Category: Asia

MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Senator Mullin tells Indian Affairs Committee: “Leave the Politics Out of it and put Indian Country First.”

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

RELEASE: Senator Mullin tells Indian Affairs Committee: “Leave the Politics Out of it and put Indian Country First.”

Washington, D.C. – On Thursday, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, emphasized the importance of seeing Native issues through a nonpartisan lens at the nomination hearing to consider Mr. William Kirkland to be President Trump’s Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs within the Department of the Interior.
In his remarks, Senator Mullin discussed his experience as a member of Cherokee Nation, Mr. Kirkland’s background, and the crucial responsibility members of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs have to honor America’s federal obligation to Indian Country. Highlights below.

Sen. Mullin’s full remarks can be found here.
On being a member of Cherokee Nation and serving in the U.S. Senate:
“I’m Cherokee, and I never knew I was special for being Cherokee until I came to D.C., because where I’m from, everybody’s Indian or wants to be. And when I came up here, Tom Cole was the first one that came up to me and said, ‘Congratulations, we just doubled the size of our Native American Caucus.’ That was back in 2013. I was like, ‘What do you mean?’ He’s like, ‘Well, I’m Chickasaw and you’re Cherokee.’ And I said, ‘Yeah, we taught you how to read and write.’ No, I’m kidding. And we joked about it, because sometimes there’s a misunderstanding.”
On those not from Indian Country misunderstanding Tribal issues:
“But what they don’t understand about Indian Country, and tell me if I’m wrong, is we don’t look at the world through an ‘R’ or ‘D’ lens. We look at it from our heritage perspective… And sometimes people that aren’t from Indian Country and they’re not Native, they don’t understand it. They don’t get it. Because politics is their world… Tribal issues, it’s a federal responsibility we have, and so you can separate the politics out of it, because we have an obligation.”
On Mr. Kirkland’s background:
“All our Tribes in Oklahoma are going to be different from the Tribes in the Midwest. And I think one of the coolest things that you have the ability to do is you get to learn all those different needs. And when you go in there with a with a background like yourself, and with Native people at the front of your mind and any decision you make, you have an opportunity to actually get to know them and get to know what their unique challenges are.”
On the responsibility of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs:
“I just hope in this committee, that we try to leave the politics out of it and just put Indian Country first. That’s what our responsibility is here. That’s why I think this committee is unique because if there’s ever a committee that works in a real bipartisan manner, it’s this committee, and we have to be careful that we don’t we don’t separate that because, as I repeat myself again, we have a federal obligation. And regardless if you’re a Native or you’re not, if we’re in this position of authority, if we’re in this position to actually affect that, we need to understand that and just all be in the same boat, working together.”
On Mr. Kirkland’s willingness to serve:
“So, thank you for standing up. Thank you for your family too, to going through this with you, because it’s a challenge and your ability to continue to stay in the fight for Indian Country is commendable. So, God bless you.”

MIL OSI USA News –

July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Members call for reinvigorated work on technology transfer, elect new Chair

Source: WTO

Headline: Members call for reinvigorated work on technology transfer, elect new Chair

Members welcomed the election of Ambassador Eheth, who succeeded Ambassador Raimondas Ališauskas of Lithuania, and expressed appreciation for the outgoing Chair’s leadership over the past year in advancing the Group’s work.
In his opening remarks, Ambassador Eheth underscored the continued relevance and growing importance of the Group’s mandate. He noted that technology transfer is vital for “strengthening productive capacity, upgrading infrastructure, and building resilience,”. He also highlighted its role in “supporting structural transformation, responding to environmental challenges, and ensuring that the rapid deployment of artificial intelligence and its applications in trade benefit all and do not further widen the gap between members at different stages of development.”
In a discussion initiated by India, members exchanged views on how to advance work on technology transfer and build momentum towards the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), to be held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in March 2026.
Ambassador Eheth encouraged members to “continue sharing national experiences on how trade has facilitated technology transfer and supported development”. He reaffirmed the value of the practice – introduced by his predecessor – of hearing from chairs of other WTO bodies. This, he noted, “enriches the Group’s work by illustrating the cross-cutting nature of technology transfer and its relevance across the WTO’s agenda.”
Looking ahead, the Chair announced his intention to hold informal consultations in September to hear members’ views on how best to advance the Group’s work. “I am committed to helping advance not only the mandate of this Group, but also the broader objectives of the Organization as set out in the preamble of the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the WTO: raising standards of living, ensuring steadily growing real income, and supporting sustainable development in a manner consistent with the needs and aspirations of all members,” he said.
The next formal meeting of the working group is scheduled for November 2025.

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MIL OSI Economics –

July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: What You Need to Know About NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 Mission

Source: NASA

Four crew members are preparing to launch to the International Space Station as part of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission to perform research, technology demonstrations, and maintenance activities aboard the orbiting laboratory.
During the mission, Crew-11 also will contribute to NASA’s Artemis campaign by simulating Moon landing scenarios that astronauts may encounter near the lunar South Pole, showing how the space station helps prepare crews for deep space human exploration. The simulations will be performed before, during, and after their mission using handheld controllers and multiple screens to identify how changes in gravity affect spatial awareness and astronauts’ ability to pilot spacecraft, like a lunar lander.
NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov will lift off no earlier than 12:09 p.m. EDT on Thursday, July 31, from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a long-duration mission. The cadre will fly aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, named Endeavour, which previously flew NASA’s SpaceX Demo-2, Crew-2, Crew-6, and Crew-8 missions, as well as private astronaut mission Axiom Mission 1.
The flight is the 11th crew rotation mission with SpaceX to the space station as part of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. Overall, the Crew-11 mission is the 16th crewed Dragon flight to the space station, including Demo-2 in 2020 and 11 operational crew rotations for NASA, as well as four private astronaut missions.
As support teams progress through Dragon preflight milestones for Crew-11, they also are preparing a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket booster for its third flight. Once all rocket and spacecraft system checkouts are complete and all components are certified for flight, teams will mate Dragon to Falcon 9 in SpaceX’s hangar at the launch site. The integrated spacecraft and rocket will then be rolled to the pad and raised vertically for the crew’s dry dress rehearsal and an integrated static fire test before launch.

Selected as a NASA astronaut in 2017, Cardman will conduct her first spaceflight. The Williamsburg, Virginia, native holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s degree in marine sciences from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. At the time of selection, she was pursuing a doctorate in geosciences. Cardman’s geobiology and geochemical cycling research focused on subsurface environments, from caves to deep sea sediments. Since completing initial training, Cardman has supported real-time station operations and lunar surface exploration planning. Follow @zenanaut on X and @zenanaut on Instagram.
This mission will be Fincke’s fourth trip to the space station, having logged 382 days in space and nine spacewalks during Expedition 9 in 2004, Expedition 18 in 2008, and STS-134 in 2011, the final flight of space shuttle Endeavour. Throughout the past decade, Fincke has applied his expertise to NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, advancing the development and testing of Dragon and Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft toward operational certification. The Emsworth, Pennsylvania, native is a graduate of the United States Air Force Test Pilot School and holds bachelors’ degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, in both aeronautics and astronautics, as well as Earth, atmospheric, and planetary sciences. He also has a master’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Stanford University in California. Fincke is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel with more than 2,000 flight hours in over 30 different aircraft. Follow @AstroIronMike on X and Instagram.
With 142 days in space, this mission will be Yui’s second trip to the space station. After his selection as a JAXA astronaut in 2009, Yui flew as a flight engineer for Expedition 44/45 and became the first Japanese astronaut to capture JAXA’s H-II Transfer Vehicle using the station’s robotic arm. In addition to constructing a new experimental environment aboard Kibo, he conducted a total of 21 experiments for JAXA. In November 2016, Yui was assigned as chief of the JAXA Astronaut Group. He graduated from the School of Science and Engineering at the National Defense Academy of Japan in 1992. He later joined the Air Self-Defense Force at the Japan Defense Agency (currently the Ministry of Defense). In 2008, Yui joined the Air Staff Office at the Ministry of Defense as a lieutenant colonel. Follow @astro_kimiya on X.
The mission will be Platonov’s first spaceflight. Before his selection as a cosmonaut in 2018, Platonov earned a degree in engineering from Krasnodar Air Force Academy in aircraft operations and air traffic management. He also earned a bachelor’s degree in state and municipal management in 2016 from the Far Eastern Federal University in Vladivostok, Russia. Assigned as a test cosmonaut in 2021, he has experience in piloting aircraft, zero gravity training, scuba diving, and wilderness survival.

Following liftoff, Falcon 9 will accelerate Dragon to approximately 17,500 mph. Once in orbit, the crew, NASA, and SpaceX mission control will monitor a series of maneuvers that will guide Dragon to the forward-facing port of the station’s Harmony module. The spacecraft is designed to dock autonomously, but the crew can pilot it manually, if necessary.
After docking, Crew-11 will be welcomed aboard the station by the seven-member Expedition 73 crew, before conducting a short handover period on research and maintenance activities with the departing Crew-10 crew members. Then, NASA astronauts Anne McClain, Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov will undock from the space station and return to Earth. Ahead of Crew-10’s return, mission teams will review weather conditions at the splashdown sites off the coast of California before departure from the station.
Cardman, Fincke, and Yui will conduct scientific research to prepare for human exploration beyond low Earth orbit and benefit humanity on Earth. Participating crew members will simulate lunar landings, test strategies to safeguard vision, and advance other human spaceflight studies led by NASA’s Human Research Program. The crew also will study plant cell division and microgravity’s effects on bacteria-killing viruses, as well as perform experiments to produce a higher volume of human stem cells and generate on-demand nutrients.
While aboard the orbiting laboratory, Crew-11 will welcome a Soyuz spacecraft in November with three new crew members, including NASA astronaut Chris Williams. They also will bid farewell to the Soyuz carrying NASA astronaut Jonny Kim. The crew also is expected to see the arrival of the Dragon, Roscosmos Progress spacecraft, and Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus spacecraft to resupply the station.
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-11 mission will be aboard the International Space Station on Nov. 2, when the orbiting laboratory surpasses 25 years of a continuous human presence. Since the first crew expedition arrived, the space station has enabled more than 4,000 groundbreaking experiments in the unique microgravity environment, while becoming a springboard for building a low Earth orbit economy and preparing for NASA’s future exploration of the Moon and Mars.
Learn more about the space station, its research, and crew, at:
https://www.nasa.gov/station

MIL OSI USA News –

July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Vision Changes on Space Station

Source: NASA

When astronauts began spending six months and more aboard the International Space Station, they started to notice changes in their vision. For example, many found that, as their mission progressed, they needed stronger reading glasses. Researchers studying this phenomenon identified swelling in the optic disc, which is where the optic nerve enters the retina, and flattening of the eye shape. These symptoms became known as Space-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS).

Microgravity causes a person’s blood and cerebrospinal fluid to shift toward the head and studies have suggested that these fluid shifts may be an underlying cause of SANS. A current investigation, Thigh Cuff, examines whether tight leg cuffs change the way fluid moves around inside the body, especially around the eyes and in the heart and blood vessels. If so, the cuffs could serve as a countermeasure against the problems associated with fluid shifts, including SANS. A simple and easy-to-use tool to counter the headward shift of body fluids could help protect astronauts on future missions to the Moon and Mars. The cuffs also could treat conditions on Earth that cause fluid to build up in the head or upper body, such as long-term bed rest and certain diseases.

The Fluid Shifts investigation, conducted from 2015 through 2020, was the first to reveal changes in how blood drains from the brain in microgravity. Vision Impairment and Intracranial Pressure (VIIP) began testing the role those fluid shifts and resulting increased brain fluid pressure might play in the development of SANS. This research used a variety of measures including clinical eye exams with and without dilatation, imaging of the retina and associated blood vessels and nerves, noninvasive imaging to measure the thickness of retinal structures, and magnetic resonance imaging of the eye and optic nerve. In addition, approximately 300 astronauts completed questionnaires to document vision changes during their missions.
In one paper published from the research, scientists described how these imaging techniques have improved the understanding of SANS. The authors summarized emerging research on developing a head-mounted virtual reality display that can conduct multimodal, noninvasive assessment to help diagnose SANS.
Other researchers determined that measuring the optic nerve sheath diameter shows promise as a way to identify and quantify eye and vision changes during spaceflight. The paper also makes recommendations for standardizing imaging tools, measurement techniques, and other aspects of study design.
Another paper reported on an individual astronaut who had more severe than usual changes after a six-month spaceflight and certain factors that may have contributed. Researchers also observed improvement in the individual’s symptoms that may have been due to B vitamin supplementation and lower cabin carbon dioxide levels following departure of some crew members. While a single case does not allow researchers to determine cause and effect, the magnitude of the improvements suggest this individual may be more affected by environmental conditions such as carbon dioxide. This may have been the first attempt to mitigate SANS with inflight B vitamin supplementation.

SANSORI, a CSA (Canadian Space Agency) investigation, used an imaging technique called Optical Coherence Tomography to examine whether reduced stiffness of eye tissue contributes to SANS. On Earth, changes in stiffness of the tissue around the eyeball have been associated with aging and conditions such as glaucoma and myopia. Researchers found that long-duration spaceflight affected the mechanical properties of eye tissues, which could contribute to the development of SANS. This finding could improve understanding of eye changes during spaceflight and in aging patients on Earth.

The MHU-8 investigation from JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), which examined changes in DNA and gene expression in mice after spaceflight, found changes in the optic nerve and retinal tissue. Researchers also found that artificial gravity may reduce these changes and could serve as a countermeasure on future missions.
These and other studies ultimately could help researchers prevent, diagnose, and treat vision impairment in crew members and people on Earth.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: AG Labrador Leads States Backing Trump’s Decision to End Racial Discrimination in Federal Contracting

Source: US State of Idaho

Home Newsroom AG Labrador Leads States Backing Trump’s Decision to End Racial Discrimination in Federal Contracting

BOISE — Attorney General Raúl Labrador led a 20-state coalition in filing an amicus brief urging a federal court to approve the Trump Administration’s decision to stop enforcing racial discrimination in federal transportation contracting. The brief, filed in Mid-America Milling Company v. United States Department of Transportation, supports a proposed consent order that would end the federal government’s enforcement of race-based preferences in the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program.
“The DBE program requires states receiving federal funds to award a certain percent of federal transportation contract dollars to minority and women-owned businesses, regardless of whether those businesses submit the lowest bids,” said Attorney General Labrador. “This federal mandate forces states to sometimes reject the most qualified, cost-effective contractors based solely on the race and gender of business owners, resulting in higher costs for taxpayers. The Trump Administration is right to end this, and Idaho is proud to support them in doing so.”
In Idaho, this discrimination has proven expensive. Over a recent 44-month period, the DBE program required Idaho’s Transportation Department to reject the lowest bid eight times, wasting $15.2 million in total project costs that could have been spent on other transportation projects. In one example, Idaho was forced to reject a $2.2 million bid and instead accept a $2.7 million bid to meet these federal demographic targets.
The Mid-America Milling case was originally filed during the Biden Administration, challenging the DBE program as unconstitutional racial discrimination, and the Biden Administration vigorously defended the discriminatory program. After President Trump took office, his Administration reversed course, acknowledging that the program violates the Constitution and agreeing to a consent order that would stop enforcing it. The coalition’s brief urges the court to approve the proposed consent order, arguing that the DBE program violates the Equal Protection Clause.
The $15.2 million figure represents only cases where the lowest bid was rejected outright. According to an MIT study cited in the brief, the total cost may be significantly higher because DBE requirements artificially inflate most contract prices. The study found that when California ended race-based contracting preferences, state contract costs fell 5.6% compared to federal contracts that still required such preferences.
Joining Idaho are attorneys general from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia, along with the Arizona Legislature.
Read the brief here.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Ashley Man Sentenced to 300 Months in Prison

Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

FORT WAYNE – Yesterday, Kyle T. Brady, 39 years old, of Ashley, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Holly A. Brady after pleading guilty to possessing with intent to distribute a controlled substance, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.

Brady was sentenced to 300 months in prison followed by 10 years of supervised release.

According to documents in the case, on two occasions in July of 2022, Brady distributed methamphetamine. On July 19, 2022, a search warrant was served at Brady’s residence where approximately 250 grams of methamphetamine, a mixture of fentanyl and cocaine, and marijuana were found. Officers also located two handguns, a shotgun, an AR-15 rifle, two ballistic vests, and over a thousand rounds of ammunition. Brady has prior felony convictions for drug distribution and firearms offenses. This is Brady’s seventh conviction related to drug distribution, and as such, he was determined to be a career offender.

“Drugs, firearms, and large quantities of ammunition are never a good combination, especially when they are illegally possessed by a convicted felon,” said Proctor. “The public is safer thanks to the combined efforts of the excellent team that investigated and prosecuted this case.”

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with the assistance of the Auburn Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration’s North Central Laboratory. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacey R. Speith.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

MIL Security OSI –

July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: General Assembly Adopts Resolution Urging Action on Secretary-General’s Initiative to Modernize United Nations System

Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

The General Assembly today adopted, by consensus, a resolution welcoming the Secretary-General’s efforts to strengthen the United Nations so that the Organization can keep pace with a changing world and be fit for present and future challenges.

That text, titled “UN80 Initiative” (document A/79/L.99) also saw the Assembly look forward to receiving the Secretary-General’s proposals in the framework of that initiative, “taking into account the necessity to have clearly defined objectives and an evidence-based approach, and aiming at strengthening the impact of the United Nations and enhancing its agility, responsiveness and resilience while addressing the issue of duplicative efforts and ensuring effective and efficient mandate delivery across all three pillars of the work of the United Nations”.

Further, the Assembly called on UN entities and specialized agencies to align their reform efforts with this approach, as appropriate.

Following the adoption, the representative of Japan underlined her country’s commitment to multilateralism and the UN80 Initiative. Detailing her delegation’s understanding that the UN is drawing lessons from previous reforms where “negotiations on mandates faced deadlock between Member States”, she said that today’s resolution “is not intended to obstruct these efforts but, rather, to support and complement them”.

However, several speakers took issue with the timing of today’s resolution.

The representative of Switzerland, also speaking for Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, welcomed that today’s resolution recognizes the importance of Member States providing the Secretary-General with the necessary space and political backing for the UN80 Initiative. However, he added: “We were not fully convinced that the timing of this resolution was optimal or conducive to the ongoing discussions.”

The representative of Australia, also speaking for Canada and New Zealand, emphasized that discussions concerning the UN80 Initiative should be based on clear, robust advice and proposals from the Secretary-General. Further, they should be grounded in evidence-based, documented analysis. “So, we believe a resolution at this stage is premature,” she said, pointing out that “it risks limiting both the scope and ambition of forthcoming proposals”.

Similarly, Denmark’s representative, speaking for the European Union and its member States, expressed regret that “the process leading to the adoption of this resolution was premature and unnecessarily rushed”. The limited time available for meaningful consultation and reflection did not allow for the constructive engagement required. And, while the text aims to address duplication and promote efficiency, he stressed that the process leading to its adoption — “regrettably did not reflect these principles”.

Following those statements, the representative of the Russian Federation took the floor to exercise the right of reply. Recalling that his delegation conducted several rounds of consultations — “and, most importantly, took into account the red lines specified by delegations” — he urged the European Union to take such an approach in future negotiations. Thanking those present for their consensus support, he said: “It is because we seek success in the UN’s adaptation to current and future challenges that the Russian Federation presented this draft.”

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Canada Invests in Wildfire Innovation and Resilience Through New Centre of Excellence

Source: Government of Canada News (2)

July 18, 2025 Ottawa, Ontario Natural Resources Canada

With wildfires impacting Canadians across the country, the federal government is taking action to prevent wildfires, mitigate their effects and boost resilience. The Government of Canada’s first priority is protecting Canadians and supporting those affected by wildfire.

Today, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience, announced an investment of $11.7 million over four years to establish the Wildfire Resilience Consortium of Canada (WRCC). Funded through the Wildfire Resilient Futures Initiative, the WRCC will serve as a national centre of excellence and virtual hub for wildland fire innovation and knowledge exchange.

The WRCC will advance many of the actions in the Kananaskis Wildfire Charter, agreed to by the leaders of the G7 this spring in Canada and endorsed by the leaders of Australia, India, Mexico, the Republic of Korea and South Africa. It will bring together domestic and international governments, communities impacted by wildfires, the private sector and individual experts to share knowledge, facilitate collaboration and accelerate the use of cutting-edge science and technology in wildfire prevention, mitigation, preparedness and response. It will also support Indigenous fire stewardship and the cultural use of fire, recognizing and respecting traditional knowledge as a critical component of wildfire resilience.

Minister Hodgson also delivered the latest national wildfire forecast. Looking ahead, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s weather forecasts point to above-average temperatures across much of Canada from July through August, with dry conditions expected to intensify in the coming weeks, particularly in the west and north.

Based on these weather forecasts, Natural Resources Canada’s modelling predicts elevated wildfire risk from Yukon eastward to northwestern Ontario and in Nova Scotia and eastern New Brunswick. By August, wildfire activity is expected to continue to increase and persist to well-above-average conditions over much of western Canada, with the highest fire danger in southern British Columbia.

Throughout this wildfire season and beyond, Canada is coordinating cross-jurisdictional collaboration, supporting those on the front lines, protecting Canadians and equipping communities with the tools and knowledge they need to stay informed and stay safe.

MIL OSI Canada News –

July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: DH investigates suspected illegal possession of unregistered proprietary Chinese medicines (with photo)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

â€‹The Department of Health (DH) is today (July 18) investigating a suspected case of an illegal possession of unregistered proprietary Chinese medicines (pCms), and is urging the public not to use three types of pCms under the name of Eye Saver (a herbal formula eye conditioner) (see photo).

The premises concerned is Macrobiotics Enterprises Limited, located at Room 155, 1/F, Peninsula Centre, 67 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon. Acting upon intelligence, the DH conducted a field investigation and seized three suspected unregistered pCms. They all have the same name and packaging. However, one had Chinese words “å¼·åŠ›” marked on it, one had Chinese words “è¶…ç´š” marked on it and one had Chinese words “ç‰¹ç´š” marked on it. According to the content of the package insert, the products claimed to remove ophthalmia, improve and prevent cataracts, etc.

The DH’s investigation is ongoing. So far, no related adverse reports have been received.

According to section 119 of the Chinese Medicine Ordinance (Cap. 549), no person shall sell, import or possess any pCm unless it is registered. The maximum penalty is a fine of $100,000 and two years’ imprisonment. Upon completion of its investigations, the DH will seek advice from the Department of Justice on prosecution matters.

Members of the public who have purchased any of the above suspected unregistered pCms should stop usage immediately. Those who have applied any of the three pCms and are feeling unwell should seek advice from healthcare professionals. People who have the product can submit it to the DH’s Chinese Medicine Regulatory Office on 16/F, AIA Kowloon Tower, Landmark East, 100 How Ming Street, Kwun Tong, during office hours for disposal.

The spokesman said that the use of unregistered pCms may pose threats to public health as their safety, quality and efficacy are not proven. The public should not buy or use products of doubtful composition or from unknown sources. All registered pCms should carry a Hong Kong registration number on the product label in the format of ‘HKC-XXXXX’. The list of registered pCms is published on the website of the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong (www.cmchk.org.hk/pcm/eng/#main_dis.htm) for public reference.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: “Music and Laughs” concert on July 20 rescheduled to July 19 afternoon

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (July 18) that the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival’s “Music and Laughs” concert scheduled for this Sunday (July 20) at 8pm at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Grand Theatre has been rescheduled to this Saturday (July 19) at 3pm at the same venue due to inclement weather forecast for the Tropical Storm Wipha.

Tickets for the rescheduled performance are now available for sale at URBTIX. Ticket holders of the concert on July 20 may present the original tickets to attend the 3pm performance on July 19. Ticket holders who are unable to attend the rescheduled concert are reminded to keep the original intact tickets (with stubs) for refund. Details of the refund arrangement will be announced on the Hong Kong Pop Culture Festival website at www.pcf.gov.hk/en, Instagram and Xiaohongshu pages.

For enquiries, please call 3755 3359 or email papc@lcsd.gov.hk.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: SCS visits Civil Engineering and Development Department (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung, visited the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) this afternoon (July 18) to exchange views with staff representatives from various grades in the department, and to learn about the department’s latest progress in optimising operational efficiency and services through the application of technology, as well as its work in landslip prevention and mitigation and slope safety.

     Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Leung, Mrs Yeung first met with the Director of Civil Engineering and Development, Mr Michael Fong, and the directorate staff to learn about the key initiatives of the Civil Engineering Office, the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) and the regional development offices. They also met with staff representatives from various grades in the department to exchange views on matters of concern to them.

     Mrs Yeung said, “As the expectations of the community for the civil service are constantly rising and the challenges posed by extreme weather are becoming increasingly severe, I hope my colleagues will continue to strive for excellence, review workflows to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, and respond to changes with smart innovations. This will strengthen the public’s sense of fulfilment, happiness and security.”

     During the visit to the GEO Emergency Control Centre, officers in charge of the centre introduced the Common Operation Picture developed and managed by the department to Mrs Yeung. This electronic system facilitates the sharing of real-time information among different government departments to assist in monitoring emergencies such as landslides, flooding and fallen trees, as well as to enhance contingency co-ordination. The GEO maintains a 24-hour, year-round emergency service to provide geotechnical advice to rescue teams and government departments on any emergency actions to be taken to deal with danger arising from landslides for their determination of co-ordinated responses and mapping plans.

Moreover, Mrs Yeung learned that the CEDD started a trial run of its in-house developed, AI-empowered Landslip Warning System this year, with an aim to issue more accurate Landslip Warnings. Through the cloud technology and the Internet of Things, the system can use Hong Kong’s rainfall data, past landslide records and man-made slopes data to identify with higher accuracy the relevant attributes resulting in landslides through big data analysis. This strengthens the understanding of the relationship between rainfall and landslides. The new system can further enhance the accuracy of the predicted number of reported landslides during heavy rainstorms, thereby improving the capabilities of landslide risk assessment, optimising the issuance of Landslip Warnings, and enhancing early warning.

     Officers responsible for planning and terrain evaluation also briefed Mrs Yeung on the Digital Aerial Photograph Interpretation System launched last year. The system digitalises historical paper aerial photographs and centralises aerial photo imageries on an instantly accessible digital platform. This not only allows government departments and related organisations to remotely search, view and analyse high-resolution 3D data, but also empowers professionals to map and visualise 3D terrains to support related research for slope safety management and land planning. The system also eliminates the process of physical photo storage and helps shorten construction time, reduce construction costs, and promote environmental efficiency.

     In addition, the department’s staff introduced their approaches for enhancing the speed and efficiency to assist in promoting the development of the Northern Metropolis. The Northern Metropolis is located in a geologically complex area with very limited engineering geological data. In order to speed up development and minimise the ground investigation work required across different projects, the GEO initiated a regional ground investigation study in the Northwest New Territories, carrying out ground drilling and rock load tests in strategic areas.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CS chairs meeting of steering committee on inter-departmental handling of typhoons (with photos)
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

With Tropical Storm Wipha approaching Hong Kong, the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, chaired a meeting of the steering committee on inter-departmental handling of typhoons this afternoon (July 18) to ensure comprehensive and adequate preparations and response planning by relevant departments to cope with possible threats of Wipha. The Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing; the Secretary for Environment and Ecology, Mr Tse Chin-wan; the Acting Secretary for Security, Mr Michael Cheuk; and representatives from relevant bureaux and departments attended the meeting.

At the meeting, members were briefed by the Director of the Hong Kong Observatory on the latest assessment on Wipha. According to the present forecast, Wipha will enter within 800 kilometres of Hong Kong around midnight tonight. The Observatory will issue the Standby Signal No. 1 then, and consider issuing the Strong Wind Signal No. 3 during the day on Saturday (July 19). Wipha will be rather close to the vicinity of the Pearl River Estuary on Sunday (July 20). There will be heavy squally showers and thunderstorms. The Observatory will assess, on Saturday afternoon, the need of issuing higher tropical cyclone warning signals thereafter based on the latest weather information, including Wipha’s distance to the Pearl River Estuary, its intensity and the change in local winds. The public is advised to pay close attention to the latest weather forecast and warnings from the Observatory.

In response to the possible adverse weather conditions, Mr Chan co-ordinated the preparatory work of relevant departments at the meeting, which includes:
- The Emergency Monitoring and Support Centre (EMSC) under the Security Bureau has made advance preparation and stands ready for activation. It will be fully activated upon the issuance of Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8. Utilising the Common Operational Picture, the EMSC will conduct real-time citywide monitoring, and integrate updates from various departments to swiftly assess risks and formulate response plans and measures. Various emergency response teams, including the Fire Services Department, the Hong Kong Police Force, the Civil Aid Service and the Auxiliary Medical Service have completed all necessary preparatory work and are on standby, with sufficient manpower deployed to handle possible emergencies during heavy rainstorms and high wind, and to provide assistance to those in need.
- The Emergency Transport Co-ordination Centre of the Transport Department will continue to operate round-the-clock. It will also closely monitor traffic and transport conditions with public transport agencies, and disseminate emergency traffic information and public transport service arrangements to the public in a timely manner.
- The Development Bureau (DEVB) is co-ordinating preparation work to deal with flooding, landslides and fallen trees and ensure safety of building structures. Emergency control centres of various departments are fully prepared to respond. The DEVB has also pooled the resources from contractors of works departments to ensure that sufficient manpower and resources are available for handling emergency situations.
- The Drainage Services Department (DSD) completed the special inspection and carried out necessary clearance at about 240 locations which are prone to flooding due to blockages today. The “just-in-time” arrangement will continue, with at most 180 emergency response teams to conduct inspection and clearance of drainage channels in different districts across the territory. For coastal low-lying or windy residential areas with high risks, the DSD and the Civil Engineering and Development Department have established management measures in advance, including early warning systems and emergency response arrangements.
- The Geotechnical Engineering Office and the Observatory closely monitor weather conditions and will issue a landslip warning when appropriate. Relevant departments have completed inspections of government man-made slopes with relatively higher potential impacts.
- The Buildings Department has reminded property management companies to inspect building maintenance facilities, such as bamboo scaffolding, gondolas, signboards, solar panels and the like, to ensure their stability.
- Relevant departments have completed tree risk assessments and mitigation work at locations with high risks.
- The Highways Department (HyD) inspected again the flood warning systems installed at Kwun Tong Road Underpass and 16 pedestrian subways along Shing Mun River in Sha Tin, Lam Tsuen River in Tai Po and Tai Po River with a higher risk of flooding from July 16 to 18 to ensure normal operation. In collaboration with the DSD, the department also carried out special inspections and clearance of public road sections which are prone to flooding due to blockages, including high speed road sections, such as San Tin Highway. The HyD also carried out special inspections and clearance of the drainage channels at roadside man-made slopes. In addition, the HyD has reminded relevant staff members and contractors to pay close attention to weather conditions and information released by the Observatory in order to make early preparations for the activation of the Emergency Control Centres.
- District Offices have initiated relevant response measures, including co-ordinating with other departments and organisations to enhance preparedness, preparing sandbags and water-stop boards, etc. They will also mobilise District Council members, members of “the three committees” and Care Teams to disseminate the latest weather information to residents in flood-prone areas, reminding them to make necessary preparations.
The Education Bureau will closely monitor the weather conditions and announce the arrangement for schools as early as necessary to facilitate parents and students in making early preparations.

The Labour Department reminded employers to make prior work arrangements for employees in times of typhoons and rainstorms as early as possible, including arrangements on reporting for duty, release from work, resumption of work and remote work (if applicable). In drawing up and implementing the arrangements, employers should give prime consideration to employees’ safety and the feasibility of employees travelling to and from their workplaces, etc. Employers should also give consideration as much as possible to the different situations and actual difficulties faced by individual employees, and adopt a sympathetic and flexible approach.

The Government departments will continue to serve with dedication and make preparations on all fronts to safeguard the lives and property of the public as well as public safety. The Government urges the public to stay alert and stay away from dangerous places such as rivers and slopes in adverse weather conditions, refrain from water sports, and continue to pay attention to the latest news released by the Government.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: UN80 initiative should be ‘inclusive and transparent’, recognises General Assembly

Source: United Nations 2

The text, introduced by Russia and adopted without a vote, “welcomes the efforts of the Secretary‑General to strengthen the United Nations in order to keep pace with a changing world” and calls on UN entities and specialised agencies to align their reform efforts “as appropriate”.

In the resolution, the 193-member Assembly “recognises the central role of Member States in the reform process, which should be inclusive and transparent”.

It also “looks forward to receiving, in accordance with established procedures” the Secretary‑General’s proposals under the initiative, “taking into account the necessity to have clearly defined objectives and an evidence-based approach, and aiming at strengthening the impact of the United Nations and enhancing its agility, responsiveness and resilience while addressing the issue of duplicative efforts and ensuring effective and efficient mandate delivery across all three pillars of the work of the United Nations.”

Launched by the Secretary-General in March, the UN80 Initiative centres on three priorities: enhancing operational efficiency, assessing how mandates – or key tasks – from Member States are implemented and exploring structural reforms across the UN system.

Mixed reactions on timing

Several delegations voiced backing for the reform effort, but questioned the timing of the resolution.

Speaking for the European Union, Denmark said the process was “premature and unnecessarily rushed”, noting that limited time for consultations “did not allow for the constructive engagement such an initiative requires”.

Australia, on behalf of the CANZ group (Canada, Australia and New Zealand), echoed that view, warning that an early resolution “risks limiting both the scope and ambition of the forthcoming proposals”.

Switzerland, speaking for a group including Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, also stressed that reform should be “ambitious and strategic”, building on existing assets while ensuring long‑term efficiencies.

Japan emphasised its “commitment to multilateralism” and said the initiative responds to the urgency of revitalising the UN.

“The success of the UN80 initiative relies on our shared and complementary responsibilities,” its delegate said.

Member States in the driving seat

Exercising its right of reply, Russia rejected claims that the text was rushed, saying it had “conducted several rounds of consultations” and “took into account the red lines specified by delegations, which came out in the silence procedure”.

The silence procedure sets out a window of time for delegations to express objections to a draft resolution or decision before it is formally acted upon.

The Russian delegate said the resolution puts Member States “into the driving force of this process” while recognising the Secretary‑General’s prerogative as chief administrative officer under the UN Charter.

“We seek success in the UN’s adaptation to current and future challenges,” the Russian delegate said, calling the resolution’s adoption “a very important step” to ensure universal support for the initiative.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 19, 2025
First Steering Committee meeting for 56th IFFI held in Mumbai, plans unveiled for 2025 festival

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The first meeting of the Steering Committee for the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), scheduled for November 20-28, 2025, in Goa, took place today at the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) headquarters in Mumbai. Chaired by Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, the meeting was attended by key figures, including Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Shri Sanjay Jaju, Festival Director Shri Shekhar Kapur, NFDC Managing Director Shri Prakash Magdum, senior officials from the Government of Goa, the Ministry, and NFDC, alongside a diverse panel of Steering Committee members from the Indian and global film industries.

The discussions centered on strategic planning for IFFI 2025, focusing on innovative programming, enhanced outreach, talent engagement, and initiatives to boost inclusivity, global positioning, and public participation. With a strong emphasis on youth, the festival will introduce curated masterclasses, industry workshops, and networking platforms to connect emerging filmmakers and content creators with global mentors, fostering new voices in cinema.

A key highlight was the rebranding of the Film Bazaar, South Asia’s largest film market, to WAVES Film Bazaar. The Steering Committee endorsed this move as part of a broader vision to establish India as a global hub for content creation, creativity, and co-productions. Running alongside IFFI, WAVES Film Bazaar will amplify India’s international film outreach.

To ensure greater inclusivity and creative input, the Steering Committee has been expanded from 16 to 31 members, incorporating a wide range of expertise from cinema, production, media, and cultural leadership. Notable members include Anupam Kher, Guneet Monga Kapoor, Suhasini Maniratnam, Khushboo Sundar, Pankuj Parashar, and Prasoon Joshi, enriching the festival’s planning with diverse perspectives.

July 19, 2025
First Steering Committee meeting for 56th IFFI held in Mumbai, plans unveiled for 2025 festival

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The first meeting of the Steering Committee for the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), scheduled for November 20-28, 2025, in Goa, took place today at the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) headquarters in Mumbai. Chaired by Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, the meeting was attended by key figures, including Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Shri Sanjay Jaju, Festival Director Shri Shekhar Kapur, NFDC Managing Director Shri Prakash Magdum, senior officials from the Government of Goa, the Ministry, and NFDC, alongside a diverse panel of Steering Committee members from the Indian and global film industries.

The discussions centered on strategic planning for IFFI 2025, focusing on innovative programming, enhanced outreach, talent engagement, and initiatives to boost inclusivity, global positioning, and public participation. With a strong emphasis on youth, the festival will introduce curated masterclasses, industry workshops, and networking platforms to connect emerging filmmakers and content creators with global mentors, fostering new voices in cinema.

A key highlight was the rebranding of the Film Bazaar, South Asia’s largest film market, to WAVES Film Bazaar. The Steering Committee endorsed this move as part of a broader vision to establish India as a global hub for content creation, creativity, and co-productions. Running alongside IFFI, WAVES Film Bazaar will amplify India’s international film outreach.

To ensure greater inclusivity and creative input, the Steering Committee has been expanded from 16 to 31 members, incorporating a wide range of expertise from cinema, production, media, and cultural leadership. Notable members include Anupam Kher, Guneet Monga Kapoor, Suhasini Maniratnam, Khushboo Sundar, Pankuj Parashar, and Prasoon Joshi, enriching the festival’s planning with diverse perspectives.

July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Moran Votes to Strengthen National Defense and Support America’s Servicemembers
Source: Congressman Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01)

Congressman Moran Votes to Strengthen National Defense and Support America’s Servicemembers

The FY26 Defense Appropriations Bill Reins in Wasteful Spending and Invests in Military Readiness

Washington, D.C., July 18, 2025
Congressman Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01) released the following statement after voting in favor of the Fiscal Year 2026 Defense Appropriations Act (H.R. 4016), which passed the U.S. House of Representatives today:

“Under President Trump’s leadership, we’re finally rebuilding the strength and resolve of our Armed Forces. This bill reflects that effort—by investing in servicemembers, eliminating waste, countering foreign threats like China and Iran, and ensuring our defense dollars are focused on combat readiness, not left-wing social experiments.

“The FY26 Defense Appropriations Act supports our troops, prioritizes taxpayer accountability, and delivers critical investments for military families across East Texas. I was proud to vote for this bill and will continue standing with those who defend our nation.”

Securing Texas Wins
- Increases funding for pay and benefits for active-duty military and reserve personnel across all branches, including over $10.2 billion for the Army National Guard and $5.3 billion for the Air National Guard, both with strong Texas footprints.
- Delivers $575+ million for environmental restoration across Army, Navy, and Air Force installations, including former sites in Texas.
- Provides over $36.9 billion for shipbuilding and naval modernization, supporting Gulf Coast industrial jobs tied to defense manufacturing.
- Maintains support for hypersonic and next-generation weapons research, much of which is based in Texas institutions.
Cutting Waste, Refocusing Defense Priorities
- Saves taxpayer dollars by reducing inefficient Pentagon programs and bureaucratic offices.
- Blocks efforts to consolidate legislative liaison offices that reduce transparency and Congressional oversight.
Securing the Border and Combating Terrorism
- Fully funds $357 million for the Counter-ISIS Train and Equip Fund, including tight vetting restrictions to prevent funding terrorist-linked individuals or groups.
- Expands National Guard and Reserve Equipment Procurement by $800 million, bolstering homeland defense and disaster response readiness.
- Allocating approximately $13 billion for missile defense and space programs to augment and integrate in support of the Golden Dome effort.
Deterring China, Iran, and Other Foreign Adversaries
- Increases funding for DOD’s Cooperative Threat Reduction program ($282 million) to reduce chemical, biological, and nuclear risks, particularly from regimes like Iran and North Korea.
- Provides new authority and funding for DOD-led cybersecurity and supply chain risk reduction to block Chinese espionage and hacking efforts.
Ensuring Oversight & Accountability
- Requires quarterly public reporting to Congress on use of funds for foreign military assistance and classified operations.
- Expands restrictions on use of funds for procurement from countries hostile to U.S. national security interests.
You can learn more about the FY26 Defense Appropriations Act HERE.

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MIL OSI USA News –
July 19, 2025
CIL pledges ₹10 crore to enhance tribal education in Chhattisgarh’s Eklavya Model Residential Schools

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

In a significant move to uplift tribal education, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) and Coal India Ltd (CIL) on Friday signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance the quality of education for over 28,000 tribal students across 68 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in Chhattisgarh. Under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, CIL has committed ₹10 crore to support digital education, health, and entrepreneurship programs for these students.

The Eklavya Model Residential Schools, established by MoTA, provide quality education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) children, equipping them for higher education and professional opportunities while ensuring their nutrition and overall development. Currently, 479 EMRS are operational nationwide. This collaboration aims to create a modern, innovative learning environment and foster equal opportunities for students from marginalized communities.

CIL’s contribution will fund the establishment of computer labs with approximately 3,200 computers and 300 tablets to promote digital education. Additionally, the initiative will prioritize the health and hygiene of girl students by installing around 1,200 sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators in schools and hostels. The program also includes comprehensive mentorship for students and residential entrepreneurial boot camps at prestigious institutions like IIT, IIM, and NIT to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among tribal youth.

Implemented through the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC), a Section 8 company under MoTA, this initiative aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, emphasizing equitable and inclusive education.

July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Professor Benedict Oramah recognised for long service as Export Trading Group (ETG), TRACE, KCB and CBZ toast award success at 32nd Afreximbank Annual Meetings
Source: APO – Report:

Key Highlights
- The third edition of the Pan-African Business and Development Awards has recognised and celebrated leading businesses on the continent and in the diaspora in alignment with Afreximbank’s push for a promotion of a Global Africa
- Marking his distinguished tenor, Professor Benedict Oramah, outgoing Afreximbank President, was honoured with the Bank’s Long Service Award alongside other employees
- Export Trading Group (ETG) won the Global Africa Business Leader Award 2025 for fostering economic growth across the continent and enhancing food security
- KCB Group Plc, Kenya and CBZ Bank, Zimbabwe emerged winners of the Afreximbank Financial Institutions Award 2025 for banking institutions with more than $500m and less than $500m capital respectively for having played a pivotal role in bridging the trade finance gap in Africa.
- TRACE, a multimedia platform dedicated to the entertainment and empowerment of people of African descent won the Diaspora Business of the Year Award for their impact in strengthening continental and diaspora ties.
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) hosted the third edition of the Pan-African Business and Development Awards in association with the Business Council for Africa (BCA) on Wednesday June 25, 2025, at a colourful Gala Dinner attended by more than 400 dignitaries including business and political leaders from Nigeria, across Africa and the diaspora.

The Pan-African Business and Development Awards, held annually during the Afreximbank Annual Meetings, are designed to celebrate and recognise transformative businesses and financial institutions within the African continent and in the diaspora in keeping with the Bank’s vision for a Global Africa.

Export Trading Group (ETG), operational in nearly 20 countries on the continent, won the Global Africa Business Leader Award, 2025 for fostering economic growth across the continent and enhancing food security by connecting smallholder farmers with regional and global markets, improving livelihoods and boosting intra-African trade, reflecting Afreximbank’s mandate of fostering trade and economic growth across the continent. The company’s investments in storage, logistics, and processing infrastructure have helped reduce post-harvest losses and increased value addition.

This year, TRACE, the multimedia platform dedicated to the entertainment and empowerment of people of African descent, won the Diaspora Business of the Year award for its impact in strengthening continental and diaspora ties through the vehicle of entertainment. Its mission is to uplift African identity through music, education, and storytelling. TRACE’s platforms reach and support over 5,000 artists and 1,000 brands annually. It employs hundreds across Africa, contributing hundreds of millions of dollars in value.

Two banking giants were recognised in the Afreximbank Financial Institutions Award–2025. KCB Group Plc, Kenya’s largest bank by assets emerged winner of the award for banking institutions with more than $500m capital while CBZ Bank, also Zimbabwe’s largest Bank emerged winner of the Afreximbank Financial Institutions Award-2025 for banking institutions with less than $500m capital.

KCB, which won in the same category in 2024, was recognised for facilitating local and cross-border trade finance through various products as well as mitigating risks inherent in trade on behalf of its customers. One of the first East African banks to enhance financial inclusion and economic growth, it has positioned itself as an enabler for businesses and consumers to transact efficiently across African borders.

CBZ Bank from Zimbabwe has played a pivotal role in bridging the trade finance gap in Africa by leveraging strategic partnerships, introducing innovative products, and executing a comprehensive pan-African vision. During the 31^st Afreximbank Annual meetings held in Nassau, The Bahamas last year, CBZ Bank and Afreximbank inked two deals (https://apo-opa.co/44ZDCxm) totalling $80 million consisting of US$60 million line of credit and $20 million Afreximbank Trade Facilitation Programme (AFTRAF) facility signalling their continued collaboration aimed at promoting economic development.

In a speech delivered on behalf of Professor Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of Board of Directors at Afreximbank, the Bank’s Senior Executive Vice President, Denys Denya, said: “This Awards event is our way of saying thank you to everyone who, regardless of size or significance of your role, has contributed to furthering the course of development in Africa. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you. With these awards, we reaffirm our commitment to the shared goal of transforming the African economy and restoring the dignity of Africans, regardless of their geographic location.”

Arnold Ekpe, former group CEO of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated and chair of the BCA, in his remarks, commented on the importance of recognising and celebrating institutions that contribute to Africa’s development, which he said, “has become the defining essence of Afreximbank.”

A major highlight of the awards ceremony was the recognition of four long serving Afreximbank staff members for their dedicated service of between 25 and 30 years. This esteemed group included Professor Benedict Oramah who was honoured for over three decades at the Bank with ten years spent at the helm as President and Chairman of Board of Directors.

Presenting the long service award to Prof. Oramah, Wale Edun, Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy said: “Tonight, we acknowledge not just a remarkable career, but a transformative journey spanning three decades. Under your leadership, the bank hasn’t just scaled; it has soared, championing strategies that have fundamentally reshaped trade and development across Africa. Nigeria is incredibly proud of your achievements, your leadership, and your unwavering commitment to the economic prosperity of our continent. You are a true son of the soil; a shining example of what dedication and vision can accomplish.”

The Pan-African Business and Development Awards are hosted by Afreximbank in association with the BCA. The awards series was launched in 2023 to recognise those organisations and leaders that epitomise the pan-African spirit by leading the way in building substantive and transformative cross-border businesses.

– on behalf of Afreximbank.

Media Contact:
Vincent Musumba
Communications and Events Manager (Media Relations)
Email: press@afreximbank.com

Follow on Social Media:
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About Afreximbank:
African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) is a Pan-African multilateral financial institution mandated to finance and promote intra- and extra-African trade. For over 30 years, the Bank has been deploying innovative structures to deliver financing solutions that support the transformation of the structure of Africa’s trade, accelerating industrialisation and intra-regional trade, thereby boosting economic expansion in Africa. A stalwart supporter of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), Afreximbank has launched a Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) that was adopted by the African Union (AU) as the payment and settlement platform to underpin the implementation of the AfCFTA. Working with the AfCFTA Secretariat and the AU, the Bank has set up a US$10 billion Adjustment Fund to support countries effectively participating in the AfCFTA. At the end of December 2024, Afreximbank’s total assets and contingencies stood at over US$40.1 billion, and its shareholder funds amounted to US$7.2 billion. Afreximbank has investment grade ratings assigned by GCR (international scale) (A), Moody’s (Baa2), China Chengxin International Credit Rating Co., Ltd (CCXI) (AAA), Japan Credit Rating Agency (JCR) (A-) and Fitch (BBB-). Afreximbank has evolved into a group entity comprising the Bank, its equity impact fund subsidiary called the Fund for Export Development Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management subsidiary, AfrexInsure (together, “the Group”). The Bank is headquartered in Cairo, Egypt.

For more information, visit: www.Afreximbank.com

Media files

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MIL OSI Africa –
July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Champagne concludes successful G7 and G20 meetings in South Africa

Source: Government of Canada News (2)

July 18, 2025 – Durban, South Africa – Department of Finance Canada

With global political and economic uncertainty abounding, strong relationships and cross-continental collaboration with reliable nations has never been more important. Canada is spearheading a new era of collaboration and partnership with nations it can trust and whose priorities it shares.

The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, today concluded his participation in the G7 and G20 meetings of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) in Durban, South Africa – a key engagement under Canada’s ongoing G7 Presidency and a demonstration of Canada’s commitment to strong international partnerships.

At the G20 meeting, Minister Champagne outlined Canada’s vision for the global economy, as well as for the international financial architecture, international taxation and ways to improve longer-term growth prospects for Africa. Discussions during the meeting included the importance of sustainable finance and the role of resilient infrastructure in supporting economic development.

The Minister leveraged the occasion to engage in a series of bilateral meetings with his counterparts, further strengthening Canada’s relationships and fostering collaboration with key global partners. This included meetings with Ministers from Indonesia, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Norway, Sweden, Singapore, Italy, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and Japan, along with pull-asides with South Africa and Denmark.

On the margins of the G20 meeting, Minister Champagne co-chaired with Tiff Macklem, Governor of the Bank of Canada, the fourth G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ meeting under Canada’s G7 Presidency. Discussions focused on ways to work together to reduce the ongoing trade and economic policy uncertainty, notably by establishing new uninterrupted trade routes with reliable partners and lifting existing barriers to trade. Russia’s illegal and unjust war against Ukraine, and actions to improve supply chain resilience including for critical minerals, were also discussed. Australia and South Korea joined the discussion on supply chains.

During a short stay in Cape Town prior to the G7 and G20 meetings, Minister Champagne also met with local business leaders and government officials to advance Canada’s goals of partnership, economic development and innovation.

MIL OSI Canada News –

July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Rep. Young Kim Recognized for Work to Strengthen U.S.-Asia Trade, Investment
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Young Kim (CA-39)

Washington, DC – This week, U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40), chairwoman of the House Foreign Affairs East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, was recognized by American Chambers of Commerce (AmChams) of Asia Pacific for her valuable contribution to increase trade and investment between the United States and the Asia Pacific.

“In our global economy, economic policy should be at the forefront of our U.S. foreign policy. Anything less is unacceptable and hurts American businesses both here at home and overseas,” said Congresswoman Kim. “I am humbled to be recognized by AmChams of Asia Pacific and will keep working as East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee Chairwoman to ensure our foreign policy prioritizes fair policies that strengthen American businesses’ access to foreign markets.”

Congresswoman Kim has championed improving the State Department’s economic statecraft policy and led commonsense bills to deepen engagement in the region and promote fair trade policies and level the playing field such as:
- The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is Not a Developing Country Act, which became law in the FY24 NDAA to ensure the United States opposes the PRC’s “developing country” label in international organizations;
- The Reviewing Economic and Protection Objectives for the Reciprocal Tariffs Act (REPORT) Act to restore Congressional oversight of the executive branch’s tariff authority;
- The Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act to promote the inclusion of Taiwan as a member of the International Monetary Fund;
- The Taiwan Travel and Tourism Coordination Act to enhance U.S.-Taiwan economic and trade ties, expand market access in the Indo-Pacific region, and facilitate safer travel to the U.S.;
- The PARTNER with ASEAN Act to extend diplomatic privileges to ASEAN partners, promoting market access and mutual economic prosperity; and,
- The Strengthening the Quad Act to boost Quad cooperation, including on technology and energy innovation, critical minerals supply chains, and other economic priorities. The Quad includes the U.S., Australia, Japan, and India.
MIL OSI USA News –
July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Mandela’s legacy ‘is now our responsibility,’ Guterres says on International Day

Source: United Nations 2

In his remarks, the Secretary-General celebrated the extraordinary life of the South African civil rights icon, affectionately known by his Khosa clan name, Madiba.

“He endured the brutal weight of oppression, and emerged not with a vision of vengeance and division – but of reconciliation, peace and unity,” Mr. Guterres said.

“Today, Madiba’s legacy is now our responsibility. We must carry forward his commitment to peace, justice and human dignity.”

To honour this legacy, the UN chief awarded the annual Nelson Mandela Prize to two individuals who reflect the late leader’s commitment to peace and collective action, and this year’s theme of combating poverty and inequity: Brenda Reynolds of Canada and Kennedy Odede of Kenya.

Brenda Reynolds: turning pain into action

Brenda Reynolds is a Saulteaux member from Fishing Lake First Nation in Canada, and as a social worker she has spent decades advancing Indigenous rights, mental health and trauma-informed care.

“There are many parallels to what we had experienced in both our countries, where the governments made impacted policies to change who we are, to face oppression, to face violations of human rights in our countries,” Ms. Reynolds said in her acceptance speech.

In 1988, she supported 17 teenage girls in the first residential school sexual abuse case in Saskatchewan.

“These charges were the beginning of other disclosures that came from across Canada from survivors speaking about their sexual abuse experiences. Those charges and the disclosures became the largest class action lawsuit to date in Canada,” known as Canada’s Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, she explained.

Afterwards, she became a special adviser to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and developed the Indian Residential School Resolution Health Support Program – both created by the agreement – helping shape survivor support and trauma responses nationwide.

Kennedy Odede: from slums to CEO

After growing up in Kenya’s Kibera Slum, Kennedy Odede went from living on the street to global recognition when he was named one of TIME magazine’s 2024 100 Most Influential People and became a New York Times bestselling author.

“At ten years old, fleeing domestic violence, I joined the ranks of Nairobi’s street children. One day I stole a mango because I was starving. A mob gathered to beat me dead, until a stranger stepped forward, paid for that mango, and in that single act of grace, showed me that kindness could interrupt cycles of violence,” Mr. Odede recounted in his acceptance speech.

He began his journey as an activist by saving his meagre factory earnings to buy a soccer ball and bring his community together.

“That ball was not just for play; it was a tool for organising. A centre around which a community could form,” he said.

This soon grew into Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO), the largest grassroots movement in Kenya he now leads as CEO. SHOFCO operates across the country, empowering local groups and delivering vital services to over 4 million people annually.

“Mandela showed all of us at SHOFCO, that leadership is not a privilege reserved for those born to power. It belongs to anyone willing to serve and look within.”

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 19, 2025
Meghwal inaugurates ‘Mahila Aarogyam Kaksh’ to boost women’s health at Shastri Bhawan

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

In a pioneering move to promote workplace wellness, the Department of Legal Affairs under the Ministry of Law and Justice inaugurated the ‘Mahila Aarogyam Kaksh,’ a dedicated health and fitness facility for women employees, at Shastri Bhawan. The initiative, launched by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Law and Justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, marks a significant step toward fostering women’s well-being in government workspaces.

The inauguration ceremony, attended by Law Secretary Dr. Anju Rathi Rana, senior officials, and numerous women employees, featured a ribbon-cutting, plaque unveiling, and a tour of the newly established facility. Transformed from an unused garage, the Mahila Aarogyam Kaksh now houses gym equipment and a private lactation room for nursing mothers, creating a vibrant space designed to support physical fitness, mental health, and work-life balance.

Speaking at the event, Meghwal lauded the initiative as a vital contribution to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Hum Fit Toh India Fit’ campaign. He emphasized that prioritizing the well-being of women employees is crucial for building an inclusive and healthy India, urging them to fully utilize the facility.

Dr. Anju Rathi Rana highlighted the initiative’s broader significance, noting the challenges women often face in balancing professional and personal responsibilities while neglecting their own health. “This space is a reminder that self-care is foundational to empowerment,” she said, reaffirming the Department’s commitment to fostering an inclusive work environment that prioritizes employee well-being.

The Mahila Aarogyam Kaksh redefines the concept of government offices, moving beyond mere administrative spaces to workplaces that address the human needs of their employees. Aligned with the Fit India Movement and the vision of a Viksit Bharat, this facility underscores the importance of dignity, health, and inclusion in institutional culture.

July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Cynthia Erivo will be the most talked about Jesus of 2025 – but women have long retold the gospel

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Sarah Parkhouse, British Academy Research Fellow, Centre for Biblical Studies, University of Manchester

Cynthia Erivo, the award-winning actor and star of Wicked, will play Jesus Christ at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles between August 1 and 3 2025.

Unsurprisingly perhaps, the casting of the Wicked star as the son of God in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s provocative rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar has caused upset on social media. Accusations of blasphemy have been made based on Erivo’s gender, sexuality, race – and even hairstyle.

The UK-based Christian magazine Premier Christianity responded to the outcry, featuring articles on whether a female Jesus was “inclusive” or “offensive”. Erivo laughed it all off.

I’m an expert in the reception of Biblical narratives. As such, I believe the outrage over this particular casting choice misses the fact that women have been involved in reimagining and retelling the Jesus story since antiquity.

The earliest gospels were originally written anonymously. They have only retroactively been ascribed to male authors, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Within a few generations after Jesus’s death, a work titled the Gospel of Mary was written from the perspective of Mary Magdalene, positioning her as Jesus’s favoured disciple and bearer of secret knowledge.

While we can’t prove the Gospel of Mary was written by a woman any more than we can prove the four canonical gospels were written by men, within the text the male disciple Peter attacks Mary precisely for being a woman. This suggests that the author was clued into gender dynamics, especially in the context of early Christian discourse and authority.

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As Christianity was gaining state approval within the Roman empire in the fourth and fifth centuries, the elite woman poet Faltonia Betitia Proba and the Byzantine empress Aelia Eudocia composed their own gospel retellings. They reconfigured the Hebrew Bible and gospel stories by using verses from Virgil and Homer.

These ancient works offer a distinctively female perspective. Their retellings pay careful attention to the experiences of female characters who are often marginalised in the canonical tradition, depicting the particularly gruelling experience of Mary’s maternal grief when her son was crucified.

These retellings aren’t apocryphal outliers – they belong to the same literary tradition of the four gospels Bible readers know today.

Just as Matthew and Luke (and possibly John) very clearly reworked Mark by adapting and rearranging scenes and strings of words, so too the Gospel of Mary retells the resurrection scene from John. Proba and Eudocia combine and rearrange gospel material to tell the story anew again.

Women continue to retell the Jesus story today, sometimes focusing more on the female characters. In Edinburgh, director Suzanne Lofthus has been writing and directing the city’s annual Passion Play for the last 20 years. Her 2024 and 2025 productions reimagined Jesus’s masculinity and placed the experiences of women at its centre. This year, she showed Jesus willingly getting stuck into the “women’s work” of making bread at the house of Mary and Martha, and questioning the culpability of the man in the story of the woman caught in adultery.

The Nativity Story focused on women’s experiences.

Catherine Hardwicke, meanwhile, best known for directing the first Twilight movie, directed The Nativity Story in 2006, a tender portrayal of Mary’s journey through her pregnancy, with particular emphasis on the women around her.

These creative contributions are really quite different to brutal, hypermasculine retellings such as Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ (2004), for which a sequel is reportedly in development. Hardwicke herself contrasted The Nativity Story with The Passion, noting striking differences “especially [in] the quarts of blood per frame”.

Women playing Jesus

The role of Jesus is often played by women in these retellings. Erivo herself sang the role of Mary Magdalene in a 2017 New York concert that led to two all-female concept albums, controversially titled She Is Risen. The project was the brainchild of singer and actor Morgan James, who performed the role of Jesus.

Just last year, an all-female cast performed Jesus Christ Superstar in Santa Barbara, California. And a gender-blind casting led to the role of Jesus being given to Mina Kawahara in a 2017 production of the hippy-ish retelling of the gospel, Godspell, at Villanova Theatre, Pennsylvania. She followed a precedent of other female leads in this musical. The Japan-born Kawahara donned a white pantsuit with flowers in her hair.

A Japanese woman named Yuko Takeda took on the role of the son of God in the 2010 Helsinki Passion Play – another casting choice that enraged some conservative Christians. The female director, Miira Sippola, commented that the decision would free the audience from focusing too much on whether the performer resembles the Jesus of medieval artwork – already so far from the historical Jesus.

Over in New Jersey, a 15-year-old American girl played the role of Jesus in a 2023 passion play, carrying a 12-foot cross for over two miles in bare feet. These are a mere smattering of examples, of which there are many more.

The controversy over Erivo’s casting reveals more about cultural assumptions than historical precedent. The Hollywood Bowl’s Jesus Christ Superstar continues the often-overlooked tradition of women who have long participated in retelling, reshaping and performing the story of Jesus — on the page, on screen and on stage.

Sarah Parkhouse receives funding from the British Academy.

– ref. Cynthia Erivo will be the most talked about Jesus of 2025 – but women have long retold the gospel – https://theconversation.com/cynthia-erivo-will-be-the-most-talked-about-jesus-of-2025-but-women-have-long-retold-the-gospel-260161

MIL OSI –

July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Decoding hints that Xi Jinping may be under pressure to relinquish some of his power

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Chee Meng Tan, Assistant Professor of Business Economics, University of Nottingham

Political and economic pressures might force Chinese president and overall leader Xi Jinping to delegate some of his powers to his deputies in a highly significant move. This has prompted some observers and media outlets to speculate that Xi’s grip on power may be waning.

A major part of why this is happening is likely to stem from Xi’s difficulties in dealing with China’s economic woes, which began from a real estate crisis in 2021. For years, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has relied on providing economic prosperity to legitimise its rule over the country.

But the continuously lacklustre performance of the Chinese economy over the past four years coupled with Trump’s trade war with Beijing is making recovery a difficult task. And this is likely to be a factor that undermines Xi’s rule.

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These rumours about Xi started just after the latest meeting, on June 30, of the politburo (the principal policy making body of the party), which brings China’s top leaders together to make major decisions.

For people who don’t follow Chinese politics, the idea of Xi delegating some authority might seem nothing special. However, in understanding China, it’s important to understand that Xi has massive power, and it seems the politburo is signalling there are some changes on the horizon.

What are the clues?

Symbolism and indirect language play an important role in how the communist party communicates with Chinese people. The way it is done comes through slogans or key phrases, which are collectively known as “tifa (提法)”’.

This method of information is important since it shapes political language and debate, and influences how a Chinese, and international, audience understands what’s going on. At first glance, the politburo’s call for enhancing “policy coordination” and the “review process” of major tasks may appear to indicate that the central government is seeking to ensure local officials follow through with Beijing’s agenda.

But there is probably more to the politburo’s statement than meets the eye. The statement said that specialised bodies that exist within the party’s central committee, which includes the powerful commissions that Xi’s loyalists now hold, should focus on “guidance and coordination over major initiatives” and to “avoid taking over others’ functions or overstepping boundaries”“.

For experienced China watchers there are hints here that this powerful decision-making body is making a veiled threat against Xi for holding on to too much power. But the opaque nature of China’s elite decision-making process, where a great deal of backroom politics occurs behind closed doors, means that decoding its messages isn’t always easy.

China’s president Xi Jinping on a public outing, after several weeks when he was not seen in public.

Because of all of this, there is increasing speculation that a power struggle is in progress. This isn’t entirely surprising given Xi’s purge of many senior party officials through anti-corruption campaigns and dominance over the highest levels of government is likely to have earned him many enemies over the years.

Another sign that all isn’t going well with Xi’s regime is the removal of some his allies from key positions within the government. Xi began his anti-corruption campaign in 2012 when he became China’s leader. On paper, while officially framed as a drive to clean up corruption, evidence suggests that the campaign may have been used to remove Xi’s political rivals.

The problem for Xi is that the campaign is being used against his loyalists as well. In October 2023, defence minister Li Shangfu, who was considered a Xi ally, was sacked due to what was later confirmed in 2024 to be from due to corruption charges. But the dismissals of Xi loyalists continued.

Admiral Miao Hua, who was in charge of ideological control and personnel appointment within the armed forces and Xi’s associate since his days as a party official in Fujian province, was suspended from office in November 2024. And in June 2025, he was removed after being investigated for corruption .

The previous month, General He Weidong, who was vice-chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission, was arrested also for alleged corruption. Are the purges a consequence of Xi ceding ground to political rivals? This is a possibility.

But even if it weren’t and the purges are part of a concerted effort to stamp out corruption, Xi’s campaign will not only cast aspersions on his ability to appoint the right people into government, but also create a climate of fear among allies and potentially create further enemies. Either scenario puts Xi on the spot. But since Xi became China’s head of state in 2013, he and his loyalists have taken over leadership of many key national commissions, making him the most powerful Chinese leader since the time of Chairman Mao.

These commissions include the Central Financial Commission, which regulates China’s financial markets, the Central Science and Technology Commission, which aims to accelerate China’s technological progress, and the Central Cyberspace Affairs Commission, which regulates China’s digital content.

Who is on the up?

But it looks like Xi is about to delegate some of his power, and there are some other decisions that may indicate a shift. For the first time since coming into power in 2012, Xi skipped the annual summit organised by the Brics group (named after Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). Instead, from July 5 to 7 this year, Chinese premier Li Qiang, led a delegation to Rio de Janeiro.

This isn’t the first time that Li has represented Xi in high-profile conferences abroad. In September 2023, Li attended the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, and has taken part in Asean summits.

But the Brics appearance alongside with Li’s increasingly prominent role in economic policy making may suggest that his influence is on the rise, while Xi’s is declining. Watch this space.

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

– ref. Decoding hints that Xi Jinping may be under pressure to relinquish some of his power – https://theconversation.com/decoding-hints-that-xi-jinping-may-be-under-pressure-to-relinquish-some-of-his-power-228240

MIL OSI –

July 19, 2025
Ashwini Vaishnaw, Devendra Fadnavis Inaugurate IICT Campus in Mumbai

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday inaugurated the Mumbai campus of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT).

The new campus, located at the NFDC Films Division Complex on Pedder Road, will begin academic sessions in September. Around 300 students are expected in the first batch. The campus features classrooms, media labs, post-production suites, and specialised facilities for animation, VFX, and extended reality (XR).

Speaking at the event, Vaishnaw said the government is focused on empowering youth and expanding opportunities in creative sectors. “This is a big achievement. It will open new opportunities for the youth of our country,” he said.

Vaishnav added that the central government has allocated ₹400 crore for the development of IICT. The institute will offer 17 specialised courses and has already partnered with global technology leaders like Google, Meta, and Adobe for hands-on training and industry exposure.

Fadnavis termed the event a “moment that is now transforming into a movement”, adding that the institute will serve as both an academic and cultural landmark. “Just as WAVES revolutionised the creator economy, IICT stands as a testament to all that hard work,” he said.

Also present were Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and Ashish Shelar, Maharashtra’s Minister of Cultural Affairs.

The IICT will offer advanced programs in integrated media post-production, animation, VFX, XR, and related domains. Officials said the institute will bring academic training, industry collaboration, and state-of-the-art infrastructure under one roof.

The move comes as India looks to institutionalise its AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality) sector, which is expected to play a growing role in the global digital economy.

July 19, 2025
Ashwini Vaishnaw, Devendra Fadnavis Inaugurate IICT Campus in Mumbai

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday inaugurated the Mumbai campus of the Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT).

The new campus, located at the NFDC Films Division Complex on Pedder Road, will begin academic sessions in September. Around 300 students are expected in the first batch. The campus features classrooms, media labs, post-production suites, and specialised facilities for animation, VFX, and extended reality (XR).

Speaking at the event, Vaishnaw said the government is focused on empowering youth and expanding opportunities in creative sectors. “This is a big achievement. It will open new opportunities for the youth of our country,” he said.

Vaishnav added that the central government has allocated ₹400 crore for the development of IICT. The institute will offer 17 specialised courses and has already partnered with global technology leaders like Google, Meta, and Adobe for hands-on training and industry exposure.

Fadnavis termed the event a “moment that is now transforming into a movement”, adding that the institute will serve as both an academic and cultural landmark. “Just as WAVES revolutionised the creator economy, IICT stands as a testament to all that hard work,” he said.

Also present were Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and Ashish Shelar, Maharashtra’s Minister of Cultural Affairs.

The IICT will offer advanced programs in integrated media post-production, animation, VFX, XR, and related domains. Officials said the institute will bring academic training, industry collaboration, and state-of-the-art infrastructure under one roof.

The move comes as India looks to institutionalise its AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality) sector, which is expected to play a growing role in the global digital economy.

July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: CPC Delegation Visits Laos to Strengthen Ties

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

VIENTIANE, July 18 (Xinhua) — At the invitation of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP), a CPC delegation led by Chen Zhou, vice director of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee, visited Laos from July 16 to 18.

During the visit, Chen Zhou met with General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee, Lao President Thongloun Sisoulith, and Acting Head of the LPRP Central Committee External Relations Commission Bounlua Phandanouvong. Chen Zhou also held brief talks with leaders of various Lao Party and government departments.

The two sides exchanged views on the relations between the two parties and the two countries, as well as other issues of common concern. They agreed on the need to follow the important consensus reached by the top leaders of the two parties and countries, strengthen strategic mutual trust, deepen inter-party exchanges, expand practical cooperation, so as to promote the stable long-term development of the China-Laos community with a shared future, and make positive contributions to regional peace and development. –0–

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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MIL OSI Russia News –

July 19, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting: Foreign Secretary’s remarks, July 2025

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

Speech

ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting: Foreign Secretary’s remarks, July 2025

Foreign Secretary David Lammy spoke at the UK Post Ministerial Conference with ASEAN member states, highlighting achievements under the UK’s Dialogue Partnership.

Thank you all. Minister Bui, we’re grateful for Vietnam’s support as our country coordinator. And Minister Mohamad, it’s such a pleasure to be here in your beautiful country.

Last year, I told ASEAN I wanted to reconnect Britain with the world. Today, I’m the first British Foreign Secretary to return to one of these meetings since we became your newest Dialogue Partner.

I hope this consistency is welcome right now. The world feels no less volatile than it did a year ago.

Rapid technological change is remaking our societies, rewiring our economies, reshaping the global balance of power.

I agree countries like ours need to respond with resilience, with innovation and dynamism, and by putting people – our citizens – first.

Those are the values of your Community Vision 2045, precisely what we hope partnership with Britain can achieve.

As our recently published Trade Strategy set out, we believe this region offers real potential for our businesses to expand. We are working with you to unlock that.

That’s why we backed CPTPP’s decision in May to work towards a dialogue this year with ASEAN, why we’ve been supporting development of the ASEAN Power Grid, why we’re backing British firms to scale up their investments here.

Likewise, as our recently published National Security Strategy stressed, our region’s security and your region’s security are inextricably linked.

Russia illegally invaded Ukraine – that has consequences for markets here in Asia. North Korean troops fight for Russia – that has consequences for our Ukrainian friends on the European frontline. Smugglers or scammers ply their criminal trade – that has consequences for all our citizens and, ultimately, our tax revenues.

At the heart of our security cooperation is a shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The recent visit of Britain’s Carrier Strike Group and this Dialogue Partnership are just 2 examples of how, together, we can support this goal.

We stand firmly behind ASEAN centrality, recognising it underpins peace, prosperity and stability across the region.

All told, we’ve done a lot on both growth and security this past year. Nearly 95% of our Action Plan on track for delivery, the commitments we made last year in our first joint ministerial statement well under way.

Our job now is to go further, ahead of the fifth anniversary of this partnership next year and a new Action Plan to guide our cooperation to 2030.

I’m looking forward to discussing how we do so.

Updates to this page

Published 18 July 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

July 19, 2025
India-UAE Partnership Eyes Nuclear Energy and Advanced Technology as Next Breakthrough Sectors

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

India and the United Arab Emirates are solidifying their strategic partnership, setting their sights on nuclear energy and advanced technology as the next frontiers for collaboration. This move comes as bilateral trade has already surged past the $100 billion mark, five years ahead of schedule, cementing the UAE’s position as India’s third-largest trade partner. Speaking at an Observer Research Foundation Middle East event in Dubai, Indian Ambassador to the UAE, Sunjay Sudhir, highlighted how both nations are leveraging their unique strengths to forge resilient supply chains and foster sustainable growth, moving beyond traditional trade ties.

Intensified high-level diplomatic engagement since September 2024, including visits from Sheikh Khalid and Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan to India, has focused on substantive economic cooperation. Discussions during Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan’s visit with Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal underscored the significant role of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in accelerating bilateral trade, particularly progress on the Virtual Trade Corridor, a foundational element of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC). UAE investments in India have reached $23 billion, with a notable $4.5 billion committed in 2024 alone, following the finalization of the Bilateral Investment Treaty last year. Furthermore, local currency trade settlement now accounts for 10 percent of all bilateral transactions, reducing dependence on dollar-denominated exchanges.

A significant stride in financial technology integration is the UAE’s Jaywan card, built entirely on India’s rupee card stack. Plans are also underway to connect banking messaging systems, offering an alternative to SWIFT networks, and to integrate India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) with the UAE’s Aani platform by November 2025, enabling Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) interoperability. Educational cooperation has also seen tangible results with the launch of IIT Abu Dhabi’s PhD program this year, alongside IIM Ahmedabad’s Dubai campus and IIFT Dubai. Defense collaboration has been elevated to the secretary level, featuring joint exercises such as Desert Cyclone, Desert Flag, and the India-France-UAE Trilateral Exercise, and extends to participation in major defense exhibitions like IDEX and Dubai Airshow, with 25 Indian companies actively involved. Hardware integration initiatives include components for the Tejas fighter aircraft and the development of drone and anti-drone systems.

Nuclear cooperation is emerging as a transformative area, with the UAE currently generating 25 percent of its energy from nuclear sources (5.6 GW capacity) and aiming to double this by 2030. The Partnership for Accelerating Clean Energy (PACE) initiative involving the US, UAE, , coupled with synergies with France, positions nuclear energy as a key growth sector. The advanced technology partnership gained momentum at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024.

Discussions are also underway for collaboration in critical minerals and the space sector, including polar initiatives. The IMEEC project envisions a comprehensive connectivity corridor for containers, data, and energy through connected grids and subsea cables. The I2U2 framework (India, Israel, UAE, US) is expanding its focus to food security, with plans for two food parks in Gujarat and renewable energy projects targeting 60 GW capacity in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Ambassador Sudhir emphasized the potential benefits for India from the UAE’s 25 other Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs), which could provide diversified market access and manufacturing advantages, particularly for energy-intensive industries. The UAE’s recent inclusion in BRICS further enhances its role as a strategic gateway for India’s engagement with Africa through initiatives like Bharat Africa Setu. The legal predictability and stable environment in the UAE also make it an attractive destination for Indian manufacturing investments requiring significant energy inputs.

Culturally, the BAPS Hindu temple in Abu Dhabi stands as a powerful symbol of the shared ethos, religious tolerance, and cultural inclusivity underpinning the broader strategic relationship, a testament to the graciousness of the Abu Dhabi government. As both nations navigate global economic uncertainties, their partnership exemplifies how complementary strengths can foster resilient supply chains and sustainable growth models, with nuclear energy and advanced technology at the forefront of their expanding cooperation.

July 19, 2025
PM Modi launches ₹5,400 crore development projects in Durgapur, boosting West Bengal’s infrastructure and economic growth

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone, inaugurated, and dedicated development projects worth over ₹5,400 crore in Durgapur, West Bengal, marking a significant step toward strengthening the region’s infrastructure and economic growth. Addressing a gathering in the Steel City, known for its robust labor force, the Prime Minister highlighted Durgapur’s pivotal role in India’s development journey. He emphasized that the projects launched will enhance connectivity, promote a gas-based economy, and reinforce Durgapur’s industrial identity while aligning with the vision of “Make in India, Make for the World.” The initiatives are expected to create numerous employment opportunities for the youth of West Bengal.

PM Modi underscored that India’s resolve to become a developed nation by 2047, or Viksit Bharat, is a focal point of global discussions, driven by transformative changes in infrastructure. He highlighted the government’s achievements over the past decade, including the construction of over 4 crore pucca houses, crores of toilets, more than 12 crore tap water connections, thousands of kilometers of new roads and highways, new railway lines, airports in small towns, and widespread internet access reaching villages and households. In West Bengal, he noted significant advancements in rail connectivity, with the state leading in operating Vande Bharat trains, expanding the Kolkata Metro, and modernizing railway stations. The inauguration of two road overbridges in Paschim Bardhaman under the Setu Bharatam Programme, worth over ₹380 crore, will further ease travel and enhance safety by reducing accidents at railway crossings.

The Prime Minister emphasized the integration of Durgapur’s airport into the UDAN scheme, which has facilitated over 5 lakh passenger journeys in the past year. He noted that such infrastructure not only improves convenience but also generates employment, with even the production of raw materials for these projects creating substantial job opportunities.

In the energy sector, PM Modi highlighted India’s unprecedented progress in gas connectivity over the past decade, with LPG reaching households nationwide and earning global recognition. He outlined the government’s “One Nation, One Gas Grid” vision through the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga Yojana, which includes laying gas pipelines across six eastern states, including West Bengal. The Durgapur to Kolkata section of the Durgapur-Haldia Natural Gas Pipeline, worth over ₹1,190 crore, was dedicated to the nation, passing through Purba Bardhman, Hooghly, and Nadia districts. This pipeline will supply natural gas to lakhs of households, enable CNG for vehicles, and support gas-based industrial technologies. Additionally, the foundation stone for Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd’s City Gas Distribution project in Bankura and Purulia, worth around ₹1,950 crore, was laid to provide piped natural gas to households, commercial establishments, and industries, further boosting employment.

The Prime Minister also dedicated retrofitting pollution control systems (Flue Gas Desulphurization) at the Durgapur Steel Thermal Power Station and Raghunathpur Thermal Power Station, worth over ₹1,457 crore. These upgrades enhance efficiency, support cleaner energy production, and position the plants to compete globally. The doubling of the Purulia-Kotshila Rail Line, worth over ₹390 crore, was also dedicated, improving connectivity for industries in Jamshedpur, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Ranchi, and Kolkata, reducing travel time, and streamlining logistics.

PM Modi reiterated that India’s progress in factories and fields is driven by a unified resolve to achieve a developed nation by 2047. He outlined the government’s approach: empowerment through development, self-reliance through employment, and good governance through responsiveness. The Prime Minister expressed confidence that these efforts will position West Bengal as a strong engine of India’s development journey.

July 19, 2025