NewzIntel.com

Category: China

  • MIL-OSI China: 791 Chinese citizens evacuated from Iran: FM spokesperson

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

    Up till now, with the active assistance and support of nearby countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry and the Chinese embassy and consulate in Iran have organized and coordinated the evacuation of 791 Chinese citizens from Iran to safety, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday.

    At a daily press briefing, Guo elaborated on the Chinese government’s organization for the safe evacuation of Chinese citizens in Iran and Israel.

    Another 1,000-plus people are still being relocated and evacuated. Chinese embassies and consulates in neighboring countries, including Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, have sent working groups to border entry and exit points to assist fellow nationals in passing through the border and traveling back home. Some Chinese nationals have already been safely evacuated from Israel, Guo said.

    “We appreciate relevant countries’ support and assistance. Our Ministry and diplomatic and consular missions will continue to do everything possible to help our fellow nationals move to safety and evacuate,” he added. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Majority of venues for 15th National Games completed

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

    Apart from six temporary venues that will be set up 15 to 20 days before the 15th National Games, all other venues in the Guangdong province have already been completed, according to the event’s organizing committee.

    “Of the venues, over 90 percent hosting competitions in Guangdong are existing facilities, which have been renovated, marking the fewest new venues constructed in recent editions of the National Games and the Special Olympics,” said Huang Mingzhong, deputy director of the Games’ Guangdong executive committee, during a press conference on Wednesday.

    In total, there are 105 venues for the National Games and Special Olympics, with 89 in Guangdong, nine in Hong Kong and seven in Macao.

    The opening ceremony of the 15th National Games and the Special Olympics, jointly hosted for the first time by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, is scheduled to be held on November 9 in Guangzhou, the provincial capital city of Guangdong.

    The 15th National Games and the Special Olympics will involve 36,000 athletes from across the country, along with 45,000 event volunteers and 4,000 journalists.

    Fifty-seven major events will be featured in the National Games and 46 events in the Special Olympics, making it the largest edition of its kind in the history.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Han, Zhang star as China top Japan in Asia Cup warm-ups

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

    Chinese centers Han Xu and Zhang Ziyu finished double-doubles respectively, helping China win over Japan 101-92 at the Asia Cup warm-up series on Wednesday.

    Han scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Zhang had 18 points and 10 rebounds, and guard Yang Shuyu got 17 points. Japan’s Mai Kawai led her team with 13 points.

    In 2024, China suffered two defeats consecutively in the warm-ups against Japan in Xi’an. Before today’s clash, Chinese player Li Yuan told Xinhua that although Japan missed some of its best players, “we would prepare carefully for the game.”

    China took a 26-25 lead in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Zhang Ziyu bagged 10 points, bringing the home team a 49-44 lead before the half break.

    In the middle of the third quarter, China enjoyed a 10-4 run, extending the lead to 14 points. Japan netted five three-pointers, cutting the deficit to 10 before the final period.

    Although Japan narrowed the gap to seven points in the fourth quarter, China regained control with a 9-2 run.

    “Japan is actually a team with very prominent characteristics. They move fast and they are good at shooting beyond the arc,” said China head coach Gong Luming.

    “We showed our advantages in height and strength. What’s more, all the players had good performances in offense.”

    “However, we didn’t deal with Japanese three-pointer shooters well. We will do some adjustments in the next game,” added Gong.

    The two teams will meet again this Friday in Hefei, the capital of eastern China’s Anhui Province.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Baldwin, Marshall Introduce Bill to Lower Costs and Improve Reliability of Freight Rail Service for American Businesses

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Wisconsin Tammy Baldwin
    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and Roger Marshall (R-KS) reintroduced the Reliable Rail Service Act to help address the unreliable service and high costs of rail shipping for Wisconsin farmers and manufacturers. The legislation would strengthen our rail supply chain and ensure the largest freight railroads provide American businesses reliable services at reasonable rates so products can get to market more efficiently, and costs are lower for families. The Reliable Rail Service Act is supported by members of the agricultural industry, labor organizations, energy producers, and manufacturers who know firsthand how poor service, significant disruptions, and sky-high prices are impacting their businesses and prices for consumers.
    “Across the Badger State, our farmers, small businesses, and manufacturers rely on rail service to get their products to market and make ends meet,” said Senator Baldwin. “But when rail service is unreliable, it puts their livelihoods on the line, disrupts supply chains, and drives up costs for hardworking Wisconsin families. That’s why I am proud to work with my Republican colleague to once again introduce our Reliable Rail Service Act and help level the playing field for Wisconsin workers, grow our Made in Wisconsin economy, and keep costs down for consumers.”
    “Kansas’s farmers and ranchers depend upon reliable transport of their world-class goods to the rest of the country, and Class 1 railroads are not meeting expectations – this is a disservice to hard-working Kansans,” said Senator Marshall. “This bill lays out reasonable requirements for rail carriers to meet these important obligations, and I look forward to working with Senator Baldwin on getting this to the finish line.”
    Rail shippers including farmers, energy producers, and manufacturers continue to face poor service, significant service disruptions, and sky-high prices that are impacting communities and consumers, all while profits for the nation’s largest railroads are at record highs.
    The Reliable Rail Service Act takes a commonsense approach to addressing high costs and unreliable service by clarifying the “common carrier obligation,” which under current law requires rail carriers to serve the wider shipping public “on reasonable request.” Current ambiguity around this principle has contributed to insufficient rail services and exorbitant costs for American products to get to market. Clearly defining the “common carrier obligation” has taken on greater importance as the railroad industry faces consolidation and has undertaken Wall Street practices that reduce capacity on the rail network.
    The bill establishes specific criteria for the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to consider when evaluating whether carriers are meeting their common carrier obligation to give shippers much-needed certainty that is currently lacking.
    “For years, dairy processors have struggled to use America’s rail system because of lack of reliability and reduced service schedules. The Reliable Rail Service Act is commonsense legislation that will provide greater clarity to the railroad’s common carrier obligations and ensure that they provide more dependable service at sensible rates,” said Dr. Michael Dykes, President and CEO of the International Dairy Foods Association. “IDFA applauds Sen. Baldwin and Sen. Marshall for introducing this legislation to improve transparency in the rail industry and restore the balance between carriers and shippers so the U.S. dairy industry can move products more reliably by rail.”
    “Senators Baldwin and Marshall have proposed smart, and a much-needed reforms to help fix persistent freight rail service failures that are plaguing chemical manufacturers,” said Chris Jahn, President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Chemistry Council. “If members of Congress are serious about bringing jobs back, leading global trade, and making more in America—not China—they should back this bill. We urge Democrats and Republicans to support this important legislation because it will help ensure that railroads deliver on their obligation to provide reliable service to U.S. manufacturers.”
    “IWLA strongly supports the Reliable Rail Service Act and thanks Senator Baldwin for reintroducing this important bill,” said Jay D. Strother, International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA) President & CEO. “Clarifying the common carrier obligation is critical to ensuring that railroads provide consistent, fair, and timely service. This legislation gives the Surface Transportation Board the tools it needs to hold carriers accountable, enforce meaningful service standards, and support the 3PL warehouses that keep America’s supply chain moving.”
    “We applaud Senators Baldwin and Marshall for reintroducing the Reliable Rail Service Act to improve our nation’s freight rail network,” said Greg Regan, President of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO. “Unfortunately, America’s freight rail companies too often fail to provide the equal, timely, and affordable service required of them by federal law. Let’s hold railroads accountable and better serve the small businesses, farmers, and other customers who rely on freight rail to transport their goods.”
    “Clarification of the common carrier obligation has been needed for decades and this bipartisan bill provides STB with clear oversight rules to help address our nation’s freight railroad supply chain challenges and improve rail service for agricultural shippers,” said Mike Seyfert, President and CEO of the National Grain and Feed Association. “NGFA members appreciate Senator Baldwin and Senator Marshall’s leadership in responding to rail service issues and for cosponsoring this legislation, which will help regulators respond to service disruptions that cause hardship for livestock producers, grain exporters, and grain processing facilities.”
    “The Wisconsin Farm Bureau appreciates the work of Sen. Baldwin to address the definition of common carrier service obligation and increase the authority of the Surface Transportation Board to address agricultural rail needs,” said Brad Olson, President of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation. “Wisconsin farmers are dependent on the movement of agricultural goods by rail and we hope this increased authority will lead to greater efficiency within the rail industry.”
    The Reliable Rail Service Act is endorsed by the Agricultural Retailers Association, American Petroleum Institute, American Chemistry Council, American Forest & Paper Association, American Soybean Association, Consumer Brands Association, Essential Minerals Association, Freight Rail Customer Alliance, Glass Packaging Institute, Growth Energy, International Dairy Foods Association, International Warehouse Logistics Association, National Grain and Feed Association, National Industrial Transportation League, National Milk Producers Federation, National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association, North American Millers’ Association, Private Rail Car Food and Beverage Association, The National Grange, Western Coal Traffic League, American Cement Association, Recycled Materials Association, Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD), National Farmers Union, Great Lakes Timber Professionals, American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA), Brotherhood Of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED)-IBT, Brotherhood of Railway Carmen (BRC), Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS), International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM), International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers (IBB), International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Teamsters Rail Conference, National Conference of Firemen and Oilers, SEIU (NCFO), Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Mechanical Division (SMART-MD), Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Division (SMART-TD), Transportation Communications Union (TCU), Transport Workers Union of America (TWU), and Transportation Trades Department (TTD).
    A one-pager on the legislation is available here. Full text of the legislation is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A solution to the Iran-Israel conflict can be found – Russian President V. Putin

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    St. Petersburg, June 19 /Xinhua/ — The Iranian-Israeli conflict can be resolved in a way that ensures both Iran’s interests in the peaceful nuclear sector and Israel’s interests in terms of its security, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in St. Petersburg during a meeting with heads of leading global news agencies.

    “It would be right for everyone to look for ways to end the hostilities and find ways for all parties to this conflict to reach an agreement with each other in order to ensure both the interests of Iran on the one hand in its nuclear activities – including peaceful nuclear activities, of course, I mean both peaceful nuclear energy and peaceful nuclear energy in other areas – and to ensure the interests of Israel, from the point of view of the unconditional security of the Jewish state,” noted V. Putin.

    As the Russian leader emphasized, this is a very delicate issue, the solution of which must be very careful. “In general, such a solution can be found,” he added. But the decision, according to him, is up to Iran and Israel. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Interest in Chinese language in Russia is growing due to expansion of contacts with China — Russian President V. Putin

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    St. Petersburg, June 19 /Xinhua/ — Interest in the Chinese language is growing in Russia, which is connected with the expansion of contacts and the growth of economic activity in Russian-Chinese relations. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, answering a question from the Director General of the Chinese news agency Xinhua Fu Hua during a meeting with heads of international news agencies on the sidelines of the 28th St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, which is being held in St. Petersburg from June 18 to 21.

    “I can say that interest in the Chinese language is growing in Russia. There is nothing surprising here, and there is nothing that would distinguish Russian-Chinese relations in this case from any other relations of our country with other countries in the event of an expansion of the volume of contacts and economic activity,” the Russian leader noted.

    As V. Putin said, contacts between Russia and China are growing in all areas. In particular, student exchanges continue. “We have 51 thousand Chinese students studying in Russia, and approximately 25 thousand Russian young people studying in China,” he said, adding that direct contacts have been established between Russian and Chinese universities.

    The Russian President also noted contacts in the cultural and humanitarian fields, which are facilitated by the regular holding of thematic cross-years of Russia and China.

    “And if my memory serves me right, we started these thematic years with the Year of the Chinese Language in Russia and the Year of the Russian Language in China. It is no coincidence. I think we did it very correctly, since it stimulated the interest of both nations in each other,” he emphasized.

    V. Putin explained that when he previously spoke about his close relatives studying Chinese, he was talking about his granddaughter, who speaks Chinese fluently with her teacher from Beijing.

    “But my daughter, back in the early 2000s, before all these significant and well-known events, she began to study Chinese on her own initiative. Simply because she wanted to. She hired a teacher and studied,” the Russian president added. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s vice premier urges efforts to promote high-quality development of foreign trade

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

    China’s vice premier urges efforts to promote high-quality development of foreign trade

    QINGDAO, June 18 — Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng has called for enhanced efforts to stabilize foreign trade, strengthen support and services for foreign trade enterprises, and utilize the competitive advantages of those enterprises fully to drive the high-quality development of China’s foreign trade.

    He, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour in Shandong Province which began on Tuesday and concluded on Wednesday.

    He acknowledged that amid a complex international environment, China’s manufacturing exporters have this year surmounted significant challenges and demonstrated remarkable resilience. Offering high-quality products at competitive prices, these exporters have not only bolstered domestic economic development but also contributed to greater stability in the global economy.

    By leveraging their strengths fully and maintaining focus on core businesses, exporters should deepen their presence in international markets while continuously innovating and upgrading their products, technologies and business models, the vice premier said.

    He also encouraged manufacturing exporters to coordinate their export expansions with meeting domestic demand.

    He also called on local authorities to address the practical concerns of foreign trade enterprises, and to enhance support and services for those enterprises to advance the high-quality development of foreign trade.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China expands zero-tariff policy for least developed countries

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

    GENEVA, June 18 — China has notified the World Trade Organization (WTO) of its expanded zero-tariff policy for least developed countries (LDCs) that maintain diplomatic relations with Beijing, raising product coverage from 98 percent to 100 percent.

    The new policy, which took effect on Dec. 1, 2024, is part of China’s broader efforts to further open up to LDCs and African nations, the Chinese delegation said at a WTO meeting in Geneva on Wednesday.

    The delegation also briefed WTO members on a recent China-Africa declaration, in which China expressed readiness to extend the zero-tariff treatment to cover 100 percent of tariff lines for all 53 African countries that have diplomatic ties with China.

    In addition to the zero-tariff initiative, China pledged further steps to promote trade in goods, and to strengthen skills and technical training programs for African LDCs.

    According to the delegation, these measures aim to create new development opportunities and growth momentum for African countries and LDCs, while also contributing to the stability and positive momentum of global trade.

    Amid ongoing turbulence in international trade, China called on all WTO members to jointly uphold a free and open international economic and trade order, and to promote inclusive and universally beneficial globalization.

    China’s measures were broadly welcomed by WTO members. Representatives from LDCs, African countries and other economies expressed appreciation, highlighting the unprecedented challenges and uncertainties faced by developing nations. They urged more members to follow China’s example by offering targeted preferential policies, capacity-building assistance, and other support to LDCs to advance inclusive and sustainable global trade development.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China allocates 60 mln yuan to aid flood relief efforts in Guangdong

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

    BEIJING, June 18 — The National Development and Reform Commission on Wednesday said that it has allocated 60 million yuan (about 8.36 million U.S. dollars) from China’s central budget to bolster flood relief efforts in Guangdong Province.

    The funds will be directed toward restoring infrastructure and public services in Guangdong’s affected regions, according to the commission.

    Severe flooding has recently struck the province, with Zhaoqing City among the hardest-hit areas.

    As of noon on Wednesday, continuous heavy rainfall had affected approximately 300,000 residents of Huaiji County, which is administered by Zhaoqing City, and about 70,000 people had been relocated to safer areas, according to local authorities.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s vision for deeper financial opening-up highlighted at Shanghai Lujiazui Forum

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

    China’s vision for deeper financial opening-up highlighted at Shanghai Lujiazui Forum

    SHANGHAI, June 18 — Multiple government officials have delivered speeches at the annual Lujiazui Forum being held in east China’s Shanghai, pledging efforts to promote high-standard financial opening-up despite mounting global geopolitical uncertainty.

    Among the most high-profile measures being discussed at the forum is a plan to establish an international operations center for the digital RMB, which was unveiled by Pan Gongsheng, governor of the People’s Bank of China (PBOC). The move aims to promote the internationalization of the digital currency, as well as the development of financial market services, while supporting innovation in the field of digital finance.

    The center’s establishment is one of eight new measures set to be piloted in Shanghai, Pan said. Others include the development of free trade offshore bonds to expand financing channels for companies, and the optimization of the free trade account system to facilitate cross-border trade and investment for enterprises.

    Zhu Hexin, deputy governor of the PBOC and head of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (SAFE), said that to advance the facilitation of cross-border investment and financing, policies will be implemented nationwide to encourage foreign investment in research institutions and ease cross-border financing for technology-based enterprises.

    The policy of integrating funding pools for multinational companies in both domestic and foreign currencies will be promoted nationwide to facilitate the utilization of funds within multinational corporate groups, according to Zhu.

    A package of innovative foreign exchange policies will be implemented in China’s pilot free trade zones, including policies to optimize new international trade settlements and expand the Qualified Foreign Limited Partner (QFLP) pilot program, Zhu said.

    On Wednesday, SAFE unveiled a notice to solicit public advice on deepening reforms of the foreign exchange management of cross-border investment and financing, with the notice also pledging to facilitate cross-border financing further.

    China will exempt foreign-invested enterprises from registration requirements for domestic reinvestment, and this pilot policy will be expanded nationwide.

    On the capital market, Wu Qing, chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, emphasized the role that foreign funds and institutions play in China’s capital market, calling for the promotion of the broad opening-up of markets, products and institutions.

    Following Wu’s speech, the securities regulator announced that it would allow qualified foreign investors to participate in on-exchange exchange-traded fund (ETF) options trading from Oct. 9 this year for hedging purposes only.

    China has made steady progress in financial liberalization in recent years. According to Li Yunze, head of the National Financial Regulatory Administration, the country has optimized its model of “pre-establishment national treatment plus a negative list for foreign investment,” while most restrictions on foreign access to China’s banking and insurance sectors have now been removed.

    Looking ahead, the country plans to continue improving its business environment for foreign investors, aiming to foster a more welcoming, inclusive atmosphere in which foreign institutions can leverage their strengths and grow sustainably, Li added.

    Initiated in 2008, the Lujiazui Forum has become a platform for dialogue among policymakers, financial experts and business leaders from around the world. This year’s forum, themed “Financial opening-up and cooperation for high-quality development in a changing global economy,” runs from Wednesday to Thursday.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China once again calls on G7 to stop interfering in its internal affairs – Chinese Foreign Ministry

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 18 (Xinhua) — China once again calls on the Group of Seven (G7) to recognize the global development trend, abandon the Cold War mentality and ideological prejudices, stop interfering in China’s internal affairs, stop provoking conflicts and confrontation, and do more for the interests of the international community, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a regular briefing on Wednesday.

    Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a G7 summit chairman’s summary released on June 17 local time that participants stressed the need for constructive and stable relations with China, calling on China to avoid “market distortions” and “overcapacity,” and expressed serious concern about China’s “destabilizing activities” in the East China Sea and South China Sea and the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

    Commenting on the above document, Guo Jiakun noted that the G7 summit participants once again resorted to manipulating issues related to China. According to him, the G7 countries made irresponsible statements on Taiwan, the South China Sea and the East China Sea, and falsely accused China of “excess production capacity” and “market distortions.”

    “This is interference in China’s internal affairs and a violation of the basic norms of international relations. The Chinese side firmly opposes this and has made stern representations to the relevant parties,” Guo Jiakun said.

    The main factor undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait today is the activities of separatists advocating “Taiwan independence” and the interference of external forces, the official representative noted. According to him, if the G7 countries truly care about peace in the Taiwan Strait, they should strictly adhere to the one-China principle, clearly oppose “Taiwan independence,” and support China’s reunification.

    Guo Jiakun pointed out that the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea is generally stable at present. He called on the G7 to respect the joint efforts of regional countries to resolve issues through dialogue and consultation, maintain peace and stability, and stop using maritime issues to sow discord among regional countries and increase tensions in the region.

    The Chinese diplomat said the allegations of “market distortions” and “excess production capacity” were completely untrue. As Guo Jiakun emphasized, the G7 countries resort to such claims to justify their trade protectionism, and in fact, to contain and suppress China’s industrial progress, politicize and weaponize trade and economic issues. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Foreign Minister Discusses Israeli-Iranian Conflict with Omani FM

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 18 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Wednesday said Israel’s attack on Iran was a violation of international law and norms of international relations, an encroachment on the sovereignty and security of the Iranian state, and an undermining of peace and stability in the region.

    Wang Yi, also a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, made the statement in a telephone conversation with Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud al-Busaidi, which was initiated by the Omani side. The Chinese diplomat noted that China has always advocated peaceful resolution of any disputes.

    Wang Yi stressed that the top priority at present is to achieve a ceasefire and end the conflict. He pointed out that China supports the joint statement on the Israel-Iran conflict issued by 21 Arab and Islamic countries including Oman, and hopes that they will unite and continue their efforts to promote peace talks.

    China will also maintain communication and coordination with Oman and other regional countries and play a constructive role within platforms such as the UN to help end the conflict and restore peace in the Middle East, the Chinese Foreign Minister said. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Two Iranian centrifuge production facilities attacked – IAEA

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    VIENNA, June 18 (Xinhua) — Two centrifuge production facilities in Iran, the TESA complex in Karaj and the Tehran Nuclear Research Center, were hit, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Wednesday.

    As stated in the agency’s publication on the X social network, both facilities had previously been monitored and inspected by the IAEA in accordance with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.

    It is noted that one building was damaged in the center in Tehran, while two buildings were destroyed in Karaj.

    On June 13, the IAEA called for an end to attacks on nuclear facilities. “Nuclear facilities should never be attacked, regardless of the context and circumstances,” IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi said at a meeting of the organization’s board of governors.

    “Such attacks have serious implications for nuclear safety, security and safeguards, as well as for peace and security in the region and around the world,” the IAEA chief emphasized. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: US Federal Reserve keeps interest rates unchanged

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    NEW YORK, June 18 (Xinhua) — The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday left its target range for the federal funds rate unchanged at 4.25 percent to 4.5 percent, as robust economic growth bolsters the Fed’s wait-and-see approach.

    The Fed decided not to change its base rate for the fourth time in a row.

    “While fluctuations in net exports weigh on the data, recent data suggest that economic activity continues to expand at a strong pace,” the Fed said in a statement.

    According to the regulator’s assessment, the US maintains a low unemployment rate, stability in the labor market, and slightly elevated inflation.

    “Uncertainty about the economic outlook has diminished but remains high,” the statement said. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Review: BRICS Cooperation Space Constantly Expands – SPIEF Participants

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    St. Petersburg, June 18 (Xinhua) — The cooperation space between the BRICS countries is constantly expanding, especially after the expansion of the association began in 2024. This was stated on Wednesday by participants of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) at the session “BRICS and Partners: Creating a Joint Business Future.”

    Director of the Beijing-Moscow International Trade and Economic Center Ma Shuang noted that China has a long-term strategy for building relations with the BRICS countries. Among the areas that have the greatest potential for joint investment and opening up new markets, she named information technology and the Internet.

    Vice President of the India-South Africa Chamber of Commerce Lebohan Zulu stressed that the main barrier to increasing cooperation among BRICS countries is the legacy of the unipolar world system, which is expressed in the dominance of one currency in the world market, and the insufficient development of international transport and logistics networks. In her opinion, work in these areas, as well as the development of e-commerce platforms, can open up a huge number of prospects and opportunities for BRICS members and partners.

    According to Anna Nesterova, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Global Rus Trade and Chairperson of the Russian Part of the BRICS Women’s Business Alliance, the expansion of the association has demonstrated broad interest in it among countries around the world. She believes that education and the involvement of more and more women in entrepreneurial activity are relevant areas for the development of cooperation in BRICS. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: United in Call for Change: Joint Statement

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on June 18, 2025

    Premier Danielle Smith and Premier Scott Moe issued the following statement calling for change to federal policies: 

    “Today, Alberta’s and Saskatchewan’s governments came together in Lloydminster to make a unified call for national change.

    “Together, we call for an end to all federal interference in the development of provincial resources by: 

    • Repealing or overhauling the Impact Assessment Act to respect provincial jurisdiction and eliminate barriers to nation building resource development and transportation projects;
    • Eliminating the proposed oil and gas emissions cap;
    • Scrapping the Clean Electricity Regulations;
    • Lifting the oil tanker ban off the northern west coast;
    • Abandoning the net zero vehicle mandate; and
    • Repealing any federal law or regulation that purports to regulate industrial carbon emissions, plastics, or the commercial free speech of energy companies. 

    “The federal government must remove the barriers it created and fix the federal project approval processes so that private sector proponents have the confidence to invest.

    “Starting with additional oil and gas pipeline access to tidewater on the west coast, our provinces must also see guaranteed corridor and port-to-port access to tidewater off the Pacific, Arctic and Atlantic coasts. This is critical for the international export of oil, gas, critical minerals, agricultural and forestry products, and other resources. Accessing world prices for our resources will benefit all Canadians, including our First Nations partners.

    “Canada is facing a trade war on two fronts. The People’s Republic of China’s “anti-discrimination” tariffs imposed on Canadian agri-food products have significant impacts on the West. We continue to call on the federal government to prioritize work toward the removal of Chinese tariffs. Recently announced tariff increases, on top of pre-existing tariffs, by the United States on Canadian steel and aluminum products are deeply concerning. We urge the Prime Minister to continue his work with the US administration to seek the removal of all tariffs currently being imposed by the US on Canada. 

    “Alberta and Saskatchewan agree that the federal government must change its policies if it is to reach its stated goal of becoming a global energy superpower and having the strongest economy in the G7. We need to have a federal government that works with, rather than against, the economic interests of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Making these changes will demonstrate the new Prime Minister’s commitment to doing so. Together, we will continue to fight to deliver on the immense potential of our provinces for the benefit of the people of Saskatchewan and Alberta.”

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy, Tim Scott, colleagues introduce bill to protect U.S. secrets from foreign adversaries

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, today joined Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and 10 colleagues in introducing the Protect Our Bases Act, which would strengthen the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States’ (CFIUS) ability to review foreign land purchases near sensitive military, intelligence and national laboratory sites by requiring member agencies to annually update and review their lists of these sites.

    “The Chinese Communist Party’s land buildup near our most critical military and government facilities poses a grave threat to our national security. The Protect Our Bases Act would help safeguard our nation and fight back against Communist China’s spying on American soil,” said Kennedy.

    “The Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to infiltrate and surveil all parts of the U.S. national security apparatus requires vigilance from our national security agencies. This legislation will enhance the review of foreign real estate transactions near critical national security installations, helping ensure CFIUS has the information it needs to protect our homeland and keep our nation safe,” said Scott.

    Sens. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) also cosponsored the bill.

    Background: 

    • In 2022, Fufeng Group, a Chinese company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party, announced it would purchase land near Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. 
    • CFIUS determined that it could not evaluate the transaction for national security risks because the Department of Defense had not listed the base as a sensitive area for national security purposes.
    • Although the City of Grand Forks ultimately blocked the transaction, this incident demonstrated a serious flaw in the review process of foreign land purchases.

    The Protect Our Bases Act would:

    • require agencies represented on CFIUS to provide CFIUS with records of the military, intelligence and national laboratory facilities that should be considered sensitive areas for national security purposes annually.
    • require CFIUS to submit an annual report to Congress certifying the completion of these reviews and detailing the accuracy of its real estate listings.

    Full text of the Protect Our Bases Act is available here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese authorities have issued an emergency response to floods in five provincial-level regions.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 18 (Xinhua) — China’s National Flood and Drought Control Headquarters on Wednesday issued a Level 4 flood emergency response in Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, Guizhou and Chongqing provinces as they braced for another round of heavy rains.

    According to the headquarters, three working groups were sent to key areas to provide assistance in flood control and rescue operations.

    Separately, China’s National Meteorological Center on Wednesday extended a yellow alert for heavy rainfall expected in parts of the country.

    According to forecasts, from 20:00 on June 18 to 20:00 on June 19, heavy rain and downpours are expected in some places in the provinces of Guizhou, Sichuan, Hubei, Hunan, Henan, Hebei, Shandong, Liaoning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the municipalities of Chongqing and Tianjin. In some areas, 100 to 180 millimeters of precipitation may fall.

    Local authorities are advised to step up screening and take risk mitigation measures in key areas, including areas at risk from flash floods and geological hazards, as well as low-lying urban and rural areas at risk of flooding. It is recommended to issue weather warnings in a timely manner and organize evacuations if necessary.

    China has a four-tier flood emergency response system, with Level 1 being the highest. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: B2B platform KIFA and RDIF agree to develop digital trade between China and Russia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    St. Petersburg, June 18 (Xinhua) — KIFA, a B2B digital trade platform operating in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and China, and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, have agreed to partner to jointly develop digital trade between China and Russia and further expand trade between the two countries.

    The corresponding agreement was signed on Wednesday on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).

    “In the new reality, high technology is becoming one of the key factors for success, and KIFA is proud of its contribution to the modernization of trade and economic relations between China and Russia. Trusting strategic cooperation with RDIF, in turn, will play one of the key roles in this process. Together we will be able to implement ambitious projects aimed at strengthening economic ties between our countries,” said Sun Tianshu, founder of the KIFA B2B platform and Chairman of the Board of Directors of KIFA PJSC.

    “China is the leader in terms of trade turnover with Russia, and a stable system of mutual trade has been built between our countries, including in the field of e-commerce. RDIF is focused on supporting the entry of Russian and Chinese companies into the markets of the two countries, in this regard, the partnership with KIFA is an important stage in the development of digital cross-border trade. Providing entrepreneurs of the two countries with broad opportunities for simple and effective interaction in a digital environment with a transparent process at all stages and gaining access to new large markets will make a significant contribution to the further increase in bilateral trade volumes,” said RDIF CEO Kirill Dmitriev.

    As noted, the development of digital trade between China and Russia and its modernization thanks to advanced tools and the use of artificial intelligence make it possible to achieve more transparent, efficient and convenient processes for each entrepreneur. The expansion of the range of goods and the reduction of costs, in turn, stimulate the growth of trade turnover between China and Russia, which is one of the strategic objectives of bilateral relations.

    KIFA is a leading innovation platform that modernizes cross-border trade through the application of digital technology and artificial intelligence, and creates a new digital trading world between China and Russia. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Exclusive: “Chinese-Central Asian spirit” reflects the essence of relations between China and Central Asian countries – former Kyrgyz Foreign Minister A. Dzhekshenkulov

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BISHKEK, June 18 (Xinhua) — The concept of “China-Central Asian spirit” proposed by the Chinese side at the 2nd China-Central Asia Summit held in Astana, Kazakhstan on Tuesday reflects the essence of relations between China and Central Asian countries, former Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Alikbek Jekshenkulov told Xinhua.

    “The China-Central Asian spirit” is characterized by mutual respect, mutual trust, mutual benefit, mutual assistance and the promotion of joint modernization through high-quality development. “It serves as a spiritual foundation for the development of relations between China and Central Asian countries, pointing the way for regional cooperation,” A. Jekshenkulov noted.

    According to the expert, “mutual respect and mutual trust” reflect equality of sovereignty, respect for each country’s choice of development path, “mutual benefit and mutual assistance” indicate the spirit of cooperation, and “joint modernization” implies a common pursuit of prosperity and regional development through initiatives such as the Belt and Road.

    “This spirit will become a powerful engine for future cooperation between China and Central Asian countries, helping to form a closer community of shared destiny,” A. Dzhekshenkulov emphasized.

    As for the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, the Global Civilization Initiative and the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind put forward by China, the former head of the Kyrgyz Foreign Ministry said that they demonstrate China’s firm commitment to peace and development.

    “The Global Development Initiative aims to bridge the development gap and promote inclusive globalization. The Global Security Initiative proposes a Chinese solution to overcome the security deficit, prioritizing dialogue over confrontation. The Global Civilization Initiative protects the diversity of civilizations and opposes the mentality of “clash of civilizations,” the Xinhua source said.

    These initiatives, as A. Dzhekshenkulov believes, actively contribute to the reform of the global governance system, ensuring the “stable anchor” for a multipolar world and universal benefit, which is fully in line with the general expectations of the international community.

    Speaking about the Treaty on Eternal Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation between China and the Central Asian Countries signed during the summit, A. Dzhekshenkulov stated that it has historical significance.

    “This treaty not only lays the cornerstone of relations between China and Central Asian countries in the new era, but also demonstrates the powerful vitality of the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind. In the future, it will continuously stimulate the region to become an important platform for peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation and harmonious coexistence of civilizations,” the expert concluded. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: Shaheen Presses Hegseth on Protecting American Troops in the Middle East and the Importance of International Agreements, Secures Secretary’s Commitment to Investigate Hiring Delays at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, today questioned U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth in his first appearance before the Committee since being confirmed to lead the Pentagon in January. As violence escalates in the Middle East and President Trump weighs U.S. involvement, Secretary Hegseth did nothing to reassure the American public that men and women deployed in the Middle East, as well as Americans living abroad, would be protected if the President decides to enter the United States into active hostilities. Following concerns she heard from partners abroad at the Paris Air Show, Shaheen pressed Hegseth on the importance of international agreements like AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom and U.S.)—which Secretary Hegseth has placed under review—to efforts key to deterring China. Shaheen additionally secured commitment from Secretary Hegseth to raise hiring delays at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to quickly get public shipyard workers onboarded into the jobs they’ve been hired to do that are integral to national security. Click here to watch the Shaheen’s full remarks and questions.  

    Key Quotes from Shaheen: 

    • On the escalation of violence in the Middle East, Shaheen said: “I understand that we have 40,000 troops deployed in the region, many of whom are in range of Iranian missiles. And it’s been reported that the president is being asked to consider providing the bunker-buster bomb that is required to be carried only by the B-2 bomber and would require a U.S. pilot. That raises real concerns about what retaliation might mean for the safety and stability of the entire region, and our troops and Americans who are in the region.” 
    • On hiring delays at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard that have been unaddressed by the Secretary, Shaheen said: “Last week, Mr. Secretary, […] you reaffirmed the need for an exemption for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to your hiring freeze. […] I’d like to ask you again, because we have not yet heard anything from you or from the Office of Personnel Management about how they’re responding to this. DoD has told us that the Office of Personnel Management needs to review every single new hire, one by one at a time when we need 550 people every year just to keep up with the Navy’s demand for maintenance and on its nuclear submarines. So will you commit to talking to OPM on this issue?” 
    • On the importance of international agreements, Shaheen said: “Six of us on this committee just returned from the largest air show in the world. […] And one of the concerns that I heard from many of the companies that I talked to was about the potential to partner with our allies and partners for innovation, for co-production, and one concern I heard was about the proposed review of the AUKUS agreement. That’s after the Australian government has already contributed half a $1 billion to our submarine industrial base. And American and UK shipbuilders have made capital investments to support the increased demand. So do you disagree with the position that President Trump has taken about AUKUS, that we should move forward? And what is the review expected to produce?” 

    Shaheen pressed Hegseth during a Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing last week on the impacts of the administration’s tariffs on steel and aluminum on the defense industrial base, supply chain lead times and our overall military readiness. In a letter to Secretary Hegseth last month, Shaheen raised concerns about how the President’s trade war harms defense supply chains and ultimately weakens America’s military readiness. The Senator expressed how tariffs on imports will increase prices for the Department of Defense’s defense acquisitions – harming its purchasing power and further raising costs on small businesses.   

    Citing national security concerns and a lack of qualifications on the Senate floor, Shaheen announced in January that Hegseth would be the first nominee for Secretary of Defense that she opposed since joining the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee in 2011.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICYMI: From the Paris Air Show, Shaheen Pens Wall Street Journal Op-Ed Warning Trump’s Trade Policy Threatens Our National Defense and Global Alliances

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen

    (Washington, DC) – After co-leading a bipartisan Congressional delegation to the Paris Air Show, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) wrote an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal warning that President Trump’s trade policy threatens American national defense and global alliances. In her piece, Shaheen argues that the president’s tariff policy threatens our relationships around the globe, exacerbates existing supply chain disruptions and threatens American defense readiness. You can read her op-ed here.

    In part, Shaheen writes: “While Beijing closely watches the war in Ukraine, it has also escalated confrontations in the South China Sea and conducted aggressive military exercises over the Taiwan Strait. In the face of these rising threats, our ability to produce and deliver weapons at scale—coordinated with our allies—is more critical than ever.”

    Shaheen concludes: “The Trump administration’s trade policies have weakened the alliances we rely on. Congress should reassert our leadership by re-examining its moves and exercising congressional oversight. If we’re going to be ready for the challenges ahead, we must treat American trade policy as a core pillar of American national security.”

    The op-ed is available here and in full below:

    Trump’s Tariffs Weaken America’s Military

    Eighty years ago, the U.S. Army Air Forces staged an exhibition beneath the Eiffel Tower. Thousands of Parisians gathered to admire the B-17 Flying Fortress—an American-built aircraft that helped liberate Europe from Nazi occupation. Primitive by today’s standards, those bombers were the product of a national industrial base operating at full capacity. They were deployed by a trans-Atlantic alliance that shared logistics, intelligence and purpose. That model of coordination is what we need now—but it’s being tested by a trade agenda that favors confrontation over cooperation.

    As I co-lead the congressional delegation to this week’s Paris Air Show, the world’s largest defense aerospace expo, I find myself asking: Is the greatest obstacle to America’s security not China or Russia but our own trade policy?

    The U.S. defense industry’s capacity to meet the demand for arms was already stretched thin by the Covid pandemic and conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. The Trump administration further disrupted supply chains and increased production costs through more than 50 tariff announcements and a patchwork of shifting duties. The imposition of these tariffs has pressured allies to respond in kind. This cycle worsens supply-chain disruptions, driving up costs and causing delays in defense production.

    President Trump imposed 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum earlier this month. Regardless of any exemptions the administration offers, building a modern America-class amphibious assault ship requires 45,000 tons of steel. The net effect of this trade policy will be higher costs across the board, from military aircraft and lightweight armor plating to submarine repairs and shipbuilding.

    Tariffs will also affect small, specialized components like those used in jet engines, night vision systems, and landing gear. When I recently met with a New Hampshire company that makes ball bearings for the aerospace industry, executives told me tariffs have driven up their costs and extended their production time—concerns industry leaders echoed in Paris.

    These delays and rising costs don’t only slow American readiness; they erode our allies’ trust in the U.S. as a dependable partner. The strain is already evident. Although the F-35 fighter jet is “the pinnacle of aerial combat technology,” in Vice President JD Vance’s words, several North Atlantic Treaty Organization allies have signaled they may reconsider participation in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program.

    Demand for American-made weapons remains strong, especially from front-line nations like Poland. It is racing to acquire Himars rocket launchers and Abrams tanks. But even as the Trump administration pressures allies to spend more on defense, its trade policies and combative rhetoric are sowing doubt about the reliability of parts, maintenance and pricing. That’s prompting U.S. partners to reassess their long-term defense commitments. President Emmanuel Macron underscored this shift when he said, “My goal is to persuade EU countries that rely on U.S. weapons to choose European alternatives.”

    European leaders have legitimate cause for concern, and their increased defense spending reflects it. Vladimir Putin has reoriented Russia’s economy around the war in Ukraine, churning out more than 1,400 Iskander ballistic missiles a year and at one point signing up 1,000 new recruits a day. His effort is backed by North Korea, Iran and, most significantly, China.

    While Beijing closely watches the war in Ukraine, it has also escalated confrontations in the South China Sea and conducted aggressive military exercises over the Taiwan Strait. In the face of these rising threats, our ability to produce and deliver weapons at scale—coordinated with allies—is more critical than ever.

    The administration argues that reliance on foreign imports undermines American defense readiness and that tariffs will protect U.S. industries. But the defense industrial base has evolved over generations, and restructuring it would take decades—time we simply don’t have.

    Russia, China and Iran may feel distant to many Americans. But for those of us with family who served in World War II—or who confront national-security challenges daily in government service—the risks are clear and they are growing.

    As the B-17 displayed in Paris that summer of 1945 symbolized a robust industrial base united with steadfast allies, today’s defense readiness depends on a similarly coordinated approach—one that can’t thrive amid tariffs that alienate our closest partners.

    We need a smarter, more unified strategy. Tariffs on our closest allies aren’t only damaging our economy, they’re undermining our shared defense readiness. At a minimum, the administration should provide answers on how these tariffs are affecting our defense supply chains. I’ve asked Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for this information but received no response.

    The Trump administration’s trade policies have weakened the alliances we rely on. Congress should reassert our leadership by re-examining its moves and exercising congressional oversight. If we’re going to be ready for the challenges ahead, we must treat American trade policy as a core pillar of American national security.

    Last week, Shaheen pressed U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on the impacts of the administration’s tariffs on steel and aluminum on the defense industrial base, supply chain lead times and our overall military readiness. The exchange followed a letter sent to Hegseth in April where Shaheen raised concerns about how the President’s trade war harms defense supply chains and ultimately weakens America’s military readiness. The Senator expressed how tariffs on imports will increase prices for the Department of Defense’s defense acquisitions – harming its purchasing power and further raising costs on small businesses.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senate Intel Vice Chairman on TikTok

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

    WASHINGTON – Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Vice Chairman Mark R. Warner (D-VA) today released the following statement:

    “Once again, the Trump administration is flouting the law and ignoring its own national security findings about the risks posed by a PRC-controlled TikTok. An executive order can’t sidestep the law, but that’s exactly what the president is trying to do.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Would you cheat on your tax? It’s a risky move, the tax office knows a lot about you

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert B Whait, Senior Lecturer in Taxation Law, University of South Australia

    Soon, more than 15 million Australians should be lodging a tax return with the Australian Taxation Office in the hope of receiving at least a small refund.

    About 60% of taxpayers use an accountant to prepare their tax return while the other 40% lodge their returns via their MyGov account. This links them to the tax office, Medicare and other government services.

    The tax office receives about 1000 tip-offs a week from people who know or suspect evasion. Of these, the office deems about 90% warrant further investigation.

    What to remember when preparing your tax return

    These days, the tax office prefills much of your income information. The ATO will let you know through your MyGov account when your income statements from your employer are “tax ready”.

    But other income including bank interest, dividends and managed investment funds distributions may take longer to appear, so don’t rush to complete and lodge your tax return on July 1 if these aren’t there. When these items prefill, check them for accuracy and correct any errors.

    The tax office does not know about all your income so remember to provide details of other sources including capital gains on investments and income from other jobs for which you have an Australian Business Number.

    Some items, such as private health insurance information, are only partially pre-filled so be sure to check that all questions have been answered and all necessary information provided.

    How to claim deductions

    To claim a deduction you must have spent the money yourself and were not reimbursed from another source.

    The expense must be directly related to earning your income from either employment or services provided, from investments such as shares or a rental property, or from a business you operate.

    And you must have a record to prove your expense. This usually needs to be in the form of a receipt or a diary.

    If you don’t know how to record your deductions, an easy option is to use the tax office myDeductions app. You can scan receipts and allocate them to the correct section of your return.

    What the tax office will be looking for in 2025

    Each year the tax office targets particular areas. For 2025, these are:

    Working from home expenses: you can choose between two methods: the fixed rate method or the actual cost method.

    The fixed rate method allows you to claim 70 cents for each hour worked from home during the year. You do not need to keep receipts, but you must keep a record of the hours worked at home.

    The actual cost method allows you to claim the costs of working from home, but taxpayers must have a dedicated room set aside for the office and remove all private use.

    You cannot claim personal items like interest on a home loan or rent expenses unless you are operating a business from home.

    Personal items, such as coffee machines, are not claimable even if you use them while working from home. Mobile phone and internet costs are included in the 70 cents per hour fixed rate. The ATO will be looking for taxpayers who claim these twice – for example, on their return and from their employer.

    The 70 cents per hour rate does not include depreciation of work-related technology and office furniture, cleaning of the home office and repairs to these items. So these amounts can be claimed separately.

    Motor vehicle expenses: there are also two methods to work out this claim. The log book method requires you to have kept a record for 12 weeks. You then need to work out the percentage you used your car for work or business which is applied to your expenses.

    The cents per kilometre method allows you to claim 88 cents for each kilometre up to 5,000 km of work or business travel. No receipts need to be kept for this method, but you must be able to justify the total kilometres that you have claimed.

    If you use the cents per kilometre method, do not double dip by claiming additional motor vehicle expenses.

    Rental properties: make sure the expenses you claim do not include your personal costs. For example, the interest expenses must only be for the rental property and not interest from your personal home.

    Also, if you own 50% of the rental you can only claim 50% of the expenses, even if your taxable income is higher than the other owner. If you have a holiday home you can only claim expenses for when that home was rented out, not the whole year.

    Cryptocurrency: many taxpayers are buying and selling cryptocurrency. These transactions need to be reported in your tax return when they are sold as a capital gain or capital loss.

    Other forms of income: if you earn money through the sharing or gig economies, you must include all income from these activities in your return. If you sell goods online, the tax office may consider it to be a business, and it will expect the income to be declared.

    Don’t be tempted to cheat

    The ATO already knows a lot about your tax situation, which makes it harder than ever to cheat.

    The tax office uses data matching to check information you include in your return against data provided by other parties including share registries and your health insurer. It also gathers information from the internet.

    If the data doesn’t match your return, or your claim is considered excessive, the ATO may contact you. You may be asked to explain why and, if your explanation is unsatisfactory, you might be audited.

    Penalties of 25% to 75% of the tax owed may apply for falsely claiming deductions. The more dishonest the claim, the higher the penalty).

    The link between what you claim and what you earn has to be real. So do not claim the cost of your Armani suit as a work uniform or your pet as a mascot for your business. Even the cost of a massage chair to relieve work stress cannot be claimed.

    Dubious claims received by the tax office in recent years are many and varied. They have included Lego, school uniforms and sporting equipment purchased for kids, $9000 worth of wine bought by a wine expert while on a European holiday, for personal consumption, and a claim using receipts lodged by a doctor for an overseas conference he didn’t attend.

    What if I make a mistake or the ATO finds an error?

    If you make a mistake in your tax return, you can always amend it via MyTax.

    The tax office will not fine you unless you did not take reasonable care, but you will have to pay back the shortfall in tax.

    The due date to lodge your own return is October 31. If you are having trouble meeting this date, contact the tax office and ask for an extension.

    Disclaimer: this is general information only and not to be taken as financial or tax advice.

    Robert B Whait receives funding from the Federal Government as part of the National Tax Clinic Program, Financial Literacy Australia (now Ecstra Foundation), ANZ Bank, and the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC). He is affiliated with the Tax Institute of Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

    Connie Vitale receives funding from the Federal Government as part of the National Tax Clinic Program. She is affiliated with the Institute of Public Accountants and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

    – ref. Would you cheat on your tax? It’s a risky move, the tax office knows a lot about you – https://theconversation.com/would-you-cheat-on-your-tax-its-a-risky-move-the-tax-office-knows-a-lot-about-you-258587

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Would you cheat on your tax? It’s a risky move, the tax office knows a lot about you

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert B Whait, Senior Lecturer in Taxation Law, University of South Australia

    Soon, more than 15 million Australians should be lodging a tax return with the Australian Taxation Office in the hope of receiving at least a small refund.

    About 60% of taxpayers use an accountant to prepare their tax return while the other 40% lodge their returns via their MyGov account. This links them to the tax office, Medicare and other government services.

    The tax office receives about 1000 tip-offs a week from people who know or suspect evasion. Of these, the office deems about 90% warrant further investigation.

    What to remember when preparing your tax return

    These days, the tax office prefills much of your income information. The ATO will let you know through your MyGov account when your income statements from your employer are “tax ready”.

    But other income including bank interest, dividends and managed investment funds distributions may take longer to appear, so don’t rush to complete and lodge your tax return on July 1 if these aren’t there. When these items prefill, check them for accuracy and correct any errors.

    The tax office does not know about all your income so remember to provide details of other sources including capital gains on investments and income from other jobs for which you have an Australian Business Number.

    Some items, such as private health insurance information, are only partially pre-filled so be sure to check that all questions have been answered and all necessary information provided.

    How to claim deductions

    To claim a deduction you must have spent the money yourself and were not reimbursed from another source.

    The expense must be directly related to earning your income from either employment or services provided, from investments such as shares or a rental property, or from a business you operate.

    And you must have a record to prove your expense. This usually needs to be in the form of a receipt or a diary.

    If you don’t know how to record your deductions, an easy option is to use the tax office myDeductions app. You can scan receipts and allocate them to the correct section of your return.

    What the tax office will be looking for in 2025

    Each year the tax office targets particular areas. For 2025, these are:

    Working from home expenses: you can choose between two methods: the fixed rate method or the actual cost method.

    The fixed rate method allows you to claim 70 cents for each hour worked from home during the year. You do not need to keep receipts, but you must keep a record of the hours worked at home.

    The actual cost method allows you to claim the costs of working from home, but taxpayers must have a dedicated room set aside for the office and remove all private use.

    You cannot claim personal items like interest on a home loan or rent expenses unless you are operating a business from home.

    Personal items, such as coffee machines, are not claimable even if you use them while working from home. Mobile phone and internet costs are included in the 70 cents per hour fixed rate. The ATO will be looking for taxpayers who claim these twice – for example, on their return and from their employer.

    The 70 cents per hour rate does not include depreciation of work-related technology and office furniture, cleaning of the home office and repairs to these items. So these amounts can be claimed separately.

    Motor vehicle expenses: there are also two methods to work out this claim. The log book method requires you to have kept a record for 12 weeks. You then need to work out the percentage you used your car for work or business which is applied to your expenses.

    The cents per kilometre method allows you to claim 88 cents for each kilometre up to 5,000 km of work or business travel. No receipts need to be kept for this method, but you must be able to justify the total kilometres that you have claimed.

    If you use the cents per kilometre method, do not double dip by claiming additional motor vehicle expenses.

    Rental properties: make sure the expenses you claim do not include your personal costs. For example, the interest expenses must only be for the rental property and not interest from your personal home.

    Also, if you own 50% of the rental you can only claim 50% of the expenses, even if your taxable income is higher than the other owner. If you have a holiday home you can only claim expenses for when that home was rented out, not the whole year.

    Cryptocurrency: many taxpayers are buying and selling cryptocurrency. These transactions need to be reported in your tax return when they are sold as a capital gain or capital loss.

    Other forms of income: if you earn money through the sharing or gig economies, you must include all income from these activities in your return. If you sell goods online, the tax office may consider it to be a business, and it will expect the income to be declared.

    Don’t be tempted to cheat

    The ATO already knows a lot about your tax situation, which makes it harder than ever to cheat.

    The tax office uses data matching to check information you include in your return against data provided by other parties including share registries and your health insurer. It also gathers information from the internet.

    If the data doesn’t match your return, or your claim is considered excessive, the ATO may contact you. You may be asked to explain why and, if your explanation is unsatisfactory, you might be audited.

    Penalties of 25% to 75% of the tax owed may apply for falsely claiming deductions. The more dishonest the claim, the higher the penalty).

    The link between what you claim and what you earn has to be real. So do not claim the cost of your Armani suit as a work uniform or your pet as a mascot for your business. Even the cost of a massage chair to relieve work stress cannot be claimed.

    Dubious claims received by the tax office in recent years are many and varied. They have included Lego, school uniforms and sporting equipment purchased for kids, $9000 worth of wine bought by a wine expert while on a European holiday, for personal consumption, and a claim using receipts lodged by a doctor for an overseas conference he didn’t attend.

    What if I make a mistake or the ATO finds an error?

    If you make a mistake in your tax return, you can always amend it via MyTax.

    The tax office will not fine you unless you did not take reasonable care, but you will have to pay back the shortfall in tax.

    The due date to lodge your own return is October 31. If you are having trouble meeting this date, contact the tax office and ask for an extension.

    Disclaimer: this is general information only and not to be taken as financial or tax advice.

    Robert B Whait receives funding from the Federal Government as part of the National Tax Clinic Program, Financial Literacy Australia (now Ecstra Foundation), ANZ Bank, and the Consumer Policy Research Centre (CPRC). He is affiliated with the Tax Institute of Australia and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

    Connie Vitale receives funding from the Federal Government as part of the National Tax Clinic Program. She is affiliated with the Institute of Public Accountants and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

    – ref. Would you cheat on your tax? It’s a risky move, the tax office knows a lot about you – https://theconversation.com/would-you-cheat-on-your-tax-its-a-risky-move-the-tax-office-knows-a-lot-about-you-258587

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Stargazing flight: how Bogong moths use the night sky to navigate hundreds of kilometres

    Source:

    19 June 2025

    Bogong moth. Photo credit: Ajay Narendra, Macquarie University.

    In a world-first discovery, researchers have shown that Australia’s iconic Bogong moth uses constellations of stars and the Milky Way to navigate hundreds of kilometres across the country during its annual migration – making it the first known invertebrate to rely on a stellar compass for long-distance travel.

    The landmark study, published today in Nature, reveals how this unassuming nocturnal moth combines celestial navigation with Earth’s magnetic field to pinpoint a specific destination it has never visited before: the cool alpine caves of the Snowy Mountains, where it hibernates for the summer.

    Led by an international team of scientists from Lund University, the Australian National University (ANU), the University of South Australia (UniSA) and other global institutions, the research sheds new light on one of nature’s great migration mysteries, involving approximately four million moths each year.

    “Until now, we knew that some birds and even humans could use the stars to navigate long distances, but this is the first time that it’s been proven in an insect,” says Lund University Professor of Zoology, Eric Warrant, who is also a Visiting Fellow at the ANU and an Adjunct Professor at UniSA.

    “Bogong moths are incredibly precise. They use the stars as a compass to guide them over vast distances, adjusting their bearing based on the season and time of night.”

    Each spring, billions of Bogong moths (Agrotis infusa) emerge from breeding grounds across southeast Australia and fly up to 1000 kilometres to a small number of caves and rocky outcrops in the Australian Alps.

    A wall of Bogong moths, aestivating in a cave in the Australian Alps.

    The moths lie dormant in the cool, dark shelters throughout summer, and in autumn make the return journey to breed and die.

    Using sophisticated flight simulators and brain recordings in controlled, magnetically neutral environments, the researchers tested how moths orient themselves under different sky conditions.

    When presented with natural starry skies and no magnetic field, they consistently flew in the correct migratory direction for the season – southward in spring, northward in autumn.

    When the starry skies were rotated 180 degrees, the moths reversed direction accordingly, but when the stars were scrambled, their orientation vanished.

    “This proves they are not just flying towards the brightest light or following a simple visual cue,” says Prof Warrant. “They’re reading specific patterns in the night sky to determine a geographic direction, just like migratory birds do.”

    Interestingly, when stars were obscured by clouds, the moths maintained their direction using only the Earth’s magnetic field. This dual compass system ensures reliable navigation even in variable conditions.

    The team also delved into the neurological basis of this behaviour, identifying specialised neurons in the moth’s brain that respond to the orientation of the starry sky. These cells, found in brain regions responsible for navigation and steering, fire most strongly when the moth is facing southwards.

    “This kind of directional tuning shows that the Bogong moth brain encodes celestial information in a surprisingly sophisticated way. It’s a remarkable example of complex navigational ability packed into a tiny insect brain.”

    Researchers say the discovery could inform technologies in robotics, drone navigation, and even conservation strategies for species threatened by habitat loss or climate change.

    Bogong moth populations have declined sharply in recent years, promoting their listing as vulnerable.

    The study underscores the importance of protecting migratory pathways and the dark skies these moths rely on.

    “This is not just about a moth  ̶  it’s about how animals read the world around them,” says Prof Warrant. “The night sky has guided human explorers for millennia. Now we know that it guides moths, too.”

    Co-author Professor Javaan Chahl, a remote sensing engineer from the University of South Australia, made headlines in August 2024 using the discoveries from a previous study led by Lund University involving dung beetles, who use the Milky Way as a reference point to roll balls of dung in straight lines.

    Prof Chahl’s team modelled the same technique used by dung beetles to develop an AI sensor for robot navigation in low light.

    The Nature paper “Bogong moths use a stellar compass for long-distance navigation at night” is authored by researchers from Europe, the UK, China, Australia, Canada and Australia. DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09135-3

    A video produced by the Australian Academy of Science, explaining Prof Warrant’s research, is available at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqiG_xBUFE0.  Prof Warrant was elected a Corresponding Member of the Academy in 2024.

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    Media contact: Candy Gibson M: +61 434 605 142 E: candy.gibson@unisa.edu.au

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senators Ricketts and Kaine Introduce the AUKUS Improvement Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Pete Ricketts (Nebraska)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) introduced the AUKUS Improvement Act. Building upon the bipartisan, AUKUS-enabling legislation in the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act, the AUKUS Improvement Act will further streamline defense industrial base collaboration and co-production between the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom.  The legislation was also sponsored by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Chris Murphy (D-CT), and Dan Sullivan (R-AK).

    “The United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom collectively face our most challenging threat environment since WWII. As we approach the 4th anniversary of AUKUS, it’s clear more should be done to break down bureaucratic obstacles and ensure a more seamless defense innovation and trade environment,” said Ricketts. “By streamlining transfers of critical capabilities to two of our closest allies while also facilitating a more efficient co-production ecosystem, the AUKUS Improvement Act will strengthen our allies’ warfighting edge, improve interoperability, and support our own industrial base.”

    “The AUKUS partnership is critical to countering the threat from China and ensuring the Indo-Pacific remains free and open,” said Kaine. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to strengthen AUKUS and boost defense collaboration among our countries.”

    The AUKUS Improvement Act would:

    • Exempt State Department-vetted entities that have been approved as AUKUS Authorized Users from the requirement to obtain Third Party Transfer approvals under Foreign Military Sales. 
    • Exempt Australia and the United Kingdom from the need for Congressional Notification for overseas manufacturing.

    BACKGROUND:

    In the last five years, Australia has placed $23 billion in Foreign Military Sales (FMS) orders, making it one of the biggest users of the FMS process. FMS ensures Australia is procuring the exact same variant that the U.S. military uses, enabling greater interoperability. It also supports American deployed forces operating in Australia through access to spare parts. Australia is often required to transfer elements of equipment procured through FMS to industry for further development, operation, maintenance, and sustainment. In order to do this, it must obtain written consent from the State Department in the form of a Third Party Transfer (TPT) request. However, the TPT process can be slow, with applications often taking many months before being approved. By making TPTs made under FMS subject to similar export controls to those made under AUKUS for Direct Commercial Sales (DCS), the AUKUS Improvement Act will get capability in the hands of our allies faster.

    In March 2021, Australia established the Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) Enterprise to expand its munitions and missile stockpiles, establish domestic manufacturing ofguided weapons, and supplement international partners’ supply chains. As part of this announcement, Australia and the U.S. agreed to collaborate on a flexible guided weapons production capability in Australia, with an initial focus on the potential for co-production of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (GMLRS) by 2025, and eventual co-production of the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM).

    However, the Arms Export Control Act requires Congressional Notification (CN) 15 days prior to approving a commercial technical assistance or manufacturing license agreement to manufacture significant military equipment abroad, regardless of the value. Currently, State Department excludes any transfer of defense articles, technical data, or services that requires a CN from the license-free environment and expedited processing provisions under AUKUS. Therefore, Australia is required to obtain a Manufacturing License Agreement to receive the technical data and manufacturing know-how for each component of a precision-guided munition. This adds complexity, time, and cost, therebylimiting munitions co-production cooperation that benefits both the U.S. and Australia.

    Bill text can be found here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Tribunal Initiates Final Injury Inquiry—Polyethylene terephthalate from China and Pakistan

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    Ottawa, Ontario, June 18, 2025—The Canadian International Trade Tribunal today initiated an inquiry to determine whether the dumping of polyethylene terephthalate from China and Pakistan and the subsidizing of the above-mentioned goods from China have caused injury or retardation or are threatening to cause injury. This final injury inquiry was initiated further to a notice received from the Canada Border Services Agency stating that preliminary determinations had been made respecting the dumping and subsidizing of the above-mentioned goods.

    On October 15, 2025, the Tribunal will determine whether the dumping and subsidizing have caused injury or retardation or are threatening to cause injury to the domestic industry.

    The Tribunal is an independent quasi-judicial body that reports to Parliament through the Minister of Finance. It hears cases on dumped and subsidized imports, safeguard complaints, complaints about federal government procurement and appeals of customs and excise tax rulings. When requested by the federal government, the Tribunal also provides advice on other economic, trade and tariff matters.

    Any interested person, association or government that wishes to participate in the Tribunal’s inquiry may do so by filing Form I—Notice of Participation.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Tribunal Continues Orders—Circular Copper Tube from Brazil, Greece, China, South Korea and Mexico

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    Ottawa, Ontario, June 18, 2025—The Canadian International Trade Tribunal today continued its orders made on September 25, 2019, in expiry review RR‑2018‑005, concerning the dumping of circular copper tube from Brazil, Greece, China, South Korea and Mexico, and the subsidizing of these goods from China.

    The Tribunal found that the expiry of the orders was likely to result in injury. As such, the Tribunal continued its orders. The Canada Border Services Agency will therefore continue to impose anti-dumping and countervailing duties on these goods.

    The Tribunal is an independent quasi-judicial body that reports to Parliament through the Minister of Finance. It hears cases on dumped and subsidized imports, safeguard complaints, complaints about federal government procurement and appeals of customs and excise tax rulings. When requested by the federal government, the Tribunal also provides advice on other economic, trade and tariff matters.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema and African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Akinwumi Adesina Inaugurate Water Pumping Station for Greater Libreville

    • “Ten years without clean water: erased! Ten years without hope: forgotten! Ten years of suffering: over!”—Adesina to residents of Libreville’s outlying neighborhoods.
    • Adesina Receives Gabon’s Highest Civilian Honor

    Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema and African Development Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina (www.AfDB.org) on Monday jointly inaugurated a new drinking water pumping station, marking the end of a decade-long water crisis in PK5, a densely populated district of Libreville.

    The new PK5 pumping station, with a daily capacity of 57,600 cubic meters, is designed to deliver clean water to 128,000 residents across seven northern districts of the capital.

    “These past few weeks, we’ve finally felt like citizens of real capital. Water is flowing from our taps at last,” said Sandrine Onanga, a 33-year-old mother living in PK5. “It has been eight years since we last saw a drop of water. We had even forgotten what a tap looked like,” added Astrid Momboukou, who joined the crowd to witness the inauguration of the facility.

    For years, taps had run dry in parts of Libreville. “That’s all behind us now. No more lugging water jugs for kilometers. No more waiting late into the night for police tankers to deliver water every two or three days,” said Sandrine, smiling under the light rain that fell over Libreville that Monday.

    The new station was inaugurated in the presence of senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, development partners, and an enthusiastic local population. It forms part of the Integrated Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Program for Libreville (PAIEPAL). The program, with a total investment of €117.4 million, is financed through a €75.4 million loan from the African Development Bank and a €42 million loan from the Africa Growing Together Fund (AGTF), backed by the People’s Bank of China and administered by the Bank.

    The program aims to improve access to potable water and sanitation services in Libreville, strengthen sector governance, and build capacity for long-term transformation.

    The initiative ensures that more than 300,000 people—approximately 31% of Libreville’s 967,095 residents—now have sustainable and permanent access to clean water. The beneficiary communes include Libreville, Akanda, Owendo, and Ntoum.

    Adesina emphasized the life-changing impact of the new pumping station: “Ten years without drinking water: erased! Ten years without hope: forgotten! Ten years of suffering: ended!”

    The Bank, a reliable and strategic partner for Gabon

    Adesina also highlighted the Bank’s unwavering development support for Gabon during his ten-year tenure. “From 1974 to 2014, the Bank approved $1 billion in financing for Gabon. Since my election in 2015, we have committed an additional $1.5 billion—1.5 times the previous 40-year total,” he said.

    According to Philippe Tonangoye, Gabon’s Minister for Universal Access to Water and Energy, the project has significantly improved water infrastructure. It involved renewing 150 kilometers of pipelines, upgrading and extending another 150 kilometers of distribution networks, building and rehabilitating multiple water towers, and installing around 60 public standpipes across Libreville and surrounding areas.

    “The African Development Bank spared no effort to make this program a reality,” said Minister Tonangoye. “Some of these installations had not seen a single drop of water in ten years. My gratitude goes to the Bank for its commitment to Gabon.”

    President Adesina receives top Gabonese honor

    Ahead of the inauguration, Gabonese President Oligui Nguema conferred on Adesina the insignia of Grand Officer of the Order of the Gabonese Merit, one of Gabon’s highest civilian honors, in a ceremony witnessed by his wife, Grace Adesina.

    Recognized for his visionary leadership, Akinwumi Adesina—dubbed “Africa’s Chief Optimist”—will complete his second and final ten-year term as President of the African Development Bank Group on 31 August. Since 2015, he has led transformative projects across Africa under the Bank’s five strategic priorities, the “High 5s” (https://apo-opa.co/4n9ysad).

    Through these priorities, 565 million people have seen their lives transformed. In the water sector alone, 63 million people gained access to clean water and 34 million to sanitation services.

    Flagship projects in Gabon

    For decades, the Bank has supported Gabon’s socioeconomic development by helping diversify strategic sectors. It is now Gabon’s leading infrastructure partner.

    Among flagship projects, the Bank financed the New Owendo International Port. With a capacity of four million tonnes per year, this multi-purpose port (minerals, timber, containers) has reduced handling costs by 30% and become a critical link in Gabon’s logistics chain. In this context, the Gabonese President took Dr. Adesina on a tour of the La Baie des Rois Special Investment Zone, located 18 km from the port. The maritime façade of the Gabonese capital aims to be modern to attract international real estate investors to revitalize the country’s economy and create wealth for the population.

    The Bank is also helping Gabon develop the Kinguélé Aval hydroelectric power station—the country’s first energy PPP—which will add 40 megawatts of reliable, affordable, and clean energy. It is also financing the Ndende-Doussala road, a key segment of the Libreville-Brazzaville corridor that will connect Gabon and Congo and boost regional integration.

    With an active portfolio of $61.26 million, the African Development Bank Group’s strategy in Gabon focuses on two priority areas: supporting the development of sustainable infrastructure to drive industrialization, and strengthening economic governance and the business climate to promote social inclusion.

    Following the inauguration, President Oligui Nguema and Akinwumi Adesina visited two families in separate districts that were once severely impacted by water shortages. They also toured the National School for Hearing-Impaired Children, which serves hundreds of students. Since gaining access to clean drinking water, the school has seen a significant improvement in hygiene conditions.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

    Contact: 
    Romaric Ollo Hien
    Communication and External Relations Department
    media@afdb.org

    About the African Development Bank Group:
    The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 44 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states.

    For more information: www.AfDB.org

    MIL OSI Africa –