NewzIntel.com

Category: Business

  • MIL-Evening Report: Australian CEOs are still getting their bonuses. Performance doesn’t seem to matter so much

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Denniss, Adjunct Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University

    RomanR/Shutterstock

    Almost all of Australia’s top chief executives are, according to their boards at least, knocking it out of the park in terms of performance.

    That is despite sluggish productivity, persistently high carbon emissions, rising inequality and Australia’s public spending on research and development being among the lowest in the OECD.

    According to new data from the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors, 91% of Australia’s top chief executive officers (CEOs) received some form of performance bonus last year. That elevated their pay well above their base salaries (which were already over A$1 million). Only five CEOs out of 142 eligible for a bonus received zero.

    The fact nearly all of Australia’s top CEOs are receiving these performance bonuses shows performance pay is more about rewarding conformity and discipline than risk-taking and entrepreneurship.

    Do we really believe 91% of our CEOs made big bets that paid off last year? A more plausible explanation is that we simply reward executives for not stuffing up. Their customer base is growing in line with population growth and their prices are rising faster than their cost of production, which means profits rise without too much effort.

    Not keeping up with change

    Take the electricity industry for example. It’s hard to imagine an industry in which change is more inevitable than the industry responsible for transitioning away from gas and coal-fired power stations to renewable energy.

    But according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the electricity, gas and water industry spends a mere 0.24% of sales on research and development each year. That is half the economy-wide average.

    Unfortunately, innovation does not appear to be a prerequisite for CEOs being rewarded with large bonuses. According to Energy Australia, its CEO Mark Collette (base salary over $1 million) recently challenged a room full of other well-paid leaders at Australian Energy Week to continuously ask themselves: “Will this make energy cheaper?”

    However instead of focusing on keeping costs down for consumers, companies have sometimes resorted to misleading statements. Energy Australia recently admitted to misleading customers by claiming the coal and gas-fired electricity it was selling was “carbon neutral”.

    Companies purchase carbon credits to offset emissions elsewhere in their businesses.
    tech_BG/Shutterstock

    Energy Australia was buying widely used carbon offsets to make the claim the fossil-fuel fired electricity it was selling was carbon neutral. In its apology Energy Australia conceded “offsets do not prevent or undo the harms caused by burning fossil fuels for a customer’s energy use”.

    While it is clear Energy Australia’s spending on carbon credits did nothing to make the company’s energy cheaper, it is not yet clear if the board will award a “performance bonus”.

    Leading the world – in pay packets

    Another example of the lack of relationship between CEO pay and organisational performance is Australia’s university sector. The vice chancellors of Australian universities are among the best paid in the world, with over a dozen Australian earning more than the head of Cambridge University.

    But there is no correlation between student satisfaction and vice chancellor pay.

    And while Australian vice chancellor pay has been soaring, Australian universities have been slipping steadily down international rankings for university quality.

    Inequality is rising

    While performance-based bonuses and incentives are common among CEOs and vice chancellors, the same is not true for lower-paid staff.

    Instead, these staff are often asked to “do more, with less” even as their real wages have declined. Universities have seen a notable decline in academic staff per student while the gap between the pay of lecturers and vice chancellors has skyrocketed.

    Extremely high salaries for CEOs and vice chancellors have done nothing to boost Australian productivity growth, or our performance in global rankings for our universities, research and development or innovation. Paying out large bonuses for average performance has done little to help either.

    Inequality in Australia is rising. As long as CEO pay is rising faster than the minimum wages, that gap will continue to widen. The latest data showed CEO salaries are 55 times that of the average worker.

    Just doing their job

    While it is true it is hard to measure the performance of a CEO, it’s also hard to measure the care and attention provided by a childcare worker, the compassion of an aged care nurse, the helpfulness of a call centre operator or the enthusiasm of a lecturer.

    Few CEOs think we need bonuses to motivate the vast majority of Australian workers. But it is heresy to suggest those at the top of a big organisation could simply work diligently without a giant bonus.

    So, it’s not just income that is unequal in Australia. We expect a lot more self-motivation from those at the bottom of the income distribution than those at the very top.

    Richard Denniss 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. Australian CEOs are still getting their bonuses. Performance doesn’t seem to matter so much – https://theconversation.com/australian-ceos-are-still-getting-their-bonuses-performance-doesnt-seem-to-matter-so-much-259382

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Woodside’s North West Shelf gas extension is being challenged in the courts. Could it be stopped?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samantha Hepburn, Professor, Deakin Law School, Deakin University

    The controversial extension of Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project off Western Australia faces two legal challenges. Both raise significant concerns about the validity of government approvals. One could even seek an injunction, preventing federal environment minister Murray Watt from making a final decision.

    The first battle is being fought along climate lines. Enormous amounts of greenhouse gases will be released when gas from the project is exported and burned overseas. The Friends of Australian Rock Art group now argues the then WA environment minister Reece Whitby should have taken this pollution into account when approving the extension in December.

    The second concerns ancient Aboriginal rock art in the Murujuga National Park on the Burrup Peninsula. There’s evidence greenhouse gas emissions released during extraction of fossil fuels is damaging the artwork, and Traditional Owners are seeking a protection order.

    The decision to grant the extension appears at odds with national heritage and state environment laws. Both cases will be a closely watched test of these legal protections.

    What’s the North West Shelf approval about?

    Approval for the North West Shelf gas processing plant in Karratha, WA, was to expire in 2030. Woodside Energy sought to extend the project to 2070.

    The state government gave approval to the extension in December, and the federal government gave conditional approval last month.

    Watt gave Woodside ten business days to respond to “strict conditions particularly relating to the impact of air emissions” on nearby rock art, but that deadline was not met. Woodside has been given more time to review the conditions.

    Meanwhile, two legal challenges have been mounted.

    The Friends of Rock Art case

    Earlier this month, the group Friends of Australian Rock Art requested judicial review of the approval by Whitby.

    Judicial review is where courts review government decisions to ensure they are lawful and fair. The case is yet to be heard in the WA Supreme Court.

    The group argues the state failed to give proper regard to the climate impact of the proposal, as required under the WA Environment Protection Act.

    Specifically, the group argues the approval did not fully examine the climate impacts of so-called “scope three” emissions. These occur when the exported gas is burned overseas.

    Under WA state law, the minister must consider whether a proposal will have a significant effect on the environment. This is a broad requirement and the climate effects of a decision are relevant.

    The WA Office of Environmental Protection makes this clear in a statement of objectives, which include minimising “the risk of environmental harm associated with climate change by reducing greenhouse gases as far as practicable”.

    Guidelines published in November to help implement this objective set out that where scope three emissions are likely to exceed 100,000 tonnes a year, extra information must be provided to government. This includes “a summary of where the scope three emissions will be emitted (domestic or international), and whether they are or are reasonably likely to be subject to emission reduction requirements as scope 1 or 2 emissions”.

    The guidelines further state that the EPA’s usual minimum expectation for proposals is for “deep, substantial and sustained emission reductions” this decade – with net zero no later than 2050, and reductions occurring along a linear trajectory (at minimum) from 2030.

    Woodside has indicated the project extension would emit about 80 million tonnes of scope three emissions annually – about equal to the emissions from a small to medium-sized country.

    Co-convener of the Friends group, Judith Hugo, said the minister did not give adequate regard to the guidelines and failed to consider the project’s full impact on the climate, as well as the nearby rock art.

    While litigation on scope three emissions is relatively new, it is gaining traction globally. It has become an increasingly significant factor underlying corporate climate action and policy development.

    Announcing the legal challenge on June 17, 2025 (Friends of Australian Rock Art)

    2. The Traditional Owner case

    Raelene Cooper is a Mardathoonera woman and founder of the group Save our Songlines. She filed legal action in the Federal Court in 2022, seeking temporary protection from industrial emissions for the art.

    Murujuga has some of the planet’s oldest known rock art, dating back 40,000 years. Research has shown rocks closer to the industrial operations have been degraded by past emissions.

    On May 23 this year, Cooper called for an “urgent assessment of the ongoing impacts of all industry on the Burrup” before the federal government decided on Woodside’s proposed extension.

    She had filed a motion in the Federal Court seeking to compel Watt to make a determination of her Murujuga Section 10 cultural heritage assessment. But Watt announced conditional approval for the Woodside extension on May 28.

    Watt reportedly promised to give Cooper three days’ notice of the approval. That would have given Cooper an opportunity to file an injunction preventing the minister from making a final decision to approve the North West Shelf prior to resolving her section 10 protection order.

    Resolution of the protection order is particularly important given the art has been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage listing. The World Heritage Committee referred the nomination back to the federal government so as to “prevent any further industrial development adjacent to, and within, the Murujuga Cultural Landscape”.

    This referral occurred before the project extension was approved. If the approval is finalised, the nomination may fail, because the government cannot ensure the area will be protected.

    Cooper’s case is set to be heard in July.

    Saving Murujuga Rock Art (The Australia Institute)

    High stakes and delicate decision-making

    These legal actions reflect deep public concern over the North West Shelf gas project extension.

    In the context of a worsening climate emergency and damage to ancient rock art, properly adhering to the legal requirements for the assessment of such projects couldn’t be more crucial.

    Samantha Hepburn 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. Woodside’s North West Shelf gas extension is being challenged in the courts. Could it be stopped? – https://theconversation.com/woodsides-north-west-shelf-gas-extension-is-being-challenged-in-the-courts-could-it-be-stopped-259130

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • Airlines weigh Middle East cancellations after US strikes in Iran

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Commercial airlines around the world on Monday were weighing how long to suspend Middle East flights as a conflict which has already cut off major flight routes entered a new phase after the U.S. attacked key Iranian nuclear sites and Tehran vowed to defend itself.

    The usually busy airspace stretching from Iran and Iraq to the Mediterranean has been largely empty of commercial air traffic for 10 days since Israel began strikes on Iran on June 13, as airlines divert, cancel and delay flights through the region due to airspace closures and safety concerns.

    New cancellations of some flights by international carriers in recent days to usually resilient aviation hubs like Dubai, the world’s busiest international airport, and Qatar’s Doha, show how aviation industry concerns about the region have escalated.
    However, some international airlines were resuming services on Monday.

    Leading Asian carrier Singapore Airlines, which described the situation as “fluid”, was set to resume flying to Dubai on Monday after cancelling its Sunday flight from Singapore.

    Similarly, Flightradar24 departure boards show British Airways, owned by IAG, was set to resume Dubai and Doha flights on Monday after cancelling routes to and from those airports on Sunday.

    Air France KLM cancelled flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh on Sunday and Monday.

    With Russian and Ukrainian airspace also closed to most airlines due to years of war, the Middle East had become a more important route for flights between Europe and Asia. Amid missile and air strikes during the past 10 days, airlines have routed north via the Caspian Sea or south via Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

    Added to increased fuel and crew costs from these long detours and cancellations, carriers also face a potential hike in jet fuel costs as oil prices rise following the U.S. attacks.

    AIRSPACE RISKS

    Proliferating conflict zones are an increasing operational burden on airlines, as aerial attacks raise worries about accidental or deliberate shoot-downs of commercial air traffic.

    Location spoofing and GPS interference around political hotspots, where ground-based GPS systems broadcast incorrect positions which can send commercial airliners off course, are also a growing issue for commercial aviation.

    Flightradar24 told Reuters it had seen a “dramatic increase” in jamming and spoofing in recent days over the Persian Gulf. SkAI, a Swiss company that runs a GPS disruption map, late on Sunday said it had observed more than 150 aircraft spoofed in 24 hours there.

