NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia

  • Solapur fire: PM Modi announces relief for victims’ families

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    rime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the Solapur fire incident, in which at least eight people died. He also announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹2 lakh to be given to the next of kin of each deceased.

    “Pained by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Solapur, Maharashtra. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given ₹50,000,” the PMO said in a post on X.

    The fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday. Fire tenders were immediately rushed to the spot, with a total of 11 fire engines dispatched to contain the blaze.

    “Fire brigade personnel have also been injured in this rescue operation. It took 17 hours to control the fire,” said Fire Officer Rakesh Salunke.

    (ANI)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Malaysians bid tearful farewell to giant panda pair Xingxing and Liangliang

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Xinhua) — Malaysians bid a tearful farewell to giant panda pair Xingxing and Liangliang on Sunday as they departed for China after an 11-year stay.

    Dozens of fans of the two pandas had already gathered at 05:00 outside the Giant Panda Conservation Centre at Zoo Negara in Kuala Lumpur.

    As transport arrived to take Xingxing and Liangliang to Kuala Lumpur International Airport, many people waved emotionally goodbye to the giant pandas, while some took photos and videos.

    Among those gathered was the zoo’s vice president, Rosli Rakhmat Akhmat Lana. She said the panda keeper would accompany her charges to China and stay there for a few days to help them settle in.

    “The pandas are healthy. We have always supported the panda conservation program. I am truly grateful to the fans who came today… their presence shows how much they care,” the zoo’s vice president told the media.

    In 2014, a pair of giant pandas were loaned to the Malaysian government for 10 years to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and China. They have played a key role as “ambassadors,” strengthening the friendship between the peoples of the two countries.

    During their stay in Malaysia, Xingxing and Liangliang gave birth to three cubs, all of which were previously safely returned to China. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of the Daily Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction held on May 19, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Tenor 1-day
    Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 25,000
    Total amount of bids received (in ₹ crore) 5,170
    Amount allotted (in ₹ crore) 5,170
    Cut off Rate (%) 6.01
    Weighted Average Rate (%) 6.01
    Partial Allotment Percentage of bids received at cut off rate (%) NA

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/360

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Foreign Minister to visit Australia and South Asia

    Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

    Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will visit Australia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and India from later this week.

     

    Mr Peters is travelling first to Adelaide to undertake six-monthly Australia-New Zealand Foreign Ministers’ Consultations with his Australian counterpart, Penny Wong.

     

    “New Zealand’s partnership with Australia is our closest and most important,” Mr Peters says. 

    “We consider it vital to get across the Tasman as soon as possible after Australia’s general election to make plans for the period ahead. Our cooperation with Australia has never been more important as we navigate an ever more challenging, uncertain and disordered regional and global landscape.”

     

    Mr Peters then travels to South Asia, with programmes in Sri Lanka, Nepal and India.

     

    “We are committed to bringing greater focus and energy to New Zealand’s relationships with South Asia. 

    “New Zealand must work alongside partners to contribute to a stable, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.

     

    In Colombo, Mr Peters will undertake the first visit by a New Zealand Foreign Minister to Sri Lanka since 2013, meeting President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.

     

    “New Zealand and Sri Lanka have invested considerably in boosting our bilateral relationship over the past five years, including by opening High Commissions in Colombo and Wellington. This visit will provide political momentum and leadership to that process.”  

     

    In Kathmandu, Mr Peters will undertake the first ever visit to Nepal by a New Zealand Foreign Minister, meeting President Ramchandra Paudel, Prime Minister KP Sharma and Foreign Minister Rana Deuba.

     

    “This visit will reflect on the special relationship between New Zealand and Nepal, coinciding with the anniversary of Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary’s ascent of Mount Everest. It also reciprocates a visit to Wellington by Nepal’s Foreign Minister last year.”

     

    Mr Peters will then travel to New Delhi to meet External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

     

    “Over the past 18 months, New Zealand and India have worked hard to build a stronger, broader-based relationship for mutual benefit. This visit will take stock of our progress.”

     

    Mr Peters departs New Zealand on 23 May and returns on 31 May.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu Attended Charity Ball hosted by the Sydney Chapter of the Global Federation of Chinese Business Women (GFCBW)

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu and Mrs. Wu were honoured to attend the charity ball hosted by the Sydney Chapter of the Global Federation of Chinese Business Women (GFCBW). The event brought together 30 GFCBW members from Taiwan led by Global Chairwoman Ms. Shu-Min Lin, along with Taiwanese community leaders in Sydney and NSW dignitaries, including the Hon. Anthony Roberts MP, Dr. Hugh McDermott MP, the Hon. Scott Farlow MLC, Tim James MP, Monica Tudehope MP, Clr. Michelle Chuang of Willoughby, and Clr. Barbara Ward of Ku-ring-gai—all united in support of efforts to combat domestic and family violence.
    In his speech, DG Wu commended the GFCBW Sydney team for their longstanding commitment to empowering women and advancing gender equality through leadership and entrepreneurship. He highlighted that Taiwan enacted the Domestic Violence Prevention Act in 1998, becoming the first country in Asia to provide comprehensive legal protections against domestic violence. Taiwan is eager to work with Australia to strengthen joint efforts in prevention and support.
    All proceeds from the charity ball were donated to Women’s Community Shelters (WCS), supporting their life-saving work with women and children impacted by domestic and family violence. Chair of the NSW Parliamentary Taiwan Friendship Group, the Hon. Anthony Roberts, praised the Taiwanese community as true “winter friends.” Representing the NSW Premier, Dr. Hugh McDermott—Parliamentary Secretary to the Attorney General and Co-Chair of the Friendship Group—called for greater attention and action to address domestic and family violence issues.
    The charity ball is a big success, and once again highlights the Taiwanese community’s strong commitment to giving back to Australian society. It also reflects Taiwan’s dedication to being a global force for good.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Taiwan is not ruling out ‘political warfare’ by China, coast guard says

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Taiwan’s coast guard said on Monday China could try to disrupt public morale on the island ahead of President Lai Ching-te’s one-year anniversary this week, after images surfaced on social media of a person planting a Chinese flag on a Taiwan beach.

    China calls Lai, who completes a year in office on Tuesday, a “separatist”, and has rebuffed his offers for talks.

    Lai rejects China’s sovereignty claims over the democratic and entirely separately governed island, saying only Taiwan’s people can decide their future.

    Last week, Taiwan’s China-policy making Mainland Affairs Council said Beijing could hold more military drills to “stir up trouble” around the anniversary.

    On Sunday, images posted on Chinese social media showed a man who claimed to have sailed across the Taiwan Strait on a small boat landing on a remote beach and planting a Chinese flag, before returning to China. The video was later deleted.

    On Friday, Taiwan’s coast guard said it had arrested two Chinese nationals after they sailed into Taiwan illegally on a rubber boat and landed on a beach on the island’s northwest coast.

    Asked about the two incidents, Hsieh Ching-chin, deputy head of Taiwan’s coast guard, said China has been taking the opportunity for a while now to carry out drills and use other pressure tactics.

    “It cannot be ruled out that on the anniversary of President Lai’s inauguration, the Chinese communists will again use similar tactics and videos to engage in political warfare to disrupt the morale of our people,” he told reporters.

    Hsieh said the video of the flag planting was indeed taken on the beach in Taiwan’s Taoyuan, but whether by someone who crossed over from China, or was helped by someone in Taiwan to film it, was still being investigated.

    (Reuters)

  • Starmer discusses Russian war against Ukraine with US, Italy, France and Germany

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday discussed Russia’s war against Ukraine with leaders of the U.S., Italy, France and Germany, a Downing Street spokesperson said.

    Looking ahead to U.S. President Donald Trump’s call with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Monday, the leaders discussed the need for an unconditional ceasefire in the war that Russia launched against its smaller neighbour more than three years ago.

    They also discussed the use of sanctions if Russia fails to engage seriously in ceasefire and peace talks, the spokesperson added.

    The talks followed intense diplomacy by the leaders that started with their May 10 trip to Kyiv when the major European powers threw their weight behind an unconditional 30-day Ukraine ceasefire.

    “Tomorrow, President Putin must show he wants peace by accepting the 30-day unconditional ceasefire proposed by President Trump and backed by Ukraine and Europe,” French President Emmanuel Macron said on X after the Sunday call.

    UK’s Foreign Minister David Lammy on Saturday accused Moscow of obfuscating after talks between Ukraine and Russia on a possible ceasefire ended in less than two hours and Trump said “nothing could happen” until he had met directly with Putin.

    Russia – which is slowly but steadily advancing on the battlefield and is worried that Ukraine will use such a pause to regroup and re-arm – has said it needs to nail down the terms of a ceasefire before signing up to one.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI: BNP PARIBAS LAUNCHES A SHARE BUYBACK PROGRAMME PLANNED FOR 2025 OF EUR 1.084 BILLION

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

      

    BNP PARIBAS LAUNCHES
    A SHARE BUYBACK PROGRAMME PLANNED FOR 2025
    OF EUR 1.084 BILLION

    PRESS RELEASE

    Paris, 19 May 2025

    BNP Paribas announces today the launch of the share buyback programme planned for 2025 for a maximum amount of EUR 1.084 billion.

    BNP Paribas has received the approval from the European Central Bank and a contract was concluded with an investment services provider acting independently, entrusted with an irrevocable instruction to purchase the shares.

    The purchase period will start on May 19th, 2025 and will end no later than June 20th, 2025. The shares purchased under the programme will be cancelled.

    BNP Paribas will provide weekly updates on the progress of the programme via a press release on BNP Paribas’ website, and via full and effective dissemination in accordance with the applicable regulatory provisions:

    https://invest.bnpparibas/en/search/reports/documents/regulated-information.

    The share buyback programme will be carried out in accordance with the provisions set out in the EU Regulation n°596/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 16th, 2014 on market abuse, as modified, and its implementing provisions, and within the limits of the authorisation granted to BNP Paribas to purchase shares on the market pursuant to the 5th resolution adopted by the General Meeting of BNP Paribas on May 13th, 2025.

    The description of the share buyback programme is available in appendix and on BNP Paribas’s website: https://invest.bnpparibas/en/search/reports/documents/regulated-information.

    APPENDIX: DESCRIPTION OF THE SHARE BUYBACK PROGRAMME

    The present description complies with the provisions of article 241-2, I of the General Regulation of the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorité des Marchés Financiers).

    Date of the general meeting which approved the resolution concerning the share buyback programme
    May 13th, 2025

    Objectives pursued by BNP PARIBAS

    In accordance with the fifth resolution approved by the combined General Meeting on May 13th, 2025, the shares may be purchased for the purposes of:

    • their cancellation in situations identified by the Extraordinary General Meeting;
    • honoring the obligations linked to the issuance of equity instruments, stock option plans, bonus share awards, the allotment or selling of shares to employees as part of a profit-sharing scheme, employee shareholding or Corporate Savings Plans, or any other type of share grant for employees and directors and corporate officers of BNP Paribas and of the companies controlled exclusively by BNP Paribas within the meaning of article L.223-16 of the French Commercial Code;
    • holding and subsequently remitting them in exchange or as payment for external growth transactions, mergers, spin-offs or asset contributions;
    • under a market-making agreement in accordance with Decision No. 2021-01 of 22 June 2021 of the French Financial Markets Authority (Autorité des Marchés Financiers);
    • carrying out investment services for which BNP Paribas has been approved or to hedge them.

    Maximum amount allocated to the share buyback programme, maximum number of shares to be purchased

    The General Meeting has authorised the Board of Directors to purchase a number of shares representing up to 10% of the shares comprising the share capital of BNP Paribas. For illustrative purposes, on the basis of the actual capital, 113,081,067 shares which represents, on the basis of a maximum repurchase price of EUR 102 per share, set by the fifth resolution approved by the General Meeting dated May 13th, 2025, a theoretical maximum purchase amount of EUR 11,534,268,834. Such limit is likely to change in case of transactions affecting the share capital.

    The shares which may be purchased under the present description are BNP Paribas’ shares listed on Euronext Paris – A compartment, ISIN Code FR0000131104.

    Considering that BNP Paribas owned as of May 9th, 2025 directly 721,971 of its own shares, i.e. 0.06% of its share capital, the number of shares that is likely to be purchased at the date of this description is 112,359,096 shares representing 9.94% of the share capital, i.e., on the basis of a maximum purchase price of EUR 102 per share as set by the General Meeting, a theoretical maximum purchase amount of EUR 11,460,627,792.

    Duration of the share buyback programme

    The authorisation granted by the General Meeting dated May 13th, 2025, as described in the fifth resolution, is valid for an eighteen-month period with effect from the date of the said General Meeting, i.e. up to November 13th, 2026.

    The Board of directors will ensure that these share purchases are carried out in accordance with the prudential requirements as defined by the regulation and the European Central Bank.
    ​

    About BNP Paribas
    Leader in banking and financial services in Europe, BNP Paribas operates in 64 countries and has nearly 178,000 employees, including more than 144,000 in Europe. The Group has key positions in its three main fields of activity: Commercial, Personal Banking & Services for the Group’s commercial & personal banking and several specialised businesses including BNP Paribas Personal Finance and Arval; Investment & Protection Services for savings, investment and protection solutions; and Corporate & Institutional Banking, focused on corporate and institutional clients. Based on its strong diversified and integrated model, the Group helps all its clients (individuals, community associations, entrepreneurs, SMEs, corporates and institutional clients) to realise their projects through solutions spanning financing, investment, savings and protection insurance. In Europe, BNP Paribas has four domestic markets: Belgium, France, Italy and Luxembourg. The Group is rolling out its integrated commercial & personal banking model across several Mediterranean countries, Türkiye, and Eastern Europe. As a key player in international banking, the Group has leading platforms and business lines in Europe, a strong presence in the Americas as well as a solid and fast-growing business in Asia-Pacific. BNP Paribas has implemented a Corporate Social Responsibility approach in all its activities, enabling it to contribute to the construction of a sustainable future, while ensuring the Group’s performance and stability.

    Press contact :
    Sandrine Romano – sandrine.romano@bnpparibas.com – +33 6 71 18 23 05
    Hacina Habchi – hacina.habchi@bnpparibas.com – +33 7 61 97 65 20

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China and Uzbekistan have created a joint archaeological center

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) — The Archaeological Institute of North China’s Shanxi Province, the Shanxi Province Museum and Fergana State University (Uzbekistan) recently established a joint archaeological center in Uzbekistan.

    The opening ceremony of the Fergana-Shanxi Archaeological Center and the Laboratory for the Protection and Restoration of Cultural Monuments was held at the Fergana State University in the city of Fergana. At the same time, a multimedia exhibition “The Age of Yu Hong /533-592/” was opened at the said university, according to the website of the Cultural Heritage Protection Department of Shanxi Province.

    Yu Hong is a native of Central Asia. He was sent on a mission to the Celestial Empire and then stayed and held a high position.

    The exhibition is said to allow visitors to deepen their understanding of the cultural landscape of the Silk Road and Central Asia.

    The Great Silk Road, formed more than 2,000 years ago as a trans-Eurasian highway, facilitated economic and cultural exchanges between China and the West. The Sogdians, who inhabited the territory of Sogdiana from the middle of the 1st millennium BC, actively participated in trade along this route. One of the representatives of the Sogdians is considered to be Yu Hong, who came to the Celestial Empire more than 1,400 years ago and “established roots” in its territory, shared the director of the Archaeological Institute of Shanxi Province Fan Wenqian.

    Both sides, according to him, will cooperate in the field of joint archaeological research, training of specialists, protection of cultural monuments and organization of exhibitions.

    Rector of Fergana State University Bakhodirjon Shermukhammadov noted the ancient history of contacts between Central Asia and China. He expressed confidence that cooperation with China will contribute to the development of archaeological research at the university.

    The interaction between the two sides clearly demonstrates the modern significance of the Great Silk Road. Fergana State University is trying to serve as an example of Uzbek-Chinese cultural exchanges and cooperation, he added.

    Let us recall that in 1999, an ancient tomb was discovered in Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi Province. According to the epitaph, a native of Central Asia was buried there, who bore the Chinese surname and name Yu Hong.

    It became one of the sensational events in the archaeological community. Yu Hong’s tomb was listed as one of the top 10 archaeological discoveries in China that year. The white marble sarcophagus and other exquisite cultural relics unearthed during the excavation were displayed in many countries and regions around the world, including the United States, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and China’s Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: NVIDIA Announces DGX Cloud Lepton to Connect Developers to NVIDIA’s Global Compute Ecosystem

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • CoreWeave, Crusoe, Firmus, Foxconn, GMI Cloud, Lambda, Nebius Nscale, SoftBank Corp. and Yotta Data Services to Bring Tens of Thousands of GPUs to DGX Cloud Lepton Marketplace
    • NVIDIA Exemplar Clouds Raise the Performance Bar for NVIDIA Cloud Partners

    TAIPEI, Taiwan, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — COMPUTEX — NVIDIA today announced NVIDIA DGX Cloud Lepton™ — an AI platform with a compute marketplace that connects the world’s developers building agentic and physical AI applications with tens of thousands of GPUs, available from a global network of cloud providers.

    To meet the demand for AI, NVIDIA Cloud Partners (NCPs) including CoreWeave, Crusoe, Firmus, Foxconn, GMI Cloud, Lambda, Nebius, Nscale, Softbank Corp. and Yotta Data Services will offer NVIDIA Blackwell and other NVIDIA architecture GPUs on the DGX Cloud Lepton marketplace.

    Developers can tap into GPU compute capacity in specific regions for both on-demand and long-term computing, supporting strategic and sovereign AI operational requirements. Leading cloud service providers and GPU marketplaces are expected to also participate in the DGX Cloud Lepton marketplace.

    “NVIDIA DGX Cloud Lepton connects our network of global GPU cloud providers with AI developers,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. “Together with our NCPs, we’re building a planetary-scale AI factory.”

