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Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI Global: Trump’s battle with elite universities overlooks where most students actually go to college

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Amy Li, Associate Professor of Higher Education, Florida International University

    There are nearly 20 million undergraduate college students in the United States. Anadolu/Getty Images

    Headlines often mention the ongoing power struggle between President Donald Trump’s administration and private colleges such as Columbia University and Harvard University.

    But such elite universities educate only a small portion of America’s total undergraduate population, which stood at 20 million in fall 2024.

    As an associate professor of higher education, I have published research on policies that affect college access, retention and graduation. My work has examined data across different types of higher education institutions.

    The Ivies and other elites

    Less than 1% of American college students attend elite private colleges.

    A small group of colleges, consisting of Ivy League schools and other highly selective universities known as “Ivy-Plus,” fit in this category.

    The Ivy League consists of eight private schools that formed an athletic conference in the 1950s. The member universities are known for their academic excellence.

    The Ivy-Plus are highly prestigious colleges located across the country with similar reputations for outstanding academics such as Stanford University, Duke University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

    These colleges have extremely competitive admissions, often accepting less than 10% of applicants.

    They enroll students from high-income backgrounds more than any other type of institution. Students from upper-income families represent 60% to 70% of attendees at elite privates.

    Elite private universities confer undergraduate and graduate degrees and focus on research.

    Elite public colleges

    Elite public colleges, such as the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Virginia, are near the top of the U.S. News & World Report’s rankings. They also are often the flagship university in their state, such as the University of Michigan.

    These colleges have highly selective admissions processes as well and often accept about 10% to 20% of applicants.

    The largest portion of revenue at public universities, roughly 40%, comes from government sources that include federal, state and local government grants, contracts and appropriations, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

    Students from upper-income families constitute 50% to 55% of attendees at elite public colleges.

    Like elite private colleges, elite public colleges confer undergraduate and graduate degrees and focus on research.

    Community colleges

    There are 1,024 community colleges in the U.S., serving 39% of undergraduate students.

    These public, two-year colleges grant associate degrees and occasionally bachelor’s degrees. They also offer certificates, workforce training and noncredit courses to prepare students for college-level courses.

    Community colleges have a strong teaching focus and a mission to serve their communities. They tend to guarantee admission to anyone who wants to enroll and offer lower tuition and fees.

    Community colleges are also critical entry points for students from lower-income households and those who identify as racial or ethnic minorities or who are the first in their family to attend college.

    Like other public institutions, community colleges depend heavily on state funding, as well as local property taxes.

    Regional universities

    Roughly 70% of undergraduate students who attend public, four-year institutions enroll at regional public universities.
    Newsday RM via Getty Images

    Of all undergraduates who attend public, four-year institutions, roughly 70% enroll in regional institutions.

    They include colleges in state-run systems such as the State University of New York and California State University.

    There is wide variation in acceptance rates among regional public universities, but they tend to be moderately selective, accepting between half and 70% of applicants.

    Regional public universities offer a wide range of academic programs mostly at the bachelor’s and master’s levels. They also depend heavily on state funding.

    Small private colleges

    Small, less selective private colleges often have acceptance rates of 60% or higher and enroll 3,000 or fewer students.

    Their budgets depend primarily on tuition and fees.

    Some of these types of colleges have suffered from enrollment declines since the early 2000s, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Many of these institutions lacked the large endowments that allowed elite privates to weather the financial challenges brought on by the pandemic.

    A number of small private colleges, such as Eastern Nazarene College in Massachusetts, have closed or merged with other universities due to financial difficulties.

    These small private colleges often offer academic programs at the bachelor’s and master’s levels.

    Private for-profit

    About 5% of students attend private for-profit colleges.

    These colleges offer courses in convenient formats that may be attractive to older adult students, including those with full-time jobs.

    For-profit college students disproportionately identify as older, Black and female. Students who attend these colleges are also more likely to be single parents.

    In recent years, the federal government has cracked down on false promises some for-profit institutions made about their graduates’ job and earnings prospects and other outcomes.

    The enforcement led to the closure of some colleges, such as ITT Technical Institute and Corinthian Colleges.

    Minority-serving institutions

    Minority-serving institutions, including historically Black colleges and universities, have a mission to serve certain populations.
    Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images

    Minority-serving institutions have a mission to serve certain student populations.

    Minority-serving institutions include historically Black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, such as Morehouse College; Hispanic-serving institutions, or HSIs, such as Florida International University; Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander-serving institutions, or AANAPISIs, such as North Seattle College; and tribal colleges and universities, or TCUs, such as Blackfeet Community College, which serve Native American students.

    The federal government determines which colleges fit the criteria.

    These are primarily two- and four-year colleges, but some grant graduate degrees.

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

    – ref. Trump’s battle with elite universities overlooks where most students actually go to college – https://theconversation.com/trumps-battle-with-elite-universities-overlooks-where-most-students-actually-go-to-college-254680

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • India’s GDP growth in Q4 of 2024–25 expected at 6.8–7%: report

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian economy is projected to grow at a rate of 6.8–7 per cent in the fourth quarter of the financial year 2024–25, largely driven by the agriculture sector, according to a report released by Bank of Baroda on Friday.

    For the full financial year, GDP growth is estimated at 6.2–6.4 per cent, with the report highlighting that India continues to outperform many of its global counterparts due to strong macroeconomic fundamentals.

    Looking ahead to FY26, the economy is expected to grow at a similar pace of 6.4–6.6 per cent. This outlook is supported by factors such as anticipated monetary easing, lower inflation, robust domestic demand, a budgetary push, and sustained capital expenditure. However, the report cautions that geopolitical conflicts or the imposition of global tariffs could dampen this optimism.

    In Q4 FY25, agriculture is expected to grow by a robust 7.7 per cent—significantly higher than the 0.9 per cent growth recorded in the same period last year. This surge is attributed to record foodgrain production, as reflected in the second advance estimates covering both kharif and rabi crops.

    While overall Q4 growth is expected to exceed that of Q3, the performance is likely to be uneven across sectors.

    In the industrial sector, mining is projected to grow by 1.5 per cent in Q4 FY25, compared to 0.8 per cent in the corresponding quarter of FY24. However, growth in manufacturing is likely to moderate sharply to 1.8 per cent from 11.3 per cent a year earlier, partly due to a high base and weaker corporate earnings. Industries such as iron and steel, capital goods, and textiles witnessed lower profit margins, despite softening commodity prices. The electricity sector is also expected to grow at a slower pace of 5.5 per cent, down from 8.8 per cent in Q4 FY24.

    On a more positive note, the construction sector is projected to maintain strong growth, supported by increased output in steel and cement, along with continued government capital expenditure.

    The services sector shows a mixed trend. The marriage season and events like the Mahakumbh are expected to boost hospitality, transport, logistics, and food and beverage services. The trade, hotels, and transport sector is projected to grow by 6.4 per cent in Q4, up slightly from 6.2 per cent in the same quarter last year. GST collections have also continued their steady growth. However, financial services are likely to slow, with projected growth of 6.6 per cent compared to 9 per cent last year, amid a decline in credit growth.

    Public administration and defence spending are expected to rise, driven by an increase in net revenue expenditure.

    Looking forward, the report notes that rural demand is likely to remain strong in FY26, bolstered by expectations of a favourable monsoon. According to NOAA, neutral ENSO conditions are expected to prevail in the coming months, supporting agricultural output. Consumption is also set to rise, aided by higher disposable incomes and new tax incentives. Additionally, an ongoing easing of monetary policy due to lower inflation is expected to support growth, along with relief from subdued commodity prices.

    “Based on the above factors, we expect the Indian economy to grow by 6.4–6.6 per cent in FY26. However, downside risks remain, particularly for the external sector, due to evolving global tariff challenges,” the report stated. “Any adverse geopolitical conflict or extreme weather event could also pose a risk to growth, although potential bilateral trade deals—particularly with the US—could offer some positives.”

    (Reuter)

  • Novel approach to HIV vaccine shows early promise

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The first human clinical trials testing a new strategy to protect against HIV infections have yielded promising early results, according to two separate reports published on Thursday in Science.
     
    The trials tested “germline targeting” HIV vaccines, which aim to activate immune system B cells in their naive, or germline, state, inducing them to become specialized cells that produce broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs).
     
    By delivering a variety of HIV immunogens – typically, viral protein fragments – germline vaccines train the B cells to produce antibodies that can recognize and block a broad range of different strains of HIV from infecting healthy cells.
     
    Germline targeting requires an initial dose to prime the correct B cells, and subsequent doses to guide their maturation until they can produce effective bnAbs, the researchers reported.
     
    “Across the participants we saw an immune response that indicates that we’re on the right track,” Rogier Sanders of Amsterdam UMC, senior investigator on one of the trials, said in a statement.
     
    “We saw that we can target the cells that we need to target with atomic precision. The next step is to further stimulate these cells to secrete broadly neutralizing antibodies,” Sanders said.
     
    In a separate paper, a different team of researchers reported on two early trials that used mRNA-encoded nanoparticles produced by Moderna to successfully prime the germline B cells, although a small proportion of patients had skin reactions to the vaccines.
     
    The mRNA technology, similar to that used in Moderna’s COVID-19 shots, would allow for faster vaccine development, the study authors said.
     
    One of the trials was conducted in the United States and the other in Rwanda and South Africa. The majority of HIV patients live in Africa, but germline targeting has not previously been attempted there.
     
    The researchers said the mRNA approach appeared to work with both North American and African populations, opening the door to further testing of germline-targeting vaccines for “African populations in most need of an HIV vaccine.”
     
    EASING THERAPIES FOR SOME PROSTATE, CERVIX CANCERS
     
    Two new studies suggest that patients with certain cancers might do just as well with a shorter course of radiation or a less extensive surgery as with standard treatments.
     