    Safe Airspace, a website run by OPSGROUP, a membership-based organisation that shares flight risk information, noted on Sunday that U.S. attacks on Iran’s nuclear sites could heighten the threat to American operators in the region.

    This could raise additional airspace risks in Gulf states like Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, it said.

    In the days before the U.S. strikes, American Airlines suspended flights to Qatar, and United Airlines and Air Canada did the same with flights to Dubai. They have yet to resume.

    While international airlines are shying away from the region, local carriers in Jordan, Lebanon and Iraq are tentatively resuming some flights after widespread cancellations.

    Israel is ramping up flights to help people return home, and leave. The country’s Airports Authority says that so-called rescue flights to the country would expand on Monday with 24 a day, although each flight would be limited to 50 passengers.

    From Monday, Israeli airlines will start to operate outbound flights from Israel, the authority said.

    Israeli airline El Al on Sunday said it had received applications to leave the country from about 25,000 people in about a day.

    (Reuters)

  • Tesla rolls out robotaxis in Texas test

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Tesla deployed a small group of self-driving taxis picking up paying passengers on Sunday in Austin, Texas, with CEO Elon Musk announcing the “robotaxi launch” and social-media influencers posting videos of their first rides.

    The event marked the first time Tesla cars without human drivers have carried paying riders, a business that Musk sees as crucial to the electric car maker’s financial future.

    He called the moment the “culmination of a decade of hard work” in a post on his social-media platform X and noted that “the AI chip and software teams were built from scratch within Tesla.”

    Teslas were spotted early Sunday in a neighborhood called South Congress with no one in the driver’s seat but one person in the passenger seat. The automaker planned a small trial with about 10 vehicles and front-seat riders acting as “safety monitors,” though it remained unclear how much control they had over the vehicles.

    In recent days, the automaker sent invites to a select group of influencers for a carefully monitored robotaxi trial in a limited zone. The rides are being offered for a flat fee of $4.20, Musk said on X.

    Tesla investor and social-media personality Sawyer Merritt posted videos on X Sunday afternoon showing him ordering getting picked up, and taking a ride to a nearby bar and restaurant, Frazier’s Long and Low, using a Tesla robotaxi app.

    If Tesla succeeds with the small deployment, it still faces major challenges in delivering on Musk’s promises to scale up quickly in Austin and other cities, industry experts say.

    It could take years or decades for Tesla and self-driving rivals, such as Alphabet’s Waymo, to fully develop a robotaxi industry, said Philip Koopman, a Carnegie Mellon University computer-engineering professor with expertise in autonomous-vehicle technology.

    A successful Austin trial for Tesla, he said, would be “the end of the beginning – not the beginning of the end.”
    Most of Tesla’s sky-high stock value now rests on its ability to deliver robotaxis and humanoid robots, according to many industry analysts. Tesla is by far the world’s most valuable automaker.

    As Tesla’s robotaxi-rollout date approached, Texas lawmakers moved to enact autonomous-vehicle rules. Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, on Friday signed legislation requiring a state permit to operate self-driving vehicles.

    The law, which takes effect September 1, signals that state officials from both parties want the driverless-vehicle industry to proceed cautiously.

    Tesla did not respond to requests for comment. The governor’s office declined to comment.

    “EASY TO GET, EASY TO LOSE”

    The law softens the state’s previous anti-regulation stance on autonomous vehicles. A 2017 Texas law specifically prohibited cities from regulating self-driving cars.

    The new law requires autonomous-vehicle operators to get approval from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles before operating on public streets without a human driver. It gives state authorities the power to revoke permits for operators they deem a public danger.

    The law also requires firms to provide information on how first responders can deal with their driverless vehicles in emergency situations.

    The law’s permit requirements for an “automated motor vehicle” are not onerous but require firms to attest their vehicles can operate legally and safely.

    It defines an automated vehicle as having at least “Level 4” autonomous-driving capability under a recognized standard, meaning it can operate with no human driver under specified conditions. Level 5 autonomy is the top level and means a car can drive itself anywhere, under any conditions.

    Compliance remains far easier than in some states, notably California, which requires submission of vehicle-testing data under state oversight.

    Bryant Walker Smith, a University of South Carolina law professor who focuses on autonomous driving, said it appears any company that meets minimum application requirements will get a Texas permit – but could also lose it if problems arise.

    “California permits are hard to get, easy to lose,” he said. “In Texas, the permit is easy to get and easy to lose.”

    MUSK’S SAFETY PLEDGES

    The Tesla robotaxi rollout comes after more than a decade of Musk’s unfulfilled promises to deliver self-driving Teslas.

    Musk has said Tesla would be “super paranoid” about robotaxi safety in Austin, including operating in limited areas.

    The service in Austin will have other restrictions as well. Tesla plans to avoid bad weather, difficult intersections, and will not carry anyone below age 18.

    Commercializing autonomous vehicles has been risky and expensive. GM’s Cruise was shut down after a serious accident. Regulators are closely watching Tesla and its rivals, Waymo and Amazon’s Zoox.

    Tesla is also bucking the young industry’s standard practice of relying on multiple technologies to read the road, using only cameras. That, Musk says, will be safe and much less expensive than lidar and radar systems added by rivals.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Regional Infrastructure Fund backs solar energy

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Three solar projects in regional New Zealand will receive loans of up to $28.1 million combined from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to ensure security of local energy supply and community resilience, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Energy Minister Simon Watts say.

    “The loans for these projects in Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay and Rakiura/Stewart Island will allow them to get under way this year, helping them to improve economic prosperity and resilience. They will also create up to 150 jobs during construction,” Mr Jones says.

    “These projects support the Coalition Government’s objective of doubling renewable energy generation by 2050 and enabling a more reliable and affordable electricity supply for regional New Zealand,” Mr Watts says.

    The three projects are:

    • Rakiura/Stewart Island – a suspensory loan of up to $15.35m to Southland District Council to build the first stage of a solar farm, and network upgrades, replacing high-cost, diesel-generated electricity for the island’s 494 permanent electricity connections
    • Ongaonga, Hawke’s Bay – a loan of up to $8m to local lines company Centralines Ltd to build a 35ha solar farm to generate 52GW annually and provide about 9000 electricity connections in Central Hawke’s Bay with a local source of generation
    • Te Kaha, Bay of Plenty – a loan of up to $4.75m to Te Huata Charitable Trust to build an 804kW-peak solar farm to ensure reliable electricity supply to about 320 homes and businesses.

    The Rakiura/Stewart Island project is expected to reduce diesel consumption by 200,000 litres within two years of beginning. During construction, about 40 high-skilled workers will be required.

    When complete, more competitive energy costs will help business growth on the island including in aquaculture, tourism and hospitality.

    The Ongaonga solar farm will improve electricity network resilience and support more competitive pricing for residents and commercial customers. Power could also be supplied to the national grid at peak generation. About 80-100 roles are expected to be needed during construction.

    The Te Kaha project will provide more reliable, competitively priced power for a Māori community that regularly suffers electricity outages. The solar farm battery will have storage capacity for up to 72 hours which will protect the community from power outages. Reliable power will also help the Ōpōtiki region with its bid to be an aquaculture centre of national significance. During construction, up to 12 people will be employed.

    “Solar power is playing an increasingly important role in increasing electricity generation in New Zealand. It will help us reach our renewable energy targets and bolster the security and affordability of our energy supply,” Mr Watts says.

    “The Government has been making great progress on a series of exciting new solar and battery initiatives recently. I look forward to seeing these three projects make a real difference for these communities.”

    Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson travelled to Rakiura for the announcement today. He said the project should lead to considerable savings for residents.

    “The Regional infrastructure Fund is contributing to energy security where communities cannot gain investment from other sources, and there are wider benefits for the communities,” Mr Patterson says.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: Boyuan Capital (investment platform under Bosch Group) and Galbot Forged JV

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BEIJING, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On June 17, 2025, Boyuan Capital (the market-oriented investment platform under the Bosch Group), announced a joint venture named BOYIN INNOVATION ALLIANCE with Galbot, a market leading innovator in building general-purpose humanoid robots powered by Embodied AI.

    The collaboration was officially unveiled at the “Open Bosch: Embodied AI Day” event on June 17. On the same day, Bosch China, Boyuan Capital, and Galbot signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly advance the R&D and commercialization of Embodied Intelligent Robotics.

    The joint venture will focus on industrial applications with Embodied AI in high-precision manufacturing—such as complex assembly— aiming at promoting the large-scale industrial deployment of Embodied AI and accelerating the global adoption of Embodied AI technologies. It will leverage Galbot’s proprietary Embodied AI technology, replace traditional rule-based and programmed automation deployment methods with Embodied AI models trained on real industrial scenario data, and develop next-generation intelligent robot systems for industrial scenarios. This initiative marks a significant milestone in transitioning Embodied AI from pilot testing to scaled industrial deployment, aligning with the global acceleration of smart manufacturing.

    Galbot: A pioneer in Embodied AI

    Galbot—recognized by The Information as one of the Top Asia Startups of 2024 has emerged as a leader in Embodied AI. Galbot is Founded in May 2023 by Prof. He Wang from Peking University, who gained his PhD from Stanford.

    At the event, Galbot demonstrated its Embodied AI robots, showcasing fully autonomous capabilities in complex automotive and retail scenarios. The live demonstrations received widespread acclaim from key partners, including Bosch China, BoYuan Capital and United Automotive Electronic Systems (UAES), underscoring the maturity of Galbot’s Embodied AI technologies.

    These demonstrations showcased the maturity of Galbot’s technology stack, which includes: End-to-End VLA (Vision-Language-Action) Large Models with strong generalization capabilities; A proprietary simulation dataset containing over 10 billion high-quality robotic action data points; Advanced hardware systems featuring high-precision control and scenario adaptability.

    Strategic Collaboration and Global Reach

    As a key early milestone, BOYIN INNOVATION ALLIANCE signed a memorandum of understanding with UAES to establish RoboFab, a joint laboratory dedicated to cultivating automotive-operations related expertise in Embodied AI and redefining industrialization.

    “Embodied AI holds transformative potential to redefine manufacturing processes. We’re already witnessing its remarkable capabilities across diverse production stages. Through this powerful synergy between Boyuan Capital and Galbot, we anticipate delivering commercially viable, scalable robotics solutions with real industry impact,” said Dr. Ingo Ramesohl, Managing Partner of Bosch Ventures.

    “The future of manufacturing lies in intelligent, adaptive systems that can learn from real-world data,” said Professor He Wang, founder of Galbot. “Through this collaboration with Bosch and Boyuan Capital, we’re building an end-to-end value chain that will deliver globally competitive Embodied AI solutions for smart manufacturing.”

    The joint venture adopts a “global design, local production” strategy, positioning it to serve key international markets including Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia.

    Industry analysts view this collaboration as a significant development in the Embodied AI sector, potentially accelerating the industrialization of AI-driven robot system in manufacturing. The partnership brings together complementary strengths: Bosch’s industrial experience, Boyuan’s financial resources and eco-system, and Galbot’s technological innovations in Embodied AI.

    Contact Person: Xiaokang Li
    Email: business@galbot.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8ba8b74d-508b-4a6f-b65f-3dc9bb26b9fa

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Boyuan Capital (investment platform under Bosch Group) and Galbot Forged JV

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    BEIJING, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On June 17, 2025, Boyuan Capital (the market-oriented investment platform under the Bosch Group), announced a joint venture named BOYIN INNOVATION ALLIANCE with Galbot, a market leading innovator in building general-purpose humanoid robots powered by Embodied AI.