    DGX Cloud Lepton helps address the critical challenge of securing reliable, high-performance GPU resources by unifying access to cloud AI services and GPU capacity across the NVIDIA compute ecosystem. The platform integrates with the NVIDIA software stack, including NVIDIA NIM™ and NeMo™ microservices, NVIDIA Blueprints and NVIDIA Cloud Functions, to accelerate and simplify the development and deployment of AI applications.

    For cloud providers, DGX Cloud Lepton provides management software that delivers real-time GPU health diagnostics and automates root-cause analysis, eliminating manual operations and reducing downtime.

    Key benefits of the platform include:

    • Improved productivity and flexibility: Offers a unified experience across development, training and inference, helping boost productivity. Developers can purchase GPU capacity directly from participating cloud providers through the marketplace or bring their own compute clusters, giving them greater flexibility and control.
    • Frictionless deployment: Enables deployment of AI applications across multi-cloud and hybrid environments with minimal operational burden, using integrated services for inference, testing and training workloads.
    • Agility and sovereignty: Gives developers quick access to GPU resources in specific regions, enabling compliance with data sovereignty regulations and meeting low-latency requirements for sensitive workloads.
    • Predictable performance: Provides participating cloud providers enterprise-grade performance, reliability and security, ensuring a consistent user experience.

    A New Bar for AI Cloud Performance
    NVIDIA today also announced NVIDIA Exemplar Clouds to help NCPs enhance security, usability, performance and resiliency, using NVIDIA’s expertise, reference hardware and software and operational tools.

    NVIDIA Exemplar Clouds tap into NVIDIA DGX™ Cloud Benchmarking, a comprehensive suite of tools and recipes for optimizing workload performance on AI platforms and quantifying the relationship between cost and performance.

    Yotta Data Services is the first NCP in the Asia-Pacific region to join the NVIDIA Exemplar Cloud initiative.

    Availability
    Developers can sign up for early access to NVIDIA DGX Cloud Lepton.

    Watch the COMPUTEX keynote from Huang and learn more at NVIDIA GTC Taipei.

    About NVIDIA
    NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) is the world leader in accelerated computing.

    For further information, contact:
    Natalie Hereth
    NVIDIA Corporation
    +1-360-581-1088
    nhereth@nvidia.com

    Certain statements in this press release including, but not limited to, statements as to: the benefits, impact, performance and availability of NVIDIA’s products, services; NVIDIA’s collaborations with third parties and the benefits and impact thereof; third parties using or adopting our products and technologies, the benefits and impact thereof; together with cloud partners, NVIDIA building a virtual global AI factory and additional regional cloud providers being added to the marketplace in the coming months are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections and that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause results to be materially different than expectations. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include: global economic conditions; our reliance on third parties to manufacture, assemble, package and test our products; the impact of technological development and competition; development of new products and technologies or enhancements to our existing product and technologies; market acceptance of our products or our partners’ products; design, manufacturing or software defects; changes in consumer preferences or demands; changes in industry standards and interfaces; unexpected loss of performance of our products or technologies when integrated into systems; as well as other factors detailed from time to time in the most recent reports NVIDIA files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, including, but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Copies of reports filed with the SEC are posted on the company’s website and are available from NVIDIA without charge. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and speak only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, NVIDIA disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

    Many of the products and features described herein remain in various stages and will be offered on a when-and-if-available basis. The statements above are not intended to be, and should not be interpreted as a commitment, promise, or legal obligation, and the development, release, and timing of any features or functionalities described for our products is subject to change and remains at the sole discretion of NVIDIA. NVIDIA will have no liability for failure to deliver or delay in the delivery of any of the products, features or functions set forth herein.

    © 2025 NVIDIA Corporation. All rights reserved. NVIDIA, the NVIDIA logo, DGX, DGX Cloud Lepton, NeMo and NVIDIA NIM are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of NVIDIA Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. Features, pricing, availability and specifications are subject to change without notice.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: NVIDIA Powers World’s Largest Quantum Research Supercomputer

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TAIPEI, Taiwan, May 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — COMPUTEX — NVIDIA today announced the opening of the Global Research and Development Center for Business by Quantum-AI Technology (G-QuAT), which hosts ABCI-Q — the world’s largest research supercomputer dedicated to quantum computing.

    Quantum processors promise to augment AI supercomputers in solving some of the world’s most complex challenges, spanning industries including healthcare, energy and finance. By enabling quantum-GPU computing at an unprecedented scale, ABCI-Q marks a profound leap toward realizing practical, accelerated quantum systems.

    Delivered by Japan’s National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), the ABCI-Q supercomputer features 2,020 NVIDIA H100 GPUs interconnected by the NVIDIA Quantum-2 InfiniBand networking platform.

    The system is integrated with NVIDIA CUDA-Q™, an open-source hybrid computing platform for orchestrating the hardware and software needed to run useful, massive-scale quantum computing applications.

    “Seamlessly coupling quantum hardware with AI supercomputing will accelerate realizing the promise of quantum computing for all,” said Tim Costa, senior director of computer-aided engineering, quantum and CUDA-X™ at NVIDIA. “NVIDIA’s collaboration with AIST will catalyze progress in areas like quantum error correction and applications development — crucial for building useful, accelerated quantum supercomputers.”

    ABCI-Q’s AI supercomputing is integrated with a superconducting qubit processor by Fujitsu, a neutral atom quantum processor by QuEra and a photonic processor by OptQC — enabling hybrid quantum-GPU workloads across multiple qubit modalities.

    “ABCI-Q will enable researchers in Japan to explore the core challenges quantum computing technologies face and speed the path to practical use cases,” said Masahiro Horibe, deputy director of G-QuAT and AIST. “The NVIDIA accelerated computing platform in ABCI-Q will empower scientists to experiment with the stepping-stone systems needed to advance quantum computing.”

    Watch the COMPUTEX keynote from NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang, and learn more at NVIDIA GTC Taipei.

    About NVIDIA
    NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA) is the world leader in accelerated computing.

    For further information, contact:
    Alex Shapiro
    NVIDIA Public Relations
    1-415-608-5044
    ashapiro@nvidia.com

    Certain statements in this press release including, but not limited to, statements as to: the benefits, impact, availability, and performance of NVIDIA’s products, services, and technologies; NVIDIA’s collaborations with third parties and the impact and benefits thereof; ABCI-Q enabling researchers in Japan to explore the core challenges quantum computing technologies face and speed the path to practical use cases; the NVIDIA accelerated computing platform in ABCI-Q empowering scientists to experiment with the stepping-stone systems needed to advance quantum computing are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are subject to the “safe harbor” created by those sections and that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause results to be materially different than expectations. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include: global economic conditions; our reliance on third parties to manufacture, assemble, package and test our products; the impact of technological development and competition; development of new products and technologies or enhancements to our existing product and technologies; market acceptance of our products or our partners’ products; design, manufacturing or software defects; changes in consumer preferences or demands; changes in industry standards and interfaces; unexpected loss of performance of our products or technologies when integrated into systems; as well as other factors detailed from time to time in the most recent reports NVIDIA files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, including, but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Copies of reports filed with the SEC are posted on the company’s website and are available from NVIDIA without charge. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and speak only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by law, NVIDIA disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

    © 2025 NVIDIA Corporation. All rights reserved. NVIDIA, the NVIDIA logo, CUDA-Q and CUDA-X are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of NVIDIA Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Other company and product names may be trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated. Features, pricing, availability and specifications are subject to change without notice.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/222a8e38-128b-40ab-b90a-be59593eb585

    The MIL Network –

  • EAM Jaishankar to embark on six-day visit to the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany from May 19

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar will embark on an official six-day visit to the Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany from May 19 to 24, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Sunday.

    The visit is part of India’s continued diplomatic outreach to strengthen strategic partnerships and enhance cooperation with key European nations. The agenda will focus on a wide range of issues, including trade, investment, regional and global developments, and coordination on multilateral platforms.

    According to a statement issued by the MEA, Dr. Jaishankar will engage in high-level meetings with the leadership of all three countries. He will also hold talks with his counterparts to review the full spectrum of bilateral relations and discuss matters of mutual interest at both regional and global levels.

    The discussions are expected to address current geopolitical developments, global economic challenges, and shared priorities in international forums. The visit aims to further bolster India’s ties with Europe amid a rapidly evolving global landscape.

  • Japan halts some poultry imports from Brazil after bird flu outbreak

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Japan has suspended imports of poultry meat from the southern Brazilian city of Montenegro and live poultry from the wider state of Rio Grande do Sul following a bird flu outbreak, an official at Japan’s agriculture ministry said on Monday.

    The ban took effect on Friday after Brazil, the world’s largest chicken exporter, confirmed its first outbreak of bird flu on a poultry farm. The announcement triggered protocols for a country-wide trade ban from top buyer China and state-wide restrictions for other major consumers.

    Japan relies heavily on chicken imports from Brazil, and the spread of bird flu in Brazil could affect the meat market in Japan, where food prices are already on the rise.

    According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan’s self-sufficiency rate for poultry meat, including processed products, is around 65%.

    In the 2024 fiscal year, which ended on March 31, Japan imported about 429,000 metric tons of chicken meat from Brazil, accounting for nearly 70% of poultry meat imports, excluding processed items.

    “We will closely monitor the impact on domestic distribution and market conditions,” a ministry official said.

    (Reuters)

  • No mercy for Sinner as Alcaraz storms to Italian Open title

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Carlos Alcaraz had little trouble dismantling Jannik Sinner in the Italian Open final, sealing a 7-6(5) 6-1 victory to snap the world number one’s 26-match winning streak and break the hearts of the home crowd on Sunday.

    Alcaraz edged a tense opening set in a tiebreak after he and Sinner traded blows from the baseline on a warm evening in front of a packed Centre Court crowd.

    However, from the second set onwards, Alcaraz silenced the home crowd as he completely outplayed Sinner, cruising to victory in their first-ever clash in a Masters 1000 final.

    “I’m proud of myself, with the way I approached the match mentally. Tactically, I think I played pretty well from the first point until the last one,” Alcaraz said in an on-court interview.

    “I’m just really happy to get my first Rome (title), hopefully it’s not going to be the last one.”

    For Sinner, it was particularly disappointing that he could not make it a double celebration for Italy after compatriot Jasmine Paolini won the women’s title a day earlier.

    Sinner was playing his first tournament since winning the Australian Open in January and was hoping to become the first Italian man to triumph in Rome since Adriano Panatta in 1976, but he had to settle for second best.

    Sinner, who was making his comeback this week after serving a three-month doping ban, thanked his family for their support.

    “After three months coming here making this result means a lot to me, a lot to my team also. We worked a lot to be here. Happy also with my family and everything,” he said.

    “A special thank you to my brother, who, rather than being here, is in Imola to watch Formula 1,” he concluded to the laughter of the crowd.

    The Spaniard Alcaraz has now beaten Sinner in their last four meetings, firing a warning shot to his rivals ahead of the upcoming French Open where he is set to defend his title.

    “Beating Jannik, winning Rome. Both things mix together and give (me) great confidence going to Paris,” Alcaraz said.

    (Reuters) 

  • India win 7th SAFF U-19 Championship in thrilling final

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India held their nerve in a dramatic penalty shootout to defeat Bangladesh 4-3 and successfully retain their SAFF U19 Championship title, after a gripping final ended 1-1 in regulation time at the Golden Jubilee Stadium on Sunday.

    The final had everything—early drama, missed chances, a spirited fightback, and a heart-stopping finish. India got off to a flying start, taking the lead in just the second minute through captain Singamayum Shami. Awarded a free-kick from over 30 yards out, Shami spotted the Bangladesh goalkeeper slightly off his line and unleashed a curling strike that flew into the net despite a fingertip touch from Md Ismail Hossain Mahin.

    Riding the momentum, India dominated the opening exchanges with sharp passing and incisive wing play. In the 16th minute, Omang Dodum came close to doubling the lead after slicing through the defence, but Mahin pulled off a crucial save to deny him.

    Bangladesh, initially rattled, gradually settled into the match. They tightened their lines, disrupted India’s rhythm, and began pressing forward. By halftime, they were threatening more consistently—especially from set-pieces.

    Their persistence paid off in the 61st minute. A chaotic corner sparked a scramble in the Indian box, and Md Joy Ahamed reacted quickest, slamming the ball past Suraj Singh Aheibam to level the score. It was the first goal India had conceded in the tournament.

    Both teams pushed for a winner in the final half-hour, but the contest turned scrappy and physical. With neither side able to find the decisive goal, the championship was decided by penalties.

    The shootout was tense. Rohen Singh’s tame second attempt gave Bangladesh the advantage as Mahin saved comfortably. The stadium fell into a hushed silence. But India refused to buckle. When Bangladesh captain Nazmul Huda Faysal sent his effort over the bar, the momentum swung back India’s way.

    India converted their remaining spot-kicks with confidence, and Suraj Singh Aheibam made a crucial save, diving low to his left to deny Salahuddin Sahed.

    It all came down to captain Shami, who had already led by example with a sensational early goal. Calm and composed, he stepped up and slotted the final penalty home, sealing victory and sending the crowd into raptures.

    With this win, India not only held onto their crown but also reinforced their dominance at the regional level, showing grit, composure, and character in a high-pressure final.

    IANS

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Creating Pathways to Success through Affordable Private Education

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    An ADB equity investment project has helped Philippine-based PHINMA Education expand its operations in Indonesia with two universities that now provide quality education to underserved communities. It has established or acquired Horizon University in Karawang, West Java, and lately, Horizon University in Jakarta. In this video, Indonesian students share how Phinma Education helps them achieve their dreams.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Development Asia: How Public Assurance Systems Improve ESG Disclosure and Investor Trust

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Environmental, Social, and Governance information—non-financial corporate data—has become increasingly important in today’s market. According to Bloomberg earlier this year, global ESG investments amounted to USD 30 trillion in 2022 and are expected to surpass USD 40 trillion by 2030. As studies continue to show that ESG performance influences corporate value, financial outcomes, and borrowing costs, ESG disclosure is now taken more seriously than ever.

    However, the legal framework for ESG disclosure remains incomplete, leaving consumers and investors vulnerable to misleading practices such as ESG washing. ESG investments are rapidly growing and influencing business activities, yet concerns[1] persist over greenwashing—where companies falsely promote or exaggerate the environmentally friendly attributes of their actions or products. International organizations and regulatory authorities across various countries are working to establish and strengthen non-financial disclosure requirements, but a universal regulatory framework is unlikely to emerge quickly due to the complexity and diversity of ESG information.[2]

    Despite these challenges, such a regulatory framework is essential, as greenwashing fosters false perceptions among consumers and investors, leading to misunderstanding and potential harm. A notable example is the 2015 Volkswagen emissions scandal, in which the company deliberately manipulated diesel engine performance during emissions tests, misleading regulators and consumers alike.[3] More recently, concerns have been raised that banks with weak ESG evaluations have greenwashed their performance by increasing lending to companies with stronger ESG ratings.

    While establishing a legal framework to impose sanctions for misleading ESG disclosures would help mitigate greenwashing risks, developing such a system is expected to take significant time. Although ESG disclosure obligations are strengthening worldwide, variations in mandatory reporting content and format between countries will likely persist for the foreseeable future. Ensuring consistency, accuracy, and comparability in ESG disclosures remains a complex challenge.[4]

    Moreover, non-financial information—such as environmental, governance, and social data—often presents greater information asymmetry between companies and investors than financial metrics. Quantifying and standardizing this information is difficult, as its relevance varies by industry, making it challenging to define uniform disclosure standards. Additionally, some ESG disclosure obligations have not been introduced based on investor materiality but rather due to historical factors, such as responses to industrial accidents, social concerns, environmental damage, or governance failures.[5]

    As a result, reporting obligations for many critical ESG indicators that matter to investors remain absent or incomplete. Yet, markets and investors must continue making decisions based on these fragmented disclosures, increasing the risk of confusion and financial loss.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • PM Modi expresses grief over deaths in Solapur fire incident, announces ex-gratia relief

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed grief over the loss of lives in the Solapur fire incident, in which at least eight people died. He also announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹2 lakh to be given to the next of kin of each deceased.

    “Pained by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Solapur, Maharashtra. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given ₹50,000,” the PMO said in a post on X.

    The fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday. Fire tenders were immediately rushed to the spot, with a total of 11 fire engines dispatched to contain the blaze.

    “Fire brigade personnel have also been injured in this rescue operation. It took 17 hours to control the fire,” said Fire Officer Rakesh Salunke.

    (ANI)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU scientists have developed a method for determining biocarbon in jet fuel samples using accelerator mass spectrometry

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    The NSU-NNC Accelerator Mass Spectrometry Shared Use Center conducted the first analysis of biocarbon content in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) samples. Four samples of different origin were analyzed during the laboratory study. The results showed that the accelerator mass spectrometry method can become a routine method for analyzing biocarbon in SAF aviation fuel.

    — We were approached by specialists from the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (Moscow) to analyze the biocarbon content in kerosene samples using accelerator mass spectrometry. This analysis is necessary for the certification of the aviation fuel they are developing and its further use within the framework of modern requirements. This development is of particular relevance, which will only increase over time: in order to reduce the carbon footprint, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) launched the CORSIA program in 2016, which obliges airlines to compensate for the growth of emissions. The goal of this program is to prevent the growth of carbon dioxide emissions relative to the 2020 level. Russia also plans to participate in this international program. From 2025, flights from the EU must use 2% SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) — fuel with a biogenic component. By 2050, this share will reach 63%, — said Ekaterina Parkhomchuk, Director of the NSU-NNC UMS Collective Use Center.

    SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) is a product of processing biomass, which includes vegetable oils, animal fat, lignocellulosic wood waste, and microalgae. Processing, depending on the type of feedstock, may include catalytic hydrogenation, hydrocracking, hydrodeoxygenation, isomerization, gasification, and the Fischer-Tropsch process. The resulting processing product is then added to kerosene obtained from fossil hydrocarbon sources.

    Russia is one of the largest producers of jet fuel — 12.8 million tons of this type of fuel were produced in 2021 — and also has huge raw material potential for SAF production. In 2020, the production of vegetable oils amounted to 7.3 million tons. The production of “sustainable aviation fuel” requires certification and control over compliance with the requirements for the minimum content of the “biocarbon” share, so a routine method for its analysis is needed. This analysis can be performed by measuring the concentration of radiocarbon, for example, indirectly by the radioactivity of the material, or by the direct method of accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS). Both methods for determining radiocarbon have been developed in Russia, but accelerator mass spectrometry is represented only in the Novosibirsk UMS Center of Collective Use of NSU-NNC.

    Search for biogenic carbon

    — “Biogenic” carbon differs from fossil carbon in its isotopic composition — primarily in the concentration of the radioactive isotope C-14 (radiocarbon) relative to the main stable isotope C-12. In modern biological objects, the proportion of radiocarbon, although extremely small — about 10 to the minus tenth power % — is still at a level detectable by modern technology; however, due to the beta decay of the C-14 nucleus, over time the amount of radiocarbon in fossil raw materials becomes orders of magnitude smaller and quantitative determination becomes impossible.

    Accelerator mass spectrometry provides the ability to reliably measure the concentration of radiocarbon in any samples at a level above 10 to the -14th power %, which is 0.01% of the current level in the biosphere. Therefore, by conducting UMS analysis of any materials, including kerosene, food additives, drugs, etc., it is possible to determine with high accuracy the proportion of carbon of modern biological origin, – explained Ekaterina Parkhomchuk.

    The NSU-NNC UMS Collective Use Center received 4 samples from RGUNG as introductory or test experiments, including two reference (standard) samples, which were kerosene obtained exclusively from biological raw materials and kerosene from fossil oil, as well as two samples of kerosene obtained by mixing the first two in proportions unknown to Novosibirsk scientists. Innovative sample preparation aimed at overcoming the “sulfur barrier” was used in the analysis of the samples. As Ekaterina Parkhomchuk explained, the complexity of fuel analysis lies in the high content of sulfur and nitrogen, which cause rapid corrosion of measuring instruments. A unique graphitizer has been developed at Novosibirsk State University, which allows working even with high-sulfur oils. This gives Russia a technological advantage over foreign analogues.

    — UMS analysis requires the production of a graphite cathode from the material being studied. This is done by burning the sample, extracting the target carbon dioxide from the resulting complex gas mixture and catalytically carbonizing it into elemental graphite. The difficulty of analyzing most hydrocarbon fuels is that the material may contain impurity elements such as sulfur and nitrogen, which quickly disable traditionally used “graphitizers”, such as those offered by the Swiss company Ionplus. Several years ago, NSU developed and assembled a graphitization stand that allows for the preparation of graphitized samples for UMS cathodes with sufficient purity even from high-sulfur oils, which distinguishes it from foreign analogues. It was used for the work described, — said Ekaterina Parkhomchuk.

    The studies were conducted under special conditions, observing all standardized requirements for laboratories that conduct radiocarbon studies not only of ancient samples, but also of samples containing excessive amounts of radiocarbon. These measures are designed to ensure radiation and biological safety, as well as to prevent cross-contamination of samples and false test results. Sample preparation of biological and C-14-labeled samples is carried out in different laboratories. Personnel working in one laboratory do not have access to the other. Employees of both laboratories maintain isolation from each other, do not cross paths in offices, lunch rooms, and recreation areas. Also, both laboratories use separate chemicals, materials, and utensils.

    — Three graphite cathodes were made from each sample and UMS analysis was performed on all samples. It turned out that one reference sample did not contain C-14, i.e. it belonged to fossil raw materials (most likely oil), and the concentration of radiocarbon in the second reference sample slightly exceeded the modern level of C-14. This indicates that the time of origin of the plant raw materials from which the biogenic fuel was obtained corresponds to the period 2000-2010, when the concentration of radiocarbon in the atmosphere was still higher than usual as a result of nuclear tests conducted in the 50-70s of the last century. In other words, both samples really belonged to two different sources of production — fossil (oil, gas or coal) and modern (biomass). And the other two samples showed results different from the first two — one contained about 6% biogenic carbon, and the second — about 13%. Our experimental results coincided with the calculated ratios, according to which the RGUNG specialists prepared mixed samples, which confirms the validity of using the UMS method to determine biocarbon, – summed up Ekaterina Parkhomchuk.

    Promising technology

    The technology of joint processing of lignocellulosic raw materials PCH-SAF, developed at the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (National Research University), is based on the processes of fast pyrolysis, delayed coking and hydrocracking of traditional oil and plant raw materials. Waste is used as the initial biomass – sawdust of coniferous and deciduous trees, sunflower husks, etc.

    — This technology consists of the joint processing of plant and oil raw materials. There are three stages of obtaining the component: fast pyrolysis of biomass, coking and hydrocracking. By means of fast pyrolysis, we liquefy the initial biomass and obtain the so-called bio-oil at the output. At the coking stage, co-processing of oil residues, for example, tar, with bio-oil occurs. At the hydrocracking stage, the raw material is a mixture of vacuum gas oil with the gas oil fraction of the coking process, containing bio-oil components, — explained Mikhail Ershov, professor of the Department of Oil Refining Technology.

    One of the advantages of the technology developed at RGUNG is the use of the existing infrastructure of oil refineries. It is assumed that when it is implemented on an industrial scale, there will be no need to replace the catalyst at the hydrocracking unit, and if necessary, only the process conditions may need to be adjusted. The process is currently at the laboratory stage, a laboratory sample has been developed and is being tested. This work is being carried out within the framework of the RSF grant No. 22-79-10280 “Study of new methods for obtaining renewable aviation fuel from lignocellulosic biomass using a complex of thermal and thermocatalytic processes.”

    Prospects for cooperation

    Mikhail Ershov clarified that kerosene obtained using PCH-SAF technology must meet the requirements of GOST 10227, which applies to fuels for jet engines, and be no different from petroleum kerosene.

    — In the context of the global transition to renewable energy sources, green fuel and reducing the carbon footprint, we must follow these trends. Compliance with ICAO emissions requirements will contribute to the growth of imports of renewable components, and therefore dependence on supplier countries (China, India). The PCH-SAF technology we propose, due to the existing infrastructure, will allow for a short transition to the production of aviation biofuel with a reduced carbon footprint without significant capital investments. In case of successful testing and confirmation of a reduction in the carbon footprint, it is necessary to approve such fuel with the participation of leading organizations FAU “25th State Research Institute of Chemmotology of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation”, FAU “TsIAM named after P.I. Baranov”, FSUE GosNII GA for use in civil and military aircraft, — he said.

    Mikhail Ershov noted that currently there is no domestic method for measuring biogenic components in petroleum products, in particular, aviation fuel. However, with an increase in the share of biogenic raw materials involved, there will be a need to confirm the biogenicity of fuels. Therefore, RGUNG specialists plan to develop a standard method for determining biocarbon using UMS together with NSU scientists.

    Ekaterina Parkhomchuk believes that the UMS method has proven its accuracy, sensitivity and reliability, and can become a key tool for the transition of aviation to “green” rails. And the introduction of the technology developed by RGUNG specialists into industry will open the way for Russia to leadership in the production of sustainable aviation fuel.

    — Currently, standard methods for analyzing materials for biogenic origin have been developed in different countries, and radiocarbon analysis is considered the “gold standard” among all possible methods. The method of accelerator mass spectrometry, unique in sensitivity, accuracy, and productivity, and the sample preparation methods we have developed are considered very promising for this new area of economic activity, — Ekaterina Parkhomchuk summarized.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Former US President Biden diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ prostate cancer

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Former U.S. President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an “aggressive form” of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones, his office said in a statement on Sunday.

    Biden, 82, was diagnosed on Friday after experiencing urinary symptoms, and he and his family are reviewing treatment options with doctors, according to the statement.

    “While this represents a more aggressive form of the disease, the cancer appears to be hormone-sensitive which allows for effective management,” his office said.

    Cancers that have spread, or metastasized, are considered Stage 4, the most advanced. Most prostate cancers are detected at an earlier stage.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, of the 236,659 cases of prostate cancer diagnosed in 2021, 70% were diagnosed before the cancer had spread beyond the prostate. About 8% of new prostate cancer diagnoses that year involved advanced-stage disease.

    Biden‘s physical health and mental acuity drew scrutiny during his 2021-2025 presidency. He abruptly ended his bid for reelection last July, weeks after a halting performance during a debate against Republican Donald Trump prompted panic among his fellow Democrats.

    President Trump, who has repeatedly berated Biden since taking office in January, expressed sympathy on Sunday for Biden and his wife, Jill, in a post on his social media platform Truth Social.

    “Melania and I are saddened to hear about Joe Biden‘s recent medical diagnosis,” he wrote, referring to first lady Melania Trump. “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”

    Biden‘s office said the cancer scored a nine out of 10 on the Gleason score grading system, which is used to help determine the aggressiveness of prostate cancer.

    Dr. Herbert Lepor, an urologist at NYU Langone, said a score of nine is “very high risk,” but added that many men can live “five to 10 years and beyond” even with metastatic prostate cancer.

    “Over the last decade, there have been many advances in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer,” he said.

    Dr. Chris George, the medical director of the cancer program for the Northwestern Health Network, said prostate cancer is no longer curable once it spreads to the bones but that there are treatments that can control it.

    BIDEN, TRUMP OLDEST TO WIN PRESIDENCY

    Biden was the oldest person to win the U.S. presidency at the time of his election in 2020. Trump, 78, broke that record when he defeated Vice President Kamala Harris last year.

    Some prominent Democrats have recently acknowledged that it was an error to advance Biden as the 2024 nominee, given widespread concerns among voters about his age. Long before the debate last summer, Reuters/Ipsos polls showed a majority of Americans, including most Democrats, believed Biden was too old to serve a second term.

    “It was a mistake for Democrats to not listen to the voters earlier,” Democratic U.S. Senator Chris Murphy told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on Sunday morning, before Biden‘s diagnosis was announced.

    Biden has kept a low profile since leaving office, making only a handful of public appearances, including an April speech in which he defended the Social Security Administration against Trump’s planned cuts.

    He has also defended his legacy in interviews and rejected reporting in two new books that he suffered from cognitive decline during his last year in office.

    “They are wrong,” he said earlier this month on ABC’s “The View,” referring to the books’ authors.

    Biden‘s diagnosis triggered an outpouring of supportive statements on Sunday from Democrats and Republicans alike.

    “Joe is a fighter — and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership,” Harris said in a statement.

    Biden lost a son, Beau Biden, in 2015 due to brain cancer.

    In 2022, Biden revived an Obama-era program known as Cancer Moonshot, seeking to reduce the death rate from cancer by at least 50% over the next 25 years.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Money Market Operations as on May 16, 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) 6,686.90 5.73 5.00-6.80
         I. Call Money 1,699.15 5.56 5.25-5.90
         II. Triparty Repo 3,253.75 5.74 5.00-6.24
         III. Market Repo 41.00 5.25 5.25-5.25
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 1,693.00 5.88 5.85-6.80
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 14,937.28 5.84 4.90-5.90
         II. Term Money@@ 502.00 – 5.75-6.10
         III. Triparty Repo 3,95,938.75 5.64 5.01-5.80
         IV. Market Repo 1,91,341.70 5.65 3.00-6.13
         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 Fri, 16/05/2025 3 Mon, 19/05/2025 5,293.00 6.01
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (III) Long Term Operations^          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Fri, 16/05/2025 1 Sat, 17/05/2025 340.00 6.25
      Fri, 16/05/2025 2 Sun, 18/05/2025 0.00 6.25
      Fri, 16/05/2025 3 Mon, 19/05/2025 0.00 6.25
    4. SDFΔ# Fri, 16/05/2025 1 Sat, 17/05/2025 2,69,415.00 5.75
      Fri, 16/05/2025 2 Sun, 18/05/2025 0.00 5.75
      Fri, 16/05/2025 3 Mon, 19/05/2025 20,494.00 5.75
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -2,84,276.00  
    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          
      (III) Long Term Operations^          
         (a) Repo Thu, 17/04/2025 43 Fri, 30/05/2025 25,731.00 6.01
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       8,735.56  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     34,466.56  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -2,49,809.44  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on May 16, 2025 9,35,154.12  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending May 16, 2025 9,41,653.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ May 16, 2025 5,293.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on May 02, 2025 2,34,873.00  
    @ 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.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    ^ As per the Press Release No. 2025-2026/91 dated April 11, 2025.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2025-2026/359

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: Closer cooperation with China to unlock new opportunities in Malaysian palm oil sector

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

    Closer cooperation with China will unlock new commercial opportunities in the palm oil sector, Malaysian Plantation and Commodities Deputy Minister Chan Foong Hin said on Sunday.

    Chan, who is leading a delegation on an official visit to China from May 18 to 24, said Malaysia aims to strengthen bilateral trade relations, unlock new commercial opportunities, and drive innovation within Malaysia’s palm oil sector.

    “This official visit underscores Malaysia’s commitment to deepening economic ties with China, enhancing market access for palm oil products, and supporting sustainable growth across key export sectors,” he said in a statement.

    “China is Malaysia’s third-largest importer of palm oil and palm-based products globally, accounting for 10 percent of the total palm oil export value in 2024,” he added.

    Chan will also be attending the Seventh Western China International Fair for Investment and Trade in Chongqing and will host a roundtable meeting with importers from Western China, noting the growing importance of the region as a major palm oil importer.

    “The meeting will also discuss expanding partnerships in Western China, a region experiencing robust market growth and increasing demand for sustainable raw materials,” he said. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Lin rolls past Pitchford in world championship debut

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

    Top-ranked Chinese Lin Shidong is aiming to carve his name as world champion after defeating English veteran Liam Pitchford at the World Table Tennis Championships on Sunday.

    Nicknamed “Stone” because his name closely resembles that word in Chinese, Lin pulled away after two close sets to win his opening game 4-0 (11-9, 12-10, 11-2, 11-9).

    “Pitch[ford] is stronger than his ranking,” said Lin of his 54th-rated rival. “When we met last time, the first two sets were also closely-contested, with only two points separating us. He is quick on feet, aggressive and has great serves. I had imagined a tough game against him and prepared very well.”

    Making his world championship debut, Lin admitted his ultimate goal was the top of the podium as he was seeking redemption following his World Cup final loss last month. “A world title plus No. 1 ranking will make a true champion,” he said.

    Brazil’s world No. 3 Hugo Calderano, who had beaten Lin on his way to winning the World Cup, made it to the second round after beating Mexico’s Rogelio Castro in five sets (11-8, 9-11, 11-3, 11-4, 11-4).

    China’s Lin Gaoyuan had a major scare before he overcame Egyptian Youssef Abdelaziz 4-2 (6-11, 11-2, 11-8, 8-11, 11-7, 11-6).

    On the women’s side, China’s world No. 2 Wang Manyu shared insights with teammate Kuai Man after her 4-1 victory over 19-year-old Zuzanna Wielgos.

    Seeking her second world championship singles title since 2021, Wang dropped the fourth set but won her opening match against the Polish teenager 4-1 (11-3, 11-6, 11-4, 11-13, 11-4).

    “She played way better than what she did in videos that I have collected,” said Wang. “Her offensive is of high quality. Unlike Asian players who are usually good at top-spin attacks, she uses flat shots and backhand flicks more often. I will let Kuai Man know about her style.”

    Wang and Kuai then took on Wielgos and Katarzyna Wegrzyn in their doubles opener, winning 3-0.

    Olympic champions Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha, one of the most popular doubles combinations in world sports, swept aside their American rivals at their mixed doubles opener.

    Nicknamed “Shatou” – a combination of Sun’s name and Wang’s pet name, Datou, or “Big Head” – the world No. 8 ranked team defeated Liang Jishan and Amy Wang 11-8, 11-1, 11-9. The second set was so one-sided that Wang struck a backhand return into the net while leading 10-0.

    “We had not paired up for several months before this world championships,” said Wang, referring to their drop on the world rankings.

    Known for their youth and energy, Wang and Sun have signed endorsement deals with brands including Coca-Cola, Louis Vuitton and McDonald’s.

    Sun and Wang will now face the Brazilian duo of Calderano and Bruna Takhashi, who advanced over Madagasgar’s Fabio Rakotoarimananah and Hanitra Raharimanana in straight sets.

    The second day action also saw Japanese siblings Miwa and Tomokazu Harimoto shine brightly.

    Teenage sensation Miwa opened her world championship debut with a 4-1 win over Ukrainian veteran Margaryta Pesotska. Her brother Tomokazu, ranked fourth in the world, handed a 4-1 defeat to South Korea’s Lim Jong Hoon.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Manukau Domain upgrades complete

    Source: Secondary teachers question rationale for changes to relationship education guidelines

    Better connections around the Manukau Domain have been unlocked with a new walking track now open.

    The paths consist of a new track, linking with the Opened Stone sculpture, and a second path connecting to the existing Manukau Domain track. 

    Chair Ella Kumar is excited the improved connections on the domain are completed.

    “It’s great to see so many Puketāpapa projects in action, such as the Waikowhai boardwalk and coastal tracks, as well as now better connections on Manukau Domain.  

    “We live in a beautiful and coastal part of Tāmaki Makaurau, and the board is providing investment to unlock greenspace for the community to enjoy these picturesque spaces.” 

    The new 133-metre pathway is the result of early advocacy from Lynfield residents.

    Opened Stone is one of five artworks created as part of the 1971 International Sculpture Symposium. The red granite sculpture by the late Japanese sculptor Hiroaki Ueda was inspired by traditional Shinto shrines. 

    The sculpture stood outside the Auckland Art Gallery for 35 years and was reinstalled in Manukau Domain in 2016. 

    Stay updated

    Sign up for monthly local E news and receive the latest information and events direct to your inbox here or follow @maungakiekietamaki on Facebook here.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australia launches ‘landmark’ UN police peacekeeping course for Pacific region

    Australia has launched the world’s first UN Police Peacekeeping Training course tailored specifically for the Pacific region.

    The five-week programme, hosted by the Australian Federal Police (AFP), is underway at the state-of-the-art Pacific Policing Development and Coordination Hub in Pinkenba, Brisbane.

    AFP said “a landmark step” was developed in partnership with the United Nations, and brings together 100 police officers for training.

    AFP Deputy Commissioner Lesa Gale said the programme was the result of a long-standing, productive relationship between Australia and the United Nations.

    Gale said it was launched in response to growing regional ambitions to contribute more actively to international peacekeeping efforts.

    Participating nations are Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

    “This course supports your enduring contribution and commitment to UN missions in supporting global peace and security efforts,” AFP Northern Command acting assistant commissioner Caroline Taylor said.

    Pacific Command commander Phillippa Connel said the AFP had been in peacekeeping for more than four decades “and it is wonderful to be asked to undertake what is a first for the United Nations”.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    Article by AsiaPacificReport.nz

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: China clinch two titles at badminton Thailand Open

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

    China claimed titles in the women’s singles and mixed doubles at the 2025 Thailand Open on Sunday, while Malaysian shuttlers swept both the men’s and women’s doubles events.

    In the women’s singles final, Chen Yufei of China won the gold medal with a convincing straight-set victory over Thailand’s Pornpawee Chochuwong, 21-16, 21-12, in just 48 minutes.

    Winner Chen Yufei (R) of China and runner-up Pornpawee Chochuwong of Thailand pose during the awarding ceremony for the women’s singles at the Thailand Open 2025 badminton tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, May 18, 2025. (Xinhua/Rachen Sageamsak)

    Chen said after the match that although the week wasn’t particularly challenging overall, each round presented unique difficulties — including the final, where she still made some unforced errors. She noted that her physical condition has improved since returning to the court, but she is still working to regain the speed and aggression she had previously.

    “My priority now is to improve my ranking to make sure that I have a good draw at each tournament, but I will also balance that with my physical condition to avoid injury,” said Chen, who ranks No. 8 in the latest world rankings.

    In the mixed doubles final, Feng Yanzhe and Huang Dongping defeated teammates Gao Jiaxuan and Wu Mengying 24-22, 21-16. The first set was tightly contested, but the experienced pair of Feng and Huang prevailed under pressure and went on to close out the match in the second set. After the match, Huang praised their younger teammates for their strong performance.

    “They created immense difficulties for us during the match. They tried their best to challenge us, like how we used to do against top players when we were young,” said Huang.

    Malaysia delivered a strong showing in the doubles events. In the women’s doubles final, Pearly Tan and Thinaah Muralitharan overcame South Korea’s Jeong Na-eun and Lee Yeon-woo 21-16, 21-17. In the men’s doubles final, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik edged Denmark’s William Kryger Boe and Christian Faust Kjaer in a hard-fought match, 20-22, 21-17, 21-12.

    In the men’s singles final, Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn thrilled the home crowd with a three-set victory over Denmark’s Anders Antonsen.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Homecoming of 2,300-year-old silk manuscripts

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

    The ancient Zidanku Silk Manuscripts from the Warring States period are displayed during a handover ceremony at the Chinese Embassy in the United States in Washington, D.C., May 16, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    In the predawn hours of Sunday, a commercial flight from Washington D.C. touched down in Beijing carrying an extraordinary cultural payload — a collection of ancient Chinese silk manuscript fragments, dating back to the Warring States period (475-221 BC).

    Unknown to most passengers, their journey coincided with one of China’s most significant cultural repatriations to date.

    Returned by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art on Friday, the fragments are from “Wuxing Ling” and “Gongshou Zhan,” the latter two volumes of the Zidanku Silk Manuscripts. Time has been kind to the first volume, which remains largely intact, albeit outside China.

    Collectively, the silk manuscripts, containing more than 900 Chinese characters, are the earliest examples of silk text discovered to date and the oldest classical Chinese book in the true sense.

    “Wuxing Ling” consists of lunar month illustrations paired with explanatory texts, recording seasonal taboos and auspicious practices throughout the year.

    “Gongshou Zhan” features texts arranged in a rare circular formation that are read clockwise, indicating the favorable and unfavorable directions, dates, and timing for attacking and defending cities.

    The Zidanku Silk Manuscripts predate the renowned “Dead Sea Scrolls” by over a century. These extraordinary texts provide a window into ancient Chinese cosmology, temporal philosophy, and interpretations of human existence.

    The documents hold pivotal significance for the study of ancient Chinese characters and literature, as well as Chinese academic and ideological history, said professor Li Ling from Peking University, who has spent over 40 years tracing the manuscripts’ provenance.

    Tomb raiders stole the silk manuscripts from a Chu-state tomb at the Zidanku site in Changsha, Hunan Province, in 1942. Four years later, the silk manuscripts were smuggled out of China.

    The return of these manuscripts has been a source of inspiration for many Chinese. “Welcome home, national treasures. I hope more cultural relics lost overseas can be repatriated soon,” commented a user on Chinese social media platform Weibo.

    The repatriation was facilitated, among other factors, by an intergovernmental Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between China and the United States, which imposes import restrictions on Chinese archaeological materials and cultural artifacts. First signed in January 2009 and renewed in 2014 and 2019, the MoU was most recently extended for another five years beginning Jan. 14, 2024.

    The MoU covers classified archaeological materials from the Paleolithic period through the end of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), as well as monumental sculptures and wall art over 250 years old. Between 2009 and 2023, it helped facilitated the return of 504 items or sets of Chinese artifacts from the United States.

    Nevertheless, the repatriation of cultural artifacts displaced throughout history that fall outside the scope of applicable international conventions remains a challenge in cultural heritage governance.

    After assembling a robust chain of evidence regarding the Zidanku Silk Manuscripts, China formally issued a memorandum to the Smithsonian Institution demanding the return of the “Wuxing Ling” and “Gongshou Zhan” on April 30, 2024.

    Following extensive consultations based on dialogue and cooperation, supported by thorough tracing research, the National Museum of Asian Art has agreed to return the cultural treasures to China.

    As the morning sun rose, “Wuxing Ling” and “Gongshou Zhan” were back home and on their way to the National Cultural Heritage Administration (NCHA)’s repository.

    They will be shown at the National Museum of China in July, alongside other repatriated cultural artifacts.

    Remarkably, 2,310 items or sets of lost Chinese cultural relics have been repatriated since 2012, the year of the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

    A senior NCHA official noted that the administration will continue to work toward the early return of Sishi Ling, the first volume of the Zidanku Silk Manuscripts. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: California invests $1.7 billion to improve safety, resiliency of highways – including millions for highways damaged by LA fires

    Source: US State of California 2

    May 16, 2025

    What you need to know: The state is investing almost $1.7 billion for improvements to California’s highway system, including $86.5 million for improvements to infrastructure damaged during the Los Angeles firestorms earlier this year.

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that the California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated nearly $1.7 billion to help improve and strengthen the state highway system. Guided by Governor Gavin Newsom’s Build More, Faster – For All infrastructure agenda, these improvements will make California communities safer and more climate resilient.

    In addition to these proactive, long-range efforts, the CTC allocated $86.5 million to repair vital roadways and other transportation infrastructure damaged during recent wildfires and storms in Southern California.

    “Today’s monumental investment puts Californians’ tax dollars to work making critical safety and resiliency improvements to highways throughout the state that support the travel of millions of residents each day. We’re also directing millions to help repair vital infrastructure damaged by the Los Angeles fires.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Projects include:

    • $195.5 million to rehabilitate roadway and drainage systems, add a bike trail and pedestrian bridge, as well as upgrade safety along Interstate 805 in the cities of San Diego, Chula Vista and National City.
    • $129 million to replace the existing Cordelia Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility along westbound Interstate 80 near Fairfield.
    • $30 million to replace a retaining wall and rebuild a slope drapery protection system near Big Rock Road in Malibu and reconstruct hillsides above State Route 1 near Mulholland Drive, all of which were impacted by the Palisades Fire and rainstorms.

    “Investments made today support Caltrans’ mission to build and maintain a transportation system that helps Californians now and decades into the future,” said Mike Keever, Acting Director for Caltrans. “This funding translates into safer travel, more accessible mobility options and strengthening our roadways to protect all travelers during extreme weather events.”

    Of the total allocation this month, $655 million came via Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, and nearly $567 million from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA).

    IIJA, also known as the federal bipartisan infrastructure bill, is a once-in-a-generation investment in our nation’s infrastructure to improve the sustainability and resiliency of our country’s energy, water, broadband and transportation systems. California has received nearly $62 billion in federal infrastructure funding since its passage, including investments to upgrade the state’s roads, bridges, rail, public transit, airports, ports and waterways. The funding alone has already created more than 170,000 jobs in California.

    Meanwhile, SB 1 invests approximately $5 billion annually toward transportation projects. It provides funding split between the state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1.

    For more information visit, Build.ca.gov.

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    May 16, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom kicked off #WorldTradeMonth with a round of key international interviews with journalists from major broadcast networks in Canada, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. In the interviews, Governor Newsom addressed…

    May 15, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring May 2025 as “Small Business Month.”The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below: PROCLAMATIONCalifornia’s more than 4.2 million small businesses – the most of any…

    May 15, 2025

    News Sacramento, California — Governor Gavin Newsom today condemned U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for calling on the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) to conduct a “complete review” of mifepristone — the safe, effective, and…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Leo XIV and the greatest challenge of our time

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Following his piece on the late Pope Francis, Jefferson Chua continues his reflections on the relationship between the Papacy of the Roman Catholic Church and climate change, now in the hands of a new pontiff.

    © ANDINA/Archive

    There is a photo of Robert Francis Prevost, back then when he was still archbishop in Chiclayo, Peru, wading through the floodwater that devastated his parish during the historic 2017 El Niño floods. He struck a calm figure who had little to no qualms about being in the middle of  a disaster. The photo made me think: what does Prevost, now Pope Leo XIV, think of climate change, and–more importantly– the solutions needed to address it?

    There are quite a number of clues as to what he would have thought about climate change. He largely aligns with the late Pope Francis’s pivot towards the environment and the Laudato Si agenda, in urging the church to transform words into action in addressing the climate crisis. He has likewise called for a “non-tyrannical relationship” with nature as a key ingredient in climate action, while warning of serious consequences brought about by technological innovation if it is not grounded in a reciprocal relationship with nature.

    In the same breath he also mentions the Vatican’s recent adoption of solar power as well as the purchase of electric vehicles as positive steps in addressing climate change. In his younger years he has also pushed for petitions and shared opinions that seem to align with more urgent climate action and international cooperation.

    I am drawn to the pope’s choice of name. His nominal predecessor, Leo XIII, stands among the giants of the petrine ministry because he took on arguably the greatest challenge of the church during his time: its relationship with the modern world. His encyclical, Rerum Novarum, not only articulated the church’s positionality in the modernizing and industrializing world, but also spoke about the dangers of unchecked capitalism and its impacts on rights, especially that of workers and laborers. In other words, Leo XIII signalled a critical gaze on unchecked profiteering and how this pursuit of more growth and wealth comes at the expense of the rights of those that were instrumental in achieving that wealth.

    I wonder if Leo XIV will be able to transpose this critical gaze onto arguably the greatest challenge of our time, the climate crisis. Our era is characterized by the near-total domination of the corporate few who have reaped in record profits at the expense of everyone. Climate impacts have been increasing in intensity and regularity more than ever, resulting in staggering global losses. In 2024 alone, estimates vary from insurance payouts worth USD 137 billion, to upwards of USD 229 billion with just the ten costliest disasters of last year.

    In contrast, just the five largest investor-owned oil and gas companies–Shell, Exxon Mobil, British Petroleum, Chevron, and Total Energies–earned USD 102 billion in 2024. The figure becomes even more mind-boggling if one looks at their profits in the last decade, which amounted to almost USD 800 billion. This greed is underlined by their business practices, with all of them announcing in different manners of speaking that they will not be phasing out oil and gas and will be cutting investments in green and renewable energy, while at the same time spending astronomical amounts of money to run advertising and marketing campaigns that paint a rosy picture of their supposed concern for the environment and climate action.

    Taking a broader view lays bare this gross inequality: the world’s wealthiest 10% has caused two-thirds of global warming since 1990, which boils down to not just individual lifestyle choices, but more importantly to the concentration of wealth held by a very few but powerful group of people. 

    It is amid this sad and alarming backdrop that we find Leo XIV, who inherits a church in a world that is increasingly more difficult to live in, especially by those at the frontlines of the climate crisis. It is this world that also beckons on Leo XIV to transform the church “from words to action.” Climate action must go beyond platitudes and pursue accountability. 

    There are hopeful signals within the church. A good example would be the Philippines, which constantly ranks as among the most vulnerable countries to climate impacts. For instance, the Roman Catholic Church in the country has set 2025 as the target year when it will be fully divesting from coal and fossil gas investments. Religious-run academic institutions such as Mapua University has likewise pronounced that it too will be divesting from fossil fuels. Church-based grassroots communities and priests have likewise supported environmental defenders and indigenous groups against unchecked transition mineral mining, and have called for holistic climate accountability policies such as the CLIMA Bill. That there is a wealth of examples in the frontiers of the climate crisis should push Leo XIV to take on the fight for climate justice beyond discursive urging. He inherits a church that is suffering precisely because it is in the frontlines. In this manner, Leo XIV himself, through the office entrusted to him, also inherits this moral responsibility to act.

    Perhaps none can encapsulate this moral imperative of his papacy better than an example from his adopted home, Peru. Saul Luciano Lliuya, a farmer from Huaraz, Peru, filed a case against German energy company RWE AG. Initially filed in 2015, Lliuya contested that RWE’s emissions–which is considered one of the biggest emitters in Europe–had a direct impact on the climate that is threatening the claimant’s home. After a successful appeal process in 2017 and initial hearings in March 2025, the court will issue an announcement this May. Lliuya’s case takes on and represents an increasingly-familiar experience by climate-impacted frontline communities of no accountability and increasing impacts.
    One can imagine Leo XIV, in his white cassock, bearing witness to the increasing frequency of floods that Lliuya and countless others are experiencing and, perhaps, likewise add his influential voice to the growing chorus of those calling for accountability. If he is true to his name, and if his papacy signals an unbroken line from Francis’s concerns in Laudato Si, then there is no other alternative to calling out those who are most responsible for the climate crisis: not just individuals, not just countries, but corporations that have accumulated so much wealth while the least of us suffer the worst consequences of a common home in crisis.

    Jefferson Chua is a Greenpeace Campaigner working on climate, based in the Philippines.

    You might want to check out Greenpeace Philippines’ petition called Courage for Climate, a drive in support of real policy and legal solutions in the pursuit of climate justice.

    Courage for Climate

    The climate crisis may seem hopeless, but now is the time for courage, not despair. Join Filipino communities taking bold action for our planet.

    Make an Act of Courage Today!

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyoming Air National Guard commander promoted to brigadier general

    Source: US State of Wyoming

    CHEYENNE, Wyo. — U.S. Air Force Col. Barry Deibert was promoted to the rank of brigadier general during a ceremony at the Wyoming National Guard’s Joint Force Readiness Center on May 17, 2025.

    Deibert is known for his integrity, honesty and perseverance—qualities that have shaped his decades of service and earned him the respect of those he leads. As the assistant adjutant general for air and commander of the Wyoming Air National Guard, he oversees more than 1,200 Airmen who support a wide range of national, state and community missions.

    Maj. Gen. Greg Porter, adjutant general of Wyoming, presided over the ceremony and commended Deibert for his lifelong dedication to service and community in addition to being a caring leader.

    “You look at his entire life, and he is the epitome of a citizen Airman—serving full time while also teaching in our schools,” said Porter. “Every chance Deibert has to make an impact—to make the world and our state a better place—he takes it. It’s a privilege to be here today to celebrate you.”

    Surrounded by friends, family, and fellow Airmen and Soldiers, Brig. Gen. Deibert received his new rank in a ceremony filled with pride and tradition. Among the honored guests was his father, August Anton Deibert a 97-year-old U.S. Army veteran who is the recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his service in the Korean War.

    The importance of family was a theme throughout the ceremony. Porter acknowledged their vital role, noting that continued service would not be possible without their support.

    Deibert’s wife, Pat, and daughter, Darcy, had the honor of pinning on his brigadier general rank. The pinning ceremony, a time-honored tradition, marks the first time the new rank is officially placed on the uniform. The star, representing general officer rank, traces its lineage to a 1780 decree by Gen. George Washington during the War for American Independence. It is customary for close family or friends to participate, symbolizing the contributions they’ve made to the officer’s career.

    In his first remarks as a general officer, Deibert spoke with humility and reflected on his journey, including an earlier retirement before being asked—several times—to return to service. Eventually, he answered the call.

    “Standing here today, wearing this rank—it’s humbling,” said Deibert.

    With humor, he added, “That could be a trivia question: How long does it take for an airman basic to make brigadier general? 39 years.” The audience laughed, and he continued, “But it’s a culmination of years of service, sacrifice, and support—and I’m not talking about mine. I’m talking about everyone else in this room. This promotion isn’t about a single person. It’s about all the people I’ve had the privilege to serve with. To the Airmen I’ve worked alongside—you’ve inspired me and continue to. Airmen are the magic.”

    Deibert closed by saying he views his new role not as a reward, but as a responsibility.

    “This wasn’t in my original plan. But I’m humbled and grateful for the support. Stay strong, be proud, and fly for the brand.”

    The ceremony concluded with the singing of the Air Force song, followed by the Army song—in honor of his father, Corporal August Anton Deibert.

    MIL OSI USA News –