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Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Starlink’s partnership strategy will benefit both telco expansion and underserved customers in India and Africa, observes GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Starlink’s partnership strategy will benefit both telco expansion and underserved customers in India and Africa, observes GlobalData

    Posted in Technology

    Airtel Africa is the latest in the line of telecoms operators partnering with LEO (low-earth orbit) operator Starlink to expand its reach and services. The deal was facilitated by parent company Bharti Airtel, which struck its own agreement with Starlink in India in March. The tie-up between Airtel and Starlink will benefit both companies as well as enterprise customers and businesses, pending regulatory approval in India and five African markets within Airtel Africa’s footprint markets where Starlink is not yet currently licensed, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Ismail Patel, Senior Analyst, Enterprise Technology and Services at GlobalData, comments: “For Starlink, partnering with telcos will give it access to points of sale on the ground as it competes with other LEO satellite systems that are vying for position globally. For telcos like Airtel, Starlink can help expand its reach to business customers with rural presence, educational institutions, health centers, logistical firms, agricultural and mining workers, remote tourist hotspots, and others generally requiring a more robust quality of service. There is also an opportunity for the Airtels of both India and Africa to improve their cellular backhaul through Starlink.”

    GlobalData analysis revealed the massive micro, small, and medium business opportunity in India, with roughly similar metrics for the African markets where Airtel operates. Airtel Africa and Starlink partnership has the potential to increase digitalization in rural and semi-rural regions in the 14 countries where Airtel Africa operates, especially for micro, small, and medium businesses.

    In India, the Confederation of Indian Industry states that of 63 million MSMEs in the country, over 51% are based in rural areas. Fixed broadband penetration of household units in India stood at just 9% as of end-2024, according to GlobalData.

    Patel concludes: “Starlink is trying to get a foothold in the global market with a clever combination of D2C and B2B strategies. It already has struck several partnerships with operators in the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, and Ukraine. It wants to maximize the head start it has on its rivals – like Amazon Kuiper, AST SpaceMobile, Telesat Lightspeed, and Eutelsat OneWeb (which itself is partly owned by Bharti Airtel) – that are at various stages of deployment and geographical breadth.

    “Competition is expected to heat up rapidly as telcos and satellite vendors will be striking a myriad of partnerships with one another to boost connectivity, which will only serve to benefit business and enterprise customers more. With this backdrop, those telcos and LEOs who stand to gain the most are those who get their foot in the door before others and leverage their first-mover advantage.”

    MIL OSI Economics –

    May 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: How Asian American became a racial grouping – and why many with Asian roots don’t identify with the term these days

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Jennifer Ho, Professor of Asian American Studies, University of Colorado Boulder

    People gather for a rally in New York on March 16, 2023, to protest racism against Asian Americans. Fatih Aktas/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

    For the first time, in 1990, May was officially designated as a month honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage. Though the current U.S. administration recently withdrew federal recognition, the month continues to be celebrated by a wide array of people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

    People from the Pacific Islands have their own distinct histories and issues, delineated in part by a specific geography. Yet when we refer to the even broader category of Asian Americans, a concept with a deep yet often unknown history, who exactly are we referring to?

    There are nearly 25 million people of Asian descent who live in the United States, but the term Asian American remains shrouded by cultural misunderstanding and contested as a term among Asians themselves.

    As a professor of Asian American studies, I believe it is important to understand how the label came into being.

    A long history of Asian people in America

    The arrival of people from Asia to the U.S. long predates the country’s founding in 1776.

    After visits to modern-day America that began in the late 16th century, Filipino sailors formed – as early as 1763 – what is believed to be the first Asian settlement in St. Malo, Louisiana.

    But it wasn’t until the 1849 California Gold Rush that Asian immigration to the U.S. – from China – began on a mass scale. That was bolstered in the 1860s by Chinese laborers recruited to build the western portion of the Transcontinental Railroad.

    Starting toward the end of the 19th century, Japanese immigration steadily picked up, so that by 1910 the U.S. Census records a similar number for both communities – just over 70,000. Likewise, a small number of South Asian immigrants began arriving in the early 1900s.

    An exclusionary backlash

    Yet after coming to the U.S. in search of economic and political opportunities, Asian laborers in America were met by a surge of white nativist hostility and violence. That reaction was codified in civil society groups and government laws, such as the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882.

    By 1924, federal law had expanded into a virtual ban on all Asian immigration, and through the first half of the 20th century, a multitude of anti-Asian laws targeted areas including naturalization, marriage and housing, among others.

    In 1933, Chinese Americans in Sacramento, Calif., protested against deportations of Asian people and for higher unemployment insurance benefits.
    Bettmann/Contributor via Getty Images

    From the start, people from Asian countries in the U.S. were generally identified broadly with identifiers such as “Oriental,” a common term at the time mostly for those from China, Japan and Korea.

    As more Asians came to the U.S, other terms were used to denigrate and demean these new immigrants, whose physical appearance, language and cultural norms were distinctly different from their Euro-American neighbors.

    ‘Asian American’ and the birth of a movement

    The desire to claim America was one of the drivers for activists in the 1960s to create the concept of Asian American that we know today.

    The movement began in the charged political context of anti-Vietnam War protests and the Civil Rights Movement for Black equality. Students of Asian heritage at San Francisco State University and the University of California, Berkeley were organizing for the establishment of ethnic studies classes, specifically those that centered on the histories of Asians in the U.S.

    Rejecting the term “oriental” as too limiting and exotic, since oriental literally means “from the East,” the student activists wanted a term of empowerment that would include the Filipino, Chinese, Korean and Japanese students at the heart of this organizing. Graduate students Emma Gee and Yuji Ichioka came up with “Asian American” as a way to bring activists under one radical organizing umbrella, forming the Asian American Political Alliance in 1968.

    A contested term

    Today, the Asian American label has moved beyond its activist roots. The term might literally refer to anyone who traces their lineage from the whole of the Asian continent. This could include people from South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka to parts of West Asia like Syria, Lebanon or Iran.

    Yet not all people who identify as Asian actually use the words Asian American, since it is a term that flattens ethnic specificity and lumps together people with as disparate of backgrounds as Hmong or Bangladeshi, for example.

    A 2023 Pew Research Center survey of self-identified Asian adults living in the U.S. revealed that only 16% of people polled said they identified as “Asian American,” with a majority – 52% – preferring ethnic Asian labels, either alone or in tandem with “American.”

    Chinese immigrants play cards while waiting to be called in the immigration offices in New York in the 1940s.
    Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images

    Moreover, unlike the student activists who worked together through their shared Asian American identity, the majority of people of Asian descent living in the U.S. came after the 1965 Immigration Act was passed, which ended all prior anti-Asian immigration laws. This, combined with a subsequent wave of Asian immigration from parts of Asia not represented in the past – including Vietnam, Taiwan and Pakistan – means that most Asian Americans alive today are either immigrants or one generation removed from immigrants.

    As a largely immigrant and recently Americanized group, many Asians therefore may not relate to the struggles of an earlier history of Asians in the U.S. That may contribute to why many don’t connect with the term “Asian American.” Korean immigrants, for instance, may not see their history connected with third-generation Japanese Americans, particularly when considering their homelands have been in conflict for decades.

    For some, Asian American is too broad a term to capture the complexity of Asian-heritage Americans.

    Indeed, Asian Americans come from over 30 countries with different languages, diverse cultures, and histories that have often been in conflict with other Asian nations. Within such a broad grouping as “Asian American,” a wide range of political, socioeconomic, religious and other differences emerge that greatly complicate this racial label.

    Even though the term remains contested, many Asians still see value in the concept. Much like the activists who first created the label in the 1960s, many believe it signifies a sense of solidarity and community among people who – despite their many differences – have been treated like outsiders to the American experience, regardless of how American their roots are.

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

    – ref. How Asian American became a racial grouping – and why many with Asian roots don’t identify with the term these days – https://theconversation.com/how-asian-american-became-a-racial-grouping-and-why-many-with-asian-roots-dont-identify-with-the-term-these-days-255578

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why collect asteroid samples? 4 essential reads on what these tiny bits of space rock can tell scientists

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Mary Magnuson, Associate Science Editor

    The OSIRIS-REx sample return capsule contained rock from the asteroid Bennu. NASA/Keegan Barber

    China’s Tianwen-2 asteroid sample return mission is set to launch this month, May 2025, en route to the asteroid Kamoʻoalewa (2016 HO3). The country could join the United States and Japan, whose space agencies have both successfully retrieved a sample from an asteroid to study back on Earth.

    Several space missions have flown by asteroids before and gotten a peek at their compositions, but bringing a sample back to Earth is even more helpful for scientists. The most informative analyses require having physical samples to poke and prod, shine light at, run through CT scanners and examine under electron microscopes.

    These missions require detailed planning and specialized spacecraft, so to shed light on why agencies go through the trouble, we compiled four stories from The Conversation U.S.’s archive. These articles describe the ways asteroid sample return missions generate new scientific insights at every stage – from the collection process, to the container’s return to Earth, to laboratory analyses.

    1. Ryugu’s colorful history

    The asteroid Ryugu is made of carbon-rich rock. Japan targeted Ryugu for its sample return mission Hayabusa2 in 2020.

    A sealed container that holds a piece of the Ryugu sample from Japan’s Hayabusa2 mission.
    NASA/Robert Markowitz

    As planetary scientist Paul K. Byrne from Washington University in St. Louis described in his article, the Hayabusa2 team shot the asteroid with a metal projectile and collected the dusty debris that floated into space. This process allowed the Hayabusa2 craft to gather a sample to bring home and also get a close-up look at the asteroid’s surface.

    One thing the collection team noticed: The material that flew off the asteroid was redder than the surface they shot at, which had a bluer tinge.

    Some parts of Ryugu appear almost striped – the middle latitudes are redder, while the poles look more blue. The sample collection process gave researchers some hints about why that is.

    “At some point the asteroid must have been closer to the Sun that it is now,” Byrne wrote. “That would explain the amount of reddening of the surface.”



    Read more:
    Touching the asteroid Ryugu revealed secrets of its surface and changing orbit

    2. Return capsules make shock waves

    Similar to how researchers gained valuable data just from the Hayabusa2 collection process, atmospheric scientists didn’t even need to open the OSIRIS-REx sample return capsule to learn something new.

    NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission traveled to the carbon-rich asteroid Bennu and sent home a small capsule containing a sample in September 2023.

    Released from the OSIRIS-REx craft, the sample return capsule hurtled down to Earth in a heavy box about the size of a microwave. Aside from the fact that it had been released from a spacecraft about 63,000 miles (102,000 kilometers) away, the return looked strikingly similar to that of a meteorite hitting Earth.

    Scientists don’t often have the advance notice needed to study how real meteoroids – the term given to meteorites before they hit the ground – behave when they enter the atmosphere, so they jumped on the opportunity to study the capsule as it returned to Earth.

    As physicists Brian Elbing from Oklahoma State University and Elizabeth A. Silber from Sandia National Laboratories discussed in their article, OSIRIS-REx’s reentry was the perfect opportunity to study what happens in the atmosphere when meteoroid-size objects fly through.

    The teams set up networks of sensitive microphones and other instruments – both on the ground and attached to balloons – to log the sound wave frequencies that the capsule generated in the atmosphere. Understanding how waves travel through the atmosphere can help scientists figure out how to detect hazards such as natural disasters.



    Read more:
    NASA’s asteroid sample mission gave scientists around the world the rare opportunity to study an artificial meteor

    3. Building blocks of life on Bennu

    Once the OSIRIS-REx return capsule was safely back on Earth, researchers across the world – including geologist Timothy J. McCoy from the Smithsonian Institution and planetary scientist Sara Russell from the Natural History Museum in the U.K. – got to work running tests on its contents, while handling the sample carefully to avoid contaminating it.

    As they described in their article, McCoy and Russell found the sample was mostly water-rich clay, which they expected from a carbon-rich asteroid. But they also found a surprising amount of salty and brine-related minerals. These minerals form when water evaporates off a rock’s surface.

    Because these minerals – aptly called evaporites – dissolve when they come into contact with moisture, scientists had never seen them in the meteorites that fly through Earth’s atmosphere, even ones with similar compositions to Bennu. The spacecraft’s sample container kept the Bennu sample airtight, so these evaporites stayed intact.

    These results suggest that the asteroid used to be wet and muddy. And a salty, water-rich environment like Bennu may have once been a great place for organic molecules to form. Some scientists predict that Earth got its ingredients for life from a collision with an asteroid like Bennu.



    Read more:
    Bennu asteroid reveals its contents to scientists − and clues to how the building blocks of life on Earth may have been seeded

    4. Looking ahead: Asteroid mining

    Asteroid sample return missions generate lots of scientific insights. They can also help space agencies and companies understand what exactly is out there, available to bring home from asteroids. While carbon-rich asteroids like Bennu and Ryugu aren’t flush with precious metals, other asteroids have more valuable contents.

    Launched in 2023 and currently traveling through space, NASA’s Psyche mission will explore a metallic asteroid. The Psyche asteroid likely contains platinum, nickel, iron and possibly gold – all materials of commercial interest.

    Scientists can learn about the formation and composition of Earth’s core from metallic asteroids like Psyche, which is the mission’s main goal. But as planetary scientist Valerie Payré from the University of Iowa wrote in her article, “The Psyche mission is a huge step in figuring out what sort of metals are out there.”

    For now, commercial asteroid mining operations are science fiction – not to mention legally fraught. But some companies have started considering early-stage plans for how they one day might do it. Asteroid sample missions can lay some early groundwork.



    Read more:
    NASA’s robotic prospectors are helping scientists understand what asteroids are made of – setting the stage for miners to follow someday

    This story is a roundup of articles from The Conversation’s archives.

    – ref. Why collect asteroid samples? 4 essential reads on what these tiny bits of space rock can tell scientists – https://theconversation.com/why-collect-asteroid-samples-4-essential-reads-on-what-these-tiny-bits-of-space-rock-can-tell-scientists-255705

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    May 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China and Central Asian countries ready to deepen cooperation in education

    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 13 (Xinhua) — The first China-Central Asia Education Ministers’ Meeting was held in Urumqi, northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, on Monday, calling for deeper cooperation in areas such as scientific research, vocational education and more.

