NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia

  • Amarnath Yatra: Pilgrim count crosses 3.3 lakh in 20 days

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The total number of pilgrims who have had ‘darshan’ at the Amarnath holy cave shrine has crossed the 3.31 lakh mark in its first 20 days, reflecting a continuous influx of devotees from across India.

    “Another batch of 2,837 yatris left Jammu in two escorted convoys comprising 118 vehicles. The first convoy, with 49 vehicles carrying 1,036 pilgrims, departed at 3:25 a.m. for the Baltal base camp. The second convoy of 69 vehicles, carrying 1,801 yatris to the Pahalgam base camp, left at 3:58 a.m.,” officials said on Wednesday.

    The massive rush continues, with a significant number of pilgrims arriving directly—outside the escorted convoys – and opting for on-the-spot registration to reach the shrine.

    The Yatra is being conducted amid elaborate multi-tier security arrangements. In addition to the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police, 180 extra companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been deployed. The Army alone has positioned over 8,000 special commandos to ensure the safety of the pilgrims.

    The annual pilgrimage, which began on July 3, is scheduled to conclude after 38 days on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Amarnath Yatra: Pilgrim count crosses 3.3 lakh in 20 days

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The total number of pilgrims who have had ‘darshan’ at the Amarnath holy cave shrine has crossed the 3.31 lakh mark in its first 20 days, reflecting a continuous influx of devotees from across India.

    “Another batch of 2,837 yatris left Jammu in two escorted convoys comprising 118 vehicles. The first convoy, with 49 vehicles carrying 1,036 pilgrims, departed at 3:25 a.m. for the Baltal base camp. The second convoy of 69 vehicles, carrying 1,801 yatris to the Pahalgam base camp, left at 3:58 a.m.,” officials said on Wednesday.

    The massive rush continues, with a significant number of pilgrims arriving directly—outside the escorted convoys – and opting for on-the-spot registration to reach the shrine.

    The Yatra is being conducted amid elaborate multi-tier security arrangements. In addition to the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police, 180 extra companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) have been deployed. The Army alone has positioned over 8,000 special commandos to ensure the safety of the pilgrims.

    The annual pilgrimage, which began on July 3, is scheduled to conclude after 38 days on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Coin Collection Programme

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Coin Collection Programme 
    Since the launch of the Programme in October 2014 up to June 30, 2025, the two Coin Carts had carried out 1 374 000 transactions, collecting 1 052 million coins with a total face value of HK$1,691 million during the period. The collected coins are re-circulated to meet demand.
     
    The Coin Carts provide service at locations that are convenient to the public without affecting the normal flow of traffic and pedestrians. Locations that have suitable power supply facilities, such as the Leisure and Cultural Services Department mobile library service locations, are preferred so as to reduce the need for using the Coin Carts’ own stand-by generators. This makes the Programme more environmentally friendly. In selecting the service locations, the HKMA has taken into consideration comments and suggestions given by district councils and members of public; and has consulted the Transport Department and the Hong Kong Police Force as necessary.
     
    The two Coin Carts collect coins from members of public in the 18 districts of Hong Kong on a rotating basis. Under normal circumstances each Coin Cart will stay at a location for a week, subject to availability of the parking space and the maintenance schedule of the Cart. Service hours are from 10am to 7pm. Each vehicle is equipped with two coin counting machines and operational staff will be present to provide assistance. An electrical wheelchair lift is available for use. Users can choose to exchange coins for banknotes or adding value to their stored value facilities, such as Octopus Cards or e-wallets (including AlipayHK, Octopus Wallet, Tap&Go and WeChat Pay). There is also a Community Chest donation box inside each vehicle. The coin collection service is free of charge.
     
    The HKMA will review the Programme from time to time; and will regularly update the service schedule to give advance notice to the public.
    Issued at HKT 11:42

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ7: Technology and Living curriculum

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Following is a question by the Hon Dennis Leung and a written reply by the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):
     
    Question:
     
    The Technology Education Key Learning Area Curriculum was fully implemented at the junior secondary level in the 2016-2017 school year, with “Technology and Living” as one of the covered knowledge contexts. At the junior secondary level, many schools adopt a subject-based learning approach, implementing relevant learning element modules through subjects such as Home Economics. At the senior secondary level, Technology and Living is one of the elective subjects, in which students may choose to study learning strands related to “clothing” (i.e. “Fashion, Clothing and Textiles’) or “food” (i.e. “Food Science and Technology”). These strands serve as a foundation for students’ lifelong learning by providing a range of pathways for students with varying abilities and aptitudes, meeting their needs at different developmental stages and supporting the development of personal interests. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the following information regarding secondary schools in each of the 18 districts across the territory that have offered the subject of Home Economics at the junior secondary level (i.e. Secondary One to Three) over the past three school years: (i) the name, (ii) the financing mode (i.e. government, Direct Subsidy Scheme, private or subsidised) and (iii) the type (i.e. boys’ school, girls’ school, or co-educational school) of the school, (iv) the number of students enrolled in the subject each year (set out by gender), (v) whether the subject of Technology and Living (Fashion, Clothing and Textiles strand) was offered at the senior secondary level, (vi) whether the subject of Technology and Living (Food Science and Technology strand) was offered at the senior secondary level, and (vii) whether the school is equipped with Home Economics room facilities (set out in Table 1);

    Table 1

    District (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii)
    2022-2023
    school year    		 2023-2024
    school year    		 2024-2025
    school year
    Male Female Male Female Male Female
                             

     
    (2) of the following information regarding secondary schools in each of the 18 districts across the territory that have offered the subject of Technology and Living (Fashion, Clothing and Textiles) and the subject of Technology and Living (Food Science and Technology) at the senior secondary level (i.e. Secondary Four to Secondary Six) over the past three school years: (i) the name, (ii) the financing mode and (iii) the type of the school as mentioned in (1), (iv) the number of students enrolled in these subjects each year (set out by gender) and (v) the number of students sitting for the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education in these subjects each year (set out by gender) (set out in Table 2);

    Table 2

    District (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v)
    2022-2023
    school year    		 2023-2024
    school year    		 2024-2025
    school year    		 2023 2024 2025
    Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female
    Subject of Technology and Living (Fashion, Clothing and Textiles)
                                   
    Subject of Technology and Living (Food Science and Technology)
                                   

     
    (3) of the following information regarding teachers currently teaching the junior secondary Home Economics subject or the senior secondary Technology and Living curriculum across all secondary schools in Hong Kong: (i) the number of teachers, (ii) the median age, (iii) the minimum and (iv) the maximum age, (v) the number of teachers teaching only the junior secondary Home Economics subject, (vi) the number of teachers teaching only senior secondary Technology and Living subject, and (vii) the number of teachers teaching both subjects, with a breakdown by position (i.e. subject panel heads and subject teachers) (set out in Table 3); and
     
    Table 3

    Position (i) …… (vii)
    Subject panel head      
    Subject teacher      

     
    (4) as it is learnt that some schools no longer offer the junior secondary Home Economics subject or the senior secondary Technology and Living curriculum, whether the Government has examined the reasons why some schools have continued to offer such subject or curriculum while other have discontinued them; whether the authorities have other educational resources or programmes in place to encourage students to delve deeper into knowledge related to food or clothing, further consolidate the generic skills they acquired at the junior secondary level, and assist them in constructing new knowledge, thereby nurturing their lifelong learning capabilities; if so, of the specific details, and how schools have responded to such educational resources or programmes; if not, the reasons for that?
     
    Reply:

    President,
     
    Technology Education is one of the eight Key Learning Areas of our school curriculum. It covers six compulsory knowledge contexts, one of which is Technology and Living. Junior secondary students are required to study the learning elements relating to the knowledge context of Technology and Living, while senior secondary students may take Technology and Living as an elective subject.
     
    The reply to the written question raised by the Hon Dennis Leung is as follows:
     
    (1) and (2) While it is compulsory for all students to study the learning content of the knowledge context of Technology and Living at the junior secondary level, schools may implement the curriculum in different modes subject to the needs of their students. The relevant learning content may be presented in the form of a separate subject or covered in different modules, etc. According to the information submitted by schools, there are about 340 schools teaching the knowledge context of Technology and Living as a separate subject with “Home Economics” or “Technology and Living” as the subject name. Some schools adopt a modular approach to teach the learning content of the knowledge context of Technology and Living, promoting and implementing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education through the relevant content, breaking subject boundaries, and expanding learning coverage. To support some schools which are unable to provide all the learning content of the knowledge context of Technology and Living at the junior secondary level, the Arts and Technology Education Centre under the Education Bureau (EDB) offers relevant courses for students to cater for their needs.
     
    At the senior secondary level, students can choose either the “Food Science and Technology (FST)” strand or the “Fashion, Clothing and Textiles (FCT)” strand. According to the Survey on Senior Secondary Subject Information conducted by the EDB in 2022/23 and 2023/24 school years, as well as the 2023 and 2024 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) entry statistics compiled by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (data of the 2024/25 school year for the above survey and statistics are not available for the time being), the implementation of the subject of Technology and Living in schools is as follows:
     
    Technology and Living (FCT)

    No. of schools offering the subject No. of students studying the subject No. of candidates sitting for the HKDSE
    2022/23 school year 2023/24 school year 2022/23 school year* 2023/24 school year* 2023 HKDSE 2024 HKDSE
    5 5 Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female
    24 116 24 110 6 28 8 37

    *Including Secondary Four to Six students
     
    Technology and Living (FST)

    No. of schools offering the subject No. of students studying the subject No. of candidates sitting for the HKDSE
    2022/23 school year 2023/24 school year 2022/23 school year* 2023/24 school year* 2023 HKDSE 2024 HKDSE
    19 13 Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female
    161 376 148 376 35 118 35 78

    *Including Secondary Four to Six students
     
    The EDB does not have further breakdown of the number of schools in each district offering Home Economics/Technology and Living at the junior secondary level and Technology and Living at the senior secondary level, as mentioned in the question.
     
    (3) According to government statistics, as at September 2024, there are about 440 public sector and Direct Subsidy Scheme secondary schools across the territory with around 430 Home Economics/Technology and Living teachers aged 21 to 66, with the median age of 46. Regarding the number of teachers who only teach in junior/senior secondary level, and those who teach in both junior and senior secondary levels, the EDB does not maintain such data.
     
    (4) Regarding the implementation of the knowledge context of Technology and Living in Technology Education, schools may adopt different modes of implementing the curriculum at the junior secondary level and decide whether to offer Technology and Living at the senior secondary level, having regard to the school missions and objectives, the expertise of staff, as well as the background and learning needs of their students.
     
    In addition to senior secondary Technology and Living, the senior secondary curriculum includes around 60 Applied Learning courses, many of which are related to Technology Education, such as Fashion Image Design, Pâtisserie and Café Operations, Western Cuisine, Food Technology and Nutrition, providing students with more diversified choices.
     
    The EDB provides professional training including seminars, workshops and online training for teachers teaching the knowledge context of Technology and Living every year. A total of 17 relevant training programmes have been offered in the 2024/25 school year to strengthen teachers’ capability in curriculum planning and implementation. Meanwhile, the EDB promotes peer exchange through professional community activities and focus group discussions, thereby enhancing teachers’ teaching capacity. The EDB also co-operates with tertiary institutions and professional bodies/organisations, including the Chinese Culinary Institute, to provide teachers with the opportunity to practise and experience, with a view to boosting their creativity and enhancing their teaching effectiveness.
     
