, both were great documenters of Regency England. A new exhibition at Leeds’s Harewood House explores the common threads in their work in relation to the cultural and societal significance of British country houses and their landscapes.

    At Austen and Turner: A Country House Encounter, visitors will be able to look upon rarely seen paintings and manuscripts, including the unfinished manuscript of Austen’s last work, Sanditon. Our reviewer, an expert in literature, found it wonderfully brought to life the reality of the landed aristocracy of the time. It’s sure to move anyone who has an interest in art and history.



    Read more:
    Austen and Turner: A Country House Encounter captures the spirit of two great geniuses, born 250 years ago

    Our final recommendation is our own podcast. This week a series of Conversation products were nominated at the Publisher podcast and newsletter awards, including Something Good. While we didn’t win, The Conversation did take home the big podcast prize, being named podcast publisher of the year.

    The Conversation Weekly talks to academics about their discoveries and explores the big questions they are still trying to answer.

    This week we take you to Indonesia where conservation scientist Hollie Booth trialled a programme paying fishermen to release any sharks and rays accidentally caught in their nets in the hope it would help to keep more alive. Listen to Booth and her colleague M. Said Ramdlan discuss the unintended consequences of the incentive programme.

    We also can’t recommend the limited series podcast Scam Factories enough, which took home best investigative podcast. The three-part series takes you inside the world of scammers, many of whom are often victims too.



    Read more:
    Cash for sharks: the unintended consequences of paying fishermen to release sharks caught in their nets – podcast



    Read more:
    Scam Factories: the inside story of Southeast Asia’s brutal fraud compounds

    – ref. Your next summer read and our award-winning podcasts – what you should read, watch, see and listen to this week – https://theconversation.com/your-next-summer-read-and-our-award-winning-podcasts-what-you-should-read-watch-see-and-listen-to-this-week-257747

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI China: 3rd China-ASEAN Defense Think Tank Exchange to be held 2025-06-13 The Third China-ASEAN Defense Think Tank Exchange will be held in Guiyang, the capital city of Guizhou province in southwestern China, from June 18 to 20.

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

      BEIJING, June 13 — The Third China-ASEAN Defense Think Tank Exchange will be held in Guiyang, the capital city of Guizhou province in southwestern China, from June 18 to 20, said Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, at a press briefing on Friday.

      Themed on “Jointly Promote Regional Peace and Build a Safe and Secure Home”, the Exchange focuses on innovation in China-ASEAN defense cooperation, maritime security cooperation and crisis management, etc., in a bid to provide advice and suggestions for building a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

      Defense policy officials, experts and scholars, as well as representatives of think tanks from China, ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste will attend the event.

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Whoever emboldens “Taiwan Independence” separatist forces to seek secession will get burnt for playing with fire: Defense Spokesperson 2025-06-13 19:07:43 “Any act that emboldens the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces to seek secession will undermine cross-Strait peace and stability, and lead to bitter results or self-inflicted wounds,” said Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, at a press briefing on Friday.

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

      BEIJING, June 13 — “Any act that emboldens the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces to seek secession will undermine cross-Strait peace and stability, and lead to bitter results or self-inflicted wounds,” said Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, at a press briefing on Friday.

      According to reports, the Taipei School of Economics and Political Science Foundation recently held a civil chief-of-staff level war-gaming under the scenario of “Taiwan Strait crisis” for the first time, involving the former “Chief of the General Staff” of the Taiwan region, the former Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the former Chief of Staff of the Japan Self-Defense Forces. In addition, the US and Taiwan held the so-called Defense Industry Forum in Taipei, advocating closer weapon and equipment cooperation.

      When commenting on the above reports, Senior Colonel Jiang Bin slammed that the Taiwan question is purely China’s internal affair, which brooks no external interference. Any act that emboldens the “Taiwan independence” separatist forces to seek secession will undermine cross-Strait peace and stability, and lead to bitter results or self-inflicted wounds.

      “We urge the relevant countries to truly abide by the one-China principle, stop sending any wrong signal to the ‘Taiwan independence’ separatist forces,” he continued, adding that in the face of the prevailing trend that China will and must be reunified, any scheme to solicit foreign support for independence and contain China with Taiwan is doomed to fail.

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    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Along ancient Silk Road, Xi cultivates new bonds with Central Asia

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

    BEIJING, June 13 — In the shimmering early summer heat of Xi’an, China’s longest-serving ancient capital, six pomegranate trees stand gracefully near the site of the inaugural China-Central Asia Summit held in May 2023, their branches bowing low with fruit.

    Planted two years ago by Chinese President Xi Jinping and leaders of the five Central Asian nations, this vibrant grove stands as a vivid testament to the increasingly close and dynamic bond between China and Central Asia.

    Building on past achievements, Xi and his Central Asia counterparts are scheduled to gather in Astana, Kazakhstan, later this month for a second summit, where they will weave tighter threads of trade, security and connectivity across the Eurasian heartland.

    FORGING NEW PARADIGM

    The 2023 Xi’an summit marked the first-ever meeting of heads of state under the China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism. In the city’s time-honored embrace, they agreed to host the top-level gathering every two years alternately in China and Central Asia.

    Last year, this mechanism was further institutionalized with the establishment of a secretariat in Xi’an, capital of Shaanxi, Xi’s home province.

    Xi places great importance on China’s ties with the region. In his view, Central Asia pulses at a strategic crossroads, linking East and West, North and South.

    “It is a foreign-policy priority for China to develop friendly cooperative relations with the Central Asian countries,” Xi said during his first visit to Central Asia after becoming Chinese president in 2013.

    Since then, he has traveled to the region eight times, deepening partnerships bilaterally as well as through platforms such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia.

    Today, Central Asia stands as the only region in the world where every country is a strategic partner of China. These partnerships, Xi said, have forged a new path of good-neighborliness and win-win cooperation, creating a new paradigm for international relations.

    A highlight of the Xi’an summit was the signing of the Xi’an Declaration, in which Xi and the presidents of the five Central Asian countries vowed to work together to build a closer China-Central Asia community with a shared future.

    This pledge aligns with the core idea of what’s known as Xiplomacy: building a community with a shared future for mankind. Notably, the vision has been fully implemented at the bilateral level in Central Asia.

    Sheradil Baktygulov, director of the Institute of World Policy of Kyrgyzstan, said that the shared political will of Xi and the leaders of Central Asia is key to the sustained development of China-Central Asia cooperation.

    “This cooperation not only strengthens bilateral ties, but also lays the foundation for a new model of multilateral collaboration in the Eurasian region,” he added.

    Xi’s strong personal rapport with the leaders of Central Asia fuels these ties. At the Xi’an summit, Xi greeted Tajik President Emomali Rahmon as “my old friend.” In talks with Xi, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev referred to him as his “dear brother.”

    Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, also a seasoned sinologist, arrived in Xi’an on his 70th birthday. Xi told him, “On this special occasion, your visit speaks volumes about the strength of our bilateral ties and reaffirms your unique bond with China.”

    REVIVING SILK ROAD

    “Start the shipment!” With this command, Xi and Tokayev jointly launched the China-Europe Trans-Caspian Express Route at a ceremony held in July 2024 in Astana.

    The occasion marked the formal establishment of a multidimensional connectivity network, integrating highways, railways, airlines and pipelines, to better link Asia with Europe via the Caspian Sea. It is expected to become a vibrant artery of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

    While the ancient Silk Road witnessed robust trade and cultural exchanges between China and Central Asia, Xi sees in the region an important partner in modern-day Belt and Road cooperation.

    Back in September 2013, also in Astana, Xi delivered a landmark speech at Nazarbayev University, where he first laid out his vision for building the Silk Road Economic Belt — a key component of the BRI.

    “We can actively discuss the best way to improve cross-­border transportation infrastructure,” Xi said, “and work toward a transportation network connecting East Asia, West Asia and South Asia to facilitate economic development and travel in the region.”

    Over the years since then, that vision has steadily become a reality. In a recent instance, a commencement ceremony for the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project was held late last year in the Kyrgyz border city of Jalalabad. Xi, in a congratulatory letter, called for building the railway into a “new demonstration project” under Belt and Road cooperation.

    The line will originate from the ancient Silk Road hub of Kashgar, in China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, cross the Torugart Pass into Kyrgyzstan, proceed westward through Jalalabad, and reach the eastern Uzbek city of Andijan.

    This railway, said Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, is not merely a transport corridor, but serves as an important strategic bridge connecting countries of the East and the West.

    Belt and Road cooperation has effectively boosted trade, travel and exchanges in the region. In 2024, China’s trade with Central Asia reached a record 94.8 billion U.S. dollars, fueled in part by a booming cross-border e-commerce sector. China now stands as Central Asia’s top trading partner and major investment source.

    Tajikistan became the first country to sign a memorandum of understanding with China regarding the Silk Road Economic Belt in 2014. Collaboration has since produced tangible outcomes, ranging from new highways and power plants to new city landmarks, many of which have been personally championed by Xi.

    Tajikistan is also home to the first Luban Workshop in Central Asia — a Chinese vocational training center that has already equipped more than 1,500 students with practical skills in engineering, architecture, water management and environmental protection, preparing talent for the nation’s future development.

    In a state visit to the country in 2024, Xi said to Rahmon: “I have seen a more prosperous Tajikistan.”

    WEAVING CULTURAL TAPESTRIES

    In the autumn of 2022, while visiting the storied Silk Road city of Samarkand, Xi presented Uzbek President Mirziyoyev with a special gift: a miniature of Khiva, a historic Silk Road outpost.