    Delivering a keynote speech at the meeting, Chinese Education Minister Huai Jinpeng noted that China pays close attention to cooperation with Central Asian countries in the field of education. Over the past two years, the parties have cooperated more closely and achieved fruitful results, he said.

    Regarding deepening China-Central Asia educational cooperation, Huai Jinpeng called for building new platforms for comprehensive exchanges and cooperation, forming a new system of higher education cooperation for joint training of professionals, unleashing the potential of cooperation in vocational education, strengthening cooperation in digital education based on resource sharing, and promoting exchanges between civilizations in China and Central Asian countries.

    As stated by the Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Sayasat Nurbek, Kazakhstan and China have developed fruitful cooperation in scientific research and education and actively promoted exchanges between specialists, while the youth of the two countries are showing growing interest in studying in each other’s countries.

    At the meeting, he also stressed the importance of expanding academic interaction, strengthening cooperation in postgraduate education, and enhancing the integration of artificial intelligence in the education process.

    At the meeting, the Minister of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic Dogdurkul Kendirbaeva proposed the development of cooperation in the field of developing a green economy and environmental education, supporting projects on artificial intelligence, digital technologies, e-commerce and innovative business models, as well as the continuous development of relevant projects in the field of biodiversity and climate change.

    The Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan Rahim Saidzod stated that as the level of informatization of the social sphere increases, Tajikistan will actively promote technological innovations and cooperation in various aspects, including neural networks, robotic automated production, 3D printing, etc.

    Minister of Education of Turkmenistan Jumamyrat Gurbangeldiev noted that Turkmenistan and China maintain an active intercultural dialogue, which has laid a solid foundation for the sustainable development of bilateral cooperation in the field of education.

    The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan Kongratbay Sharipov put forward an initiative to strengthen cooperation in the “China-Central Asia” format in the field of professional education in such specialized areas as agricultural engineering, green logistics, medical technologies, car maintenance, etc.

    Following the meeting, the Working Charter of the Mechanism of the China-Central Asia Education Ministers’ Meeting and the Urumqi Declaration of the China-Central Asia Education Ministers’ Meeting were adopted.

    The meeting announced the establishment of the China-Central Asia Alliance for the Integration of Education and Production and the Central Asian branch of the Global Institute for Teacher Education, as well as the launch of several projects in the research field.

    Meanwhile, a number of memorandums and agreements between educational institutions were signed at the event. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Army kills three militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir

    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

    NEW DELHI, May 13 (Xinhua) — The Indian army said on Tuesday it killed three militants in a gunfight in Indian-controlled Kashmir.

    The shootout, according to the military, took place in a forested area of Shopian district, about 75 km south of the city of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

    The military did not reveal the identities of the killed militants. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Using TheirStory to Help Tell Our Stories

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    UConn professor and Associate Director of Africana Studies, Fiona Vernal, is making strides to preserve oral histories from Connecticut communities using a platform called TheirStory.

    TheirStory is an oral history platform and was created during the pandemic. CEO Zack Ellis founded the company as a way to preserve his own family histories.

    The platform has grown since its inception and is supported by a nationwide network of universities and historical organizations from UConn to UCLA. It has features to take people through every step of the process of oral history preservation. Users can record, transcribe, index, organize and more to tailor and share their oral histories.

    “There are many, many ways that you can record. Recording has never been the problem when it comes to collecting stories. It’s always what happens after you record,” says Vernal.  “How do you transcribe it? How do you share it? How do you produce it? How do you package it for preservation? TheirStory fits into that ecosystem by providing the last 50% of the miles that you need for processing.”

    Vernal began working with Ellis and TheirStory in 2022. She was working on a project in Hartford on West Indian, African American, and Puerto Rican migrations to the city and received a call from Ellis. “I had been doing oral histories, but experiencing the same bottlenecks as everyone does,” says Vernal. “I ran my oral histories through TheirStory, and I was a convert immediately.”

    “I had a vision for how to share this resource with other folks who were doing the same kind of work,” Vernal says. “If you don’t have a good way to process and generate a transcript, an index and a summary, it’s very difficult to do anything. And it was my mission to try and change that landscape.”

    A State with Many Stories to Tell 

    Vernal and UConn began a partnership with Connecticut Humanities a year later. Vernal scaled her use of the platform from a personal level to a statewide collaboration between UConn, Connecticut Humanities, and the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History.

    “One of the things that the UConn strategic plan does is that it forces us, as faculty, to figure out what statewide service we can provide to citizens,” Vernal says. “As a state entity, we owe it to the citizens, right? I take it as a serious charge and responsibility that UConn should be benefiting the state.”

    Vernal credits Connecticut Humanities for helping expand her individual license as a researcher into a state license for anyone in Connecticut. The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History also helped expand this program into a statewide initiative, “Not just in terms of visibility, but also in terms of service,” says Vernal.

    The Connecticut Museum of Culture and History had a COVID-era oral history project about the impact of the pandemic on the state. “They were at the beginning of a new oral history project that was more expansive, and not just focused on COVID, so it made sense for them to be our partners as well,” Vernal says.

    The state license for oral history gives everyone in the state free access to the platform. It gives museums, libraries, students, community organizations and more the ability to learn more and utilize information on oral histories around the state.

    One of the pilot projects UConn and Vernal worked on included an oral history project for the Connecticut River Museum’s 50th anniversary. Another was for the Mather Homestead in Darien, “Which involves a house museum connected to the Mather lineage of Increase and Cotton Mather in the 1600s,” says Vernal. The Mather family donated their home to become a museum, and they wanted to gather oral histories of the family for the archives.

    Vernal also worked with the Windsor Historical Society, “which was looking at African American civic engagement in the town of Windsor, and also celebrating its own hundredth anniversary,” Vernal says.

    Connecticut is rich in both history and communities with rich traditions, as the projects Vernal has been involved with demonstrate. At the Enfield Historical Society, there is an exhibition about African American Heritage. In Bloomfield, an exhibit on the town’s African American, Jewish and West Indian heritage will premiere in September 2025. The Caribbean Heritage Museum will open in October to overlap with Founders Day at the West Indian Social Club of Hartford.

    “They are my longest-running collaborators,” says Vernal. “I’ve been collaborating with them since I was in graduate school, and they’re going to lend me a segment of the club to transform it into a permanent gallery for a Caribbean Heritage Museum. Folks can come and have that experience and figure out why Connecticut has West Indians as the largest foreign-born population.”  It will be the first Caribbean Heritage Museum in the Northeast.

    ‘History is Unfolding Now’

    Since activating the state license for the platform, Vernal and UConn have reported 107 projects signed up on TheirStory. Of those, about 50% are active, which means that people working on those stories are actively doing interviews and processing oral histories. “We thought we would get 50, and we’ve more than doubled that,” says Vernal. “For me, that’s been a resounding success.”

    For people who want to share their own stories, Vernal describes the process as “frictionless.” “If you know how to use Zoom, then the barriers to entry are very low,” she says. “You get a link, curate your background for lighting and make sure you look the way you want to look, and then you can focus on being the center of attention for the moment without having to worry about controls.” The people at TheirStory and UConn take care of all the logistical matters, while participating individuals are only responsible for sharing their history.

    Vernal is not worried about people fabricating their stories on the platform. “My mantra is that everyone is an expert in their own life story,” she says. “They might not be an expert into the statistical significance of their experiences, but they’re certainly an expert in their own life experiences and their own emotions.”

    The access to these stories is something Vernal is excited about. “We have the State Historical Society, which is well-staffed, and then we have something like the Wintonbury Historical Society, which is all volunteer. So organizations that are poorly staffed or well-endowed can all use this platform and move forward with building up their collection,” says Vernal. “I like that leveling effect, because that’s what investment in infrastructure should do. It should make it possible that no matter what your entry point is, no matter what your size is, you’re getting the skills, training and software that you need to be successful in your specific mission. Whether you’re the kid who wants to interview your parent or you are the organization that wants to do 500 oral histories, you both get exactly what you need to be successful.

    “I want to make the official case for oral histories as a way to build inclusive collections that help you document the ‘now.’ UConn has a tradition of robust support for oral history; this is part of our roots and our heritage,” says Vernal. “Organizations are obsessed with documents from the 1600s, 1700s, 1800s and the 1900s. History is unfolding now, we’re living through historic times now. We need to document these stories in real time, and oral histories can do that.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

    May 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Apple unveils powerful accessibility features coming later this year

    Source: Apple

    Headline: Apple unveils powerful accessibility features coming later this year

    May 13, 2025

    PRESS RELEASE

    Apple unveils powerful accessibility features coming later this year

    New features include Accessibility Nutrition Labels on the App Store, Magnifier for Mac, Braille Access, and Accessibility Reader; plus innovative updates to Live Listen, visionOS, Personal Voice, and more

    CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced new accessibility features coming later this year, including Accessibility Nutrition Labels, which will provide more detailed information for apps and games on the App Store. Users who are blind or have low vision can explore, learn, and interact using the new Magnifier app for Mac; take notes and perform calculations with the new Braille Access feature; and leverage the powerful camera system of Apple Vision Pro with new updates to visionOS. Additional announcements include Accessibility Reader, a new systemwide reading mode designed with accessibility in mind, along with updates to Live Listen, Background Sounds, Personal Voice, Vehicle Motion Cues, and more. Leveraging the power of Apple silicon — along with advances in on-device machine learning and artificial intelligence — users will experience a new level of accessibility across the Apple ecosystem.

    “At Apple, accessibility is part of our DNA,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Making technology for everyone is a priority for all of us, and we’re proud of the innovations we’re sharing this year. That includes tools to help people access crucial information, explore the world around them, and do what they love.”

    “Building on 40 years of accessibility innovation at Apple, we are dedicated to pushing forward with new accessibility features for all of our products,” said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives. “Powered by the Apple ecosystem, these features work seamlessly together to bring users new ways to engage with the things they care about most.”

    Accessibility Nutrition Labels Come to the App Store

    Accessibility Nutrition Labels bring a new section to App Store product pages that will highlight accessibility features within apps and games. These labels give users a new way to learn if an app will be accessible to them before they download it, and give developers the opportunity to better inform and educate their users on features their app supports. This includes VoiceOver, Voice Control, Larger Text, Sufficient Contrast, Reduced Motion, captions, and more. Accessibility Nutrition Labels will be available on the App Store worldwide, and developers can access more guidance on the criteria apps should meet before displaying accessibility information on their product pages.

    “Accessibility Nutrition Labels are a huge step forward for accessibility,” said Eric Bridges, the American Foundation for the Blind’s president and CEO. “Consumers deserve to know if a product or service will be accessible to them from the very start, and Apple has a long-standing history of delivering tools and technologies that allow developers to build experiences for everyone. These labels will give people with disabilities a new way to easily make more informed decisions and make purchases with a new level of confidence.”

    An All-New Magnifier for Mac

    Since 2016, Magnifier on iPhone and iPad has given users who are blind or have low vision tools to zoom in, read text, and detect objects around them. This year, Magnifier is coming to Mac to make the physical world more accessible for users with low vision. The Magnifier app for Mac connects to a user’s camera so they can zoom in on their surroundings, such as a screen or whiteboard. Magnifier works with Continuity Camera on iPhone as well as attached USB cameras, and supports reading documents using Desk View.

    With multiple live session windows, users can multitask by viewing a presentation with a webcam while simultaneously following along in a book using Desk View. With customized views, users can adjust brightness, contrast, color filters, and even perspective to make text and images easier to see. Views can also be captured, grouped, and saved to add to later on. Additionally, Magnifier for Mac is integrated with another new accessibility feature, Accessibility Reader, which transforms text from the physical world into a custom legible format.

    A New Braille Experience

    Braille Access is an all-new experience that turns iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro into a full-featured braille note taker that’s deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem. With a built-in app launcher, users can easily open any app by typing with Braille Screen Input or a connected braille device. With Braille Access, users can quickly take notes in braille format and perform calculations using Nemeth Braille, a braille code often used in classrooms for math and science. Users can open Braille Ready Format (BRF) files directly from Braille Access, unlocking a wide range of books and files previously created on a braille note taking device. And an integrated form of Live Captions allows users to transcribe conversations in real time directly on braille displays.

    Introducing Accessibility Reader

    Accessibility Reader is a new systemwide reading mode designed to make text easier to read for users with a wide range of disabilities, such as dyslexia or low vision. Available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro, Accessibility Reader gives users new ways to customize text and focus on content they want to read, with extensive options for font, color, and spacing, as well as support for Spoken Content. Accessibility Reader can be launched from any app, and is built into the Magnifier app for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, so users can interact with text in the real world, like in books or on dining menus.

    Live Captions Arrive on Apple Watch

    For users who are deaf or hard of hearing, Live Listen controls come to Apple Watch with a new set of features, including real-time Live Captions. Live Listen turns iPhone into a remote microphone to stream content directly to AirPods, Made for iPhone hearing aids, or Beats headphones. When a session is active on iPhone, users can view Live Captions of what their iPhone hears on a paired Apple Watch while listening along to the audio. Apple Watch serves as a remote control to start or stop Live Listen sessions, or jump back in a session to capture something that may have been missed. With Apple Watch, Live Listen sessions can be controlled from across the room, so there’s no need to get up in the middle of a meeting or during class. Live Listen can be used along with hearing health features available on AirPods Pro 2, including the first-of-its-kind clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature.

    An Enhanced View with Apple Vision Pro

    For users who are blind or have low vision, visionOS will expand vision accessibility features using the advanced camera system on Apple Vision Pro. With powerful updates to Zoom, users can magnify everything in view — including their surroundings — using the main camera. For VoiceOver users, Live Recognition in visionOS uses on-device machine learning to describe surroundings, find objects, read documents, and more.1 For accessibility developers, a new API will enable approved apps to access the main camera to provide live, person-to-person assistance for visual interpretation in apps like Be My Eyes, giving users more ways to understand their surroundings hands-free.