    In JAMA Oncology, researchers reported that in men who require radiation after undergoing the most extensive type of surgery for prostate cancer, a form of high-dose radiation delivered in just five sessions known as stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) appears to be as safe as conventional treatment delivered daily for up to seven weeks.
     
    SBRT is a well-established treatment for prostate cancer, but its use after a radical prostatectomy has been limited due to concerns about the shifting position of the prostate bed and nearby healthy tissues.
     
    The researchers tracked 100 men treated with SBRT in the single-arm study. Two years after the treatment, outcomes and side effects were similar to what the researchers had seen in the past from patients who received the longer-course treatments.
     
    If randomized studies and longer follow-up confirm the results, “this approach could remove a major barrier to post-surgery radiation therapy,” study leader Dr. Amar Kishan of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA said in a statement.
     
    In JAMA Network Open, a separate team of researchers reported that women with low-risk early-stage cancer of the cervix do as well after simple hysterectomy as after modified radical hysterectomy or radical hysterectomy.
     
    Among 2,636 carefully selected patients treated for stage IA2 or IB1 cervical carcinoma at accredited cancer hospitals, there was no difference in survival rates at 3 years, 5 years, 7 years or 10, or in postoperative outcomes after the three types of surgery.
     
    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Harbour protection law now in force

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Protection of the Harbour (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 was published in the Government Gazette and came into force today.

    The Development Bureau said the amended ordinance will more effectively regulate the Government in exercising its power to pursue reclamations in the Victoria Harbour.

    The bureau and relevant departments are finalising administrative guidelines for the ordinance. These will be completed and published within two months. The amended ordinance received its third reading and was passed at the meeting of the Legislative Council last Wednesday.

    Amending the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance, it sets out a clearer mechanism to regulate reclamations in Victoria Harbour, in particular large-scale reclamations, in order to protect the Harbour.

    It also introduces a streamlined mechanism for small-scale reclamations that improve Victoria Harbour’s functions and harbourfront and for non-permanent reclamations, in order to facilitate and promote harbourfront enhancements.

    According to the amended ordinance, harbour enhancement reclamations and non-permanent reclamations that meet certain criteria and are in the public interest may be granted exemption from the “Presumption against Reclamation” by the Financial Secretary.

    Other reclamations in the Victoria Harbour will still be subject to the stringent presumption.

    To rebut the presumption, it will be necessary to apply three considerations set out in earlier court judgment which are now incorporated in the ordinance, and to comply with the new statutory procedures.

    These include preparing an assessment on a project’s “overriding public need”, publishing a report for public comment, and submitting the report and comments received to the Chief Executive-in-Council for determination.

    The bureau stressed that even under existing arrangements government departments or other persons must submit proposals to carry out reclamations for consideration and approval by the Government.

    It added that the amendments do not change the right of members of the public to apply for judicial review against decisions.

    It stressed that the Amendment Ordinance demonstrates the Government’s commitment to protecting Victoria Harbour, and also provides a more solid legal basis for its long-term protection.

    Moreover, it said the Government will have greater flexibility to promote better use of harbourfront resources and create a harbourfront that everyone can be proud of.

    The Government has made it clear that there is no plan to initiate large-scale harbour reclamations to form land for housing, commercial or industrial developments.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Brazil confirms first outbreak of avian influenza on commercial farm

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Brazil, the world’s largest poultry exporter, confirmed its first outbreak of avian influenza on a commercial farm in a statement from the Agriculture Ministry on Friday, raising the prospect of restrictions from trade partners.
     
    The outbreak occurred in the city of Montenegro in Brazil’s southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul, the ministry said.
     
    Brazil exported $10 billion of chicken meat in 2024, accounting for about 35% of global trade, much of it sold by BRF and JBS SA, which ship to some 150 countries.
     
    “All necessary measures to control the situation were quickly adopted, and the situation is under control and being monitored by government agencies,” said national pork and poultry group ABPA in a statement.
     
    The ministry said it was taking the necessary measures to contain and eradicate the outbreak, officially notifying the World Organization for Animal Health, Brazil’s trade partners and other interested parties.
     
    The country, which exported more than 5 million metric tons of chicken products last year, first confirmed outbreaks of the highly pathogenic avian flu among wild birds in May 2023 in at least seven states.
     
    In June of that year, Japan suspended purchases of poultry from the state of Espirito Santo, following an outbreak there on a non-commercial farm.
     
    The disease is not transmitted through the consumption of poultry meat or eggs, the farm ministry said, noting that the risk of human infection is low and mostly occurs among professionals who have contact with infected birds.
     
    “The Brazilian and world population can rest assured about the safety of inspected products, and there are no restrictions on their consumption,” the statement said.
     
    According to the ministry, the Brazilian veterinary service has been trained and equipped to deal with this disease since the first decade of the 2000s.
     
    Actions include monitoring wild birds, epidemiological surveillance in commercial and subsistence poultry farming, and constant training of technicians, it said.
     
    (Reuters)

  • UN peacekeepers attacked by civilians in Lebanon, no casualties reported

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A large group of civilians wielding metal rods and axes attacked a patrol of U.N. troops in southern Lebanon on Friday, causing damage to U.N. vehicles but no injuries, a United Nations peacekeeping force said.

    The U.N. troops used non-lethal force to protect themselves and those present, according to the U.N. Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), adding the patrol had been on a routine operation between the villages of Jmayjmeh and Khirbat Silim.

    The Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) were notified and arrived shortly after the incident, escorting the patrol back to base.

    UNIFIL said the patrol had been pre-planned and coordinated with the LAF.

    The U.N. peacekeeping mission stressed that its mandate, under U.N. Security Council Resolution 1701, guarantees freedom of movement in its area of operations with or without LAF accompaniment.

    On Wednesday, UNIFIL said that direct fire from the Israeli army had hit the perimeter of one of its peacekeeping positions in south Lebanon. UNIFIL said the incident on Tuesday was the first of its kind since Israel and Iran-backed Lebanese militant group Hezbollah agreed to a ceasefire last November.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Acute food insecurity and malnutrition rose for sixth consecutive year in world’s most fragile regions

    Source: World Food Programme

    In 2024, over 295 million people across 53 countries and territories faced acute hunger—an increase of almost 14 million people compared to 2023— while the number of people facing catastrophic levels of hunger reached a record high

    Geneva/New York/Rome/Washington – Acute food insecurity and child malnutrition rose for the sixth consecutive year in 2024, pushing millions of people to the brink, in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions, according to the Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC), released today. 

    The report shows conflict, economic shocks, climate extremes, and forced displacement continued to drive food insecurity and malnutrition around the world, with catastrophic impacts on many already fragile regions.

    In 2024, more than 295 million people across 53 countries and territories experienced acute levels of hunger– an increase of 13.7 million from 2023. Of great concern is the worsening prevalence of acute food insecurity, which now stands at 22.6 percent of the population assessed. This marks the fifth consecutive year in which this figure has remained above 20 percent. 

    The number of people facing catastrophic hunger (IPC/CH Phase 5) more than doubled over the same period to reach 1.9 million – the highest on record since the GRFC began tracking in 2016. 

    Malnutrition, particularly among children, reached extremely high levels, including in the Gaza Strip, Mali, Sudan, and Yemen. Nearly 38 million children under five were acutely malnourished across 26 nutrition crises.

    The report also highlights a sharp increase in hunger driven by forced displacement, with nearly 95 million forcibly displaced people—including internally displaced persons (IDPs), asylum seekers and refugees—living in countries facing food crises such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Colombia, Sudan, and Syria, out of a global total of 128 million forcibly displaced people.

    “This Global Report on Food Crises is another unflinching indictment of a world dangerously off course,”said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. “Long-standing crises are now being compounded by another, more recent one: the dramatic reduction in lifesaving humanitarian funding to respond to these needs. This is more than a failure of systems – it is a failure of humanity. Hunger in the 21st century is indefensible. We cannot respond to empty stomachs with empty hands and turned backs.”   

    Key drivers of acute food insecurity and malnutrition: 

    • Conflict remained the top driver of acute food insecurity, affecting around 140 million people in 20 countries and territories. Famine has been confirmed in Sudan, while other hotspots with people experiencing Catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity include the Gaza Strip, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali.
    • Economic shocks including inflation and currency devaluation, drove hunger in 15 countries affecting 59.4 million people – still nearly double pre-COVID 19 levels despite a modest decline from 2023. Some of the largest and most protracted food crises were primarily driven by economic shocks, including in Afghanistan, South Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, and Yemen.
    • Weather extremes particularly El Niño-induced droughts and floods, pushed 18 countries into food crises affecting over 96 million people, with significant impacts in Southern Africa, Southern Asia and the Horn of Africa.

    According to the GRFC outlook, hunger shocks will likely persist into 2025, as the Global Network anticipates the most significant reduction in humanitarian funding for food and nutrition crises in the report’s history. 

    Call for bold reset to break cycle of food crises  

    Acute food insecurity and malnutrition have increased to record levels, yet global funding is experiencing its fastest decline in years, and political momentum is weakening. 

    Breaking the cycle of rising hunger and malnutrition requires a bold reset – one that prioritizes evidence-driven and impact-focused action. This means pooling resources, scaling what works, and putting the needs and voices of affected communities at the heart of every response.

    Beyond emergency aid, the Global Network Against Food Crises recommends investing in local food systems and integrated nutrition services to address long-term vulnerabilities and build resilience to shocks – especially in crisis-prone regions where 70 percent of rural households rely on agriculture for sustenance and livelihood.

