NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Education on Standardization meeting

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    Background

    The START-Ed Initiative was established by the decision of the Working Party 6 in November 2012. The START-Ed Initiative has the following two major tasks:

    (1) Promotion of standards-awareness in the educational establishments with the elaboration of the 15-module programme on standardization developed in 2012

    (2) Assisting in sharing best practices in teaching standards to different audiences.

    Expected attendance: WP.6 Bureau, members and observers, and secretariat 

                                

    Draft agenda

    Item

    Subject

    Timing

    1a

    Roll call

    0

    1b

    Reminder of WP.6 procedures

    5

    1c

    Approval of the agenda

    5

    2

    Guest speaker: Prof. Kayo Ito (Chubu University, Japan) [Bio & PPT] – 30 minutes (15 minutes presentation followed by discussion / QA) on “Student Oriented Education about Standardization.”

    30

    3

    Future activities of the initiative

    25

    4

    Update from the secretariat

    10

    5

    Any other business

    15

    Next meeting: 11 November 2025 hybrid, Geneva

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Education on Standardization Initiative meeting

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    Background

    The START-Ed Initiative was established by the decision of the Working Party 6 in November 2012. The START-Ed Initiative has the following two major tasks:

    (1) Promotion of standards-awareness in the educational establishments with the elaboration of the 15-module programme on standardization developed in 2012

    (2) Assisting in sharing best practices in teaching standards to different audiences.

    Expected attendance: WP.6 Bureau, members and observers, and secretariat 

                                

    Draft agenda

    Item

    Subject

    Timing

    1a

    Roll call

    0

    1b

    Reminder of WP.6 procedures

    5

    1c

    Approval of the agenda

    5

    2

    Guest speaker: Prof. Kayo Ito (Chubu University, Japan) [Bio & PPT] – 30 minutes (15 minutes presentation followed by discussion / QA) on “Student Oriented Education about Standardization.”

    30

    3

    Future activities of the initiative

    25

    4

    Update from the secretariat

    10

    5

    Any other business

    15

    Next meeting: 11 November 2025 hybrid, Geneva

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Health chief attends HA convention

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau today attended the opening ceremony of the Hospital Authority (HA) Convention 2025 and met multiple high-level delegations from the Mainland and overseas for in-depth exchanges on healthcare co-operation and development.

    At the opening ceremony, Prof Lo witnessed the successful national accreditation of the Queen Mary Hospital Chest Pain Centre, making it the first chest pain centre in Hong Kong established in accordance with the national accreditation standards.

    He said the establishment of a chest pain centre can improve the efficiency of acute chest pain diagnosis and speed up the time for patients to receive cardiac surgery, thereby lowering the death rate, shortening the hospitalisation period and reducing the hospital readmission rate.

    The health chief also noted that the adoption of the national accreditation standards by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will also facilitate integration into the overall national development by fully utilising Hong Kong’s advantage of having the motherland’s  strong support and close connection with the world, with a view to demonstrating the excellence of the national healthcare standards to the international community, and helping promote the development of the national accreditation standards of chest pain centres into an internationally recognised standard.

    Over the course of the convention, Prof Lo met multiple delegations from the Mainland and overseas and attended various events, taking the opportunity to promote medical co-operation and exchanges.

    Among others, Prof Lo met Guangdong Health Commission Director-General Liu Liqun and his delegation to explore the exchange of healthcare talent between the two places, and to discuss healthcare collaboration projects, such as the Elderly Health Care Voucher Greater Bay Area Pilot Scheme and the cross-boundary use of electronic health records.

    After the meeting, both sides attended the welcoming ceremony for the Mainland Healthcare Talents Visiting Programmes.

    Prof Lo was pleased to note that since the 2022 launch of the visiting programmes, 80 outstanding doctors and two batches of about 170 nurses in total from the Mainland have come to the HA on exchange, while more than 25 specialists have also been arranged by the authority to conduct exchanges at public hospitals in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong.

    Afterwards, Prof Lo and the Consul General of France in Hong Kong & Macau Christile Drulhe jointly witnessed the signing of the Declaration of Intent between the HA and the National Conference of University Hospital General Managers of France.

    The signing of the declaration formally establishes a strategic collaborative partnership between the two organisations in deepening mutual exchanges, promoting the joint development of hospital services and exchange of medical expertise.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Minister Smyth Promotes Ireland’s Digital and Innovation Agenda on Visit to Singapore for Asia Tech x SG 2025

    Source: Government of Ireland – Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation

    26th May 2025

    Minister of State for Trade Promotion, Artificial Intelligence and Digital Transformation Niamh Smyth is undertaking a high-profile visit to Singapore this week at the invitation of the Singaporean Government to participate in Asia Tech x Singapore (ATxSG) 2025, one of the region’s most significant technology and innovation summits.

    The summit, which gathers global tech leaders to shape the future of digital transformation, provides a platform for Ireland to showcase its strengths in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital trust, innovation, and skills development. Minister Smyth’s participation underscores Ireland’s commitment to being at the forefront of global digital dialogue.

    Speaking ahead of her visit, Minister Smyth said:
    “Ireland and Singapore share a forward-looking vision when it comes to technology, digital governance and innovation. My visit is a valuable opportunity to deepen ties with key partners, promote Ireland’s capabilities in emerging tech sectors and learn from Singapore’s pioneering work in digital transformation.”

    In addition to engagements at ATxSG, including attendance at the opening event alongside the President of Singapore, Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister Smyth’s programme features a series of bilateral meetings and strategic engagements, supported by the Embassy of Ireland in Singapore and the wider Ireland House team, including Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland and Bord Bia.

    Highlights of the Minister’s Programme include engagements with Irish Companies operating in Southeast Asia, showcasing the success of Irish enterprise abroad with support from Enterprise Ireland. A number of high-level meetings with representatives of AI Singapore and AI Innovation, exploring collaborative opportunities in responsible AI development are also on the itinerary.

    Minister Smyth will also participate in the Ministerial Roundtable on Digital Trust, where global leaders will examine AI risks and regulatory strategies. Bilateral talks will also take place with key international counterparts, including a Singaporean Minister for Digital Development & Information, Professor Max Tegmark, President of the Future of Life Institute, Baroness Jones, UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Future Digital Economy and Hon Judith Collins KC, New Zealand’s Minister for Digitising Government Tourism policy meetings, reflecting the Department’s expanded remit, with senior figures from Gardens by the Bay, Singapore National Stadium and the National Association of Travel Agencies Singapore are also scheduled.

    Strategic discussions with Skills Future Singapore and Design Singapore, offering valuable insights into how nations are preparing their workforces and industries for the digital age, are another feature.
    Minister Smyth will conclude her visit by meeting with members of Singapore’s vibrant Irish community at an event hosted by the St Patrick’s Society, which this year celebrates its 100th anniversary in the city-state.

    Minister Smyth highlighted how:

    “This visit is a strong demonstration of Ireland’s commitment to international digital cooperation, innovation diplomacy, and supporting Irish enterprise across Southeast Asia.”

    ENDS

    Back to Department News

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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: International tournament Inter Football Cup: sport, friendship, Vyshka!

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University Higher School of Economics – State University Higher School of Economics –

    © Higher School of Economics

    On May 18, the Higher School of Economics hosted the international football tournament Inter Football Cup, in which HSE students and staff from all over the world took part for the third year in a row. This event became a real holiday not only for football fans, but also for everyone who wants to make new acquaintances and immerse themselves in an atmosphere of friendship and unity.

    The football tournament is held with the support of Directorates of Internationalization And Department of Physical Education HSE University. Opening the event, department lecturer Artem Yemelyanov congratulated everyone on the sports festival and wished them to demonstrate their best sports skills and team spirit. Director Center for Support and Career of International Students and Graduates Zhanna Sorokina noted that for the first time, not only student teams are participating in the tournament, but also a team formed from international specialists – foreign teachers and research staff of the university.

    This time, 12 teams met on the field, bringing together representatives of more than 50 countries – from Australia to Ethiopia, from Italy to India. Each match was a real battle, full of emotions and excitement. The participants not only demonstrated their football skills, but also shared the cultural traditions of their countries, which added a special flavor to the tournament. “This is not just football, it is a great chance to take a break from studying, warm up and relax, and also meet our friends and students from other faculties,” shared Ikenna Mbatha (Nigeria) from Institute for Statistical Research and Economics of Knowledge HSE. His team, despite losing in the semi-finals, had unforgettable impressions and made many new acquaintances.

    “This is not my first time participating in the tournament, and it is one of the best events that the university organizes for international students,” says Bernard Baako (Ghana) Faculty of Economic Sciences“Such drive, such emotions – it’s an amazing release!”

    As the tournament organizers note, the number of participants increases every year, which indicates a growing interest in the sporting event. “We are glad to see how students from different countries unite through sport. This is important not only for their socialization, but also for creating a friendly atmosphere at the university,” noted Zhanna Sorokina.

    Marco Mellina (Italy), Research Fellow Schools of Historical Sciences, said that he was a big football fan and, having just learned about the tournament, persuaded his colleagues to participate. The team of international specialists was extremely happy to spend the day at the stadium and impose a fight on their opponents. Even the rain that began during the final games did not spoil the mood of those gathered. The players’ passion in the fight for prize places was uncontrollable, once again confirming the truth of the classic formula of big-time sports: “The match will take place in any weather.”

    The tournament ended with a spectacular finale in which the team Faculty of Social Sciences defeated the team Institute of Cognitive Neurosciences — another debutant of the tournament. But, as many participants noted, the main thing is not the victory, but participation and the opportunity to meet new people.

    Benjamin Sarpong (Ghana), captain of the winning team, boasted that he has won the cup for the second year in a row: at the Inter Football Cup 2024, he was a prize winner as part of the team of the preparatory department for foreign citizens. “Today I personally scored two goals, and they determined the outcome of the final game! I am absolutely happy!” admitted Ben.

    The HSE Inter Football Cup has once again proven its importance as a platform for cultural exchange and friendship, and the participants are looking forward to the next tournament.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: Chance AI releases new model with visual reasoning, multi-language support, and voice

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, May 26, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Chance AI, the multi-agent visual AI for explorers, artists, and creatives, today announces its most substantial model upgrade to date. Available starting today on iOS and coming soon to Android, Chance AI’s latest release introduces real-time visual reasoning, support for 17 languages, and voice playback—making Chance’s unique visual AI proposition more intuitive, helpful, and accessible.

    Chance AI now describes its reasoning in real time

    Simply take a photo, and Chance AI will instantly provide a wealth of history, context, and related information. Uncover the story behind historic landmarks or art pieces, identify unique plants or objects, or learn more about books, games, movies, and more. Chance AI is currently a free download with no ads or shopping links.

    New Real-Time Visual Reasoning

    The latest update brings real-time visual reasoning to Chance AI, allowing the model not just to identify what it sees—but to explain how it discovers and interprets new information through step-by-step visual logic, like a thoughtful human observer. Whether it’s analyzing art, decoding design, or understanding the natural world, Chance now provides rich, conversational insight into visual intelligence.

    “This is a huge leap forward for Chance AI,” said founder Xi Zeng, co-founder and former Product Director at OnePlus. “Unlike other models, Chance AI is built specifically for deep visual reasoning and explains what it sees in a powerful new way—connecting your curiosity with real, human-centered insights. We believe that knowledge should meet you at the speed of sight, not hide behind search boxes or opaque algorithms. It’s about making exploration transparent, inclusive, and fun.”

    With this release, Chance AI becomes the first true visual reasoning model, offering an unprecedented level of transparency and outperforming competitors in accuracy and contextual depth. 

    Building a Global Community

    With its latest update, Chance AI now supports 17 languages, opening the door for even more users to explore and connect with the world around them. In addition to English, newly added languages include:

    • Spanish / Español
    • French / Français
    • German / Deutsch
    • Italian / Italiano
    • Portuguese / Português
    • Simplified Chinese / 简体中文
    • Traditional Chinese / 繁體中文
    • Japanese / 日本語
    • Dutch / Nederlands
    • Polish / Polski
    • Swedish / Svenska
    • Danish / Dansk
    • Norwegian Bokmål / Norsk Bokmål
    • Finnish / Suomi
    • Czech / Čeština
    • Greek / Ελληνικά

    Press Play on Exploration

    The update also introduces audio output, so users can choose to read or listen to Chance AI’s responses. 

    “It’s so exciting to see people around the world discovering Chance AI and using it to explore their surroundings in entirely new ways,” said Bradon Harwood, co-founder of Chance AI and former senior marketing leader at OnePlus. “This new model is really about breaking down barriers—so even more people can experience the joy of exploration in their own native language, by text or voice.”

    Voice features are now available in English, Chinese, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, and Spanish. More languages are planned for future releases.

    Availability

    Chance AI is available now for free download on the Apple App Store. An Android version is currently in closed beta and will be available soon on Google Play. Users can visit Chance AI’s website to join the company’s beta program and try the Android version today.

    Chance AI is now available in 17 global languages

    About Chance AI

    Founded by former OnePlus team members with a passion for design, technology, and exploration, Chance AI is the most advanced visual AI ever developed—driven by a mission to enrich lives through discovery. With just a quick snap, it unlocks a world of conversational context and hidden narratives, transforming the way people engage with their surroundings. 

    Press inquiries

    Chance AI
    https://chance.vision
    Bradon Harwood
    bradon@chance.vision

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: New Wuhan-Poti/Tbilisi route launched as part of China-Europe international rail freight transportation

    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, May 26 (Xinhua) — A China-Europe international rail freight train departed from Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, for Georgia on Saturday, marking the opening of a new trans-Caspian international transport route linking Wuhan with Georgian cities.

    The train is carrying goods worth more than 14.82 million yuan (about $2.06 million), including light mechanical equipment, agricultural machinery and construction materials, China’s Zhongxinshe News Agency reported.

    This train will cross the state border at the Khorgos checkpoint /Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Republic, Northwest China/, pass through Kazakhstan, where in the seaport of Aktau the cargo will be transferred to a ferry going across the Caspian Sea, after which it will arrive in the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, from where it will be delivered by rail to Poti and Tbilisi.

    When transporting goods from Wuhan to Georgia, a multimodal scheme is envisaged: “railway – sea – rail”, while the travel time is approximately 18 days.

    Georgia is a key corridor connecting Europe and Asia. The launch of this route will facilitate the development of trade and economic ties between China’s Hubei Province and Georgia, Turkey, and other neighboring countries.

    Currently, there are 58 cross-border routes in the China-Europe international railway freight transportation, linking Wuhan with 120 cities in 40 countries on the Eurasian continent. Thus, an international intermodal transport network has been formed covering Europe, Central Asia and ASEAN countries, as well as Japan and the Republic of Korea. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese-Uzbek archaeological team held an open day

    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, May 26 (Xinhua) — A team of archaeologists from China and Uzbekistan held an open day in Surkhandarya region of Uzbekistan last week, according to the official website of the Cultural Heritage Protection Administration of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province.

    The event, attended by 40 local schoolchildren, took place at the Bandikhon No. 2 archaeological site, located in the Surkhandarya and Sherabadarya river valley. Since September 2023, experts from China and Uzbekistan have been conducting joint excavations at this early Iron Age site.

    The archaeological group includes researchers from Northwest University (NWU, Shaanxi Province, China), Termez State University and Termez State Archaeological Museum (Uzbekistan).

    The event, which aimed to educate the public about archaeology, allowed the teenagers to expand their historical knowledge and strengthen their awareness of the importance of protecting cultural heritage sites, said Ma Jian, head of the Chinese archaeological team.

    In cooperation with the Samarkand Archaeological Institute, the State Archaeological Center and the Fergana State University of Uzbekistan, SZU has been conducting archaeological work in the city of Samarkand, the Surkhandarya and Fergana regions of this country for 18 years in a row.

    The collaboration between archaeologists from both sides proved fruitful. Experts filled a number of gaps in Central Asian archaeological research, discovering the monuments of Sazagan and Chinartepa and the burial grounds of Rabat and Serharakat. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China hosts symposium on traditional cultures along the Silk Road

    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, May 26 (Xinhua) — A 2025 symposium on the protection, development and application of traditional cultures along the Silk Road opened in Xi’an, capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, on Friday.

    The symposium, co-organized by the Shaanxi Provincial People’s Government, the Provincial Department of Education and Northwest University (NWU), brought together more than 100 experts from higher education institutions in China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Morocco and the United Kingdom.

    The event included the opening ceremony of the Intelligent Perception Laboratory for Situational Awareness in Countries Along the Silk Road, aimed at enhancing the level of cooperation between research organizations in China, Central Asia and Arab countries.

    Speaking at the symposium, SZU Rector Sun Qingwei introduced those present to the university’s achievements in research related to the Great Silk Road.

    The Silk Road served as a channel for trade and economic interaction and civilizational exchanges between the East and the West, and in modern times it has gained new vitality. Sun Qingwei called on the two sides to make joint efforts to deeply integrate production, education, research and application.

    The main theme of the symposium is “The Great Silk Road: civilizational mutual learning and innovation in culture.” Within its framework, two sub-forums were held on issues of Chinese-Arab and Chinese-Central Asian civilizational exchanges. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Hong Kong SAR IPOs this year total 76 billion Hong Kong dollars

    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

    HONG KONG, May 26 (Xinhua) — Chen Mao-bo, head of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s Finance Department, said that since the beginning of this year to date, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has raised over 76 billion Hong Kong dollars through initial public offerings (IPOs) on the local stock exchange, an eight-fold increase compared to the same period last year and reaching about 90 percent of last year’s total.

    In an online report posted by the official on Sunday, he said that despite the uncertainties in the external environment, the Hong Kong SAR is making every effort to seize opportunities to play the role of a “super-connector” between China’s interior and the rest of the world.

    Last week, Hong Kong SAR hosted two major financial forums, with many foreign investors pledging to use Hong Kong to increase their asset allocation to the Chinese interior and the rest of Asia. The Hong Kong Stock Exchange also saw its largest IPO of the year last week.

    In addition, the Hong Kong Investment Management Company organized the first international forum on “patient capital”. Speaking at the forum, representatives of science and technology enterprises noted that the event allowed them to get acquainted with many potential investors and long-term funds, which will help accelerate the connection between capital and innovative science and technology enterprises.

    On May 23, the Hong Kong SAR’s relocation regulations came into effect. On the same day, a major international insurance company announced its intention to relocate to Hong Kong and make Hong Kong its place of registration.

    Chen Maobo noted that due to the excellent performance of the stock exchange, more and more companies are choosing to set up their headquarters, research centers and regional offices in the Hong Kong SAR, which in turn demonstrates the confidence of investors and enterprises in the Hong Kong SAR. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Maritime NZ announces safer boating funding for 2023

    Source: Maritime New Zealand

    Maritime NZ has announced recipients of its annual Community Grant funding for safety programmes to help reduce fatalities and injuries to people out on the water in recreational craft.

    In total, 21 projects and initiatives around the country will share $876,680 worth of funding. In 2022, 24 projects shared $853,000.

    In 2022 there were 17 deaths (spread across 16 incidents) related to recreational craft. The number of fatalities has remained relatively consistent over the last decade, despite significant efforts from recreational craft safety-focussed organisations.

    For Maritime NZ Director, Kirstie Hewlett, these fatalities and the substantial number of preventable harm incidents are of significant concern for her and the rest of Maritime NZ. 

    “With nearly two million people in New Zealand undertaking activities on the water, we know it is very important to get the right safety messages out to a wide range of people, from different backgrounds, all over Aotearoa.

    “At Maritime NZ, we will be looking for opportunities to promote the work of other organisations to reduce harm, and are keen to see collaborative approaches to safety across the sector.

    “No one organisation has the answer or the ability to reach everyone. This is why it is important to work together to increase water users’ knowledge on how to be safe on the water, and ultimately bring down instances of harm.

    A key part of the funding allocation decision was looking at how to reach at-risk groups.

    “There are several initiatives that are targeted to supporting different ethnic groups, including Pasifika, Asian and Māori communities.

    “Across New Zealand, we know there are differing levels of safety knowledge, safety equipment owned by water users and language barriers for some communities. It is hugely important we keep up our previous momentum with supporting these communities and have them prioritising safety.

    “Everyone should go home safely from a day out on the water.

    “It is vital water users understand the rules and know how to keep themselves safe,” Ms Hewlett says.

    The funding is split across local and national initiatives, with recipients located all around New Zealand. 

    Among the initiatives that have secured funding are Coastguard’s Old4New lifejacket upgrade programme, which includes Second Life Lifejackets and received $100,000; Northland Regional Council’s Nobody’s Stronger Than Tangaroa campaign, which received $85,000; and $70,000 for Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Kia marutau ki te wai and Safety is Our Wai scheme.

    Beneficiary organisations include the Kayak Association of Sea Kayakers, Watersafe Auckland (Drowning Prevention Auckland), New Zealand Stand Up Paddling, Jet Boating NZ, and several regional councils.

    A key purpose of the fund is to support campaigns and collaboration led by the members of New Zealand’s Safer Boating Forum, a coalition of organisations dedicated to improving safety in the recreational boating sector.

    Successful recipients

    Council / Organisation

    Programme

    Funding Approved

    Bay of Plenty Regional Council
    Jon Jon Peters

    [email protected]

    Safety is our Wai & Kia marutau ki te wai
    Continuation of on-water safety programme to  Harbour & Lakes and safer boating education and resources specifically to local Iwi and Hapū

    $70,000

    Coastguard New Zealand Tautiaki Moana Aotearoa

    Daisy Docherty

    [email protected]

    Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade Programme including Second Life Lifejackets and Ngā Hue ō Hinemoa

    Continuation of the Old4New Lifejacket Upgrade campaign offering heavily discounted lifejackets and PFD’s to those who upgrade their old or damaged lifejackets across NZ and  providing new life jackets for at-risk communities Continuation of an existing programme to educate Pasifika boaties to be more knowledgeable and safer skippers.

    $100,000

    Environment Canterbury

    Gordon McKay

    [email protected]

    Canterbury Safe Boating Programme

    Continuation of programme to educate safer boating and providing an Enforcement Officer to specialise in educating the jet boat sector.

    $55,000

    Environment Southland
    Zak Smith

    [email protected]

    Environment Southland Boating Safety Program
     Continuation of existing programme to deliver consistent boating safety education to recreational boating operators on water and on boat ramps.

    $20,000

    Gisborne District Council
    Peter Buell
    [email protected]

    Tairāwhiti Haumaru Moana
    Continuation of  promoting safer boating throughout the region

    $48,000

    Greater Wellington Regional Council
    Grant Nalder
    [email protected]

    Do you know what you need to?
    To deliver nationally consistent safe boating messages and the aim is to make this relevant and available to a wide demographic through direct contact with a range of boaties.

    $58,410

    Hawke’s Bay Regional Council
    Adrian Wright

    [email protected] 

    Tamariki and Pakeke Boating Safety Programme
     Continuation of education program of delivering Safer Boating Education to local iwi and running a “Suddenly in Charge Course” at boating clubs around the region

    $18,000

    Jet Boating New Zealand Inc.

    Stephen Woodside
    [email protected]

    Jet Smart – Safer Jet Boating
    Continuation to produce a series of Jet Smart – Safer Jet Boating videos that contain safety messages focusing on river navigation.

    $36,650

    Kayak Association of Sea Kayakers (KASK)
    Steve Cooper

    [email protected]

    KayakSafe NZ
    Continuation of delivery of key kayaking safety messages through a variety of channels.

    $7,000

    Marlborough District Council

    Brittany Hamilton

    [email protected]

    Safer Boating Roadshow Marlborough – bringing boating safety to you!
     Visiting remote areas and promote safer boating behaviour. 

    $20,000

    Nelson City Council
    Stuart Whitehouse
    [email protected]

    Maritime Safety Internship
    Increasing safety education and compliance for Nelson waters

    $27,000

    Nelson City Council
    Stuart Whitehouse
    [email protected]

    Sup on water educational programme
    Continuation of programme to educate SUP users on safety and help develop skills about informed decision making in dynamic environments.

    $4,800

    New Zealand Stand Up Paddling Inc.  (NZSUP)
    Bill Dawes
    [email protected]

    SUP SAFE
     Continuation of campaign targeted at stand up paddle boarders to increase safety behaviours. 

    $24,000

    Northland Regional Council
    Peter Thomas
    [email protected]

    Nobody’s stronger then Tangaroa
    Continuation of engaging with remote communities with specific messaging and face to face engagement

    $85,000

    Queenstown Lakes District Council
    Isabelle Logez
    [email protected]

    QLDC Waterways Skipper Responsibility Campaign
    Increased public messaging to promote skipper responsibility of waterways within region, which solely comprises of inland waterways – rivers and lakes.

    $12,000

    Royal New Zealand Coastguard

    Marilyn Brady

    [email protected]

    Ko Tangata Moana

    To deliver safer boating courses to Maori, Pasifika and Asian communities

    $100,000

    Waikato Regional Council
    Chris Bredenbeck
    [email protected]

    Operation Neptune
    Continuation of on-water education with three primary tactics education, engagement and enforcement while delivering safety messages
     

    $45,000

    Waka Ama NZ
    Lara Collins
    [email protected]

    Waka Ama Water Safety
    Continuation of delivery of the CBE Waka Ama Safety Course to all waka ama paddlers around Aotearoa. 

    $46,000

    Watersafe Auckland Inc.(Drowning Prevention Auckland)
    Nicola Keen-Biggelaar
    [email protected]

    WaiWise for the Pacific, Asian and Indian communities
    Continuation of programme to provide specific drowning prevention education for the three at-risk communities in Tāmaki Makaurau.

    $50,000

    Watersafe Auckland Inc.(Drowning Prevention Auckland)
    Nicola Keen-Biggelaar
    [email protected]

    Supporting growth in use of Lifejacket Hubs for drowning prevention education
    Continuation to provide hubs where people can access lifejackets and support growing awareness of these hubs.

    $25,000

    Yachting New Zealand
    Raynor Haagh
    [email protected]

    Yachting New Zealand’s sailing experience RŪNĀ

    Continuation of the RŪNĀ framework to encourage a wider and more diverse range of students to connect with sailing both inside and outside the classroom  

    $25,000

    $876,680

    Note to editors

    • All of Maritime New Zealand’s recreational boating work is funded through fuel excise duty on petrol (about $5.4 million). This is from contributions to the tax boaties make when refuelling their boats. A portion of this funding is used to support the Community Grants programme
    • Maritime NZ also provides funding to a range of Councils around the country to support on-water compliance. Funding for ‘No Excuses’ and on-water compliance initiatives will not come out of community grants funding. Instead they will be supported from the on-water compliance funding budget.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tuen Ng visitor arrivals discussed

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki today chaired a meeting of the interdepartmental working group to co-ordinate the preparatory work for welcoming visitors to Hong Kong during the Mainland’s Tuen Ng Festival long weekend.

    The Immigration Department estimates that around 3.2 million passengers, including Hong Kong residents and visitors, will pass through Hong Kong’s sea, land and air control points from May 31 to June 2, among which 2.73 million are expected to pass through land control points.

    The peak period of outbound and inbound passengers using land boundary control points (BCPs) will be May 31 and June 1, with around 570,000 and 540,000 passengers expected respectively.

    Passengers are advised to plan in advance, avoid making journeys during busy periods and keep track of radio and TV broadcasts on traffic conditions at various control points. The busy times at BCPs are available on the department’s website.

    Residents and passengers may also check the estimated waiting times at each land BCP via the Immigration mobile app.

    In terms of Mainland inbound visitors, around 380,000 passengers are expected to visit Hong Kong via sea, land and air control points during the three-day Tuen Ng Festival long weekend. The daily average visitor arrivals will increase by 16% year-on-year.

    Special arrangements have been formulated at major tourist spots to cope with the increase of people flow.

    The Transport Department will enhance transportation services connecting various BCPs, including increasing the frequency of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge shuttle bus (Gold Bus) and the Lok Ma Chau-Huanggang cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus), and issue additional cross-boundary coach quotas to enhance services.

    Regarding local transport services, the department has approached public transport operators to enhance their capacity, and reserve vehicles and manpower to meet the travel needs of visitors.

    Among them, the MTR will enhance train services of the East Rail Line between Admiralty and Lo Wu/Lok Ma Chau at different times from May 31 to June 2 for the convenience of residents and visitors.

    Meanwhile, the Tourism Board will launch a dedicated webpage to provide useful information including the operating arrangements of major tourist attractions in Hong Kong.

    Mr Chan said on the instruction of the Chief Executive, the working group has consolidated the experience gained from receiving Mainland visitors during the Labour Day Golden Week in early May, and the Government will closely liaise with relevant organisations and the travel trade to enhance various aspects in receiving visitors and offering a high-quality experience.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Navigating risks and harnessing potential: OSCE and Asian Partners discuss the impact of emerging technologies in the security sector

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: Navigating risks and harnessing potential: OSCE and Asian Partners discuss the impact of emerging technologies in the security sector

    Navigating risks and harnessing potential: OSCE and Asian Partners discuss the impact of emerging technologies in the security sector | OSCE

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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • A country like Pakistan thinks terrorism is tourism; this is a big threat to the world: PM Modi in Bhuj

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lambasted Pakistan for endorsing cross-border terrorism, saying that it views “terrorism as tourism,” which he called a serious threat to the world.

    Addressing a rally in Bhuj, PM Modi referred to Operation Sindoor, in which India launched precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and PoJK, describing it as a mission to save humanity and end terrorism.

    “Our policy against terrorism is one of zero tolerance. Operation Sindoor made our stance crystal clear. Whoever tries to make us bleed will face a similar response. They will be spared at no cost. Operation Sindoor is a mission to save humanity and end terrorism… We waited for 15 days to see if Pakistan would take any steps against terrorism, but probably terrorism is their bread and butter. When they did nothing, I gave our armed forces a free hand,” he said.

    Operation Sindoor was launched early on May 7 as a decisive military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The Indian Armed Forces targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of over 100 terrorists.

    Following the aggression, India responded decisively by attacking Pakistan’s airbases.

    (ANI)

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Shiling to depart Wellington for Singapore

    Source: Maritime New Zealand

    Maritime NZ has lifted the detention order it previously imposed against the container ship Shiling.

    This means the vessel has satisfied the imposed conditions, and it can now depart New Zealand for Singapore.

    It will leave at about 3.30 PM this afternoon (7 July).

    Over the last three months, the Shiling broke down twice in and around New Zealand waters; resulting in two significant stays in Wellington while repairs were undertaken.

    While the imposed conditions have been satisfied; the Shiling’s owners have agreed to have the vessel escorted by the MMA Vision (a vessel capable of emergency towage) to 200 nautical miles off New Zealand coast.

    “This is an extra layer of protection to keep the crew on the vessel and New Zealand safe,” Maritime NZ’s Deputy Chief Executive, Regulatory Operations Deb Despard says.

    “Maritime NZ wants to assure people in New Zealand, we have taken this vessel’s issues very seriously.

    Over the last week and a half the Shiling has undertaken a range of trials to show it can satisfy the necessary requirements to be released from its detention.

    “These started with testing the engine alongside the berth at CentrePort, then progressing to harbour trials and finally an open sea trial south of Wellington, with a tug escort throughout.”

    The trials were overseen by the vessel’s classification society* and an overseas technician for the main engine manufacturer.

    “These played a key role in checking the vessel for issues, and reassuring us (Maritime NZ) and other parties involved that the vessel has satisfied the conditions previously imposed, and can undertake the journey to Singapore,” Deb Despard says.

    The process around managing the Shiling has involved a range of organisations from us (Maritime NZ) as the local regulator, our counterpart in Singapore, the Wellington Harbourmaster, CentrePort as well as private companies; including towage providers, insurers and the owners of the vessel.  

    Maritime NZ will continue to monitor its movements out of New Zealand waters. 

    The vessel’s flag state (Singapore) has ordered it travel directly to Singapore.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with the Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), Mr. Ren Hongbin, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The meeting focused on exploring ways to further deepen bilateral trade and economic cooperation between ASEAN and China, especially looking at untapped potentials.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with the Chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Shiling to undertake harbour trials

    Source: Maritime New Zealand

    The Singaporean-flagged cargo vessel the Shiling will this afternoon undertake harbour trials as planning continues for its departure from Wellington.

    The vessel lost power twice in New Zealand, over the last three months; initially in mid-April, and then after its subsequent departure on 12 May. On 23 May it was towed back to Wellington under the control of an ocean-going tug, the Skandi Emerald .

    After the Shiling returned to Wellington, Maritime NZ issued a detention notice against the vessel, which included stringent conditions it has to meet prior to departure.

    Maritime NZ’s Deputy Chief Executive, Regulatory Operations Deb Despard, says the organisation’s focus has been on ensuring all steps are made so vessel can safely leave New Zealand waters.

    “This has been an ongoing process involving us [Maritime NZ], the vessel, its owners and their agents, insurers, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Shiling’s classification society, the Wellington Harbourmaster, CentrePort and related organisations such as towage providers.

    “Everyone has worked with the aim to get the Shiling safely back to Singapore,” she says.

    The owner of the Shiling continues to be responsible for the management of the issues with the vessel, as well as meeting the conditions imposed by Maritime NZ, the Marine and Port Authority of Singapore and the vessel’s classification society.

    Work to understand and remedy the vessel’s issues has been ongoing for more than a month. It has included the vessel’s owner bringing in experts from overseas, including engineers from the manufacturer of the engine, and working with its classification society to ensure the necessary work is carried out effectively and safely.

    “Today is a significant step in getting the vessel ready to depart New Zealand waters. The harbour trial is the first of two, the second being a more rigorous test outside the harbour.

    “As outlined in the conditions imposed; the vessel’s sea trials, and a portion of its journey out of Wellington, will see the Shiling accompanied by a suitable escort vessel which is capable of emergency towage.

    “We do not want to see a repeat of what we saw in April and May with this vessel, that is why we put a significant number of stringent conditions in place,” Deb Despard says.

    Maritime NZ will be closely monitoring the trials and its departure out of New Zealand.

    Dates for the sea trial and the vessel’s departure for Singapore are yet to be confirmed, and will be determined by feedback from the trials, conversations with other relevant parties and the weather. 

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Digital wallet market in Australia to surpass $130 billion in 2025 amid cashless shift, forecasts GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Digital wallet market in Australia to surpass $130 billion in 2025 amid cashless shift, forecasts GlobalData

    Posted in Banking

    Digital wallet adoption is accelerating rapidly in Australia, with transaction values projected to grow by 20.8% in 2025 to reach AUD201.3 billion ($132.9 billion). This surge is fueled by the shift towards cashless payments, rising smartphone usage, and broader acceptance of NFC and QR-based solutions—highlighting the growing role of digital wallets in Australia’s evolving financial ecosystem, forecasts GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    An analysis of GlobalData’s Payment Instrument Analytics reveals that the digital wallet payment value in Australia registered a growth of 32.2% from AUD126 billion ($83.2 billion) in 2023 to reach AUD166.6 billion ($110 billion) in 2024.

    Shivani Gupta, Lead Banking and Payments Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Like many markets in Asia-Pacific, digital wallet adoption is on the rise in Australia, supported by rising consumer preference for mobile payments, and proliferation of digital wallet brands such as Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Samsung Pay.

    “Furthermore, increasing usage of QR code-based payment solutions in addition to NFC payments is also expected to support this growth. Although Australia lags its peers such as China and India in terms of digital wallet payments market size, it is still ahead of some of the other developed countries, including Singapore and Hong Kong in the region.”

    According to the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), digital wallets are gaining traction, with 39% of debit card and 33% of credit card transactions conducted using digital wallets as of October 2024. In addition, almost 46% of debit cards and 40% of credit and charge cards were enrolled in digital wallets during the same period.

    With the use of digital wallets increasing rapidly in the country, RBA is in the process of amending its Payment Systems Regulation Act 1998 to encompass digital payment services such as Apple Pay and Google Pay and provide the necessary customer protections.

    The availability of international brands such as Apple Pay and Google Pay in Australia has raised consumer awareness of mobile payment technologies and encouraged their uptake.

    According to GlobalData’s 2024 Financial Services Consumer Survey* Apple Pay is the most preferred mobile payment brand followed by Google Pay, PayPal and Samsung Pay.

    To further promote the use of digital wallets in the country and enhance the cost-effectiveness of digital wallet acceptance for merchants, Google Wallet began supporting dual network debit cards in March 2025. The cards allow payments to be processed via either Australia’s domestic debit network “eftpos” or international networks, enabling merchants to save on transaction fees. This feature will empower consumers to select between different networks such as eftpos, Visa, and Mastercard, providing them and merchants with more options and control over their payments.

    In addition to NFC-based mobile brands such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, QR code-based payments are also expected to gain prominence in Australia, the adoption of which is high in its many Asian counterparts such as India and China. To drive this, in May 2022, eftpos  launched a QR code payment system “eQR.” This solution enables consumers to complete transactions by scanning QR codes at participating merchant stores using the eftpos-owned Beem wallet. Even international player like PayPal enables QR code payments in Australia.

    Gupta concludes: “With the widespread adoption of smartphones in everyday life, and the increasing consumer acceptance of mobile payments, GlobalData forecasts continued growth in this space. Subsequently, digital wallet transaction value is expected to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.7% between 2025 to 2029 to reach AUD336.1 billion ($221.9 billion) in 2029.”

    *GlobalData’s 2024 Financial Services Consumer Survey was carried out in Q2 2024. Approximately 67,292 respondents aged 18+ were surveyed across 41 countries.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: KDCA and SK bioscience forge ahead to shield South Korea against future pandemic influenza threats, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    KDCA and SK bioscience forge ahead to shield South Korea against future pandemic influenza threats, says GlobalData

    Posted in Pharma

    South Korea has launched the Priority Infectious Disease Pandemic Preparedness Rapid R&D Support Program, led by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) in collaboration with SK bioscience. This proactive initiative is expected to significantly strengthen and prepare the nation against emerging influenza threats, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    This government-led initiative focuses on developing vaccines against avian influenza that are identified as high-risk candidates for future pandemics. SK bioscience has demonstrated technological capabilities by manufacturing vaccines for global partners and successfully launching its own COVID-19 vaccine.

    SK bioscience’s portfolio includes the WHO-prequalified SkyCellflu Quadrivalent and Skycellflu, both domestically developed cell-cultured influenza vaccines, and SKYCovione, South Korea’s first homegrown COVID-19 vaccine. It is the only domestic company to have commercialized cell-culture-based vaccines for both influenza and COVID-19 with significant strengths in vaccine development.

    Chilamula Srija, Pharma Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the risk of dependence on international supply chains for essential medical resources. By investing in domestic R&D, South Korea aims for greater autonomy and to ensure timely access to life-saving vaccines for its citizens in future emergencies.”

    According to GlobalData’s Pharmaceutical Intelligence Center, SK bioscience is expected to initiate a Phase I/II study for an avian influenza vaccine in H2 2026. Ilyang Pharmaceutical Co Ltd is another domestic company in Phase III trials targeting Influenza A Virus, H1N1, and H3N2 subtypes.

    KDCA and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) collaborated in May 2024 to accelerate vaccine development and other biological countermeasures against public health threats. This partnership underscores the commitment to global health security and the rapid response to a broad spectrum of high priority infectious diseases, including Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), Ebola, mpox.

    SK bioscience has previously collaborated with KDCA, notably winning the most bids in the government’s 2023-24 national flu vaccination program. Other companies such as GC Pharma, Ilyang Pharmaceutical, Boryung Corp., and Korea Vaccine also contributed millions of doses to support national immunization efforts.

    Chilamula concludes: “With a robust vaccine pipeline, national collaboration, and advanced manufacturing capabilities, SK bioscience is poised to lead the nation’s next-generation pandemic preparedness strategy. By encouraging domestic companies, South Korea is preparing to face future pandemics and positioning the country as a global leader in pandemic readiness while reducing reliance on foreign pharmaceutical giants.”

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Ingrid Yeung visits Shenzhen

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for the Civil Service Ingrid Yeung today led officials from the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) and the Digital Policy Office (DPO) on a duty visit to Shenzhen together with a delegation of the Legislative Council Panel on Public Service.

    They went to learn about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) by relevant local organisations to assist in handling government administrative work.

    The officials first visited the Government Services & Data Management Bureau of the Shenzhen Municipality in Futian District to learn about the introduction and application of “AI digital employees”.

    They also stopped by the Shenzhen Government Service Center to learn about the hotline 12345 and its technological application, then toured the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court and an innovation and technology company to learn how the AI-Enhanced Adjudication Assisting System is used and how AI assists in enhancing legal services respectively.

    Mrs Yeung said that with the assistance of the DPO, the CSB endeavours to drive the adoption of management measures and digitalisation among bureaus and departments to reprioritise and reorganise their work, capitalise on technological solutions and streamline work processes, thereby not only enhancing work efficiency and providing convenience to the public but also optimising the use of civil service manpower resources.

    The departments are actively promoting e-government services and AI, and many of them have successfully developed their own AI systems for data processing, statistics, traffic management and environmental detection, and more. They also use big data to analyse weather data, and the kiosks for self-service applications have been well received by the public.

    HKPilot, a large language model version of a generative AI document processing copilot application self-developed by the Hong Kong Generative AI Research & Development Center (HKGAI) established under the InnoHK research clusters, is currently being piloted within the Government. It helps reduce the manpower required for handling general document processing tasks in the longer term.

    The HKGAI will also develop a number of applications for different areas of public affairs, such as the legal-related “LexiHK”, to further integrate the application of generative AI into government affairs.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier urges China, Malaysia to expand trade, investment cooperation

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

    KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — China and Malaysia should continue expanding trade and investment cooperation with a focus on cutting-edge areas, including the digital economy, the green economy and artificial intelligence, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said on Monday.

    Li made the remarks when meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier says China to jointly usher in new ‘Golden 50 Years’ for bilateral ties with Malaysia

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

    Chinese premier says China to jointly usher in new ‘Golden 50 Years’ for bilateral ties with Malaysia

    KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Monday that China is ready to work with Malaysia to deepen exchanges and collaboration across various fields, and jointly usher in a new “Golden 50 Years” for bilateral ties guided by the principles of mutual respect and trust, equality and mutual benefit for win-win outcomes.

    Li made the remarks when meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier says China ready to work with Malaysia to safeguard free trade, multilateral trading system

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

    Chinese premier says China ready to work with Malaysia to safeguard free trade, multilateral trading system

    KUALA LUMPUR, May 26 — Chinese Premier Li Qiang said Monday that China is ready to work closely with Malaysia to safeguard free trade and the multilateral trading system, and address global challenges.

    Li made the remarks when meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • PM Modi inaugurates development projects worth over Rs 53,400 crore in Bhuj

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday laid the foundation stone, inaugurated, and dedicated multiple development projects worth over Rs 53,400 crore to the nation in Bhuj, Gujarat. Addressing the gathering, he extended greetings to the people of Kutch and paid respects to revolutionaries and martyrs, especially freedom fighter Shyamji Krishna Varma, while acknowledging the resilience and contributions of Kutch’s sons and daughters.

    PM Modi also paid homage to Ashapura Mata, recognizing her divine presence and blessings on Kutch. Reflecting on his strong bond with the region, he recalled his frequent visits and how Kutch shaped his life, including the transformative moment when Narmada River waters reached the area. The PM praised the unwavering determination of farmers and highlighted that his experience in the region helped drive its development.

    Recalling the devastating earthquake that once cast doubts on Kutch’s future, PM Modi expressed faith in its revival, which the people achieved. “Today, Kutch is a major hub for trade, commerce, and tourism,” he said, announcing projects worth over ₹50,000 crore aimed at infrastructure and economic growth, contributing to India’s emergence as a global blue economy and green energy leader.

    Highlighting Kutch as the world’s largest green energy hub, the prime minister stressed the future role of green hydrogen as a fuel powering vehicles and streetlights. He announced a new green hydrogen plant at Kandla—one of India’s three designated green hydrogen hubs—using entirely “Made in India” technology. PM Modi also pointed to Kutch’s solar revolution, with one of the world’s largest solar projects underway at the Khavda complex.

    Reaffirming the government’s commitment to affordable electricity, PM Modi cited the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, benefiting lakhs in Gujarat. He emphasized coastal economic significance, citing Dhola Vira and Lothal’s heritage, and detailed the government’s port-led development vision. Ports in Kutch handle nearly one-third of India’s maritime trade, with Kandla and Mundra ports expanding capacity and connectivity. PM Modi inaugurated shipping facilities and announced a special maritime development fund, stressing shipbuilding’s role in employment generation.

    The prime minister praised Kutch’s heritage as a growth driver, noting industries like textiles, food processing, ceramics, and salt production. He celebrated traditional crafts such as Kutch embroidery and Ajrakh printing, which now has a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, supporting tribal artisans. He also mentioned Union Budget provisions supporting leather and textile sectors.

    Paying tribute to farmers, the PM recalled past groundwater crises and how the canal from Kevadiya to Modkuba transformed agriculture. Produce like mangoes, dates, pomegranates, cumin, and dragon fruit now reach global markets. Once a region of forced migration, Kutch today offers local youth employment, reflecting growing prosperity.
    PM Modi emphasized youth employment and tourism’s potential, citing the growing popularity of Rann Utsav, the UNESCO-recognized Smriti Van memorial, and Dhordo village’s international tourism recognition. He encouraged a Beach Festival in Mandvi during Rann Utsav and mentioned the upcoming Namo Bharat Rapid Rail between Ahmedabad and Bhuj to boost tourism.

    Marking May 26 as the anniversary of his oath in 2014, the PM noted India’s rise from the 11th to the 4th largest economy. Contrasting India’s tourism-driven outlook with Pakistan’s support for terrorism, he reiterated a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism. PM Modi highlighted Operation Sindoor, describing it as a mission to eradicate terrorism and protect humanity, and recounted the Indian Armed Forces’ precise strikes on terrorist hideouts after the Pahalgam attacks, stunning the world.

    The prime minister also praised the bravery of Bhuj women who rebuilt the airbase within 72 hours during the 1971 war under Pakistani attack. He emphasized India’s fight against terrorism sponsors, not people, and urged Pakistan’s citizens to reconsider their government’s support of terrorism, warning of the dangerous consequences.

    Reaffirming India’s path toward development, peace, and prosperity, PM Modi expressed confidence that Kutch’s spirit will inspire India’s progress as a developed nation. He extended wishes for Ashadhi Beej, the Kutchi New Year, and congratulated Kutch for its remarkable growth.

    Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel and Union Minister Manohar Lal were among the dignitaries present.

  • MIL-OSI: Talkdesk selected by Cegeka to modernize customer experience

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PALO ALTO, Calif. and HASSELT, Belgium, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Talkdesk®, Inc., a global provider of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered customer experience (CX) technology that serves enterprises of all sizes, today announced that Cegeka, a leading global IT solutions provider, has selected Talkdesk to modernize its customer experience. By adopting the Talkdesk cloud-native and AI-driven platform, Cegeka aims to enhance customer engagement and deliver consistent, high-quality support across multiple channels. Talkdesk was selected for its omnichannel capabilities, user-friendly interface for its service desk agents, and advanced AI tools designed to streamline workflows and address diverse customer needs.

    As part of the partnership, Talkdesk will provide Cegeka with a range of solutions from the Talkdesk CX Cloud™ suite. These capabilities include text-to-speech and speech-to-text, as well as live chat and voice bots, adding new channels for real-time support. Additionally, Talkdesk CX Analytics extracts valuable insights from customer conversations so Cegeka can continuously improve its customer service.

    Talkdesk’s ongoing track record of innovating and introducing cutting-edge AI solutions to its platforms was a significant reason for Cegeka’s decision. Cegeka recognized how Talkdesk can help the organization seamlessly integrate AI into its customer service, minimizing response times and reducing average handle time (AHT). Among its many capabilities, Talkdesk Ascend AI enables businesses to automatically identify frequently asked questions (FAQs) and create consistent, fast responses to recurring issues. It also detects intent during conversations to improve agent responsiveness and service quality.

    “Partnering with Talkdesk has supported our efforts to modernize customer experience at Cegeka,” said Luc Dedroog, vice president of digital workplace at Cegeka. “The platform offers flexibility and simplicity, which has helped streamline service for both our customers and service desk agents. We expect to see improvements in customer satisfaction from our initial deployments and look forward to exploring the potential of Talkdesk’s AI capabilities moving forward.”

    Ease of deployment and use was another deciding factor in Cegeka’s choice to implement Talkdesk solutions. Talkdesk CX Cloud has a user-friendly interface and provides seamless integrations with the third-party systems Cegeka uses. The Microsoft Teams Connector integrates its communications solutions, and Talkdesk BYOC (Bring Your Own Carrier) facilitates easy integration with Cegeka’s existing telephony provider to maintain its current customer service phone numbers—making Talkdesk solutions seamless to implement and deploy and putting all information easily at agents’ fingertips. Additionally, the Quobis app will enable internet-based calling and efficiently route conversations to the appropriate groups, without the need for manual routing.

    “Talkdesk looks forward to empowering Cegeka to deliver an enhanced customer experience through our innovative and comprehensive solutions,” said Tiago Paiva, chief executive officer and founder at Talkdesk. “Supporting Cegeka on its customer experience transformation journey is an honor.”

    About Talkdesk

    Talkdesk® is on a mission to rid the world of bad customer experience. With our cloud-native, generative AI-powered CX platform, purpose-built industry solutions, and extensible AI offerings, we empower enterprises in the cloud and on-premises to deliver exceptional customer experiences that make them more competitive, grow revenue, reduce costs, and provide operational efficiencies. With specialized workflows and integrations delivered out of the box for our Industry Experience Clouds, Talkdesk accelerates value for our customers faster and more simply than legacy or one-size-fits-all solutions.

    Partnering with enterprises globally, we deliver continuous innovation and breakthrough results. Our commitment to reliability and security, paired with our track record of delivering on promises, sets us apart in the industry. Elevate customer experiences, streamline operations, and increase revenue with Talkdesk. Companies that love their customers use Talkdesk.

    Talkdesk is a registered trademark of Talkdesk, Inc. All product and company names are trademarks™ or registered® trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

    About Cegeka

    At Cegeka, we believe in shaping digital together. We don’t just deliver technology — we work shoulder to shoulder with our clients to design, build, and run resilient digital solutions that drive impact where and when it matters most.

    Our broad portfolio spans application services, business solutions, quality engineering, data & AI, digital workplaces, cyber resilience, networking & regulatory services, and hybrid cloud. With a strong focus on craftsmanship, we expertly manage legacy systems while accelerating modernization and innovation.

    Cegeka has a global presence with offices in the Benelux, Germany, Austria, Romania, Moldova, Italy, Sweden, Greece, Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Colombia, and India. With over 10,000 employees, the company achieved a consolidated revenue of €1.3 billion in 2024.

    Founded in 1992 by André Knaepen — who currently serves as chairman of the board — Cegeka is a family-owned company headquartered in Hasselt, Belgium, and led by CEO Stijn Bijnens.

    Media Contact:
    Talkdesk Public Relations
    pr@talkdesk.com

    The MIL Network –

  • Trump warns Apple of 25% tariffs if iPhones not made in US

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that Apple AAPL.Owould have to pay a 25% tariff if phones sold in the country were not made within its borders.

    Shares of Apple dropped 2.5% in premarket trading on Trump’s warning, dragging down U.S. stock index futures lower.

    “I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

    “If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S.”

    It is not clear if Trump can levy a tariff on an individual company. Apple did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

    Apple is positioning India as an alternative manufacturing base amid Trump’s tariffs on China that have raised supply-chain concerns and fears of higher iPhone prices, Reuters reported last month.

    The iPhone maker said most of its smartphones sold in the United States would originate from India in the June quarter.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Africa: SA, Tanzania research funders sign landmark MoU to deepen bilateral scientific cooperation

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening and expanding their scientific partnership.

    This agreement was signed during the 13th Annual Meeting of the Global Research Council (GRC), which was hosted by Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in collaboration with the Research, Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA) this week.

    According to the NRF, this new MoU establishes a strategic framework for enhanced cooperation in science, technology, and innovation, including the social sciences and humanities. 

    Rooted in principles of equality, reciprocity, and mutual benefit, it marks a significant milestone in a long-standing relationship that has fostered impactful collaboration between the two institutions.

    This move recognises the importance of science, technology, and innovation (STI) and its strong systems in promoting the growth and competitiveness of national economies and thereby improving the socio-economic standards of life in both countries. 

    Both the research funders have agreed that the MoU will serve as a reflection of their mutual intention to cooperate, coordinate, and combine their resources, experience, and expertise to effectively execute their mandates.

    CEO of the NRF, Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, said this partnership reaffirms the NRF’s commitment to advancing scientific excellence and innovation through strategic continental partnerships. 

    “With COSTECH, we are not only strengthening bilateral research cooperation but building shared capabilities that will benefit both our societies in areas critical to sustainable development,” said Nelwamondo. 

    The bilateral partnership between the NRF and COSTECH began following an intergovernmental agreement signed in 2011. 

    In 2012, the two organisations jointly launched a call for collaborative research proposals, resulting in the co-funding of 15 projects across priority areas such as health, information and communication technology (ICT), palaeontology, nanomaterials, and agricultural value addition. 

    This programme facilitated collaboration among 54 research institutions, including four outside Africa and led to the training of 11 doctoral and seven postdoctoral students, alongside 27 peer-reviewed publications.

    It also enabled mobility exchanges for over 30 researchers and academics.

    “This MoU reflects the spirit of mutual respect and shared purpose that defines the relationship between COSTECH and the NRF. 

    “Together, we are co-creating knowledge, advancing innovation, and jointly addressing the development challenges and opportunities that our countries and the broader region face,” said Director General of COSTECH, Dr Amos Nungu.

    In addition to bilateral efforts, both the NRF and COSTECH are active partners in regional and multilateral initiatives. 

    COSTECH hosts two OR Tambo Africa Research Chairs at Sokoine University of Agriculture and the Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology. 

    It has also participated in joint initiatives under programmes such as the African–Japanese Collaboration (AJ-CORE), the Long-term Europe–Africa Water-Energy-Food Nexus (LEAWEF), and the COVID-19 Africa Rapid Grant Fund.

    Tanzania also participates in the u’GOOD Research Programme, coordinated by the NRF and implemented in partnership with Foundation Botnar and the Human Sciences Research Council. 

    In addition, both NRF and COSTECH play an active role in the Global Research Council through participation in its Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Pilot Initiative and contributing to its governance structures.

    The MoU provides a platform to co-develop programmes that enhance research excellence, support innovation ecosystems, and contribute to sustainable development across Africa. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Attorney General Alan Wilson applauds President Trump’s judicial picks, Whitney Hermandorfer nomination for Sixth CircuitRead More

    Source: US State of South Carolina

    (COLUMBIA, S.C.) – South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson today praised President Donald Trump for his continued commitment to appointing outstanding jurists to the federal bench, specifically highlighting the nomination of Whitney Hermandorfer to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. 

    “President Trump is picking judges who follow the Constitution, who know their job is to apply the law—not rewrite it—and who won’t bend to political pressure,” said Attorney General Wilson. “One of the very best is Whitney Hermandorfer. She’s smart, tireless, and principled, and she’s earned national respect for her work defending our freedoms.” 

    Hermandorfer currently serves as Director of Strategic Litigation for the Tennessee Attorney General’s Office, where she has led several landmark legal challenges, including key litigation victories against the Biden Administration.

    Hermandorfer’s professional path includes clerking for Justice Samuel Alito, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, and then-Judge Brett Kavanaugh, further underscoring her exceptional qualifications for the federal appellate bench. 

    “I join my colleagues across the country in urging the Senate to swiftly confirm Whitney Hermandorfer,” Wilson said. “The judiciary—and the American people—will be stronger with her on the bench.” 

    In addition to South Carolina, the letter was also signed by Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wyoming. 

    You can read the full letter here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Jury Finds Red Lake Man Guilty of Sexually Abusing a Minor

    Source: US FBI

    FERGUS FALLS, Minn. – A federal jury found Clarence Clark, Jr., guilty of two counts of sexually abusing a minor on the Red Lake Indian Reservation after a three-day trial in U.S. District Court, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Clarence Edward Clark, Jr., 37, sexually assaulted a minor victim who was physically incapacitated at a Red Lake Reservation home in the early morning hours of March 1, 2024.  Another minor present at the home interrupted the assault and ran to a neighbor’s home for help.  The concerned neighbor called 911 to report the crime.  Clark was found intoxicated at the scene and was apprehended by Red Lake Tribal Police.

    On May 15, 2025, a jury convicted Clark Jr. of both counts with which he was indicted in U.S. District Court before Judge John R. Tunheim.  “This guilty verdict is the result of close and timely coordination between the Red Lake Nation, FBI, and U.S. Attorney’s office.  It reflects the courage of two minors and the deep partnership between the Federal and Tribal governments.  Those who hurt children will find no quarter in Minnesota,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick.

    “Clarence Clark Jr. robbed a child of safety and innocence,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis.  “His actions were not only depraved — they were an egregious violation of trust.  This guilty verdict ensures he will face the consequences of his crimes.  The FBI and our law enforcement partners remain steadfast in our commitment to protect children, pursue predators relentlessly, and bring them to justice.”

    This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Red Lake Police Department.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel L. Kraker and Michael P. McBride prosecuted the case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Kvika banki hf.: Kvika issues inaugural EUR 200 million bond

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Kvika banki hf. has today successfully completed the issuance of a new 4-year senior unsecured bond in the amount of EUR 200 million. This marks the bank’s inaugural euro-denominated bond issuance, representing a significant milestone in its funding strategy. It enhances Kvika’s access to international capital markets and strengthens its competitive position.

    The bonds will be issued under the bank’s Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) Programme and are priced at a spread of 250 basis points over mid-swap rates. The bond carries an annual coupon of 4.5% and matures on 2 June 2029.

    The new issue attracted strong demand from international investors, drawing interest from 25 investors across the UK, the Nordics, continental Europe, and Asia, with total orders exceeding EUR 350 million.

    The bonds will be listed on Euronext Dublin and are expected to be rated Baa2 by Moody’s Investors Service.

    The transaction was jointly managed by BofA Securities, J.P. Morgan, and Morgan Stanley.

    For further information please contact Kvika’s investor relations at ir@kvika.is or via tel. (+354) 540 3200.

    The MIL Network –