    Additional Updates

    • Background Sounds becomes easier to personalize with new EQ settings, the option to stop automatically after a period of time, and new actions for automations in Shortcuts. Background Sounds can help minimize distractions to increase a sense of focus and relaxation, which some users find can help with symptoms of tinnitus.
    • For users at risk of losing their ability to speak, Personal Voice becomes faster, easier, and more powerful than ever, leveraging advances in on-device machine learning and artificial intelligence to create a smoother, more natural-sounding voice in less than a minute, using only 10 recorded phrases. Personal Voice will also add support for Spanish (Mexico).2
    • Vehicle Motion Cues, which can help reduce motion sickness when riding in a moving vehicle, comes to Mac, along with new ways to customize the animated onscreen dots on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
    • Eye Tracking users on iPhone and iPad will now have the option to use a switch or dwell to make selections. Keyboard typing when using Eye Tracking or Switch Control is now easier on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro with improvements including a new keyboard dwell timer, reduced steps when typing with switches, and enabling QuickPath for iPhone and Vision Pro.
    • With Head Tracking, users will be able to more easily control iPhone and iPad with head movements, similar to Eye Tracking.
    • For users with severe mobility disabilities, iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS will add a new protocol to support Switch Control for Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs), an emerging technology that allows users to control their device without physical movement.
    • Assistive Access adds a new custom Apple TV app with a simplified media player. Developers will also get support in creating tailored experiences for users with intellectual and developmental disabilities using the Assistive Access API.
    • Music Haptics on iPhone becomes more customizable with the option to experience haptics for a whole song or for vocals only, as well as the option to adjust the overall intensity of taps, textures, and vibrations.
    • Sound Recognition adds Name Recognition, a new way for users who are deaf or hard of hearing to know when their name is being called.
    • Voice Control introduces a new programming mode in Xcode for software developers with limited mobility. Voice Control also adds vocabulary syncing across devices, and will expand language support to include Korean, Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Turkish, Italian, Spanish (Latin America), Mandarin Chinese (Taiwan), English (Singapore), and Russian.
    • Live Captions adds support to include English (India, Australia, UK, Singapore), Mandarin Chinese (Mainland China), Cantonese (Mainland China, Hong Kong), Spanish (Latin America, Spain), French (France, Canada), Japanese, German (Germany), and Korean.
    • Updates to CarPlay include support for Large Text. With updates to Sound Recognition in CarPlay, drivers or passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing can now be notified of the sound of a crying baby, in addition to sounds outside the car such as horns and sirens.
    • Share Accessibility Settings is a new way for users to quickly and temporarily share their accessibility settings with another iPhone or iPad. This is great for borrowing a friend’s device or using a public kiosk in a setting like a cafe.

    Celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day with Apple

    Apple Retail is introducing dedicated tables spotlighting accessibility features on a variety of devices in select store locations throughout the month of May. Additionally, Apple offers accessibility sessions year-round through Today at Apple for deeper learning, tips, and feature customization. Sessions can be scheduled at all Apple Store locations worldwide through Group Booking or by visiting a nearby store.

    Apple Music shares the story of artist Kiddo K and the power of music haptics for users who are deaf or hard of hearing, unveils updates to its Haptics playlists, and launches a brand-new playlist featuring ASL interpretations of music videos alongside Saylists playlists.

    Apple Fitness+ welcomes Chelsie Hill as a guest in a Dance workout with Fitness+ trainer Ben Allen. Hill is a professional dancer and founder of Rolettes, an L.A.-based wheelchair dance team that advocates for disability representation and women’s empowerment. The workout is available now in the Fitness+ app.

    Apple TV+ shares a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the new Apple Original film Deaf President Now!, which premieres on Apple TV+ on May 16. The documentary tells the story of the greatest civil rights movement most people have never heard about, which unfolded across eight tumultuous days in 1988. At the world’s only Deaf university, four students must find a way to lead an angry mob — and change the course of history.

    Apple Books, Apple Podcasts, Apple TV, and Apple News will spotlight stories of people with disabilities and those who are working to make the world more accessible for everyone.

    The App Store is sharing a collection of apps and games designed to be accessible to everyone, in addition to featuring the story of Klemens Strasser, a developer guided by a philosophy of making accessible apps and games like The Art of Fauna.

    The Shortcuts app adds Hold That Thought, a shortcut that prompts users to capture and recall information in a note so interruptions don’t derail their flow. The Accessibility Assistant shortcut has been added to Shortcuts on Apple Vision Pro to help recommend accessibility features based on user preferences.

    New videos on the Apple Support accessibility playlist include features like Eye Tracking, Vocal Shortcuts, and Vehicle Motion Cues, as well as a library of videos to help everyone personalize their iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro to work best for them.

    About Apple Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s six software platforms — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV+. Apple’s more than 150,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth and to leaving the world better than we found it.

    1. Live Recognition should not be relied on in high-risk or emergency situations, in circumstances where the user may be harmed or injured, or for navigation.
    2. Personal Voice can only be used to create a voice that sounds like the user on device, using their own voice, and for their own personal, noncommercial use.

    Press Contacts

    Will Butler

    Apple

    willbutler@apple.com

    Apple Media Helpline

    media.help@apple.com

    MIL OSI Economics –

    May 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Apple unveils powerful accessibility features coming later this year

    Source: Apple

    Headline: Apple unveils powerful accessibility features coming later this year

    May 13, 2025

    PRESS RELEASE

    Apple unveils powerful accessibility features coming later this year

    New features include Accessibility Nutrition Labels on the App Store, Magnifier for Mac, Braille Access, and Accessibility Reader; plus innovative updates to Live Listen, visionOS, Personal Voice, and more

    CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today announced new accessibility features coming later this year, including Accessibility Nutrition Labels, which will provide more detailed information for apps and games on the App Store. Users who are blind or have low vision can explore, learn, and interact using the new Magnifier app for Mac; take notes and perform calculations with the new Braille Access feature; and leverage the powerful camera system of Apple Vision Pro with new updates to visionOS. Additional announcements include Accessibility Reader, a new systemwide reading mode designed with accessibility in mind, along with updates to Live Listen, Background Sounds, Personal Voice, Vehicle Motion Cues, and more. Leveraging the power of Apple silicon — along with advances in on-device machine learning and artificial intelligence — users will experience a new level of accessibility across the Apple ecosystem.

    “At Apple, accessibility is part of our DNA,” said Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO. “Making technology for everyone is a priority for all of us, and we’re proud of the innovations we’re sharing this year. That includes tools to help people access crucial information, explore the world around them, and do what they love.”

    “Building on 40 years of accessibility innovation at Apple, we are dedicated to pushing forward with new accessibility features for all of our products,” said Sarah Herrlinger, Apple’s senior director of Global Accessibility Policy and Initiatives. “Powered by the Apple ecosystem, these features work seamlessly together to bring users new ways to engage with the things they care about most.”

    Accessibility Nutrition Labels Come to the App Store

    Accessibility Nutrition Labels bring a new section to App Store product pages that will highlight accessibility features within apps and games. These labels give users a new way to learn if an app will be accessible to them before they download it, and give developers the opportunity to better inform and educate their users on features their app supports. This includes VoiceOver, Voice Control, Larger Text, Sufficient Contrast, Reduced Motion, captions, and more. Accessibility Nutrition Labels will be available on the App Store worldwide, and developers can access more guidance on the criteria apps should meet before displaying accessibility information on their product pages.

    “Accessibility Nutrition Labels are a huge step forward for accessibility,” said Eric Bridges, the American Foundation for the Blind’s president and CEO. “Consumers deserve to know if a product or service will be accessible to them from the very start, and Apple has a long-standing history of delivering tools and technologies that allow developers to build experiences for everyone. These labels will give people with disabilities a new way to easily make more informed decisions and make purchases with a new level of confidence.”

    An All-New Magnifier for Mac

    Since 2016, Magnifier on iPhone and iPad has given users who are blind or have low vision tools to zoom in, read text, and detect objects around them. This year, Magnifier is coming to Mac to make the physical world more accessible for users with low vision. The Magnifier app for Mac connects to a user’s camera so they can zoom in on their surroundings, such as a screen or whiteboard. Magnifier works with Continuity Camera on iPhone as well as attached USB cameras, and supports reading documents using Desk View.

    With multiple live session windows, users can multitask by viewing a presentation with a webcam while simultaneously following along in a book using Desk View. With customized views, users can adjust brightness, contrast, color filters, and even perspective to make text and images easier to see. Views can also be captured, grouped, and saved to add to later on. Additionally, Magnifier for Mac is integrated with another new accessibility feature, Accessibility Reader, which transforms text from the physical world into a custom legible format.

    A New Braille Experience

    Braille Access is an all-new experience that turns iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro into a full-featured braille note taker that’s deeply integrated into the Apple ecosystem. With a built-in app launcher, users can easily open any app by typing with Braille Screen Input or a connected braille device. With Braille Access, users can quickly take notes in braille format and perform calculations using Nemeth Braille, a braille code often used in classrooms for math and science. Users can open Braille Ready Format (BRF) files directly from Braille Access, unlocking a wide range of books and files previously created on a braille note taking device. And an integrated form of Live Captions allows users to transcribe conversations in real time directly on braille displays.

    Introducing Accessibility Reader

    Accessibility Reader is a new systemwide reading mode designed to make text easier to read for users with a wide range of disabilities, such as dyslexia or low vision. Available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro, Accessibility Reader gives users new ways to customize text and focus on content they want to read, with extensive options for font, color, and spacing, as well as support for Spoken Content. Accessibility Reader can be launched from any app, and is built into the Magnifier app for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, so users can interact with text in the real world, like in books or on dining menus.

    Live Captions Arrive on Apple Watch

    For users who are deaf or hard of hearing, Live Listen controls come to Apple Watch with a new set of features, including real-time Live Captions. Live Listen turns iPhone into a remote microphone to stream content directly to AirPods, Made for iPhone hearing aids, or Beats headphones. When a session is active on iPhone, users can view Live Captions of what their iPhone hears on a paired Apple Watch while listening along to the audio. Apple Watch serves as a remote control to start or stop Live Listen sessions, or jump back in a session to capture something that may have been missed. With Apple Watch, Live Listen sessions can be controlled from across the room, so there’s no need to get up in the middle of a meeting or during class. Live Listen can be used along with hearing health features available on AirPods Pro 2, including the first-of-its-kind clinical-grade Hearing Aid feature.

    An Enhanced View with Apple Vision Pro

    For users who are blind or have low vision, visionOS will expand vision accessibility features using the advanced camera system on Apple Vision Pro. With powerful updates to Zoom, users can magnify everything in view — including their surroundings — using the main camera. For VoiceOver users, Live Recognition in visionOS uses on-device machine learning to describe surroundings, find objects, read documents, and more.1 For accessibility developers, a new API will enable approved apps to access the main camera to provide live, person-to-person assistance for visual interpretation in apps like Be My Eyes, giving users more ways to understand their surroundings hands-free.

    Additional Updates

    • Background Sounds becomes easier to personalize with new EQ settings, the option to stop automatically after a period of time, and new actions for automations in Shortcuts. Background Sounds can help minimize distractions to increase a sense of focus and relaxation, which some users find can help with symptoms of tinnitus.
    • For users at risk of losing their ability to speak, Personal Voice becomes faster, easier, and more powerful than ever, leveraging advances in on-device machine learning and artificial intelligence to create a smoother, more natural-sounding voice in less than a minute, using only 10 recorded phrases. Personal Voice will also add support for Spanish (Mexico).2
    • Vehicle Motion Cues, which can help reduce motion sickness when riding in a moving vehicle, comes to Mac, along with new ways to customize the animated onscreen dots on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
    • Eye Tracking users on iPhone and iPad will now have the option to use a switch or dwell to make selections. Keyboard typing when using Eye Tracking or Switch Control is now easier on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro with improvements including a new keyboard dwell timer, reduced steps when typing with switches, and enabling QuickPath for iPhone and Vision Pro.
    • With Head Tracking, users will be able to more easily control iPhone and iPad with head movements, similar to Eye Tracking.
    • For users with severe mobility disabilities, iOS, iPadOS, and visionOS will add a new protocol to support Switch Control for Brain Computer Interfaces (BCIs), an emerging technology that allows users to control their device without physical movement.
    • Assistive Access adds a new custom Apple TV app with a simplified media player. Developers will also get support in creating tailored experiences for users with intellectual and developmental disabilities using the Assistive Access API.
    • Music Haptics on iPhone becomes more customizable with the option to experience haptics for a whole song or for vocals only, as well as the option to adjust the overall intensity of taps, textures, and vibrations.
    • Sound Recognition adds Name Recognition, a new way for users who are deaf or hard of hearing to know when their name is being called.
    • Voice Control introduces a new programming mode in Xcode for software developers with limited mobility. Voice Control also adds vocabulary syncing across devices, and will expand language support to include Korean, Arabic (Saudi Arabia), Turkish, Italian, Spanish (Latin America), Mandarin Chinese (Taiwan), English (Singapore), and Russian.
    • Live Captions adds support to include English (India, Australia, UK, Singapore), Mandarin Chinese (Mainland China), Cantonese (Mainland China, Hong Kong), Spanish (Latin America, Spain), French (France, Canada), Japanese, German (Germany), and Korean.
    • Updates to CarPlay include support for Large Text. With updates to Sound Recognition in CarPlay, drivers or passengers who are deaf or hard of hearing can now be notified of the sound of a crying baby, in addition to sounds outside the car such as horns and sirens.
    • Share Accessibility Settings is a new way for users to quickly and temporarily share their accessibility settings with another iPhone or iPad. This is great for borrowing a friend’s device or using a public kiosk in a setting like a cafe.

    Celebrate Global Accessibility Awareness Day with Apple

    Apple Retail is introducing dedicated tables spotlighting accessibility features on a variety of devices in select store locations throughout the month of May. Additionally, Apple offers accessibility sessions year-round through Today at Apple for deeper learning, tips, and feature customization. Sessions can be scheduled at all Apple Store locations worldwide through Group Booking or by visiting a nearby store.