    # # #

    Leadership quotes: 

    Hadja Lahbib, EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management:

    “This year’s Global Report on Food Crises paints yet another stark and unacceptable picture of rising hunger. This is not merely a call to action — it is a moral imperative. At a time when funding cuts are straining the humanitarian system, we reaffirm our commitment to fight global hunger. We will not abandon the most vulnerable, especially in fragile and conflict-affected countries. We will continue to champion and defend International Humanitarian Law. Today’s challenges are greater than ever — but so is our solidarity. Now is the time to act with unity and resolve, and to prove that even in the hardest times, humanity can and will rise to the challenge.”

    QU Dongyu, Director-General, FAO: “As we launch the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises, we are cognizant that acute food insecurity is not just a crisis – it is a constant reality for millions of people, most of whom live in rural areas. The path forward is clear: investment in emergency agriculture is critical, not just as a response, but as the most cost-effective solution to deliver significant long-lasting impact.”

    Alvaro Lario, President, IFAD: “The report makes clear that humanitarian responses must go hand-in hand with investments in rural development and resilience building to create long-term stability that lasts beyond emergency interventions. Rural communities – especially smallholder farmers – are central to food security, resilience, and growth. This is even more true in fragile settings.”

    Raouf Mazou, Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, UNHCR: “People who have been displaced show remarkable strength, but resilience alone can’t end hunger. As food insecurity worsens and humanitarian crises become more prolonged, we need to shift from emergency aid to sustainable responses. That means creating real opportunities—access to land, livelihoods, markets and services—so people can feed themselves and their families, not just today, but well into the future.”

    Catherine Russell, Executive Director, UNICEF:  “In a world of plenty, there is no excuse for children to go hungry or die of malnutrition. Hunger gnaws at the stomach of a child. It gnaws, too, at their dignity, their sense of safety, and their future. How can we continue to stand by when there is more than enough food to feed every hungry child in the world? How can we ignore what is happening in front of our eyes?  Millions of children’s lives hang in the balance as funding is slashed to critical nutrition services.”

    Axel van Trotsenburg, Senior Managing Director for Development Policy and Partnerships, World Bank: “The global hunger crisis threatens not just lives, but the stability and potential of entire societies. What is needed now is collective action so we can build a future free of hunger.” 

    Cindy McCain, Executive Director, WFP: “Like every other humanitarian organization, WFP is facing deep budget shortfalls which have forced drastic cuts to our food assistance programs. Millions of hungry people have lost, or will soon lose, the critical lifeline we provide. We have tried and tested solutions to hunger and food insecurity. But we need the support of our donors and partners to implement them.”

    Note to Editor

    Download the GFRC here  

    Broadcast quality B-Roll here 

    The Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) is published  annually by the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC) with analysis from the Food Security Information Network (FSIN).

    About the GNAFC

    The Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC) is an international alliance of the United Nations, the European Union, governmental and non-governmental agencies working together to address food crises. a unique platform of key operational agencies, international financial institutions, member states and organisations jointly seeking to reduce and end hunger with evidence-based actions proven to deliver impact. 

    For more information please contact: 

    European Union  

    Eva Hrncirova 

    Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations 

    eva.hrncirova@ec.europa.eu

    FAO 

    Irina Utkina 

    News and Media 

    irina.utkina@fao.org

     

    IFAD

    Caroline Chaumont

    c.chaumont@ifad.org 

    UNHCR

    William Spindler 

    Senior Communications Officer 

    spindler@unhcr.org 

     

    UNICEF

    Nadia Samie-Jacobs

    Communication Specialist (Media) 

    nsamie@unicef.org

    Tel: +1 845 760 2615

     

    World Bank

    Nicolas Douillet

    Communications Lead, Food & Agriculture 

    ndouillet@worldbankgroup.org 

    Tel: +1 202 378 7468 

    WFP

    Machrine Birungi

    Media Relations Specialist 

    machrine.birungi@wfp.org

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Director-General of Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises visits Hangzhou and Shanghai to promote Hong Kong’s advantages

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Director-General of Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises visits Hangzhou and Shanghai to promote Hong Kong’s advantages 
    During the visit to Hangzhou from May 13 to 15, Mr Yan engaged with several leading enterprises in AI and data science, and cultural and creative industries. Additionally, he met with representatives from the Hangzhou Science and Technology Bureau to explore collaborative opportunities. The discussions focused on how Hong Kong and the Yangtze River Delta region can leverage their respective strengths to fill gaps and capitalise on research opportunities, supported by global talent.
     
    Mr Yan stated, “Hangzhou, renowned for its dynamic technology ecosystem and advanced AI research and development capabilities, has emerged as a key innovation hub in China. The city’s cultural and creative sector has experienced significant growth, particularly in the gaming industry, with recent successes like Black Myth: Wukong exemplifying its ability to fuse Chinese heritage with cutting-edge technology. We encourage more enterprises in the AI and cultural and creative industries to capitalise on Hong Kong’s unique advantages to expand globally while fostering the vibrant growth of local AI and creative sectors.”

    Mr Yan started his visit to Shanghai on the afternoon of May 15. He highlighted the city’s role as a key economic hub and leader in life and health technology, driving innovation in pharmaceuticals and healthcare. He emphasised how Hong Kong’s AI and data infrastructure could drive industry growth and foster cross-border collaboration.
    ???
    Apart from life and health technology industry leaders, Mr Yan also met with leaders of cultural and creative and advanced manufacturing industries, holding strategic discussions with the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology to enhance the innovation ecosystem and foster high-potential ventures.Issued at HKT 19:40

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Medical innovation advisers meet

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Secretary for Health Prof Lo Chung-mau today chaired the first meeting of the Advisory Committee on Health & Medical Innovation Development.

    The advisory committee receives staunch support from the National Medical Products Administration, with Department of Drug Registration Director Yang Ting joining as official representative of the national drug regulatory authority.

    During the meeting, committee members were briefed on the progress of the establishment of the Centre for Medical Products Regulation. The preparatory office for the centre is taking forward measures with the objective of putting forward a timetable for its establishment and the roadmap towards the adoption of “primary evaluation” in the first half of this year.

    The measures include examining the need for new legislation, mapping out the strategies to reform the regulatory regime of drugs and medical devices, and advancing plans for “primary evaluation”.

    The committee members also offered advice on the proposals for establishing the Real-World Study & Application Centre.

    The centre aims to enhance access and application of health and medical databases, as well as strengthen collaboration between Hong Kong and the Mainland, particularly in integrating data generated by the use of Hong Kong-registered drugs and medical devices used in Hong Kong public hospitals in the Greater Bay Area.

    This is to achieve three major objectives: accelerating the research and development (R&D), approval and market launch of innovative medical products; leveraging data to support evidence-based decision-making; and developing Hong Kong into a leading region and global hub for real-world studies. The Government strives to establish the centre by the end of this year.

    Prof Lo said that the Government will strenuously work in line with the national objective of further reforming the medical and healthcare system and take forward the establishment of the two centres by complementing technological innovation with institutional innovation.

    “We will fully utilise the institutional advantages of ‘one country, two systems’ and Hong Kong’s professional healthcare strengths to develop the city into an international health and medical innovation hub, thereby enabling patients to benefit from the most advanced diagnostic and treatment technologies and achieving the concept of bringing the benefits of good drugs and R&D to Hong Kong.

    “At the same time, we aim to attract more local, Mainland and overseas pharmaceutical and medical device enterprises to conduct R&D and clinical trials in Hong Kong, thereby developing new quality productive forces in biomedicine and a new model for Hong Kong’s health and medical innovation development, so as to make further contributions to the overall development of the nation.”

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • EU readying new sanctions to increase pressure on Russia, von der Leyen says

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The European Union is working on a new package of sanctions to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday as leaders from across Europe met in Tirana.
     
    The EU, however, has already adopted 17 sanction packages – the latest one this week – and diplomats say it is increasingly difficult to get the necessary unanimity among the bloc’s 27 members to pass new measures.
     
    “He does not want peace, so we have to increase the pressure, and this is why we are working on a new package of sanctions,” von der Leyen said, referring to Putin, before the European Political Community summit in Albania.
     
    “This package will include for instance sanctions on Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2. It will include working on listing more vessels of the Russian shadow fleet and also lowering the oil price cap, and also more sanctions on the financial sector in Russia.”
     
    Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2, each consisting of two pipes, were built by Russia’s state-controlled Gazprom to pump natural gas to Germany under the Baltic Sea. They were ruptured by a series of blasts in 2022.
     
    “Massive” sanctions European leaders have threatened over the past days would need U.S. support to succeed, officials and diplomats have said.
     
    Meanwhile, Russian and Ukrainian negotiators were in Istanbul on Friday for what was billed as their first direct peace talks in more than three years, under pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War Two.
     
    Putin on Sunday proposed direct talks with Ukraine in Turkey, but has spurned a challenge from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to meet him in person, and instead has sent a team of mid-ranking officials to the talks.
     
    NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Putin “made a mistake by sending a low-level delegation”.
     
    “What we saw yesterday and overnight is yet more evidence that Putin is not serious about peace,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said as he arrived at the Tirana summit.
     
    “He’s been dragging his heels, and I think it’s really important therefore, that we have absolute unity with our allies. We’ll be working on that again today to be clear that there must be a ceasefire, but also to be clear that should there not be a ceasefire, then we will act together in relation to sanctions.”
     
    (Reuters)

  • APEC highlights ‘fundamental challenges’ in global trade as tariffs overshadow meeting

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group adopted a statement on Friday that cited “fundamental challenges” facing the global trading system, but stopped short of discussing a joint response to U.S. tariffs looming large over its meeting.

    The annual gathering is the first major multilateral trade gathering since U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of sweeping tariffs that hit more than half of the 21 members of the bloc with U.S. import duties in excess of the 10% minimum.

    “We are concerned with the fundamental challenges faced by the global trading system,” APEC members said in the joint statement.

    They also said they remained committed to APEC as the main forum for regional economic cooperation and addressing the economic challenges facing the Asia-Pacific region.

    The statement expressed support for the continued role of the World Trade Organization, while noting its shortcomings.

    “We recognise the importance of the WTO to advance trade issues, and acknowledge the agreed-upon rules in the WTO as an integral part of the global trading system.”

    The statement also said that “the WTO has challenges and needs meaningful, necessary, and comprehensive reform to improve all its functions, through innovative approaches, to be more relevant and responsive in light of today’s realities”.

    The Trump administration views the WTO as a body that has enabled China to gain an unfair export advantage and has recently moved to suspend U.S. funding to the institution.

    Kim Yong Jin, a management professor at Sogang University in Seoul, said the joint statement reflected U.S. claims “they are at a disadvantage under WTO, and that needs to be fixed.”

    APEC warned at the start of the meeting that exports from a region that accounts for around half of world trade would slow sharply this year as a result of the U.S. tariffs.

    Earlier on Friday, some diplomats from member countries had expressed doubts the group would even be able to adopt a joint statement, although they said South Korea Minister for Trade, Cheong In-kyo, had pushed hard for some consensus.

    “There was new momentum created through these meetings to overcome a difficult situation … as APEC urged a trans-regional effort to break through uncertainties engulfing the global economy,” Cheong told a briefing.

    In February, a Group of 20 meeting of finance ministers and central bankers in Cape Town failed to agree a joint communique after top officials from several countries, including the United States, skipped it.

    Cheong said there was no “official” discussion about a joint response to U.S. tariffs, despite pressure from some members for such talks.

    “From our standpoint, it is difficult to jointly respond because each country is in a completely different situation,” he said.

    APEC is a non-binding regional economic forum established in 1989 to facilitate deepening ties in the Asia-Pacific region, with the United States, China, countries in Latin America and Southeast Asia, as well as Hong Kong and Taiwan among its member economies.

    BILATERAL MEETINGS

    For many of the member economies, the attendance of U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer raised the stakes of the conference held on South Korea’s Jeju Island, ahead of a leaders’ summit scheduled later in the year.

    On the first day, many, if not all, of the representatives had or sought a meeting with Greer, according to host country officials.

    Greer met China’s Vice Commerce Minister Li Chenggang on Thursday, less than a week after their first face-to-face talks in Geneva on May 10-11, where they agreed to significantly lower tariffs for 90 days.

    Beijing’s commerce ministry spokesperson, He Yongqian, told a press conference that China was always open to discussing economic and trade relations with the United States through offline communication, but gave no details on the substance of the latest talks.

    According to a statement from the ministry, China’s Li said at the APEC meeting that in recent years individual economies had implemented so-called reciprocal tariffs, which provoked global trade frictions and strong dissatisfaction and opposition from many trading partners.

    Greer also spoke with South Korea’s Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun, three weeks after Seoul and Washington held their opening round of trade talks, and ministers from Malaysia and Taiwan, yielding optimism that further talks would lead to reduced tariffs.

    (Reuters)

  • IIFT sets up first overseas campus in Dubai, marking historic step in global expansion

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a major stride towards internationalising Indian higher education, the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) has announced the establishment of its first overseas campus in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The move marks a significant milestone in IIFT’s 62-year history and underscores India’s growing presence in the global education landscape.

    The announcement was made by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on Friday. The new campus has received the necessary approvals from the Ministry of Education, along with No Objection Certificates from the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, and the University Grants Commission (UGC).

    Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal hailed the development as a reflection of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s vision of making India a global hub for education. “This truly reflects the spirit of NEP 2020, marking a new chapter in the internationalisation of Indian education and its growing role in shaping global thought leadership. It is also a testament to the strengthening India-UAE partnership,” he said.

    Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal described the Dubai campus as a turning point in IIFT’s journey. “This represents India’s emergence as a provider of world-class education, especially in the field of international trade,” he noted, while applauding the institute’s continued focus on aligning academic and research efforts with national priorities.

    Prof. Rakesh Mohan Joshi, Vice Chancellor of IIFT, expressed his gratitude to all stakeholders who supported the initiative. Reaffirming the institute’s commitment to excellence, he said, “We aim to transform IIFT into a world-class institution through our Dubai campus by excelling in education, training, and research in international trade.”

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Uzbek Minister: China is a strategic partner in building a complementary and innovative educational ecosystem in Central Asia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    URUMQI, May 16 (Xinhua) — We regard China as a strategic partner in building a complementary and innovative educational ecosystem in Central Asia, said Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan Kongratbay Sharipov in an exclusive interview with Xinhua News Agency.

    Kongratbay Sharipov arrived in China to participate in the First Meeting of Education Ministers “China-Central Asia”, which was held in the city of Urumqi in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region /Northwest China/.

    According to K. Sharipov, this event made an exceptionally positive impression on him – both in terms of the level of organization and the substantive content of the meeting. He called the meeting an important platform that contributes to the deepening of strategic partnership and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the Central Asian countries in the field of education, science and innovation.

    “Uzbekistan is interested in expanding bilateral and multilateral projects with the participation of leading Chinese universities and research institutes, including the creation of joint scientific laboratories, educational programs, student and teacher exchanges, as well as the implementation of digital and engineering initiatives,” he said.

    The Minister noted: “In the field of higher and professional education, we strive to actively borrow Chinese experience in introducing dual education, training personnel for priority industries, as well as integrating science, production and education.”

    “We are particularly interested in Chinese experience in such areas as the development of innovative universities, technology transfer, university science management and commercialization of scientific developments, development of professional colleges and institutes. We are also interested in the development of startup ecosystems, incubators, science and technology parks based on universities, as well as in a deeper integration of the educational process with the needs of the economy,” he said.

    K. Sharipov added that Uzbekistan welcomes the development of joint educational institutions, double degree programs, as well as the study of the Uzbek language and Central Asian regions in China.

    “I am convinced that our efforts aimed at forming sustainable, institutional mechanisms of cooperation will allow us to take the educational and scientific partnership between Uzbekistan and China to a new, strategic level,” K. Shapirov summed up.

    Let us recall that at the said meeting a number of memorandums and agreements were signed between educational institutions of the participating countries, including a memorandum on the joint creation of a research center for the mutual study of the civilizations of China and Uzbekistan. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Xinjiang’s foreign trade turnover increased by more than 20 percent in January-April

    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

    URUMQI, May 16 (Xinhua) — Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region’s foreign trade turnover rose 20.2 percent year-on-year to 165.86 billion yuan (about 23.01 billion U.S. dollars) in the first four months of 2025, with the figure exceeding 57.7 billion yuan (up 30.4 percent) in April, according to Urumqi Customs data.

    According to the local customs, Xinjiang maintained trade relations with 216 countries and regions in the world from January to April, with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan ranking first in terms of trade volume. Trade with Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and other countries participating in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership demonstrated a high growth rate of 96.4 percent, accounting for 16.5 percent of Xinjiang’s foreign trade turnover during the period. Trade with countries in Africa, West Asia and Latin America increased by 70.4 percent, 104.8 percent and 96 percent, respectively.

    Almost half of the region’s foreign trade turnover – 42.2 percent /69.92 billion yuan/ – was provided by the Xinjiang Pilot Free Trade Zone, thus proving its competitive advantages in foreign trade, formed thanks to institutional innovations. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Protection of the Harbour (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 comes into force

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Protection of the Harbour (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 (the Amendment Ordinance) was gazetted and came into force today (May 16).

    The Amendment Ordinance received its third reading and was passed at the meeting of the Legislative Council last Wednesday. The Amendment Ordinance aims to amend the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance (Cap. 531) (the Ordinance), and seeks to, on one hand, set out a clearer mechanism to regulate reclamations in Victoria Harbour (the Harbour), in particular large-scale reclamations, for protecting the Harbour; and on the other hand, introduce a streamlined mechanism for small-scale reclamations which improve the functions and harbourfront of the Harbour as well as non-permanent reclamations in the Harbour, in order to facilitate and promote harbourfront enhancement for public enjoyment and to strengthen harbour functions.

    According to the amended Ordinance, harbour enhancement reclamations and harbour non-permanent reclamations meeting certain criteria and are in the public interest, may be granted with exemption from the “Presumption against Reclamation” (the Presumption) by the Financial Secretary under the streamlined mechanism to facilitate these works which could benefit the community.

    Other reclamations in the Harbour will still be subject to the stringent Presumption. To rebut the Presumption, it is not only necessary to consider the three considerations set out in earlier court judgment (which are now incorporated as part of the Ordinance), it is also obligatory to comply with the new statutory procedures, which include: to prepare an assessment on the “overriding public need” of the project, to publish the report for public comments and to submit the report and the comments received to the Chief Executive in Council for determination on whether the Presumption is rebutted.

    A spokesperson for the Development Bureau (DEVB) said, all along, if any government departments or other persons have proposals to carry out reclamations in the Harbour, they must first be considered and approved (if granted) by the Government in accordance with the Ordinance. The amended Ordinance will more effectively regulate the Government in exercising the power to pursue reclamations in the Harbour. On the other hand, the amendments of the Ordinance do not change the right of members of the public in applying for judicial review against the decision of the Administration.

    The spokesperson said, the Amendment Ordinance demonstrates the Government’s commitment to protecting Victoria Harbour, and also provides a more solid legal basis for the long-term protection of the Harbour. Moreover, the Government will have greater flexibility in connecting the harbourfront and enhancing the harbour functions, which will promote the better use of harbourfront resources, and creating with the community a Victoria harbourfront that everyone could be proud of. The Government has reiterated that there is no plan to initiate large-scale harbour reclamations to form land for housing, commercial or industrial developments.