    In addition, a relevant project with the theme of “Developing School-based Secondary School Home Economics and Technology and Living Curriculum” has been launched this school year (2024/25) under the Quality Education Fund Thematic Networks. With a duration of three school years, the project aims to enhance teachers’ strategies in teaching the element of fashion design, and assist schools in developing an innovative school-based curriculum that caters for the needs of students, so as to optimise its implementation and facilitate professional development of teachers. Student competitions and exhibitions are also organised in the current school year to showcase the learning outcomes of students, and have received positive feedback from the public.
     
    Regarding learning and teaching resources, the EDB continues to update the resources related to the knowledge context of Technology and Living, such as Basic Food Science, Fashion Design Basics and Image Building, to provide content for teachers’ reference, with a view to extending students’ learning, enhancing their exploration abilities and strengthening their generic skills. The EDB also publishes the “Technology and Living Newsletter” (www.edb.gov.hk/en/tl/leaflets) and produces video clips annually to provide teachers and students with relevant information on further studies and employment.
     
    On the other hand, the EDB reviews on an ongoing basis the learning elements of the knowledge context of Technology and Living, such as strengthening the application of innovation and technology and the learning element of sustainable development in the curriculum. The EDB also promotes professional training for teachers through collaboration with different stakeholders in order to meet students’ learning needs.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ21: Schemes for attracting talents and capital to Hong Kong

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Elizabeth Quat and a written reply by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Chris Sun, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):
     
    Question:
     
         At present, there are nine schemes mainly for attracting talents and capital to Hong Kong, including the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), the General Employment Policy (GEP), the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP), the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates, the Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents, the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, the Technology Talent Admission Scheme and the Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme (such talent admission schemes). In addition, the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors (the STV Scheme) was introduced on June 1 last year to provide immigration facilitation to visitors invited/sponsored by authorised host organisations for undertaking specified short-term activities which are beneficial to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) of the respective numbers of applications received and approved by the authorities under such talent admission schemes from June to last month, as well as the respective incomes involved;

    (2) of the distribution of the regions or countries of applicants admitted to Hong Kong each year since the implementation of the TTPS;

    (3) among applicants admitted to Hong Kong through such talent admission schemes in each of the past three years, of the respective numbers of those who were engaged in the area of innovation and technology, with a breakdown by such talent admission schemes;

    (4) of the respective numbers of persons who were approved to take up short-term employment in Hong Kong through the GEP and the ASMTP in each of the past five years, as well as the respective distribution of their industries/sectors; apart from these two schemes, whether the Government will explore the introduction of other measures or schemes to enable non-Hong Kong residents to apply for short-term employment in Hong Kong (i.e. the limit of stay is not more than 180 days);

    (5) of the respective numbers of applicants admitted to Hong Kong since the implementation of the STV Scheme, the distribution of their regions or countries and their designated sectors;

    (6) whether the authorities have plans to expand the list of authorised host organisations and/or designated sectors under the STV Scheme; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

    (7) as it is learnt that the introduction of a series of new policies by the United States (US) Government in recent years, including tightening the visa regime and substantially reducing research funding, has led to a large number of local scientific researchers (especially Chinese scientists) considering leaving the US, of the Government’s measures (including whether it will introduce targeted talent admission schemes or measures) to support local universities in striving to attract such top-notch overseas scientists to Hong Kong for development?

    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         The Government has been implementing various admission schemes to attract talents and capital investors, actively trawling for professionals, entrepreneurs and individuals with substantial assets. This is to enrich the local talent pool and bring in more new capital to Hong Kong, so as to enhance Hong Kong’s overall competitiveness, and promote the diversified and innovative development of the local economy.
     
         Our reply to the Member’s question, in consultation with the Security Bureau (SB), the Education Bureau (EDB), the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau, and the Immigration Department (ImmD), is as follows:

    (1) Since June 1 last year and up to end-June this year, more than 190 000 applications were received under the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), the General Employment Policy (GEP), the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP), the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS), the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates, the Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents, and the Technology Talent Admission Scheme (TechTAS). Among them, nearly 140 000 applications were approved. A breakdown of the relevant statistics is at Annex 1. The Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme will only begin to accept applications from mid-2026 onwards upon graduation of the first batch of students from eligible full-time Higher Diploma programmes.

         Under the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES), Invest Hong Kong is responsible for assessing whether the applications fulfil the relevant financial requirements, and the ImmD is responsible for assessing the applications for visa/entry permit, extension of stay and unconditional stay. From June 1 last year to end-June this year, the ImmD received a total of 1 295 applications under the New CIES, of which 673 were approved. The ImmD does not maintain the statistics on the income generated from applications and visa fees under various schemes mentioned in the question.

    (2) The TTPS, which aims to attract individuals with high-income or bachelor’s degree graduates from top universities, has received enthusiastic responses since its launch in end-2022. As at end-June this year, about 135 000 applications were received, of which nearly 109 000 were approved. About 40 per cent (about 32 000) applicants in Categories B and C graduated from bachelor’s degree programmes offered by top overseas universities. The breakdown of the numbers of the applications approved under the TTPS by regions of the applicants and the eligible universities from which they graduated is at Annex 2.

    (3) In the past three years, among the around 76 000 and 57 000 applications approved under the GEP and the ASMTP respectively, the numbers of approved applicants working in innovation and technology (I&T) related fields are 1 654 and 4 006 respectively. Under the QMAS, among the around 27 000 approved cases which successfully passed the selection exercise in the past three years, 8 021 applicants were in I&T-related fields. As for the TechTAS, which aims to attract technology talents to come to undertake research and development work in Hong Kong, a total of 334 applicants were approved in the past three years, all working in the I&T field.

         Regarding the TTPS, the ImmD adjusted the application procedures on March 1, 2023, requiring applicants with work experience to declare the sectors of their occupations. From March 2023 to end-June this year, 26 211 applicants out of nearly 100 000 approved applications declared that their previous occupations were in I&T-related fields.

         For other talent admission schemes referred to in the question, applicants are not required to have secured offers of employment in Hong Kong upon application, nor are they required during the validity period of the first visas to notify the ImmD after they are employed or have established/joined in business in Hong Kong. Given the nature of the scheme, the New CIES does not require applicants to declare their occupational backgrounds. The ImmD does not maintain the statistics on the industries engaged by successful applicants under other schemes when they first arrived in Hong Kong.

    (4) In the past five years, over 112 000 applications were received under the GEP with over 103 000 approved. Of which, about 63 000 concerned short-term positions with contract duration of less than 12 months. The ASMTP received nearly 88 000 applications in the past five years. Of which, more than 77 000 were approved, and about 31 000 applications concerned short-term positions. The breakdown of the numbers of cases approved for short-term positions under the two schemes by industry/sector are at Annex 3.

         Enterprises with job vacancies and facing difficulties to fill the vacancies in local recruitment may apply under the above two employment-tied schemes to employ outside talents with special skills, knowledge or experience not readily available in Hong Kong to take up short-term or long-term employment in Hong Kong.

         With a view to facilitating business, promoting the development of the relevant sectors and raising Hong Kong’s international profile, the Government also launched the Pilot Scheme on Immigration Facilitation for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors (Pilot Scheme) in June 2022, and regularised the Pilot Scheme to the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors (STV Scheme) in June 2024. Under the Pilot Scheme/STV Scheme, organisations authorised by the relevant government bureaux or departments can issue invitation letters to relevant non-local talents in their sectors. Invited persons may come to Hong Kong to participate in specified short-term activities as visitors without the need to apply for employment visas or entry permits from the ImmD. They may participate in the specified short-term activities for up to 14 consecutive calendar days during each trip to Hong Kong, and receive remuneration for the specified activities concerned.

         The above schemes have already met the needs of local enterprises in recruiting outside talents to take up short-term employment in Hong Kong. There is no plan now to introduce more measures or schemes for non-local residents to apply for short-term positions in Hong Kong.

    (5) and (6) At present, the STV Scheme covers 12 sectors with a total of some 400 authorised organisations. As of end-March 2025, the Pilot Scheme/STV Scheme had benefited a total of nearly 34 000 non-local talents, facilitating their entry into Hong Kong as visitors to participate in various short-term events and activities. The statistics by sector and the beneficiaries’ place of origin are at Annex 4.

         The SB indicates that to ensure the scheme keeping pace with the times, the Government reviews the coverage of the Pilot Scheme/STV Scheme from time to time, with a view to ensuring that it can continue to effectively achieve the relevant policy objectives. Since the launch of the Pilot Scheme, the Government expanded the scheme twice in February 2023 and June 2024, by adding two new sectors, namely “Finance” and “Development and Construction”, to the original 10 designated sectors, with the addition of authorised organisations to over 400 at present. The Government will continue to monitor the implementation of the STV Scheme and the views of relevant departments and the sectors, as well as to review the coverage of the STV Scheme in a timely manner.

    (7) In the light of the changes in the global higher education landscape, the EDB has promptly called on all universities in Hong Kong to introduce facilitation measures for affected students and scholars with a view to safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests. As for the affected researchers, the EDB has all along been encouraging various institutions to attract top-notch talents in accordance with their diversified talent policies. The EDB is pleased to see that the local universities have been responding proactively and closely monitoring the situation, and have fully utilised the Government’s facilitation initiatives that support the capacity expansion and quality enhancement of post-secondary institutions in Hong Kong. The Government will continue to keep an eye on the development and, having regard to their needs, consider support measures in a holistic approach, including gradually increasing the number of places under the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme to attract more top scholars to Hong Kong, so as to give full play to Hong Kong’s role as an international post-secondary education hub.

         Meanwhile, the Government is committed to promoting Hong Kong’s development into an international I&T centre and has been adopting a multi-pronged approach in providing more quality employment and development opportunities to pool together global I&T talents. For instance, the InnoHK Research Clusters (InnoHK) have pooled together about 2 500 researchers locally and from all over the world. The Government is taking forward the establishment of the third InnoHK research cluster, SEAM@InnoHK, focusing on sustainable development, energy, advanced manufacturing and materials, which is expected to bring in more talents.

         Besides, the Government has secured funding approval from the Legislative Council in May 2025 for the establishment of the $3 billion Frontier Technology Research Support Scheme (FTRSS), which is aimed at supporting, through matching funds, the eight universities funded by the University Grants Committee to attract international top-notch researchers for conducting research projects on frontier technology in Hong Kong and enhance basic research facilities. It is the plan to launch the FTRSS in September 2025. The Government has also set aside $6 billion to support local universities to set up Life and Health Technology Research Institute(s) to foster multi-disciplinary co-operation among universities/research institutions from Hong Kong, the Mainland and overseas, and attract top-notch scholars and scientists to Hong Kong.

         At present, top international scholars, scientists and researchers can apply for entry into Hong Kong under suitable talent admission schemes according to their own circumstances. There is no need to set up a separate talent admission scheme. If meeting the relevant professional qualifications in the Talent List, they can also enjoy immigration facilitation when applying for entry into Hong Kong under the relevant schemes. Among the various schemes, the TechTAS specifically targets the admission of non-local technology talents to Hong Kong for research and development work, and processes applications from eligible companies expeditiously.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ19: Combating traffic offences

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    ​Following is a question by the Hon Yung Hoi-yan and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):

    Question:

    It has been reported that after the occurrence of traffic accidents recently, many drivers who caused the accidents chose to hit and run or refused to provide the drivers’ personal particulars. There are views that the reason for the drivers who caused the accidents taking such actions is the lighter penalty for the relevant traffic offences, thereby enabling them to circumvent more serious offences such as causing casualties by dangerous driving, which reflected the existence of legal loopholes in the authorities’ efforts to combat traffic offences. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) of the respective numbers of persons who were (i) arrested, (ii) prosecuted, (iii) convicted after trial and on own plea for being involved in traffic accidents in each of the past five years, together with a breakdown by the offenses involving the drivers concerned (including but not limited to (a) careless driving, (b) causing grievous bodily harm by dangerous driving, (c) causing death by dangerous driving, (d) failing to stop after a traffic accident, (e) failing to report after a traffic accident, and (f) refusing to provide the driver’s information after a traffic accident);

    (2) given that under the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374) (the Ordinance), the maximum penalty for refusal to give information on the driver of a vehicle suspected of having committed an offence under the Ordinance is liable to a fine of $10,000 and an imprisonment for six months, whereas the maximum penalty for dangerous driving causing death is a fine of $50,000 and an imprisonment for 10 years; disqualification from driving for not less than five years on first conviction and not less than 10 years or life on subsequent conviction, there are views that the disparity in the penalties between the two offences is significant, which may indirectly encourage drivers who caused accidents to circumvent serious offences by refusing to give personal particulars, whether the Government has plans to increase the penalties and maximum penalty for refusal to give a driver’s personal particulars, so as to enhance the deterrent effect; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

    (3) it is learnt that if the registered owner of the vehicle concerned is a limited company and the relevant person refused to give the driver’s personal particulars after the traffic accident, the penalty is only limited to a fine and no one has to be imprisoned, whether the Government has plans to review the responsibility of the registrant of the vehicle concerned after a traffic accident, e.g. whether it will hold the responsible individuals of companies of the vehicle involved (including director, general manager or company secretary) responsible for the traffic accident, and whether it will study empowering the Commissioner for Transport to refuse to issue licences to owners of company vehicles who have repeatedly committed offences under section 63(1) of the Ordinance; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that;

    (4) given that Schedule 8 to the Criminal Procedure Ordinance (Cap. 221) sets out the level of fines for offences, but there are views that the Schedule was last revised in 1994 and has failed to adequately reflect the severity of some of the offences (including behaviour in contravention of traffic legislation) taking into account the current social environment and economic changes, whether the Government has plans to review the Schedule and increase the corresponding amounts of fines; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

    (5) given that under the Magistrates Ordinance (Cap. 227), the maximum sentence Magistrates’ Courts can impose is generally two years’ imprisonment and a fine of $100,000; and maximum three years’ imprisonment where there are two or more indictable offences being dealt with by the courts at the same time, whether the Government will review the Ordinance and study expanding the Magistrates’ power to impose imprisonment and fine in parallel, so as to ensure that they can impose deterrent penalties when more serious offences (including contravention of traffic legislation) are being adjudicated; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:

    President,

    After consulting the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), the Department of Justice, and the Judiciary Administration, my consolidated reponse to the questions raised by the Hon Yung Hoi-yan on combating traffic offences is as follows:

    (1) The numbers of arrests related to the offences mentioned in the question from 2020 to 2024 are listed in the table below. Apart from the initial figures, which may have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, the numbers have remained generally stable in recent years.
     

    Offences 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024
    Careless Driving 26 48 25 36 34
    Causing grievous bodily harm by dangerous driving 84 93 102 103 102
    Causing death by dangerous driving 51 55 54 56 34
    Failing to stop after a traffic accident 7 20 24 23 33
    Failing to report a traffic accident 7 18 24 20 31
    Failing to give particulars after a traffic accident 0 1 0 1 0

    The HKPF does not maintain a breakdown of statistical data for “prosecutions”, “convictions through trial”, or “guilty pleas”. 

    (2) and (3) In accordnance with sections 63(1), (2) and (3) and 63B(2) and (3) of the Road Traffic Ordinance (Cap. 374) (the Ordinance), if the driver of a vehicle is suspected of having committed an offence under the Ordinance, or an accident occurs owing to the presence of a vehicle on a road, a police officer may, within six months after the date of the alleged offence or accident, demand any person to provide the personal particulars of the driver involved and the relationship (if any) of the person to the driver concerned. Sections 63B(5) and (7) of the Ordinance provide that any person who contravenes section 63B(2) or (3) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine at level 3 (i.e. $10,000) and to imprisonment for six months, unless the person proves that he did not know, and could not with reasonable diligence have ascertained, the personal particulars of the driver involved.

    The Government agrees that a registered vehicle owner should have a certain degree of responsibility with regard to who drives the vehicle registered under his name. However, the registered owner may not actually have full control of all operational information of his vehicle. Therefore, the current section 63B of the Ordinance provides a defence provision to exempt registered vehicle owners from the responsibility of providing driver information in respect of the vehicle concerned under certain circumstances to strike a proper balance.

    The HKPF has consistently enforced the law strictly and effectively, striving to bring offenders to justice. When investigating traffic accidents, apart from requiring the registered vehicle owner to provide information on the driver who may have been involved in the accident under section 63 of the Ordinance, the HKPF will, depending on the nature of the case, use various methods to gather evidence. These methods include analysing footage from nearby security cameras, dash cameras, or even fingerprints to identify the driver involved. In other words, even if the HKPF cannot obtain information of the driver who may have been involved in the accident from the registered owner, there are still ways for the HKPF to find out the cause of the accident through other means and to prosecute the suspected offender.

    The Government will continue to pay heed to stakeholders’ views and review the legislation when appropriate.

    (4) Schedule 8 to the Criminal Procedure Ordinance (Cap. 221) sets out different levels of fines applicable to penalty provisions under various ordinances. Bureaux and departments will from time to time review and propose adjustments to penalties under relevant legislation based on their policy considerations to ensure that the penalties reflect the severity of the offences. The Government will review the fine levels table as appropriate.

    (5) The scope of charges heard in the Magistrates’ Courts includes summary offences and indictable offences, with the maximum penalty for indictable offences generally being imprisonment for two years and a fine of $100,000. The Government may, in accordance with relevant policies, empower magistrates to impose maximum penalties under specific legislation when enacting or amending such laws to enhance deterrent effect, instead of amending the Magistrates Ordinance (Cap. 227). Currently, certain ordinances already authorise magistrates to impose a maximum penalty of up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of $5 million for a single offence. In addition, while all criminal proceedings commence in the Magistrates’ Courts, more serious indictable offences may be transferred to the District Court or the Court of First Instance of the High Court for trial. The District Court has a sentencing limit of up to seven years’ imprisonment, while the Court of First Instance may impose the maximum penalty prescribed by the relevant legislative provisions. This mechanism has been operating effectively.

    Currently, different levels of courts (including the Magistrates’ Courts) have distinct judicial jurisdictions, allowing cases to be reasonably allocated based on their nature, severity, and complexity to ensure the efficiency of judicial operations. Any proposals to adjust the judicial jurisdiction of individual court levels (including the Magistrates’ Courts) should go through a comprehensive and prudent review and an extensive consultation with stakeholders, before any decisions are made. Key considerations include the demarcation of judicial jurisdiction among different court levels, ensuring that each level of courts has adequate judicial manpower and legal support to handle relevant cases, as well as the overall resources, facilities, and supporting arrangements of the courts.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Man charged over seditious words

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Police Force’s National Security Department (NSD) has laid a holding charge after arresting an 18-year-old local man over the alleged writing of seditious words in the toilet of a commercial building on three occasions.

    The charge involves one count of committing an act or acts with seditious intention and three counts of criminal damage.

    The case was due to be mentioned at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts this afternoon.

    The man was arrested on Monday in Kowloon in relation to acts committed with seditious intention, in contravention of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

    The seditious words concerned involve provoking hatred, contempt or disaffection against the constitutional order and the executive, legislative or judicial authority of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as well as inciting other persons to break the laws of the Hong Kong SAR.

    Police reminded members of the public that committing any act with seditious intention is a serious offence, and that offenders are liable to imprisonment for seven years on first conviction. It urged members of the public not to defy the law. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ13: Traffic light countdown device

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by the Hon Holden Chow and a written reply by the Secretary for Transport and Logistics, Ms Mable Chan, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):

    Question:

    The Transport Department (TD) installed a new type of pedestrian traffic light countdown device (the new countdown device) at the signalised junction of Tat Tung Road and Mei Tung Street in Tung Chung in 2023 for testing. The new countdown device starts counting down when the “green man” light is on, such that pedestrians can gauge the total time remained of the “green man” light. According to the preliminary data collected from the survey conducted by a local university commissioned by the TD, after installation of the new countdown device at the aforesaid pedestrian crossing, the situation where pedestrians were unable to finish crossing the road before the flashing “green man” light ends has greatly improved. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) whether the data obtained so far from the aforesaid test is sufficient to support the authorities’ installation of the new countdown devices at more locations; if so, of the list of locations at which the authorities plan to install such countdown devices; if not, the criteria considered by the authorities and the thresholds for taking forward the implementation of such countdown devices;

    (2) apart from the aforesaid trial location in Tung Chung, of the signalised pedestrian crossings at which the Government has previously installed other pedestrian countdown devices for testing; whether it will consider implementing the new countdown devices at such signalised pedestrian crossings to expedite the collection of data; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

    (3) as the Government indicated in its reply to a question from a Member of this Council on July 10 last year that there was no worldwide general consensus on the merits concerning the effectiveness of vehicular traffic light countdown device, and that motorists’ responses to the time displayed on the countdown device might be very diverse, resulting in a higher risk of head-rear collision between vehicles, whether the authorities will consider following the testing method adopted for the new countdown device and installing the vehicular traffic light countdown devices at suitable locations for testing, so as to obtain useful data; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:

    President,

    After consulting the Transport Department (TD), my response to the questions raised by the Hon Holden Chow on pedestrian traffic light countdown device (pedestrian countdown device) is as follows:

    (1) and (2) In late 2023, the TD installed a new type of pedestrian countdown device at the pedestrian crossing of Tat Tung Road and Mei Tung Street in Tung Chung for testing purposes. The device begins its countdown when the “green man” signal appears, helping pedestrians better assess the total green time remained. The TD collaborated with a local university to evaluate the device’s impact and effectiveness on pedestrian behaviour. Results indicate a slight improvement in the number of pedestrians completing their crossings before the flashing “green man” signal ends, compared to previous trials.

    To further collect data on the device’s effectiveness under varying road conditions, the TD is arranging to expand the trial, selecting 16 additional crossings (locations listed in Annex) for testing that feature diverse pedestrian flows, crossing distances, and local pedestrian habits. This broader trial is expected to yield richer data for assessing the device’s performance across multiple scenarios and behaviours. Additionally, four of the trial sites will be equipped with a red-light countdown feature to evaluate its impact on pedestrian waiting behaviour, which will inform the direction of the next phase.

    The TD is progressively installing the new pedestrian countdown device at the selected trial sites and will collect and analyse the corresponding data. Preliminary results are anticipated by mid-2026.

    (3) The TD has been monitoring the global application and effectiveness of vehicular traffic light countdown devices, evaluating their potential to improve the travelling experience for road users while ensuring safe operation at signalised junctions in Hong Kong. Drawing on the experiences of various cities in the Mainland and abroad, the TD found no prevailing consensus regarding the safety of such devices. A key reason is the varied driver responses – while some drivers may slow down and stop as the green signal nears its end, others may accelerate to pass through the junction, increasing the risk of head-rear vehicle collisions.

    Given the circumstances above and the overriding priority of road safety, the TD will continue to closely monitor future technological developments and the practical applications of such devices. Their suitability for use in Hong Kong will be considered with prudence and care.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Trump pulls US out of UN cultural agency UNESCO for second time

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President Donald Trump has decided to pull the United States out of the “woke” and “divisive” U.N. culture and education agency UNESCO, the White House said on Tuesday, repeating a move he took in his first term that was reversed by Joe Biden.