    Apple Music shares the story of artist Kiddo K and the power of music haptics for users who are deaf or hard of hearing, unveils updates to its Haptics playlists, and launches a brand-new playlist featuring ASL interpretations of music videos alongside Saylists playlists.

    Apple Fitness+ welcomes Chelsie Hill as a guest in a Dance workout with Fitness+ trainer Ben Allen. Hill is a professional dancer and founder of Rolettes, an L.A.-based wheelchair dance team that advocates for disability representation and women’s empowerment. The workout is available now in the Fitness+ app.

    Apple TV+ shares a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the new Apple Original film Deaf President Now!, which premieres on Apple TV+ on May 16. The documentary tells the story of the greatest civil rights movement most people have never heard about, which unfolded across eight tumultuous days in 1988. At the world’s only Deaf university, four students must find a way to lead an angry mob — and change the course of history.

    Apple Books, Apple Podcasts, Apple TV, and Apple News will spotlight stories of people with disabilities and those who are working to make the world more accessible for everyone.

    The App Store is sharing a collection of apps and games designed to be accessible to everyone, in addition to featuring the story of Klemens Strasser, a developer guided by a philosophy of making accessible apps and games like The Art of Fauna.

    The Shortcuts app adds Hold That Thought, a shortcut that prompts users to capture and recall information in a note so interruptions don’t derail their flow. The Accessibility Assistant shortcut has been added to Shortcuts on Apple Vision Pro to help recommend accessibility features based on user preferences.

    New videos on the Apple Support accessibility playlist include features like Eye Tracking, Vocal Shortcuts, and Vehicle Motion Cues, as well as a library of videos to help everyone personalize their iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro to work best for them.

    About Apple Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s six software platforms — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV+. Apple’s more than 150,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth and to leaving the world better than we found it.

    1. Live Recognition should not be relied on in high-risk or emergency situations, in circumstances where the user may be harmed or injured, or for navigation.
    2. Personal Voice can only be used to create a voice that sounds like the user on device, using their own voice, and for their own personal, noncommercial use.

    Press Contacts

    Will Butler

    Apple

    willbutler@apple.com

    Apple Media Helpline

    media.help@apple.com

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    May 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/INDONESIA – The Camillians inaugurate a new Social Center in Kupang, on the island of Timor

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Tuesday, 13 May 2025

    LG

    Kupang (Agenzia Fides) – After more than fifteen years of missionary presence, the Camillian religious in Indonesia are a tangible sign of charity and social commitment. Their work, inspired by the charism of Saint Camillus of Lellis, patron saint of the sick and health workers, has been expressed over time through numerous pastoral, health, and educational activities, especially for the benefit of the most vulnerable sections of the population.After the establishment of the first Saint Camillus Social Center in Maumere, on the island of Flores, in 2018 (see Fides, 2/6/2018), the Camillians inaugurated a second center on May 10 in the city of Kupang, capital of the province of East Nusa Tenggara, on the island of Timor.The inauguration ceremony was attended by the local Bishop Hironimus Pakaenoni, the provincial governor Emanuel Melkiades Laka Lena, and numerous civil and religious authorities, who expressed their deep admiration for the courage, dedication, and vision of the Camillian missionaries. The initiative was enthusiastically welcomed by the population, who see it as a concrete opportunity for growth and support, especially for young people.The center, built with the support of the Italian Bishops’ Conference and the contributions of numerous donors, is an important response to the educational and social needs of the region. The new facility has 43 rooms for student accommodation, a conference room, several meeting rooms, a dining room with a kitchen, and other spaces that make it an ideal venue for meetings, seminars, and training activities. With this, the Camillians reaffirm their commitment not only to the sick, the poor, and the needy in the area of healthcare, but also to young people, offering them not only hospitality but also the opportunity for human and spiritual growth, thus responding to the most urgent needs of local communities. The new “St. Camillus Social Center” thus sees itself as a point of reference for the local community, a place of encounter and hope, where we can build a better future together. (LG/AP) (Agenzia Fides, 13/5/2025)
    LG

    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    May 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Pension schemes back British growth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Pension schemes back British growth

    Mansion House Accord unlocks up to £50 billion investment for the economy, with first commitments to invest in the UK.

    • More ambitious targets than 2023 Mansion House Compact will unlock investment into UK businesses and major infrastructure projects, including clean energy developments. 

    • Comes ahead of Pensions Investment Review final report, which will create megafunds to drive more investment, boost pension pots and grow the economy through the Plan for Change.

    Up to £50 billion of investment for UK businesses and major infrastructure projects is set to be unlocked through a new agreement with Britain’s biggest pension funds, as the Government goes further and faster to drive growth through the Plan for Change.

    Seventeen workplace pension providers managing around 90 percent of active savers’ defined contribution pensions will sign the Mansion House Accord at a roundtable with the Chancellor and Minister for Pensions in the City of London today (Tuesday 13 May). 

    Signatories to the Accord will pledge to invest 10 percent of their workplace portfolios in assets that boost the economy such as infrastructure, property and private equity by 2030. At least 5 percent of these portfolios will be ringfenced for the UK, expected to release £25 billion directly into the UK economy by 2030.  

    This investment could support clean energy developments across the country, delivering greater energy security and helping to lower household bills, as well as delivering growth finance to Britain’s world-leading science and technology businesses – creating jobs, boosting businesses and putting more money into people’s pockets.

    Pension savers will also benefit from the commitment to invest in private markets. Comparable Australian schemes invest significantly more in private markets and domestic companies than UK schemes, and research suggests greater investment in private markets can deliver security through diversified asset holdings and potentially drive higher returns. 

    The pledge follows hot on the heels of securing trade agreements with India and the US, which will add billions of pounds to the UK economy and protect thousands of steel and car manufacturing jobs, as well as a fourth interest rate cut since last Summer. This demonstrates the UK’s strength in navigating a changing world, going further and faster through our Plan for Change to drive growth and put more money into people’s pockets.

    Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:

    Through our Plan for Change, we are choosing to back British businesses and British workers. I welcome this bold step by some of our biggest pension funds, which will unlock billions for major infrastructure, clean energy, and exciting startups — delivering growth, boosting pension pots, and giving working people greater security in retirement.

    Torsten Bell, Minister for Pensions, said:

    Pensions matter hugely, they underpin not just the retirements we all look forward to, but the investment our future prosperity depends on. I hugely welcome the pensions industry decision to invest in more productive assets, from growing companies to infrastructure. This supports better outcomes for savers and faster growth for Britain.

    Today’s announcement is more ambitious than the 2023 Mansion House Compact, where eleven funds committed to the aim of investing 5 percent of their workplace defined contribution default funds – the off-the-shelf funds providers offer to the vast majority of savers – in unlisted companies by 2030. The new commitment involves the vast majority of the industry and brings more assets into scope, doubles the target from 5 percent to 10 percent, and includes a specific commitment to investing 5 percent in the UK. 

    Progress against the commitment will be monitored and the initiative will be reinforced by measures to be announced in the upcoming final report of the Pensions Investment Review. The final report will tackle fragmentation in the UK pension system, creating pension megafunds that take advantage of scale and consolidation like Australian and Canadian funds do, to invest in productive assets like private markets and big infrastructure projects.  

    Some pension funds have already indicated privately that they will go beyond the targets agreed through the Mansion House Accord, which could lead to even more direct investment in the UK economy – and is particularly welcomed by the government. 

    Today’s commitment comes alongside progress in the government’s efforts to help pension savers benefit from the opportunities of investing in UK growth. The British Business Bank has now received regulatory approval from the Financial Conduct Authority to deliver the British Growth Partnership – which will provide UK pension funds and other institutional investors with access to the Bank’s extensive pipeline of UK venture capital opportunities. 

    The government will continue working with the industry to make sure pension schemes deliver the best possible value for savers — while driving the investment needed to deliver growth and put more money into people’s pockets.

    Yvonne Braun, Director of Policy, Long-Term Savings, Health and Protection at the ABI, said:

    As major investors, the pensions industry already plays a vital role in driving growth in the UK and globally. The Accord formalises the industry’s ambition to invest more in private markets to diversify investments, support innovation and infrastructure, and ensure prosperity.  Investments under the Accord will always be made in savers’ best interests. It is now critical that Government supports the industry’s ambition, by facilitating a pipeline of suitable investment opportunities, tackling barriers to investments, and delivering wider pension reforms effectively.

    Alastair King, Lord Mayor of London, said:

    The Mansion House Accord builds on the strong foundations of the Compact and signals a step change in ambition: more signatories, deeper allocations to private markets, and a clearer commitment to backing UK assets. That includes a renewed focus on revitalising the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange as well as the Aquis Exchange, which play a critical role in supporting high-growth companies that drive innovation, jobs and productivity. If we want those firms to scale in the UK, we must ensure they have the capital to do so. This is not just about better pension outcomes, it is about building a more dynamic, competitive investment ecosystem. Delivering long-term, sustainable growth is crucial and the City of London Corporation is delighted to have partnered with industry and Government to bring this ambition to life.

    Zoe Alexander, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the PLSA, said:

    UK pension schemes already invest billions in UK growth assets. This accord demonstrates the collective ambition of the DC sector to do even more, as well as its confidence that the UK will provide the right opportunities to invest, consistent with schemes’ fiduciary duty to members. The Government, in its turn, has committed to take action to ensure there is a strong pipeline of investable assets for pension schemes. With everyone playing their part, there is great potential to boost returns for savers while providing vital funding to productive growth areas.

    More information

    • This is a voluntary expression of intent by seventeen signatories. The Mansion House Accord has been jointly led by the ABI, City of London Corporation and the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association. 

    • Signatories to the new commitment include: Aegon, Aon, Aviva, Legal & General, LifeSight, M&G, Mercer, Natwest Cushon, Nest, NOW: Pensions, Phoenix Group, Royal London, Smart Pension, the People’s Pension, SEI, TPT Retirement Solutions and the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). 

    • The signatories to the Accord have stated that £252 billion of assets are subject to the pledge. Based on historical growth rates (which have been halved to reflect a maturing market (17% per annum)) and reflecting further consolidation in the pensions market, this could rise to around £740 billion by 2030.  

    • The £50 billion and £25 billion cash estimates for investment unlocked are indicative and assume current private market investment levels are at 3.5%, of which 40% is UK-based. These are increased to 10% and 50% respectively by 2030 in line with the Accord.   

    • Some providers have indicated they may exceed the private markets investment targets in the Accord, which could lead to additional investment.  

    • Investments will support UK growth sectors, including clean energy infrastructure and innovative small businesses. 

    • Government Actuary Department Analysis from 2024 found that a portfolio with greater exposure to private markets – including infrastructure and private equity – delivered stronger returns than a baseline portfolio comprised largely of overseas equities.   

    • The Pensions Investment Review interim report was published at Mansion House 2024, with the final report due Spring 2025. 
    • Pictures will be published on HMT’s Flickr following the signing event.

    Stakeholder commentary:

    Andy Briggs, Phoenix Group CEO, said:

    This Mansion House Accord will unlock investment in UK private markets while helping deliver better long-term returns and retirements for millions of pension savers. The new commitments have the potential to strengthen the economy by fuelling the growth of British businesses and boosting investment in critical infrastructure.  

    Phoenix Group has already taken a lead by launching Future Growth Capital — the first private market investment manager formed to deliver the commitments made in the initial Mansion House Compact — committing £2.5bn over three years to the UK’s most exciting, innovative and fastest growing companies. The Accord is the natural next step, and we’re proud to play our part in delivering better outcomes for our customers and for the wider society.

    Patrick Heath-Lay, Chief Executive Officer of People’s Partnership, provider of People’s Pension, said:

    People’s Pension has a vital role to play in the exciting, shared vision for the future of the pensions’ industry, which will see bigger, stronger, value-driven schemes that will deliver better value to their members. By signing this Accord, we are reaffirming how seriously we take our commitment to delivering better outcomes, as well as helping to drive UK economic growth.

    David Lane, Chief Executive of TPT Retirement Solutions, said:

    By reaching an agreement with pension providers to invest in UK productive finance in a mutually beneficial way, the Government can achieve its objective and support better outcomes for scheme members. Many pension schemes already invest in productive finance, and most are open to investing more in the UK. Investment in assets such as infrastructure, transportation, housing, venture capital and private markets can play an important role in improving risk-adjusted returns for members while also contributing to economic growth. 

    Meeting the Government’s objectives while also maintaining fiduciary duty and ensuring strong returns for members are not mutually exclusive ambitions. However, hurdles remain around value for money considerations and the availability of suitable investment opportunities. These should be a focus for Government policy to spur more investment. The most pressing issue to deal with is that provider pricing practices leave very little room in the annual management charge for investment fees. There needs to be a shift to a value for money approach that considers the returns from an investment and not just its fees.

    Jelena Croad, Head of LifeSight GB, said:

    Signing up to the Mansion House Accord is a significant step for LifeSight. We believe that private market investments can increase overall returns as part of a diversified portfolio and have already begun investing in this way.  

    Our ability to invest in private markets, without increasing existing fee agreements, showcases our dedication to providing the best possible outcomes for our members. We are excited to be part of this initiative and look forward to contributing to the growth of the economy in which our members live.  

    We are pleased that the government acknowledges the need to increase the pipeline for UK private market investment opportunities. This recognition aligns with our mission to support the growth of innovative firms and sustainable infrastructure within the UK, ultimately enhancing the retirement incomes of millions of UK pension savers.  

    For LifeSight members, these investments are being made as part of our main default funds, ensuring that our members benefit from high-quality investment opportunities.

    Steve Charlton, a member of SPP’s DC Committee and DC Managing Director at SEI, said:

    Due to ongoing collaboration and open dialogue between the industry and the UK government, we have become comfortable with the proposed changes to the Mansion House reforms. This accord demonstrates our collective ambition to have a consolidated workplace pension environment that provides flexibility and choice for pension funds to invest where they see opportunity, whilst balancing their responsibility to members. 