    With the amendments to the Ordinance coming into force, the DEVB and relevant departments are finalising the administrative guidelines, which will be completed and published within two months. During the consultation and examination of the legislative amendments, the Government received a number of suggestions on how to improve the harbourfront on both sides of the Harbour. The Government noted the views received. Subject to the availability of resources, the Government will exchange ideas with various sectors, with a view to leveraging the facilitations brought by the streamlined mechanism for taking forward more works that are conducive to the public’s enjoyment of the Victoria harbourfront.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • India’s current sugar season to end with 52 lakh tonnes of buffer stock: ISMA

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s 2024–25 sugar season is projected to conclude with a net sugar production of approximately 261 to 262 lakh tonnes, leaving a comfortable buffer stock of 52 lakh tonnes to meet domestic demand, the Indian Sugar & Bio-energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) said on Friday.
     
    The estimated figure includes 257.44 lakh tonnes of sugar produced up to mid-May in the current season, along with an additional 4 to 5 lakh tonnes expected from the special crushing season in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, ISMA stated.
     
    “The season commenced with an opening stock of 80 lakh tonnes. Considering the projected domestic consumption of 280 lakh tonnes and export estimates of up to 9 lakh tonnes, the closing stock is likely to be around 52–53 lakh tonnes. This reflects a comfortable buffer, ensuring that the country has sufficient sugar to meet domestic demand,” the association added.
     
    So far, around 27 lakh tonnes of sugar have been diverted for ethanol production up to April 30, 2025. An additional 6 to 7 lakh tonnes are expected to be diverted for the same purpose over the remainder of the season, ISMA noted.
     
    As of May 15, 2025, total sugar production in the ongoing season has reached 257.44 lakh tonnes, with two factories still in operation—both located in Tamil Nadu, where the main crushing season is still underway.
     
    To augment production, several factories in South Karnataka and Tamil Nadu are expected to resume operations during the special crushing season, which typically runs from June/July to September. Historically, this season contributes an additional 4 to 5 lakh tonnes of sugar production.
     
    Looking ahead, the industry body said the 2025–26 sugar season is shaping up to be promising, supported by favourable developments across key sugar-producing regions.
     
    In the southern states—particularly Maharashtra and Karnataka—sugarcane planting has seen a notable increase due to a favourable southwest monsoon in 2024. With strong cane availability, the crushing season is expected to begin on time in October 2025.
     
    In the northern region, including Uttar Pradesh, varietal replacement initiatives are likely to boost cane yields and improve sugar recovery rates.
     
    Further strengthening this positive outlook are climate forecasts from both the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Skymet, which predict a normal southwest monsoon in 2025.
     
    “This bodes well for crop health and production, bolstering confidence in a robust and productive sugar season ahead,” ISMA said.
     
    — IANS
     
    –IANS

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese-Kazakhstani elite engineering institute will be created on the basis of cooperation between SZPU and KazNU

    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 16 (Xinhua) — A China-Kazakhstan Elite Engineering Institute will be established based on cooperation between the Northwestern Polytechnical University (NWPU) of China and the Kazakh National University named after Al-Farabi (KazNU), the NWPU website reported.

    The agreement on the establishment of the above-mentioned institute, which will be located in the Kazakh branch of SZPU in Almaty, was concluded recently within the framework of the 1st Meeting of Ministers of Education “China-Central Asia” between SZPU and KazNU.

    The establishment of elite engineering institutes abroad is a project developed by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China on the basis of unified planning in the field of international cooperation.

    The Chinese-Kazakhstan Elite Engineering Institute will establish cooperation with enterprises of both countries in the field of training highly qualified engineers with an innovative approach, said SZPU Rector Song Baowei.

    SZPU is located in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province /Northwest China/. The university, which belongs to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of the PRC, is one of the most important centers in the country for scientific research and training of specialists in the field of aviation, astronautics, navigation, etc.

    In recent years, NWPU has been actively cooperating with research institutions in the countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. In May 2023, NWPU and KazNU signed an agreement to open a Kazakhstan branch of the Northwestern Polytechnical University of China. The branch was opened five months later in Almaty. Thus, according to the data, Kazakhstani students were given the opportunity to do an internship in Xi’an. Upon completion of their studies, they will receive diplomas from two universities. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HK seeking sustainable trade: SCED

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau gave a speech today at a session of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting in Jeju, South Korea.

    At a session themed “Prosperity through Sustainable Trade”, Mr Yau said that supply chains are the driving force of today’s global economy but are also highly sensitive and vulnerable to external shocks.

    He outlined that Hong Kong, as an international shipping and logistics hub, has been implementing various measures to support sustainable supply chains, including “Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050” and a roadmap for sustainability disclosure.

    “In parallel, enabling initiatives have been rolled out to equip micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) with the means to manage their environmental footprint and encourage market participants to improve sustainable business practices,” he said. “Funding schemes and capacity-building programmes have also been put in place to encourage the adoption of digital technologies by MSMEs to facilitate the digital transformation of supply chains.”

    The commerce chief stressed that the issue of supply chains has always been an integral part of APEC discussions, adding that APEC’s role is even more important now than ever as cross-boundary trade and investments and supply chains face uncertainty and unprecedented challenges.

    Mr Yau said he believes the collective goal of strengthening sustainable supply chains should never be a trade-off between sustainability and trade, but rather a synergy between the two. He emphasised that Hong Kong is committed to working with all member economies to drive progress towards shared prosperity through sustainable trade.

    On the sidelines of the MRT Meeting, Mr Yau held a bilateral meeting with Japanese State Minister of Economy, Trade & Industry Ogushi Masaki to discuss various trade and economic issues.

    Mr Yau will return to Hong Kong tomorrow morning.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Acute food insecurity and malnutrition rise for sixth consecutive year in world’s most fragile regions

    Source: World Food Programme

    In 2024, over 295 million people across 53 countries and territories faced acute hunger—an increase of almost 14 million people compared to 2023— while the number of people facing catastrophic levels of hunger reached a record high

    Geneva/New York/Rome/Washington – Acute food insecurity and child malnutrition rose for the sixth consecutive year in 2024, pushing millions of people to the brink, in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions, according to the Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC), released today. 

    The report shows conflict, economic shocks, climate extremes, and forced displacement continued to drive food insecurity and malnutrition around the world, with catastrophic impacts on many already fragile regions.

    In 2024, more than 295 million people across 53 countries and territories experienced acute levels of hunger– an increase of 13.7 million from 2023. Of great concern is the worsening prevalence of acute food insecurity, which now stands at 22.6 percent of the population assessed. This marks the fifth consecutive year in which this figure has remained above 20 percent. 

    The number of people facing catastrophic hunger (IPC/CH Phase 5) more than doubled over the same period to reach 1.9 million – the highest on record since the GRFC began tracking in 2016. 

    Malnutrition, particularly among children, reached extremely high levels, including in the Gaza Strip, Mali, Sudan, and Yemen. Nearly 38 million children under five were acutely malnourished across 26 nutrition crises.

    The report also highlights a sharp increase in hunger driven by forced displacement, with nearly 95 million forcibly displaced people—including internally displaced persons (IDPs), asylum seekers and refugees—living in countries facing food crises such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Colombia, Sudan, and Syria, out of a global total of 128 million forcibly displaced people.

    “This Global Report on Food Crises is another unflinching indictment of a world dangerously off course,”said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. “Long-standing crises are now being compounded by another, more recent one: the dramatic reduction in lifesaving humanitarian funding to respond to these needs. This is more than a failure of systems – it is a failure of humanity. Hunger in the 21st century is indefensible. We cannot respond to empty stomachs with empty hands and turned backs.”   

    Key drivers of acute food insecurity and malnutrition: 

    • Conflict remained the top driver of acute food insecurity, affecting around 140 million people in 20 countries and territories. Famine has been confirmed in Sudan, while other hotspots with people experiencing Catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity include the Gaza Strip, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali.
    • Economic shocks including inflation and currency devaluation, drove hunger in 15 countries affecting 59.4 million people – still nearly double pre-COVID 19 levels despite a modest decline from 2023. Some of the largest and most protracted food crises were primarily driven by economic shocks, including in Afghanistan, South Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, and Yemen.
    • Weather extremes particularly El Niño-induced droughts and floods, pushed 18 countries into food crises affecting over 96 million people, with significant impacts in Southern Africa, Southern Asia and the Horn of Africa.

    According to the GRFC outlook, hunger shocks will likely persist into 2025, as the Global Network anticipates the most significant reduction in humanitarian funding for food and nutrition crises in the report’s history. 

    Call for bold reset to break cycle of food crises  

    Acute food insecurity and malnutrition have increased to record levels, yet global funding is experiencing its fastest decline in years, and political momentum is weakening. 

    Breaking the cycle of rising hunger and malnutrition requires a bold reset – one that prioritizes evidence-driven and impact-focused action. This means pooling resources, scaling what works, and putting the needs and voices of affected communities at the heart of every response.

    Beyond emergency aid, the Global Network Against Food Crises recommends investing in local food systems and integrated nutrition services to address long-term vulnerabilities and build resilience to shocks – especially in crisis-prone regions where 70 percent of rural households rely on agriculture for sustenance and livelihood.

    # # #

    Leadership quotes: 

    Hadja Lahbib, EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management:

    “This year’s Global Report on Food Crises paints yet another stark and unacceptable picture of rising hunger. This is not merely a call to action — it is a moral imperative. At a time when funding cuts are straining the humanitarian system, we reaffirm our commitment to fight global hunger. We will not abandon the most vulnerable, especially in fragile and conflict-affected countries. We will continue to champion and defend International Humanitarian Law. Today’s challenges are greater than ever — but so is our solidarity. Now is the time to act with unity and resolve, and to prove that even in the hardest times, humanity can and will rise to the challenge.”

    QU Dongyu, Director-General, FAO: “As we launch the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises, we are cognizant that acute food insecurity is not just a crisis – it is a constant reality for millions of people, most of whom live in rural areas. The path forward is clear: investment in emergency agriculture is critical, not just as a response, but as the most cost-effective solution to deliver significant long-lasting impact.”

    Alvaro Lario, President, IFAD: “The report makes clear that humanitarian responses must go hand-in hand with investments in rural development and resilience building to create long-term stability that lasts beyond emergency interventions. Rural communities – especially smallholder farmers – are central to food security, resilience, and growth. This is even more true in fragile settings.”

    Raouf Mazou, Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, UNHCR: “People who have been displaced show remarkable strength, but resilience alone can’t end hunger. As food insecurity worsens and humanitarian crises become more prolonged, we need to shift from emergency aid to sustainable responses. That means creating real opportunities—access to land, livelihoods, markets and services—so people can feed themselves and their families, not just today, but well into the future.”

    Catherine Russell, Executive Director, UNICEF:  “In a world of plenty, there is no excuse for children to go hungry or die of malnutrition. Hunger gnaws at the stomach of a child. It gnaws, too, at their dignity, their sense of safety, and their future. How can we continue to stand by when there is more than enough food to feed every hungry child in the world? How can we ignore what is happening in front of our eyes?  Millions of children’s lives hang in the balance as funding is slashed to critical nutrition services.”

    Axel van Trotsenburg, Senior Managing Director for Development Policy and Partnerships, World Bank: “The global hunger crisis threatens not just lives, but the stability and potential of entire societies. What is needed now is collective action so we can build a future free of hunger.” 

    Cindy McCain, Executive Director, WFP: “Like every other humanitarian organization, WFP is facing deep budget shortfalls which have forced drastic cuts to our food assistance programs. Millions of hungry people have lost, or will soon lose, the critical lifeline we provide. We have tried and tested solutions to hunger and food insecurity. But we need the support of our donors and partners to implement them.”

    Note to Editor

    Download the GFRC here  

    Broadcast quality B-Roll here 

    The Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) is published  annually by the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC) with analysis from the Food Security Information Network (FSIN).

    About the GNAFC

    The Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC) is an international alliance of the United Nations, the European Union, governmental and non-governmental agencies working together to address food crises. a unique platform of key operational agencies, international financial institutions, member states and organisations jointly seeking to reduce and end hunger with evidence-based actions proven to deliver impact. 

    For more information please contact: 

    European Union  

    Eva Hrncirova 

    Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations 

    eva.hrncirova@ec.europa.eu

    FAO 

    Irina Utkina 

    News and Media 

    irina.utkina@fao.org

     

    IFAD

    Caroline Chaumont

    c.chaumont@ifad.org 

    UNHCR

    William Spindler 

    Senior Communications Officer 

    spindler@unhcr.org 

     

    UNICEF

    Nadia Samie-Jacobs

    Communication Specialist (Media) 

    nsamie@unicef.org

    Tel: +1 845 760 2615

     

    World Bank

    Nicolas Douillet

    Communications Lead, Food & Agriculture 

    ndouillet@worldbankgroup.org 

    Tel: +1 202 378 7468 

    WFP

    Machrine Birungi

    Media Relations Specialist 

    machrine.birungi@wfp.org

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Taiwan women’s power takes flight internationally; gender equality achievements showcased in New York

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Taiwan women’s power takes flight internationally; gender equality achievements showcased in New York

    Date：2025-03-04
    Data Source：Department of NGO International Affairs

    March 4, 2025No. 056The 69th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) will be held in New York from March 10 to 21. This year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), in continued collaboration with Taiwanese nongovernmental organizations, has arranged for Taiwan Gender Equality Week (TGEW) to be held in New York at the same time. CSW69 will focus on the gender equality outcomes of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action adopted by the Fourth World Conference on Women. In line with this, TGEW’s theme will be “Resilient Leadership & Free Expression,” demonstrating to the world Taiwan’s long-standing efforts to promote gender mainstreaming and gender equality.The highlight of this year’s TGEW will be Taiwan Women’s Power and Culture Night, to be held at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York at 18:00 on March 12. The event, themed “Taiwan Main Stage: Celebrating Women’s Resilience and Progress,” will showcase Taiwan’s gender equality achievements. A number of distinguished guests will be invited to share their perspectives on Taiwan’s implementation of gender mainstreaming and international commitments in recent years as Taiwan has responded to global trends. In addition, the event will feature Ambassador-at-Large Liu Po-chun, World Winner of the 2019 International Olympic Committee Women and Sport Award. Using her personal experiences in Taiwan as a starting point, she will invite the international community to discuss in depth the next steps for global gender equality. And Chair of the Egret Cultural and Educational Foundation Lu Chia-hui will hold a multimedia piano concert, expressing Taiwanese women’s concern for and contributions to environmental protection, cultural inclusion, and peace via the performing arts. Meanwhile, the Taiwan Women’s Power Exhibition will employ statistics to illustrate milestones along Taiwan’s path to gender equality. The event will be live streamed on MOFA’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.This year, over 60 representatives from more than 40 Taiwanese NGOs and local governments will hold 32 parallel events during the NGO CSW Forum. They will share Taiwan’s gender equality initiatives and policy implementation experiences with the international community.Since 2020, MOFA and the Foundation for Women’s Rights Promotion and Development (FWRPD) have coorganized TGEW. Moving forward, the government will continue to work hand in hand with civil society, leveraging Taiwan’s advantages in gender equality to make Taiwan’s voice heard on the world stage. During TGEW, everyone is welcome to participate in the FWRPD’s gender equality campaign on X at @WomensRightsTW and use the hashtags #TaiwanforHer and #EqualityTaiwan to spread the word. And by following MOFA’s Facebook page and X account, together we can raise awareness about Taiwan’s gender equality achievements and call for global sustainable development through gender equality. For more information, visit https://www.tgew.org/. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • India’s fight against terror now part of defence doctrine: Defence Minister at Bhuj Air Force Station

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that combating terrorism is now a core element of India’s defence doctrine, asserting the government’s unwavering resolve to eradicate “hybrid and proxy warfare.”
     
    “Attacking and eliminating terrorism is the new normal,” Singh said while addressing air warriors at the Bhuj Air Force Station in Gujarat.
     
    In a stern message to Pakistan, Singh cautioned that Operation Sindoor—India’s recent offensive against terror infrastructure—“is not over yet.” He added that the current ceasefire with Pakistan should be seen as “probation,” contingent on Islamabad’s actions.
     
    “Our actions were just a trailer. We will show the full picture, if need be,” he warned. “India is prepared to mete out the harshest punishment if Pakistan fails to dismantle its terrorist networks.”
     
    Singh accused Pakistan of rebuilding the very terror infrastructure destroyed by India during Operation Sindoor. He urged the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reconsider its $1 billion assistance package to Islamabad, warning that the funds may be misused to finance terrorism.
     
    “Pakistan will spend the tax collected from its citizens to give around Rs 14 crore to Masood Azhar, the head of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist organisation, even though he is a UN-designated terrorist. The Pakistan government has also announced financial assistance to rebuild the terror infrastructure of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed located in Muridke and Bahawalpur. Certainly, a large part of IMF’s one billion dollars assistance will be used to fund the terror infrastructure. Will this not be considered indirect funding by IMF? Any financial assistance to Pakistan is no less than terror funding,” Singh said, adding, “India’s contributions to the IMF should not be used, directly or indirectly, to finance terrorism in Pakistan or anywhere else.”
     
    He commended the Indian Air Force for its swift and decisive role in Operation Sindoor, stating that it destroyed terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in just 23 minutes.
     
    “When missiles were dropped inside enemy territory, the world heard the echoes of India’s valour and might,” Singh said, adding that the IAF’s strikes on terror camps and air bases demonstrated the transformation in India’s war strategy and technological capabilities.
     
    Singh also highlighted the superior performance of indigenous weaponry during the operation, including the BrahMos and Akash missile systems.
     
    “Made-in-India weapons are now integral to our military strength. These are not only effective but impenetrable,” he said.
     
    Reiterating the government’s commitment to modernising the armed forces, Singh noted that India is shifting from being a major defence importer to a growing exporter. “We used to rely heavily on imports, but today we manufacture artillery systems, radar, missile shields, drones, and counter-drone systems right here. And this is just the beginning,” he said.
     
    Praising Bhuj as the “land of patriotism,” Singh recalled its strategic role in India’s victories over Pakistan in 1965 and 1971, and more recently, in the success of Operation Sindoor.

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for importing duty-not-paid cigarettes and alternative smoking products (with photo) 
    Customs officer arrested a 49-year-old incoming male passenger at Hong Kong International Airport on February 17. A total of about 25 000 duty-not-paid cigarettes and about 113 000 alternative smoking products, with an estimated market value of about $420,000 and a duty potential of about $83,000 in total, were seized from his personal baggage.
     
    Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences.
     
    Under the DCO, tobacco products are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who deals with, possesses, sells or buys duty-not-paid tobacco commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $1 million and imprisonment for two years.
     
    Under the IEO, any person who imports an alternative smoking product into Hong Kong commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.
     
    Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 18:15

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Top Prize Awarded in Lunar Autonomy Challenge to Virtually Map Moon’s Surface

    Source: NASA

    NASA named Stanford University of California winner of the Lunar Autonomy Challenge, a six-month competition for U.S. college and university student teams to virtually map and explore using a digital twin of NASA’s In-Situ Resource Utilization Pilot Excavator (IPEx). 
    The winning team successfully demonstrated the design and functionality of their autonomous agent, or software that performs specified actions without human intervention. Their agent autonomously navigated the IPEx digital twin in the virtual lunar environment, while accurately mapping the surface, correctly identifying obstacles, and effectively managing available power.

