NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Digital Transformation Roadmap to make it easier to access government services

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    With the newly launched plan of modernising the delivery of essential government services, government aims to ensure that conducting administrative tasks with the State is easier for citizens.

    This will be achieved through the Roadmap for the Digital Transformation of Government, which sets out a focused plan to modernise the delivery of government services through investment in digital public infrastructure. 

    “With this roadmap, we are shifting from the fragmented past towards a unified, people-first, whole-of-government approach.

    “The roadmap is not just a plan to use technology to improve the way we do things. It is a transformative vision to entirely reform the way that citizens can interact with government,” Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, said on Monday, in Johannesburg.

    The roadmap will be implemented as part of Operation Vulindlela Phase ll, as it focuses on implementing reforms in three new areas, including in digital transformation.

    These crucial digital reforms will enable all citizens to access seamless government services through a single trusted platform. This will be driven through improvements in identity verification, real-time payments, and data exchange.

    Operation Vulindlela Phase ll is a joint initiative between the Presidency and National Treasury to accelerate the implementation of structural reforms to enable economic growth and job creation. 

    The Digital Transformation Roadmap will focus on four catalytic initiatives:

    1. A Digital Identity System will allow South Africans a simple way to verify themselves and access services remotely.
    2. A Data Exchange Framework will eradicate the silo effect in government, and allow greater efficiency and coordination in how the government operates.
    3. A Digital Payments System that provides universal access to secure, low-cost payment options between government and citizens.
    4. A single, zero-rated Digital Services Platform, where citizens can access all government services and information.

    “Collectively, these initiatives will help us get closer to achieving our vision of an inclusive, secure, and people-centred digital government. 

    “Together, these initiatives will illustrate to the world what we mean when we say: One Person. One Government. One Touch. 

    “At the heart of all of this, is our quest to ensure that citizens digital experience with government services is convenient, cost-effective, reliable and user-friendly,” the Minister said.

    He explained that the Roadmap for Digital Transformation is about efficiency in government and equity for people. 

    “It is designed to reduce inequality in access to services, and to address the barriers to opportunity that come with that inequality. It is about reducing the hidden tax on the poor. 

    “At a time when connectivity has become such a central part of our lives, the ease of dealing with government must be the same across our country,” the Minister said.

    He said the Digital Transformation Roadmap is not just about what government can do better. 

    “It is about who government can serve better. It is about giving our people back their time, so that they can spend it on things that matter more to them. 

    “It is about giving them more access to opportunity, so that they have a better chance of living up to their full potential. It is about trust, dignity, and doing things better. It is about a more inclusive and resilient South Africa,” the Minister said.

    To ensure that all government departments work towards the same goal, the President has appointed an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC), which is chaired by Minister Malatsi.

    The work of the IMC will be supported through an Inter-Departmental Working Group, responsible for ensuring integration across all government departments. 

    “With our collective commitment to agility, collaboration, innovation, resilience, and sustainability, we will use all the tools at our disposal to ensure success within our target timelines,” the Minister said.

    To drive implementation of the roadmap, the Presidency is establishing the Digital Service Unit (DSU) to coordinate this whole-of-government effort to modernise services.

    The Presidency has appointed South African tech entrepreneur, Melvyn Lubega, to lead the DSU. 

    Lubega is a globally recognised technology pioneer, who co-founded Go1 – a platform used by businesses, non-profit organisations, and governments in more than 60 countries. 

    He has advised governments in Africa, Asia and Europe on digital transformation programmes. –SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK demining support transforms Cambodian communities

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UK demining support transforms Cambodian communities

    Director for South-East Asia and Pacific, Charles Hay MVO is visiting Cambodia to see the positive impact of the UK’s Global Mine Action Programme in Cambodia.

    FCDO Director for South-East Asia and Pacific, Charles Hay MVO is visiting Cambodia this week to see the positive impact of the UK’s Global Mine Action Programme (GMAP) on communities in Cambodia.

    During a field visit to HALO Trust operations at Kulen Mountain, Siem Reap province on 12 May 2025, Mr Hay saw first-hand the clearance operations and met with local beneficiaries whose communities have been made safer and more prosperous through the UK’s long-standing support for mine action.

    Director for South-East Asia and Pacific, Charles Hay MVO said:

    Meeting with local communities in Kulen Mountain, I’ve seen how our Global Mine Action Programme is transforming lives across Cambodia. Fields once deadly with explosives are now productive farmland where children play safely.

    The bravery of HALO Trust’s deminers is extraordinary – their meticulous work under challenging conditions is making Cambodia’s 2030 mine-free goal achievable. Our programme is delivering real results, having already cleared over 151 million square metres of contaminated land.

    As one of Cambodia’s longest-established mine-action partners, we’ve seen clearly Cambodia’s evolution from recipient to partner -it is impressive to see Cambodia today sharing its deep expertise with demining operations worldwide, including Ukraine. This exemplifies the sustainable impact of our long-standing partnership.

    The UK Global Mine Action Programme has cleared, confirmed safe and released over 151 million square metres of land in Cambodia since 2014. The programme has also delivered risk education to 481,440 people living in mine-affected communities. Since 1993, the UK has invested approximately £60 million in Cambodia’s demining efforts, helping to clear over 65,000 anti-personnel mines and benefiting more than 600,000 people. Under the current GMAP programme, operations will continue with existing funding of US $2.9million in 2025/2026.

    The visit included strategic meetings with Senior Minister Ly Thuch, Vice President of Cambodia Mine Action Authority and Lieutenant Uch Vantha, Deputy Chief of Army of Royal Cambodia Army to enhance coordination on clearance priorities within the existing GMAP framework. These discussions focused on strengthening partnerships between HALO Trust and Cambodian authorities to maximise the impact of ongoing efforts.

    The UK is also an effective advocate for innovative finance mechanisms that bring additional funding into the demining sector and transform post-conflict land into productive farmland. Since 2023, the UK has been supporting the $1.8 million (£1.395 million) Mine Action Development Impact Bond ‘Minefields to Rice Fields’, led by APOPO and its partners. The project successfully released over 7.6 million square meters of land in Preah Vihear Province, removing 445 anti-personnel mines and 184 explosive remnants of war, benefiting 2610 people.

    The Mine fields to Rice fields project stands as a powerful example of how strategic demining and sustainable agriculture can work hand in hand to create lasting economic and social impact in post-conflict regions. FCDO and APOPO are currently looking for additional investors to sustain the project beyond 2026.

    As one of the founding signatories to the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, the UK continues as a leading partner in Cambodia’s journey toward becoming mine-free by 2030.

    The demining sector has created thousands of jobs for Cambodians, including empowering women in both demining and management positions, and creating opportunities for staff with disabilities, including landmine victims.

    Further information

    • Charles Hay is a senior British diplomat.  He served as the UK’s High Commissioner to Malaysia from 2019 until 2023 and as the UK’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea from 2015 to 2018
    • regional conflict and civil war left Cambodia with one of the highest densities of landmines in the world
    • the UK has been a leading player in demining in Cambodia through bilateral interventions and the Global Mine Action Programme for more than 30 years
    • the Global Mine Action Programme provided £2.2 million to support the work of MAG and HALO in Cambodia in FY24/25 and is providing a further £2.2 million in FY25/26.Through our partnership with Cambodia Mine Action Authority, we supported the Siem Reap Review conference – providing Wilton Park and financial support in November 2024
    • under GMAP, HALO has delivered clearance, risk education and explosive ordnance disposal in western provinces including Battambang, Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey, Palin, Siem Reap, Preah Vihear, Pursat, and Koh Kong
    • HALO Trust’s headquarters in Siem Reap now serves as a global training hub, sharing Cambodia’s expertise with mine clearance operations worldwide

    For media inquiry, contact:

    Email: ukincambodia@fcdo.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 13 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: Abaxx to Launch Singapore Gold Kilobar Futures and Physically-Allocated Gold Pool on June 12, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Abaxx Technologies Inc. (CBOE:ABXX)(OTCQX:ABXXF) (“Abaxx” or the “Company”), a financial software and market infrastructure company, indirect majority shareholder of Abaxx Singapore Pte Ltd. (“Abaxx Singapore”), the owner of Abaxx Commodity Exchange and Clearinghouse (individually, “Abaxx Exchange” and “Abaxx Clearing”), and producer of the SmarterMarkets™ Podcast, today announced that it will be expanding its product suite to include precious metals with the launch of Gold kilobar futures on June 12, 2025.

    Abaxx Singapore Gold Futures are purpose-built for the needs of Asia’s physical bullion trade, reflecting the region’s preferred kilobar format and supporting more accurate pricing by aligning futures settlement with physical market practices. The contract is designed to provide a globally accessible, regionally anchored benchmark that supports effective price discovery, reliable hedging, and physical delivery in one of the world’s leading gold trading hubs. Abaxx’s Gold Singapore Futures contract is a US dollar-denominated, kilobar-sized, physically-deliverable product, with delivery into approved vaults in Singapore.

    “Gold is one of the few assets trusted across all borders, yet its market infrastructure hasn’t kept pace with how and where it’s traded,” said Abaxx Founder, Josh Crumb. “By aligning physically-deliverable futures with the kilobar format and delivery location preferred by Asia’s bullion market, we’re eliminating structural mismatches that have long distorted pricing and impeded risk management. This contract reflects the way gold actually moves through the global system, and delivers the tools needed to hedge and settle accordingly.”

    Introducing Abaxx Spot

    Abaxx is also preparing to launch Abaxx Spot¹, a new physically-allocated (through the undivided interest structure) gold trading platform in Singapore. The platform is designed to align spot and futures gold markets in the same location, facilitate secure physical trading and efficient OTC transfer of kilobars, and aims to enhance market access and transparency through direct participation in a pre-funded central limit order book (CLOB).

    Initial services for Abaxx Spot will begin on June 12, 2025. Abaxx Spot is designed to allow participants to complete delivery obligations for Abaxx Exchange’s gold futures contracts, with the goal of establishing a more integrated and smarter infrastructure for gold markets.

    ¹Abaxx Spot Pte. Ltd. is a registered dealer under the Precious Stones and Precious Metals (Prevention of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing) Act 2019 (PSPM Act), and is exempted from holding a spot commodities brokers license under the Commodity Trading Act 1992. Abaxx Spot Pte. Ltd. is not regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore as a financial institution, but operates in compliance with the regulatory framework established by the PSPM Act.

    About Abaxx Technologies
    Abaxx Technologies is building Smarter Markets: markets empowered by better tools, better benchmarks, and better technology to drive market-based solutions to the biggest challenges we face as a society, including the energy transition.

    In addition to developing and deploying financial technologies that make communication, trade, and transactions easier and more secure, Abaxx is the indirect majority shareholder of Abaxx Singapore Pte. Ltd., the owner of Abaxx Exchange and Abaxx Clearing, and the parent company of wholly owned subsidiary Abaxx Spot Pte. Ltd., the operator of Abaxx Spot.

    Abaxx Exchange delivers the market infrastructure critical to the shift toward an electrified, low-carbon economy through centrally-cleared, physically-deliverable futures contracts in LNG, carbon, battery materials, and precious metals, meeting the commercial needs of today’s commodity markets and establishing the next generation of global benchmarks.

    For more information, visit abaxx.tech | abaxx.exchange | abaxxspot.com | basecarbon.com | smartermarkets.media

    For more information about this press release, please contact:

    Steve Fray, CFO
    Tel: +1 647-490-1590

    Media and investor inquiries:

    Abaxx Technologies Inc.
    Investor Relations Team
    Tel: +1 246 271 0082
    E-mail: ir@abaxx.tech

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    This press release includes certain “forward-looking statements” which do not consist of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe Abaxx’s future plans, objectives, or goals, including words to the effect that Abaxx expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as “seeking”, “should”, “intend”, “predict”, “potential”, “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “estimates”, “may”, “could”, “would”, “will”, “continue”, “plan” or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Since forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to Abaxx, Abaxx does not provide any assurance that actual results will meet respective management expectations. Risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

    Forward-looking information related to Abaxx in this press release includes, but is not limited to: Abaxx’s objectives, goals or future plans; completion and timing of the launch of its gold contracts; benefits of the introduction of its gold contracts; introduction of new precious metals products; and positive impacts from the growth of global precious metal demand. Such factors impacting forward-looking information include, among others: risks relating to the global economic climate; dilution; Abaxx’s limited operating history; future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing; the competitive nature of the industry; currency exchange risks; the need for Abaxx to manage its planned growth and expansion; the effects of product development and need for continued technology change; protection of proprietary rights; the effect of government regulation and compliance on Abaxx and the industry; acquiring and maintaining regulatory approvals for Abaxx’s products and operations; the ability to list Abaxx’s securities on stock exchanges in a timely fashion or at all; network security risks; the ability of Abaxx to maintain properly working systems; reliance on key personnel; global economic and financial market deterioration impeding access to capital or increasing the cost of capital; and volatile securities markets impacting security pricing unrelated to operating performance. In addition, particular factors which could impact future results of the business of Abaxx include but are not limited to: operations in foreign jurisdictions; protection of intellectual property rights; contractual risk; third-party risk; clearinghouse risk; malicious actor risks; third- party software license risk; system failure risk; risk of technological change; dependence of technical infrastructure; and changes in the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labor and international travel and supply chains, and the risk factors identified in the Company’s most recent management discussion and analysis filed on SEDAR+. Abaxx has also assumed that no significant events occur outside of Abaxx’s normal course of business.

    Abaxx cautions that the foregoing list of material factors is not exhaustive. In addition, although Abaxx has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. When relying on forward-looking statements and information to make decisions, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Abaxx has assumed that the material factors referred to in the previous paragraphs will not cause such forward-looking statements and information to differ materially from actual results or events. However, the list of these factors is not exhaustive and is subject to change and there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release represents the expectations of Abaxx as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Abaxx undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements and information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and information. Cboe Canada does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bilibili Inc. Announces Repurchase Right Notification for 1.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHANGHAI, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bilibili Inc. (“Bilibili” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: BILI and HKEX: 9626), an iconic brand and a leading video community for young generations in China, today announced that it is notifying holders of its 1.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027 (CUSIP No. 090040AD8) (the “Notes”) that, pursuant to the Indenture dated as of June 2, 2020 (the “Indenture”) relating to the Notes by and between the Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, each holder has the right, at the option of such holder, to require the Company to repurchase all of such holder’s Notes or any portion thereof that is an integral multiple of US$1,000 principal amount for cash on June 15, 2025 (the “2025 Repurchase Right”). Holders of the Notes may exercise the 2025 Repurchase Right from 12:01 a.m., New York City time, on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 (the “Repurchase Open Time”) until 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Thursday, June 12, 2025 (the “Repurchase Expiration Time”).

    Documents specifying the terms, conditions, and procedures for exercising the 2025 Repurchase Right, including the Company’s 2025 Repurchase Right Notice to holders dated May 13, 2025 (the “Repurchase Right Notice”) will be available through the Depository Trust Company (the “DTC”) and the paying agent, which is Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (the “Paying Agent”). None of the Company, its board of directors, or its employees has made or is making any representation or recommendation to any holder as to whether to exercise or refrain from exercising the 2025 Repurchase Right. Each holder of the Notes must make its own decision whether to exercise the 2025 Repurchase Right with respect to such holder’s Notes and, if so, the principal amount of Notes for which the 2025 Repurchase Right should be exercised.

    The 2025 Repurchase Right entitles each holder of the Notes to require the Company to repurchase all of such holder’s Notes, or any portion thereof that is an integral multiple of US$1,000 principal amount. The repurchase price (the “Repurchase Price”) for such Notes will be an amount in cash equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, June 15, 2025, which is the date specified for repurchase in the Indenture (the “2025 Repurchase Date”), subject to the terms and conditions of the Indenture and the Notes. The 2025 Repurchase Date is an interest payment date under the terms of the Indenture and the Notes. As June 15, 2025 is not a Business Day (as defined in the Indenture), pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, any action to be taken on the 2025 Repurchase Date may be taken on Monday, June 16, 2025, being the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if taken on the 2025 Repurchase Date with no interest accrued in respect of such delay. Accordingly, on Monday, June 16, 2025, the Company will pay accrued and unpaid interest on all of the Notes through June 14, 2025 to all holders who were holders of record as of close of business on June 1, 2025, regardless of whether the 2025 Repurchase Right is exercised with respect to such Notes. As a result, on the 2025 Repurchase Date, there will be no accrued and unpaid interest on the Notes. As of May 13, 2025, there was US$92,000 in aggregate principal amount of the Notes outstanding. If all outstanding Notes are surrendered for repurchase through exercise of the 2025 Repurchase Right, the aggregate cash purchase price will be US$92,000.

    In order to exercise the 2025 Repurchase Right, a holder must deliver the Notes through the transmittal procedures of the DTC between the Repurchase Open Time and the Repurchase Expiration Time, in the following manner:

    • Holders of the Notes that are held through a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company, or other nominee through DTC accounts must contact such nominee and instruct such nominee to exercise the 2025 Repurchase Right by surrendering the Notes on such holders’ behalf through DTC’s Automated Tender Offer Program (the “ATOP”) before the Repurchase Expiration Time.
    • Holders of the Notes who are DTC participants and hold the Notes directly through DTC accounts must surrender the Notes electronically through ATOP before the Repurchase Expiration Time, subject to the terms and procedures of ATOP.

    While the Company does not expect any Notes being or to be issued to a holder other than DTC or its nominee in physical certificate, in the event that physical certificates evidencing the Notes are issued to such a holder, any such holder must complete and sign a 2025 Repurchase Notice in the form attached hereto as Annex A in accordance with the instructions set forth therein, have the signature thereon guaranteed and timely deliver such manually signed 2025 Repurchase Notice, together with the certificated evidencing the Notes to be repurchased and all necessary endorsements to the Paying Agent before the Repurchase Expiration Time.

    HOLDERS THAT HOLD THE NOTES THROUGH DTC ACCOUNTS MAY ONLY EXERCISE THE REPURCHASE RIGHT BY COMPLYING WITH THE TRANSMITTAL PROCEDURES OF DTC AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT A PHYSICAL REPURCHASE NOTICE.

    A holder of the Notes may withdraw such holder’s exercise of the 2025 Repurchase Right with respect to any Notes pursuant to the terms of the 2025 Repurchase Right at any time prior to the Repurchase Expiration Time, which is the second Business Day immediately preceding the 2025 Repurchase Date. If a holder of the Notes has already delivered a Fundamental Change Repurchase Notice (as defined in the Indenture) or a repurchase notice with respect to a Note, such holder may not surrender that Note for conversion until the holder has withdrawn the applicable repurchase notice in accordance with the Indenture. The conversion of the Notes is subject to the provisions regarding conversion contained in the Indenture and the Notes.

    This press release is for information only and is not an offer to purchase, a solicitation of an offer to purchase, or a solicitation of an offer to sell the Notes or any other securities of the Company. The offer to purchase the Notes will be only pursuant to, and the Notes may be surrendered only in accordance with, the Company’s Repurchase Right Notice dated May 13, 2025 and related documents.

    Holders of the Notes should refer to the Indenture for a complete description of repurchase procedures and direct any questions concerning the mechanics of repurchase to the trustee by contacting Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas. Holders of Notes may request the Company’s Repurchase Right Notice from the Paying Agent. The name and address for the Paying Agent as well as the Conversion Agent (as defined in the Indenture) are as follows:

    Conversion Agent:
    Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
    c/o DB Services Americas, Inc
    5022 Gate Parkway Suite 200
    MS JCK01-218
    Jacksonville, FL 32256
    db.reorg@db.com
    For information call 1-800-735-7777

    Paying Agent:
    Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
    c/o DB Services Americas, Inc
    5022 Gate Parkway Suite 200
    MS JCK01-218
    Jacksonville, FL 32256
    db.reorg@db.com
    For information call 1-800-735-7777

    HOLDERS OF NOTES AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES ARE URGED TO READ THE COMPANY’S REPURCHASE RIGHT NOTICE BECAUSE IT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BILIBILI INC. AND THE 2025 REPURCHASE RIGHT.

    Materials filed with the SEC will be available electronically without charge at the SEC’s website, http://www.sec.gov. Documents filed with the SEC may also be obtained without charge at the Company’s investor relations website, http://ir.bilibili.com/.

    About Bilibili Inc.

    Bilibili is an iconic brand and a leading video community with a mission to enrich the everyday lives of young generations in China. Bilibili offers a wide array of video-based content with All the Videos You Like as its value proposition. Bilibili builds its community around aspiring users, high-quality content, talented content creators and the strong emotional bonds among them. Bilibili pioneered the “bullet chatting” feature, a live comment function that has transformed our users’ viewing experience by displaying the thoughts and feelings of audience members viewing the same video. The Company has now become the welcoming home of diverse interests among young generations in China and the frontier for promoting Chinese culture across the world.

    For more information, please visit: http://ir.bilibili.com.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “aims,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident,” “potential,” “continue,” or other similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Bilibili’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to those included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. All information provided in this announcement and in the attachments is as of the date of this announcement, and the Company undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    In China：

    Bilibili Inc.
    Juliet Yang
    Tel: +86-21-2509-9255 Ext. 8523
    E-mail: ir@bilibili.com

    Piacente Financial Communications
    Helen Wu
    Tel: +86-10-6508-0677
    E-mail: bilibili@tpg-ir.com

    In the United States:

    Piacente Financial Communications
    Brandi Piacente
    Tel: +1-212-481-2050
    E-mail: bilibili@tpg-ir.com

    Annex A

    REPURCHASE NOTICE

    To: Bilibili Inc.

    DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, as Trustee

    The undersigned registered owner of this Note hereby acknowledges receipt of a notice from Bilibili Inc. (the “Company”) regarding the right of Holders to elect to require the Company to repurchase the entire principal amount of this Note, or the portion thereof (that is US$1,000 principal amount or an integral multiple thereof) below designated, in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Indenture referred to in this Note, at the Repurchase Price to the registered Holder hereof.

    In the case of certificated Notes, the certificate numbers of the Notes to be purchased are as set forth below:

    Certificate Number(s):         
    Dated:            
                
            Signature(s)  
             
                
            Social Security or Other Taxpayer Identification Number  
                
             
            Principal amount to be repaid (if less than all): US$        ,000  
             
            NOTICE: The above signature(s) of the Holder(s) hereof must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Note in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.  

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with ASEAN Manaaki Scholars in Wellington

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with ASEAN Manaaki Scholars at the Victoria University of Wellington, during his Working Visit to New Zealand. The engagement provided an opportunity for the SG Dr. Kao to interact with ASEAN students pursuing higher education in New Zealand under the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship programme. SG Dr. Kao underscored the importance of education, youth empowerment, and people-to-people connectivity as vital parts of the ASEAN Community.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with ASEAN Manaaki Scholars in Wellington appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with ASEAN Committee in Wellington

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, this evening met with the ASEAN Committee in Wellington during his Working Visit to New Zealand. SG Dr. Kao thanked the Committee for its role and contribution towards raising the profile and visibility of ASEAN in New Zealand and enhancing ASEAN-New Zealand relations, and shared thoughts on ways to further strengthen ASEAN-New Zealand partnership. SG Dr. Kao encouraged the Committee to continue playing an active role to this end, in light of the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-New Zealand Dialogue Relations this year.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with ASEAN Committee in Wellington appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Kingsoft Cloud to Report First Quarter 2025 Financial Results on May 28, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BEIJING, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: KC and HKEX: 3896) (“Kingsoft Cloud” or the “Company”), a leading cloud service provider in China, today announced that it will release its unaudited financial results for the first quarter 2025 ended March 31, 2025 before the open of U.S. markets on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

    Kingsoft Cloud’s management will host an earnings conference call on Wednesday May 28, 2025 at 8:15 am, U.S. Eastern Time (8:15 pm, Beijing/Hong Kong Time on the same day).

    Preregistration Information
    Participants can register for the conference call by navigating to https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI5f4e481f10a54bdc8e351f2645183b41. Once preregistration has been completed, participants will receive dial-in numbers, direct event passcode, and a unique access PIN.

    To join the conference, simply dial the number in the calendar invite you receive after preregistering, enter the passcode followed by your PIN, and you will join the conference instantly.

    Additionally, a live and archived webcast of the conference call will also be available on the Company’s investor relations website at http://ir.ksyun.com.

    About Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited

    Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: KC and HKEX: 3896) is a leading cloud service provider in China. Kingsoft Cloud has built a comprehensive and reliable cloud platform consisting of extensive cloud infrastructure, cutting-edge cloud products and well-architected industry-specific solutions across public cloud and enterprise cloud.

    For more information, please visit: http://ir.ksyun.com.

    For investor and media inquiries, please contact:

    Kingsoft Cloud Holdings Limited
    Nicole Shan
    Tel: +86 (10) 6292-7777 Ext. 6300
    Email: ksc-ir@kingsoft.com

    The MIL Network –

  • Ukraine’s Zelenskiy insists on face-to-face talks with Putin in Istanbul

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will only attend talks on Ukraine if Russia’s Vladimir Putin is also there, the Ukrainian leader’s top aide said on Tuesday, challenging the Kremlin to show it is genuine about seeking peace.
     
    U.S. President Donald Trump has offered to attend Thursday’s proposed meeting in Istanbul, which has become the focus of his attempts to end the deadliest conflict in Europe since World War Two. Putin has yet to say if he will take part.
     
    Both Russia and Ukraine have sought to show they are working towards peace after Trump prioritised ending the war, but they have yet to agree any clear path.
     
    Putin on Sunday proposed direct talks with Ukraine after ignoring a Ukrainian proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. Trump then publicly told Zelenskiy to accept.
     
    “President Zelenskiy will not meet with any other Russian representative in Istanbul, except Putin,” Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak told Reuters.
     
    His chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said Zelenskiy’s trip to Turkey showed Kyiv was ready for talks but repeated Ukraine’s stance that any negotiations must come after a ceasefire.
     
    “Our position is very principled and very strong,” Yermak said during a visit to Copenhagen.
     
    Moscow has not said if Putin will travel to Turkey.
     
    “We are committed to a serious search for ways of a long-term peaceful settlement,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday but would not comment further on the talks.
     
    Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, unleashing a war that has killed hundreds of thousands of soldiers on both sides. Most of Europe has rallied around Kyiv providing arms and financial aid, while Russia has turned to Iran and North Korea for support.
     
    Trump has demanded the two nations end the war, threatening to walk away from efforts to broker a peace deal unless there are clear signs of progress soon.
     
    TRUMP GOES TO TURKEY?
     
    If Zelenskiy and Putin, who make no secret of their mutual contempt, were to meet on Thursday it would be their first face-to-face meeting since December 2019.
     
    Trump, who is due to visit Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar this week, unexpectedlyoffered on Mondayto travel to Istanbul, which straddles the divide between Europe and Asia.
     
    “I was thinking about actually flying over there. There’s a possibility of it, I guess, if I think things can happen, but we’ve got to get it done,” Trump said before leaving for his second foreign trip since returning to the White House in January.
     
    “Don’t underestimate Thursday in Turkey,” he added.
     
    Following the offer, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the “way forward for a ceasefire” in Ukraine with his Ukrainian, British, French, Polish, German and EU counterparts.
     
    Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, meanwhile,held talks with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan.
     
    FAR APART
     
    Reuters reported last year that Putin was open to discussing a ceasefire with Trump, but that Moscow ruled out making any major territorial concessions and insists Kyiv abandon ambitions to join NATO.
     
    Ukraine has said it is ready for talks but a ceasefire is needed first, a position supported by its European allies.
     
    Kyiv wants robust security guarantees as part of any peace deal and rejects a Russian proposal for restrictions on the size of its military. Territorial issues could be discussed once a ceasefire is in place, it says.
     
    Putin has repeatedly referred to a 2022 deal which Russia and Ukraine negotiated shortly after the Russian invasion but never finalised.
     
    Under the draft agreement, a copy of which Reuters has reviewed, Ukraine should agree to permanent neutrality in return for international security guarantees from the five permanent U.N. Security Council members: Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States.
     
    Ukraine and its European allies have told Russia that it would have to accept an unconditional 30-day ceasefire from Monday or face new sanctions. The Kremlin replied, saying it would not respond to ultimatums.
     
    France said on Monday European leaders, who met in Ukraine over the weekend, had asked the European Commission to put together new “massive” sanctions targeting Russia’s oil and financial sector if Russia failed to agree a ceasefire.
     
    Russia’s forces control just under a fifth of Ukraine, including all of Crimea, almost all of Luhansk, and more than 70% of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, according to Russian estimates. It also controls a sliver of Kharkiv region.
     
    Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the international affairs committee of the Federation Council, the upper house of Russia’s parliament, told the Izvestia media outlet in remarks published on Tuesday that the talks between Moscow and Kyiv can move further than the 2022 negotiations.
     
    “If the Ukrainian delegation shows up at these talks with a mandate to abandon any ultimatums and look for common ground, I am sure that we could move forward,” he said.
     
    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI: Jitterbit Harmony Platform Wins Silver Stevie® Award for Platform as a Service

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ALAMEDA, Calif., May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jitterbit, a global leader in accelerating business transformation for enterprise systems, today announced it has been awarded the Silver Stevie® Award in the ‘Platform as a Service’ category at the 23rd Annual American Business Awards®.

    Jitterbit Harmony was recognized for its innovation and impact in the ‘New Product & Service – Technology Solutions category.’

    “It’s a privilege to have the Stevie Awards recognize the impact of our unified, AI-infused low-code Harmony platform,” said Jitterbit SVP of Product Management Vito Salvaggio. “Earning high honors for the second year in a row reflects the strength of our low-code innovation combined with powerful automation, integration and application development capabilities. With Harmony, we’re making it easier than ever for enterprises to integrate systems, automate workflows and build applications, all with the power of AI and without the usual complexity. It’s a smarter, faster way to drive transformation across the business.”

    The American Business Awards is among the premier business awards programs in the U.S., with more than 3,600 nominations submitted this year across a wide range of categories, including Best New Product or Service of the Year, Thought Leader of the Year, and App of the Year.

    The Jitterbit Harmony platform is a unified, AI-infused low-code solution that accelerates business transformation by seamlessly integrating, automating and orchestrating processes across hybrid environments. In May 2025, Jitterbit announced the latest evolution of Harmony to deliver accountable, layered AI technology and enterprise-ready AI agents across its suite of capabilities — including iPaaS, App Builder, API Manager and EDI.

    With built-in AI assistants that simplify complex workflows through natural language prompts, Harmony empowers users of all skill levels to work faster and smarter, achieving faster deployments and quicker returns on investment than industry alternatives.

    Judges recognized Jitterbit Harmony for its innovation and accessibility, noting: “Jitterbit Harmony exemplifies excellence in ‘Platform as a Service’ by merging low-code development with AI-driven integration, orchestration, and automation. Its modular structure, including iPaaS, API Manager, App Builder, and EDI, empowers enterprises to modernize processes swiftly and securely. The platform’s natural language AI assistants lower the barrier for adoption, making it accessible to non-technical users. Harmony is a powerhouse for digital transformation.”

    To view the complete list of 2025 winners, visit: https://stevieawards.com/aba/product-management-new-product-awards#BusinessTechnology

    To learn about Jitterbit Harmony, visit www.jitterbit.com/harmony.

    About Jitterbit
    For organizations ready to modernize and innovate, Jitterbit provides a unified AI-infused low code platform for integration, orchestration, automation, and app development that accelerates business transformation, boosts productivity, and unlocks value. The Jitterbit Harmony platform, including iPaaS, API Manager, App Builder and EDI, future-proofs operations, simplifies complexity and drives innovation for organizations globally. Learn more at www.jitterbit.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

    About the Stevie Awards
    Stevie Awards are conferred in nine programs: the Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards, the German Stevie Awards, the Middle East & North Africa Stevie Awards, The American Business Awards®, The International Business Awards®, the Stevie Awards for Women in Business, the Stevie Awards for Great Employers, the Stevie Awards for Sales & Customer Service, and the Stevie Awards for Technology Excellence. Stevie Awards competitions receive more than 12,000 entries each year from organizations in more than 70 nations. Honoring organizations of all types and sizes and the people behind them, the Stevies recognize outstanding performances in the workplace worldwide. Learn more about the Stevie Awards at http://www.StevieAwards.com.

    MEDIA CONTACT:

    Geoff Blaine
    Jitterbit
    geoff.blaine@jitterbit.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Announces Pre-Orders for Galaxy S25 Edge in India; Price Starts INR 109999

    Source: Samsung

    (L-R) Soon Choi, Corporate EVP, JB Park, President and CEO, and Raju Pullan, Senior VP, Samsung India, launched the Galaxy S25 Edge in India
     
    Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, today opened pre-orders for its category-defining Galaxy S25 Edge, the slimmest Galaxy S series smartphone. Crafted with style and strength in mind, Galaxy S25 Edge strikes a new balance of premium, pro-level performance in a resilient titanium body. Galaxy S25 Edge delivers on the S series legacy, integrating an iconic Galaxy AI-enabled camera and unleashing a new realm of creativity in an effortlessly portable device.
     
    Exceptionally Sleek and Strong Design
    With a thin 5.8mm chassis, Galaxy S25 Edge is a remarkable feat of engineering that reimagines nearly every element of smartphone design. Its refined frame bridges form and function at just 163 grams, taking slim smartphones to the next level while staying true to the Galaxy S series’ unified design.
     
    Alongside its streamlined silhouette comes exceptional resilience. The optimally curved edges and sturdy titanium frame offer enduring protection for everyday use. The latest Corning® Gorilla® Glass Ceramic 2, a new glass ceramic offering that delivers engineered resilience, is used for the front display on Galaxy S25 Edge.
     
    Dynamic Creativity with a Pocketable 200MP Camera
    The slim and light design of Galaxy S25 Edge makes it easier than ever for users to capture memorable moments and express their creativity anytime, anywhere. The 200MP wide lens upholds the Galaxy S series’ iconic camera experience while taking Nightography to a new level. Thanks to its ultra-high resolution, users get sharper photos while maintaining clearer shots with large pixel size —capturing images with over 40% improved brightness in low-light environments. The 12MP ultra-wide sensor features autofocus, which powers crisp, detailed macro photography for even more creative flexibility.
     
    Galaxy S25 Edge benefits from the same ProVisual Engine that was optimized for Galaxy S25 with pro-grade enhancements, like ensuring sharp details for clothes or plants and natural, true-to-life skin tone in portraits. Galaxy AI-powered editing features, including fan-favorites like Audio Eraser and Drawing Assist are all brought over from the Galaxy S25 series.
     
    Peak Performance Expertly Configured in Ultra-Slim Housing
    Galaxy S25 Edge is built to deliver premium performance, starting with the Snapdragon 8 ® Elite Mobile Platform for Galaxy. Customized by Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., the chipset powers Galaxy S25 Edge’s on-device AI processing capabilities and offers reliably fast performance all day. Galaxy S25 Edge also keeps its cool under sustained use thanks to a reconfigured vapor chamber that is now thinner, yet broader for steady heat dissipation.
     
    Matching the Galaxy S series’ renowned performance standards, Galaxy S25 Edge features advanced, and efficient AI image processing with ProScaler, which delivers a 40% improvement in display image scaling quality, while incorporating Samsung’s customized mobile Digital Natural Image engine (mDNIe).
     
    A Trusted Companion with Galaxy AI
    Integrating Galaxy AI at nearly every touchpoint, Galaxy S25 Edge offers our most natural and context-aware mobile AI experiences. Users get personalized, multimodal AI capabilities with peace of mind that their personal data is always safe.
     
    Mirroring the broader Galaxy S25 series, Galaxy S25 Edge integrates AI agents that work seamlessly across multiple apps, helping as a true AI companion to get things done more easily. Galaxy AI also gets better at integrating with daily routines. Now Brief and Now Bar include third-party app integrations for greater convenience and helpful reminders during everyday commuting, dining and more.
     
    Thanks to Galaxy’s deep integration with Google, Galaxy S25 Edge brings Gemini’s latest advancements to more users. For example, with Gemini Live’s new camera and screen sharing abilities, users can show Gemini Live what they see on their screen or in the world around them while simultaneously interacting with it in a live conversation.
     
    Experiences powered by Galaxy AI on Galaxy S25 Edge aren’t just convenient—they’re designed with privacy at the core. On-device AI processing ensures data is kept secure by Samsung Knox Vault, continuing Samsung’s unwavering commitment to ensure hyper-personalized mobile experiences never sacrifice privacy.
     
    Price, Availability and Pre-Order Offers
    Galaxy S25 Edge is up for pre-orders, starting today across all leading online and offline retail stores. Customers pre-ordering the Galaxy S25 Edge will receive a free storage upgrade worth INR 12,000. Customers can also avail no-cost EMI up to 9 months on the device. Galaxy S25 Edge will be available in two captivating colours – Titanium Silver and Titanium Jetblack. For more information about Galaxy S25 Edge and the Galaxy S25 series, please visit Samsung.com.
     
    Price
    Model
    RAM Storage
    Colours
    MOP (INR)
    Galaxy S25 Edge
    12GB 256GB
    Titanium Silver, Titanium Jetblack
    109999
    12GB 512GB
    121999

    Pre-Order Offers
    Model
    Offers
    No Cost EMI
    Galaxy S25 Edge
    Benefits Worth INR 12K
    INR 12K Storage Upgrade(Pre-book 256GB and Get 512GB)
    Up to 9 months
     

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • Balanced growth possible when women lead, says Vice-President Dhankhar

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Tuesday emphasized that true empowerment lies not in distributing freebies or doles, but in equipping individuals to become self-reliant. Addressing members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) from Meghalaya in New Delhi, he said,

    “True empowerment is when people are hand-held and enabled to stand on their own. That brings inner strength, joy, satisfaction, and pride for families.”

    Highlighting the progress of the ‘Look East, Act East’ policy, the Vice-President called the Northeast “a jewel of India,” and described Meghalaya as a “heaven for tourists” blessed with rich natural beauty and cultural wealth. He added that the state has vast potential in tourism, mining, IT, and the services sector.

    Praising the leadership at the Centre and in Meghalaya, Dhankhar attributed the state’s achievements in economic growth and women’s empowerment to visionary governance.

    “The state has registered a commendable 13% rise in Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) and is projected to cross Rs. 66,000 crore,” he noted, adding that Meghalaya is targeting a $10 billion economy by 2028.

    Referring to the decade-long governance reforms under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he remarked,

    “In the past decade, India has seen transformative growth in economy, infrastructure, technology, and women empowerment. Our tribal culture is our pride and strength.”

    Underscoring the role of women in inclusive development, the Vice-President stated,

    “Balanced economic development and societal growth happen when women come forward. I am delighted to note a tenfold increase both in the revolving fund and the number of SHG beneficiaries in Meghalaya.”

    Dhankhar’s address was attended by SHG members from the Garo Hills, Khasi Hills, and Jaintia Hills regions, marking a recognition of grassroots participation in Meghalaya’s development journey.

  • Retail boom: India to add 16.6 million sq ft of new mall space by 2025-26

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s retail sector is witnessing a major transformation, with over 16.6 million square feet of new Grade A mall space expected to come up across top seven cities in 2025 and 2026, a new report said on Tuesday.

    This surge is being driven by rising consumer demand and strong momentum in retail leasing, marking what experts call a golden era for the sector, according to data compiled by Anarock Research.

    Hyderabad and Delhi-NCR will lead this supply boom, accounting for nearly 65 per cent of the upcoming mall space.

    This indicates a clear shift towards high-growth consumption centres in these cities.

    The expansion is part of a broader retail real estate pipeline that could see more than 40 million square feet of new retail space added across India by 2029.

    Anuj Kejriwal, CEO and MD of Anarock Retail, said that the push for more mall development is also due to a shortage of quality supply in recent years.

    “In 2022, top cities saw only 2.6 million sq. ft. of new supply, while leasing hit 3.2 million sq. ft. Similarly, in 2023, new supply was 5.3 million sq. ft., but leasing was even higher at 6.5 million sq. ft.,” he said.

    The supply shortfall became more pronounced in 2024, partly due to slower approval processes linked to general and state elections.

    “In that year, only 1.1 million sq. ft. of new mall space entered the market, while leasing demand remained steady at 6.5 million sq. ft,” Kejriwal mentioned.

    Despite the sudden influx of new space expected over the next two years, there are no immediate fears of oversupply.

    The report estimates over 12.6 million sq. ft. of mall leasing activity will take place across the top cities in 2025 and 2026.

    This reflects strong interest from both developers and retailers, buoyed by positive consumer sentiment and ongoing demand for organised retail space.

    One of the driving factors behind this demand is the entry of over 60 international retail brands into India in the last four years.

    These brands span fashion, electronics, lifestyle, and food and beverage categories, and they are actively seeking presence in high-footfall malls and high streets.

    As a result, mall vacancy rates, which peaked at 15.5 per cent in 2021, are expected to stabilise at around 8.2 per cent in 2025 and 8.5 per cent in 2026, said the report.

    The current retail growth wave is also spreading beyond major metro cities. Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are becoming important retail destinations due to rising disposable incomes, better internet access, and growing ecommerce adoption.

    In fact, these smaller cities now account for a majority share of online shopping in India.

    The number of online shoppers in the country has grown from 140 million in 2020 to nearly 260 million in 2024 and is expected to hit 300 million by 2030 and 700 million by 2035, the report said.

    (IANS)

  • In birthright citizenship case, US Supreme Court gets two controversies in one

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    One of President Donald Trump’s most contentious policies – his attempt to restrict automatic birthright citizenship – arrives at the U.S. Supreme Court this week with an unusual twist: The justices may focus on something else entirely.

    Federal judges in Washington state, Massachusetts and Maryland issued orders blocking Trump’s January executive order nationwide, finding the directive likely violated language in the U.S. Constitution concerning citizenship for babies born in the United States.

    But through an emergency filing, Trump’s administration has focused the Supreme Court’s attention not on the legality of the action by the Republican president but rather on the permissibility of the actions by the three judges – whether federal judges should have the power to issue broad orders that block challenged polices on a nationwide, or “universal,” basis.

    The administration asked the court to narrow the injunctions to let the government enforce Trump’s directive – part of his hardline approach to immigration – to the greatest extent possible while the legal fight over the policy plays out.

    The court may do so “without considering the underlying merits” of Trump’s action, the administration asserted.

    That approach would set up the possibility of the court, which has as a 6-3 conservative majority, allowing broad enforcement of the policy without assessing whether or not it is legal.

    The matter came to the court on a compressed timeline and with minimal written briefing.

    The way the court is considering the case “seems quite strange,” said Alan Trammell, a professor at Washington and Lee University School of Law in Virginia, because “even though the substantive question of birthright citizenship technically isn’t before the court, it still looms large.”

    “It concerns one of the most important provisions of the Constitution and implicates a raging political debate,” Trammell said.

    Trump’s order, signed on his first day back in office, directed federal agencies to refuse to recognize the citizenship of U.S.-born children who do not have at least one parent who is an American citizen or lawful permanent resident.

    Trump’s order was challenged by Democratic attorneys general from 22 states as well as individual pregnant immigrants and advocacy groups. The plaintiffs have said the directive violates a right enshrined in the U.S. Constitution’s 14th Amendment, which was ratified in 1868 and long has been understood to confer citizenship to virtually anyone born in the United States.

    Trammell noted that the administration has not contested whether the injunctions should have been issued, asking the justices only to scale back their nationwide effect to protect just the plaintiffs in the cases.

    “The situation would be very odd indeed if the court concluded that the plaintiffs’ view of the merits is correct, yet gave only the individual plaintiffs the benefit of that ruling,” Trammell said.

    ‘BIRTH TOURISM’

    The 14th Amendment states that all “persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.”

    The administration contends that the 14th Amendment does not extend to immigrants who are in the country illegally or even to immigrants whose presence is lawful but temporary, such as university students or those on work visas.

    Automatic birthright citizenship does not reflect the best reading of the 14th Amendment and it encourages “birth tourism” by expectant mothers traveling the United States to give birth and secure citizenship for their children, the administration argued in court filings.

    At the Supreme Court, the administration has targeted only the universal scope of the injunctions, content to leave them in place to protect only the people who sued as well as the residents of the 22 states, assuming the Supreme Court finds that these states have the necessary legal standing to bring their cases. That outcome would let Trump’s order go into effect in the 28 states that did not sue, aside from any plaintiffs from those states.

    The Justice Department said the issuance of broad judicial injunctions has bedeviled administrations of both parties, Republican and Democratic, and must be urgently rectified by the Supreme Court. Trump himself on March 20 called the situation “toxic” and urged the Supreme Court to act.

    Since Trump returned to office, many of his numerous executive orders and other initiatives have been impeded by judges, including through universal injunctions.

    “The need for this court’s intervention has become urgent as universal injunctions have reached tsunami levels,” the Justice Department said in a written filing.

    If the justices agree to scale back the judicial blocks, it could lead to a nation geographically fractured between places where babies are born with automatic citizenship and places where they are not, the plaintiffs said.

    “An infant would be a United States citizen and full member of society if born in New Jersey, but a deportable noncitizen if born in Tennessee,” the plaintiffs in the Maryland case told the justices.

    IDAHO TRANSGENDER CASE

    The Justice Department has cited the Supreme Court’s action in a case last year to back up its request to narrow the injunctions. In that case, called Labrador v. Poe, Idaho asked the justices to let the state enforce a Republican-backed ban on gender-affirming care for transgender minors after a federal judge blocked it as unconstitutional.

    The Supreme Court, over the dissent of its three liberal members, granted Idaho’s request that the statewide injunction be pared back to cover only the transgender plaintiffs who actually sued.

    The scope of an injunction is significant, the Justice Department told the Supreme Court, and ensuring that lower courts do not act beyond their limited judicial power “is just as critical as merits review,” meaning an assessment of an action’s legality.

    A Justice Department spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

    Some legal experts said the cases differ for numerous reasons. For instance, they said, the Idaho case involved one state, not a presidential executive order applying nationally.

    Even though the administration has made the dispute primarily about universal injunctions, some court observers have said the justices could decide to rule on the legality of Trump’s order anyway.

    It is unusual for the court “to be considering an emergency application in this context,” University of Chicago law professor William Baude said.

    “Because of that, we won’t know what the court is going to focus on until the oral arguments start,” Baude added.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Chinese Culture Festival 2025 to open in Hong Kong with contemporary dance “Dongpo: Life in Poems” in June (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    　　The Chinese Cultural Festival (CCF) 2025, organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), will open in June with “Dongpo: Life in Poems”, a contemporary dance performance by the China Oriental Performing Arts Group. Directed by international acclaimed choreographer and visual artist Shen Wei, the production is inspired by the poetry and life of Su Dongpo, a literary master in the Song dynasty. The performance, to be staged in Hong Kong, as an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchanges that boldly explores the integration of Chinese and Western arts, will showcase the remarkable talent and patriotic spirit of Su, while confidently presenting the beauty of traditional Chinese culture to the world. 

    　　Su, a polymath in literature, calligraphy and painting in Chinese history, remains a celebrated figure 1 000 years later. His classic verses are still widely recited and resonate deeply today. “Dongpo: Life in Poems” goes beyond the usual linear narrative of dance drama. Instead, it revolves around 12 of Su’s poems that epitomise the poet’s life philosophy from over 3 000 works, while reinterpreting Su’s multifaceted legacy through contemporary dance. Divided into six acts, the selected poems, each of which touches on a different aspect of the poet’s life philosophy, are integrated to convey the poetic culture and texture with famous lines displayed onstage in calligraphic form. The poetic verses are about magnificent landscapes and graceful rivers, patriotic sentiments and timeless human nature and value. They range from the heroic emotion in “To the east, the Yangtze River constantly flows, bringing with its waves numerous ancient heroes” to the profound thoughts for his deceased wife in “Life and death have separated us for 10 years”; the world of compassion in “May all of us far apart be blessed with longevity”, and optimism in “I don’t mind leading a life in a raincoat”. By merging “cognitive essence” and “aesthetic realm”, this approach is designed to transcend linguistic barriers, allowing audiences to explore Su’s spiritual world through a contemporary lens. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Update on latest MERS situation in Saudi Arabia

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Update on latest MERS situation in Saudi Arabia 
    Seven of the nine abovementioned cases were found to be epidemiologically linked. After one patient was hospitalised and confirmed to have MERS, six health and care workers who had cared for the patients were also confirmed through contact tracing, with four of them being asymptomatic and two showing mild symptoms. They were suspected to be infected in the healthcare facility and had recovered.
     
    The WHO maintains its overall risk assessment of MERS in Saudi Arabia and expects that more cases of MERS will be reported in the Middle East or other countries where the virus is circulating in dromedaries. According to the latest information, 2 627 cases of MERS (including 946 deaths) have been notified by the WHO since 2012, and Saudi Arabia has notified 2 218 cases (including the above patients). The CHP will maintain close communication with the WHO and relevant health authorities to monitor the activity and trends of MERS.
     
         “Scientific evidence shows that dromedary camels are reservoirs for MERS-CoV. Dromedary camels infected with MERS-CoV may not show any signs of infection. Infected animals may shed MERS-CoV through their nasal and eye discharge and faeces, and potentially in their milk and urine. The virus can also be found in the raw offal and meat of infected animals. Among the reported cases in the Middle East, most of the patients had been in contact with dromedary camels, consumed camel milk, or had contact with patients who had been diagnosed with MERS. The CHP recommends travel agents organising tours to the Middle East to refrain from arranging for visitors to ride dromedary camels or to participate in any activities involving direct contact with dromedary camels, which are known risk factors for acquiring MERS-CoV. Moreover, travellers to the region should avoid visiting farms, barns or markets where there are dromedary camels, as well as contact with patients and animals, especially dromedary camels,” the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
     
          “As the Hajj pilgrimage will begin soon, pilgrims visiting Mecca in Saudi Arabia should be vigilant against MERS. Those with pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, chronic lung disease, chronic renal disease and immunodeficiency, are more likely to develop severe infections if they are exposed to MERS-CoV. Pilgrims should hence consult healthcare providers before travel to review the risk and assess whether a pilgrimage is advisable. Pilgrims visiting Mecca may refer to the DH’s advice         
    The public may visit the MERS page of the     CHPIssued at HKT 18:00

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Quarantine rules for cats, dogs reset

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD) announced today that new quarantine arrangements for cats and dogs imported from the Mainland will be implemented from June 3.

     

    Starting June 3, the Mainland will be included in Group IIIA. This means that cats and dogs imported from the Mainland that meet all the pre-requisites will have their quarantine period significantly reduced from the current 120 days to 30 days upon arrival in Hong Kong.

     

    The new arrangements will facilitate animal owners in bringing their pet cats and dogs from the Mainland to Hong Kong.

     

    Applicants who import such pets from the Mainland must ensure that the animals comply with the requirements of Group IIIA and submit the necessary proof to the AFCD.

     

    The animals must be implanted with a conforming microchip, hold a valid vaccination certificate for rabies and designated infectious diseases, and possess an animal health certificate issued by Mainland official veterinarians.

     

    Furthermore, the animals must obtain satisfactory results from rabies antibody titer testing conducted at an AFCD-approved laboratory on a blood sample taken not less than 90 days and not more than one year before departure.

     

    To ensure strict implementation of the relevant quarantine regulations, the AFCD has agreed with Mainland authorities that Shenzhen Customs veterinarians will issue the animal health certificates in the first phase of implementation.

     

    Detailed requirements for issuing such certificates by the Mainland can be obtained from Shenzhen Customs.

     

    Click here for more details of the quarantine arrangements and the application procedures for importing cats and dogs from the Mainland.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Qifu Technology to Hold Annual General Meeting on June 30, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHANGHAI, China, May 13, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Qifu Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: QFIN; HKEx: 3660) (“Qifu Technology” or the “Company”), a leading AI-empowered Credit-Tech platform in China, today announced that it will hold an annual general meeting of shareholders (the “AGM”) at 10:00 a.m. on June 30, 2025 (Beijing time) at the address of 13/F Lujiazui Finance Plaza, No. 1217 Dongfang Road, Pudong New Area, Shanghai 200122, People’s Republic of China for the purposes of considering and, if thought fit, (i) changing the Company’s English name from “Qifu Technology, Inc.” to “Qfin Holdings, Inc.”; (ii) adopting an amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Company; (iii) re-appointing Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Certified Public Accountants LLP as the auditor of the Company to hold office until the conclusion of the next annual general meeting of the Company and to authorize the Board to fix their remuneration for the year ending December 31, 2025; and (iv) re-electing Mr. Xiangge Liu as a director of the Company at this annual general meeting and retain office until his retirement pursuant to the Company’s memorandum and articles of association.

    The board of Directors of the Company has fixed the close of business on May 27, 2025, Hong Kong time, as the record date (the “Shares Record Date”) of the Company’s Class A ordinary shares with a par value of US$0.00001 each (the “Class A Ordinary Shares”). Holders of record of the Class A Ordinary Shares as of the Shares Record Date are entitled to attend and vote at the AGM and any adjourned meeting thereof.

    Holders of record of the Company’s American Depositary Shares (the “ADSs”) as of the close of business on May 27, 2025, New York time, who wish to exercise their voting rights for the underlying Class A Ordinary Shares represented by their ADSs must give voting instructions directly to The Bank of New York Mellon, the depositary of the ADSs, if the ADSs are held by holders on the books and records of the Depositary or indirectly through a bank, brokerage or other securities intermediary if the ADSs are held by any of them on behalf of holders.

    The notice of the AGM, which sets forth the resolutions to be submitted to shareholder approval at the meeting, is available on the Company’s website at: https://ir.qifu.tech.  

    About Qifu Technology

    Qifu Technology is a leading AI-empowered Credit-Tech platform in China. By leveraging its sophisticated machine learning models and data analytics capabilities, the Company provides a comprehensive suite of technology services to assist financial institutions and consumers and SMEs in the loan lifecycle, ranging from borrower acquisition, preliminary credit assessment, fund matching and post-facilitation services. The Company is dedicated to making credit services more accessible and personalized to consumers and SMEs through Credit-Tech services to financial institutions.

    For more information, please visit: https://ir.qifu.tech.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    Any forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates” and similar statements. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as the Company’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Qifu Technology may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), in announcements made on the website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Hong Kong Stock Exchange”), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including the Company’s business outlook, beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, which factors include but not limited to the following: the Company’s growth strategies, the Company’s cooperation with 360 Group, changes in laws, rules and regulatory environments, the recognition of the Company’s brand, market acceptance of the Company’s products and services, trends and developments in the credit-tech industry, governmental policies relating to the credit-tech industry, general economic conditions in China and around the globe, and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks and uncertainties is included in Qifu Technology’s filings with the SEC and announcements on the website of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and Qifu Technology does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

    For more information, please contact:

    Qifu Technology
    E-mail: ir@360shuke.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN visits the National Library of New Zealand in Wellington

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today visited the National Library of New Zealand, in Wellington. Established in 1965, the National Library of New Zealand serves to enrich the cultural and economic life of New Zealand and its interchanges with other nations. SG Dr. Kao commended its impressive collection as well as commitment to preserving documentary heritage, academic knowledge and literature for future generations.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN visits the National Library of New Zealand in Wellington appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with Minister of Defence of New Zealand

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today met with the Minister of Defence of New Zealand, The Hon. Judith Collins KC,in Wellington, New Zealand. Both sides exchanged views on the ASEAN-New Zealand cooperation in the defence sector, especially under the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus). Both sides looked forward to meeting each other again in the upcoming ADMM-Plus, in Malaysia, later this year.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with Minister of Defence of New Zealand appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with Minister for Climate Change of New Zealand

    Source: ASEAN

    Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today had a bilateral meeting with The Hon. Simon Watts, Minister for Climate Change of New Zealand. Both sides discussed the cooperation between ASEAN and New Zealand on climate action and various environmental issues, contributing to the development of ASEAN-New Zealand Plan of Action 2026-2030, among others.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with Minister for Climate Change of New Zealand appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK Government Overseas Network to Sell Scotland Around the World

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    UK Government Overseas Network to Sell Scotland Around the World

    Scottish Secretary drives forward Brand Scotland with new campaign fund.

    The UK Government’s drive to sell Brand Scotland around the world will get a boost with the launch of a new fund for overseas campaigns. 

    The Scottish Secretary, Ian Murray, is offering the UK’s international network grants of up to £20,000 for innovative and creative activities to market Scotland overseas. 

    One of Ian Murray’s priorities at the Scotland Office is Brand Scotland – promoting Scottish goods and services overseas and encouraging inward investment in Scotland. This is a key part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change.

    The US and India free trade agreements signed last week show just how popular Scottish products are overseas. The India deal slashed tariffs for Scotch – great news for our whisky producers who want to expand their overseas markets.

    This new fund will complement an extensive programme of overseas visits planned for Scotland Office ministers over the year, following on from Ian Murray’s recent successful trips to Norway, Malaysia, Singapore, Washington and New York.

    Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said:

    “Brand Scotland is a fantastic opportunity to promote all that is great about Scotland around the world, and show investors the opportunities of Scotland. Through the Foreign, Development and Commonwealth Office, the UK has an extensive overseas network, which works day in day out to promote our country. This exciting new fund will boost the overseas network’s ability to promote Scotland and all it has to offer in many key markets. Brand Scotland is a key part of the UK Government’s Plan for Change, to boost growth and put more money in people’s pockets.”

    Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

    “The UK-India free trade deal slashing whisky export tariffs is a prime example of how the UK Government is unlocking growth opportunities to deliver for people in every corner of the country, as part of our Plan for Change.

    “The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office is looking forward to showcasing Brand Scotland around the world as part of our mission to turbo charge the economy and put more money back in people’s pockets.

    “Kickstarting economic growth is in this government’s DNA so my diplomats will be working tirelessly to shout about everything Scotland has to offer, not least its world-beating food and drink.”

    Brand Scotland leverages Scotland’s unique cultural assets and the UK’s soft power. The UK Government’s overseas network will have the opportunity to bid for funds. Projects will support Scotland-focused trade missions and trade events. We expect bids to be creative and go beyond ‘business as usual’.

    Bids will be assessed on their ability to deliver measurable outcomes and foster long-term relationships with stakeholders in host countries. Bids will be reviewed by officials from the Scotland Office, FCDO, and the Department for Business and Trade – with the Scotland Office giving final sign-off.

    Updates to this page

    Published 13 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Results of monthly survey on business situation of small and medium-sized enterprises for April 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released today (May 13) the results of the Monthly Survey on Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) for April 2025.
     
         The current diffusion index (DI) on business receipts amongst SMEs decreased from 43.5 in March 2025 in the contractionary zone to 41.2 in April 2025, whereas the one-month’s ahead (i.e. May 2025) outlook DI on business receipts was 43.6. Analysed by sector, the current DIs on business receipts for majority of the surveyed sectors dropped in April 2025 as compared with previous month, particularly for the import and export trades (from 45.1 to 40.2) and business services (from 48.4 to 45.3).
      
         The current DI on new orders for the import and export trades decreased from 46.6 in March 2025 to 42.0 in April 2025, whereas the outlook DI on new orders in one month’s time (i.e. May 2025) was 43.8.
     
    Commentary
     
         A Government spokesman said that business sentiment among SMEs and their outlook in one month’s time both weakened in April, as the headwinds and uncertainties in the external environment increased sharply after the United States (US) announced significant increases in import tariffs last month. The overall employment situation also softened.
     
         Looking ahead, while trade tensions have eased somewhat of late, the uncertainty of US’ trade policy will still affect the economic outlook and business sentiment. The Government will continue to monitor the situation closely.
     
    Further information
     
         The Monthly Survey on Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises aims to provide a quick reference, with minimum time lag, for assessing the short-term business situation faced by SMEs. SMEs covered in this survey refer to establishments with fewer than 50 persons engaged. Respondents were asked to exclude seasonal fluctuations in reporting their views. Based on the views collected from the survey, a set of diffusion indices (including current and outlook diffusion indices) is compiled. A reading above 50 indicates that the business condition is generally favourable, whereas that below 50 indicates otherwise. As for statistics on the business prospects of prominent establishments in Hong Kong, users may refer to the publication entitled “Report on Quarterly Business Tendency Survey” released by the C&SD.
     
         The results of the survey should be interpreted with care. The survey solicits feedback from a panel sample of about 600 SMEs each month and the survey findings are thus subject to sample size constraint. Views collected from the survey refer only to those of respondents on their own establishments rather than those on the respective sectors they are engaged in. Besides, in this type of opinion survey on expected business situation, the views collected in the survey are affected by the events in the community occurring around the time of enumeration, and it is difficult to establish precisely the extent to which respondents’ perception of the business situation accords with the underlying trends. For this survey, main bulk of the data were collected around the last week of the reference month.
     
         More detailed statistics are given in the “Report on Monthly Survey on the Business Situation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises”. Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080015&scode=300).
     
         Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact Industrial Production Statistics Section of the C&SD (Tel: 3903 7246; email: sme-survey@censtatd.gov.hk).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Exchange Fund Bills tender results

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Exchange Fund Bills tender results 

    Tender date*”Pro rata ratio” refers to the average percentage of allotment with respect to each tender participant’s tendered amount at the “highest yield accepted” level.
     
    ———————————————————

    Hong Kong Monetary Authority tenders to be held in the week beginning May 19, 2025:
     

    Tender dateIssued at HKT 17:20

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tender results of 2-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Tender results of 2-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds 
    A total of RMB1.5 billion 2-year Government Bonds were offered today. A total of RMB11.905 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of bonds applied for to bonds issued, is 7.94. The average price accepted is 100.14, implying an annualised yield of 1.643 per cent. 
    Tender results of 2-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:
     

    Tender Date* Calculated as the amount of bonds applied for over the amount of bonds issued.

    Note: The yields stated above are annualised yields. For reference, the semi-annualised yields corresponding to the average price accepted, lowest price accepted, and average tender price are 1.637 per cent, 1.654 per cent, and 1.747 per cent respectively.
    Issued at HKT 17:24

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tender results of 5-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Tender results of 5-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds 
    The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced that a tender for 5-year RMB institutional Government Bonds (issue number 05GB3005001) under the Infrastructure Bond Programme was held today (May 13).
     
    A total of RMB1.5 billion 5-year Government Bonds were offered today. A total of RMB10.753 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of bonds applied for to bonds issued, is 7.17. The average price accepted is 101.46, implying an annualised yield of 1.672 per cent.

    HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds Tender Results
     
    Tender results of 5-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:
     

    Tender DateIssued at HKT 17:25

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tender results of 10-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Tender results of 10-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds 
    The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), announced that a tender for 10-year RMB institutional Government Bonds (issue number 10GB3505001) under the Infrastructure Bond Programme was held today (May 13).
     
    A total of RMB1.0 billion 10-year Government Bonds were offered today. A total of RMB6.814 billion tender applications were received. The bid-to-cover ratio, i.e. the ratio of bonds applied for to bonds issued, is 6.81. The average price accepted is 101.91, implying an annualised yield of 2.088 per cent.

    HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds Tender Results
     
    Tender results of 10-year RMB HKSAR Institutional Government Bonds:
     

    Tender DateIssued at HKT 17:26

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: APEC Backs Global Push for WTO Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement Jeju, Republic of Korea | 13 May 2025 Issued by the Committee on Trade and Investment and the Investment Experts’ Group APEC member economies have expressed collective support for the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement, calling for its integration into the World Trade Organization (WTO) legal framework.

    Source: APEC – Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation

    With cross-border investment facing growing barriers and uncertainty, APEC member economies have expressed collective support for the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement, calling for its integration into the World Trade Organization (WTO) legal framework.

    The agreement aims to improve transparency, streamline procedures and create a more predictable environment for investors, particularly in developing economies.

    Meeting in Jeju during the Second APEC Senior Officials’ Meeting and Related Meetings, the Committee on Trade and Investment and the Investment Experts’ Group issued a joint statement encouraging broader participation in the IFD Agreement and its incorporation into the WTO legal framework.

    “The IFD Agreement has significant potential to improve the investment and business climate across the world, reducing the cost of investment and making it easier for investors in all sectors to operate, expand and contribute to economic growth,” said Christopher Tan, Chair of the APEC Committee on Trade and Investment.

    Tan noted that the IFD Agreement will contribute to the Putrajaya Vision 2040’s goal of delivering a transparent and predictable trade and investment environment in the Asia Pacific Region, and further the region’s interest to attract and sustain investment.

    “Incorporating the IFD Agreement into the WTO framework would be a major step forward for global trade and investment, and a win for the region,” he added.

    The joint statement further reinforces the newly updated Investment Facilitation Action Plan (IFAP) 2025, underscoring APEC economies’ shared recognition of the IFD Agreement as a key driver in advancing the region’s investment goals.

    “The effective implementation of the IFD Agreement has the potential to significantly boost investment flows, foster inclusive economic growth and narrow the development gap between economies,” said Faizal Mohd Yusof, Convenor of the APEC Investment Experts’ Group.

    “It is essential that we sustain momentum toward integrating this Agreement into the WTO framework, ensuring that all economies, regardless of their level of development, can fully benefit,” he concluded.

    Read the Statement of the APEC Committee on Trade and Investment, together with the APEC Investment Experts’ Group Supporting the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement here.

    For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
    [email protected]

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Uzbekistan and the European Union will continue a systematic and constructive dialogue on Afghan settlement issues

    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

    Tashkent, May 13 /Xinhua/ — Special Representative of the President of Uzbekistan for Afghanistan Ismatulla Irgashev met with the EU Special Representative for Central Asia Eduard Stiprais, Dunyo news agency reported on Tuesday.

    According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, current issues of regional security, the situation in Afghanistan and prospects for deepening cooperation between Uzbekistan and the EU were discussed during the talks.

    The parties reportedly confirmed their mutual interest in continuing a systemic and constructive dialogue on Afghan settlement issues and agreed to maintain regular consultations. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The number of Chinese tourists visiting Cambodia’s Angkor Park increased by 29 percent in the first four months of the year.

    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

    PHNOM PENH, May 13 (Xinhua) — The number of Chinese tourists visiting Cambodia’s famous Angkor archaeological park has increased significantly in the first four months of 2025, an official statement said Monday.

    A total of 36,368 Chinese tourists visited Angkor Park between January and April this year, up 29 percent from the same period last year (28,172 people), according to a report by state-owned Angkor Enterprise.

    China ranked fourth in the number of tourists visiting Angkor, behind the United States, France and Britain, the report added.

    According to the report, about 474,810 foreigners from 171 countries and regions visited the ancient park in the first four months of this year, bringing gross ticket revenue to US$22.2 million.

    With 2025 declared the Cambodia-China Year of Tourism, a significant influx of Chinese tourists to the Angkor Archaeological Park is expected, said Thong Mengdavid, a lecturer at the Institute of International Studies and Public Policy at the Royal University of Phnom Penh.

    “The growth is likely to be driven by increased bilateral cooperation, promotional campaigns and increased accessibility through direct flights and group tour packages,” he told Xinhua. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • PM Modi congratulates students on CBSE class 10 and 12 results, encourages those disappointed by scores

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated all students who successfully cleared the CBSE Class 10 and 12 Board Examinations, lauding their determination, discipline, and hard work.

    In a message shared on the social media platform X, the Prime Minister wrote,

    “Heartiest congratulations to everyone who has cleared the CBSE Class XII and X examinations! This is the outcome of your determination, discipline and hard work. Today is also a day to acknowledge the role played by parents, teachers, and all others who have contributed to this feat.”

    Extending his best wishes to the students, whom he affectionately refers to as ‘Exam Warriors’, the Prime Minister said,

    “Wishing Exam Warriors great success in all the opportunities that lie ahead!”

    Addressing students who may be disheartened by their scores, Modi offered words of reassurance and encouragement:

    “To those who feel slightly dejected at their scores, I want to tell them: one exam can never define you. Your journey is much bigger, and your strengths go far beyond the mark sheet. Stay confident, stay curious because great things await.”

    The CBSE declared the Class 12 and 10 results earlier in the day, with a pass percentage of 88.39% and 93.66% respectively. Over 42 lakh students appeared for the board exams held between February and April this year.