    We welcome the government’s commitment to ensure a good flow of investable opportunities for pension schemes. This mitigates our previous concerns about the risks of high-priced, poor-quality investments in an environment where the originally proposed investable opportunities are scarce. It enables everyone to play their part in helping to deliver better member outcomes and drive economic growth.

    Lorna Blyth, Managing Director – Investment Proposition at Aegon UK, said: 

    Aegon UK is proud to be a signatory of the Mansion House Accord, which aligns with our aim to deliver better long-term outcomes for our pension scheme members. 

    We are committed to ensuring our customers can access and share in the potential growth and success of new, innovative companies as part of diversified portfolios. Leveraging our partnership with the British Business Bank, along with our scale and expertise, we are dedicated to developing investment solutions that improve the retirement outcomes of the millions of members of the defined contribution pension schemes we support. We’ve made significant progress in becoming a DC provider fit for the future – but our journey doesn’t end here. 

    The Accord is a key element of the Government’s growth agenda, alongside other initiatives likely to transform the UK’s DC pensions market. It comes as the conclusions of the Pensions Investment Review are expected imminently and further fundamental changes are expected in the Pension Schemes Bill later this spring. This makes it essential that the Government adopts a pragmatic approach to implementation. Realistic timeframes and a steady supply of high-quality UK investment opportunities across all private asset classes are crucial for ensuring success. This includes collaborating with more organisations such as the British Business Bank to provide access to diverse types of private assets – from private equity to infrastructure, which are all vital for optimising member benefits and developing investment portfolios designed for long term growth.

    Amanda Blanc DBE, Aviva Group Chief Executive Officer, said:

    This is a major opportunity for the pension and investment industry to support UK growth while delivering improved outcomes for pension savers. As a significant investor in private markets, Aviva has recently launched a number of funds to give over four million workplace pension customers even greater opportunity to invest in UK assets, including innovative, early-stage businesses, and we want to do much more.

    Jo Sharples,  CIO, DC Solutions at Aon, said:

    We believe that investing in private assets will benefit pension scheme members by delivering better expected returns over the long-term, ultimately resulting in higher retirement outcomes. The new Mansion House Accord is a great step forward in achieving this and is a fantastic example of how the UK pensions industry can work together to break down barriers to enable greater investment in private assets.

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    Published 13 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    May 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/PHILIPPINES – Rodrigo Duterte is once again mayor of Davao

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    PPCRV

    Davao (Agenzia Fides) – Rodrigo Duterte, the former president of the Philippines, indicted for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court, has been elected mayor of Davao, the city on the island of Mindanao where his political career began and where he served as mayor for more than 20 years before being elected president in 2016.Following yesterday’s vote, May 12, in the mid-term elections in the Philippines, which elect the House of Representatives, part of the Senate, and local governments, Duterte was officially declared the winner today, May 13, by the Davao Electoral Council, receiving an overwhelming majority: over 660,000 preferences compared to 80,000 for his opponent, Karlo Nograles, among others, his former spokesman.The position of mayor of Davao is Duterte’s first official post since the end of his term as president. He previously held the office from February 1988 to June 1998, from July 2001 to June 2010, and then from July 2013 to June 2016. The Duterte family has held this office for 34 years, as Duterte’s children succeeded him. Today, his son, Sebastian Duterte, was elected deputy mayor. Duterte’s son entered politics in 2019 and served as mayor from 2022 to 2025. He succeeded his sister Sara, who ran for and was later elected Vice President of the Philippines. She has held the office to this day.The mid-term elections are crucial for the Duterte family, as they consolidate their control over the city of Davao for the next three years. Duterte’s arrest in March was seen as a factor that could have either a negative or positive impact on the family’s image. Duterte’s victory was a testament to his continued popularity among the Filipino people, both locally and nationally. It is worth noting that at least five candidates backed by the Duterte dynasty are running for 12 Senate seats, and according to initial projections, they appear to have a chance of winning.The outcome of the Senate election will be crucial in the case of Vice President Sara Duterte, against whom the Lower House of Parliament has voted to impeach on a range of charges, including misuse of public funds and conspiracy to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos.The Senate will be asked to confirm or reject the charges in a vote scheduled for next July. Sara Duterte is considered a serious candidate for the 2028 presidential race, but if the Senate confirms the charges, she will be permanently barred from public office. The official results of the mid-term elections will be announced in a week. Meanwhile, the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Elections, a monitoring body born within the Catholic Church in the Philippines, actively monitors and oversees electoral transparency at the service of citizens and the entire nation. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 13/5/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

    May 14, 2025

  • Blood Money: Pakistan’s Shadow Economy and the Trade that Fuels Terrorism

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A Hidden Artery that Predates 9/11

    Islamabad has long claimed that terrorist finance seeped in from Afghanistan only after the Twin Towers fell. Yet the sluice gates were prised open a decade earlier. In 1991, then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said he received a “blueprint” from Army Chief General Aslam Beg and ISI Director-General Asad Durrani: fund covert wars by selling heroin overseas, according to NATO’s study Narco-Insecurity, Inc. Sharif maintains he rejected the proposal; the generals deny it; but the episode revealed a mindset in which narcotics were deemed an acceptable coin of statecraft—ten years before 9/11 and far from any Afghan battlefield.

    The prime minister might have disowned the scheme, yet his party was deeply enmeshed in the narcotics trade. Sharif later admitted to The Washington Post in 1994 that ISI-backed drug profits financed covert operations. Through the ISI, the Pakistan Army set up narcotics routes to bankroll terror campaigns in Jammu & Kashmir and Afghanistan.

    Narco-Politics: Heroin as Statecraft

    Until the Taliban imposed a ban in August 2022, Afghanistan produced about 80 per cent of the world’s opium, and the cheapest road to blue water runs through Pakistan’s south-western badlands. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime research on the “southern route” names Iran and Pakistan as key springboards for Afghan heroin bound for the Gulf and Europe, generating windfalls well into the billions. By cautious estimates, smuggling through Pakistan alone spins off more than a billion US dollars of largely untaxed cash each year. Militants who guard convoys or refine opium into export-grade heroin take their cut; so do civilians and men in uniform who provide protection.

    Moreover, a United Nations report notes that despite the Taliban edict, opium cultivation in 2024 still rose by 19 per cent over the 2023 figure.

    Counterfeit Nation: A War Printed Across the Border

    If heroin yields a harvest within Pakistan, counterfeit rupees sow chaos next door. In May 2019 Nepalese police seized INR 76.7 million in near-perfect Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) from Kathmandu trafficker Yunus Ansari and three Pakistani couriers. Investigators traced the notes to Karachi presses reportedly run by Dawood Ibrahim’s crime syndicate under ISI protection.

    The objective, officials say, is two-fold: finance jihadist allies such as Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, and erode confidence in India’s currency—a variety of “economic jihad” achievable with little more than a printing plate and diplomatic deniability. The ISI funnels FICN through Nepal and Bangladesh via illicit networks that span their borders with India. In February 2015 a Pakistani diplomat was withdrawn from the High Commission in Dhaka after it was proved he was an ISI operative engaged in terror financing and FICN circulation.

    Extortion City: Karachi’s Cash Cow

    Drugs and forged money form the overture; raw fear provides the steady bass line. Bank robberies in Karachi once netted the Pakistani Taliban and allied outfits more than US $800,000 after commanders in the tribal belt ordered urban cells to abandon foreign donations and fund themselves through crime, reports the ‘Combating Terrorism Centre at West Point’ in its analysis, The Pakistani Taliban’s Karachi Network. The raids were the visible crest of a broader wave of “bhatta parchis”—monthly protection money squeezed from transporters, timber merchants and even school principals. Karachi’s takings underwrote bombs that shredded markets in Peshawar and ambushes that bled police in Khyber. The pattern never vanished; it migrated. In March 2025 the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan sent letters to sugar-mill owners in Dera Ismail Khan: pay us, not the government, or watch your factories burn.

    Hawala: The Invisible Artery

    Moving cash is effortless when the state prefers the informal. Terrorist groups draw billions of rupees through hawala, cash couriers and black-market currency dealers; narcotics, kidnapping and extortion are core revenue streams. Hawala’s genius lies in its invisibility: one telephone call links a donor in Dubai to a broker in Lahore, and rupees materialise—unrecorded, untaxed, unseen. The same networks move political kick-backs and corporate tax evasion, ensuring institutional silence so long as every stakeholder’s share arrives on time.

    Balochistan and Other Wild Frontiers

    Farther west, a smuggler’s paradise of desert tracks and deep-water coves bankrolls both sides of Balochistan’s low-burn insurgency. The Baloch Liberation Army, analysts say, enjoys “well-funded support mechanism”: levies on coal trucks, tolls on diesel convoys and a system to keep the rebellion alive. Every barrel of fuel taxed on the Makran coast, every tonne of chromite shifted from a lawless quarry — deposits fresh ammunition in the rebels’ accounts—and justifies larger counter-insurgency budgets for the security establishment run by the Pakistani generals. Conflict has become profitable to the state here as well.

    Who Holds the Purse-Strings?

    Official spokesmen of the country blame “rogue elements” or “hostile foreign agencies” for terror finance. Yet evidence places Pakistan’s power elite at every collection point. From the 1991 heroin blueprint to the Jamaat-ud-Dawa and Lashkar-e-Taiba donation buckets in Lahore’s mosques and Jaish-e-Mohammed’s seminary in Bahawalpur, terrorism has long been treated as a strategic hedge, not an existential threat. Only when the guns turned inward did the establishment discover the lexicon of compliance.

    Under international pressure, the Financial Action Task Force removed Pakistan from its grey list in October 2022. Television viewers saw frozen accounts, a few celebrity militants behind bars and choreographed press conferences about hawala raids. Yet these gestures were skin-deep. The deeper arteries still pulse: the Pahalgam terror attack traced back to Pakistan is a reminder, and the world community should move to grey-list Islamabad again.

    Turning Off the Tap—or Pretending To

    Pakistan’s terror economy is no single pipe to be welded shut; it is an underground river fed by narcotics, fake currency, extortion, smuggling and the state’s own cynical bargains. The generals who toyed with heroin, the politicians who wink at hawala donors and the bureaucrats who auction customs posts have all drunk from its waters. Could it end? With an economy edging towards default and a state apparatus that still wields covert terror as policy, the prospect appears bleak. Only an uncompromising audit of power can stem the blood money coursing through Pakistan’s shadow state—yet such scrutiny remains a distant chord in a pseudo-civilian order orchestrated by the army and its ISI handlers.

    May 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks to the Ministerial Meeting on the Future of Peacekeeping [bilingual, as delivered; scroll down for all-English]

    Source: United Nations secretary general

    Dear Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defence Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, our generous hosts.

     
    Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,
     
    My thanks to Germany for bringing us together at this consequential moment.
     
    This year marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations.
     
    Our organization was founded on the conviction that peace is possible if we work as one united human family.
     
    That is what our peace operations are about. 
     
    From preventive diplomacy to peacekeeping…
     
    From negotiating ceasefires to helping to implement them…
     
    From electoral support and observer missions to de-mining operations and protection of civilians…
     
    To the focus of today’s Ministerial meeting — peacekeeping.
     
    Excellencies,
     
    UN Blue Helmets are the most globally recognized symbol of the world’s ability to come together to help countries move from conflict to peace.
     
    Peacekeepers hail from every corner of the world.
     
    But they are united in their commitment to peace.
     
    As we meet today, UN peacekeepers are hard at work helping to ensure that ceasefires are respected…
     
    Protecting civilians caught in the line of fire…
     
    Helping provide the conditions for lifesaving aid to flow to those in need…
     
    And laying the foundations for long-term recovery.
     
    In trouble spots around the world, Blue Helmets can mean the difference between life and death.
     
    And they are also a clear demonstration of the power of multilateral action to maintain, achieve and sustain peace.
     
    There is a long list of countries that have achieved durable peace with the support of UN Peacekeeping — including Cambodia, Cote d’Ivoire, El Salvador, Liberia, Namibia, Mozambique, Sierra Leone and Timor Leste.  
     
    Many of these countries now themselves contribute troops. 
     
    At the same time, we recognize that peace comes at a price.
     
    Through the decades, 4,400 peacekeepers have fallen in the line of duty.
     
    Their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.  
     
    Please join me in a moment of silence to honour all those who lost their lives in the pursuit of peace.
     
    [MOMENT OF SILENCE]
     
    Thank you.
     
    Excellencies,
     
    We owe it to peacekeepers — and the populations they protect — to continue strengthening their ability to answer this call to peace.
     
    And to do so in the face of daunting challenges.
     
    Complex, intertwined and frequently borderless conflicts…
     
    Growing polarization and division around the globe…
     
    Targeting of peacekeepers through deadly misinformation spreading through social media…
     
    Terrorism and transnational crime, which find fertile ground in instability…
     
    The ongoing climate crisis that is exacerbating conflict while leaving more of the planet uninhabitable…
     
    All the continued trampling of international law and international humanitarian law.
     
    As a result, we are now facing the highest number of conflicts since the foundation of the United Nations, and record numbers of people fleeing across borders in search of safety and refuge.
     
    We must recognize that peacekeeping operations are only as effective as the mandates directing them, and can struggle in contexts where political support and clearly defined outcomes and solutions are absent or elusive.
     
    Meanwhile, we see increasing differences of views around how peacekeeping operations should work, under what circumstances, with what mandates they should be deployed, and for how long.
     
    And we face dramatic financial constraints across the board.
     
    We’ve worked to adapt in the face of these challenges.
     
    But we need to do more.
     
    Today, I want to highlight three areas of focus.
     
    First — help us shape peacekeeping operations that are fit for the future.     
     
    The Pact for the Future called for a Review of Peace Operations — including peacekeeping.
     
    The review will examine how we can make peacekeeping operations more adaptable, flexible and resilient — while recognizing the limitations in situations where there is little or no peace to keep.
     
    It will also aim to critically examine the tools we have today and propose concrete recommendations to make them fit for the future.  
     
    Through this review, we must ensure that the United Nations is prepared to deploy peace operations tailored to each individual conflict, while preparing for the challenges of tomorrow.
     
    We can draw inspiration from our UNIFIL operation, which recently developed an adaptation plan to keep peace along the Blue Line, and ensure lifesaving aid can flow to civilians in southern Lebanon.
     
    In the Central African Republic, we see MINUSCA protecting civilians and assisting the government to extend its reach beyond the capital where people are in desperate need. 
     
    In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, despite ongoing fighting, UN Peacekeepers remain in the field, protecting vulnerable populations. 
     
    We’re also seeking efficiencies through partnerships — from Member States to regional and sub-regional organizations, to local communities.
     
    Most important among them is our strong partnership with the African Union.
     
    Security Council resolution 2719 has lifted this partnership to a new level as we work to establish peace enforcement missions under the AU’s responsibility, supported by the United Nations through assessed contributions.
     
    Today, the Review of Peace Operations will need to be informed — and inspired — by your views.
     
    Member States make peacekeeping possible.
     
    They must lead the way as we strengthen it for the future.
     
    Second — as we make our operations more adaptable and flexible, we need to do the same in the use of our resources.

    Peace operations can only succeed when backed by robust mandates and clear, predictable and sustained contributions, both financial and logistical. 
     
    But these are tough times for the financing of our work across the board.
     
    Peacekeeping is no exception.
     
    It is crucial that we are able to use the increasingly limited resources we have — and use them well.
     
    That requires more flexible rules and processes.
     
    This means updating our approach to abolishing or establishing positions, and working with troop-contributing countries to ensure we can deliver.
     
    It means working with Member States and the UN Security Council to ensure that any new mandates are prioritized and achievable with the resources available and with a clear exit strategy.
     
    And it means driving efficiencies and improvements across our work in light of the continued funding challenges we face.
     
    Our Review of Peace Operations will work hand-in-hand with our UN80 initiative, to ensure we maximize efficiencies wherever possible, supported at every step by Member States.
     
    We look forward to your governments’ support and ideas as we tackle these challenges together.

    Third — we need your political support, including through the pledges you will make tomorrow.

    Peace operations cannot succeed in the absence of a political solution.

    Together we need to mobilize greater support for political solutions across our peacekeeping missions. 

    Pursuing these political solutions requires adequate means of delivering our operations — including unified political support from Member States, strong leadership, well-trained troops, equipment and technology.

    These can strengthen our operations, and make a real difference in people’s lives.

    And it requires the support of all Member States to ensure the safety and security of United Nations peacekeepers in the field, and the full implementation of the relevant privileges and immunities of the Organization and its personnel.

    We are deeply grateful for the support and for the concrete pledges so many of you will announce here tomorrow.

    Excellencies,

    With a budget shared by all 193 Member States and representing a tiny fraction of global military spending — around one half of one per cent — UN Peacekeeping remains one of the most effective and cost-effective tools to build international peace and security.

    But it’s only as strong as Member States’ commitment to it.

    Unfortunately, peacekeeping operations have been facing serious liquidity problems. 
      
    It is absolutely essential that all Member States respect their financial obligations, paying their contributions in full and on time. 

    Now more than ever, the world needs the United Nations.

    And the United Nations needs peacekeeping that is fully equipped for today’s realities and tomorrow’s challenges. 

    Together, let’s shape the UN peacekeeping operations that the challenges require, that Member States demand, and that our peacekeepers and the people they support need and deserve.
    Thank you.
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    May 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: FJCU President Prof. Francis Yi-Chen Lan Pays Courtesy Visit to Director General Wu

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Fu Jen Catholic University President Prof. Francis Yi-Chen Lan – a true pride of the Taiwanese community in Sydney – visited the city and paid a return call on Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu.
    President Lan shared highlights from his first year at FJCU and outlined a bold roadmap for the university’s future. He expressed confidence that FJCU is on track to become one of the top universities in Taiwan.
    As 2025 marks FJCU’s centennial anniversary, we warmly wish President Lan every success in leading the university to new heights and further strengthening education ties between Taiwan and Australia.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    May 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Chan Kwok-ki meets Hunan Governor

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Acting Chief Executive Chan Kwok-ki met Hunan Governor Mao Weiming today to exchange views on deepening Hong Kong’s co-operation with the province.

    Acting Secretary for Constitutional & Mainland Affairs Clement Woo and Acting Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Bernard Chan also attended the meeting.

    Mr Chan welcomed Mr Mao and his delegation to Hong Kong to organise an exchange conference promoting economic and trade co-operation between Hunan and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

    Hong Kong and Hunan have been maintaining close economic and trade relations, and Hong Kong has been a significant source of external investment and an important trading partner for Hunan, Mr Chan noted.

    The Acting Chief Executive also pointed out that under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong has the distinctive advantages of enjoying the motherland’s strong support and being closely connected to the world. Hong Kong will fully leverage its strengths as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” to assist Hunan in expanding into international markets.

    He believes that the two places can complement each other’s strengths and achieve mutual success through collaboration.

    Mr Chan highlighted that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government is determined to develop the low-altitude economy and has set up a working group to formulate the development strategy.

    Noting that Hunan is the first province in the country to pilot the opening of an entire low-altitude area, and possesses policy and industrial strengths, he said the two places can strengthen exchanges and co-operation in the field of low-altitude economy.

    The Acting Chief Executive also mentioned that after the commissioning of Express Rail Link service between Hong Kong and Changsha, the shortest travelling time between the two places was reduced to within three hours. With profound historical and cultural value, Hunan Province has become a popular travel destination for Hong Kong citizens.

    He hoped citizens of Hunan would visit Hong Kong more often to experience its charm as an events capital, further promoting cultural exchanges between the two places.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    May 14, 2025

  • Russia rejects ‘biased’ UN ruling on 2014 downing of Malaysian airliner

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Kremlin on Tuesday rejected as biased a ruling by the U.N. aviation council that Russia was responsible for the downing of a Malaysian airliner over Ukraine in 2014 that killed all 298 passengers and crew.

    “Our position is well known. You know that Russia was not a country that took part in the investigation of this incident, so we do not accept any biased conclusions,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

    Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 departed from Amsterdam for Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014, and was shot down over eastern Ukraine as fighting raged between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces.

    The victims included 196 Dutch citizens and 38 Australian citizens or residents.

    In November 2022, Dutch judges convicted two Russian men and a Ukrainian man in absentia of murder for their role in the attack. Moscow called the ruling “scandalous” and said it would not extradite its citizens.

    (Reuters)

    May 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Northstrive Biosciences Signs Binding Term Sheet with Modulant Biosciences for Exclusive Global Animal Health Licensing of EL-22

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Binding term sheet grants Modulant Biosciences exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize EL-22 for animal health, enabling a first-of-its-kind probiotic approach to muscle preservation in livestock.
    • This collaboration represents a strategic opportunity for Northstrive to monetize the intellectual property of EL-22 in the animal health sector. If EL-22 is successfully developed and brought to market, the license could become a long-term revenue-generating asset.

    NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northstrive Biosciences Inc. (“Northstrive”), a subsidiary of PMGC Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: ELAB) (the “Company,” “PMGC,” “we,” or “our”), today announced the signing of a binding term sheet with Modulant Biosciences LLC (“Modulant”). This binding term sheet outlines the terms for a future definitive licensing agreement for Northstrive’s licensing of certain intellectual property rights related to EL-22 in the field of animal health. This license would allow Modulant to use the relevant intellectual property for uses in animal health (“Intellectual Property”), including use as a feed additive. Excluding the Republic of Korea, the license would be worldwide and exclusive, and give Modulant the exclusive right to sub-license the relevant intellectual property globally.

    The Intellectual Property consists of those patents and applications set forth in the definitive licensing agreement, including at least: (i) U.S. Patent 8,470,551, (ii) U.S. Patent Application No. 19/19,191,246, and (iii) U.S. Patent Application No. 19/191,258. The definitive licensing agreement will establish a framework for the parties’ collaboration, sharing of intellectual property, and commercialization oversight, with a focus on livestock and other veterinary markets.

    “Targeting the myostatin pathway with a probiotic approach could be a breakthrough for achieving improved body composition in livestock and companion animals,” said Modulant Biosciences CEO Tom Campi. “The licensing of EL-22 will enable us to evaluate the muscle-building properties of the modified lactobacillus casei for treating livestock and supporting the industry’s environmental efforts.”

    Modulant Biosciences is led by Tom Campi, a seasoned biotechnology executive with extensive experience in animal drug development and commercialization. Dr. Campi is board certified by the American College of Poultry Veterinarians and has previously worked for Elanco Animal Health and Huvepharma. His more than 25-year career path has included roles in poultry technical consulting, leadership roles in US and European regulatory affairs and technology acquisitions.

    As part of the financial terms, Modulant will pay Northstrive a share of all revenues generated from sublicensing and commercial activities. Northstrive will receive a percentage of all such revenues until a certain dollar limit, after which the royalty rate will decrease. The definitive licensing agreement will also include provisions for the parties’ co-ownership of new intellectual property developed by Modulant, certain sublicensing rights, and annual updates from Modulant about licensing and commercialization efforts for the licensed technology.

    The parties intend to finalize and execute the definitive license agreement in the coming months, pending necessary approvals from Northstrive’s head licensor for certain intellectual property rights related to EL-22.

    About Northstrive Biosciences Inc.

    Northstrive Biosciences Inc., a PMGC Holdings Inc. company, is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development and acquisition of cutting-edge aesthetic medicines. Northstrive’s lead asset, EL-22, leverages an engineered probiotic approach to address obesity’s pressing issue of preserving muscle while on weight loss treatments, including GLP-1 receptor agonists. For more information, please visit www.northstrivebio.com.

    About PMGC Holdings Inc.

    PMGC Holdings Inc. is a diversified holding company that manages and grows its portfolio through strategic acquisitions, investments, and development across various industries. Currently, our portfolio consists of three wholly owned subsidiaries: Northstrive Biosciences Inc., PMGC Research Inc., and PMGC Capital LLC. We are committed to exploring opportunities in multiple sectors to maximize growth and value. For more information, please visit https://www.pmgcholdings.com.

    About Modulant Biosciences LLC

    Modulant Biosciences is a biotechnology company specializing in veterinary medicine innovation. Led by Dr. Tom Campi, Modulant is focused on developing novel drugs and biologics for livestock and companion animals. Currently, Modulant’s synergistic pipeline includes first in class antivirals for livestock and companion animals and a “One Drug for All Cancers” platform.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Words such as “believes,” “expects,” “plans,” “potential,” “would” and “future” or similar expressions such as “look forward” are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy, activities of regulators and future regulations and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. These and other risks are described more fully in PMGC’s filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on March 28, 2025, and its other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC’s web site at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Except to the extent required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

    IR Contact:
    IR@pmgcholdings.com

    The MIL Network –

    May 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Aemetis Biogas Signs $27 Million Agreement with Centuri to Build Gas Cleanup Systems for 15 Dairy Digesters

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CUPERTINO, Calif., May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aemetis, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMTX), a renewable natural gas and renewable fuels company focused on low and negative carbon intensity renewable fuels, announced today that its Aemetis Biogas subsidiary has signed a $27 million equipment agreement with Centuri Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CTRI), a $2.6 billion infrastructure services contractor, to build biogas cleanup systems for 15 dairy digesters.

    This signed agreement, and expected future agreements with Centuri, will enable Aemetis Biogas to rapidly scale up the construction of dairy digesters to produce renewable natural gas (RNG) for a total of 50 dairies that have already been signed by Aemetis Biogas. This summer, 16 dairies are scheduled to be operating in the Aemetis Biogas Central Digester Project near Modesto, California, with 36 miles of biogas pipeline and a central biogas-to-RNG production facility already in operation delivering RNG into the PG&E utility gas pipeline.

    “Our expanding strategic relationship with the experienced team at Centuri ranges from this agreement for biogas equipment to plans for construction management and pipe assembly to build upcoming energy efficiency, carbon sequestration and other projects,” stated Eric McAfee, Chairman and CEO of Aemetis. “We expect that Centuri will play a key role in building Aemetis projects on time and on budget, given their expertise in constructing industrial facilities, large scale gas pipeline projects. and utility electrical systems.”

    “Centuri’s vast utility distribution expertise includes a growing number of renewable natural gas projects in multiple geographies, making the work with Aemetis a natural fit,” stated Dylan Hradek, President of US Gas at Centuri. “We expect to add significant value to upcoming projects at the Riverbank site and to support their ongoing work and plans to deliver innovative, renewable energy solutions across their portfolio.”

    Aemetis renewable energy and energy efficiency projects include the expansion of dairy renewable natural gas production to generate more than 1 million MMBtu of renewable natural gas from 50 dairies that have signed agreements; the Keyes ethanol plant mechanical vapor recompression system that is expected to generate $32 million of increased annual cash flow starting in 2026; the Riverbank carbon sequestration project to inject 1.4 million tons of CO2 per year underground; the 78 million gallon per year sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel plant which has already received the Authority To Construct air permits and the other key approvals; and negotiations underway for other large scale industrial and electrical projects at the Riverbank site.

    About Aemetis

    Headquartered in Cupertino, California, Aemetis is a renewable natural gas and renewable fuel company focused on the operation, acquisition, development and commercialization of innovative technologies that replace petroleum products and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Founded in 2006, Aemetis is operating and actively expanding a California biogas digester network and pipeline system to convert dairy waste gas into Renewable Natural Gas. Aemetis owns and operates a 65 million gallon per year ethanol production facility in California’s Central Valley near Modesto that supplies about 80 dairies with animal feed. Aemetis owns and operates an 80 million gallon per year production facility on the East Coast of India producing high quality distilled biodiesel and refined glycerin. Aemetis is developing a sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel fuel biorefinery in California, renewable hydrogen, and hydroelectric power to produce low carbon intensity renewable jet and diesel fuel. For additional information about Aemetis, please visit www.aemetis.com.

    About Centuri

    Centuri Holdings, Inc. is a strategic utility infrastructure services company that partners with regulated utilities to build and maintain the energy network that powers millions of homes and businesses across the United States and Canada.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding assumptions, projections, expectations, targets, intentions or beliefs about future events or other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, projections of financial results in 2025 and future years; statements relating to the development, engineering, financing, construction and operation of the Aemetis ethanol, biogas, SAF and renewable diesel, and carbon sequestration facilities; our ability to promote, develop, finance, and construct facilities to produce biogas, renewable fuels, and biochemicals; and statements about future market prices and results of government actions. Words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts,” “projects,” “showing signs,” “targets,” “view,” “will likely result,” “will continue” or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current assumptions and predictions and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties. Actual results or events could differ materially from those set forth or implied by such forward-looking statements and related assumptions due to certain factors, including, without limitation, competition in the ethanol, biodiesel and other industries in which we operate, commodity market risks including those that may result from current weather conditions, financial market risks, customer adoption, counter-party risks, risks associated with changes to federal policy or regulation, and other risks detailed in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, and in our other filings with the SEC. We are not obligated, and do not intend, to update any of these forward-looking statements at any time unless an update is required by applicable securities laws.

    Company Investor Relations
    Media Contact:
    Todd Waltz
    (408) 213-0940
    investors@aemetis.com

    External Investor Relations
    Contact:
    Kirin Smith
    PCG Advisory Group
    (646) 863-6519
    ksmith@pcgadvisory.com

    The MIL Network –

    May 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI: Bitget Launches Starlink Program to Bridge the Digital Divide in Philippine Island Communities

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SIARGAO, Philippines, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitget, the leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company, has launched its Starlink Program, bringing high-speed satellite internet to remote islands in the Philippines in a bold move to tackle digital inequality. The initiative, which kicked off in Siargao’s Espoir School of Life and Barangay Pitogo, addresses chronic connectivity gaps that have long hindered education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. By deploying Starlink’s cutting-edge technology, Bitget aims to empower these communities with reliable internet access, laying the groundwork for future blockchain education and financial inclusion.  

    For years, Siargao’s residents have relied on fragile microwave radio connections, leaving them vulnerable to frequent outages, slow speeds, and exclusion from the digital economy. Schools like Espoir, which serves underprivileged children, struggle with offline-only learning, while villages like Barangay Pitogo face isolation due to unreliable communication networks. 

    “Without stable internet, entire communities are locked out of modern education, remote work, and even basic services like telemedicine. This isn’t just about connectivity, it’s about equity. Internet access shouldn’t be a privilege, it’s the foundation for everything from education to decentralized finance. We’re building doors to the digital world one island at a time,” said Vugar Usi Zade, COO at Bitget.

    The program’s first phase includes a Starlink hardware installation at Espoir School and Barangay Pitogo’s public school. This will provide six months of high-speed satellite internet, enabling access to online curricula, teacher training, and e-governance tools. With this, Bitget plans to provide long-term support through $10M Blockchain 4 Youth and $10M Blockchain 4 Her initiatives, which will introduce blockchain literacy and digital finance skills to students and women-led cooperatives. The total investment of 155,400 Philippine pesos, which covers hardware, subscriptions, and logistics. A modest cost for transformative impact. 

    Bitget’s initiative shows a growing recognition in the crypto industry: Adoption starts with access. By addressing infrastructure barriers first, the exchange is creating a replicable model for other underserved regions. Future phases could expand to neighboring islands, leveraging partnerships with local NGOs and government units. 

    The Starlink kits will go live in May, with Bitget documenting the rollout through impact reports and community stories. For Espoir’s students, the change will be immediate: interactive lessons, global collaborations, and soon blockchain workshops. For Barangay Pitogo, it’s a leap toward resilient communication during typhoon seasons. 

    As Bitget scales this program, the message is clear: crypto’s future isn’t just about markets, it’s about people. And sometimes, changing lives starts with something as simple as an internet signal.

    About Bitget

    Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3 company. Serving over 100 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Formerly known as BitKeep, Bitget Wallet is a world-class multi-chain crypto wallet that offers an array of comprehensive Web3 solutions and features including wallet functionality, token swap, NFT Marketplace, DApp browser, and more.

    Bitget is at the forefront of driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets, as well as a global partner of Turkish National athletes Buse Tosun Çavuşoğlu (Wrestling world champion), Samet Gümüş (Boxing gold medalist) and İlkin Aydın (Volleyball national team), to inspire the global community to embrace the future of cryptocurrency.

    For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

    For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

    Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a78ae617-7c0a-42a6-8d66-fc3393c512ca

    The MIL Network –

    May 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 40 civilians, 11 soldiers killed in Indian air strikes in Pakistan last week – military

    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

    ISLAMABAD, May 13 (Xinhua) — At least 40 civilians, including 15 children and seven women, were killed and 121 others were wounded in Indian missile strikes inside Pakistan last week, the Pakistani military said on Tuesday.

    In response, Pakistan’s armed forces launched an operation codenamed “Banyan-ul-Marsoos” (Lead-Covered Wall), according to a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army.

    According to ISPR, 11 Pakistani armed forces personnel were killed and 78 others were injured while defending their homeland.

    The statement added that six of those killed were serving in the Pakistan Army and five in the Pakistan Air Force. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 14 people died in India due to poisoning from fake alcohol

    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

    NEW DELHI, May 13 (Xinhua) — At least 14 people have died and six others have been hospitalized after drinking spurious alcohol in India’s northern Punjab state, officials said on Tuesday.

    The tragedy occurred in the Majitha area of the holy Sikh city of Amritsar.

    India has seen a high rate of fatal alcohol poisoning as people often consume cheap, locally produced liquor. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    May 14, 2025

  • South Africa name Rabada in World Test Championship final squad

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    South Africa has included Kagiso Rabada in their squad for the World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s from June 11-15, following the fast bowler’s return from a suspension having tested positive for a banned substance.

    Rabada spent a month on the sidelines at the Indian Premier League after testing positive for a recreational drug at this year’s SA20 competition.

    He is likely to lead the fast-bowling attack with seamers Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi and Dane Paterson also in the squad. Keshav Maharaj and Senuran Muthusamy are the two specialist spin options.

    Captain Temba Bavuma heads the list of batters along with Aiden Markram, Tony de Zorzi, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and David Bedingham, while Kyle Verreynne is the specialist wicket-keeper in the squad.

    “Over the past 18 months, we’ve worked hard to build a competitive red-ball unit,” coach Shukri Conrad said in a statement from Cricket South Africa.

    “A key part of our success has been consistency in selection, and we’ve stuck with the core group of players who have been part of this WTC cycle. We’ve selected a balanced squad for the conditions we expect at Lord’s.”

    South Africa finished top of the WTC table to earn their place in the final. They will play a four-day warm-up fixture against Zimbabwe in Arundel from June 3-6.

    South Africa squad:

    Temba Bavuma (captain), David Bedingham, Corbin Bosch, Tony de Zorzi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Lungi Ngidi, Dane Paterson, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne.

    –Reuters

    May 14, 2025

  • Retail inflation drops to 3.16% in April 2025, lowest since July 2019

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s retail inflation eased further in April 2025, marking its lowest level in nearly six years. According to data released by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), the Consumer Price Index (CPI)-based inflation stood at 3.16% in April, down from 3.34% in March 2025 and significantly lower than 4.83% recorded in April 2024.
     
    This decline of 18 basis points from March makes April’s inflation the lowest year-on-year reading since July 2019.
     
    The fall in overall inflation was primarily driven by a sharp decline in food prices. The Consumer Food Price Index (CFPI)-based food inflation fell to 1.78% in April from 2.69% in March. This is the lowest food inflation since October 2021. The food price easing is largely attributed to lower inflation in vegetables, pulses, fruits, cereals, meat and fish, and personal care items.
     
    In rural areas, headline inflation fell to 2.92% from 3.25% in the previous month. Food inflation in these regions also moderated to 1.85%, down from 2.82%. Urban centres saw a more modest decline in overall inflation, with the April reading at 3.36% compared to 3.43% in March. However, urban food inflation saw a steeper drop to 1.64%, from 2.48% a month earlier.
     
    Among individual components, housing inflation in urban areas remained steady at 3.00%, while the education category saw prices rise by 4.13%, up from 3.98% in March. Health inflation remained largely unchanged at 4.25%. Transport and communication costs rose to 3.73% in April, compared to 3.36% in the previous month. The fuel and light category registered a sharp increase, rising to 2.92% from 1.42% in March.
     
    On a month-on-month basis, the combined CPI index rose by 0.31%, while the food index registered a decline of 0.15%, indicating falling prices in essential food items. Among major food components, vegetable prices fell by 10.98% year-on-year, while the prices of pulses and related products also declined. Fruit prices rose by 13.8%, and oils and fats registered a surge of 17.4%.
     
    The National Statistical Office (NSO) collected price data from 1,114 urban markets and 1,181 villages, ensuring full coverage in rural areas and nearly full coverage in urban locations. The usable data stood at 89.4% for rural and 92.3% for urban markets.
     
    The next CPI inflation data, for May 2025, is scheduled to be released on June 12.
    May 14, 2025

  • Tennis-Coach Murray and Djokovic part ways ahead of French Open

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Andy Murray will no longer coach 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, with the pair’s high-profile partnership coming to an end after six months and no titles, the Briton’s team said on Tuesday.

    Djokovic appointed fellow former world number one Murray ahead of this year’s Australian Open, and the Serb said at the Qatar Open in February that he would continue working with Murray for an indefinite period.

    However, the partnership has come to an end as Djokovic looks to arrest a dip in form during the clay season atthe Geneva Open next week ahead of his quest for a fourth French Open title when Roland Garros gets underway on May 25.

    “Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months,” Murray said in a statement.

    “I wish Novak all the best for the rest of the season.”

    Djokovic, who won 25 of his 36 matches against Murray, said he was grateful for his former rival’s hard work and support in their short spell together.

    “I really enjoyed deepening our friendship together,” Djokovic added.

    Djokovic reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January before injury ended his campaign. He made the Miami Open final in March, but his bid for a 100th tour-level title ended in a defeat by Jakub Mensik.

    The Serb, who turns 38 three days before the year’s second Grand Slam begins, has been woefully out of form since that Miami defeat and was beaten in his opening matches at Masters tournaments in Monte Carlo and Madrid last month.

    He was expected to jumpstart his clay campaign in Rome before returning to Paris, where he won Olympic gold last year, but skipped the ongoing Italian Open without giving a reason.

    Djokovic accepted a wildcard for the May 18-24 Geneva Open. Andy Murray will no longer coach 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, with the pair’s high-profile partnership coming to an end after six months and no titles, the Briton’s team said on Tuesday.

    Djokovic appointed fellow former world number one Murray ahead of this year’s Australian Open and the Serb said at the Qatar Open in February that he would continue working with Murray for an indefinite period.

    However, the partnership has come to an end as Djokovic looks to arrest a dip in form during the clay season atthe Geneva Open next week ahead of his quest for a fourth French Open title when Roland Garros gets underway on May 25.

    “Thanks to Novak for the unbelievable opportunity to work together and thanks to his team for all their hard work over the past six months,” Murray said in a statement.

    “I wish Novak all the best for the rest of the season.”

    Djokovic, who won 25 of his 36 matches against Murray, said he was grateful for his former rival’s hard work and support in their short spell together.

    “I really enjoyed deepening our friendship together,” Djokovic added.

    Djokovic reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open in January before injury ended his campaign. He made the Miami Open final in March, but his bid for a 100th tour-level title ended in a defeat by Jakub Mensik.

    The Serb, who turns 38 three days before the year’s second Grand Slam begins, has been woefully out of form since that Miami defeat and was beaten in his opening matches at Masters tournaments in Monte Carlo and Madrid last month.

    He was expected to jumpstart his clay campaign in Rome before returning to Paris, where he won Olympic gold last year, but skipped the ongoing Italian Open without giving a reason.

    Djokovic accepted a wildcard for the May 18-24 Geneva Open.

    –Reuters

    May 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Community dental scheme to launch

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Department of Health announced today that the Community Dental Support Programme (CDSP) will be launched on May 26 to provide additional dental services to underprivileged patients with financial difficulties.

    The programme is in addition to existing dental grants under the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA) Scheme and emergency dental services provided by government dental clinics.

    The CDSP is expected to provide service capacity that is at least double that of current general public sessions at government dental clinics – in other words, about 40,000 participants every year.

    CDSP service users must hold a Hong Kong identity card, be enrolled in the Electronic Health Record Sharing System, and be current beneficiaries or recipients of the Old Age Living Allowance, the Community Care Service Voucher Scheme for the Elderly, Integrated Home Care Services, Enhanced Home & Community Care Services, or Home Support Services. They can also be Hospital Authority patients who have been given a Medical Fee Waiver by the authority.

    Each service user can apply for subsidised dental services, encompassing preventive and curative oral health and dental care services, once every 180 days.

    Subject to dental assessment, service users will be offered subsidised services including oral health assessments, medications for dental pain relief, X-ray examinations, and dental fillings or extractions, with each tooth counting towards a “Teeth Filling/Extraction Quota”.

    Each service user is required to pay an administration fee to providers of $50 for each tooth filled or extracted, up to a maximum fee of $150. Treatment for a maximum of three teeth will be provided every 180 days.

    If a service user receives Integrated Home Care Services, Enhanced Home & Community Care Services or Home Support Services, or is eligible under the Medical Fee Waiver scheme, the Government will subsidise the administration fee in full.

    To date, 32 non-governmental organisations are participating in the CDSP, providing nearly 80 dental service points across all 18 districts of Hong Kong.

    Eligible patients can visit the dedicated webpage, where they can select and contact the clinic of their choice to make an appointment for government-subsidised dental care services on or after May 26. 

    Additionally, the Department of Health will increase GP sessions by nearly 30% from June onwards and introduce enhancements to the online registration system for dental general public sessions at the end of June. Details will be announced in due course. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    May 14, 2025

  • MIL-OSI China: 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Military Medicine Seminar kicks off in China 2025-05-13 19:05:09 The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Military Medicine Seminar is being held in China’s Xi’an International Convention Center from May 13 to 14, 2025.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      BEIJING, May 13 — The 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Military Medicine Seminar is being held in China’s Xi’an International Convention Center from May 13 to 14, 2025.