    The withdrawal from the Paris-based agency, which was founded after World War Two to promote peace through international cooperation in education, science, and culture, will take effect at the end of next year.

    The move is in line with the Trump administration’s broader “America-first” foreign policy, which includes a deep skepticism of multilateral groups, including the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, and the NATO alliance.

    White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said UNESCO “supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for.”

    The State Department accused UNESCO of supporting “a globalist, ideological agenda for international development at odds with our America First foreign policy”.

    It said its decision to admit the Palestinians as a member state was “highly problematic, contrary to U.S. policy, and contributed to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric.”

    UNESCO chief Audrey Azoulay said she deeply regretted Trump’s decision, but it was “expected, and UNESCO has prepared for it.”

    Posting on X, French President Emmanuel Macron professed “unwavering support” for the “universal protector” of world heritage and said the U.S. move would not weaken France’s commitment to UNESCO.

    UNESCO officials said the U.S. withdrawal would have some limited impact on U.S.-financed programs.

    Azoulay said UNESCO had diversified funding sources, receiving only about 8% of its budget from Washington.

    UNESCO was one of several international bodies Trump withdrew from during his first term, along with the World Health Organization, the Paris Agreement climate change accord, and the U.N. Human Rights Council. During his second term, he has largely reinstated those steps.

    Trump’s pick to be his U.N. envoy, Mike Waltz, said this month the United Nations needs reform while expressing confidence that “we can make the U.N. great again.”

    ISRAEL PRAISES US ‘MORAL SUPPORT AND LEADERSHIP’

    Israel welcomed the U.S. decision with its U.N. ambassador, Danny Danon, accusing UNESCO of “consistent misguided anti-Israel bias.”

    In a post on X, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, thanked Washington for its “moral support and leadership” and said that “Singling out Israel and politicization by member states must end, in this and all professional UN agencies.”

    U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the senior Democrat on the Republican-controlled Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called Trump’s decision “short-sighted and a win for China,” which she said became the largest financial contributor to UNESCO after Trump last withdrew from the agency.

    UNESCO officials said all relevant agency statements had been agreed with both Israel and the Palestinians over the past eight years.

    Azoulay said the U.S. had given the same reasons for its pullout as it had seven years ago “even though the situation has changed profoundly, political tensions have receded, and UNESCO today constitutes a rare forum for consensus on concrete and action-oriented multilateralism.”

    “These claims also contradict the reality of UNESCO’s efforts, particularly in the field of Holocaust education and the fight against antisemitism,” she added.

    The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is best known for designating World Heritage Sites, including the U.S. Grand Canyon and Egypt’s pyramids.

    It lists 26 sites in the United States, including the Statue of Liberty, on its World Heritage List which highlights 1,248 global locations of “outstanding universal value.”

    Washington has had a troubled relationship with UNESCO over the years.

    It was a founding member in 1945 but first withdrew in 1984 to protest alleged financial mismanagement and perceived anti-U.S. bias during the Cold War.

    It returned in 2003 under President George W. Bush, who said UNESCO had undertaken needed reforms, but in 2011 the Obama administration announced it was stopping funding for the agency following its vote to grant the Palestinians full membership.

    Trump’s first administration announced in 2017 it was quitting after accusing UNESCO of anti-Israeli bias, with Washington owing $542 million in dues, before former President Biden reversed the decision in 2023.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chewbacca, Lexus and Kus: What unusual nicknames do Muscovites give their dogs?

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Since the beginning of 2025, more than 24,677 dogs have already undergone the registration procedure in the Moscow State Veterinary Service. Doctors from state veterinary clinics told about the most unusual nicknames of four-legged patients.

    Give a special name

    The most popular and common names for tailed friends in Moscow remain Jackie, Rich, Alma, Busya, Jessie, Mickey, Barney and Tyson. However, many owners call their dog something special.

    This summer alone, Moscow State Veterinary Service veterinarians received more than 100 tailed patients whose nicknames surprised or made people smile. For example, the Krasnogvardeyskaya Veterinary Clinic was visited by owners of dogs named Pedro, Leonid Petrovich, Uksus, and Anakonda. The Kuntsevo Veterinary Clinic was visited by a tailed patient of the Bichon Frise breed named Pushkin.

    Some Muscovites name their dogs after famous people. Thus, the capital’s state veterinary service has registered Ornella Muti, Jackie Chan, Uma Thurman, Beyoncé, Sarah Jessica, Jobs, Zidane, Timati, Veronica Castro, as well as Barclay de Tolly and Che Guevara.

    Among the owners there are also fans of the Harry Potter books. Most of them live in the north-east of Moscow. Several dogs named Harry are registered there, as well as Lovegood, Cedric and Neville. In addition, there are pets Albus and Nymphadora in the capital.

    In addition, Moscow is home to a dog named Indiana Jones, as well as several Sheldons, Leonards, and Pennys. No less popular with dog owners are the names of Star Wars characters — pets are called Leia, Yoda, and Chewbacca.

    Prada, Gucci and Glamour are no longer rare names for pets – they are found in several districts of the capital.

    Fashion trends

    The most common trend in the capital is to give pets “tasty” names. For example, Caramel, Biscuit, Bun, Bagel, Muffin, Toffee, Gingerbread, Zephyr, Donut, Truffle, Candy, Cheesecake, Cappuccino and Milfey. The nicknames Baton, Blinchik, Belyash, Shashlik, Jamon and Ratatouille are found in veterinary passports. And also Carrot, Plum, Olive, Date, Tofu and Chuka.

    This year, another interesting trend has been noted in state veterinary clinics: the number of dogs named in the Russian tradition is increasing. For example, they are given nicknames Afanasy, Timofey, Misha, Lelik, Igorek, Fedor, Semyon, Filya, Vasily, Kuzya and Stepan. Among the female options, Vasilisa, Lyusya, Tosya, Zosya, Frosya, Efrosinia and Dunyasha are popular.

    The unusual nicknames of pets can give clues about the hobbies or professions of their owners. Thus, Lexus, Infinity and Mercedes probably live in the homes of lovers of beautiful cars, and dogs named Propofol and Dopamine are most likely from a family of doctors.

    Muscovites call proud, brave and noble dogs Count, Tsar, Milord, Richard the Lionheart or Lancelot. There are also nicknames reminiscent of other animals – Hedgehog, Fish, Fox and Sable.

    Apparently, when love for a pet is so overwhelming that you want to record it in a passport, dogs with the nicknames Zhemchuzhinka, Prelest’, Kolka, Radost’, Zabava and Charodey appear.

    Feed, take to the vet, and make a donation: how to help homeless animalsBirthday of the Moscow State Veterinary Service: How the capital’s veterinary science lives and develops

    Super short and complex nicknames

    You can also draw the attention of others to your pet with a super short nickname. Among the patients of state veterinary clinics are dogs Kus, Viy, Ukho and Chek.

    Some owners like complex compound nicknames. Among the most interesting are Black-Eyed Diva, Tsar’s Gift, Master of Life, Ray of Happiness, Wave of Positive, Agathis Zaznobushka, Supreme Witch and Tough Nut. One of the longest and most impressive nicknames was recorded this summer at the Donskaya Veterinary Clinic, where a tailed patient came with a note in her passport: “Your Charming Blagoslava Schastlivaya”.

    Among the unique dog nicknames, the state veterinary service doctors also singled out Filon, Baraklyush, Albufeira, Kapitoshka, Matryoshka, Lampa, Penka, Pulya and Kometa. No less original are the names of male pets. Among them are Saburik, Khryuntik, Kubik, Vintik, April, Yellow, Green, Runner, Sequel, Adrenaline, Pixel, Diesel, Barmaley and Academician.

    Nicknames that were popular in the past have now become rare. This year, only one Zhucha has been registered in the capital. Also, there are only one Bobik, Barbos and Druzhok.

    The Moscow State Veterinary Service reminded that dog registration is mandatory in the capital. This procedure is free, takes no more than 15 minutes and is carried out at any state veterinary clinic. You can get detailed information, as well as make an appointment with a veterinarian, at the State Veterinary Service contact center by calling 24 hours a day: 7 495 612-12-12.

    Get the latest news quickly official telegram channelthe city of Moscow.

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Rescue squadrons unite, strengthen interoperability during REFORPAC

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) — Airmen of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Air Rescue Wing, the U.S. Air National Guard’s 102nd Rescue Squadron, and the 130th Rescue Squadron came together for a cross-unit static display and capability exchange during exercise Resolute Force Pacific 2025 at Misawa Air Base, July 15.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath’s bat-biting frontman, dies aged 76

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Ozzy Osbourne, frontman of 1970s heavy metal band Black Sabbath, earned his infamy biting the head off a bat on stage and pursuing a drug-fuelled lifestyle before reinventing himself as a loveable if often foul-mouthed reality TV star.

    Known to fans as “The Prince of Darkness” and the “Godfather of Heavy Metal,” Osbourne has died at the age of 76, his family said in a statement on Tuesday.

    “It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love,” they said.

    Osbourne kicked off his career in the early 1970s as singer on Black Sabbath’s hits, from “Paranoid” to “War Pigs” to “Sabbath Bloody Sabbath”. Those plus a string of solo releases saw him sell more than 100 million records worldwide.

    The hard riffs and dark subject matter – from depression to war to apocalypse – combined with an instinct for Halloween theatrics. As a performer, Osbourne sprinkled audiences with raw meat and, in 1982, had his encounter with a bat thrown on stage by a fan.

    He always insisted he thought it was a toy until he bit into it, realised his mistake and rushed to hospital for a rabies shot. He later sold branded bat soft toys with a removable head.

    Osbourne was a regular target for conservative and religious groups concerned about the negative impact of rock music on young people. He acknowledged the excesses of his lifestyle and lyrics – but poured scorn on the wilder reports that he was an actual devil-worshipper.

    “I’ve done some bad things in my time. But I ain’t the devil. I’m just John Osbourne: a working-class kid from Aston who quit his job in the factory and went looking for a good time,” he said in a 2010 biography.

    REALITY SHOW STAR

    John Michael Osbourne was the fourth of six children. Growing up in Aston, Birmingham, in central England, he struggled with dyslexia, left school at age 15, did a series of menial jobs, and at one point served a brief prison sentence for burglary. Then came Black Sabbath.

    “When I was growing up, if you’d have put me up against a wall with the other kids from my street and asked me which one of us was gonna make it to the age of 60, with five kids and four grandkids and houses in Buckinghamshire and California, I wouldn’t have put money on me, no fucking way,” he once said.

    Britain’s Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, a member of parliament representing a Birmingham constituency, wrote on X that she was devastated to hear the news of his death.

    “One of the greatest gifts my city gave the world,” Mahmood said.

    In 2002, Osbourne won legions of new fans when he starred in U.S. reality TV show “The Osbournes”.

    Cameras followed the aging rock god ambling round his huge house in Beverly Hills, pronouncing on events in his heavy Birmingham accent and looking on bemused at the antics of his family.

    Osbourne‘s family included wife and manager Sharon, five children including Jack, Kelly and Aimee, and several grandchildren.

    No cause of death was given, but Osbourne revealed in 2020 that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The illness made him unable to walk.

    In his final concert on July 5 in Birmingham, Osbourne performed sitting, at times appearing to have difficulties speaking as he thanked thousands of adoring fans, some of whom were visibly emotional.

    Osbourne‘s performance followed a number of tributes on stage and on stadium screens from rock and pop royalty including Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler, Metallica’s James Hetfield and Elton John.

    “Thanks for your support over the years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I love you,” said Osbourne.

    -Reuters

  • Baby boy starves to death in Gaza as hunger spreads, medics say

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Six-week-old Yousef’s lifeless body lay limp on a hospital table in Gaza City, his skin stretched over protruding ribs and a bandage where a drip had been inserted into his tiny arm. Doctors said the cause of death was starvation.

    He was among 15 people to starve to death in the last 24 hours in Gaza, according to doctors who say a wave of hunger that has loomed over the enclave for months is now finally crashing down.

    Yousef’s family couldn’t find baby formula to feed him, said his uncle, Adham al-Safadi.

    “You can’t get milk anywhere, and if you do find any it’s $100 for a tub,” he said, looking at his dead nephew.

    Three of the other Palestinians who died of hunger over the last day were also children, including 13-year-old Abdulhamid al-Ghalban, who died in a hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis.

    Israeli forces have killed nearly 60,000 Palestinians in airstrikes, shelling and shooting since launching their assault on Gaza in response to attacks on Israel by the Hamas group that killed 1,200 people and captured 251 hostages in October 2023.

    For the first time since the war began, Palestinian officials say dozens are now also dying of hunger.

    Gaza has seen its food stocks run out since Israel cut off all supplies to the territory in March and then lifted that blockade in May with new measures it says are needed to prevent aid from being diverted to militant groups.

    At least 101 people are known to have died of hunger during the conflict, according to Palestinian officials, including 80 children, most of them in just the last few weeks.

    Israel, which controls all supplies entering Gaza, denies it is responsible for shortages of food. Israel’s military said it “views the transfer of humanitarian aid into Gaza as a matter of utmost importance”, and works to facilitate its entry in coordination with the international community.

    It has blamed the United Nations for failing to protect aid it says is stolen by Hamas and other militants. The fighters deny stealing it.

    Asked for comment, a White House official sided with Israel’s position that Hamas is to blame. The official said the United States supports the Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid organisation.

    “It’s horrific that Hamas continues to target this crucial aid and hinder GHF’s ability to deliver life-saving assistance by placing bounties on aid workers, targeting contractors, and spreading disinformation,” the official said.

    More than 800 people have been killed in recent weeks trying to reach food, mostly in mass shootings by Israeli soldiers posted near GHF distribution centres. The United Nations has rejected this system as inherently unsafe, and a violation of humanitarian neutrality principles needed to ensure that distribution succeeds.

    United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the situation for the 2.3 million residents of the Palestinian enclave a “horror show”.

    “We are seeing the last gasp of a humanitarian system built on humanitarian principles,” Guterres told the U.N. Security Council. “That system is being denied the conditions to function.”

    The Norwegian Refugee Council, which supported hundreds of thousands of Gazans in the first year of the war, said its aid stocks were now depleted and some of its own staff were starving.

    “Our last tent, our last food parcel, our last relief items have been distributed. There is nothing left,” its director Jan Egeland told Reuters. “Israel is not yielding. They just want to paralyse our work,” he said.

    The head of the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency said on Tuesday that its staff, as well as doctors and humanitarian workers, were fainting on duty in Gaza due to hunger and exhaustion.

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday that images of civilians killed during the distribution of aid were “unbearable” and urged Israel to deliver on pledges to improve the situation.

    FOOD AND MEDICINE SHORTAGES

    On Tuesday, men and boys lugged sacks of flour past destroyed buildings and tarpaulins in Gaza City, grabbing what food they could from aid warehouses.

    “We haven’t eaten for five days,” said Mohammed Jundia.

    Israeli military statistics showed on Tuesday that an average of 146 trucks of aid per day had entered Gaza over the course of the war. The United States has said a minimum of 600 trucks per day are needed to feed Gaza’s population.

    “Hospitals are already overwhelmed by the number of casualties from gunfire. They can’t provide much more help for hunger-related symptoms because of food and medicine shortages,” said Khalil al-Deqran, a spokesperson for the health ministry.

    Deqran said some 600,000 people were suffering from malnutrition, including at least 60,000 pregnant women. Symptoms among those going hungry include dehydration and anaemia, he said.

    Baby formula in particular is in critically short supply, according to aid groups, doctors and residents.

    The health ministry said at least 72 Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire and military strikes in the past 24 hours, including 16 people living in tents in Gaza City. The Israeli military said it wasn’t aware of any incident or artillery in the area at that time.

    (Reuters)

  • ENG vs IND, 4th Test: India look to level series amid injury crisis as Old Trafford Test beckons

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India will step onto the field at Old Trafford on Wednesday with the odds stacked heavily against them — trailing 2–1 in the series, grappling with a spate of injuries, and confronting a venue where victory has eluded them in the past.

    After a narrow 22-run defeat at Lord’s, the visitors now face a must-win situation to keep the five-match series alive. England, meanwhile, look to ride their momentum and seal the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy with a match to spare.

    Injury woes for India

    India’s preparation has been hampered by a string of injuries to key players. All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy has been ruled out of the remainder of the series, while pace spearhead Arshdeep Singh will miss the fourth Test. Adding to the woes, Akash Deep — who impressed with a 10-wicket haul in India’s win at Birmingham — is also unavailable.

    Speaking ahead of the match, skipper Shubman Gill acknowledged the team’s challenges but expressed confidence in the bench strength.

    “Akash Deep is unavailable, so is Arshdeep, but we have good players in the team to pick twenty wickets,” Gill said. “It is not ideal to have different bowlers, but I was prepared.”

    Gill also hinted at a possible debut for 24-year-old pacer Anshul Kamboj, who has taken 79 wickets in 24 First-Class matches. “We have seen his skill set. He’s very close to making his debut,” Gill said. “We believe he can win matches for us.”

    With a spot up for grabs, Kamboj is in contention alongside Prasidh Krishna to replace the injured quicks.

    Pant to keep, Nair gets backing

    Gill confirmed that Rishabh Pant will resume full wicketkeeping duties in Manchester. Pant had shared the gloves with Dhruv Jurel in the third Test due to injury concerns, with Jurel conceding 25 byes in England’s second innings.

    Karun Nair, who has managed just 131 runs in three Tests at an average under 22, retains the team management’s backing. “We think he is batting well. No issues with his form. We are hopeful he can turn it around,” Gill said.

    Old Trafford challenge

    The venue adds another layer of difficulty for India. Old Trafford has traditionally favoured fast bowlers, with overcast conditions forecast for the next five days likely to enhance that trend. Since 2000, pacers have taken 477 wickets here at an average of under 30, compared to 147 wickets by spinners at an average nearing 40.

    Chasing in the fourth innings is notoriously difficult at this ground — only four teams have ever succeeded, with 294 being the highest successful chase. As such, the toss could play a pivotal role, with the winning captain likely to bat first.

    England captain calls for reforms

    Ahead of the fourth Test, England captain Ben Stokes addressed the rising on-field intensity, stating that his team won’t shy away from confrontation if the match heats up.

    “It’s a massive series, and heat will be shown,” Stokes said. “Have England been nice? Potentially. But we’re not going to take a backward step. If the opposition wants to be confrontational, we’ll match it. We won’t start anything — but we won’t stand back either.”

    Stokes also weighed in on the debate around over-rate penalties, calling for more context-specific regulations — especially for seam-dominated conditions like those in England.

    “You can’t have the same rules in Asia, where 80% of overs are bowled by spinners, and here, where fast bowlers shoulder most of the workload.”

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Secretary-General of ASEAN visits the AIIB Headquarters

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today visited the Headquarters of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Beijing, China, and was received by the President of AIIB, Jin Liqun. They exchanged views on areas of mutual interest and opportunities to strengthen cooperation between ASEAN and AIIB, particularly in advancing regional connectivity including on sustainable infrastructure, the ASEAN Power Grid, and the digital economy. SG Dr. Kao looked forward to the AIIB’s continued support for ASEAN and ASEAN Member States in achieving a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centred ASEAN by 2045.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN visits the AIIB Headquarters appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Secretary-General of ASEAN visits the AIIB Headquarters

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today visited the Headquarters of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Beijing, China, and was received by the President of AIIB, Jin Liqun. They exchanged views on areas of mutual interest and opportunities to strengthen cooperation between ASEAN and AIIB, particularly in advancing regional connectivity including on sustainable infrastructure, the ASEAN Power Grid, and the digital economy. SG Dr. Kao looked forward to the AIIB’s continued support for ASEAN and ASEAN Member States in achieving a resilient, innovative, dynamic, and people-centred ASEAN by 2045.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN visits the AIIB Headquarters appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Waste Generation Rate Continues To Trend Downloads In 2024

    Source: Government of Singapore

    Per capita daily domestic waste decreased by more than 20 per cent over the past decade; per billion dollar GDP daily non-domestic waste decreased by more 30 per cent over the same period. The recycling rate continues to hover around 50 per cent. 

    Singapore, 23 July 2025 – Singapore continued to see a decrease in waste generation rate in 2024. The daily domestic waste generated per capita decreased from 0.88 kg in 2023 to 0.85 kg in 2024. The daily non-domestic waste  generated per billion dollar Gross Domestic Product (GDP) decreased from around 25 tonnes in 2023 to around 23 tonnes in 2024. This reflects the sustained reduction and reuse efforts by households and businesses in 2024.

    Per capita and per billion dollar GDP waste generated decreased in past decade

    2          Over the past decade, daily domestic waste generated per capita decreased by more than 20 per cent, and daily non-domestic waste generated per billion dollar GDP decreased by more than 30 per cent.

    Fig. 1. Chart on the daily domestic waste generated per capita from 2014 to 2024.

     

    Fig. 2. Chart on the daily non-domestic waste generated per billion dollar GDP from 2014 to 2024.

    Recycling rate continues to hover at around 50 per cent

    3          Overall recycling rate continues to hover at around 50 per cent (refer to Table 1 in 

    Annex). The recycling rate of paper/cardboard, food, and plastics remained similar. The slight reduction in recycling rate is driven largely by the reduction in the amount of Construction & Demolition (C&D) waste (by 122,000 tonnes) and used slag (by 63,000 tonnes) generated, which are almost completely recycled. This resulted in a corresponding reduction in overall recycling volume. Additionally, there was a reduction in the amount of wood waste recycled, by 49,000 tonnes, due to a short-term reduction in wood waste processing capacity in 2024 as a result of the closure of one biomass plant and prolonged maintenance of another.

    10-year Recycling Trends

    4          Over the past decade, the recycling rate dropped from 60 per cent in 2014 to 50 per cent in 2024 (refer to Table 2 in Annex). This is driven by two factors.

    a.     There was a 44 per cent and 69 per cent decrease in the volume of C&D waste and used slag generation, respectively. As C&D waste and used slag are almost fully recycled, the decrease in volume generated and consequently recycled led to a significant reduction (7 percentage points) in the overall recycling rate (refer to Chart 1 and Chart 2 in Annex). This is due to the reduction in C&D waste volume generated from demolition projects in recent years, while the lower amount of used slag generated is due to a reduction in steel smelting activities in Singapore. 

    b.     The amount of paper/cardboard waste generated has been similar between 2014 and 2024, although paper waste generated had been on a downtrend from 2014 to 2019, before rising again post-2019 driven in part by e-commerce packaging. However, there has been a steep reduction in the paper recycling rate, from 52 per cent to 32 per cent (refer to Chart 3 in Annex). The decline is driven by factors such as the cost of collecting and freight as well as commodity prices.

    Upcoming efforts to improve recycling of key waste streams

    5          NEA will continue to partner the community and businesses to encourage the reduction of waste generated and to increase recycling efforts. Our efforts will be focused on food, paper, and plastics as these make up the largest amount of waste that is not recycled.

    a.     The recycling rate for food waste increased from 13 per cent in 2014 to 18 per cent in 2024. To drive the reduction and recycling of food waste, all new large commercial and industrial food waste generators have been required since March 2024 to segregate, treat and report their food waste. In addition, we will progressively extend these requirements to existing large commercial and industrial food waste generators in tandem when the Food Waste Treatment Facility becomes operational, as we progressively complete the Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF) from 2027 onwards.

    b.     To encourage reduction in paper/cardboard waste and improve recycling rates, NEA supported the development of a set of Guidelines on Sustainable E-commerce Packaging in March 2025. The guidelines offer practical 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) strategies tailored to common types of e-commerce packaging, including cardboard boxes. Furthermore, NEA is looking to strengthen support for paper recycling, working together with waste collectors, recycling companies, and the community.

    c.     We will also increase plastic recycling through initiatives such as the beverage container return scheme, which will take effect next year. Under the scheme, a 10-cent deposit will be fully refunded when consumers return the empty beverage containers at designated return points such as reverse vending machines. The scheme will aggregate clean and high-quality plastic recyclables, which can be made into new products. NEA is working with the licensed scheme operator, Beverage Container Return Scheme Ltd. (BCRS Ltd.) on the return point network and deposit refund options to provide a convenient return and refund journey for consumers, when the scheme rolls out on 1 April 2026.

    Waste Disposed of

    6          Our combined commitment to reducing the amount of waste generated and improving recycling efforts is reflected in the waste disposed of at our waste-to-energy plants and Semakau Landfill. While the waste disposal rate has similarly trended downwards in the last decade, the total amount of waste disposed of has increased from 3.04 million tonnes in 2014 to 3.33 million tonnes in 2024. This is due to the recycling amount declining faster than the total amount of waste generated. Hence, the net effect is an increase in the total amount of waste disposed of. When everyone plays their part to reduce, reuse, and recycle, we avoid sending waste for disposal, thus reducing our environmental footprint and extending the lifespan of Semakau Landfill.

    7          The latest waste and recycling statistics can be accessed at go.gov.sg/waste-statistics-and-overall-recycling.

    ——————

    [1] Domestic waste is waste collected from households and trade premises (e.g., shophouses, educational institutions, petrol stations, hawker centres and places of worship).

    [2] Non-domestic waste is waste generated at industrial and commercial premises.

     

    ~~ End ~~

    For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

     

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S.-Philippine Airmen Strengthen Ties During Cope Thunder 25-2

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — U.S. Pacific Air Forces and Philippine Air Force members participated in Cope Thunder 25-2, a bilateral training conducted across multiple locations in the Philippines. The exercise aimed to strengthen partnerships and support the Philippine Air Force’s modernization efforts, promoting regional and global stability.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: CNFK, ROKN, JMSDF Officers complete Trilateral Junior Officer Exchange in Korea

    Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

    BUSAN, BUSAN GWANG’YEOGSI [PUSAN-KWANGYOKSHI], South Korea — Junior officers assigned to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea (CNFK), Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) participated in a three-day Trilateral Junior Officer Exchange across South Korea, July 16-18

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Praises Trump’s Progress on Trade

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Praises Trump’s Progress on Trade

     

    LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen, the only farmer currently serving as a Governor in America, is praising the progress President Donald J. Trump and his Administration have made for our country through new trade deals. Today, the White House announced trade deals with Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

    “I believe — wholeheartedly — the future for family farms in America gets brighter every day that Donald J. Trump is President. These trade deals and negotiations have the potential to set up American farmers and manufacturers for generations. This is a historic moment in our country, and I’m honored to work with President Trump and other great leaders like Secretary of Agriculture Rollins.”

    Last week, Governor Pillen hosted Shigeo Yamada, Japan’s Ambassador to the United States, in Lincoln. Japan is among America’s closest allies and a tremendous trading partner for Nebraska agriculture, particularly our beef and pork exports.

    Promoting Nebraska agriculture and business in Southeast Asia has been a top priority for the Pillen Administration. Last year, Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly led a successful trade mission to Indonesia.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: US and Philippines sign trade deal – D. Trump

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    WASHINGTON, July 22 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump met with his Philippine counterpart Ferdinand Marcos Jr. here on Tuesday to discuss trade and bilateral relations.

    “We have a trade deal where the Philippines will have an open market and zero tariffs policy with the United States. The Philippines will pay a 19 percent tariff,” Trump wrote on the Truth Social social network.

    In a recent letter to F. Marcos Jr., D. Trump said the U.S. would raise tariffs on Philippine goods to 20 percent effective August 1.

    The White House has not yet released more details about the trade deal with the Philippines.

    F. Marcos Jr. said ties between the two countries “have evolved into a relationship as important as it can be.” -0-

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Case Opposes Public Lands And Natural Resources Funding Measure That Cripples Efforts To Combat Climate Change And Slashes Funds For National Parks

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, voted in full Committee today against the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Interior Appropriations bill that cut $2.9 billion from programs and agencies that support public lands and our nation’s natural resources.   

    The Interior, Environment and Related Appropriations bill funds the U.S. Department of the Interior, including the National Park Service (NPS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Forest Service and various independent agencies including the National Endowments on Arts and the Humanities. The bill’s FY 2026 discretionary funding level is $38 billion. This is a decrease of $2.9 billion from the FY 2025 enacted level.  

    “While these measures fund many critical Hawai‘i and priorities I requested, I regrettably had to vote against this version because it cripples efforts to deal with climate change by defunding all of the climate work by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency,” said Case. 

    “It further decimates public lands by slashing funding for the National Park Service and gutting key conservation agencies that protect our parks, forests and wildlife. It also undermines museums and cultural institutions, cutting support for the Smithsonian and slashing the arts and humanities by $72 million each.”

    In full Committee debate on the measure, Case voiced his strong opposition to the bill’s proposed $1.7 billion in cuts to federal support for Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds (see remarks here: https://youtu.be/0w197WN4wys).

    These vital programs offer low-cost financing to local communities for a broad spectrum of water quality infrastructure projects. They have played a critical role in efforts to remediate Red Hill, including supporting technical assistance for source water protection, and are critical to continued maintenance of Hawaii’s drinking water quality. 

    “Red Hill reinforced all over again that in an island community our water systems are fragile and priceless,” Case said.  

    “We need sustained investment not just to meet the urgent demands of remediation, but to ensure the long-term safety, resilience, and sustainability of our water infrastructure. We cannot cut back now on the very programs that have made that possible over the last half century,” Case said. 

    Continued support for the State Revolving Funds is also essential to Hawaii’s ability to confront emerging contaminants like PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” which pose serious risks to public health and the environment. Furthermore, these funds are critical for moving forward on 38 high-priority water infrastructure projects across the state. These projects strengthen drinking water safety, improve wastewater treatment, and build long-term resilience in Hawaii’s water systems. Without adequate federal investment, many of these initiatives risk delay or cancellation, leaving our communities vulnerable. 

    However, the measure added several of Case’s priority requests, including: 

    ·         $5 million for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s State of the Birds Activities to respond to the urgent needs of critically endangered birds that now face possible extinction. These funds will help save numerous endemic birds in Hawai‘i that have been devastated by climate change and avian malaria.  

    ·         $45 million for the U.S. Geological Survey Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program.  

    ·         $66 million for the U.S. Geological Survey’s Climate Adaptation Science Centers, which includes the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center based out of the University of Hawai‘i-Mānoa. These centers provide regionally relevant scientific information, tools and techniques to resource managers and communities in Hawai‘i in response to our changing climate.  

    ·         $63 million for State Historic Preservation Offices, which will help preserve Hawaii’s treasured historic properties.

    ·         $80 million for State Fire Assistance, which provides financial and technical support directly to states to enhance firefighting capacity, support community-based hazard mitigation and expand outreach and education to homeowners and communities concerning fire prevention. 

    ·         $20 million for the Joint Fire Science Program, which supports a national collaboration of fire science exchanges providing science information to federal, state, local, tribal and private stakeholders.  

    ·         $5 million for Japanese Confinement Site Grants and funding for the Amache National Historic Site, which was one of ten incarceration sites established by the War Relocation Authority during World War II to detain Japanese Americans who were forcibly removed from their communities on the West Coast.  

    Through his assignment on the Committee, Case was also able to secure a Member-designated Community Project Funding (CPF) project of $1,092,000 for the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) to upgrade the sewer infrastructure at Papakōlea.  

    “Papakōlea is the only Hawaiian Home Lands community located in central Honolulu with more than 300 homes and some 1,300 residents,” said Case. “As the infrastructure in Papakōlea ages, the sewer system has become susceptible to cracks, root intrusions and other defects that diminish the effectiveness of the service lines. My CPF will assist DHHL to work on a sewer line rehabilitation/replacement program for the community.” 

    The House’s CPF rules require that each project must have demonstrated community support, must be fully disclosed by the requesting Member and must be subject to audit by the independent Government Accountability Office. Case’s disclosures are here: https://case.house.gov/services/funding-disclosures.htm.  

    A summary of the bill is available here.  

    This is the eighth bill of twelve separate bills developed and approved by the Appropriations Committee that would fund the federal government at some $1.6 trillion for FY 2026 commencing October 1st of this year. The bill now moves on to the full House of Representatives for its consideration.

    ###

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • India extends airspace ban on Pakistani aircraft till Aug 23 amid security concerns

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India on Tuesday extended its ban on Pakistani aircraft entering Indian airspace till August 23, amid continued tensions between the two neighbours.

    Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said in a post on X, “Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) restricting Pakistani aircraft from entering Indian airspace has been officially extended until 23rd August 2025.”

    “This extension reflects continued strategic considerations and is in line with prevailing security protocols. Stay tuned for further updates,” the minister added.

    The move follows Islamabad’s decision last week to extend its own airspace restrictions on Indian carriers till August 24. The Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) said the ban will remain in effect until 5:19 a.m. (IST) on August 24.

    Meanwhile, India has issued a separate NOTAM for a large-scale Indian Air Force (IAF) exercise in Rajasthan, along the Pakistan border, from July 23 to 25. The exercise will cover areas from Barmer to Jodhpur.

    A NOTAM is issued when a specific airspace needs to be cleared of civilian air traffic. Similar notices were issued during previous tensions with Pakistan to ensure that no passenger aircraft would be caught in the middle of potential aerial operations. It helps prevent civilian casualties by keeping commercial aircraft away from zones of military activity.

    The latest NOTAM was issued against the backdrop of India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’, launched on May 7 in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam, where Pakistan-sponsored terrorists killed 26 civilians.

    IANS

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Money Market Operations as on July 22, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 6,13,605.52 5.69 4.75-6.60
         I. Call Money 17,157.62 5.62 4.75-5.80
         II. Triparty Repo 4,17,073.80 5.69 5.50-5.83
         III. Market Repo 1,76,684.55 5.69 5.00-5.90
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 2,689.55 5.90 5.84-6.60
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 140.50 5.48 4.95-5.70
         II. Term Money@@ 806.00 – 5.40-5.85
         III. Triparty Repo 1,820.00 5.66 5.40-5.70
         IV. Market Repo 0.00 – –
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Tue, 22/07/2025 1 Wed, 23/07/2025 13,273.00 5.75
    4. SDFΔ# Tue, 22/07/2025 1 Wed, 23/07/2025 63,745.00 5.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -50,472.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo Fri, 18/07/2025 7 Fri, 25/07/2025 2,00,027.00 5.49
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       8,574.40  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -1,91,452.60  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -2,41,924.60  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks          
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on July 22, 2025 9,44,918.11  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending July 25, 2025 9,63,288.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ July 22, 2025 0.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on June 27, 2025 5,79,904.00  

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

    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.

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

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

    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.

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

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/763

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Young Japanese voters embrace right-wing populist parties, leaving the prime minister on the brink

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Craig Mark, Adjunct Lecturer, Faculty of Economics, Hosei University

    Japan’s ruling coalition suffered the widely expected loss of its majority in the July 20 election, as young voters shifted to the populist right. As a result, Shigeru Ishiba’s prime ministership now hangs in the balance.

    The election was for half of the 248 members of the House of Councillors, the upper house of the National Diet, Japan’s parliament. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) secured 39 seats, and its minor coalition partner, the Komeito Party, just eight. This left it three seats short of the 50 required to maintain its majority, as populist opposition parties made dramatic gains.

    The LDP is now confronted with minorities in both houses of the Diet for the first time in the party’s 70-year history. It is a huge decline from its postwar dominance of Japanese politics.

    In a press conference on Monday, Ishiba said he would not resign, as the LDP remained the largest party in the upper house. He also insisted he needed to stay in office to complete negotiations with the Trump administration, which had threatened to continue harsh trade tariffs after August 1.

    But Ishiba is facing calls from disgruntled LDP Diet members to step down. He had already led the LDP into minority government in last October’s election for the lower house of the Diet, the House of Representatives. He called the snap election in the wake of securing LDP leadership last September.



    Read more:
    Why did Japan’s new leader trigger snap elections only a week after taking office? And what happens next?

    However, the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan (CDP) was not responsible for this latest defeat – it managed only to retain its 22 seats. Instead, the LDP and Komeito instead lost out to the two rising populist parties: the centre-right Democratic Party for the People (DPFP), which went from four to 17 seats, and the far-right Sanseito party, which made the most dramatic gains, from one to 14 seats.

    Main opposition leader Yoshihiko Noda now needs to again consider whether to bring on a motion of no confidence in the Ishiba cabinet in the lower house. Last month, he backed away from doing so. Such a motion would likely succeed with the support of the other opposition parties, and immediately trigger a snap lower house election. But it would also be highly risky, as it could allow the two right-wing parties to again overshadow the main opposition.

    The young shift to the right

    Exit polls showed younger people voted in greater numbers for the two right-wing parties. Their dissatisfaction erupted against the political status quo that has long favoured older generations. Older Japanese remain the main supporters for the two major parties, as well as the smaller Komeito and the declining Japanese Communist Party.

    Many voters were angry about declining wages, persistent inflation, and a growing tax burden to fund the straining pension and welfare system that disproportionately benefits the elderly.

    The leaders of the two right-wing parties, 56-year-old Yuichiro Tamaki and 47-year-old Sohei Kamiya, more effectively used social media to exploit this electoral discontent and push their populist messages.

    Sanseito emerged at the start of the COVID pandemic in March 2020. It promoted anti-vaccination conspiracy theories and xenophobia through its campaign slogan of “Japanese First”.

    As more people have expressed frustration with Japan’s record tourist numbers, Sanseito and the smaller far-right Conservative Party of Japan sought to scapegoat the relatively small foreign resident population of waging a “silent invasion”.

    This includes spreading false stories about them causing local crime waves, depressing wages, hiking real estate prices, and abusing welfare.

    The number of foreign-born residents, mostly from other Asian countries, has steadily risen to 3.8 million to meet the demands of the shrinking labour force. However, it still only comprises about 3% of Japan’s (ageing and shrinking) population.

    Despite running and electing a majority of female candidates, Sanseito has also attracted criticism for wanting to end gender equality so as to raise the birth rate. It also wants to remove democratic protections from the postwar constitution and return to an imperial form of government.

    The success of the two right-wing parties, along with the nationalist neoliberal Japan Innovation Party, threatens to transform Japanese politics.

    However, it remains to be seen whether they will be able to cooperate effectively in the Diet with other parties to enact their policy agenda. This includes cutting the consumption tax rate while boosting subsidies to support families and farmers, and restricting immigration.

    Uncertainty reigns

    The increased political uncertainty will raise concerns about Japan’s ability to continue its strategic reorientation. It has pledged to increase its defence spending to 2% of gross domestic product (GDP). It also wants to increase security cooperation with Europe, India and Australia.

    The LDP’s Diet members will hold a full party meeting on July 31 to assess the election. If a majority of LDP members across both houses and representatives of the party’s prefectural chapters petition for a leadership ballot, they could mount a spill against Ishiba.

    Ishiba now needs to continue to negotiate with opposition parties to pass legislation in both houses of the Diet. US President Donald Trump’s sudden announcement that a “massive” deal has been struck with Japan for a reciprocal tariff rate of 15% may yet give him a temporary political reprieve.

    But as his post-election approval rating hits a record low 23%, his ailing premiership looks even more vulnerable.

    Craig Mark does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. Young Japanese voters embrace right-wing populist parties, leaving the prime minister on the brink – https://theconversation.com/young-japanese-voters-embrace-right-wing-populist-parties-leaving-the-prime-minister-on-the-brink-261673

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hong Kong sees equity market revival amid policy incentives, improved outlook

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

    Recent initiatives from the central government have boosted market liquidity. Upgrades to the Bond Connect, enhancements to the Cross-boundary Wealth Management Connect Scheme, and facilitative payment arrangements for Hong Kong and Macao residents purchasing properties in the Chinese mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), have contributed to this positive momentum.

    The China Securities Regulatory Commission’s efforts to optimize the Shanghai-Hong Kong and Shenzhen-Hong Kong stock connects further reinforce Hong Kong’s status as an international financial hub.

    Economist Leung Hoi Ming notes that China’s position as the world’s second-largest economy is expected to contribute about 21 percent of global GDP growth, providing solid support for Hong Kong stocks.

    Hong Kong consistently ranks as the world’s freest economy, third among global financial centers, and maintains top positions in investment climate, international trade, commercial regulations, and air cargo.

    The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government’s moves to streamline market listing procedures have helped boost initial public offerings (IPOs) by 30 percent year on year to 52 cases by mid-July. Total funds raised soared 590 percent to 124 billion Hong Kong dollars (15.8 billion U.S. dollars), making Hong Kong the biggest IPO market worldwide, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee said in a social media post on Monday.

    The unique valuation advantage of Hong Kong stocks continues to attract both international and Chinese mainland investments. Recent data indicates a significant influx of southbound funds, reflecting renewed confidence among Chinese mainland investors.

    Carlson Tong, chairman of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX), mentioned that Chinese mainland companies currently listed in Hong Kong account for 81 percent of the total market value.

    The ongoing strength of Hong Kong stocks positively impacts both local and Chinese mainland capital markets, enhancing investor confidence and liquidity. Kevin Liu, chief offshore China and Overseas strategist at China International Capital Corporation, highlighted that active liquidity in the Hong Kong stock market is evident in an average daily trading volume of 240.6 billion Hong Kong dollars, showing a notable increase compared to the average daily trading volume in 2024, setting a historical high.

    Improved financing conditions are encouraging companies to list and refinance, particularly in high-growth sectors like technology and innovation. Since early 2025, driven by sectors such as AI, new consumption, and innovative pharmaceuticals, Hong Kong’s market has even outperformed its global counterparts at times, said Liu.

    As the stock market rises, global interest in China’s economy increases, promoting a virtuous circle of capital market openness and high-quality economic development, experts say.

    Leung believes that the stock market’s rise reflects positive expectations regarding the fundamentals of the economy of the Chinese mainland, attracting more attention and investment from global capital. This influx brings more mature investment concepts and resources into the capital market, further optimizing its structure, he added.

    Meanwhile, experts emphasize the need for continued market optimization to attract long-term investment, noting that encouraging more quality companies to list in Hong Kong will deepen and stabilize the market, enhancing its appeal as a global capital platform.

    The HKSAR government will continue to improve the listing regime and boost market liquidity to attract more high-quality global companies to list in Hong Kong, Lee pledged earlier. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • Trump strikes trade deal with Japan to cut tariffs

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The United States and Japan struck a deal to lower the hefty tariffs President Donald Trump threatened to impose on goods from its Asian ally that included a pledge by Japan to invest $550 billion in the United States.

    The agreement – including a 15% tariff on all imported Japanese goods, down from a proposed 25% – is the most significant of the string of trade deals the White House has reached ahead of an approaching August 1 deadline for higher levies to kick in.

    “I just signed the largest TRADE DEAL in history with Japan,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform. “This is a very exciting time for the United States of America, and especially for the fact that we will continue to always have a great relationship with the Country of Japan.”

    Ishiba, who is facing political pressure after a bruising election defeat on Sunday, hailed the deal as “the lowest figure among countries that have a trade surplus with the U.S.”.

    The two sides also agreed to cut tariff 25% tariffs already imposed on Japanese autos to 15%, Ishiba said. Auto exports account for more than a quarter of Japan’s exports to the U.S.

    The announcement ignited a rally in Japanese stocks, with the benchmark Nikkei climbing 2.6% to its highest in a year. Shares of automakers surged in particular, with Toyota 7203.T up more than 11%, and Honda 7267.T and Nissan 7201.T both up more than 8%.

    The exuberance extended to shares of South Korean carmakers as well, as the Japan deal stoked optimism that South Korea could strike a comparable deal. The yen firmed slightly against the dollar, and U.S. equity index futures edged upward.

    But U.S. automakers signaled their unhappiness with the deal, raising concerns about a trade regime that could cut tariffs on auto imports from Japan to 15% while leaving tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico at 25%.

    Matt Blunt, who heads the American Automotive Policy Council which represents General Motors GM.N Ford F.N and Chrysler-parent Stellantis STLAM.MI, said “any deal that charges a lower tariff for Japanese imports with virtually no U.S. content than the tariff imposed on North American-built vehicles with high U.S. content is a bad deal for U.S. industry and U.S. auto workers.”

    ‘MISSION COMPLETE’

    Autos are a huge part of U.S.-Japan trade, but almost all of it is one way to the U.S. from Japan, a fact that has long irked Trump. In 2024, the U.S. imported more than $55 billion of vehicles and automotive parts while just over $2 billion were sold into the Japanese market from the U.S.

    Two-way trade between the two countries totaled nearly $230 billion in 2024, with Japan running a trade surplus of nearly $70 billion. Japan is the fifth-largest U.S. trading partner in goods, U.S. Census Bureau data show.

    Trump’s announcement followed a meeting with Japan’s top tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, at the White House on Tuesday.

    “#Mission Complete,” Akazawa wrote on X.

    The deal was “a better outcome” for Japan than it potentially could have been, given Trump’s earlier unilateral tariff threats, said Kristina Clifton, a senior economist at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia in Sydney.

    “Steel, aluminium, and also cars are important exports for Japan, so it’ll be interesting to see if there’s any specific carve-outs for those,” Clifton said.

    Kazutaka Maeda, an economist at Meiji Yasuda Research Institute, said that “with the 15% tariff rate, I expect the Japanese economy to avoid recession.”

    Japan is the largest investor in the United States. Together with pension giant GPIF and Japanese insurers, the country has about $2 trillion invested in U.S. markets.

    Besides that, Bank of Japan data shows direct Japanese investment in the United States was $1.2 trillion at the end of 2024, and Japanese direct investment flows amounted to $137 billion in North America last year.