    The collaboration was officially unveiled at the “Open Bosch: Embodied AI Day” event on June 17. On the same day, Bosch China, Boyuan Capital, and Galbot signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly advance the R&D and commercialization of Embodied Intelligent Robotics.

    The joint venture will focus on industrial applications with Embodied AI in high-precision manufacturing—such as complex assembly— aiming at promoting the large-scale industrial deployment of Embodied AI and accelerating the global adoption of Embodied AI technologies. It will leverage Galbot’s proprietary Embodied AI technology, replace traditional rule-based and programmed automation deployment methods with Embodied AI models trained on real industrial scenario data, and develop next-generation intelligent robot systems for industrial scenarios. This initiative marks a significant milestone in transitioning Embodied AI from pilot testing to scaled industrial deployment, aligning with the global acceleration of smart manufacturing.

    Galbot: A pioneer in Embodied AI

    Galbot—recognized by The Information as one of the Top Asia Startups of 2024 has emerged as a leader in Embodied AI. Galbot is Founded in May 2023 by Prof. He Wang from Peking University, who gained his PhD from Stanford.

    At the event, Galbot demonstrated its Embodied AI robots, showcasing fully autonomous capabilities in complex automotive and retail scenarios. The live demonstrations received widespread acclaim from key partners, including Bosch China, BoYuan Capital and United Automotive Electronic Systems (UAES), underscoring the maturity of Galbot’s Embodied AI technologies.

    These demonstrations showcased the maturity of Galbot’s technology stack, which includes: End-to-End VLA (Vision-Language-Action) Large Models with strong generalization capabilities; A proprietary simulation dataset containing over 10 billion high-quality robotic action data points; Advanced hardware systems featuring high-precision control and scenario adaptability.

    Strategic Collaboration and Global Reach

    As a key early milestone, BOYIN INNOVATION ALLIANCE signed a memorandum of understanding with UAES to establish RoboFab, a joint laboratory dedicated to cultivating automotive-operations related expertise in Embodied AI and redefining industrialization.

    “Embodied AI holds transformative potential to redefine manufacturing processes. We’re already witnessing its remarkable capabilities across diverse production stages. Through this powerful synergy between Boyuan Capital and Galbot, we anticipate delivering commercially viable, scalable robotics solutions with real industry impact,” said Dr. Ingo Ramesohl, Managing Partner of Bosch Ventures.

    “The future of manufacturing lies in intelligent, adaptive systems that can learn from real-world data,” said Professor He Wang, founder of Galbot. “Through this collaboration with Bosch and Boyuan Capital, we’re building an end-to-end value chain that will deliver globally competitive Embodied AI solutions for smart manufacturing.”

    The joint venture adopts a “global design, local production” strategy, positioning it to serve key international markets including Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia.

    Industry analysts view this collaboration as a significant development in the Embodied AI sector, potentially accelerating the industrialization of AI-driven robot system in manufacturing. The partnership brings together complementary strengths: Bosch’s industrial experience, Boyuan’s financial resources and eco-system, and Galbot’s technological innovations in Embodied AI.

    Contact Person: Xiaokang Li
    Email: business@galbot.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8ba8b74d-508b-4a6f-b65f-3dc9bb26b9fa

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: US advises overseas citizens to exercise increased caution

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

    The U.S. State Department on Sunday issued a Worldwide Caution Security Alert, advising U.S. citizens overseas to exercise increased caution.

    “The conflict between Israel and Iran has resulted in disruptions to travel and periodic closure of airspace across the Middle East,” said the notice posted on the State Department’s website.

    “There is the potential for demonstrations against U.S. citizens and interests abroad. The Department of State advises U.S. citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution,” it said.

    The United States struck three key nuclear facilities in Iran on Saturday, claiming that it had obliterated Iran’s nuclear program.

    Late Saturday night, U.S. President Donald Trump warned that any retaliation by Iran against the United States “will be met with force far greater than what was witnessed tonight.”

    The State Department last week warned U.S. travelers not to travel to Israel, Gaza and the West Bank because of armed conflict, terrorism and civil unrest.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: 35/2025・Trifork Group: Weekly report on share buyback

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company announcement no. 35 / 2025
    Schindellegi, Switzerland – 23 June 2025

    Trifork Group: Weekly report on share buyback

    On 28 February 2025, Trifork initiated a share buyback program in accordance with Regulation No. 596/2014 of the European Parliament and Council of 16 April 2014 (MAR) and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052, (Safe Harbour regulation). The share buyback program runs from 4 March 2025 up to and including no later than 30 June 2025. For details, please see company announcement no. 7 of 28 February 2025.

    Under the share buyback program, Trifork will purchase shares for up to a total of DKK 14.92 million (approximately EUR 2 million). Prior to the launch of the share buyback, Trifork held 256,329 treasury shares, corresponding to 1.3% of the share capital. Under the program, the following transactions have been made:

            Number of shares        Average purchase price (DKK)        Transaction value (DKK)
    Total beginning 112,959 88.15 9,957,628
    16 June 2025 1,900 97.64 185,516
    17 June 2025 1,900 97.59 185,421
    18 June 2025 1,900 97.62 185,478
    19 June 2025 1,900 98.49 187,131
    20 June 2025 1,900 97.32 184,908
    Accumulated 122,459 88.90 10,886,082

    A detailed overview of the daily transactions can be found here: https://investor.trifork.com/trifork-shares/

    Since the share buyback program was started on 4 March 2025, the total number of repurchased shares is 122,459 at a total amount of DKK 10,886,082.
    On 25 March, 25 April and 23 May 2025, 4,370 shares acquired through the share buyback program were utilized for the Executive Management’s monthly fixed salary, representing a change from cash payment to payment partly in shares (refer to company announcement no. 1 of 21 January 2025). On 1 April 2025, 19,943 shares acquired through the share buyback program were utilized to serve the RSU plan of Executive Management and certain employees.

    With the transactions stated above, Trifork holds a total of 354,475 treasury shares, corresponding to 1.8%. The total number of registered shares in Trifork is 19,744,899. Adjusted for treasury shares, the number of outstanding shares is 19,390,424.


    Investor and media contact
    Frederik Svanholm, Group Investment Director, frsv@trifork.com, +41 79 357 73 17

    About Trifork
    Trifork (Nasdaq Copenhagen: TRIFOR) is a pioneering global technology company, empowering enterprise and public sector customers with innovative digital products and solutions. With 1,215 professionals across 71 business units in 16 countries, Trifork specializes in designing, building, and operating advanced software across sectors such as public administration, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, energy, financial services, retail, and real estate. The Group’s R&D arm, Trifork Labs, drives innovation by investing in and developing synergistic, high-potential technology companies. Learn more at trifork.com.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: 35/2025・Trifork Group: Weekly report on share buyback

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company announcement no. 35 / 2025
    Schindellegi, Switzerland – 23 June 2025

    Trifork Group: Weekly report on share buyback

    On 28 February 2025, Trifork initiated a share buyback program in accordance with Regulation No. 596/2014 of the European Parliament and Council of 16 April 2014 (MAR) and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052, (Safe Harbour regulation). The share buyback program runs from 4 March 2025 up to and including no later than 30 June 2025. For details, please see company announcement no. 7 of 28 February 2025.

    Under the share buyback program, Trifork will purchase shares for up to a total of DKK 14.92 million (approximately EUR 2 million). Prior to the launch of the share buyback, Trifork held 256,329 treasury shares, corresponding to 1.3% of the share capital. Under the program, the following transactions have been made:

            Number of shares        Average purchase price (DKK)        Transaction value (DKK)
    Total beginning 112,959 88.15 9,957,628
    16 June 2025 1,900 97.64 185,516
    17 June 2025 1,900 97.59 185,421
    18 June 2025 1,900 97.62 185,478
    19 June 2025 1,900 98.49 187,131
    20 June 2025 1,900 97.32 184,908
    Accumulated 122,459 88.90 10,886,082

    A detailed overview of the daily transactions can be found here: https://investor.trifork.com/trifork-shares/

    Since the share buyback program was started on 4 March 2025, the total number of repurchased shares is 122,459 at a total amount of DKK 10,886,082.
    On 25 March, 25 April and 23 May 2025, 4,370 shares acquired through the share buyback program were utilized for the Executive Management’s monthly fixed salary, representing a change from cash payment to payment partly in shares (refer to company announcement no. 1 of 21 January 2025). On 1 April 2025, 19,943 shares acquired through the share buyback program were utilized to serve the RSU plan of Executive Management and certain employees.

    With the transactions stated above, Trifork holds a total of 354,475 treasury shares, corresponding to 1.8%. The total number of registered shares in Trifork is 19,744,899. Adjusted for treasury shares, the number of outstanding shares is 19,390,424.


    Investor and media contact
    Frederik Svanholm, Group Investment Director, frsv@trifork.com, +41 79 357 73 17

    About Trifork
    Trifork (Nasdaq Copenhagen: TRIFOR) is a pioneering global technology company, empowering enterprise and public sector customers with innovative digital products and solutions. With 1,215 professionals across 71 business units in 16 countries, Trifork specializes in designing, building, and operating advanced software across sectors such as public administration, healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, energy, financial services, retail, and real estate. The Group’s R&D arm, Trifork Labs, drives innovation by investing in and developing synergistic, high-potential technology companies. Learn more at trifork.com.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: ASEAN Mineral Awards 2024

    Source: ASEAN

    ASEAN Set to Honour Mining Excellence at 4th ASEAN Mineral Awards in Lao PDR

     
    The spotlight will soon shine on the region’s mining sector as ASEAN prepares to honour top-performing companies in the 4th ASEAN Mineral Awards (AMA), to be announced during the 10th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Minerals (AMMin) in the week of 29 September 2025 in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
     
    Held biennially, the AMA recognises excellence in environmentally and socially responsible mining and minerals processing practices across Southeast Asia. The prestigious awards ceremony will take place during the AMMin Gala Dinner, a highlight of the ASEAN minerals calendar.
     
    The awards celebrate companies that have demonstrated significant contributions to sustainable development in the sector—ranging from community upliftment and workforce development, to improved resource efficiency and enhanced environmental, health and safety standards.
     
    Six awards will be given across two mineral categories:
     
    Metallic Minerals:

    Best Practices in Mining
    Best Practices in Processing (including smelting)
    Best Practices in Distribution (including transport, handling, storage)

     
    Non-metallic Minerals:

    Best Practices in Mining
    Best Practices in Processing
    Best Practices in Distribution

     
    Launched in 2017, the AMA has become a key platform for recognising regional excellence. While the first and second editions were held in 2017 and 2019 respectively, the third edition—originally planned for 2021—was postponed to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
     
    In addition to the awards, ASEAN will unveil a special AMA Handbook showcasing the achievements of winners and finalists. The publication will document real-world examples of best practices in the region’s minerals sector, serving as a reference and inspiration for future innovation.
     
    Applicants and stakeholders are encouraged to consult the official guidelines and contact their respective ASEAN Member State Focal Points for national nomination timelines and submission procedures.
     
    —

    The post ASEAN Mineral Awards 2024 appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How do I get started in the gym lifting weights?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mandy Hagstrom, Senior Lecturer, Exercise Physiology. School of Health Sciences, UNSW Sydney

    Thomas Barwick/Getty

    So you’ve never been to a gym and are keen to start, but something’s holding you back. Perhaps you don’t know what to actually do in there or feel like you’ll just look stupid in front of everyone. Maybe you’re worried about injuring yourself.

    It’s OK. Everyone starts somewhere. I did, too.

    Resistance exercise (such as weight lifting) is really good for your health. Benefits include a reduced risk of osteoporosis-related fractures, reduced risk factors for chronic diseases such as diabetes, better sleep, improved mental health and, of course, stronger and bigger muscles.

    So, how do people get started in the gym? Here’s what you need to know, and what the research says.

    Worried about injury?

    Don’t be. It’s probably less risky than lots of other forms of exercise you might already do or did in the past.

    Team sports such as rugby and soccer, and strength-based sports such as powerlifting, weightlifting, and cross fit all have similar injury rates. They’re all in the vicinity of three to four injuries per 1,000 hours of participation.

    Going to the gym has almost half this rate of injuries, at about 1.8 per 1,000 hours.

    Let’s put that into context.

    If you go to the gym three times per week for a one-hour session – and you do that every week of the year – you achieve approximately 156 hours of resistance training exercise a year.

    So if the injury rate is about 1.8 injuries per 1,000 hours, that means that you could exercise for years in the gym without even a little niggle!

    Some groups, such as young men under 40, may be at a greater risk of injury in the gym. So if that’s you, you may want to be a little more conscious about how fast you progress, and the types of exercises you do in the gym.

    Compare these injury risk stats to the known risks of sedentary lifestyles, and the worry should go out the door.

    In short, it’s a lot more dangerous to be sedentary than it is to go to the gym.

    OK, how do I get started?

    It’s fine to begin with what you feel most comfortable with. You don’t have to go straight to a ridiculously complex or challenging program.

    However, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to put in the effort!

    Most gyms can start you off by designing a workout program for you (you might have to pay for a personal training session). If you have a medical condition, find an accredited exercise physiologist. They’re trained to help you exercise safely.

    It’s OK to start with gym machines, which are designed to make it easier to keep your movements consistent.

    But keep your mind open about trying the free weights section (where the dumbbells, barbells and mirrors are). Benefits from this type of training may vary from what you get via machines.

    That’s because a lot of the moves you do with free weights are what’s called compound exercises, meaning they work a lot of muscles and joints together at the same time. They’re really good for you. Examples of compound exercises include:

    • squats
    • lunges
    • deadlifts
    • bench presses
    • hip thrusts
    • kettle bell swings.
    Most gyms can connect you with a trainer to show you what to do.
    PeopleImages.com – Yuri A/Shutterstock

    How much should I do in the gym?

    Standard government physical activity recommendations state you should do muscle strengthening twice per week.

    If you are new to the gym, you can make progress with a minimalist approach. For example, you may choose to only lift once or twice per week, compared with many seasoned gym-goers who might lift four or five times per week.

    Recent research shows even those people already consistently lifting in a gym can maintain or slowly improve by doing just two sessions per week, in which each exercise is only performed for one set and the whole session lasts just 30 minutes or so.

    So if you can stick to one hour per week (made up of two challenging half-hour sessions) then you will still be making progress.

    How do I make my habit stick?

    Sticking to the habit after the novelty has worn off is where many come unstuck.

    Some research suggests it takes six weeks to form a gym habit, and that the more frequent the attendance in those first six weeks, the more likely the habit will stick.

    At the one-year mark, the biggest predictor of regular attendance (defined as twice per week) was enjoyment. This was followed closely by the concept of self-efficacy (believing in yourself and your ability to stick to it), and social support.

    This is really important.

    Find what you like about the gym. Train the way that you enjoy. Find a friend to join the gym with. That will help you create the habit.

    From there, you can progress the types and intensity of gym exercises you do.

    It’s OK if it’s hard at first.
    I love photo/Shutterstock

    I feel like a duck out of water

    Every gym-goer felt this at first. I did too.

    The confusion about which bit of the machine to sit on, pull, or push, is a tad overwhelming.

    The sense of security in sticking to the familiar, shying away from the free weight area.

    Remember: everyone is there to improve themselves and is on their own journey.

    Most people won’t even notice that you are there, and most experienced gym-goers will be delighted to help if you’re unsure.

    If that’s not your experience at your local gym, perhaps look for a new and more welcoming environment. Not all gyms and gym cultures are created equal.

    Mandy Hagstrom is affiliated with Sports Oracle, a company that delivers the International Olympic Committee diploma in Strength and Conditioning.

    – ref. How do I get started in the gym lifting weights? – https://theconversation.com/how-do-i-get-started-in-the-gym-lifting-weights-258291

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: MIT researchers say using ChatGPT can rot your brain. The truth is a little more complicated

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vitomir Kovanovic, Associate Professor and Associate Director of the Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning (C3L), Education Futures, University of South Australia

    Rroselavy / Shutterstock

    Since ChatGPT appeared almost three years ago, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies on learning has been widely debated. Are they handy tools for personalised education, or gateways to academic dishonesty?

    Most importantly, there has been concern that using AI will lead to a widespread “dumbing down”, or decline in the ability to think critically. If students use AI tools too early, the argument goes, they may not develop basic skills for critical thinking and problem-solving.

    Is that really the case? According to a recent study by scientists from MIT, it appears so. Using ChatGPT to help write essays, the researchers say, can lead to “cognitive debt” and a “likely decrease in learning skills”.

    So what did the study find?

    The difference between using AI and the brain alone

    Over the course of four months, the MIT team asked 54 adults to write a series of three essays using either AI (ChatGPT), a search engine, or their own brains (“brain-only” group). The team measured cognitive engagement by examining electrical activity in the brain and through linguistic analysis of the essays.

    The cognitive engagement of those who used AI was significantly lower than the other two groups. This group also had a harder time recalling quotes from their essays and felt a lower sense of ownership over them.

    Interestingly, participants switched roles for a final, fourth essay (the brain-only group used AI and vice versa). The AI-to-brain group performed worse and had engagement that was only slightly better than the other group’s during their first session, far below the engagement of the brain-only group in their third session.

    The authors claim this demonstrates how prolonged use of AI led to participants accumulating “cognitive debt”. When they finally had the opportunity to use their brains, they were unable to replicate the engagement or perform as well as the other two groups.

    Cautiously, the authors note that only 18 participants (six per condition) completed the fourth, final session. Therefore, the findings are preliminary and require further testing.

    Does this really show AI makes us stupider?

    These results do not necessarily mean that students who used AI accumulated “cognitive debt”. In our view, the findings are due to the particular design of the study.

    The change in neural connectivity of the brain-only group over the first three sessions was likely the result of becoming more familiar with the study task, a phenomenon known as the familiarisation effect. As study participants repeat the task, they become more familiar and efficient, and their cognitive strategy adapts accordingly.

    When the AI group finally got to “use their brains”, they were only doing the task once. As a result, they were unable to match the other group’s experience. They achieved only slightly better engagement than the brain-only group during the first session.

    To fully justify the researchers’ claims, the AI-to-brain participants would also need to complete three writing sessions without AI.

    Similarly, the fact the brain-to-AI group used ChatGPT more productively and strategically is likely due to the nature of the fourth writing task, which required writing an essay on one of the previous three topics.

    As writing without AI required more substantial engagement, they had a far better recall of what they had written in the past. Hence, they primarily used AI to search for new information and refine what they had previously written.

    What are the implications of AI in assessment?

    To understand the current situation with AI, we can look back to what happened when calculators first became available.

    Back in the 1970s, their impact was regulated by making exams much harder. Instead of doing calculations by hand, students were expected to use calculators and spend their cognitive efforts on more complex tasks.

    Effectively, the bar was significantly raised, which made students work equally hard (if not harder) than before calculators were available.

    The challenge with AI is that, for the most part, educators have not raised the bar in a way that makes AI a necessary part of the process. Educators still require students to complete the same tasks and expect the same standard of work as they did five years ago.

    In such situations, AI can indeed be detrimental. Students can for the most part offload critical engagement with learning to AI, which results in “metacognitive laziness”.

    However, just like calculators, AI can and should help us accomplish tasks that were previously impossible – and still require significant engagement. For example, we might ask teaching students to use AI to produce a detailed lesson plan, which will then be evaluated for quality and pedagogical soundness in an oral examination.

    In the MIT study, participants who used AI were producing the “same old” essays. They adjusted their engagement to deliver the standard of work expected of them.

    The same would happen if students were asked to perform complex calculations with or without a calculator. The group doing calculations by hand would sweat, while those with calculators would barely blink an eye.

    Learning how to use AI

    Current and future generations need to be able to think critically and creatively and solve problems. However, AI is changing what these things mean.

    Producing essays with pen and paper is no longer a demonstration of critical thinking ability, just as doing long division is no longer a demonstration of numeracy.

    Knowing when, where and how to use AI is the key to long-term success and skill development. Prioritising which tasks can be offloaded to an AI to reduce cognitive debt is just as important as understanding which tasks require genuine creativity and critical thinking.

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

    – ref. MIT researchers say using ChatGPT can rot your brain. The truth is a little more complicated – https://theconversation.com/mit-researchers-say-using-chatgpt-can-rot-your-brain-the-truth-is-a-little-more-complicated-259450

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • Indian stock market trades lower amid Middle East crisis

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian equity markets opened on a weak note Monday, tracking negative global cues as escalating tensions in the Middle East weighed on investor sentiment. Early trade witnessed selling pressure across key sectors, including IT and auto.

    As of 9:30 am, the BSE Sensex was down by 677.10 points or 0.82%, trading at 81,731.07. The NSE Nifty declined by 204.60 points or 0.81%, settling at 24,907.75.

    The Nifty Bank index also traded lower, shedding 387.75 points or 0.69% to reach 55,865.10. Meanwhile, the Nifty Midcap 100 dropped 219.45 points or 0.38% to 57,776.05, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 slipped 45.25 points or 0.25% to 18,148.95.

    According to market analysts, the worsening geopolitical crisis—triggered by reports of the US bombing three of Iran’s nuclear facilities—is unlikely to have a deep, long-term impact on the markets unless the situation escalates significantly.

    “If Iran targets and damages US defence facilities in the region or seriously harms US military personnel, Washington’s response could be massive and might aggravate the crisis. However, the current market view is that Iran’s ability to retaliate meaningfully against the US and Israel is limited,” said Dr. V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

    He added that the closure of the strategic Hormuz Strait would likely hurt Iran and its ally China more than others, reinforcing a market outlook that still supports a “buy on dips” approach.

    Among the Sensex constituents, major laggards included Infosys, HCL Tech, Hindustan Unilever, TCS, Asian Paints, Power Grid, Reliance, and ITC. On the other hand, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharti Airtel, and Trent were among the top gainers.

    Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) continued their buying streak for the fourth consecutive day on June 20, purchasing equities worth ₹7,940.70 crore. In contrast, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹3,049.88 crore during the same session.

    “We expect our markets to open lower in reaction to global developments but may attempt to recover from the initial losses. Immediate resistance is seen at 25,222, while support has moved up to 24,800,” said Devarsh Vakil, Head of Prime Research at HDFC Securities.

    Asian markets also reflected the cautious mood, with indices in Bangkok, Japan, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Jakarta trading in the red. Only China bucked the trend by trading in the green.

    On Wall Street, the Dow Jones closed at 42,206.82 on Friday, gaining 35.16 points or 0.08%. The S&P 500 fell by 13.03 points or 0.22% to 5,967.84, while the Nasdaq declined by 98.86 points or 0.51% to end at 19,447.41.

    — IANS

  • Indian stock market trades lower amid Middle East crisis

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian equity markets opened on a weak note Monday, tracking negative global cues as escalating tensions in the Middle East weighed on investor sentiment. Early trade witnessed selling pressure across key sectors, including IT and auto.

    As of 9:30 am, the BSE Sensex was down by 677.10 points or 0.82%, trading at 81,731.07. The NSE Nifty declined by 204.60 points or 0.81%, settling at 24,907.75.

    The Nifty Bank index also traded lower, shedding 387.75 points or 0.69% to reach 55,865.10. Meanwhile, the Nifty Midcap 100 dropped 219.45 points or 0.38% to 57,776.05, and the Nifty Smallcap 100 slipped 45.25 points or 0.25% to 18,148.95.

    According to market analysts, the worsening geopolitical crisis—triggered by reports of the US bombing three of Iran’s nuclear facilities—is unlikely to have a deep, long-term impact on the markets unless the situation escalates significantly.

    “If Iran targets and damages US defence facilities in the region or seriously harms US military personnel, Washington’s response could be massive and might aggravate the crisis. However, the current market view is that Iran’s ability to retaliate meaningfully against the US and Israel is limited,” said Dr. V.K. Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services.

    He added that the closure of the strategic Hormuz Strait would likely hurt Iran and its ally China more than others, reinforcing a market outlook that still supports a “buy on dips” approach.

    Among the Sensex constituents, major laggards included Infosys, HCL Tech, Hindustan Unilever, TCS, Asian Paints, Power Grid, Reliance, and ITC. On the other hand, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharti Airtel, and Trent were among the top gainers.

    Foreign institutional investors (FIIs) continued their buying streak for the fourth consecutive day on June 20, purchasing equities worth ₹7,940.70 crore. In contrast, domestic institutional investors (DIIs) offloaded equities worth ₹3,049.88 crore during the same session.

    “We expect our markets to open lower in reaction to global developments but may attempt to recover from the initial losses. Immediate resistance is seen at 25,222, while support has moved up to 24,800,” said Devarsh Vakil, Head of Prime Research at HDFC Securities.

    Asian markets also reflected the cautious mood, with indices in Bangkok, Japan, Seoul, Hong Kong, and Jakarta trading in the red. Only China bucked the trend by trading in the green.

    On Wall Street, the Dow Jones closed at 42,206.82 on Friday, gaining 35.16 points or 0.08%. The S&P 500 fell by 13.03 points or 0.22% to 5,967.84, while the Nasdaq declined by 98.86 points or 0.51% to end at 19,447.41.

    — IANS

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Overseas investment decisions twice as fast

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Associate Minister of Finance David Seymour is encouraged to see overseas investment decisions being made twice as fast following his Ministerial directive letter (the letter) to Land Information New Zealand (LINZ). 

    “Last year I issued a Ministerial directive letter setting out my expectations for faster consent processing timeframes under the Overseas Investment Act (the Act),” Mr Seymour says. 

    “The letter set my expectation that LINZ, the regulator for the Act, will process 80 per cent of consent applications in half the statutory timeframes for decisions. 

    “The financial year beginning 1 July 2024 is on track to meet my expectations. So far, LINZ has been processing 88 per cent of consent applications in half the statutory timeframe. 

    “Since this financial year began, processing times have reduced by 39 per cent faster than the previous financial year. The average timeframe has reduced from 71 working days in the last financial year, to 28 working days this financial year. 

    “The improvements to processing times are largely owed to the new risk-based approach LINZ take to verifying information and streamlining consent processes. This recognises that the majority of consent applications are low-risk and should be processed more efficiently.

    “1 July 2024 to 19 June 2025 saw 122 applications for overseas investment, decreasing from 146 in the financial year prior (both figures exclude ‘only home to live in’ applications). The decrease is explained by a significant drop in applications for residential land development due to poor property market conditions. I expect these numbers to bounce back with the rise of the property market.

    “In order to have a strong growing economy New Zealand needs to be more welcoming to investment. Long waiting times for applications was creating uncertainty and impacting the attractiveness of investing in New Zealand. This affected New Zealand businesses that rely on overseas investment for capital or for liquidity.

    “Since delegating most decision-making to LINZ and directing officials to focus on realising the benefits of overseas investment, there has been a significant improvement in processing times.

    “Feedback from investors has been overwhelmingly positive, and they have welcomed the changes to make the application process more efficient, while still giving the right level of scrutiny to high-risk transactions.

    “LINZ still has the full statutory timeframe to process 20 per cent of consent applications, which will allow them to manage complex and higher-risk applications.

    “This week will see the first reading of thee Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill as well.

    “The Bill will consolidate and simplify the screening process for less sensitive assets, introducing a modified national interest test that will enable the regulator to triage low-risk transactions, replacing the existing benefit to New Zealand test and investor test. If a national interest risk is identified, the regulator and relevant Minister will have a range of tools to manage this, including through imposing conditions or blocking the transaction. 

    The current screening requirements will stay in place for investments in farmland and fishing quota.

    “New Zealand has been turning away opportunities for growth for too long. Having one of the most restrictive overseas investment regimes in the OECD means we’ve paid the price in lost opportunities, lower productivity, and stagnant wages. This Bill is about reversing that.   

    “For all investments aside from residential land, farmland and fishing quota, decisions must be made in 15 days, unless the application could be contrary to New Zealand’s national interest. In contrast, the current timeframe in the Regulations for the benefit test is 70 days, and the average time taken for decisions to be made is 30 days for this test,” says Mr Seymour.

    “International investment is critical to ensuring economic growth. It provides access to capital and technology that grows New Zealand businesses, enhances productivity, and supports high paying jobs.

    The Bill can be read here: Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill 171-1 (2025), Government Bill Contents – New Zealand Legislation

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Applications open for Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fellowships and Scholarships for Overseas Studies 2026/27

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund Council:

    The Sir Edward Youde Memorial (SEYM) Fund Council announced today (June 23) that applications for the SEYM Fellowships and Scholarships for Overseas Studies and the SEYM Overseas Fellowship/Scholarship for Disabled Students for the 2026/27 academic year are now open. The closing date for applications is September 5, 2025.

    The fellowships and scholarships aim at encouraging outstanding students to pursue further studies in renowned institutions overseas. Awardees should aspire to contribute to Hong Kong and be ready to give back to the community upon graduation.

    The fellowships are for overseas studies leading to postgraduate degrees either by research or coursework. The maximum value of a fellowship is HK$300,000 per year, tenable for up to three years for a doctoral degree or two years for a master’s degree. The scholarships are for overseas studies leading to undergraduate degrees. The maximum value of a scholarship is HK$280,000 per year, tenable for up to three years.

    The applicants will be responsible for fulfilling all application procedures and admission requirements of the academic institutions of their choice.

    Information notes for the applications are available on the website of the Student Finance Office of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency (www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/en/resources/forms/form.htm). Applicants should submit the completed form through the GovHK website (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/sfo031/en/). For details, please visit the website of the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund (www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/sfo/seymf/en/whatwedo/index.htm), or call (852) 2150 6097 or (852) 2150 6098.

    Shortlisted applicants of the Fellowships and Scholarships for Overseas Studies will be invited to attend interviews in Hong Kong. The first round of interviews is scheduled for December 2025 or January 2026. If found suitable, applicants will be invited for a final interview to be held in January or February 2026. For the Overseas Fellowship/Scholarship for Disabled Students, shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in Hong Kong in January or February 2026.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Global Electronics Association Debuts; New Name Elevates IPC’s 70-Year Legacy as Voice of $6 Trillion Electronics Industry

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Electronics Standards and Certifications Leader Unveils New Vision and Mission for Supply Chain Harmonization and Advocacy, Releases Global Trade Flows Study

    BANNOCKBURN, Ill., June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today begins a new chapter for IPC as it officially becomes the Global Electronics Association, reflecting its role as the voice of the electronics industry. Guided by the vision of “Better electronics for a better world,” the Global Electronics Association (electronics.org) is dedicated to enhancing supply chain resilience and promoting accelerated growth through engagement with more than 3,000 member companies, thousands of partners, and dozens of governments across the globe.

    “The Board’s support and approval of this transformation shows our collective recognition that the electronics industry has fundamentally changed. The Association has expanded well beyond its beginning in printed circuit boards – we’re enabling AI, autonomous vehicles, next-generation communications, and much more,” said Tom Edman, board chair of the Global Electronics Association and president and CEO of TTM Technologies. “As we chart our path forward with our new name, we will continue and elevate our efforts to build partnerships between governments and industries, foster new investment, drive innovation across the industry, and minimize disruptions in the electronics supply chain.”

    As part of its new mission, the Association is increasing resources to strengthen advocacy, deepen industry insights, and enhance stakeholder communications — all aimed at advancing and elevating the electronics industry. To champion a resilient and growing supply chain, the Association represents the entire ecosystem of diverse subsectors that contribute to this complex industry.

    “Electronics today are the backbone of all industries, which makes its supply chain crucial to economies, governments, and everyday life,” said Dr. John W. Mitchell, president and CEO of the Global Electronics Association. “Our new mission and vision position us to work more deeply with industry and our members globally to advocate for the importance of electronics in our continuously changing world.”

    The Global Electronics Association will retain the IPC brand for the industry’s standards and certification programs, which are vital to ensure product reliability and consistency. The IPC Education Foundation is now known as the Electronics Foundation, continuing to focus on solving the talent challenges for the electronics industry.

    Global Electronics Trade Flows
    The Global Electronics Association also released a trade flows study of the global electronics industry, which now represents more than $1 in every $5 of global merchandise trade.

    Key findings include:

    • Electronics supply chains are more globally integrated than any other industry, surpassing even the automotive sector in cross-border complexity.
    • Trade inputs like semiconductors and connectors now exceed trade in finished products such as smartphones and laptops, with global electronics trade totaling $4.5 trillion in 2023, including $2.5 trillion in components alone.
    • Top exporters such as China, Vietnam, and India are among the fastest-growing importers of electronic inputs, underscoring the deep interdependence embedded in global electronics production.
    • This mutual reliance challenges the viability of reshoring and decoupling strategies, as rising export powers depend on components from across the world.

    Mitchell concluded: “Our trade flows analysis reinforces that resilience, not self-sufficiency, is the foundation of competitiveness in the electronics age. No single company or country can stand alone. The complexities of the electronics ecosystem require collaboration and partnership with others. The Global Electronics Association is here to help create a vital and thriving global electronics supply chain through industry, government, and stakeholder collaboration.”

    Global Operations Supporting Entire Value Chain
    The electronics value chain supported by the Global Electronics Association – from design to final product – encompasses original equipment manufacturers, semiconductors, printed circuit boards, assembly and manufacturing services, harnesses, materials, and equipment suppliers. The Association has operations in Belgium, China, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Taiwan, and the United States, and a presence across dozens more countries to support its members.

    About the Global Electronics Association
    The Global Electronics Association is the voice of the electronics industry, working with thousands of members and partners to build a more resilient supply chain and drive sustainable growth. We advocate for fair trade, smart regulation, and regional manufacturing, and educate on industry practices, actionable intelligence and technical innovations to empower the future. The Association collaborates with governments and companies worldwide to advance a trusted and prosperous electronics industry. Formerly known as IPC, the organization serves a $6 trillion market and operates from offices across Asia-Pacific, Europe and North and South America. Learn more at www.electronics.org.

    Contact:
    Michelle Leff Mermelstein
    Michellemermelstein@electronics.org  
    + 1 202-661-8092 

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d245e078-4a14-42eb-b999-a98d2c7cdb94

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: NZ’s plan to ‘welcome anyone, from anywhere, anytime’ is not a sustainable tourism policy

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Regina Scheyvens, Professor of Development Studies, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

    Getty Images

    Attracting more Chinese tourists to New Zealand, including during the off-season, was a major part of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s trade agenda during his visit to China last week. As Tourism Minister Louise Upston put it: “we welcome anyone, from anywhere, anytime”.

    It’s all part of the government’s plan to “turbocharge” the tourism sector with an additional NZ$13.5 million for marketing this year. The hope is this will help double the value of tourism as an export earner by 2034.

    The China visit built on the government’s Tourism Growth Roadmap which aims to attract 3.89 million visitors by 2026, and 4.78 million by 2030-34.

    Ironically, the release of the roadmap coincided with unprecedented, organised push-back against mass tourism across southern Europe this month. Fed up with the economic and cultural impact of too much “touristification”, residents of popular cities and islands in Italy, Portugal and Spain took part in coordinated protests, some even spraying tourists with water pistols.

    Before COVID upended international tourism in 2020, similar serious concerns were voiced in New Zealand about environmental degradation, crowding and congestion, and declining public support for tourism.

    But the plan to turbocharge tourism specifically aims to return international visitor arrivals to pre-COVID levels.

    From destination management to marketing

    As part of the government’s Tourism Boost Package, money generated by the International Visitor Levy (IVL) will be spent driving demand in Australia and elsewhere over the next two years.

    But this use of the visitor levy (which was raised to $100 in October last year) seems at odds with its stated purpose. According to New Zealand Immigration, “The IVL is your contribution to maintaining the facilities and natural environment you will use and enjoy during your stay”.

    Visitor levy revenue was strategically intended to support tourism regions to protect their natural environments and maintain crucial infrastructure.

    Diverting visitor levy income to fund overall tourism growth also seems to turn a deaf ear to the 2020 interim report from the Tourism Futures Taskforce and the 2023 Tourism Adaptation Roadmap from the Aotearoa Circle industry group.

    Both were widely acknowledged for their vision and ambition to create a future tourism that served the aspirations of Māori and local communities.

    There’s also a risk of the 29 Destination Management Plans developed since 2021 (with financial support from the visitor levy) being shelved in this detour from destination management to marketing.

    Anti-tourism protesters in Barcelona brandish water pistols, June 15.
    Getty Images

    Redefining tourism ‘value’

    There are several key questions about the practical implications of the government’s growth-oriented tourism development approach.

    Firstly, staff and infrastructure limitations mean destinations and business will struggle to accommodate more numbers. As the acting mayor of MacKenzie District has noted, several businesses around Tekapo were forced to operate below capacity last summer because there was no suitable housing available for the staff, only up-market holiday rentals.

    New Zealand also faces a tourism workforce crisis. Over the past ten years, there has been a 63% drop in the number of students taking tourism-related tertiary courses, and a 73% decrease in those completing hospitality courses.

    Meanwhile, from Northland to Queenstown, basic utilities such as electricity and drinking water are being stretched beyond capacity during peak visitation times.

    Secondly, there is a real risk of environmental damage from overtourism compromising the appeal of iconic attractions and destinations.

    But despite concern over growing visitor pressure at Piopiotahi/Milford Sound over the past decade, the government recently rejected a plan to manage numbers and ban cruise ships in the inner sound.

    Thirdly, there is the risk of tourism losing its social licence, as is happening in parts of Europe, given the huge burdens on small communities. As the mayor of Queenstown said recently: “When I first started as the mayor, I think it was one resident night to every 30 visitor nights. It is now one to 47.”

    Ultimately, long-term value creation through tourism can only happen when “value” is defined in more than monetary terms and in ways that deliver for all stakeholders, including businesses, visitors, communities, mana whenua and nature.

    The government’s focus on “turbocharging” economic growth through tourism now puts at risk what little progress has been made toward a sustainable tourism model and giving the regions most affected a voice.

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

    – ref. NZ’s plan to ‘welcome anyone, from anywhere, anytime’ is not a sustainable tourism policy – https://theconversation.com/nzs-plan-to-welcome-anyone-from-anywhere-anytime-is-not-a-sustainable-tourism-policy-259246

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by FS at Hong Kong Investment Funds Association 18th Annual Conference (English only) (with photos/video)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the Hong Kong Investment Funds Association 18th Annual Conference today (June 23):

    Sam (Chairman of the Hong Kong Investment Funds Association (HKIFA), Mr Sam Yu), Your excellency Mr El-Kuwaiz (Chairman of the Capital Market Authority of Saudi Arabia, Mr Mohammad El-Kuwaiz), Consul General Mr Alhimali (Consul General of Saudi Arabia in Hong Kong, Mr Mazin Hamad Mohamad Alhimali), Kelvin (Chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), Dr Kelvin Wong), Eddie (Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Mr Eddie Yue), Julia (Chief Executive Officer of the SFC, Ms Julia Leung), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Myth meets modernity in Aphrodite, a striking opera that dissects the links between beauty, power and desire

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Case, Lecturer in Musicology, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, University of Sydney

    Daniel Boud

    A new opera by American composer Nico Muhly is reimagining the myth of Aphrodite through a contemporary lens, exploring beauty, desire and identity in a strikingly relevant way.

    Aphrodite had its world premiere on Friday at Sydney’s Carriageworks arts precinct. The opera is directed by Alexander Berlage, performed by the Sydney Chamber Opera (in collaboration with Omega Ensemble), and features a sharp libretto by Melbourne playwright Laura Lethlean.

    It is a reflective production that challenges societal ideals and the enduring weight of cultural myths.

    A contemporary take on mythology

    Rather than simply retelling the myth, Nico Muhly’s Aphrodite engages in a creative dialogue with it. Through its protagonist Ava, an author and recently divorced mother of three, it interrogates the ideals and pressures associated with beauty and desirability.

    The story opens as Ava (Jessica O’Donoghue) returns to her hotel room after the premiere of a Netflix documentary based on her best-selling book, The Aphrodite Complex.

    Alone, Ava confronts personal insecurities, societal critiques, the fallout from her divorce, and fantasies of Hector, the young director of photography who worked on the documentary’s production with her in Athens.

    From her vulnerability emerges Aphrodite (Meechot Marrero) – a manifestation of the mythical Greek goddess, and a subconscious force embodying Ava’s desires and fears.

    Meechot Marrero is phenomenal as Aphrodite, embodying the goddess’s power.
    Daniel Boud

    Although it is brief (running for one hour) the opera’s plot is tightly focused. It centres on Ava’s emotional unravelling and her interaction with Aphrodite.

    The interplay between both characters blurs the boundaries between myth and reality, exploring how the stories we tell about ourselves, our culture, and our ideals, shape our identities.

    The opera poses profound questions. What does it means to be beautiful? Does beauty bestow power? How do societal expectations distort perceptions of self worth?

    Despite her academic expertise in deconstructing the Aphrodite myth, Ava finds herself trapped in the very ideals she critiques. This highlights the inescapable pull these ancient narratives continue to have in contemporary life.

    A visually stunning experience

    From the moment Ava steps on stage in a black tailored suit and heels, the opera’s modern aesthetic is unmistakable.

    The setting, designed by Isabel Hudson, is confined to a single hotel suite, including a bedroom, wardrobe and bathroom, with the bedroom backlit by a city skyline. Everyday details such as a flatscreen TV and a minibar cart create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and starkly contemporary.

    The opera, with its unmistakably contemporary setting, seems made with the modern viewer in mind.
    Daniel Boud

    A standout feature is the black-and-white screen above the stage. This screen displays subtitles for the English libretto, alongside live visuals of the performance (handled by video designer Morgan Moroney).

    The projections, captured by roving cameras, do more than just document the action. They add an artistic layer by focusing on intimate details, such as a hand gripping a thigh, or toes curling in a carpet.

    This visual storytelling evokes the voyeuristic tone of a music video or vintage film noir, accentuating the themes of scrutiny and self-perception. It reflects both the mythological obsession with beauty and the modern culture of constant observation.

    As the opera progresses, the visuals evolve. Toward the climax, earlier footage is replayed, creating a dynamic where Ava and Aphrodite must confront their own images. This layering transforms the cameras from passive observers into active participants.

    Musically engaging

    Muhly’s score is performed with technical brilliance by Omega Ensemble, and perfectly complements Lethlean’s libretto.

    Ava’s music alternates between structured and rhythmic patterns, reflecting her controlled persona – while more fragmented and fluid melodies mirror her internal struggles.

    By contrast, Aphrodite’s music is bold and forceful, underscoring the goddess’s power and allure. As the narrative unfolds, the musical identities of Ava and Aphrodite intertwine, mirroring the blurring of their characters.

    The collaboration between the Sydney Chamber Opera, Omega Ensemble, and the creative team results in a production that is intellectually stimulating and musically stunning.
    Daniel Boud

    The opera’s success is due in no small part to the extraordinary performances of its two leads. Jessica O’Donoghue is outstanding as Ava, delivering a vocally precise and emotionally raw performance. She captures Ava’s complexities – such as her intellectual sharpness and emotional vulnerability – with extraordinary depth.

    Meechot Marrero is equally phenomenal as Aphrodite. Marrero embodies the goddess’s desirability and power with a commanding stage presence and thrilling vocals.

    Together, O’Donoghue and Marrero create a dynamic interplay that forms the opera’s emotional core.

    A triumph of modern opera

    In Aphrodite, Nico Muhly and Laura Lethlean have created a bold and thought-provoking opera that will resonate deeply with contemporary audiences.

    It is not merely a performance, but an experience that will linger long after the final note. By reframing mythology through a modern lens, it challenges us to reconsider the ideals we uphold, and the myths we live by.

    Aphrodite is a powerful reminder that beauty, like myth, is multifaceted: its power lies not in perfection, but in its ability to challenge, inspire and transform.

    Aphrodite is on at Carriageworks, Sydney, until June 28.

    Laura Case 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. Myth meets modernity in Aphrodite, a striking opera that dissects the links between beauty, power and desire – https://theconversation.com/myth-meets-modernity-in-aphrodite-a-striking-opera-that-dissects-the-links-between-beauty-power-and-desire-257964

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: East China’s time-honored ceramic industry sees export boom

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

    Every June, ceramic enterprises in Dehua County, east China’s Fujian Province, enter their busiest production season as international clients place advance orders for Christmas and other holidays.

    At Quanzhou Shunmei Group Co., Ltd., rows of Christmas-themed ceramic figurines are being carefully packed for export. “Although international trade remains challenging and some orders have been impacted, we remain confident,” said Zheng Pengfei, the company’s general manager.

    “This year, we’re actively exploring emerging markets, reducing dependence on a sole market, and participating in domestic and international expos to tap into new demand,” he added.

    Despite rising raw material costs and uncertainties in global demand, Dehua’s ceramic industry has demonstrated remarkable resilience. From January to April this year, the county’s ceramic exports had exceeded 1.2 billion yuan (about 167 million U.S. dollars), representing a 23.69 percent year-on-year increase, according to official data.

    An ancient county with centuries of ceramic-making history and famed for its white porcelain, Dehua has established a full industrial chain that spans kaolin mining, clay processing, mold-making, glazing, forming and sales. More than 4,500 ceramic enterprises operate in the county, employing over 100,000 people. Dehua ceramics are now exported to more than 190 countries and regions worldwide.

    Industry insiders say Dehua’s success lies in its shift from competing on price to competing on design, branding and production efficiency, driven by a strong focus on innovation and transformation.

    “Our output value reached 200 million yuan in 2024, with average annual growth of 20 percent in recent years,” said Zeng Liangwang, deputy general manager of Fujian Dehua Tongxin Ceramics Co., Ltd.

    He noted that the company is accelerating the development of “ceramics-plus” products, including artistic and smart flowerpots and festive homeware, which are now sold to over 50 countries and regions.

    The Tangfeng Ceramics Co., Ltd. developed a tea set inspired by China’s Dunhuang murals, as part of its efforts to enhance product value through storytelling and cultural integration.

    “Teaware with cultural depth is more attractive to consumers and allows us to increase added value,” said the company’s general manager Li Jianyang. “As industry competition intensifies, we must dig deeper into our cultural heritage.”

    Likewise, Shunmei is forging cooperation with world-renowned brands like Disney and Universal Studios, whose intellectual property has made its products more appealing to global consumers.

    Meanwhile, a wave of intelligent transformation is reshaping the production landscape, with widespread adoption of technologies like 3D clay printing, 5G-enabled smart factories, and automated casting machines.

    In Tongxin Ceramics’ 3D printing zone, once the modeling is finished, the data is transmitted to the printer. A hollow, sculptural flower vase that once took hours to craft can now be produced in just 30 minutes.

    In addition, Tongxin operates 75 automated production lines at full capacity. It takes just 10 seconds to press a lump of clay into a flowerpot, 15 seconds for a mold to complete the slip-casting process, and only 10 minutes for a fully automated line to complete an entire production cycle.

    Dehua Huamao Ceramics Co., Ltd. has established a 5G-enabled network that connects its production equipment and enables real-time monitoring. “Our data system collects key process indicators to support continuous optimization,” said Chen Weibin, deputy general manager of Huamao Ceramics.

    The local government is committed to building a complete “ceramic industry ecosystem” covering raw material supply, technological innovation and talent development, with the goal of providing sustained momentum for the industry’s long-term growth.

    “Behind the resilience of the ceramics industry is the joint efforts of enterprises and government,” said Zeng Xiansheng, an official with the ceramics development committee of Dehua. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Rural market in spotlight to tap growth

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

    The campaign to promote new energy vehicles in China’s rural areas features a larger and more diversified portfolio this year, catered to evolving consumer demands to unlock consumption potential in the extensive market.

    Now in its sixth year, the “NEVs Going to the Countryside” initiative — launched by government bodies including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Commerce — has selected 124 models, 25 more than 2024.

    The selected models need to meet essential requirements including good sales performance, high brand recognition, and a well-established network of maintenance service points, said Xu Haidong, vice-chief engineer of the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers, one of the campaign organizers.

    BYD’s Dynasty and Ocean series, along with models from Dongfeng, Geely, Changan and BAIC, have joined in the program with high cost-performance offerings. Their product portfolios span plug-in hybrid SUVs to new energy commercial vehicles, including newcomers such as off-roaders and pickup trucks.

    Notably, the Model Y and Model 3 have been selected, marking Tesla’s first inclusion in the initiative.

    Other models priced above 200,000 yuan ($27,850) on the list include the Li Auto L6 SUV, Nio ES6 SUV and ET5 sedan, Zeekr 001 shooting brake, and XPeng G9 SUV.

    The involvement of the high-end brands indicates the upgrading of rural consumption, Xu said. Many automakers are keen to capture this significant vast market by providing high-performance, cost-effective models.

    Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association, said that counties, towns and villages have a certain level of economic strength, and consumers there are willing to improve their quality of life. The untapped potential for NEV consumption in rural areas could become another driving force of growth in the Chinese automotive market.

    At the first stop of the 2025 “NEVs Going to the Countryside” campaign held in Rugao, Jiangsu province, in mid-June, some models on display were tailored for rural consumers.

    For those engaged in freight transport, some vehicles featured extra-large cargo spaces. For users balancing personal and commercial needs, there were models that offer five, six, or seven-seat configurations alongside pure electric and range-extended powertrain options.

    However, Xu pointed out that the lack of charging infrastructure remains an obstacle to the widespread adoption of NEVs in rural areas, saying the vast geographical area and low population density result in high construction costs and long payback periods for charging stations.

    In recent years, relevant departments have issued documents aimed at filling the gaps in county-level charging facilities, specifying annual construction tasks, and investment.

    At the event in Rugao, some 10 charging station companies showcased their products and technologies. For example, private charging piles can be shared via apps, providing innovative solutions.

    Xu suggested that properly advancing the layout of charging stations could promote NEV popularization, boost rural tourism, and aid the development of commercial vehicles.

    He cited examples of automakers piloting integrated solar energy storage charging projects in rural areas, which use photovoltaic power generation to power charging stations, thereby cutting operational costs.

    This year, the incentives for “NEVs Going to the Countryside” have been increased. In addition to the national trade-in policy and local government support, automakers such as BYD and Wuling have introduced exclusive discounts, with some models seeing price reductions of more than 10,000 yuan.

    Financial institutions are contributing by offering low-interest loans, interest-free installment plans, and other financial solutions.

    According to data from the CAAM, NEV sales in rural outreach activities exhibited growth from 2020 to 2024.Sales increased from 397,000 vehicles in 2020 to nearly 7.6 million in 2024, surpassing the sector’s total market growth.

    Fu Bingfeng, secretary-general of the CAAM, said over the past five years, there were more than 500 NEV models involved in the program with combined sales totaling 15 million units. Some rural areas have one NEV per five households, driving green mobility transformation in these regions, he added.

    From January to May, NEV sales reached 5.61 million units in China, a year-on-year increase of 44 percent. NEVs accounted for 44 percent of the total new car sales during this period.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Instant retail reshapes consumption habits in China, driving new growth

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

    In the charming countryside of south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Alex Turner, a British expat, made a few taps on his phone as he hobbled back to his guesthouse, careful not to knock the toe he had just hurt while out for a hike. In just 30 minutes, a sealed yellow paper bag arrived at his doorstep.

    “I bought a nail clipper and some first-aid stuff to deal with the injury,” said Turner. “And I also bundled some dental floss and mosquito repellent for a bigger discount.”

    This prompt service epitomizes China’s rapidly growing instant retail sector. E-commerce giants like Alibaba, JD.com, and Meituan have all placed significant bets on a new model centered around the concept of “everything can be delivered within 30 minutes.” As more and more consumers in China turn to smartphone apps for everything from groceries to medical supplies, instant, or “flash,” delivery has become a game-changer to daily life.

    A recent report by MoonFox Data, a leading Chinese data insights provider, shows that China’s instant retail sector reached 780 billion yuan (about 108.8 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024 and is projected to exceed 2 trillion yuan by 2030. Platforms run by Alibaba, JD.com and Meituan are fueling this growth by catering to consumers’ increasing demand for instant gratification.

    “Today’s consumers prioritize speed and accessibility above all,” said Zhao Feng, dean of the school of business administration at Guangxi University of Finance and Economics. “The promise of half-hour delivery is not just a marketing ploy — it’s a game-changer. It taps into consumers’ desire for convenience, reduces the hassle of shopping, encourages impulse buying, and ultimately drives up overall spending.”

    A study by consultancy firm Accenture shows that over half of consumers born after 1995 expect same-day delivery for their purchases and are more willing to pay a premium for faster shipping.

    For Li Wei, a personal trainer in Nanning, Guangxi’s capital city, the speed of instant retail eliminates the need to plan ahead.

    “I don’t have to stock up on toilet paper, snacks or energy drinks anymore,” said Li. “With a few clicks on my phone, the groceries will be here before I can second-guess myself.”

    The appeal extends beyond on-demand convenience as many cost-conscious shoppers chase discounts and enjoy the thrill of snagging a deal.

    “Sometimes, it goes beyond the convenience,” said Zhang Chaozhen, a postgraduate student at Guangxi University as she scrolled through an app during her lunch break, hunting for the steepest discounts on a skincare product. “It’s about getting a deal and feeling smart about it.”

    Behind the scenes, the explosive wave of instant retail is reshaping supply chain logistics, fostering a deeper connection between online platforms and brick-and-mortar stores.

    Unlike traditional e-commerce, which typically depends on a few centralized warehouses, instant retail platforms utilize advanced AI to connect hundreds of local stores with a vast network of strategically placed, highly automated micro-warehouses.

    These facilities are designed to process retailer orders efficiently, expedite inventory shipment, and prevent the accumulation of excess “wrong” products in stores, according to Zhou Yimu, an industry insider and brand manager of Guishuangbai, a local convenience store chain in Guangxi.

    In late May, Alibaba reported that its flash delivery platform has logged a daily order volume exceeding 40 million in less than one month since its official launch.

    The model of instant retail unleashes a “triple wins” dynamic as the digital platforms gain access to a vast network of inventory, retailers boost sales through online channels, and consumers enjoy faster delivery and broader product selections, said Liu Yuanshuai with Chaoyigou, a supermarket chain that specializes in instant retail business in Guangxi.

    “Partnering with those instant retail platforms has been the revenue booster,” said Tao Zhaogui, a manager at a chain pharmacy in Nanning. “Before, we largely relied on walk-in customers, but now, with the round-the-clock access to online prescriptions, our online orders have increased by 41 percent year on year.”

    However, the rapid growth of the sector has also raised concerns about consumer rights. Some platforms are accused of exploiting big data to engage in “discriminatory pricing,” adjusting prices based on individual consumers’ purchase histories, according to Tang Yating, a lawyer specializing in civil and commercial law. Additionally, after-sales services often fall short, with cumbersome return and exchange policies that remain unresolved. There is also a tendency for platforms and sellers to shirk responsibility.

    “Stronger oversight is the key,” said Tang. “Clear regulations must safeguard consumer interests within this rapidly evolving sector by ensuring transparency and accountability in pricing and service.” 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Behind Labubu craze: China’s rise as global IP powerhouse

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

    Toys themed on Labubu, a popular furry doll from Chinese toy company Pop Mart, are pictured during the opening ceremoy of a new offline store of Pop Mart in Bangkok, Thailand, July 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)

    The shop floor of a pajama factory in Jiangsu Province, east China, had stood still for some time before recently springing back to life, its resurrection kickstarted by a fluffy toy.

    “Labubu was not really my cup of tea, but now I think it is adorable,” said Qiu Zunzun, general manager of Shuofeng daily necessities company in Suzhou, jokingly.

    With its signature spiky toothed grin, Labubu has taken the world by storm. Noticing the craze, Qiu, spotted a gap in the market — outfits for collectors to dress up their fluffy friends. So, he bought some toy samples and cloth, and by the end of May, the factory was rolling out dresses for the little imp.

    “In less than 20 days we produced more than 80 kinds of doll’s dresses, with a turnover of about 170,000 yuan (about 23,643 U.S. dollars).” Qiu estimated that with orders still growing, the monthly sales revenue could reach 1 million yuan.

    The punky, cute, bunny-eared creature from China has inspired fans around the world to line up for a chance to own one. It is the latest case of Chinese IP globalization, which signals a shift in China’s role from a manufacturing hub to a source of original cultural exports, and injects vitality into traditional industries.

    CHINESE IP GOES ABROAD

    Maraid Vintena in Sydney, Australia, lined up for an hour earlier this week to check the Pop Mart Labubu vending machine in her suburb. “There are four Pop Mart vending machines near my house,” she said. “But most of the time, they’re sold out. I check their website like ten times a day… I’m really addicted, but it’s fun.”

    “As you get older, life is a little bit mundane. Something small, like a Labubu, a blind box, is like a little bit of excitement,” Vintena said, explaining why she fell in love with the doll.

    Amid the ever-growing Labubu craze, fashion brand Uniqlo has announced to partner with Pop Mart for their new collection The Monsters.

    It is not the only Chinese IP which gained recognition around the world. From the hit video game “Black Myth: Wukong” last year that amassed 1.04 million concurrent players merely an hour after its debut, to the cinematic marvel of “Ne Zha 2,” which has risen to the fifth spot on the worldwide box office chart, success of Chinese IP shows the rise of both cultural confidence and the empowerment of the country’s industrial system, said Wang Ruotong, a researcher with the Tianjin Foreign Studies University.

    Beyond the cultural sector, a number of Chinese brands have made inroads into the world-class IP categories, from the artificial intelligence (AI) to new energy vehicles and consumer technology.

    Data from China’s General Administration of Customs shows that China sustained its growth momentum on exports of new energy vehicles, with the volume of pure electric car exports topping 2 million units for the first time in 2024.

    Chinese carmaker BYD is establishing factories in Thailand and Mexico, integrating Chinese aesthetics into automotive design.

    In the AI domain, China has made holistic advancements in AI development, fostering a thriving AI industrial ecosystem. The country now hosts over 400 “little giant” firms — specialized small and medium-sized enterprises that excel in niche AI markets, including AI innovator DeepSeek.

    The vibrant growth of creative Chinese IPs has been driven by China’s booming domestic cultural consumption and a solid industrial manufacturing foundation. As China shifts from mass production to smart, high-end manufacturing, the fusion of aesthetics and craftsmanship is driving the country’s manufacturing sector to move up the global value chain.

    In 2024, China’s per-capita expenditure on education, culture, and entertainment registered 3,189 yuan, marking a 9.8-percent increase and accounting for 11.3 percent of total per-capita consumption spending, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. The continuously expanding cultural consumption market is emerging as a robust engine driving the development of China’s IP industry.

    INJECTING VITALITY INTO TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES

    At Yiwu International Trade Market, buyers carrying black plastic bags walk from one booth to another asking “do you have dresses for Labubu?” The global frenzy for this tiny creature has offered business opportunities for China’s “world supermarket”.

    In Zhu Hui’s store, one could not only find shirts, trousers and skirts for Labubu, but also accessories like glasses and hats. “Our dresses are sold at seven to 15 yuan a piece, while the accessories are one or two yuan each,” she said.

    Zhu’s store opened only half a month ago, with number of orders increasing quickly. “At first we received orders for dozens or several hundred pieces a day, but now it is more than 10,000 pieces,” she said. Zhu has about 50 workers in her factory, all of whom are working overtime recently.

    Inspired by Labubu, other toy producers also tried to make their products more attractive.

    Sun Lijuan is manager of the Yiwu Hongsheng Toys Factory, which exports dolls to more than 80 countries and regions in South America, Middle East, Central Asia, Europe and Africa.

    “Our dolls can talk, sing and tell stories,” she said. Recently they are applying AI technology to create products to meet different needs of consumers.

    Sun told Xinhua that in recent years, they had witnessed the development of new technology which has empowered their business and helped them avoid homogeneous competition. Their toy factory was founded 13 years ago, but in recent years its turnover has been growing steadily.

    “The greatest potential for future IP to go global lies in the continuous development of content and its deep integration with technology,” said Wang Ruotong. “With the maturation of technologies such as AI and virtual reality, the presentation of IP is going towards immersive and interactive experience.”

    “China has a solid foundation in manufacturing,” she continued. “Therefore, the popularity of Labubu this time brought a huge development opportunity to this industry. I’m sure that in the future there will be more Labubus emerging.” 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Money Market Operations as on June 20, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 9,033.70 5.25 4.75-6.55
         I. Call Money 1,610.95 5.12 4.75-5.30
         II. Triparty Repo 4,634.75 5.17 5.00-6.25
         III. Market Repo 54.00 5.00 5.00-5.00
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 2,734.00 5.47 5.40-6.55
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 16,583.27 5.28 4.80-5.35
         II. Term Money@@ 459.00 – 5.30-5.75
         III. Triparty Repo 3,90,573.45 5.23 5.20-5.40
         IV. Market Repo 1,83,185.10 5.13 1.00-5.50
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF# Fri, 20/06/2025 1 Sat, 21/06/2025 2,109.00 5.75
      Fri, 20/06/2025 2 Sun, 22/06/2025 0.00 5.75
      Fri, 20/06/2025 3 Mon, 23/06/2025 550.00 5.75
    4. SDFΔ# Fri, 20/06/2025 1 Sat, 21/06/2025 2,86,050.00 5.25
      Fri, 20/06/2025 2 Sun, 22/06/2025 0.00 5.25
      Fri, 20/06/2025 3 Mon, 23/06/2025 17,836.00 5.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -3,01,227.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       7,032.31  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     7,032.31  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -2,94,194.69  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on June 20, 2025 9,46,593.60  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending June 27, 2025 9,54,173.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ June 20, 2025 0.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on May 30, 2025 5,84,684.00  
    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).
    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.
    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.
    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.
    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.
    & As per the Press Release No. 2019-2020/1900 dated February 06, 2020.
    Δ As per the Press Release No. 2022-2023/41 dated April 08, 2022.
    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.
    ¥ As per the Press Release No. 2014-2015/1971 dated March 19, 2015.
    # As per the Press Release No. 2023-2024/1548 dated December 27, 2023.
    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    
    Press Release: 2025-2026/576

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Northland Regional Council News – 23 June 2025

    Source: Northland Regional Council

    ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS LIVESTREAM
    Northland Regional Council’s Whakamānawa ā Taiao – Environmental Awards are happening this Thursday, 26 June, celebrating the incredible people and organisations making a real difference for Northland’s environment.
    Their dedication and mahi are helping our environment thrive, and we deeply value their contributions.
    Join the celebration live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/15kgLhvKgU/
    Learn more about the winners and their inspiring mahi after the event at: www.awards.nrc.govt.nz
    THINKING ABOUT STANDING FOR COUNCIL?
    Are you considering standing for the Far North District Council or Northland Regional Council?
    Join us for a Candidate Information Session on Wednesday, 25 June at 6:00pm at Te Kona – Digital, Business and Learning Hub, 74 Guy Road, Kaikohe.
    This is your opportunity to:
    – Learn about the nomination and election process from our Electoral Officer and expert panel
    – Gain insights about the role of an elected member from experienced elected officials
    – Understand the functions of governance and operations and how they work together to achieve community aspirations.
    No bookings required.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Save the Children – Adventurers set off on 4,500km ‘Alpine Odyssey’ across Aotearoa New Zealand

    Source: Save the Children

    Australian adventurer Huw Kingston and former Kiwi representative cyclist Laurence Mote will set off on their 4500km human powered journey the length of New Zealand this week, in an effort to raise vital funds for climate-resilient classrooms in Vanuatu.
    Dubbed ‘Alpine Odyssey Aotearoa’, the pair will begin their ambitious 90-day ski, hike, cycle and sail winter journey from Cape Reinga on Wednesday (25 June) to Slope Point. The route covers skiing at all 24 outdoor ski fields across the country, as well as Snowplanet in Auckland, along with extensive cycling, hiking trails, and sailing the Cook Strait.
    For Mote, who is legally blind and continues to manage symptoms from a life-changing brain injury in 2013, caused by a bee sting, anaphylactic shock, and subsequent stroke, the expedition is expected to be exceptionally demanding.
    Kingston completed a 700km ski and trek journey through the Australian Alps to raise funds for an Indigenous literacy project, Our Yarning in 2022. He says Alpine Odyssey Aotearoa is even more ambitious.
    Says Kingston: “It’s good to be in New Zealand, to have met up with Laurence and to be sorting a mound of equipment for the next three months. Alpine Odyssey Aotearoa is an adventure, a celebration of New Zealand, of mountain life and a call to action. Our Pacific neighbours are living on the frontline of the climate crisis and it’s vital we all step up to make a difference.
    “I arrived across the Tasman just in time to attend the celebrations for Matariki, the Māori New Year, an auspicious start to our journey across the landscapes of this stunning country.”
    Mote added that over the weekend he was “blessed with a perfect view of Matariki” which left him with a “shiver of anticipation of what was to come”.
    The pair is aiming to raise more than $75,000NZD to support Save the Children’s and the Vanuatu Government’s Ministry of Education and Training’s innovative climate classrooms pilot project in Vanuatu. Recent climate-related emergencies, including back-to-back and out of season cyclones, have caused widespread damage and destruction to schools across the country and disrupted children’s learning.
    Save the Children Vanuatu Country Director Polly Banks says the forward-thinking shipping container classrooms will help children get back to learning and a sense of normality faster.
    “In times of crisis, children returning to normal routines as soon as possible, including school, helps with their recovery.
    “Our climate resilient classrooms will give children the chance to get back to school quickly, reconnect with fri

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Announcement on Open Market Operations No.118 [2025]

    Source: Peoples Bank of China

    Announcement on Open Market Operations No.118 [2025]

    (Open Market Operations Office, June 23, 2025)

    The People’s Bank of China conducted reverse repo operations in the amount of RMB220.5 billion through quantity bidding at a fixed interest rate on June 23, 2025.

    Details of the Reverse Repo Operations

    Maturity

    Rate

    Bidding Volume

    Winning Bid Volume

    7 days

    1.40%

    RMB220.5 billion

    RMB220.5 billion

    Date of last update Nov. 29 2018

    2025年06月23日

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Illegal US attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities came in spite of no evidence

    BEARING WITNESS: By Cole Martin in occupied Bethlehem

    Kia ora koutou,

    I’m a Kiwi journo in occupied Bethlehem, here’s a brief summary of today’s events across the Palestinian and Israeli territories from on the ground.

    The US struck three of Iran’s nuclear facilities overnight, entering the illegal aggression on Iran with heavy airstrikes despite no evidence that nuclear weapons are being developed. Israel continued its strikes attacking dozens of locations across Iran throughout the day. Three were killed in an Israeli drone attack on an ambulance in central Iran. At least 400 have been killed and 2000 injured, according to the latest Health Ministry figures.

    *

    Heavy Iranian retaliation strikes on Israeli territories saw about 27 injured.

    *

    At least 47 killed by Israeli attacks in Gaza today, 18 while seeking aid. Two killed and 15 wounded in an Israeli airstrike on a house west of Gaza city. The murder of firefighter Muhammad Ghurab brings the total Gaza civil defence casualties to 121, representing 14.3 percent of its employees.

    Today I met a 10-year-old kid called Hassan on the streets of Bethlehem. He was looking for work. His dad had recently stopped working, unemployed like many in Bethlehem; around 80 percent of jobs here depend on tourism. He lives in al-Khader village, an hour’s walk away, but without opportunities there he had walked all this way in an attempt to help support his family.

    Israel’s illegal occupation of the West Bank has suffocated the economy here for decades. Now, as the genocidal war on Gaza continues and Israeli aggression expands to Iran, drawing in the USA and threatening regional collapse, a 10-year-old boy takes to the streets of Bethlehem to find work.

    *

    Israel’s illegal siege across the West Bank continues. Large numbers of Israeli soldiers conducted extensive raids on Bethlehem’s Dheisheh camp including demolitions, arrests, and interrogations last night. Mass demolitions continue across Nour Shams camp in the north, and further arrests, demolitions, and incursions took place across the West Bank. Bethlehem’s gasoline shortages continue due to Israel’s ongoing siege.

    *

    Twenty five killed in a terror attack targeting Mar Elias Church in Damascus, Syria.

    Cole Martin is an independent New Zealand photojournalist based in the Middle East and a contributor to Asia Pacific Report.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –