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Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Taiwan and partner countries host international workshop on whole-of-society resilience aimed at advancing world peace, stability, and prosperity

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Taiwan and partner countries host international workshop on whole-of-society resilience aimed at advancing world peace, stability, and prosperity

    Date：2025-03-04
    Data Source：Department of North American Affairs

    March 4, 2025 
    No. 057 

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) hosted an international workshop on “Whole-of-Society Resilience Building, Preparation, and Response” in Taiwan from March 4 to 6 under the Global Cooperation and Training Framework (GCTF). The event was held jointly with the representative offices of the United States, Japan, Australia, and Canada in Taiwan, in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior’s National Fire Agency (NFA). Industry representatives, government officials, and academics from Taiwan and overseas attended the workshop to explore innovative strategies and best practices for building whole-of-society resilience and enhancing nations’ response capabilities to both man-made and natural disasters. A total of 264 people from 30 countries attended, including Taiwanese participants and 61 foreign guests.

    In his opening remarks, President Lai Ching-te pledged that as a responsible member of the international community, Taiwan was both willing and able to make greater contributions to global democracy, peace, and prosperity. He noted that Taiwan and partner countries shared their expertise and experience through the GCTF with the rest of the world so that concerted responses could be made to meet new challenges. 

    President Lai stated that Taiwan would steadily implement three initiatives—central and local governments will join forces to strengthen societal resilience across the board, whole-of-society disaster response capabilities will be enhanced, and Taiwan will leverage its strengths to contribute to the international community. He added that the Taiwanese people would demonstrate to the world their determination to create an even more resilient Taiwan. He also said he hoped that Taiwan could pursue mutual assistance and exchanges with other countries so as to jointly promote global stability and prosperity.

    In-depth discussions during the workshop covered a wide range of issues, including consensus building and command structures for whole-of-society resilience; civilian training and employment; the stockpiling of strategic supplies; the distribution of critical supplies; the safeguarding of energy and critical infrastructure operations; social well-being; medical care; the preparation of shelters and related facilities; and the security of information communication, transportation, and financial networks. In addition, executives from multinational enterprises shared their experiences of resilience enhancement and emergency planning. To cap off the workshop, international participants visited the NFA Training Center in Nantou County to gain an understanding of Taiwan’s firefighting and disaster prevention training programs. 

    Given the threats of natural disasters and geopolitical challenges, it is paramount for all countries to bolster whole-of-society resilience. Taiwan and partner nations will continue to work together through the GCTF platform to advance international exchanges and cooperation; build secure and resilient societies; and ensure global peace, stability, and prosperity. (E)

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Young leaders and future diplomats in policy simulation

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    Young leaders and future diplomats in policy simulation

    UK supports water diplomacy in Central Asia: Dr Undala Alam Engages Turkmenistan’s young leaders and future diplomats in policy simulation.

    Preventive Diplomacy Fellows

    As part of her participation in the Central Asia Climate Change Conference 2025 held this week in Ashgabat, Dr Undala Alam, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Regional Climate Adviser for Central Asia, led a high-impact lecture and interactive policy simulation on international water diplomacy.

    Dr Undala Alam, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Regional Climate Adviser for Central Asia, led a high-impact lecture and interactive policy simulation on international water diplomacy.

    The session brought together fellows of the UNRCCA Preventive Diplomacy Academy from across Turkmenistan for a hands-on experience in navigating complex negotiations over shared water resources – a challenge at the heart of Central Asia’s sustainable development and regional cooperation.

    Turkmenistan’s emerging diplomats and future policy makers explore real-world challenges.

    The participants’ enthusiasm, strategic thinking, and deep engagement underscored the growing interest among young Turkmen professionals and future policy makers in shaping regional solutions to climate and water challenges.

    Preventive Diplomacy Academy fellows discuss critical issues with Dr Undala Alam.

    The UK Government remains committed to supporting the countries of Central Asia in promoting sustainable water governance and regional stability.

    For more information about the UK’s work on climate diplomacy in Central Asia, visit Climate, Energy and Water security for Central Asia region

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    Published 16 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CFS announces results of seasonal food surveillance on rice dumplings (first phase) (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The Centre for Food Safety (CFS) of the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department today (May 16) announced that the test results of 47 rice dumpling samples collected under a recently completed seasonal food surveillance project on rice dumplings (first phase) were all satisfactory.

         Rice dumplings are a popular festive food for the Tuen Ng Festival. The project aims to provide information on safe consumption of rice dumplings to consumers and the trade in a timely manner.

         “The CFS collected samples of rice dumplings from different retail outlets (including online retailers) and food premises (including restaurants and food factories) for chemical and microbiological analyses. The chemical analyses included tests for colouring matters, preservatives, metallic contamination and pesticide residues. The microbiological analyses covered coagulase-positive staphylococci organisms and Bacillus cereus,” a spokesman for the CFS said.

         The spokesman reminded members of the public to observe the following food safety tips in purchasing, preparing, storing and consuming rice dumplings:

    Buying rice dumplings
    ————————-
    * Buy rice dumplings from reliable outlets;
    * When purchasing non-prepackaged rice dumplings, choose those that are securely wrapped in wrapping leaves; and
    * When purchasing prepackaged rice dumplings, check the expiry date and whether the packaging is intact.

    Home-made rice dumplings
    ——————————-
    * Buy wrapping leaves from reliable suppliers and avoid leaves that are unnaturally bright green or with chemical odours;
    * Wash hands and utensils thoroughly before and after handling food; and
    * Handle raw and cooked food separately to avoid cross-contamination.

    Storing and preparing rice dumplings
    ——————————————
    * Consume rice dumplings as soon as possible and avoid prolonged storage;
    * Both the glutinous rice and stuffing should be well covered until the rice dumplings are unwrapped. Do not come into direct contact with the strings upon cooking to prevent contamination at all times;
    * Store rice dumplings at 4 degrees Celsius or below, or store them properly according to the instructions on the package if they are not consumed or cooked immediately;
    * Keep cooked rice dumplings that are not consumed immediately in a covered container and put them in the upper compartment of the refrigerator. Keep raw food in the lower compartment to prevent cross-contamination;
    * Reheat rice dumplings thoroughly until the core temperature reaches 75 degrees C or above before consumption;
    * Do not reheat rice dumplings more than once; and
    * Consume reheated rice dumplings as soon as possible.

    Consuming rice dumplings
    ——————————
    * Wash hands with running water and liquid soap, and rub for at least 20 seconds before consumption; and
    * Reduce seasonings such as soy sauce or granulated sugar during consumption.

         The spokesman said, “Rice dumplings in general are relatively high in energy, fat and salt. During the festival, people should maintain a balanced diet and consume rice dumplings moderately, with due consideration of their health condition. People are recommended to share rice dumplings with their family members and friends, as this not only enhances the festive atmosphere, but also allows them to taste rice dumplings of different flavours and avoid over-consumption. People are also advised to make use of nutrition labels on prepackaged food to compare their nutritional contents for healthier food choices.”

         The spokesman also reminded the food trade to purchase food ingredients from reliable suppliers and maintain proper records to facilitate source tracing when necessary. They should follow Good Manufacturing Practice in the preparation of food products and comply with legal requirements when using food additives. The spokesman advised the food trade to adopt the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point System to identify, assess and control possible hazards in the food production process.

         The CFS will continue to conduct surveillance on rice dumplings in the second phase, the results of which will be released in due course to ensure food safety.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Taisugar Gas Stations Break Records with Over 100 Million Points Donated for Charity, NT$1.2 Million in Supplies Donated to Support Disadvantaged Groups.

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    To continue its commitment to social welfare and support for vulnerable communities, Taiwan Sugar Corporation (Taisugar) held its “Fuel Up with Love: Donate Points for Charity” campaign again this year, following the overwhelming response to last year’s initiative. Launched on March 1, the campaign received enthusiastic support from kind-hearted citizens, accumulating over 119.62 million loyalty points in just 1.5 months, setting a new record. Taisugar has converted the donated points into approximately NT$1.2 million worth of supplies, all of which have been donated to charitable causes. A presentation ceremony was held today (May 8) at Taisugar Chongde Gas Station in Tainan City, where Taisugar Vice President Chien-Chan Tseng presided over the donation ceremony. The event transformed the goodwill of every fuel-up and every point donated into tangible assistance, benefiting 11 charitable organizations and spreading warmth and hope to those in need.

    Vice President Tseng noted that since the debut of the donation campaign in November 2024, the initiative has received widespread acclaim. To keep the spirit of giving alive and inspire more public participation, Taisugar brought the campaign back this year with even greater success. This time, the campaign attracted over 250,000 participants, achieving a historic milestone of over 100 million points donated, demonstrating the compassion and generosity of Taiwanese society. In addition, Taisugar gas stations boosted the campaign by matching an extra 10 points for every liter of fuel purchased, amplifying the collective goodwill and encouraging more people to engage in small acts of kindness that make a significant impact for disadvantaged communities.

    The accumulated points have been redeemed for supplies, which have been donated to 11 organizations, including Huashan Social Welfare Foundation, Genesis Social Welfare Foundation, Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, Eden Social Welfare Foundation, NT Angel Foundation, Little Lamb Foundation, Erlin Happy Christian Home, Tobias Social Welfare Foundation, Garden of Hope Foundation, Good Shepherd Social Welfare Foundation, and the Taipei Sports Association for the Physically Disabled. During the campaign, customers who fueled 25 liters or more and donated their points also received a Taisugar Glucosamine Plus as a token of appreciation.

    This initiative allowed the public to effortlessly contribute to charitable causes through their everyday fuel purchases, seamlessly integrating giving into daily life and empowering citizens to make a difference. Taisugar affirmed its commitment to further strengthening its charity platform, launching more meaningful, community-driven initiatives, and joining hands with the public to foster a cycle of kindness that brings continuous hope and positive change to society.

    TSC News Contact Person:
    Lin Hsin-Chih
    Petroleum Business Devision, TSC
    Contact Number: 886-6-632-8703 #802 / 886-939-919-530
    Email:a62462@taisugar.com.tw

    Tai Chih-Mou
    Petroleum Business Devision, TSC
    Contact Number: 886-6-632-8703 #101 / 886-988-721-867
    Email:a63425@taisugar.com.tw

    Petroleum Business Devision Customer Services Phone: 886-6-632-8703 #786 or 788

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: Humanoid robots poised to transform China’s factory floor

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

    Inside Zeekr’s humming, 5G-enabled electric car factory in the eastern Chinese city of Ningbo, a new type of worker began its apprenticeship.

    One robot meticulously sorted components from a shelf, its fingers deftly peeling and applying labels. Nearby, two others coordinated to lift a box from a cart, placing it precisely onto a rack. When one’s battery depleted, another autonomously approached to initiate charging.

    With a height of an average Chinese man, these UBTECH’s Walker S1 humanoid robots offer a glimpse into the future of China’s manufacturing sector — a new wave of automation promising to boost productivity while replenishing the shrinking pool of human workers.

    GO TO FACTORIES

    Over the past few months, Chinese startup teams have been making waves on the global stage with robots that can perform impressive stunts such as dance routines, backflips and Tai Chi.

    Beyond the spotlight, however, some leading robotics firms have been focused on deploying them in factories for more practical jobs. They are joining the global race, led by Tesla Optimus, to integrate humanoid robots into manufacturing.

    Shanghai Kepler Robot Co., Ltd. recently released a video of its K2 humanoid robot working at a logistics plant. The robot skillfully navigated the factory floor, handling boxes, transporting goods and operating machinery.

    K2 is specifically designed to handle factory work. It has dual arms that can carry 30 kilograms, boasting an impressive eight-hour work cycle on a one-hour charge, said Hu Debo, CEO of Kepler, adding that the base price for its mass-produced version is only 30,000 U.S. dollars.

    “If a robot can perform a job as a human does and its cost is around 300,000 to 400,000 yuan (approximately 41,000 to 55,200 U.S. dollars), then it would be cost-effective enough to be deployed,” said Xu Jun, head of the innovation technology department at Geely, Zeekr’s parent company.

    Humanoid robots initially found their application in China’s automotive manufacturing sector, driven by the industry’s high level of digitalization.

    “Automotive manufacturing is one of the most technologically advanced, intelligent, standardized, and data-driven fields in manufacturing, making it an ideal environment for humanoid robots,” said Xu.

    The robot density has hit 470 units per 10,000 workers in China’s manufacturing industry. Over the coming years, the sector is expected to send more intelligent robots to the shop floor.

    UBTECH founder Zhou Jian announced that the firm’s goal for this year is to manufacture approximately 1,000 humanoid robots, which are set to be deployed in real-world applications to collect more data.

    “Application in the manufacturing sector is our priority,” Zhou said.

    NOT ABOUT REPLACEMENT

    China’s push for humanoids stems from their potential to bridge the gap left by traditional industrial robots. While industrial robots excel in speed and load-bearing capacity with their pre-programmed, set-path motions, humanoids powered by AI-augmented learning boast greater adaptability.

    “Moreover, the large size of industrial robots prevent them from accessing confined spaces like vehicle cabins,” explained Xu, adding that humanoids are not intended as replacements of earlier iterations of industrial robots.

    Additionally, the “machine-for-human” transition in China’s coastal manufacturing plants has proven to be less alarming than initially feared.

    “What’s really happening in our industry isn’t that there are many people lining up to work in factories,” said Xu. “The real problem is a labor shortage, especially when production scales up. We simply can’t find enough workers.”

    “Widespread use of humanoid robots could replace humans in hazardous, repetitive, and dull jobs, potentially solving future labor shortages,” said Xiong Rong, director of a humanoid robotics innovation center in Zhejiang.

    K2 can achieve the same level of output as 1.2 to 2 people in simple and repetitive factory tasks. “Given the labor costs in the Yangtze River Delta, manufacturers can recoup their investment in this robot in just 1.5 to 1.8 years,” said Hu.

    However, humanoid robots still lag in efficiency for complex tasks.

    “Their overall efficiency is about 70 percent of skilled workers’ and they cannot perform complex tasks like precision screw-tightening done by senior technicians,” said Leng Xiaokun, founder of Leju Robot. The Shenzhen-based firm has trained its robots in several automotive plants to perform box-handling and parts-sorting tasks.

    A Shanghai startup has sent its robots to a “technical school”. In AgiBot’s 4,000-square-meter space, scenes like restaurants, bubble tea shops, and homes are set up.

    Over a hundred data collectors, wearing VR glasses and holding controllers, are teaching robots daily chores like folding clothes, clearing dishes, cleaning tables and cashiering in supermarkets. Each action is repeated hundreds of times by the robots.

    “Robots have to interact with tangible objects in a 3D world, as such data can’t be obtained from the Internet,” said Peng Zhihui, AgiBot’s co-founder.

    Meanwhile, the Beijing-based robotic firm Galbot is exploring an alternative training method: using synthetic simulation data to train robots. The startup has amassed tens of millions of scene data and billions of action data, according to its founder Wang He.

    WHY IN CHINA?

    China is positioning itself as a powerhouse not just in developing these robots but also in creating an ecosystem for their deployment.

    It came as the country has been driving manufacturing digitalization and intelligent transformation, aiming to leverage these technological upgrades to sustain economic growth.

    This year’s government work report proposed advancing the “AI Plus” initiative to integrate cutting-edge digital technologies with the nation’s strong manufacturing base and vast market advantages. It has also planned to develop future industries like embodied intelligence and other next-gen technologies.

    At an industrial park in the southern tech hub of Shenzhen, the tightly-knit robotics ecosystem enables seamless collaboration. PaXini Tech supplies tactile sensors to nearby UBTECH, while DexForce streams simulation data directly to AI2Robotics for real-time AI training.

    A recent Morgan Stanley report, “Humanoid Robot 100: Mapping the Humanoid Robot Value Chain,” has highlighted that Asian companies constitute 73 percent of the top 100 listed firms in this sector, with Chinese firms alone accounting for 56 percent.

    China’s startups are “benefiting from established supply chains, local adoption opportunities and strong degrees of national government support,” according to the report.

    Now, cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen have established substantial industry funds. In the first quarter of this year, over 50 embodied intelligence firms secured over 6 billion yuan in funding, according to data of IT Juzi, an emerging technology data provider.

    A key feature of China’s electric vehicle industry is that it has integrated the consumer electronics supply chain, said Li Zexiang, founder of the XBot Park in southern city of Dongguan. “The embodied intelligence industry, exemplified by humanoid robots, is now following suit.”

    “China has the potential to replicate the disruptive impact from the EV industry in the humanoid space,” Reyk Knuhtsen, analyst at SemiAnalysis, told CNBC.

    “The influx of humanoid robots into factories will not only boost productivity but also create new industries, giving rise to new industrial chains and job opportunities,” said Xu. 

    MIL OSI China News –

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: More than 20 doctors from Central Asian countries have been trained in tuberculosis treatment in XUAR

    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) — Four advanced training course participants from the National Center for Tuberculosis Problems of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan recently completed a month-long training at the Sixth People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR, northwest China).

    Thus, to date, 23 doctors from Central Asian countries have already been trained in the treatment of this disease in the above-mentioned medical institution.

    Over the past month, medical trainees from Kazakhstan have held in-depth discussions on topics such as diagnosis and treatment of drug-resistant tuberculosis and basic interventional bronchoscopy operations, and joined standardized training in complex surgeries and multidisciplinary consultations on difficult-to-treat diseases.

    According to Yerbol Kopbayev, China is impressive in terms of standardized management of the treatment process in case of drug-resistant tuberculosis, the model of interdisciplinary cooperation and the use of advanced diagnostic and treatment equipment, especially the norms and standards for the treatment of complex cases, which provide new ideas.

    At the graduation ceremony of the above-mentioned courses, the leaders of the Xinjiang hospital expressed hope that the medical trainees would provide higher quality medical services after mastering new skills and abilities.

    As it became known, the above-mentioned Chinese medical institution will disseminate technologies for minimally invasive operations in the field of thoracic surgery in Central Asia, and will also continue to provide international remote medical consultations.

    According to the survey data, Xinjiang remained one of the regions in China with a high incidence of tuberculosis from 1979 to 2010. Thanks to the efforts of local authorities, the incidence of tuberculosis in Xinjiang has significantly decreased, from 304.9 cases per 100,000 people in 2018 to 87.8 cases per 100,000 people in 2021. Currently, all local residents aged 15 and above are included in the screening program for tuberculosis symptoms and chest X-rays. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Japan’s GDP fell 0.7 percent year-on-year in Q1

    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

    TOKYO, May 16 (Xinhua) — Japan’s economy contracted 0.7 percent year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025 amid stagnant private consumption and a drop in exports, government data showed Friday.

    Real gross domestic product (GDP) growth showed its first quarterly decline in four quarters, the cabinet said.

    In quarterly terms, GDP for the period from January to March, taking into account inflation, fell by 0.2 percent, according to the preliminary report of the Cabinet of Ministers.

    Over the quarter, exports fell by 0.6 percent, while imports, which have a negative impact on GDP, grew by 2.9 percent.

    Private consumption, which accounts for more than half of Japan’s economic output, rose 0.04 percent as prices rose.

    Nominal GDP increased by 0.8 percent compared to the October-December period, or by 3.1 percent year-on-year. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Security: Pittsburg County Resident Sentenced For Second Degree Murder

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Timothy Kenneth Barber, age 45, of Hartshorne, Oklahoma, was sentenced to 293 months in prison for one count of Murder in Indian Country—Second Degree.

    The charges arose from an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police.

    On November 5, 2024, Barber pleaded guilty to the charge.  According to investigators, on December 20, 2023, Barber killed the victim with a single intentional shot to the head fired at close range from a .22 caliber rifle.  The crime occurred in Pittsburg County, within the boundaries of the Choctaw Nation Reservation, in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

    The Honorable John F. Heil, III, U.S. District Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the hearing.  Barber will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.

    Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael E. Robinson represented the United States.

    MIL Security OSI –

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Young people are concerned they lack the green skills to effectively act on climate change

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Capgemini Press contact: 
    Sereydana Oum
    Tel.: +33 6 61 42 03 59 
    Email: sereydana.oum@capgemini.com

    UNICEF Press contact:
    Anupama Saikia
    E-mail: ansaikia@unicef.org

    Young people are concerned they lack the green skills
    to effectively act on climate change

    Six in ten 16–24-year-olds globally agree that developing green skills could open up new career opportunities but less than half (44%) possess the skills required for today’s green workforce

    Paris, May 16, 2025 – The Capgemini Research Institute and UNICEF* Generation Unlimited’s report, ‘Youth perspectives on climate: Preparing for a sustainable future’ published today, explores youth perspectives on the climate crisis. It includes their take on “green skilling” and graduating to a green job, as well as how business and government can collaborate with young people to inspire climate advocacy. The report finds that despite rising climate anxiety, a majority of young people remain hopeful that there is still time to address and fix the problems caused by climate change. Young people in both, the Global South and Global North, want to be a part of the solution, with most interested in shaping environmental policy and many interested in pursuing a green job, however the report highlights a worrying lack of requisite green skills.

    According to the research, most young people worry about climate change. Over two-thirds of youth globally say they are concerned about how climate change could affect their future, representing an increase since 2023, when a UNICEF USA survey found that 57% of youth globally experienced “eco-anxiety.”1 Youth in the Global North report higher levels of climate-related anxiety (76%) compared to their peers in the Global South (65%). A rural-urban divide is also evident, with 72% of youth living in urban and suburban areas expressing concern about climate change impacts on their future, versus 58% in rural areas.

    Young people believe there is still time to fix the problems caused by climate change
    Despite their climate anxiety, most youths believe green skills are key to a brighter future, with 61% agreeing that developing green skills2 will offer them new career opportunities. They are interested in aligning their paid employment with their climate conscious values, with slightly over half (53%) globally and almost two-thirds (64%) in the Global North interested in a green job.

    “Young people across the globe, and in particular in the US, are hyperaware of the urgent challenges posed by climate change. It’s clear that they are also eager to be part of the solution,” said Sarika Naik, Group Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer at Capgemini. “We need to help young people turn their passion into impact by investing in green skills. This report shows how critical it is that business, governments, and education leaders work together to bridge the skills gap, empower youth voices, and create pathways to meaningful green careers.”

    “Young people are architecting climate solutions. They are designing and deploying innovative solutions that respond to the climate realities their communities are facing,” said Dr. Kevin Frey, CEO, Generation Unlimited at UNICEF. “Green Rising, with its ecosystem of public and private sector partners, is supporting young people with the skills and opportunities they need to take climate action, start green companies, access green jobs and power green solutions.”

    Youth lack the necessary green skills
    Young people provide a workforce pipeline for tackling climate change, but the green transition requires a skilled workforce. According to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), environmental sustainability competency relies on a strong foundation in science, an understanding of climate change, a commitment to protect the environment, the confidence to explain environmental issues, and the motivation to act sustainably3.

    However, the report finds that less than half of youth globally (44%) believe they have the green skills necessary to be successful in today’s workforce. In terms of green skills, young people in rural areas lag even further behind young people in suburban and urban areas. This percentage also differs across regions. In the Global South, around six in ten Brazilian youth say they are equipped with green skills, while only 5% of Ethiopian youth say the same.

    Since the Capgemini Research Institute’s 2023 research4, youth in several countries in the Global North have regressed in their knowledge of green skills. Among youth aged 16 to 18 in Australia, France, Germany, Japan, the UK, and the US, recycling and waste reduction remains the most commonly held green skill. But the share of youth knowledgeable about sustainable design, sustainable energy, and sustainable transportation has significantly declined since 2023. In the Global South, young people are most knowledgeable about recycling and waste reduction, energy conservation and water conservation, but least knowledgeable about climate technologies, data analysis, and sustainable design.

    The generational divide must be overcome to find solutions
    Most youth globally (71%) agree that they should have a strong influence on environmental policy and legislation. However, the majority agree that business and political leaders are not playing their part and should be contributing more to the fight against climate change. While almost two-thirds of young people feel engaged enough to want to speak with local leaders about climate action, fewer than half believe their opinions are actually heard by community leaders.

    The report urges community leaders to support young people in advancing climate solutions and green skills. According to the report, integrating green education, expanding access to training, and aligning climate goals with youth employment strategies should be part of the solution and implanted by policymakers. Whereas corporate leaders could be encouraged to co-create green job pathways, invest in youth-led initiatives, and embed young voices in CSR, ESG, and climate strategies in order to build trust and drive sustainable innovation.

    As young people seek to upskill, global movements like Green Rising aim to support 20 million young people by 2026 in taking grassroots action, offering opportunities for volunteerism, advocacy, paid work and entrepreneurship. This initiative is led by Generation Unlimited at UNICEF and supported by the public and private sector, including Capgemini.

    To read the full report: https://www.capgemini.com/insights/research-library/global-youth-and-sustainability

    Report Methodology
    The Capgemini Research Institute carried out extensive research into youth perspectives on climate change and interest in green skills and green jobs in February and March 2025. They conducted an online survey of 5,100 youth aged 16 to 24 across 21 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. This included 4,394 youth aged 18 to 24 and 706 youth aged 16 and 17 years old. For the 14% of the sample that were minors (<18 years old), they obtained parental permission from 706 parents. The majority (83%) of the youth surveyed live in the Global South (low- and middle-income countries).5 The remaining youth respondents live in the Global North or high-income countries.

    About UNICEF
    UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone.

    About Generation Unlimited
    Launched by the UN Secretary-General at the 2018 UN General Assembly, UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited is a leading global Public-Private-Youth Partnership on a mission to skill and connect the world’s 1.8 billion young people to opportunities for employment, entrepreneurship, and social impact. The partnership brings together global organisations and leaders including Heads of State, CEOs, Heads of UN agencies, and civil society champions with young people to co-create and deliver innovative solutions on a global scale.

    * UNICEF does not endorse any company, brand, product or service

    About Capgemini
    Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2024 global revenues of €22.1 billion.
    Get The Future You Want | www.capgemini.com

    About the Capgemini Research Institute
    The Capgemini Research Institute is Capgemini’s in-house think-tank on all things digital. The Institute publishes research on the impact of digital technologies on large traditional businesses. The team draws on the worldwide network of Capgemini experts and works closely with academic and technology partners. The Institute has dedicated research centers in India, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States. It was ranked #1 in the world for the quality of its research by independent analysts for six consecutive times – an industry first.

    Visit us at https://www.capgemini.com/researchinstitute/

    1 UNICEF USA, “From eco-anxiety to eco-optimism, listening to a generation of resilient youth,” January 2023.
    2 Green skills refer to the hard and soft skills which help people take care of nature, stop pollution, and use resources wisely.
    3 OECD, Skills Outlook 2023: Skills for a resilient green and digital transition, November 6, 2023.
    4 CRI, Digital skills and technology in secondary education survey, March 2023
    5 Bank Group, Income Group Class, according to 2023 gross national income (GNI) per capita, calculated using the World Bank Atlas method.

    Attachment

    • 2025_05_16_Youth perspectives on climate_Press Release_

    The MIL Network –

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ASEAN, Republic of Korea pledged to enhance comprehensive strategic partnership

    Source: ASEAN – Association of SouthEast Asian Nations

    BANGKOK, 16 May 2025 – Senior officials of ASEAN and the Republic of Korea (ROK) reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) at the 29th ASEAN-ROK Dialogue held today in Bangkok.
     
    The Meeting acknowledged the positive momentum of ASEAN-ROK cooperation following the establishment of the CSP in conjunction with the 35th anniversary of Dialogue Relations in 2024. Substantive progress has been achieved across a wide range of areas of cooperation under the ASEAN-ROK Plan of Action (POA) 2021-2025, including political and security cooperation, trade and investment, digital transformation, tourism, energy, environment, disaster management, education, culture, youth and people-to-people exchanges. Both sides looked forward to the finalisation of the successor POA for the term 2026–2030, which is expected to be adopted by the Foreign Ministers of both sides in July 2025 during the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with the ROK.
     
    The ROK expressed its support for Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship and priorities this year under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability”. The ROK also affirmed its continued support for ASEAN Community-building efforts and ASEAN Centrality, including the implementation of the ASEAN 2045: Our Shared Future that will be adopted at the 46th ASEAN Summit.
     
    ASEAN and the ROK renewed their commitment to strengthening cooperation under the CSP. Focus will be placed on key areas such as trade and investment, including through the upgrade of the ASEAN-ROK Free Trade Are (AKFTA), digital transformation, cybersecurity, clean energy, ASEAN Power Grid, smart cities, climate change and environmental, education and youth empowerment, and narrowing the development gap. ASEAN welcomed the ROK’s implementation of various initiatives under the Korea-ASEAN Solidarity Initiative (KASI) to further enhance cooperation.
     
    Both sides also agreed to continue advancing practical cooperation in the four priority areas of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), in accordance with the Joint Statement on Cooperation on the AOIP adopted at the 24th ASEAN-ROK Summit in 2023.
     
    The Meeting exchanged views on international and regional issues, including the situations on the Korean Peninsula, in South China Sea, in Myanmar, in Ukraine and in the Middle East. Both sides emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation amidst the ongoing global uncertainties, including the need to uphold multilateralism and the open and free trading system.
     
    The 29th ASEAN-ROK Dialogue was co-chaired by Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, SOM Leader of Thailand, Eksiri Pintaruchi, and Deputy Minister for Political Affairs, SOM Leader of the ROK, Chung Byung-won. It was attended by Senior Officials of ASEAN Member States and the Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for ASEAN Political-Security Community. Timor-Leste attended as Observer.
     

    The post ASEAN, Republic of Korea pledged to enhance comprehensive strategic partnership appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

    May 16, 2025

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi extends wishes on the 50th anniversary of Sikkim’s statehood

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his wishes on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Sikkim’s statehood. In a post on X, PM Modi highlighted that Sikkim is associated with “serene beauty” and has made “strides” in various sectors.

    “Warm greetings to the people of Sikkim on their Statehood Day! This year, the occasion is even more special as we mark the 50th anniversary of Sikkim’s statehood! Sikkim is associated with serene beauty, rich cultural traditions, and industrious people. It has made strides in diverse sectors. May the people of this beautiful state continue to prosper,” the PM said in his post.

    Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang also extended his greetings on the occasion. He termed the day as “historic” and paid homage to the legacy of the Kingdom of Sikkim. He further reaffirmed his commitment to the vision of “Sunaulo Sikkim, Samriddha Sikkim, ani Samarth Sikkim,” aligning with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a “Viksit Bharat.”

    Sikkim became the 22nd state of India on May 16, 1975, under the leadership of Lhendup Dorjee Khangsarpa, the state’s first Chief Minister, who ushered in democracy in the erstwhile Chogyal Kingdom.

    ANI

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Japanese handcrafted eyewear brand Kaneko Optical upgrades Hong Kong office to international headquarters with new concept store opening (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Japanese handcrafted eyewear brand Kaneko Optical upgrades Hong Kong office to international headquarters with new concept store opening  
         The Acting Director-General of Investment Promotion at InvestHK, Mr Arnold Lau, said, “We are delighted to see the expansion of Kaneko Optical in Hong Kong, just five months after its first launch in the city. It shows confidence not only in Hong Kong’s status as a global hub for international brands but also in our advantages as a global supply chain management hub.”
     
         The Chief Executive Officer of Japan Eyewear Holdings Hong Kong and Japan Eyewear Holdings International, and Director & Head of Global Operations of Kaneko Optical, Mr Toru Akita, indicated that Hong Kong is not only a retail market for the company but also a strategic hub for its international supply chain.
     
    Mr Akita said, “Our Hong Kong office will serve as an international headquarters spearheading the brand’s overseas branding and merchandising operations, including our existing wholesale destinations in over 20 countries, as of the end of 2024. In addition, it will gradually take charge of the company’s international sales development and corporate treasury management outside of Japan.”
     
    He added, “Hong Kong has a rich variety of retail scenarios that we want to tap into. The new concept store in Tsim Sha Tsui, which is our largest presence outside of Japan, will open up new business ties at emerging markets through the growing number of ASEAN, Middle East tourists.”
     
    He explained, “One thing we learned after launching our first concept store in Central is the brilliant mix of high-net worth professionals from different parts of the world. Their spending habits and preferences fit well with our market position, and our brand image gets to spread wide through their international networks.”
     
    Founded in 1958 as an eyeglass wholesaler, Kaneko Optical has become a recognised trendsetter in the Japanese eyewear industry. With its own planning, design, and sales of eyewear brands, it actively collaborates with major collections and apparel manufacturers to create original brands.
     
    For more information about Kaneko Optical, please visit www.kaneko-optical.co.jp/en 
    To get a copy of the photo, please visit     www.flickr.com/photos/investhk/albums/72177720326093396Issued at HKT 14:00

    NNNN

    CategoriesMIL-OSI

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    May 16, 2025

  • Peace breakthrough unlikely as Putin declines to meet Zelenskiy in Turkey

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russia’s Vladimir Putin spurned a challenge to meet face-to-face with Volodymyr Zelenskiy in Turkey on Thursday, instead sending a second-tier delegation to planned peace talks, while Ukraine’s president said his defence minister would head up Kyiv’s team.

    They will be the first direct talks between the sides since March 2022, but hopes of a major breakthrough were further dented by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said there would be no movement without a meeting between himself and Putin.

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio later echoed that view, telling reporters in the Turkish resort of Antalya that Washington “didn’t have high expectations” for the Ukraine talks in Istanbul.

    The head of the Russian delegation, presidential adviser Vladimir Medinsky, said he expected Ukraine’s representatives to turn up for the beginning of discussions on Friday in Istanbul at 10 a.m. local time (0700 GMT).

    “We are ready to work,” Medinsky said in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app. He said his delegation had held “productive” talks on Thursday evening with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

    Zelenskiy said Putin’s decision not to attend but to send what he called a “decorative” lineup showed the Russian leader was not serious about ending the war. Russia accused Ukraine of trying “to put on a show” around the talks.

    “We can’t be running around the world looking for Putin,” Zelenskiy said after meeting Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara.

    “I feel disrespect from Russia. No meeting time, no agenda, no high-level delegation – this is personal disrespect. To Erdogan, to Trump,” Zelenskiy told reporters.

    Zelenskiy said he would also not go to Istanbul and that his team’s mandate was to discuss a ceasefire.

    A decree issued by Zelenskiy said Ukraine’s delegation would be led by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov and include the deputy heads of its intelligence services, the deputy chief of the military’s general staff and the deputy foreign minister.

    Ukraine backs an immediate, unconditional 30-day ceasefire but Putin has said he first wants to start talks at which the details of such a truce could be discussed. More than three years after its full-scale invasion, Russia has the advantage on the battlefield and says Ukraine could use a pause in the war to call up extra troops and acquire more Western weapons.

    Both Trump and Putin have said for months they are keen to meet each other, but no date has been set. Trump, after piling heavy pressure on Ukraine and clashing with Zelenskiy in the Oval Office in February, has lately expressed growing impatience that Putin may be “tapping me along.”

    “Nothing’s going to happen until Putin and I get together,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

    Rubio, speaking in Antalya, later echoed that thought: “It’s my assessment that I don’t think we’re going to have a breakthrough here until the President (Trump) and President Putin interact directly on this topic.”

    Referring to the current state of the talks as a “logjam,” Rubio said he would travel to Istanbul to meet with Turkey’s foreign minister and Ukraine’s delegation on Friday.

    The diplomatic disarray was symptomatic of the hostility between the sides and the unpredictability injected by Trump, whose interventions since returning to the White House in January have often provoked dismay from Ukraine and its European allies.

    While Zelenskiy waited in vain for Putin in Ankara, the Russian negotiators had no one to talk to on the Ukrainian side. Some 200 reporters milled around near the Dolmabahce Palace on the Bosphorus Strait that the Russians had specified as the venue.

    CEASEFIRES AND PEACE TALKS

    The enemies have been wrestling for months over the logistics of ceasefires and peace talks while trying to show Trump they are serious about trying to end what he calls “this stupid war.”

    Hundreds of thousands have been killed and wounded on both sides in the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two. Washington has threatened repeatedly to abandon its mediation efforts unless there is clear progress.

    Asked if Putin would join talks at some future point, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said: “What kind of participation will be required further, at what level, it is too early to say now.”

    Russia said on Thursday its forces had captured two more settlements in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. A spokesperson for Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov pointedly reminded reporters of his comment last year that Ukraine was “getting smaller” in the absence of an agreement to stop fighting.

    FIRST TALKS FOR THREE YEARS

    Once they start, the talks will have to address a chasm between the two sides over a host of issues.

    Russian delegation head Medinsky is a former culture minister who has overseen the rewriting of history textbooks to reflect Moscow’s narrative on the war. It includes a deputy defence minister, a deputy foreign minister and the head of military intelligence.

    Key members of the team, including its leader, were also involved in the last direct peace talks in Istanbul in March 2022 – and Medinsky confirmed on Thursday that Russia saw the new talks as a resumption of those interrupted three years ago.

    “The task of direct negotiations with the Ukrainian side is sooner or later to achieve long-term peace by eliminating the basic root causes of the conflict,” said Medinsky.

    The terms under discussion in 2022, when Ukraine was still reeling from Russia’s initial invasion, would be deeply disadvantageous to Kyiv. They included a demand by Moscow for large cuts to the size of Ukraine’s military.

    With Russian forces now in control of close to a fifth of Ukraine, Putin has held fast to his longstanding demands for Kyiv to cede territory, abandon its NATO membership ambitions and become a neutral country.

    Ukraine rejects these terms as tantamount to capitulation, and is seeking guarantees of its future security from world powers, especially the United States.

    (Reuters)

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC May 16, 2025 0600 UTC Day 1 Convective Outlook

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    SPC AC 160558

    Day 1 Convective Outlook
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    1258 AM CDT Fri May 16 2025

    Valid 161200Z – 171200Z

    …THERE IS A MODERATE RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS ACROSS PARTS OF
    KENTUCKY…NORTHERN AND WESTERN TENNESSEE…SOUTHEAST MISSOURI…FAR
    SOUTHERN ILLINOIS…SOUTHERN INDIANA…FAR SOUTHWEST OHIO…

    …SUMMARY…
    A regional outbreak of severe thunderstorms is likely this afternoon
    into tonight across parts of the mid Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee
    Valleys. This will include intense supercells associated with
    tornadoes, large hail and wind damage. Several strong tornadoes are
    expected, and a long-track high-end tornado will be possible. From
    the evening into the overnight, a bowing line segment is expected to
    form with potential for tornadoes and damaging winds, some possibly
    greater than 75 mph.

    …Mid Mississippi and Ohio Valley/Tennessee Valley…
    A negatively-tilted mid-level trough will move through the Upper
    Midwest and mid Mississippi Valley today, as an associated 75 to 90
    knot mid-level jet translates northeastward into the Ozarks. At the
    surface, a low will move into the western Great Lakes, as a cold
    front advances eastward into the mid Mississippi Valley. A very
    moist airmass will remain in place ahead of the front, extending
    eastward into the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. Across this airmass,
    surface dewpoints will be in the upper 60s and lower 70s F. Warming
    surface temperatures will result in moderate to strong
    destabilization across much of the moist sector by afternoon. An
    area of low-level convergence is expected to become increasingly
    focused from the Ozarks into the mid Mississippi Valley. This will
    result in the initiation of scattered strong to severe storms around
    midday. Several convective clusters are expected to organize and
    move eastward into the lower Ohio Valley during the afternoon. Storm
    coverage will expand markedly during the late afternoon and early
    evening as low-level flow increases across the region.

    Concerning the thermodynamic environment, a pristine airmass is
    expected to be in place by afternoon. Model forecasts are in good
    agreement that MLCAPE will peak from 3000 to 4000 J/kg from parts of
    the Ozarks eastward into the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys. As
    instability increases, deep-layer shear and lift are also expected
    to increase as a mid-level jet approaches from the west. Ahead of
    this feature, an 850 mb jet is forecast to develop over the mid
    Mississippi Valley. This jet will gradually increase in strength
    into the 45 to 65 knot range, moving eastward into western Kentucky
    by late afternoon. Near the axis of the low-level jet at Paducah,
    RAP forecast soundings at 23Z have MLCAPE near 3500 J/kg, 0-6 km
    shear around 60 knots, and low to mid-level lapse rates near 7 C/km.
    0-3 km helicity is forecast to be between 225 and 250 m2/s2. This
    environment will support supercells and tornadoes. Several strong
    tornadoes appear likely, and a high-end long-track tornado will be
    possible from far southeast Missouri, into southern Illinois and
    southern Indiana, southward into western Kentucky and far northern
    Tennessee.

    During the late afternoon, storm coverage is expected to become
    widespread across the moist sector. Several supercell clusters will
    move eastward from the mid Mississippi Valley into the Ohio and
    Tennessee Valleys. Steep mid-level lapse rates will promote large
    hail development. The more intense cores may have hailstones between
    2 and 4 inches in diameter. Supercells will also be capable of
    producing damaging wind gusts. During the early evening, the
    wind-damage threat is expected to increase as some of the convective
    clusters gradually transition into more linear structures. Winds
    could exceed 75 mph along the leading edge of these faster-moving
    bowing line segments. During the evening, multiple bow echos are
    expected to form that will result in extensive wind damage swaths.
    Wind damage is expected across a broad area, including parts of the
    mid Mississippi, Ohio and Tennessee Valleys into the central
    Appalachian mountains.

    …Ark-La-Tex/Lower Mississippi Valley…
    A very moist airmass will be in place today across the Ark-La-Tex
    and lower Mississippi Valley. Surface dewpoints in the lower to mid
    70s F will result in moderate to strong destabilization across much
    of this airmass. A capping inversion is expected to be in place for
    much of the day, but should weaken late in the afternoon as a
    mid-level jet moves eastward into the mid Mississippi Valley. The
    southern edge of the jet will help to increase large-scale ascent,
    aiding convective development. In response, a few clusters of storms
    will form and move eastward into the lower Mississippi Valley during
    the late afternoon and early evening. In areas that strongly
    destabilize, storms could be capable of producing large hail and
    wind damage. Hailstones greater than 2 inches in diameter will be
    possible with intense supercell cores.

    ..Broyles/Weinman.. 05/16/2025

    CLICK TO GET WUUS01 PTSDY1 PRODUCT

    NOTE: THE NEXT DAY 1 OUTLOOK IS SCHEDULED BY 1300Z

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Richemont posts robust performance for the year ended 31 March 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AD HOC ANNOUNCEMENT PURSUANT TO ART. 53 LR
    16 MAY 2025

    Please find below the Highlights and Chairman’s commentary from Richemont FY25 Annual Results Announcement.

    RICHEMONT POSTS ROBUST PERFORMANCE FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2025

    Group highlights

    • Group sales at € 21.4 billion; Q4 sales up 8% (+7% constant) with Jewellery Maisons up at double digits
    • Operating profit at € 4.5 billion including € 72 million of non-recurring costs 
    • Sustained focus on nurturing Maisons’ growth, investing in distribution, manufacturing assets and craftsmanship  
    • Renewed executive leadership, with appointment of Group CEO and expansion of Senior Executive Committee expertise to include Van Cleef & Arpels and Cartier CEOs, as well as dedicated Group Chief People Officer
    • Completion of key strategic steps, with the addition of Italian jewellery Maison Vhernier and the finalisation of the sale of YNAP to Mytheresa in April 2025; Richemont now holds a 33% stake in newly created LuxExperience  

    Financial highlights

    • Full year sales up 4% at actual and constant exchange rates, led by high single-digit increase at Jewellery Maisons 
    • Double-digit growth across all regions, except for Asia Pacific, further rebalancing the Group’s regional mix
    • Operating profit down by 7%, or by 4% at constant exchange rates, resulting in a 20.9% operating margin
      • Strong performance at Jewellery Maisons, with sales up 8% at actual and constant exchange rates; operating margin at 31.9%
      • Sales at Specialist Watchmakers lower by 13% at actual and constant exchange rates, leading to a 5.3% operating margin
      • ‘Other’ business area’s sales up 7% at actual and constant exchange rates, operating margin at -3.7%; Fashion & Accessories Maisons margin impacted by inventory provisioning
    • € 3.8 billion profit for the year from continuing operations; € 1.0 billion loss from discontinued operations mainly due to the non-cash write-down of YNAP (improved against € 1.3 billion communicated in H1)
    • Robust net cash position of € 8.3 billion, supported by € 4.4 billion cash flow generated from operating activities
    • Proposed increase in dividend to CHF 3.00 per 1 ‘A’ share / 10 ‘B’ shares

    Key financial data (audited)

      2025 2024 change
    Sales € 21 399 m € 20 616 m +4%
    Gross profit € 14 319 m € 14 036 m +2%
    Gross margin 66.9% 68.1% -120 bps
    Operating profit € 4 467 m € 4 794 m -7%
    Operating margin 20.9% 23.3% -240 bps
    Profit for the year from continuing operations € 3 762 m € 3 818 m -1%
    Loss for the year from discontinued operations € (1 012) m € (1 463) m  
    Profit for the year € 2 750 m € 2 355 m  
    Earnings per ‘A’ share/10 ‘B’ shares, diluted basis € 4.671 € 4.077   
    Cash flow generated from operating activities € 4 443 m € 4 696 m -€ 253 m
    Net cash position € 8 257 m € 7 450 m  

    Chairman’s commentary

    Overview of results
    Richemont delivered a robust performance for the financial year ended 31 March 2025. In a persistently uncertain macroeconomic and geopolitical environment, we maintained our focus on nurturing Maisons’ current and future growth, investing in our distribution network, manufacturing assets and quality craftsmanship. Group sales increased by 4% at actual and constant exchange rates to € 21.4 billion, led by high single-digit growth at the Jewellery Maisons over the year. Operating profit came in at € 4.5 billion, down by 7% at actual rates, or by 4% at constant exchange rates.

    After a resilient first half, sales performance accelerated in the second part of the year, with a 10% rise in the third quarter followed by +8% in the fourth quarter at actual exchange rates. Over the year, most regions grew at double digits at both actual and constant exchange rates, more than offsetting the decline in Asia Pacific, led by China, illustrating the value of our balanced regional footprint. Notable growth rates included Europe at +10%, the Americas at +16%, Japan at +25% and Middle East & Africa at +15% at actual exchange rates. Direct to client sales rose further driven by both retail and online, overall representing 76% of Group sales.

    Our Jewellery Maisons – Buccellati, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Vhernier since October – saw their sales reach € 15.3 billion, growing by 8% at actual and constant exchange rates. This sales increase, combined with disciplined operating costs and targeted price increases, helped mitigate the impact of higher raw materials costs, notably gold, on our profitability. Our Jewellery Maisons delivered a € 4.9 billion operating result, up 4% versus the prior year, corresponding to a solid margin at close to 32%.

    As discussed in our first half report in November, the global watch market experienced a slowdown affecting volumes. This was led by demand weakness in China, with greater resilience of high-end price segments. While the watch market remained subdued in the second half, some improvement was visible outside of China. In this challenging context, our Specialist Watchmakers reported a 13% decline in sales at actual and constant exchange rates over the year, impacted by their high exposure to Asia Pacific, particularly to China, while the other regions showed resilience. The rate of decline was softer in the second half of the year, with notable growth in the Americas. While the Maisons demonstrated discipline on operating expenses, the overall decline in sales had a significant impact on production and fixed operating costs absorption. In addition, with our headquarters and most of our production located in Switzerland, the strengthening Swiss franc weighed on our operating result. Consequently, the Specialist Watchmakers’ operating result was down to € 175 million for the year, corresponding to a 5.3% margin.

    Sales at our ‘Other’ business area reached € 2.8 billion, an increase of 7% at actual and constant exchange rates, underpinned by faster growth in the second half. All regions other than Asia Pacific grew, with notable double-digit performances in the Americas, Europe and Middle East & Africa. Alaïa recorded another year of strong growth, and Peter Millar maintained its solid momentum. Overall, ready-to-wear sales rose by double-digits across the Maisons, with notably an encouraging performance from Chloé. Operating result was a € 102 million loss for the year, resulting in a margin of -3.7%. Within this, Fashion & Accessories Maisons posted a -2% operating margin when excluding targeted inventory provisioning.

    At Group level, operating profit came in at € 4.5 billion, including € 72 million of non-recurring charges. Operating margin was 20.9%.

    Profit for the year from continuing operations reached € 3.8 billion, down by 1%. The overall profit for the year amounted to € 2.8 billion, up 17%, after taking into account a € 1.0 billion loss for the year from discontinued operations, primarily reflecting the write-down of the carrying value of YOOX NET-A-PORTER (‘YNAP’) assets in the context of the sale to Mytheresa.

    The Group maintained a robust balance sheet, with a net cash position of € 8.3 billion at year end, up € 807 million versus the prior year. It excludes YNAP’s net cash position of € 0.2 billion presented as assets and liabilities of disposal group held for sale.

    Strengthening of our operations and portfolio of Maisons
    We are delighted to have welcomed Italian jewellery Maison Vhernier as part of Richemont’s Jewellery portfolio during the year. Vhernier is renowned for the distinctive modern aesthetic of its creations, and we are now working on the Maison’s integration and development to ensure that its full potential can be realised over time, as we have effectively been doing with our Italian high-end shoe Maison Gianvito Rossi which celebrated its first anniversary as part of our Fashion & Accessories (‘F&A’) portfolio with a very encouraging performance.

    It is also a pleasure to report that G/FORE, previously under Peter Millar’s umbrella since its acquisition in 2018, was added to Richemont’s F&A portfolio as a distinct Maison in February 2025. This marks a significant milestone for the Maison, whose products are sold in top golf shops, resorts, department stores and dedicated retail boutiques, reflecting its remarkable success to date.

    On 1 June 2024, Nicolas Bos, formerly Chief Executive Officer (‘CEO’) of Van Cleef & Arpels, was appointed CEO of Richemont and joined the Senior Executive Committee (‘SEC’), with direct oversight of all the Maisons, functions and regions. On 14 February 2025, the SEC was further strengthened with the appointments of Marie-Aude Stocker as Chief People Officer, alongside Catherine Rénier (CEO, Van Cleef & Arpels) and Louis Ferla (CEO, Cartier). Marie-Aude’s extensive background in luxury HR will be important to address our strategic resource management needs, while Catherine and Louis bring invaluable operational insights from their respective leadership roles.

    Following his appointment as CEO of Specialist Watchmaker Maison Jaeger-LeCoultre, Jérôme Lambert stepped down from the SEC and the Board of Directors, whilst Boet Brinkgreve, CEO of Laboratoire de Haute Parfumerie et Beauté, stepped down from the SEC when leaving the Group at the end of April 2025.

    YOOX NET-A-PORTER (‘YNAP’) 

    The closing of the transaction for the sale of 100% of YNAP to leading luxury multi-brand digital group Mytheresa occurred just outside of our FY25 reporting period, on 23 April 2025, following fulfilment of customary conditions, including regulatory approvals.

    At transaction closing, Richemont sold YNAP to Mytheresa with a cash position of € 555 million and no financial debt in exchange for shares issued by Mytheresa representing 33% of the fully diluted share capital of the newly combined group which has been listed under the new trade name LuxExperience from 1 May 2025. As per the terms of the agreement, Richemont provided a € 100 million revolving credit facility to finance YNAP’s corporate needs.

    We look forward to LuxExperience’s future success, as the closing of the transaction paves the way for both the Mytheresa and YNAP teams, their brand partners and clients alike to fully benefit from the enhanced value propositions and expanded global reach offered by the combined businesses.

    Dividend

    Based upon the performance of the year and net cash position of € 8.3 billion at the end of March 2025, the Board proposes to pay an ordinary dividend of 3.00 Swiss francs per 1 ‘A’ share (and CHF 0.30 per ‘B’ share), a 9% increase in the ordinary dividend over the prior year, subject to shareholder approval at the Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’) on 10 September 2025.

    Annual General Meeting and Board changes

    The 2024 AGM in September saw Nicolas Bos, CEO of Richemont, elected as Executive Director of the Board, and Gary Saage as Non-executive Director, assuming the role of Chairman of the Audit Committee from Josua (Dillie) Malherbe.

    Shareholders also re-elected Wendy Luhabe as the ‘A’ shareholders’ representative and all Board members who stood for re-election for a further one-year term. Bram Schot succeeded Dillie as Non-executive Deputy Chairman of the Board and following the departure of Maria Ramos and Clay Brendish on 31 March, succeeded Clay as Chairman of the Compensation Committee.

    Once again, I would like to express my gratitude to Dillie for his contributions as Non-executive Deputy Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Audit Committee and for accepting to remain on the Audit and Strategic Security Committees, and to Maria and Clay for their invaluable contributions in their respective roles over the years.

    As indicated in the 2022 Annual Report, recognising shareholder expectations, we decided at the time to initiate a comprehensive tender process for our external audit function under the supervision of the Audit Committee. Having carefully considered the results of the tender, on 29 November 2024 we announced that the Audit Committee had recommended to the Board to propose to shareholders that KPMG be appointed as the new auditors of the Company for the financial year ending 31 March 2026 at the next AGM in September 2025.

    Concluding remarks

    Fiscal Year 2025 was a year of progress underscoring the Group’s strategic focus amidst a complex, fast-evolving global landscape. Whilst our Specialist Watchmakers’ performance mostly reflected weakness in their largest region, the Group’s performance was robust overall, driven by remarkable growth at our Jewellery Maisons and retail, and improved momentum at our ‘Other’ activities.

    We continued to invest in future growth by further strengthening our distribution network, enhancing our manufacturing capacity, and contributing to the nurturing and preservation of unique artisan skills. We also delivered on several strategic fronts, successfully completing the acquisition of Vhernier, and enabling Gianvito Rossi to further expand its brand globally, after having joined the Group last year. We are also pleased to have found a good home for YNAP, whose strengths Mytheresa will harness to create a new global leader in digital luxury.

    With a renewed leadership team and governance structure, the completion of seamless management transitions across several Maisons, and our teams of talented professionals committed to creativity and innovation, we are well-positioned to guide Richemont through its next phase of development.

    As I have said before, ongoing global uncertainties will continue to require strong agility and discipline. Richemont has solid foundations for sustained value creation over time, built upon our leading Maisons’ unique heritage and innovative craftsmanship, coupled with an increasingly balanced and tailored regional presence that allows us to better connect with and enchant clients. Our long-term perspective, underpinned by a healthy balance sheet, constitutes a proven formula that has delivered seven-fold sales growth over the past 25 years, and remains central to our strategy.

    Our achievements this year would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication of our teams and the invaluable collaboration of our partners. I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to each of them for their significant contributions to Richemont’s success. I also wish to take this opportunity to thank our valued clients for their enduring trust and appreciation for the distinctive character and timeless appeal of our Maisons’ creations.

    Johann Rupert
    Chairman

    Compagnie Financière Richemont SA

    About Richemont 

    At Richemont, we craft the future. Our unique portfolio includes prestigious Maisons distinguished by their craftsmanship and creativity. Richemont’s ambition is to nurture its Maisons and businesses and enable them to grow and prosper in a responsible, sustainable manner over the long term.

    Richemont operates in three business areas: Jewellery Maisons with Buccellati, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels and Vhernier; Specialist Watchmakers with A. Lange & Söhne, Baume & Mercier, IWC Schaffhausen, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Panerai, Piaget, Roger Dubuis and Vacheron Constantin; and Other, primarily Fashion & Accessories Maisons with Alaïa, Chloé, Delvaux, dunhill, G/FORE, Gianvito Rossi, Montblanc, Peter Millar, Purdey, Serapian as well as Watchfinder & Co. Find out more at https://www.richemont.com/.

    Disclaimer

    This document contains forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. Richemont’s forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company’s business and performance, the economy and other future conditions and forecasts of future events, circumstances and results. Our retail stores are heavily dependent on the ability and desire of consumers to travel and shop and a decline in consumer traffic could have a negative effect on our comparable store sales and/or average sales per square foot and store profitability resulting in impairment charges, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Reduced travel resulting from economic conditions, retail store closure orders of civil authorities, travel restrictions, travel concerns and other circumstances, including disease epidemics and other health-related concerns, could have a material adverse effect on us, particularly if such events impact our customers’ desire to travel to our retail stores. International conflicts or wars, including resulting sanctions and restrictions on importation and exportation of finished products and/or raw materials, whether self-imposed or imposed by international countries, non-state entities or others, may also impact these forward-looking statements. If international tariffs are imposed or increased, materials and goods that Richemont imports may face higher prices, which could lead to reduced margins or increased prices that could cause decreased consumer demand. As with any projection or forecast, forward-looking statements are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and changes in circumstances. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside the Group’s control. Richemont does not undertake to update, nor does it have any obligation to provide updates of, or to revise, any forward-looking statements.

    © Richemont 2025

    This announcement does not contain full details and should not be used as a basis for any investment decision in relation to the Company’s shares. Please find the full announcement available in PDF below: 

    Richemont FY25 Annual Results PDF EN | Richemont FY25 Annual Results PDF FR (abridged)

    The MIL Network –

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Result of the Daily Variable Rate Repo (VRR) auction held on May 16, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India

    Tenor 3-day
    Notified Amount (in ₹ crore) 25,000
    Total amount of bids received (in ₹ crore) 5,293
    Amount allotted (in ₹ crore) 5,293
    Cut off Rate (%) 6.01
    Weighted Average Rate (%) 6.01
    Partial Allotment Percentage of bids received at cut off rate (%) NA

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/341

    MIL OSI Economics –

    May 16, 2025

  • Ronaldo tops Forbes’ list of highest-paid athletes for third year in a row

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    ristiano Ronaldo topped Forbes’ list of the world’s highest-paid athletes for the third consecutive year and the fifth time in his career.

    Following his move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr, Ronaldo’s estimated total earnings are around $275 million.

    The Portuguese forward increased his income by $15 million through off-field endorsements as well as lucrative sponsorship deals backed by his large social media followers: 939 million in total as of May.

    Meanwhile, Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who in March became the first NBA player to reach 4,000 career three-pointers, jumped to second place in the rankings with $156 million.

    Boxer Tyson Fury claimed third place with $146 million. Despite losing his world heavyweight titles to Oleksandr Usyk in December, Fury’s income has been boosted by partnerships promoting Maltese tourism and his Netflix reality show.

    Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, reached fourth with $137 million, thanks to record-breaking signing bonuses and a lucrative contract extension.

    Meanwhile, Argentine Lionel Messi dropped to fifth place with $135 million — the same as last year — having moved to Major League Soccer side Inter Miami, as well as continuing to receive high-profile endorsements from Adidas and Apple.

    Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, nearing the end of his illustrious career, came sixth with $133.8 million.

    MLB New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto came in at a remarkable seventh place, earning $114 million. The 26-year-old Dominican signed a $765 million, 15-year contract, the largest in baseball history.

    French striker Karim Benzema, who plays for Saudi Arabia’s Al Ittihad, is eighth with earnings of $104 million.

    Japanese Shohei Ohtani is in ninth place with $102.5 million, having deferred most of his earnings from his mega-contract with MLB team Los Angeles Dodgers. His earnings were boosted significantly by their World Series victory last year.

    NBA Phoenix Suns’ Kevin Durant rounds off the top 10 with $101.4 million.

    –Reuters

    May 16, 2025

  • India–UK Trade Deal to Spur 15 % Annual Growth Through 2030, Says CareEdge

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The bilateral trade between India and the United Kingdom is expected to grow by about 15 per cent a year until 2030, on the assumption that the recently concluded free-trade agreement (FTA) will take effect within the next twelve months, according to a report released on Friday.

    The accord, finalised on 6 May after nearly three years of negotiations, presents a strategic opportunity for Indian companies to deepen their presence in the British market, stimulate domestic manufacturing and drive overall economic expansion, CareEdge Ratings said.

    “This landmark FTA also fosters investment, joint ventures and collaboration in the services sector, thereby deepening economic ties. Going forward, the agreement marks a pivotal shift in India–UK economic relations, unlocking new opportunities for businesses, strengthening manufacturing and enriching consumer markets,” observed D. Naveen Kumar, Associate Director at CareEdge Ratings.

    At present the United Kingdom accounts for roughly two per cent of India’s total trade, yet the relationship has been expanding at a compound annual growth rate of 11 per cent over the past decade.
    Under the deal, India will cut tariffs on 90 per cent of British goods, with 85 per cent becoming entirely duty-free over ten years. In return, the UK will abolish duties on selected products, leaving 99 per cent of Indian exports tariff-free.

    “Key benefits for Indian exporters include improved market access, more resilient supply chains, greater competitiveness, higher volumes and fresh avenues for growth,” the report noted.

    Lower tariffs and streamlined regulations are expected to bolster India’s export performance, making its products more price-competitive and therefore more attractive to British buyers. Exporters, who have faced sluggish sales and uncertainty over possible retaliatory US tariffs, may find welcome relief.

    Significant gains are anticipated in automobiles, whisky, industrial machinery and pharmaceuticals, where steep tariff cuts and simplified norms will apply. The agreement is also set to open lucrative prospects for India’s gems-and-jewellery sector by leveraging the UK’s affluent consumer base and mature luxury market.

    Tariffs ranging from 8 per cent to 14 per cent on various electrical and engineering goods will be scrapped, giving Indian manufacturers a clear edge over global rivals, the report added. (IANS)

    May 16, 2025

  • EAM Jaishankar speaks to Taliban’s acting foreign minister, thanks him for support after Pahalgam

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held a telephonic conversation with Acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi on Thursday.

    The conversation came days after the Taliban administration—though not officially recognised by India—strongly condemned the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 people dead.

    Expressing “deep appreciation” for the condemnation, Jaishankar posted on X: “Welcomed his firm rejection of recent attempts to create distrust between India and Afghanistan through false and baseless reports.”

    He further noted India’s “traditional friendship with the Afghan people” and reiterated support for Afghanistan’s development needs. The two leaders also discussed potential avenues for future cooperation.

    The call marked the first political-level interaction between Indian and Afghan ministers since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in August 2021.

    It comes amid a series of recent diplomatic engagements between Indian officials and the Taliban.

    In January, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Muttaqi in Dubai. More recently, on April 27, senior Indian diplomat Anand Prakash was received by Muttaqi in Kabul, shortly after the Pahalgam terror attack and amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan.

    May 16, 2025

  • Cricket West Indies calls for inclusive pathways to Olympic participation

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Cricket West Indies (CWI) has formally written to the International Cricket Council (ICC), urging that the unique structure of West Indies cricket be fairly considered in ongoing discussions with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) regarding qualification for cricket at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

    Unlike other Olympic participants, the West Indies represents a collective of sovereign Caribbean nations rather than a single country. With T20 cricket set to debut at the 2028 Games, CWI has raised concerns about how its teams will be accommodated under current Olympic eligibility rules, which only allow participation by independent nations.

    In its communication, CWI proposed two inclusive and practical qualification models that would allow Caribbean nations, with strong Olympic traditions, to participate in line with the values and requirements of the Olympic Charter.

    CWI President Dr. Kishore Shallow made an emphatic appeal for fairness and inclusion:
    “The Caribbean has always punched above its weight at the Olympics, inspiring the world with our athletic brilliance. Cricket’s return to the Games in 2028 must not exclude our young cricketers from the same dream that has long inspired our athletes. The Olympic Charter champions fairness, transparency, and universality. We ask only that these principles be reflected not just in words, but in action. West Indies cricket must have a pathway and fully deserves the opportunity to compete.”

    CWI’s appeal comes amid concerns that, under current Olympic rules, the West Indies men’s and women’s cricket teams would be ineligible for participation.

    To address this, CWI has recommended two potential pathways:

    1. Internal Qualification Model: If the West Indies men’s or women’s teams meet ICC Olympic qualification criteria, a tournament among Olympic-affiliated Caribbean nations could determine which country will represent the region at the Games.
    2. Expanded Global Qualification Pathway: A revised qualification system that includes associate ICC members across the five ICC Development Regions, along with the individual member countries of the West Indies.

    In its proposal, CWI cites the Olympic Charter’s Bye-law to Rule 40, which requires qualification systems to be “fair and transparent” and to promote universal representation, equal access, and the inclusion of top athletes from all regions.

    CWI reaffirmed its commitment to constructive dialogue with the ICC and expressed readiness to collaborate on a qualification framework that upholds Olympic values while recognizing the unique composition of Caribbean cricket.

    (With inputs from IANS)

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: India, Japan notify WTO of possible retaliation against US tariffs

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

    India and Japan have recently notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of potential retaliatory measures in response to U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum.

    The European Union(EU) and Britain had submitted similar notifications to the WTO earlier.

    WTO documents show that both India and Japan argue that the U.S. tariffs, imposed since March 2018, constitute safeguard measures under the WTO Agreement on Safeguards, although they were not officially notified by the United States to the WTO. In line with this agreement, the two countries, respectively, stated that they reserve the right to suspend concessions and other obligations by imposing additional tariffs on selected U.S. imports.

    India estimates that the tariffs will affect 7.6 billion U.S. dollars worth of its relevant exports to the United States, generating 1.91 billion dollars in duties. India has vowed to impose “an equivalent amount of duty collected from products originating in the United States” as part of its proposed suspension of concessions.

    Japan’s WTO notification reveals that its retaliatory measures will target not only U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs, but also American import restrictions on automobiles and auto parts.

    The proposed suspension of concessions will take the form of an equivalent increase in duties on selected U.S. products, said the notification, adding that the details, based on the most recent export data, will be provided to the WTO prior to the implementation.

    The United States began imposing 25 percent tariffs on steel and 10 percent on aluminum imports in March 2018 under Section 232 of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act, citing “national security concerns.”

    In February 2020, these tariffs were extended to derivative steel and aluminum products.

    Starting from March 12, 2025, the Trump administration raised tariffs on aluminum from 10 percent to 25 percent and ended duty-free quotas, exemptions and exclusions for steel and aluminum tariffs.

    These measures have triggered widespread condemnation and opposition. The EU and Britain have also notified the WTO that they reserve the right to suspend the substantially equivalent concessions. 

    MIL OSI China News –

    May 16, 2025

  • UK court rejects Nirav Modi’s bail plea again amid CBI push for extradition in PNB fraud case

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a significant development, the High Court of Justice, King’s Bench Division, London, on Thursday rejected the latest bail petition filed by fugitive diamantaire Nirav Deepak Modi. This marks the tenth time Modi’s bail request has been denied since his detention in the United Kingdom.

    The bail application was strongly contested by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which was supported by a dedicated team from India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), including investigating and legal officers who travelled to London specifically for the hearing. The CBI effectively defended the Indian government’s position, leading to the court’s decision to deny bail.

    Nirav Modi is a declared fugitive economic offender wanted in India for trial in a massive bank fraud case involving the Punjab National Bank (PNB), in which he allegedly defrauded the bank of Rs. 6,498.20 crore. His extradition to India has already been approved by a UK court in favour of the Indian government.

    The latest rejection adds another layer to the prolonged legal battle, as Indian authorities continue their efforts to bring Modi back to face justice.

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Indonesia plans to export rice, provide humanitarian aid due to sufficient stocks

    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

    JAKARTA, May 16 (Xinhua) — The Indonesian government on Thursday announced a plan to export rice and also send it as humanitarian aid to needy countries as it has enough stocks to meet domestic demand.

    Indonesian Vice Agriculture Minister Sudariono said the government had discussed the possibility of exporting 2,000 tonnes of rice per month to Malaysia. However, an agreement has not yet been signed.

    The government is also exploring the possibility of using surplus rice to provide humanitarian aid, including to Palestine. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Career and study expo to be held

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Education Bureau will host the “Information Expo on Multiple Pathways 2025” at the Convention & Exhibition Centre’s Hall 1B on May 23 and 24.

    The expo will provide senior secondary school students, parents and teachers with up-to-date information on various study and career pathways.

    Around 30 institutions and organisations will have booths at the event.

    These will provide information on locally accredited post-secondary programmes, Diploma of Applied Education programmes, Information Portal for Accredited Post-secondary Programmes, Electronic Advance Application System for Post-secondary Programmes, the Concourse for Self-financing Post-secondary Education, and the Qualifications Framework.

    Hok Yau Club, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups and the Hong Kong Young Women’s Christian Association will offer study and career guidance services to students.

    There will also be talks on pathways for school-leavers and strategies for transitioning to post-secondary education. Post-secondary students will share their experiences.

    The bureau’s own booth will feature interactive games for expo visitors to participate in.

    The expo will run from 10am to 6pm. Admission is free and prior registration is not required.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Land registration fees revised

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Government will increase fees for five types of land registration services in three phases through the 2025-26 to 2027-28 financial years, with the increases ranging from around 15% to 35% in each phase.

    The scope of fee adjustments will cover registration of instruments, including assignment and mortgage; registration of agreement for sale and purchase; lease registration, agreement, renewal and surrender; registration of other instruments; and registration of instruments whereby any charge or mortgage on any share or interest in a property is assigned or transferred.

    The Government explained that these five types of fees for services provided by the Land Registry Trading Fund have not been adjusted for almost 30 years.

    The fees were reviewed and adjusted in accordance with an established mechanism and the “user pays” principle, and have been set at levels considered generally adequate for recovering the full costs of providing the services.

    The amendment regulation was published in the Government Gazette today and will be tabled in the Legislative Council next Wednesday for its approval by negative vetting.

    Thereafter, the revised fees will come into effect in three phases from July 16 of this year, July 1 in 2026, and July 1 in 2027.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: During Police Week, Cortez Masto Takes Steps to Advance Key Legislation to Support Law Enforcement

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Nevada Cortez Masto

    Washington, D.C. – During National Police Week, two of U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto’s (D-Nev.) bills supporting law enforcement were passed out of committee, the Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act and the Reauthorizing Support and Treatment for Officers in Crisis (STOIC) Act. She also gave a speech on the Senate floor urging the swift passage of her Invest to Protect Act.

    “During Police Week, I meet with officers from all over the Silver State to discuss how I can support them from Washington,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “I am proud that these key bipartisan bills were moved through committee this week, and I urge my colleagues to swiftly pass them into law. I am dedicated to supporting the hardworking men and women who keep Nevadans safe.”

    The Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act, which Cortez Masto is leading alongside Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee today with unanimous bipartisan support. This legislation would ensure the families of retired law enforcement officers who were killed as a result of their service are not unjustly denied benefits. It now moves to the Senate floor.

    The STOIC Act, which Cortez Masto is sponsoring alongside Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), also passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee today with bipartisan support. This legislation would establish suicide prevention programs and mental health services within law enforcement communities. It now moves to the Senate floor.

    Cortez Masto also gave a speech on the Senate floor encouraging the swift passage of her bipartisan Invest to Protect Act, which she is leading alongside Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). This legislation would set aside $250 million to help law enforcement agencies with fewer than 175 full-time sworn officers invest in training, mental health support, and recruitment and retention.

    As the former top law enforcement official in Nevada, Senator Cortez Masto has been a leading advocate in the Senate for our police officers and is part of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus. She has secured historic funding for the Byrne JAG grant program, the leading source of criminal justice funding in the country. Her bipartisan bills to combat the crisis of law enforcement suicide and provide mental health resources to police officers have been signed into law by presidents of both parties. Her BADGES for Native Communities Act to support the Bureau of Indian Affairs with law enforcement recruitment and retention passed the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Judiciary Committee Advances Eight Law Enforcement Bills During National Police Week

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Iowa Chuck Grassley

    WASHINGTON – The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced eight law enforcement bills amid National Police Week. This is the Judiciary Committee’s largest Police Week package in over 15 years. 

    Additionally, the Committee voted 12-9 to advance Jason Reding Quinones’ nomination to be U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. 

    “Day in and day out, the men and women in law enforcement put their lives on the line to protect communities across America. Today’s action helps ensure these brave individuals, and their families, are equally protected and supported,” Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) said. “The legislation advanced out of our committee this National Police Week will boost investment in local police departments, safeguard benefits for fallen officers’ families and improve law enforcement recruitment and retention. I’m proud to Back the Blue and look forward to quickly moving these bills on the Senate floor.” 

    Grassley also led 80 of his Senate colleagues in a resolution recognizing the service and sacrifice of America’s courageous law enforcement officers and their families. 

    The eight bipartisan bills passed out of the Judiciary Committee today are: 

    S. 180, Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act: 
    A bill to use existing Justice Department funds to equip state and local governments with additional training and containment tools to guard officers and first responders against accidental exposure to dangerous substances. 

    Cosponsors: Grassley, Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.)

    S.1563, Retired Law Enforcement Officers Continuing Service Act: 
    A bill to solve law enforcement staffing shortages by providing local police departments access to retired federal, state and local officers to perform investigations and analysis, as well as training for the next generation of law enforcement. 

    Cosponsors: Klobuchar, Grassley, Durbin

    S.419, Reauthorizing Support and Treatment for Officers in Crisis Act: 
    A bill to expand mental health resources for law enforcement officers. The legislation would help provide family –support, mental health services and suicide prevention programs within law enforcement communities. 

    Cosponsors: Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Peter Welch (D-Vt.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Grassley, Klobuchar, Durbin

    S.911, Chief Herbert D. Proffitt Act: 
    A bill to ensure families of retired law enforcement officers who were killed as a result of their service are not unjustly denied benefits. The bill is named in honor of Chief Herbert D. Proffitt, a Korean war veteran and retired law enforcement officer who was tragically killed by an individual he had arrested a decade earlier. 

    Cosponsors: Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Blumenthal, Grassley, Durbin

    S.1316, Strong Communities Act: 
    A bill to boost law enforcement recruitment and retention by incentivizing officers to work in the communities where they live.  

    Cosponsors: Gary Peters (D-Mich.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Marsha Blackburn (D-Tenn.), Klobuchar, Cruz, Coons, Welch, Durbin, Hirono

    S.1595, Improving Police CARE Act: 
    A bill to equip law enforcement officers with quality trauma kits, which allows them to respond immediately if a civilian or fellow officer experiences a traumatic injury during a call. 

    Cosponsors: Cornyn, Whitehouse, Tillis, Coons, Durbin

    S.539, PROTECT Our Children Reauthorization Act: 
    A bill to reauthorize and modernize the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program, aiding state and local law enforcement agencies in combating child sexual exploitation and internet crimes against children. 

    Cosponsors: Cornyn, Blumenthal, Blackburn, Klobuchar, Hawley, Durbin

    S.237, Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act: 
    A bill to strengthen federal support for families of police officers, firefighters and first responders who are killed or permanently disabled by service-related cancers. 

    Cosponsors: Klobuchar, Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), John Kennedy (R-La.), Blackburn, Blumenthal, Coons, Cornyn, Cruz, Durbin, Hirono, Padilla, Welch, Whitehouse 

    -30-

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: SPC Tornado Watch 257

    Source: US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

    Note:  The expiration time in the watch graphic is amended if the watch is replaced, cancelled or extended.Note: Click for Watch Status Reports.
    SEL7

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 257
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    930 PM EDT Thu May 15 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Northern and West-Central Indiana
    Far Southern Lower Michigan
    Lake Michigan

    * Effective this Thursday night and Friday morning from 930 PM
    until 300 AM EDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes and a couple intense tornadoes possible
    Scattered damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts
    to 75 mph possible
    Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5
    inches in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…Thunderstorms will spread east-northeastward this evening
    and overnight while posing a threat for a few tornadoes, scattered
    severe/damaging winds with the ongoing cluster, and large hail with
    any sustained supercells.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 45 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 30 miles east of Benton Harbor MI to 90
    miles south of South Bend IN. For a complete depiction of the watch
    see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU7).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 253…WW 255…WW 256…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 65 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 24040.

    …Gleason

    SEL7

    URGENT – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
    Tornado Watch Number 257
    NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK
    930 PM EDT Thu May 15 2025

    The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a

    * Tornado Watch for portions of
    Northern and West-Central Indiana
    Far Southern Lower Michigan
    Lake Michigan

    * Effective this Thursday night and Friday morning from 930 PM
    until 300 AM EDT.

    * Primary threats include…
    A few tornadoes and a couple intense tornadoes possible
    Scattered damaging winds likely with isolated significant gusts
    to 75 mph possible
    Scattered large hail and isolated very large hail events to 2.5
    inches in diameter possible

    SUMMARY…Thunderstorms will spread east-northeastward this evening
    and overnight while posing a threat for a few tornadoes, scattered
    severe/damaging winds with the ongoing cluster, and large hail with
    any sustained supercells.

    The tornado watch area is approximately along and 45 statute miles
    east and west of a line from 30 miles east of Benton Harbor MI to 90
    miles south of South Bend IN. For a complete depiction of the watch
    see the associated watch outline update (WOUS64 KWNS WOU7).

    PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

    REMEMBER…A Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
    tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
    area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
    threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
    and possible warnings.

    &&

    OTHER WATCH INFORMATION…CONTINUE…WW 253…WW 255…WW 256…

    AVIATION…Tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
    surface and aloft to 2.5 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface wind
    gusts to 65 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to 500. Mean
    storm motion vector 24040.

    …Gleason

    Note: The Aviation Watch (SAW) product is an approximation to the watch area. The actual watch is depicted by the shaded areas.
    SAW7
    WW 257 TORNADO IN MI LM 160130Z – 160700Z
    AXIS..45 STATUTE MILES EAST AND WEST OF LINE..
    30E BEH/BENTON HARBOR MI/ – 90S SBN/SOUTH BEND IN/
    ..AVIATION COORDS.. 40NM E/W /24SSE PMM – 35N IND/
    HAIL SURFACE AND ALOFT..2.5 INCHES. WIND GUSTS..65 KNOTS.
    MAX TOPS TO 500. MEAN STORM MOTION VECTOR 24040.

    LAT…LON 42138497 40398546 40398718 42138672

    THIS IS AN APPROXIMATION TO THE WATCH AREA. FOR A
    COMPLETE DEPICTION OF THE WATCH SEE WOUS64 KWNS
    FOR WOU7.

    Watch 257 Status Report Message has not been issued yet.

    Note:  Click for Complete Product Text.Tornadoes

    Probability of 2 or more tornadoes

    Mod (50%)

    Probability of 1 or more strong (EF2-EF5) tornadoes

    Mod (30%)

    Wind

    Probability of 10 or more severe wind events

    Mod (60%)

    Probability of 1 or more wind events > 65 knots

    Mod (30%)

    Hail

    Probability of 10 or more severe hail events

    Mod (50%)

    Probability of 1 or more hailstones > 2 inches

    Mod (30%)

    Combined Severe Hail/Wind

    Probability of 6 or more combined severe hail/wind events

    High (80%)

    For each watch, probabilities for particular events inside the watch (listed above in each table) are determined by the issuing forecaster. The “Low” category contains probability values ranging from less than 2% to 20% (EF2-EF5 tornadoes), less than 5% to 20% (all other probabilities), “Moderate” from 30% to 60%, and “High” from 70% to greater than 95%. High values are bolded and lighter in color to provide awareness of an increased threat for a particular event.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Speech to Otago Regional Growth Summit

    Source: NZ Music Month takes to the streets

    Thank you for being here.

    We appreciate your time. We appreciate your work.

    You have been joined this morning by five Ministers:

    • The Honourable Shane Jones, a driving force for the economic success of provincial New Zealand.
    • Customs Minister Casey Costello.
    • South Island Minister James Meager, and
    • Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson.

    Today’s summit

    Ours is a country that has taken challenges and overcome them.

    Too often, we look to somebody else for an answer. We need look no further than ourselves.

    Gathered in this room are senior leaders from across the Otago region. Industry leaders, education leaders, transport leaders, elected leaders, and future leaders.

    Indeed, this entire region represents a story of New Zealand. One that embraces its resources, recognises its assets, develops itself, markets itself, attracts a thriving workforce and builds a community.

    These Regional Growth Summits have been set up as a forum for businesses, industry, and key regional leaders for your region’s priorities and how we can work together to grow regional economies.

    Rail as an economic enabler

    A man called Julius Vogel, from Dunedin, saw New Zealand as a nation and not as a series of regions. He connected us with rail, building more rail in ten years than in the 130 years which followed. One nation with many strengths.

    This morning, you have heard from Hon Shane Jones of our Government’s commitment of $8.2 million to build a three-track rail siding connecting Southern Link Logistics, an inland freight hub.

    Freight is about getting from A to B. Freight is the lifeblood of our economy. It’s no good making something if it doesn’t go to a customer.

    Rail boosts the network. Rail is the clearing house for busy ports, moving vast quantities of containers so ports can handle more ships. More ships enable more exports, more imports, more trade.

    Inland freight hubs mean local road freight operators, and rail freight, can feed regional goods into the hub and have rail take the combined heavy-haul to port. This model happens all over the country, and locals here in Otago have said they need it, and we have listened and delivered.

    Further, we have rebuilt the Hillside Railway Workshops in Dunedin. Brand new mechanical depots and network services, and an assembly operation is driving mechanical engineering expertise here in Otago and delivering 1,500 wagons to serve national goods.

    We don’t just talk. We deliver.

    Rebuilding the economy

    New Zealand requires a productive economy to thrive. 

    That means using what we have, adding value, and solving problems elsewhere in the world with our ideas and our products.

    This is not a new idea. Economic success requires work, right here, right now, every day.

    We have many assets as a nation:

    • Our people, their dedication to each other, their families and their communities. Their willingness to put in a hard days work, and our educators, thinkers and innovators and their tenacity to push humanity forward.
    • Our businesses, taking risk and investing for tomorrow, building industries, and backing their communities.
    • Our infrastructure – roads, rails, ports, farms, mills, depots, workshops, fibre, and much more. We have invested heavily, and these assets remain as vital to our success today as they have for decades.
    • Our resources – pastoral land, oceans and rivers, forests and yes, a thing called the extractive industry. Look around, 96 percent of this building and every building in New Zealand came from the extractive industry.

    We must aggressively sell our country as an attractive investment destination.

    The question that is always asked, “but why New Zealand?”, and we must have the answer.

    What gives us an edge over other small nations seeking investment? Why should an investor look to us, to our people, to our resources, to our future and decide we are where their future lies?

    Singapore, Taiwan, Ireland, and Croatia today, have answered these questions.

    So, what must we do?

    First, developing talent is essential to driving productivity gains.

    Many of you will also be aware of the work underway to redesign New Zealand’s vocational training to make it more regionally responsive, efficient, and relevant. These changes will help equip our people with the skills to take better opportunities within their communities, rather than needing to head off to Australia.

    Government investment through Regional Development funds, which started with the Provincial Growth Fund, has had a huge impact on growing job opportunities in Otago, with just under 1,000 jobs created through central government investment in Otago to date. 

    We will see these positive employment outcomes continue with the construction of the flood resilience projects and future potential investments through the Regional Investment Fund.

    Second, competitive business settings. We need the right policies and settings to allow development in the right places at the right time. We are talking here about sensible tax, predictable labour settings, and reliable migration settings.

    The length of time it takes to deliver infrastructure projects in New Zealand is costing us – in inflated costs, delays, and importantly from our perspective, in our international reputation for doing business. We see shovel-ready projects trapped in cycles of over-regulation and legal challenges.

    Third, promoting global trade and investment to boost the value of our exports, grow international markets and attract investment for our firms.

    As the Minister of Foreign Affairs this one is obvious. We are rebuilding the importance of solid relationships and working in partnership with other countries.

    Fourth, science and innovation systems are critical to boosting the number of knowledge-intensive, internationally connected firms.

    Improving digital connectivity and skills is a critical way of ensuring communities have access to a broader range of employment opportunities and enjoy greater productivity. To support these outcomes, the Provincial Growth Fund provided a $950,000 grant for the business case and $10 million grant toward the development of the Centre of Digital Excellence in Dunedin. 

    The centre invests in career pathways to the gaming industry, helps develop digital skills, grows digital capability, supports innovation through contestable funds, and attracts digital businesses to Dunedin.

    Fifth, long-term infrastructure. We want to see major projects on the Fast-Track. That is why we have legislated for economically significant infrastructure projects to be considered for what they are: the pathway to our future. We got things done in our past, and we are going to do it again.

    We are backing our roads and our rail because we know an export nation relies on solid connections to our coastal ports.

    And, if Minister Jones hasn’t made you aware, a $1.2 billion Regional Infrastructure Fund.

    Conclusion

    Now, we remind you that while the people of Wellington do have strengths, the public service within Wellington will not be the problem solver for Otago. That is your job.

    We need our regions to be running at full steam, increasing self-sufficiency, resilience, and for everyone to benefit from the changes we’re driving.

    And if you need help, tell Shane Jones what’s important to you as a region, and how we can work together to make that happen.

    You will be heard.

    Thank you very much.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

    May 16, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Optimization of visa-free regime attracts more tourists to China

    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

    On May 2, 43 Lao tourists taking advantage of the visa-free regime for ASEAN tour groups traveling to Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, successfully cleared customs and entered China through Mohan Railway Port, Yunnan Province, in less than 15 minutes.

    Thanks to the continuous optimization of a series of visa-free measures such as 240-hour visa-free transit and regional visa-free regimes, China Travel remained extremely popular during the May Day holiday this year, with more and more travelers coming to China to discover the country.

    On the afternoon of May 1, at the arrival hall of Changle International Airport in Fuzhou City, US citizen Majid, with the assistance of border guards, successfully obtained a 240-hour temporary stay permit. “Fast processing and excellent service!” he said.

    These were the first May holidays after the introduction of 240-hour visa-free transit. Thanks to the comprehensive application of various visa-free measures, the average daily passenger flow here exceeded 5,300 people.

    On December 17 last year, the State Administration of Immigration comprehensively relaxed and optimized the visa-free transit policy, implementing a 240-hour visa-free regime for citizens of 54 countries. The number of entry points to which this policy applies was increased, and foreign tourists can now travel between provinces within the permitted stay zones.

    “The 240-hour visa-free transit not only extends the stay, but also allows for more cities in different regions, making travel planning more flexible,” said Majid. This time, in addition to experiencing the culture and cuisine of Fujian Province, he also plans to visit West Lake in Hangzhou.

    During the May holidays, the route “Hong Kong and Macao to Guangdong via Zhuhai” has become a popular destination among tourists from Southeast Asian countries.

    Around 7 a.m. on May 1, a group of tourists from Southeast Asia were waiting to clear customs at the arrival hall of the Gongbei border checkpoint. “I have been to China many times,” said Aye from the Philippines. “The Chinese people are very friendly, and I feel very comfortable here every time.”

    Since China introduced a trial visa-free regime for citizens of the Republic of Korea on November 8, 2024, more and more Koreans have been visiting China for tourism, business and family purposes.

    “Going forward, the National Administration for Immigration plans to implement more effective entry-exit and stay policies, and implement new measures to simplify procedures for border crossings, so as to make exchanges between Chinese and foreign citizens more convenient and effectively promote the ‘mutual circulation’ of China and the rest of the world,” said Lin Yongsheng, director of the policy and regulation department of the National Administration for Immigration.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 16, 2025
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