    Adam dai
    Lunar Autonomy Challenge team lead, Stanford University

    Dai added, “It pushed us to find solutions robust to the harsh conditions of the lunar surface. I learned so much through the challenge, both about new ideas and methods, as well as through deepening my understanding of core methods across the autonomy stack (perception, localization, mapping, planning). I also very much enjoyed working together with my team to brainstorm different approaches and strategies and solve tangible problems observed in the simulation.” 
    The challenge offered 31 teams a valuable opportunity to gain experience in software development, autonomy, and machine learning using cutting-edge NASA lunar technology. Participants also applied essential skills common to nearly every engineering discipline, including technical writing, collaborative teamwork, and project management.
    The Lunar Autonomy Challenge supports NASA’s Lunar Surface Innovation Initiative (LSII), which is part of the Space Technology Mission Directorate. The LSII aims to accelerate technology development and pursue results that will provide essential infrastructure for lunar exploration by collaborating with industry, academia, and other government agencies.

    Niki Werkheiser
    Director of Technology Maturation and LSII lead, NASA Headquarters

    “To succeed, we need input from everyone — every idea counts to propel our goals forward. It is very rewarding to see these students and software developers contributing their skills to future lunar and Mars missions,” Werkheiser added.  
    Through the Lunar Autonomy Challenge, NASA collaborated with the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Caterpillar Inc., and Embodied AI. Each team contributed unique expertise and tools necessary to make the challenge a success.
    The Applied Physics Laboratory managed the challenge for NASA. As a systems integrator for LSII, they provided expertise to streamline rigor and engineering discipline across efforts, ensuring the development of successful, efficient, and cost-effective missions — backed by the world’s largest cohort of lunar scientists. 
    Caterpillar Inc. is known for its construction and excavation equipment and operates a large fleet of autonomous haul trucks. They also have worked with NASA for more than 20 years on a variety of technologies, including autonomy, 3D printing, robotics, and simulators as they continue to collaborate with NASA on technologies that support NASA’s mission objectives and provide value to the mining and construction industries. 
    Embodied AI collaborated with Caterpillar to integrate the simulation into the open-source  driving environment used for the challenge. For the Lunar Autonomy Challenge, the normally available digital assets of the CARLA simulation platform, such as urban layouts, buildings, and vehicles, were replaced by an IPEx “Digital Twin” and lunar environmental models.
    “This collaboration is a great example of how the government, large companies, small businesses, and research institutions can thoughtfully leverage each other’s different, but complementary, strengths,” Werkheiser added. “By substantially modernizing existing tools, we can turn today’s novel technologies into tomorrow’s institutional capabilities for more efficient and effective space exploration, while also stimulating innovation and economic growth on Earth.”
    FINALIST TEAMS
    First PlaceNAV Lab teamStanford University, Stanford, California

    Second PlaceMAPLE (MIT Autonomous Pathfinding for Lunar Exploration) teamMassachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

    Third PlaceMoonlight teamCarnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA

    OTHER COMPETING TEAMS

    Lunar Explorers
    Arizona State University
    Tempe, Arizona

    AIWVU
    West Virginia University
    Morgantown, West Virginia

    Stellar Sparks
    California Polytechnic Institute Pomona
    Pomona, California

    LunatiX
    Johns Hopkins University Whiting School of Engineering
    Baltimore

    CARLA CSU
    California State University, Stanislaus
    Turlock, California

    Rose-Hulman
    Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
    Terre Haute, Indiana

    Lunar Pathfinders
    American Public University System
    Charles Town, West Virginia

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke Announces State of Hawaiʻi Apostille Application Now Available in 12 Languages 

    Source: US State of Hawaii

    Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke Announces State of Hawaiʻi Apostille Application Now Available in 12 Languages 

    Lt. Governor Luke with translated apostille applications. (Office of the Lt. Gov.)

    HONOLULU — Effective May 15, 2025, the State of Hawaiʻi Apostille and Certification Application, administered by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, is now available in 12 languages, in addition to English.

    Nearly one in four Hawaiʻi residents speaks a language other than English at home. This update reflects the state’s commitment to linguistic diversity and inclusion in public services.

    Lieutenant Governor Sylvia Luke led the development of the translated application as part of the office’s ongoing commitment to improving language access and modernizing state services.

    “Hawaiʻi is one of the most linguistically diverse states in the country, and government services must reflect that,” said Lt. Governor Luke. “Expanding access to the apostille application in 12 languages ensures that more residents, regardless of the language they speak, can navigate this process with clarity and confidence.”

    Under Hawaiʻi law, the Lieutenant Governor issues apostilles and certifications for official documents used abroad, including birth certificates, marriage licenses, and notarized documents. With about 9,000 applications processed annually, expanded language access marks a significant step toward more equitable and inclusive government services.

    The translated application is now available in:

    • Chinese – Simplified

    • Chuukese

    • Ilocano

    • Japanese

    • Korean

    • Marshallese

    • ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi

    • Spanish

    • Tagalog

    • Thai

    • Vietnamese

    • Visayan

    The effort aligns with the mission of the state’s Department of Health Office of Language Access (OLA), which works to address the needs of limited English proficient (LEP) individuals.

    “Nineteen years ago, Hawaiʻi became the first state in the nation to pass a comprehensive language access law to affirmatively address the needs of members of our community with limited English proficiency,” said May Mizuno, executive director of the Office of Language Access. “It is vitally important that every person with limited English proficiency has meaningful access to state services, no matter what language they speak. The Office of Language Access will continue to work collaboratively with all state agencies to ensure that state services are truly accessible to everyone in our state.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Why does digital violence against LGBTI people in Thailand and Taiwan continue even after marriage equality?

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Content warning: This blog includes descriptions of violence against LGBTI people. We are publishing these details to bear witness to survivors’ experiences.

    Thailand and Taiwan are hailed as champions of the rights of LGBTI people in Asia, as the only two places in the region to legalize same-sex marriage. However, rights won at the registry office do not always translate into safety online. Digital violence continues to threaten LGBTI people, undermining their human rights and progress made. Thai and Taiwanese authorities must do more to combat it.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Civilian Protection Amid Rising Numbers of Those Reported Missing in Conflict Zones | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    “The number of people affected by armed conflict, including those reported missing in this context has only continued to increase,” said Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific.

    Briefing the Security Council today (May 15), Khaled Khiari said that in 2024 alone, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) registered 56,000 new cases of missing persons. “There is no comprehensive figure for those missing in conflict, but we know enough that the situation is dire,” he said.

    Khiari welcomed the recent release of Edan Alexander, an American-Israeli national previously held hostage in Gaza, calling it “a source of hope.” He added, “I echo the Secretary-General’s words of profound relief that Mr. Alexander was able to return to his family and loved ones after this harrowing ordeal. However, many more remain missing. An estimated 58 Israeli hostages, 35 of them presumed dead, still remain unaccounted for in Gaza.”
    He also voiced concern over the situation of Palestinians detained by Israeli authorities since October 2023, noting that many of them “remain unaccounted for.”

    On Ukraine, Khiari reported that following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, large numbers of civilians in Russian-occupied territories have been detained, with some held incommunicado. “According to OHCHR, some of these cases may amount to enforced disappearances,” he said. “An unspecified number of Ukrainian civilians, including Ukrainian children, have also been reportedly transferred to the Russian Federation.”

    Sung Eui Lee, Chief Director of the Korean War Abductees’ Family Union (KWAFU), said, “Family is one of the most fundamental values for human beings made to be together, and the abduction, a crime of enforced disappearance is a serious crime against humanity that produces ongoing tragedy.”

    Ruby Chen, father of hostage Itay Chen, said, “What kind of human beings take deceased people and use them as negotiation chips? Who denies the deceased the last basic human dignity that they deserve?” He described the withholding of information about his son as “a form of slow and enduring psychological torture.”

    Russia’s Deputy Permanent Representative Maria Zabolotskaya said, “Even such an important matter as the search for missing persons is being used as a means of political pressure.” She added, “This approach is counterproductive and leads to the degradation of humanitarian cooperation.”

    Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon said, “So many in this Council, so many righteous nations, have said next to nothing. There are currently 58 hostages being held in Gaza, some alive, some murdered. All denied the rights. All denied access. All denied the dignity that should never be in question.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XvG2153LMI

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Cities Unite for Data-Driven Urban Resilience: UNDRR & WCCD Host Workshops in Vaughan, Canada, and Ajman, United Arab Emirates

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    Cities around the world have a tremendous opportunity to enhance their urban resilience by leveraging standardized, reliable data. Such data is crucial for evidence-based, needs-driven planning and for attracting investment in disaster risk reduction and sustainable development. By utilizing consistent and verifiable data, cities can present compelling cases to investors, securing the necessary funding for critical infrastructure projects. This approach not only improves immediate disaster preparedness but also supports long-term urban planning and sustainability efforts.

    Recognizing this potential, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) and World Council on City Data (WCCD) jointly hosted workshops in Vaughan, Canada, and Ajman, United Arab Emirates. The central theme, “Data for Resilient Cities,” emphasized the importance of standardized, third-party verified city data in fostering collaboration between local governments and the financial sector. This data is essential for strategic planning and mitigating risks through resilient infrastructure investments.

    The workshops, held on 24-25 April in Vaughan welcomed cities primarily from the Americas and Europe—including Toronto, Vaughan, Mississauga, the Regional Municipality of York (Canada), Reykjavik (Iceland), Montevideo (Uruguay), Buenos Aires (Argentina), and Montego Bay (Jamaica)— while the Ajman session on 6-7 May convened participants from Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, including Al Madinah (Saudi Arabia), Makati City (Philippines), Windhoek (Namibia), Kisumu (Kenya), Minna (Nigeria), Banjul (The Gambia), Ajman (UAE), and Doha (Qatar). These cities engaged in fruitful exchanges of experience on the use of data, ISO certification, and urban resilience strategies and planning—demonstrating the power of peer learning and global cooperation in advancing resilient urban development.