    Speaking later at the White House, Trump also expressed fresh optimism that Japan would form a joint venture with Washington to support a gas pipeline in Alaska long sought by his administration.

    “We concluded the one deal … and now we’re going to conclude another one because they’re forming a joint venture with us at, in Alaska, as you know, for the LNG,” Trump told lawmakers at the White House. “They’re all set to make that deal now.”

    Trump aides are feverishly working to close trade deals ahead of an August 1 deadline that Trump has repeatedly pushed back under pressure from markets and intense lobbying by industry. By that date, countries are set to face steep new tariffs beyond those Trump has already imposed since taking office in January.

    Trump has announced framework agreements with Britain, Vietnam, Indonesia and paused a tit-for-tat tariff battle with China, though details are still to be worked out with all of those countries.

    At the White House, Trump said negotiators from the European Union would be in Washington on Wednesday.

    -Reuters

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Asia Pacific – Sixth Street Welcomes Stuart Wrigley to Expand Firm’s Presence in Asia Pacific

    Source: Sixth Street

    Establishes new Singapore office to deepen local relationships and expand investment capabilities

    SAN FRANCISCO & SINGAPORE – Sixth Street, a leading global investment firm, today announced the appointment of Stuart Wrigley as Partner, Head of Sixth Street Asia Pacific and Head of Capital Formation and Strategy International. Wrigley will also lead the firm’s new Singapore office, which is expected to open in October 2025.

    In this newly created role, Wrigley will be responsible for leading the expansion of Sixth Street’s client franchise across Asia Pacific, Europe and the Middle East. His mandate will focus on deepening relationships with existing investors, while leading new capital formation activity, strategic partnerships and the expansion of the firm’s investment capabilities in Asia Pacific. Sixth Street has built a longstanding track record in Asia Pacific, having invested in the region for more than a decade, including AirTrunk and ESR Group Limited.

    “Stuart brings the depth of experience and expertise to accelerate our activity internationally,” said Sixth Street Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Alan Waxman. “We’ve developed a close relationship with Stuart over the course of two decades. In that time, he has demonstrated his strength as a business builder and clear alignment with our values of entrepreneurship, integrity and teamwork. We believe that the unconstrained and thematic nature of our investment platform is well positioned to deliver investment excellence and serve our investors in these strategic regions. We are committed to Asia Pacific and look forward to further expanding our presence through the opening of our new office in Singapore.”

    Wrigley joins Sixth Street following a 24-year tenure at Goldman Sachs, where he most recently served as Head of Client Solutions Group in Asia Pacific for Goldman Sachs Asset Management (GSAM). In this role, he supported GSAM’s expansion across Asia Pacific and led a team focused on developing tailored investment strategies for institutional and wealth management clients in the region.

    “I have been consistently impressed with Sixth Street’s culture, team and success in building a truly differentiated global investment firm,” added Stuart Wrigley, Partner, Head of Sixth Street Asia Pacific and Head of Capital Formation and Strategy International at Sixth Street. “Having spent 18 years in Asia Pacific and the Middle East, I believe that Sixth Street’s flexible, long-term capital has a unique opportunity to further support great companies in these regions and, most importantly, serve our investors.”

    About Sixth Street

    Sixth Street is a global investment firm with over $115 billion in assets under management and committed capital. The firm uses its long-term flexible capital, data-enabled capabilities, and “One Team” culture to develop themes and offer solutions to companies across all stages of growth. Founded in 2009, Sixth Street has more than 650 team members including over 280 investment professionals around the world. For more information, visit www.sixthstreet.com, and follow Sixth Street on LinkedIn.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 23, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 23, 2025.

    Hard labour conditions of online moderators directly affect how well the internet is policed – new study
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tania Chatterjee, Joint PhD Candidate at Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, The University of Queensland Getty Images/GCShutter Big tech platforms often present content moderation as a seamless, tech‑driven system. But human labour, often outsourced to countries such as India and the Philippines, plays a pivotal role in

    Ghosted by a friend? 4 expert tips on how to handle the hurt
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Megan Willis, Associate Professor, School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University martin-dm/Getty When we talk about “ghosting”, we usually think it relates to dating. But what happens when you’ve been ghosted by someone you’ve known for years – your childhood best friend, a parent, a

    Labor’s new bill would cut HELP loans by 20%. But it also risks locking some graduates into a ‘debt treadmill’
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Norton, Professor of Higher Education Policy, Monash University The Albanese government’s 20% cut to student debt is the first bill introduced to the new federal parliament. It is clever politics. In the government’s first term, the 3 million Australians with a student debt turned high indexation

    ICJ climate crisis ruling: Will world’s top court back Pacific-led call to hold governments accountable?
    By Jamie Tahana in The Hague for RNZ Pacific In 2019, a group of law students at the University of the South Pacific, frustrated at the slow pace with which the world’s governments were moving to address the climate crisis, had an idea — they would take the world’s governments to court. They arranged a

    ‘Maybe this is the last minutes you are living’: how the war is impacting young Ukrainians
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ashley Humphrey, Lecturer in Social Sciences, Monash University Now into its fourth year, the war that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has taken a devastating toll. An estimated 60,000 to 100,0000 Ukrainian lives have been lost and more than 10 million citizens displaced, and entire cities have

    Auckland is NZ’s ‘primate city’ but its potential remains caged in by poor planning and vision
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Welch, Senior Lecturer in Urban Planning, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images The recent report comparing Auckland to nine international peer cities delivered an uncomfortable truth: our largest city is falling behind, hampered by car dependency, low-density housing and “weak economic performance”. The Deloitte

    Climate disasters are pushing people into homelessness – but there’s a lot we can do about it
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Heffernan, Lecturer in Anthropology, Australian National University Almost half of all Australian properties are at risk of bushfire, while 17,500 face risk of coastal erosion. By 2030, more than 3 million will face riverine flood risk. Meanwhile, housing demand continues to outpace supply. With climate-related disasters

    UK bans Gaza protest group – could the same thing happen in Australia?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shannon Bosch, Associate Professor (Law), Edith Cowan University More than 100 people were arrested in the United Kingdom on the weekend for supporting Palestine Action, a protest group that opposes Britain’s support of Israel. Palestine Action was recently proscribed as a terrorist organisation, placing it in the

    The incredible impact of Ozzy Osbourne, from Black Sabbath to Ozzfest to 30 years of retirement tours
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lachlan Goold, Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Music, University of the Sunshine Coast Ozzy Osbourne photographed in London in 1991. Martyn Goodacre/Getty Images Ozzy Osbourne, the “prince of darkness” and godfather of heavy metal, has died aged 76, just weeks after he reunited with Black Sabbath bandmates for

    Could the latest ‘interstellar comet’ be an alien probe? Why spotting cosmic visitors is harder than you think
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Webb, Lecturer, Centre for Astrophysics and Supercomputing, Swinburne University of Technology Comet 3I/ATLAS International Gemini Observatory/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/K. Meech/Jen Miller/Mahdi Zamani, CC BY On July 1, astronomers spotted an unusual high-speed object zooming towards the Sun. Dubbed 3I/ATLAS, the surprising space traveller had one very special quality: its

    Should Australia lower the voting age to 16 like the UK? We asked 5 experts
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Pandanus Petter, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, School of Politics and International Relations, Australian National University The government in the UK is introducing legislation into parliament to lower the voting age to 16. If passed, the new age rules will be in place for the next general election, expected

    Doctors shouldn’t be allowed to object to medical care if it harms their patients
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julian Savulescu, Visiting Professor in Biomedical Ethics, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute; Distinguished Visiting Professor in Law, University of Melbourne; Uehiro Chair in Practical Ethics, The University of Melbourne HRAUN/Getty A young woman needs an abortion and the reasons, while urgent, are not medical. A United States Navy

    Ultra fast fashion could be taxed to oblivion in France. Could Australia follow suit?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rowena Maguire, Professor of Law and Director of the Centre of Justice, Queensland University of Technology Ryan McVay/Getty For centuries, clothes were hard to produce and expensive. People wore them as long as possible. But manufacturing advances have steadily driven down the cost of production. These days,

    Central bank independence and credibility matters. Here’s why
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Simon, Adjunct Fellow in Economics, Macquarie University Olga Kashubin/Shutterstock In the United States, President Donald Trump has been pressuring the chairman of the US Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell, to slash interest rates. This is partly to ease the interest payments on the ballooning US government debt.

    Kneecap’s stance on Gaza extends a long history of the Irish supporting other oppressed peoples
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ciara Smart, PhD Graduand in Australasian Irish History, University of Tasmania Love them or hate them, there’s no doubt Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap are having a moment. Their music – delivered in a powerful fusion of English and Irish – is known for its gritty lyrics about

    Do countries have a duty to prevent climate harm? The world’s highest court is about to answer this crucial question
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nathan Cooper, Associate Professor of Law, University of Waikato Getty Images The International Court of Justice (ICJ) will issue a highly anticipated advisory opinion overnight to clarify state obligations related to climate change. It will answer two urgent questions: what are the obligations of states under international

    Gaza not a religious issue – it’s a massive violation of international law, say accord critics
    Asia Pacific Report Groups that have declined to join the government-sponsored “harmony accord” signed yesterday by some Muslim and Jewish groups, say that the proposed new council is “misaligned” with its aims. The signed accord was presented at Government House in Auckland. About 70 people attended, including representatives of the New Zealand Jewish Council, His

    Flying the flags for Palestine – NZ protesters take message to Devonport
    The Devonport Flagstaff About 200 people marched in Devonport last Saturday in support of Palestine. Pro-Palestine flags and placards were draped on the band rotunda at Windsor Reserve as speakers, including Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick and the people power manager of Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand Margaret Taylor, a Devonport local, encouraged the crowd

    View from The Hill: How much can Jim Chalmers get out of the economic reform roundtable?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra We’re now less than a month away from the start of the Albanese government’s “economic reform” (aka “productivity”) roundtable, but it has become quite hard to get a fix on exactly what this gathering will amount to. The guest list

    Israeli settlers beat to death 2 Palestinians in latest lynchings
    BEARING WITNESS: By Cole Martin in occupied West Bank Two young Palestinians were beaten to death on their land by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank on Friday. A funeral was held on Sunday for Sayfollah “Saif” Mussalet, 20, and Muhammad Shalabi, 23, who were brutally killed by a large group of settlers in

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • PM Modi to begin two-nation tour of UK, Maldives today

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two-nation visit to the United Kingdom and the Maldives beginning Wednesday, with a focus on deepening strategic partnerships and regional cooperation.

    PM Modi’s visit to the UK from July 23–24 comes at the invitation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, marking his fourth trip to the country. Both sides are expected to review the progress of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), with discussions centred around trade, innovation, defence, climate action, health, and education.

    According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the talks will also include regional and global developments of mutual concern. PM Modi is also likely to meet King Charles III during the visit. The India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), under negotiation for some time, is expected to feature prominently in the discussions.

    In the second leg, the Prime Minister will travel to the Maldives from July 25–26 at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu. This will be the PM’s third visit to the island nation, and the first by any head of government during President Muizzu’s tenure.

    The visit coincides with the Maldives’ 60th Independence Day celebrations on July 26, where Modi will be the Guest of Honour. The two leaders are expected to review the implementation of the India-Maldives Joint Vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership.

    The visit underscores India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Vision MAHASAGAR, aimed at enhancing maritime cooperation. Key areas on the agenda include infrastructure development, defence collaboration, and regional economic connectivity.

    IANS