      Heads of military health departments from 11 countries including Russia, Cambodia, Mongolia and Laos and one multilateral organization will conduct exchanges on “Building an SCO Community with a Shared Future: Contributions from Military Medicine” during the event.

      The Seminar focuses on innovative achievements and view exchanges through keynote speeches, sub topics, presentation of traditional Chinese medicine, aiming to provide better ideas and methods for military medicine. Specific topics include organ transplantation, treatment of severe traumatic brain injury, unmanned intelligence, aerospace medicine, and other aspects.

      It is learnt that this is the first exchange activity with the theme of military medicine under the framework of Shanghai Cooperation Organization hosted by China.

    loading…

    MIL OSI China News –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Increase in admissions at MSF centre specialised in treating people for extreme violence in Mexico City

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    Mexico City – The number of mental health consultations and new patients admitted to the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Comprehensive Care Centre (CAI, in Spanish) for victims of extreme violence, based in Mexico City, Mexico, has increased significantly in the last six months. MSF attributes the increase to continued violence at the hands of various armed groups — both organised crime groups and security forces — along the migration route through Central America and Mexico, fuelled by a slew of harsh changes to immigration policies by the United States (US) and other governments in the region. As needs increase, we urge public entities and NGOs to strengthen assistance to people in Mexico who have been victims of violence and are seeking safety.  

    In the first quarter of 2025, MSF teams provided 485 individual mental health sessions to patients at the CAI, including to migrants in transit through or stranded in Mexico and Mexican citizens. This represents a 36% increase compared with the number of sessions provided in the three months prior. Throughout 2024, MSF provided an average of 300 to 350 individual mental health sessions each quarter. Between January and March this year, the most common conditions people presented with were post-traumatic stress disorder (48%) and depression (39%), as well as acute stress reactions (7%), grief, and anxiety. 

    “Since the end of January, we have treated people with severe mental health issues due in large part to the impact of restrictive immigration policies recently implemented by the US and other governments in the region,” says Joaquim Guinart, coordinator of the CAI.  

    48 %

    48%

    Post-traumatic stress disorder

    39 %

    39%

    Depression

    7 %

    7%

    Acute stress reactions

    A flurry of executive actions taken by US President Donald Trump in January included the declaration of a national emergency at the US southern border—effectively militarising immigration enforcement— and the temporary suspension of refugee admissions to the US. 

    Even before the executive orders were issued, the new administration took swift action to shut down the CBP One app that, despite its flaws, was the only way to apply for asylum at the US southern border. The impact of these restrictions is further compounded by funding cuts to humanitarian programmes, severely affecting access to shelter and basic healthcare needs. 

    “These abrupt changes have left many people trapped in legal limbo, with no pathway to seek asylum and no access to essential services or protection,” says Guinart.  

    These combined measures further erode access to asylum and increase the risks for migrants—particularly children and other vulnerable groups—as people are pushed towards using increasingly dangerous routes and methods to seek asylum or trapped in unsafe locations where they are at heightened risk of kidnappings, extortion, and sexual violence.

    The CAI opened in 2016 to provide comprehensive care for survivors of extreme violence and torture, including medical care, psychology sessions, and physical therapy, among other services. The goal is to help patients regain their autonomy and heal physically and emotionally. Most people receive three to six months of treatment, and there are between 30-50 patients admitted at any one time. In 2024, MSF teams identified 4,500 victims of moderate to extreme violence through our projects in different points of attention in Mexico or through partners. We admitted 186 to the CAI for comprehensive treatment, others were provided care through mobile and fixed clinics or referred to other organisations for care.  

    Although most patients admitted are migrants, since the last quarter of 2024, the CAI has also focused on treating Mexican patients who are displaced or affected by violence occurring in various parts of the country. This coincides with a significant increase in admissions to the CAI during that period—64 in total, which represents an increase of more than 50 per cent over the usual quarterly average of 40.

    “The goal is for patients to regain their functionality and reintegrate into society,” says Guinart. “The CAI is a refuge for those affected by violence. Kidnappings, extortion, abuse, sexual violence, and other forms of violence affect many people along the migratory route from the south of the continent to Mexico’s northern border with the United States.”  

    “At the CAI we find extremely vulnerable people,” says Guinart. “Women and children make up the bulk of the cohort. We also care for many LGBTQI+ people. Violence leaves deep scars, not only causing physical damage, but also serious psychological disorders. Specialised care is required as many patients experience changes in their perception of safety, trust, and well-being,”.

    “I didn’t know if I would be able to trust people again,” says Elena*, a patient at the CAI. “The violence made me feel unworthy of love or respect.” Through therapy, Elena has begun to regain her self-esteem. “I’ve learned that my past doesn’t define me and that I can build a better future.”  

    “Every day is a struggle,” says another patient. “Anxiety consumes me, but here I feel I have a safe space to express myself and heal.”

    “The difficulty in accessing adequate care makes recovery for many people affected by extreme violence much more arduous,” says Henry Rodríguez, MSF’s general coordinator in Mexico. “In these challenging times of cuts in humanitarian aid, it is essential to recognise the importance of providing comprehensive support and cooperation between public entities and non-governmental organisations to direct these people to the few services available.” 

    *Name has been changed.  

    MSF’s work in the region: Between January 2024 and February 2025, MSF teams in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Panama treated nearly 3,000 victims and survivors of sexual violence and provided more than 20,000 individual mental health consultations, many of them precipitated by violence, displacement, and difficulties in the migration process. 

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    May 13, 2025

  • MP approves Rs. 47 crore plan to tackle human-elephant conflict

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a decisive move to address the escalating human-elephant conflict in southern Madhya Pradesh, the state cabinet has approved a Rs.47 crore mitigation plan aimed at safeguarding both rural communities and wildlife.

    The initiative, cleared on Tuesday, focuses on regions where wild elephants frequently traverse forest corridors and enter farmlands, rural properties, and tribal settlements—often causing extensive crop damage, property loss, and posing threats to human lives.

    Announcing the plan, Urban Development Minister and government spokesperson Kailash Vijayvargiya said that local farmers and rural populations in elephant-prone zones will be trained to handle sudden elephant encounters. These training programs will equip them with techniques to safely deter elephants and minimize losses related to crops and livelihoods.

    Forest officials report that over 150 wild elephants regularly inhabit the Bandhavgarh and Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserves. Many migrate from neighbouring Chhattisgarh, often straying into human settlements and leading to increased risk of conflict.

    To tackle this, the state’s multi-pronged strategy will combine traditional deterrents with modern technology. Measures include chili-based barriers, citrus plantations, trip alarms, and bee-hive fences—proven low-cost methods that discourage elephants from approaching human habitats.#

    he Forest Department will lead the project, promoting coexistence through a mix of community engagement and technological solutions. These include radio bulletins, WhatsApp alerts, and a 24×7 control room to keep villagers informed about elephant movements and provide real-time guidance.

    In a forward-looking step, the plan also incorporates AI and satellite-based tracking systems to monitor elephant herds and issue early warnings to at-risk areas.

    The urgency of the situation was underlined by a tragic incident six months ago, when 11 elephants died after consuming fungus-infected Kodo crops—allegedly sown by local farmers. In retaliation, one elephant killed two people, sparking intense debate and prompting the government to fast-track mitigation efforts.

    Additional elephant presence has been confirmed in the forested zones of Rewa and Shahdol divisions, highlighting the need for proactive and sustained intervention across the state.

    (With IANS inputs)

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LegCo Subcommittee on Policy Issues relating to Strengthening and Promoting the Development of Kowloon East as the Second Central Business District visits enterprises in Kowloon East (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:

         The Legislative Council Subcommittee on Policy Issues relating to Strengthening and Promoting the Development of Kowloon East as the Second Central Business District visited two enterprises in Kowloon East today (May 13) to gain insight into the Government’s latest developments in promoting new industrialisation and how these enterprises are actively upgrading and restructuring.

         Members first visited Sew Solution Limited, a textiles and clothing company in Kwun Tong, to learn about the operation and effectiveness of its digital knitwear smart production line. Members noted that the company received a $15 million funding in 2023 from the Innovation and Technology Commission’s Re‑industrialisation Funding Scheme (renamed as New Industrialisation Funding Scheme now) to establish a smart production line covering product design, digital simulation of samples, engineering parameters and programming. The funding helped it increase the overall equipment efficiency and reduce production costs.

         Members then visited King Bakery’s modern food factory in Kwun Tong to learn how the company leverages research and development to enhance product quality. Members received a briefing from the company’s representatives that it had introduced various specialised machinery for producing egg custard tart pastry, fillings as well as molten mooncake to optimise production processes and standards, and to monitor food quality simultaneously.

         During the visit, Members gained a deeper understanding into the challenges faced by traditional enterprises. They also exchanged views with representatives of the Development Bureau, the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau, the Hong Kong Productivity Council and the enterprises on issues including how to support businesses in establishing smart production lines, promoting the “Made in Hong Kong” branding to meet market demands and providing updated information on the supply and conditions of industrial buildings in the district.

         Members who participated in the visit were the Chairman of the Subcommittee, Mr Tang Ka-piu, and Subcommittee members Mr Chan Pui-leung, Professor William Wong; as well as a non-Subcommittee member Mr Yim Kong.

               

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    May 13, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH launches Community Dental Support Programme to further enhance dental services for underprivileged (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    DH launches Community Dental Support Programme to further enhance dental services for underprivileged (with photo) 
    At the end of last year, the DH invited eligible non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to participate in the CDSP to provide additional service points. To date, 32 NGOs (see Annex) have been assessed and are participating in the CDSP, providing nearly 80 dental service points covering all 18 districts in Hong Kong. At the same time, in addition to tooth extraction and pain relief services, the scope of dental services will expand and provide tooth filling services when deemed appropriate by dentists to encourage retaining tooth. Furthermore, compared to the current GP sessions which address one tooth per visit, participants under the CDSP can receive treatment for up to three teeth at each visit.  
     
    The Government, in December 2024, formulated the Oral Health Action Plan according to the development strategies and recommendations made by the Working Group on Oral Health and Dental Care. The CDSP focuses on providing subsidised dental services to the underprivileged who have difficulties in accessing dental care. Service users of the CDSP must be a holder of a Hong Kong identity card, be enrolled in the Electronic Health Record Sharing System (eHealth), and be a current beneficiary or recipient of any of the following measures:
     Under the CDSP, each service user can apply for subsidised dental services which cover preventive and curative oral health and dental care services once every 180 days. Subject to the assessment by the attending registered dentist, a service user will be provided with specified subsidised dental services, including:
     Each service user is required to pay an administration fee of $50 directly to the NGO for each tooth (teeth filling or teeth extraction services), of which a maximum fee of $150 is required (treatment for a maximum of three teeth will be provided for every 180 days). If the service user receives IHCS (Frail Cases), EHCCS or HSS (Level 1 fee charge or co-payment category) of the SWD, or is eligible under the Medical Fee Waiver (full waiving) of the HA (including recipients of OALA aged 75 or above), the Government will subsidise the administration fee in full. While current beneficiaries of the CSSA Scheme under the SWD may apply for the CDSP, they can also make use of the dental grants under the CSSA to receive comprehensive dental services.
     
    Through the eHealth app, service users can check their consultation records, including consultation date and treatment items. Later this year, relevant electronic oral health records will also be available through the app to help service users better understand and monitor their dental conditions.
     
    The DH is organising briefing sessions for the District Services and Community Care Teams (Care Teams) in various districts to introduce the background and details of the CDSP so that the underprivileged with financial difficulties in the community can better understand and participate in the CDSP through the Care Teams’ district networks.
     
    The DH has set up a dedicated webpage (www.communitydental.gov.hk/en/cdsp/ 
    Optimising arrangements for dental general public sessions
    —————————————————————–
     
    On the other hand, the DH will increase the service quotas of the GP sessions by nearly 30 per cent from June onwards and optimise the registration process for the convenience of the public.
     
    The online registration system for dental general public session (ORDGP) has been operating smoothly since its launch on December 30, 2024. Members of the public, especially the elderly, no longer need to go to the dental clinics to queue up in the early morning to compete for a service quota. The DH further introduced an over-subscription ballot and waiting list mechanism to optimise the use of public resources. Since the launch of the ORDGP four months ago, the average utilisation rate of the GP sessions is as high as 99 per cent.
     
    Following the passage of the Dentists Registration (Amendment) Bill 2024 by the Legislative Council in July last year and introduction of new pathways for qualified non-locally trained dentists, the DH has made progress in dentist recruitment, with more than 65 new recruits, including nine non-locally trained dentists with limited registration. The actual manpower ratio of active dentists has increased from 69 per cent (as at September 1, 2024) to 81 per cent at present. With improved manpower supply, the DH will increase the total service quotas of GP sessions by about 30 per cent starting from next month.
     
    Furthermore, in order to make it more convenient for the general public in using the service, the ORDGP will introduce enhancements at the end of June to streamline the registration process, including real-time identity authentication by logging in to the “iAM Smart” or “eHealth” apps, an auto-complete function to minimise the need for repeated entries, the addition of an appointment cancellation function and an upgraded waiting list mechanism by replacing the current manual process with automatic distribution of service quotas from the waiting list. These enhancements will improve the operational efficiency of the ORDGP. Details will be announced in due course.

    The DH will implement the development strategies and recommendations made by the Working Group on Oral Health and Dental Care, and continue to help members of the public manage their own oral health through publicity, education, promotion and development of primary oral health and dental care, emphasising on prevention, early identification, and timely intervention to encourage people to retain their teeth. The DH will also focus on the provision of essential dental services to the underprivileged who have difficulties in accessing dental care services, including those with financial difficulties, persons with disabilities or special needs and high-risk groups, through public or subsidised models.
    Issued at HKT 19:00

    NNNN

    CategoriesMIL-OSI

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    May 13, 2025
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