    Khiva is China’s first cultural heritage preservation project in Central Asia. Thanks to years of restoration led by Chinese experts, the ancient town has taken on a new look.

    “The preservation and restoration of historical sites in Khiva, a project launched during my visit to Samarkand in 2013, has been successfully concluded, further augmenting the charm of this ancient city,” Xi wrote in a signed article ahead of his 2022 visit to Uzbekistan.

    During an earlier trip to the country in 2016, Xi met with the Chinese experts working on the project. “Be sure to protect the cultural relics well,” he urged them.

    Over the years, joint archaeological efforts between Chinese and Central Asian scholars have expanded across the region, including the ancient city of Rahat in Kazakhstan and an ancient Buddhist temple of Krasnaya Rechka in Kyrgyzstan.

    Xi has repeatedly stressed that the China-Central Asia friendship is one steeped in history. On multiple occasions, he invoked the legacy of Zhang Qian, the Han Dynasty envoy who traveled westward more than 2,100 years ago and opened the door to enduring friendship and exchanges between China and the region. He has also emphasized the need to “carry forward our traditional friendship.”

    During his state visit to Kazakhstan in 2024, Xi, together with Tokayev, unveiled the Kazakhstan branch of Beijing Language and Culture University, the very institution where the Kazakh president studied Chinese in the 1980s. Xi expressed his hope that the new school would enhance mutual understanding between the two peoples, especially the young generation.

    As part of the visit, Xi met a group of schoolchildren who greeted him in Mandarin and sang a Chinese song. Some among them expressed their dream of one day studying at Tsinghua University, Xi’s alma mater.

    “I also wish, with all my heart, that you will be able to attend good universities in the future. And you are very welcome to pursue your studies in China,” the Chinese president smiled.

    Commenting on the broader impact of such exchanges, Uzbek political observer Sharofiddin Tulaganov noted that under the China-Central Asia cooperation mechanism, mutual learning among civilizations will be significantly enhanced.

    In today’s complex international environment, he added, institutionalized people-to-people exchanges like these will inject valuable cultural momentum into efforts at safeguarding regional peace and promoting shared development.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Corporate intern scheme begins

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today officiated at the kick-off ceremony of the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau Scheme on Corporate Summer Internship on the Mainland & Overseas 2025.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chan said the scheme has been well received by the youth and highly recognised by the participating corporates since its launch in 2018, with over 1,000 Hong Kong young people benefitting so far.

    Twenty-eight corporates are participating in the scheme this year, providing internship placements covering financial services, innovation and technology, logistics, property development, construction, retail, hospitality, entertainment and public utilities.

    The internship placements span different Mainland provinces and cities and overseas countries including Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Mongolia and Australia. The recruited interns will depart from June onwards to undertake internship placements of no less than four weeks.

    Noting that the scheme is dedicated to bringing Hong Kong youth to “go global”, Mr Chan said the young people can accumulate work experience, broaden their horizons and expand their interpersonal networks via the internships, assisting them in planning their future.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ANNVILLE – Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy for At-Risk Teens Graduates Latest Class

    Source: US State of Pennsylvania

    June 14, 2025 – Annville, PA

    ADVISORY – ANNVILLE – Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy for At-Risk Teens Graduates Latest Class

    The latest class of the Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) for teens will graduate on their way to a brighter future. The cadets successfully completed the 22-week residential phase of the program and will now embark on a 24-month mentorship phase in their home communities.

    Dr. George M. Schwartz (Brig. Gen. Ret.) will be the commencement speaker.

    The KSCA provides Pennsylvania teens who are struggling an opportunity to learn skills such as self-discipline, leadership, and responsibility through an engaging, safe, and structured residential experience. Cadets are guided to improve their academic standing, regain credits, and increase their potential for future employment or further their high school or post-secondary education.

    WHAT:
    Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy’s graduation

    WHEN:
    Saturday, June 14, 2024, 10 A.M.

    WHERE:
    Bldg. 8-80 Bearty Ave.
    Fort Indiantown Gap, Annville, PA

    NOTE: All media interested in covering the graduation should contact Angela Watson at watsona@pa.govor 717-507-7000 today to arrange easy access to the event.

    DIRECTIONS: All visitors must enter through the main gate. All other entrances and exits to Fort Indiantown Gap are permanently closed.
    Take I-81 North and get off at exit 85B Indiantown Gap. This will put you on 934 north to the main gate. You must show a state- or federally-issued identification card to enter the installation.
    Continue through the access point to the first light, and take a right onto Service Rd. Next, take a right onto Bearty Ave. Then turn right on Bellamy Ave. to Bldg. 8-80. More information here: https://www.ftig.ng.mil/Gate-Construction/.

    NOTE: Commonwealth Media Services will film the graduation ceremony and distribute video through PAcast after the event.

    MIL OSI USA News –