    Participants were introduced to ISO 37123—Indicators for Resilient Cities and ISO 37125—Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) for Cities. These standards provide a robust framework for cities to align their resilience planning with private sector financing, ensuring informed investment decisions based on reliable ESG metrics.

    Hosted by Vaughan and Ajman—the world first ISO37123 certified cities, the workshops focused on two main areas: strategic planning and resilience data, and financing resilient infrastructure. The session highlighted the importance of data in the implementation of ISO 37123, emphasizing the role of certified resilience data in risk reduction planning, disaster recovery, and urban governance. Peer-to-peer exchanges allowed cities to share lessons learned and discuss resilience challenges and solutions. Additionally, the introduction of ISO 37125 explored how ESG metrics can unlock capital markets. Sustainable finance leaders engaged in discussions on the role of certified city data in supporting municipal bonds, green bonds, and other sustainable investment vehicles.

    Participants left the workshops with a comprehensive understanding of how ISO-certified data can be applied to strengthen disaster risk reduction and capital planning, and how data insights help align local resilience goals with global finance frameworks.

    These workshops were part of the UN-led Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative and support the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and UN Sustainable Development Goals. They mark pivotal moments where cities and the financial sector unite around standardized, verified data to drive resilient investment.

    “We are bringing cities and banks into the same room to address two critical challenges—cities need funding, and investors need data. These workshops equip both with the tools to take meaningful, collaborative action.”

    – Dr. Patricia McCarney, President and CEO of WCCD

    “With disasters accelerating and urban services under increasing pressure, these workshops mark pivotal moments—where cities and the financial sector unite around standardized, verified data to drive resilient investment.”

    – Sanjaya Bhatia, Head of Global Education and Training Institute, UNDRR

    The success of the Vaughan and Ajman workshops sets the stage for future sessions aimed at empowering cities to not just recover but lead in resilience planning and sustainable development.

    MCR2030 is a United Nations-led global partnership that has mobilized more than 1,800 local governments from 93 countries and territories, representing 597 million people, committed to strengthening their disaster and climate resilience.  The workshops highlighted the role of MCR2030 Core Partners —UNDRR and WCCD—in leveraging the technical expertise and global networks of both organizations to guide cities in applying standardized data for risk-informed planning, investment, and governance. The events also underscored the importance of city-to-city learning and exchange in fostering collaboration and network among cities on disaster risk reduction and climate resilience.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • PM Modi chairs high-level meeting to review progress of fisheries sector

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday to review the progress of the fisheries sector, with a focus on fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone(EEZ) and high seas.

    In the meeting, PM Modi emphasized the extensive use of satellite technology to harness better use of fish resources and provide safety instructions to fishermen, modernization through smart harbours and markets, use of drones in transportation and marketing of the catch, and improvements in processing and packaging of the produce.

    PM Modi said that, similar to agro tech in the agriculture sector, adoption of fish tech in the fisheries sector should be enhanced for improving the production, processing, and marketing practices.

    He suggested the usage of seaweeds for fuel purposes, as nutritional inputs in pharmaceuticals and other sectors, and fisheries production in Amrit Sarovars to improve the livelihoods of the fishermen. PM Modi said that ornamental fisheries also need to be promoted along with a strategy to serve the needs of landlocked areas, where there is high demand for fish but not enough supply.

    He suggested undertaking capacity building of fishermen in modern fishing practices, and maintenance of a negative list of items that hinder the growth of the sector. Facilitation of investments from the private sector was also discussed in the meeting.

    Since 2015, the government has stepped-up investment to Rs. 38,572 crore through various Central schemes and programs – namely Blue Revolution Scheme, Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), Pradhan Mantri Matsya Samridhi Sah Yojana (PM-MKSSY) and Kisan Credit Card (KCC). India has registered an annual fish production of 195 lakh tons in 2024-25 with a sectoral growth rate of more than 9%.

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Alert issued on fake Treasury texts

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Treasury Department today alerted the public to fraudulent SMS messages purportedly issued by the department which ask recipients to pay a fixed penalty offence via a hyperlink provided.

    The department said it has no connection with the fraudulent SMS messages and has reported the case to Police for further investigation.

    It reminded the public that the Treasury will not send SMS messages to ask recipients to settle payments via hyperlinks.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: A trial is testing ways to enforce Australia’s under-16s social media ban. But the tech is flawed

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Alexia Maddox, Senior Lecturer in Pedagogy and Education Futures, La Trobe University

    De Visu/Shutterstock

    Australia’s move to ban under-16s from social media is receiving widespread praise. Other countries, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Singapore and Japan, are also now reportedly considering similar moves.

    The ban was legislated in November 2024 and is due to take effect in December 2025. The law says social media platforms can’t use official IDs such as passports to check Australian users’ ages, and shouldn’t track Australians. But it doesn’t specify the alternative.

    To test alternative methods, the federal government commissioned a trial of currently available technologies designed to “assure” people’s age online. Run by the Age Check Certification Scheme, a UK-based company specialising in testing and certifying identity verification systems, the trial is in its final stages. Results are expected at the end of June.

    So what are the technologies being trialled? Are they likely to work? And how might they – and the social media ban itself – alter the relationship all of us have with our dominant forms of digital communication?

    Dead ends for age verification

    Age verification confirms a person’s exact age using verified sources such as government-issued IDs. Age assurance is a broader term. It can include estimation techniques such as analysing faces or metadata to determine if users meet age requirements.

    In 2023 the federal government rejected mandating verification technologies for age-gating pornography sites. It found them “immature” with significant limitations. For example, database checks were costly and credit card verification could be easily worked around by minors.

    Nonprofit organisation Digital Rights Watch also pointed out that such systems were easily bypassed using virtual private networks – or VPNs. These are simple tools that hide a user’s location to make it seem like they are from a different country.

    Age assurance technologies bring different problems.

    For example, the latest US National Academies of Sciences report shows that facial recognition systems frequently misidentify children because their facial features are still developing.

    Improving these systems would require massive collections of children’s facial images. But international human rights law protects children’s privacy, making such data collection both legally and ethically problematic.

    Flawed testing of innovative tech?

    The age assurance technology trial currently includes 53 vendors hoping to win a contract for new innovative solutions.

    A range of technology is being trialled. It includes facial recognition offering “selfie-based age checks” and hand movement recognition technologies that claim to calculate age ranges. It also includes bespoke block chains to store sensitive data on.

    There are internal tensions about the trial’s design choices. These tensions centre on a lack of focus on ways to circumvent the technology, privacy implications, and verification of vendors’ efficacy claims.

    While testing innovation is good, the majority of companies and startups such as IDVerse, AgeCheck, and Yoti in the trial, will likely not hold clout over the major tech platforms in focus (Meta, Google and Snap).

    This divide reveals a fundamental problem: the companies building the checking tools aren’t the ones who must use them in the platforms targeted by the law. When tech giants don’t actively participate in developing solutions, they’re more likely to resist implementing them later.

    Google recently proposed storing ID documents in Google Wallet for age verification.
    nitpicker/Shutterstock

    Unresponsive tech companies

    Some major tech companies have shown little interest in engaging with the trial. For example, minutes from the trial’s March advisory board meeting reveal Apple “has been unresponsive, despite multiple outreach attempts”.

    Apple has recently outlined a tool to transmit a declared age range to developers on request. Apple suggests iOS will default the age assurance on Apple devices to under 13 for kids’ accounts. This makes it the responsibility of parents to modify age, the responsibility of developers to recognise age, and the responsibility of governments to legislate when and what to do with an assured age per market.

    Google’s recent Google Wallet proposal for age assurance also misses the mark on privacy concerns and usefulness.

    The proposal would require people over 16 to upload government-issued IDs and link them to a Google account. It would also require people trust Google not track where they go across the internet, via a privacy-preserving technology that remains a promise.

    Crucially, Meta’s social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram also do not let you login with Google credentials. After all, they are competitors. This raises questions about the usefulness of Google’s proposal to assure age across social media platforms as part of the government’s under-16s ban.

    Meanwhile, Google is also suggesting AI chatbots should be directly targeted and available to children under 13, creating something akin to a “social network of one”, which are out of scope of the ban.

    Rather than engage with Australian age verification systems, companies such as Apple and Google are promoting their own solutions which seem to prioritise keeping or adding users to their services, or passing responsibility elsewhere.

    For the targeted platforms that enable online social interactions, delay in engagement fits a broader pattern. For example, in January 2025, Mark Zuckerberg indicated Meta would push back more aggressively against international regulations that threaten its business model.

    A shift in internet regulation

    Australia’s approach to banning under-16s from using social media marks a significant shift in internet regulation. Rather than age-gating specific content such as porn or gambling, Australia is now targeting basic communication infrastructure – which is what social media have become.

    It centres the problem on children being children, rather than on social media business models.

    The result is limiting childrens’ digital rights with experimental technologies while doing little to address the source of perceived harm for all of us. It prioritises protection without considering children’s rights to access information and express themselves. This risks leaving the most vulnerable children being cut off from digital spaces essential to their success.

    Australia’s approach puts paternal politics ahead of technical and social reality. As we get closer to the ban taking effect, we’ll see how this approach to regulate social communication platforms offers young people respite from the platforms their parents fear – yet continue to use everyday for their own basic communication needs.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. A trial is testing ways to enforce Australia’s under-16s social media ban. But the tech is flawed – https://theconversation.com/a-trial-is-testing-ways-to-enforce-australias-under-16s-social-media-ban-but-the-tech-is-flawed-256332

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –