NewzIntel.com

Category: China

  • MIL-OSI China: 26 civilians killed, 46 injured in Indian attack on Pakistani civilian settlements

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

    Photo taken with a mobile phone on May 7, 2025 shows a building destroyed in an Indian missile attack in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-controlled Kashmir. [Photo/Xinhua]

    At least 26 people were killed and 46 others injured after India carried out strikes on six civilian settlements in Pakistan, Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of the Pakistani army, confirmed during a press briefing on Wednesday.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Hehe Culture artifacts shine at 2025 Foire de Paris

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

    At the 2025 Foire de Paris held from April 30 to May 11, more than 200 items of Hehe Culture from Taizhou, Zhejiang province, have taken center stage, showcasing Taizhou’s intangible cultural heritage.

    Rooted in the Chinese ideals of peace, harmony, and unity, Hehe Culture draws inspiration from the legendary “Two Hehe Saints” — Han Shan and Shi De. Through this cultural lens, the exhibition highlighted the philosophy of harmonious coexistence that lies at the heart of Chinese tradition.

    From jade-like crystal trays engraved with the figures of the Two Hehe Saints to lacquerware tea trays themed around Hehe Culture, each piece conveys stories of harmonious coexistence.

    A porcelain teacup set, a part of the Hehe Culture series, has been a centerpiece on display. The art piece has an overall round shape, complemented by the pattern of an eight-petal lotus, symbolizing integrity and purity. The word “Hehe” appears on the bottom of both cups in a pair, symbolizing harmony and beauty with profound implications.

    Another highlight has been the Taizhou embroidery. Titled “Auspicious Snake,” the Taizhou embroidery masterwork is crafted with unique Taizhou techniques, combining flat embroidery stitch and cut-work embroidery stitch. Taking the liveliness and auspiciousness of the zodiac sign “snake” as the inspiration, it ingeniously combines intangible cultural heritage Nyushu (girls’ handwriting), legendary stories, and embroidery textures, creating a unique work with a blend of concrete icons and abstract ideas.

    The exhibition also displays the Xianju lantern. Also known as “the No.1 lantern in China,” the Xianju lantern has a surface pattern made by punching holes with a knife and a needle. Originating in the Tang dynasty (618-907) and flourishing in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911), it is handmade, skeleton-less, with exquisite embroidery patterns. As an important part of China’s lantern-making crafts, the Xianju lantern uses unique and exquisite craftsmanship, featuring an external style with unique ethnic and regional characteristics.

    At this expo, cheongsam vests from Taizhou have wowed visitors from all over the world. “The vest is made of Chinese-style fabric using the traditional Yunjin weaving method, and features handmade butterfly-shaped and jade buttons,” said Yin Xiaobo, a manager of the Linhai cheongsam brand Yiqizhuo. “The collar, cuffs, and front opening are all finished with hand-stitched edging.”

    To complement the exhibition, Taizhou has also presented a series of books to showcase the depth of Hehe Culture.

    “This is Hehe Culture” is a bilingual book in both Chinese and English. Centered on the origins, development, and spread of Hehe Culture, and structured around its main ideas, the book introduces the essence of Hehe Culture to readers both in China and abroad through engaging stories that explore its meanings and themes.

    “Cold Hill’s Poetry” is a collection of the poems of Han Shan, a renowned Tang dynasty poet-monk and one of the two saints of Hehe Culture. His poems blend the thoughts of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, offering deep insights and a distinctive style that have resonated through the ages and helped build a cultural bridge between East and West.

    Moreover, the Taizhou exhibition area has attracted visitors with a variety of cultural and creative products inspired by Hehe Culture, such as braided flower incense ornaments, Tiantai Huading azalea brooches and earrings, and lotus-shaped incense-making brooches symbolizing harmony. 

    Founded in 1904, the Foire de Paris is one of the oldest, largest, and most prestigious comprehensive exhibitions in the world. It is also a cultural promotion platform with global influence. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi calls for safeguarding post-war order, defending int’l justice

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

    Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the international community to uphold the correct view of the history of World War II (WWII), firmly safeguard the post-war international order, and resolutely defend international fairness and justice.

    Xi made the remarks in a signed article published Wednesday in the Russian Gazette newspaper ahead of his arrival in Russia for a state visit and attendance at the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War.

    He noted that China and the Soviet Union stood as the backbone in the fight against Japanese militarism and German Nazism, making decisive contributions to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War.

    Any attempt to distort the historical truth of WWII, deny the outcomes of the victory, or smear the historical contributions of China and the Soviet Union is doomed to fail, Xi added.

    Xi said that the most important decision made by the international community at the end of WWII was the founding of the United Nations. Facing the complex and turbulent international situation, all countries should firmly safeguard the UN-centered international system, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and advance an equal and orderly multi-polar world and an economic globalization that benefits all, he said.

    Xi also urged the international community to uphold dialogue over confrontation, partnership over alliance, and win-win cooperation over zero-sum games.

    True multilateralism must be practiced, legitimate concerns of all parties should be taken into account, and international rules and order need to be jointly upheld, said Xi.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China, US officials to meet on trade this week

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

    Beijing confirmed on Wednesday that its top trade negotiator will meet with his US counterpart during a visit to Switzerland this week but issued a pointed warning: dialogue must be genuine, not a cover for continued pressure and unilateral demands.

    In Washington, US Treasury Department Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer announced that they will meet with their Chinese counterparts for talks.

    The conversations mark the first official public engagement between the world’s two largest economies after Trump administration’s decision of imposing hefty tariffs on China imports plunged the two into a trade war.

    In a statement issued early on Wednesday, China’s Ministry of Commerce said that senior US officials have repeatedly signaled adjustments to its tariff measures and conveyed messages through multiple channels, expressing a desire to engage with China on tariffs and related issues.

    “After careful evaluation of these US overtures and on the basis of fully considering global expectations, China’s interests, and the appeals of US industry and consumers, China has decided to re-engage the US,” a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said in the statement.

    The statement said that Vice-Premier He Lifeng, China’s lead representative on economic and trade issues, will hold talks with Bessent during his May 9-12 trip.

    In Washington, Bessent confirmed in an interview that they would meet on Saturday and Sunday.

    But Beijing made clear that it is entering the talks with caution. “If the US wants to talk, our door is always open,” a ministry spokesperson said. “But if you say one thing and do another, or even to attempt to use talks as a cover to continue coercion and extortion, China will never agree, let alone sacrifice its principled position and international fairness and justice to seek any agreement.”

    The spokesperson noted that negotiations must be grounded in “mutual respect, equal consultation and mutual benefit”.

    The ministry’s statement cited an old Chinese saying: “We must not only listen to what they say but also watch what they do,” warning that any future agreement would depend on Washington’s sincerity and actions — not just its words.

    The statement also carries a message to other economies that are engaging with Washington. “Appeasement does not bring peace, and compromise does not earn respect,” it said, adding that only by adhering to principles, fairness, and justice can one truly safeguard interests.

    Ahead of the planned meeting in Switzerland, Bessent said he looked forward to “productive talks”.

    He said the US and China had to de-escalate before they can move forward with trade negotiations.

    “My sense is that this will be about de-escalation, not about the big trade deal, but we’ve got to de-escalate before we can move forward,” Bessent said in an interview on Fox News on Tuesday.

    He also said “the current tariffs and trade barriers are unsustainable, but we don’t want to decouple”.

    In his first 100 days in office since Jan 20, US President Donald Trump has announced sweeping tariffs, starting with a 10 percent blanket duty on all foreign-made imports.

    Dozens of countries received a 90-day pause until July, but tariffs were raised to 145 percent on products from China, which has retaliated by imposing 125 percent levies on US goods.

    Gary Hufbauer, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington, said the Switzerland meeting is very important, and that “the news would be warmly welcomed by the financial markets and trading firms”.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Copa Sudamericana: Gimenez brace lifts Independiente to second in group

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

    Matias Gimenez scored twice as Argentina’s Independiente recovered from a goal down to trounce Uruguayan side Boston River 5-1 in the Copa Sudamericana group stage on Tuesday.

    Agustin Anello opened the scoring in Montevideo with a seventh-minute strike before goals from Gimenez and Giovanni Millan gave their side the lead at the interval.

    Diego Tarzia, Gimenez and Santiago Hidalgo were on target in the second half as Independiente claimed its second win of the tournament.

    The team from Avellaneda, south of Buenos Aires, is now second in Group A with six points, two behind leader Guarani. Boston River is fourth, two points further back.

    Earlier in the day, Gaston Togni scored with a second-half free-kick as 2020 champion Defensa y Justicia earned a 1-1 draw at Vitoria.

    Central defender Edu put the Brazilian side ahead by tapping home from point-blank range after goalkeeper Enrique Bologna fumbled what should have been a routine save from a set piece.

    The Argentine outfit equalized just before the hour when Togni curled in a superb free-kick from a tight angle.

    Defensa y Justicia remains last in Group B, behind Vitoria on goal difference. Both teams are still searching for their first victories of the tournament.

    Elsewhere, Godoy Cruz won 1-0 at Sportivo Luqueno, Guarani drew 2-2 at Nacional Potosi, and Corinthians was held to a 1-1 home draw by America de Cali.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Late Cuiabano strike fires Botafogo past Carabobo

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

    Defender Cuiabano scored in the 91st minute as defending champion Botafogo clinched a 2-1 victory at Carabobo in the Copa Libertadores group stage on Tuesday.

    The Brazilian side took the lead when Argentine goalkeeper Lucas Bruera failed to grasp Cuiabano’s long-range effort and Vitinho was on hand to tap in the rebound.

    Leonardo Aponte put the Venezuelan outfit on level terms with a first-time effort from eight yards after the visitors failed to deal with a corner.

    But Botafogo lifted its tempo in search of a winner and Cuiabano restored his team’s lead by taking a touch to control Allan’s pass before thumping a shot that beat Bruera at his near post.

    The Rio de Janeiro side remains third in Group A and will likely need to win both of its final two group matches – against Estudiantes and Universidad de Chile at home – to advance to the round of 16.

    “I’m happy to have scored but especially to have helped us pick up three points because we know how important it was,” Cuiabano said after the match. “We have a tight-knit group and we will always fight until the end.”

    Meanwhile, Andre Silva scored twice as Sao Paulo cruised to a 2-0 away victory over 10-man Alianza Lima.

    Silva put the visitors ahead just after the half-hour with a low first-time strike following Matheus Alves’ headed flick. The hosts were reduced to 10 men in the 69th minute when Renzo Garces was shown a straight red card for a bad foul on Lucas Moura.

    The Brazilian side put the result beyond doubt as Silva struck a minute from time after combining with Luciano Neves.

    Elsewhere, Argentina’s Racing Club romped to a 4-0 away victory over Colombian side Atletico Bucaramanga.

    Adrian Martinez opened the scoring in the fourth minute when he tapped home after a scramble inside the six-yard box. Santiago Solari doubled the advantage by playing a slick one-two with Martinez before rifling a low shot past goalkeeper Aldair Quintana.

    Santiago Sosa and Martin Barrios added late goals as Racing secured its second win of the campaign.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Full text of Xi’s signed article in Russian media

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday published a signed article titled “Learning from History to Build Together a Brighter Future” in the Russian Gazette newspaper ahead of his arrival in Russia for a state visit and attendance at the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War.

    The following is the full text of the article:

    Learning from History to Build Together a Brighter Future

    H.E. Xi Jinping

    President of the People’s Republic of China

    This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War, and the World Anti-Fascist War. It also marks the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations (UN). In this season when “apple and pear trees are blossoming,” I will soon pay a state visit to Russia and attend the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War, joining the heroic Russian people in honoring the history and the fallen heroes.

    Ten years ago around this time, I came to Russia to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the victory. During that visit, I made a special arrangement to meet with 18 representatives of Russian veterans who endured the blood and fire of battlefields during the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War and the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. Their unyielding resolve and indomitable bearing left an indelible impression on me. In the past few years, General M. Gareyev, Major General T. Shchudlo and other veterans passed away. I pay my deepest tribute to them and to all veterans-from generals to the rank and file-for their extraordinary service and heroic feats in securing the victory over fascists around the world. We will never forget them. Heroes never perish; their noble spirit lives forever.

    During the World Anti-Fascist War, the Chinese and Russian peoples fought shoulder to shoulder and supported each other. In the darkest hours of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Soviet Volunteer Group, which was part of the Soviet Air Force, came to Nanjing, Wuhan and Chongqing to fight alongside the Chinese people, bravely engaging Japanese invaders in aerial combat-many sacrificing their precious lives. At the critical juncture of the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War, Yan Baohang, a legendary intelligence agent of the Communist Party of China (CPC) who was hailed as the “Richard Sorge of the East,” provided the Soviet Union with primary-source intelligence. In the crucible of the war-torn years, the Soviet Union provided China with large quantities of weapons and equipment. China, for its part, shipped much-needed strategic supplies to the Soviet Union. The two countries jointly established a supply line spanning the treacherous Gobi Desert. It was an international lifeline, vital for our mutual support in fighting fascists. The strong camaraderie between our two nations, forged in blood and sacrifice, surges onward unceasingly, mighty as the Yellow River and the Volga. It is an eternal wellspring nourishing our everlasting friendship.

    Eighty years ago, the forces of justice around the world, including China and the Soviet Union, united in courageous battles against their common foes and defeated the overbearing fascist powers. Eighty years later today, however, unilateralism, hegemonism, bullying, and coercive practices are severely undermining our world. Again humankind has come to a crossroads of unity or division, dialogue or confrontation, win-win cooperation or zero-sum games. In War and Peace, the great writer Leo Tolstoy observed, “History is the life of nations and of humanity.” Indeed, historical memory and truth will not fade with the passage of time. They serve as inspirations that mirror the present and illuminate the future. We must learn from history, especially the hard lessons of the Second World War. We must draw wisdom and strength from the great victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, and resolutely resist all forms of hegemonism and power politics. We must work together to build a brighter future for humanity.

    — We must uphold a correct historical perspective on WWII. China and the Soviet Union were the principal theaters of that war in Asia and Europe respectively. The two countries served as the mainstay of resistance against Japanese militarism and German Nazism, making pivotal contribution to the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War. The Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression began the earliest and lasted the longest. United as one under the banner of the Chinese united front against Japanese aggression, which was advocated and established by the CPC, the Chinese people launched a relentless struggle against and defeated the brutal Japanese militarists. With immense sacrifice, they carved out an immortal epic of heroic resistance and ultimate victory against Japanese aggression. In the European theater, the Soviet Red Army advanced like an iron tide with unwavering fortitude and valor, crushed Nazi Germany’s ambitions and liberated millions from its brutal occupation, writing an epic of victory in the Soviet Union’s Great Patriotic War.

    History teaches us that light will always overcome darkness, and that justice will ultimately prevail over evil. The International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg and the International Military Tribunal for the Far East condemned the convicted war criminals to perpetual infamy. The justice and integrity of the two landmark trials, their historic significance, and their contemporary relevance stand beyond challenge. Any attempt to distort the historical truth of WWII, deny its victorious outcome, or defame the historic contribution of China and the Soviet Union is doomed to fail. Neither of our two nations will tolerate any act to reverse the course of history-nor will the people of the whole world.

    — We must resolutely uphold the postwar international order. The most significant decision by the international community around the end of WWII was to establish the UN. China and the Soviet Union were among the first to sign the UN Charter. Our permanent membership in the UN Security Council is a product of history, earned through blood and sacrifice. The more turbulent and complex the international situation becomes, the more we must uphold and defend the authority of the UN, firmly uphold the UN-centered international system, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and steadily promote an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalization.

    This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the restoration of Taiwan. Taiwan’s restoration to China is a victorious outcome of WWII and an integral part of the postwar international order. A series of instruments with legal effect under international law, including the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation, have all affirmed China’s sovereignty over Taiwan. The historical and legal fact therein brooks no challenge. And the authority of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 brooks no challenge. No matter how the situation on the Taiwan island evolves or what troubles external forces may make, the historical trend toward China’s ultimate and inevitable reunification is unstoppable.

    China and Russia have all along firmly supported each other on issues bearing on our respective core interests or major concerns. Russia has reiterated on many occasions that it strictly adheres to the one-China principle, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China’s territory, it opposes any form of “Taiwan independence,” and it firmly supports all measures of the Chinese government and the Chinese people to achieve national reunification. China highly commends Russia’s consistent position.

    — We must firmly defend international fairness and justice. Now, the global deficits in peace, development, security and governance continue to widen unabated. To address these deficits, I have proposed to build a community with a shared future for mankind and put forward the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative as a way forward to steer the reform of the global governance system toward greater fairness and justice.

    The world needs justice, not hegemonism. History and reality have proven that to meet global challenges, it is important to uphold the vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contribution for shared benefit. It is also important to choose dialogue over confrontation, build partnerships over alliances, and pursue win-win cooperation over zero-sum games. It is equally important to practice true multilateralism, accommodate the legitimate concerns of all parties, and safeguard international norms and order. We firmly believe that people around the world will choose to stand on the right side of history and the side of fairness and justice.

    China and Russia are both major countries with significant influence in the world. The two nations are constructive forces for maintaining global strategic stability and for improving global governance. Our bilateral relationship is founded upon a clear historical logic, sustained by strong internal drive, and rooted in profound cultural heritage. Our relationship is neither directed against nor swayed by any third party. Together we must foil all schemes to disrupt or undermine our bonds of amity and trust, and we must not be baffled by transient matters or unsettled by formidable challenges. We must leverage the certainty and resilience of our partnership of strategic coordination to jointly accelerate the shift toward a multipolar world and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

    China and Russia are both great nations with splendid civilizations. The Chinese and Russian peoples are both great peoples defined by heroic legacies. Eighty years ago, our peoples won the anti-fascist war through heroic struggles. Eight decades later today, we must take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard our sovereignty, security, and development interests. We should be guardians of historical memory, partners in national development and rejuvenation, and champions of global fairness and justice, and work together to forge a brighter future for humanity.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Announcement on Open Market Operations No.85 [2025]

    Source: Peoples Bank of China

    Announcement on Open Market Operations No.85 [2025]

    (Open Market Operations Office, May 7, 2025)

    The People’s Bank of China conducted reverse repo operations in the amount of RMB195.5 billion through quantity bidding at a fixed interest rate on May 7, 2025.

    Details of the Reverse Repo Operations

    Maturity

    Rate

    Bidding Volume

    Winning Bid Volume

    7 days

    1.50%

    RMB195.5 billion

    RMB195.5 billion

    Date of last update Nov. 29 2018

    2025年05月07日

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Tibetan cultural heritage exhibition returns to Beijing

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

    The second edition of a major Tibetan intangible cultural heritage exhibition opened on April 29 at Beijing’s Beihai Park, featuring over 500 handicrafts and cultural products from Rangtang county in Sichuan province.

    Organizers and guests pose for a group photo at the opening of a Tibetan intangible cultural heritage exhibition in Beihai Park, Beijing, April 29, 2025. [Photo courtesy of the Rangtang Intangible Cultural Heritage Center]

    The exhibition, jointly hosted by the county government and Beijing Tourism Group, runs through early June at the former imperial garden, which is marking its 100th anniversary of opening to the public.

    This year’s exhibition has more than doubled in size, featuring over 500 works in 22 categories compared with last year’s event, which showcased 200 exhibits across 11 categories and drew more than 120,000 visitors.

    The exhibition highlights masterpieces of traditional craftsmanship from Rangtang county in Sichuan’s Aba Tibetan and Qiang autonomous prefecture. Featured works include traditional painting, metalwork, ceramics, weaving and dyeing, embroidery, and wood and stone carving.

    A standout feature of the exhibition is the innovative “Thangka + Porcelain Painting” series, where over a dozen artists skilled in traditional Tibetan Buddhist scroll painting spent three years in Jingdezhen, a world-famous porcelain city in Jiangxi province. There, they merged Thangka art with ceramic techniques to create the “Thousand-Armed, Thousand-Eyed Guanyin” porcelain panel collection.

    Visitors can also watch master artisans demonstrate traditional painting and weaving techniques through live workshops. A new section showcasing contemporary adaptations of Buddhist motifs into fashion accessories aims to attract younger audiences.

    The exhibition is organized by the Rangtang Intangible Cultural Heritage Center, founded by Jamyang Lodro Rinpoche, a national-level inheritor of a Tibetan Buddhist music genre. Starting with a single facility offering free painting classes to disadvantaged children in 2010, the initiative has grown to 47 training centers teaching traditional skills ranging from medicine to ceramics, with additional branches in major cities including Shanghai.

    Jamyang Lodro, founder of the Rangtang Intangible Cultural Heritage Center, speaks to China.org.cn while introducing artworks on display at a Tibetan intangible cultural heritage exhibition in Beihai Park, Beijing, April 30, 2025. [Photo/China.org.cn]

    The remote Rangtang county, once among China’s poorest regions, has turned to its cultural heritage to drive economic development after years of isolation and industrial underdevelopment. The initiative has revived community pride, trained over 1,000 young people, and advanced poverty relief and rural revitalization while promoting heritage preservation and cultural tourism.

    The centers have trained 174 representative inheritors of intangible cultural heritage over the past decade. To provide career opportunities for these artisans, the county has also launched an innovation park that develops heritage-based products ranging from paintings to herbal care items.

    The county now sells Thangka paintings, ceramic art, Tibetan medicinal baths and herbal care items nationally and internationally, generating annual sales exceeding 10 million yuan ($1.4 million). The initiative has boosted incomes for more than 3,000 local farmers and herders.

    The heritage centers have held exhibitions in cities including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu and Hangzhou, featuring more than 100 works that blend traditional craftsmanship with modern design. In 2023, the government designated Rangtang as a national pilot zone for cultural industry-driven rural revitalization.

    Jamyang Lodro told China.org.cn that while most students at the centers come from farming and herding families, many have become accomplished artists through specialized training programs lasting up to eight years. The center offers full scholarships and living stipends to ensure students from poor backgrounds can complete their training.

    Rangtang’s centers have partnered with top institutions, including Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University, the Central Conservatory of Music and various museums. These partnerships have broadened students’ skills while connecting Qinghai–Xizang Plateau traditions with the wider world. The trainees now serve as bridges between traditional culture and modern industries, helping integrate ancient arts into the contemporary creative economy.

    Artworks on display at a Tibetan intangible cultural heritage exhibition in Beihai Park, Beijing, April 30, 2025. [Photo/China.org.cn]

    Jamyang Lodro says each piece represents a personal journey: young people who overcame difficult backgrounds to transform their lives through art and tradition.

    “It’s about loving and understanding life itself,” he said, emphasizing his vision of not only nurturing their skills but also their inner being. “They came to know themselves better through these traditional arts and discovered their true selves.”

    He emphasized that Chinese arts must maintain their authenticity when shared internationally. “Through all our works, we clearly show them who we are. We turn inward, not outward. If your artworks merely mimic Western art, international audiences won’t respect you. We have our own philosophy, inner meaning and artistic traditions. We have our own charm. That’s what they respect. From there, we can have cultural dialogue.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China main car supplier to Uzbekistan in Q1 2025: report

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

    China was the top supplier of passenger cars to Uzbekistan in the first quarter of 2025, according to a report released on Tuesday by the country’s National Statistics Committee.

    “In January-March 2025, Uzbekistan imported 6,950 passenger cars from abroad, with a total value of 115.1 million U.S. dollars,” said the report.

    It noted that among the partner countries, China ranked first with 5,235 vehicles delivered to Uzbekistan. South Korea was ranked second with 1,425 units, and India third with 144 units.

    In 2024, Uzbekistan imported 74,700 passenger cars, of which approximately 61,000 were supplied by China. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China reports income growth of commercial performances in May Day holiday

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

    China witnessed steady growth in both ticket sales and audience numbers for commercial performances across the country during this year’s May Day holiday, which spanned from May 1 to 5, according to the Association of Performing Arts.

    Latest data released by the association showed that a total of 33,500 commercial performances were staged nationwide during the holiday period, excluding those held at entertainment venues.

    Remarkably, ticket sales amounted to 2.16 billion yuan (about 300 million U.S. dollars), representing a year-on-year increase of 3.6 percent.

    The audience count reached 10.32 million, indicating a marginal growth of 0.47 percent compared to the same period of last year. The figures underscore the sustained popularity and appeal of live performances in China.

    The association highlighted that the holiday performances presented in professional theaters encompassed a diverse range of genres, including drama, musicals, acrobatics, and traditional Chinese operas.

    Furthermore, large-scale commercial performances, such as music festivals with an audience exceeding 5,000 people, generated impressive box office revenue of 1.21 billion yuan, marking a year-on-year increase of 5.12 percent.

    Performances at scenic spots also played a pivotal role in elevating the tourism experience.

    Ticket sales for large and medium-sized tourism-related performance projects nationwide amounted to 685 million yuan during the holiday, representing a year-on-year surge of 9.08 percent. The number of audience members also increased by 6.11 percent year on year, reaching 5.58 million, as stated by the association. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Bacon, Pappas Co-lead Taiwan Representative Office Act

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

    Bacon, Pappas Co-lead Taiwan Representative Office Act

    Washington, DC – Reps. Don Bacon (NE-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) have introduced legislation to direct the Secretary of State to engage in negotiations with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) to rename its office the ‘‘Taiwan Representative Office.”

    Currently named the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the United States, it represents the interests of Taiwan in the United States in the absence of formal diplomatic relations, functioning as a de facto embassy. Its counterpart in Taiwan is the office of the American Institute in Taiwan in Taipei.

    This bill does not restore diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan) or alter the position of the United States with respect to the international status of Taiwan.

    “Taiwan is our friend, and we are treating them like second-class people because of the pressure and bullying by China,” said Rep. Bacon. “We want to elevate what we call their diplomatic facilities and their senior diplomatic representative. Taiwan deserves better from the world’s superpower for freedom.” 

    “I am committed to standing with all our democratic allies against threats to their security and sovereignty, and we must continue to strengthen our diplomatic partnership with our democratic ally Taiwan as they face continued threats from Xi Jinping’s authoritarian regime,” said Rep. Pappas. “This bipartisan policy would properly recognize Taiwan’s de facto embassy in Washington to demonstrate our continued support and counter Xi Jinping’s attempts to intimidate Taiwan and other allies.”

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: EIA expects lower crude oil prices and higher natural gas prices through 2026

    Source: US Energy Information Administration

    U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
    WASHINGTON DC 20585

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    May 6, 2025

    The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects recent developments in global trade policy and oil production to contribute to lower global demand for petroleum products through 2026, contributing to lower oil prices than it previously forecast.

    In its May Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), EIA also forecasts natural gas prices to increase from historic lows in 2024.

    U.S. energy market indicators 2024 2025 2026
    Brent crude oil spot price (dollars per barrel) $81 $66 $59
    Retail gasoline price (dollars per gallon) $3.30 $3.10 $3.10
    U.S. crude oil production (million barrels per day) 13.2 13.4 13.5
    Natural gas price at Henry Hub (dollars per million British thermal units) $2.20 $4.10 $4.80
    U.S. liquefied natural gas gross exports (billion cubic feet per day) 12 15 16
    Shares of U.S. electricity generation       
    Natural gas 42% 40% 40%
    Coal 16% 16% 15%
    Renewables 23% 25% 27%
    Nuclear 19% 19% 19%
    U.S. GDP (percentage change) 2.8% 1.5% 1.6%
    U.S. CO2 emissions (billion metric tons) 4.8 4.8 4.7
    Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook, May 2025
    Note: Values in this table are rounded and may not match values in other tables in this report.

    Some key highlights from the May STEO include:

    • Oil supply, demand, and prices: EIA expects the Brent crude oil price to average about $66 per barrel in 2025 and about $59 per barrel in 2026, both significantly lower than the 2024 average of $81 per barrel.
    • Compared with the January STEO—the first STEO to include forecasts for 2026—EIA’s current forecast for global petroleum demand is about 500,000 barrels per day lower. EIA expects lower demand for petroleum products—such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel—along with increased oil production will lead to a generally oversupplied oil market, pushing oil prices down; EIA’s May forecast for 2026 oil prices is $8 per barrel lower than its January forecast.
    • As with all EIA forecasts, its forecast for crude oil prices is highly uncertain, specifically related to possible changes in U.S. and global crude oil production and petroleum demand trends. Notably, EIA concluded this forecast on May 1, which was before the latest OPEC+ meeting, on May 3.
    • U.S. ethane: China waived a 125% tariff on U.S. ethane imports it levied in early April. The tariff removal led EIA to expect strong growth in U.S. ethane production and exports. EIA expects the United States to produce nearly 3 million barrels per day of ethane this year and slightly more than 3 million barrels per day of ethane next year, up from 2.8 million barrels per day in 2024. Most of this growth in U.S. ethane production will be exported to supply growing international demand.
    • Natural gas prices: EIA expects natural gas prices to increase to about $4.20 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) on average in the third quarter of 2025. That price is about 80 cents per MMBtu higher than the April average and almost double the price from last year.
    • Electricity generation: EIA expects the U.S. power sector to generate 2% more electricity this year than it did in 2024, but generation from U.S. natural gas-fired power plants declines by 3% in the agency’s forecast, partially driven by rising natural gas prices. EIA expects rising natural gas prices to also contribute to a 6% increase in coal-fired generation.
    • U.S. solar generation continues to increase the most in electricity generation in the STEO forecast, increasing by 34% in 2025 and 18% in 2026.
    • Coal markets: With U.S. coal-fired power plants generating more electricity this year, EIA now expects U.S. coal production to total more than 500 million short tons in 2025, an upward revision from the April forecast.
    • Trade policy assumptions: The U.S. macroeconomic outlook EIA uses in the Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) is based on S&P Global’s macroeconomic model. S&P Global’s most recent model reflects the tariffs announced on April 2, but the model was finalized prior to the temporary 90-day tariff suspension granted to certain countries. As a result, EIA’s macroeconomic forecast assumes significantly lower tariffs on China’s products than are currently in place and significantly higher tariffs on countries subject to the 90-day temporary suspension. These differences in tariff rates likely have offsetting effects on the macroeconomic forecast.

    The full May 2025 Short-Term Energy Outlook is available on the EIA website.

    The product described in this press release was prepared by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. By law, EIA’s data, analysis, and forecasts are independent of approval by any other officer or employee of the U.S. government. The views in the product and this press release therefore should not be construed as representing those of the U.S. Department of Energy or other federal agencies.

    EIA Program Contact: Tim Hess, STEO@eia.gov
    EIA Press Contact: Chris Higginbotham, EIAMedia@eia.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: EIA expects lower crude oil prices and higher natural gas prices through 2026

    Source: US Energy Information Administration – EIA

    Headline: EIA expects lower crude oil prices and higher natural gas prices through 2026

    U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
    WASHINGTON DC 20585

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    May 6, 2025

    The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects recent developments in global trade policy and oil production to contribute to lower global demand for petroleum products through 2026, contributing to lower oil prices than it previously forecast.

    In its May Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), EIA also forecasts natural gas prices to increase from historic lows in 2024.

    U.S. energy market indicators 2024 2025 2026
    Brent crude oil spot price (dollars per barrel) $81 $66 $59
    Retail gasoline price (dollars per gallon) $3.30 $3.10 $3.10
    U.S. crude oil production (million barrels per day) 13.2 13.4 13.5
    Natural gas price at Henry Hub (dollars per million British thermal units) $2.20 $4.10 $4.80
    U.S. liquefied natural gas gross exports (billion cubic feet per day) 12 15 16
    Shares of U.S. electricity generation       
    Natural gas 42% 40% 40%
    Coal 16% 16% 15%
    Renewables 23% 25% 27%
    Nuclear 19% 19% 19%
    U.S. GDP (percentage change) 2.8% 1.5% 1.6%
    U.S. CO2 emissions (billion metric tons) 4.8 4.8 4.7
    Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook, May 2025
    Note: Values in this table are rounded and may not match values in other tables in this report.

    Some key highlights from the May STEO include:

    • Oil supply, demand, and prices: EIA expects the Brent crude oil price to average about $66 per barrel in 2025 and about $59 per barrel in 2026, both significantly lower than the 2024 average of $81 per barrel.
    • Compared with the January STEO—the first STEO to include forecasts for 2026—EIA’s current forecast for global petroleum demand is about 500,000 barrels per day lower. EIA expects lower demand for petroleum products—such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel—along with increased oil production will lead to a generally oversupplied oil market, pushing oil prices down; EIA’s May forecast for 2026 oil prices is $8 per barrel lower than its January forecast.
    • As with all EIA forecasts, its forecast for crude oil prices is highly uncertain, specifically related to possible changes in U.S. and global crude oil production and petroleum demand trends. Notably, EIA concluded this forecast on May 1, which was before the latest OPEC+ meeting, on May 3.
    • U.S. ethane: China waived a 125% tariff on U.S. ethane imports it levied in early April. The tariff removal led EIA to expect strong growth in U.S. ethane production and exports. EIA expects the United States to produce nearly 3 million barrels per day of ethane this year and slightly more than 3 million barrels per day of ethane next year, up from 2.8 million barrels per day in 2024. Most of this growth in U.S. ethane production will be exported to supply growing international demand.
    • Natural gas prices: EIA expects natural gas prices to increase to about $4.20 per million British thermal units (MMBtu) on average in the third quarter of 2025. That price is about 80 cents per MMBtu higher than the April average and almost double the price from last year.
    • Electricity generation: EIA expects the U.S. power sector to generate 2% more electricity this year than it did in 2024, but generation from U.S. natural gas-fired power plants declines by 3% in the agency’s forecast, partially driven by rising natural gas prices. EIA expects rising natural gas prices to also contribute to a 6% increase in coal-fired generation.
    • U.S. solar generation continues to increase the most in electricity generation in the STEO forecast, increasing by 34% in 2025 and 18% in 2026.
    • Coal markets: With U.S. coal-fired power plants generating more electricity this year, EIA now expects U.S. coal production to total more than 500 million short tons in 2025, an upward revision from the April forecast.
    • Trade policy assumptions: The U.S. macroeconomic outlook EIA uses in the Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) is based on S&P Global’s macroeconomic model. S&P Global’s most recent model reflects the tariffs announced on April 2, but the model was finalized prior to the temporary 90-day tariff suspension granted to certain countries. As a result, EIA’s macroeconomic forecast assumes significantly lower tariffs on China’s products than are currently in place and significantly higher tariffs on countries subject to the 90-day temporary suspension. These differences in tariff rates likely have offsetting effects on the macroeconomic forecast.

    The full May 2025 Short-Term Energy Outlook is available on the EIA website.

    The product described in this press release was prepared by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. By law, EIA’s data, analysis, and forecasts are independent of approval by any other officer or employee of the U.S. government. The views in the product and this press release therefore should not be construed as representing those of the U.S. Department of Energy or other federal agencies.

    EIA Program Contact: Tim Hess, STEO@eia.gov
    EIA Press Contact: Chris Higginbotham, EIAMedia@eia.gov

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners of war

    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

    Moscow/Kyiv, May 6 /Xinhua/ — The Russian Defense Ministry has confirmed a new large-scale exchange of prisoners of war with Ukraine. The procedure was carried out according to the 205 to 205 formula. This was reported by the Russian Defense Ministry on Tuesday.

    As stated in the official Telegram channel of the Russian Defense Ministry, on May 6, as a result of the negotiation process, 205 Russian servicemen were returned from the territory controlled by Ukraine. In exchange, 205 prisoners of war of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were transferred.

    It is reported that at present all Russian servicemen are on the territory of the Republic of Belarus, where they are provided with the necessary psychological and medical assistance, and also given the opportunity to contact their relatives. All released servicemen will be delivered to the Russian Federation for treatment and rehabilitation in medical institutions of the Russian Ministry of Defense.

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in turn, reported on Telegram that 205 servicemen returned to Ukraine from Russian captivity on Tuesday. According to him, the number of released persons included representatives of almost all types and branches of the Ukrainian military. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese and Russian students from Moscow music universities performed the music of Victory

    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

    Moscow, May 6 (Xinhua) — Chinese and Russian students from Moscow music universities performed at a concert dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Victory on May 5 as part of the 14th Moscow Spring Festival. They performed Chinese and Russian songs from the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet People against Fascism.

    The concert program, compiled by Honored Artist of the Russian Federation Zuo Zhenguan, included musical masterpieces of China and Russia. Chinese and Russian students from the Gnessin Academy of Music, the Moscow Conservatory named after P. I. Tchaikovsky, the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts /GITIS/ and the Moscow State Pedagogical University performed excerpts from the legendary cantata by Xian Xinghai “Yellow River”, arias from operas by modern composers Luan Kai and Zhang Zhuo, as well as works by the classic Russian musician Sergei Rachmaninoff and Soviet songs about the war.

    The concert took place with the active support of the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society, the Center for Russian-Chinese Musical Relations, the Center for International Humanitarian Cooperation and Development, and the Chinese Embassy in the Russian Federation. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: VATICAN – Conclave: More and more Cardinals from the countries entrusted to the Dicastery for Evangelization gather in the Sistine Chapel

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Tuesday, 6 May 2025

    Foto d’archivio

    by Fabio BerettaVatican City (Agenzia Fides) – With the image of Christ and the Last Judgment painted by Michelangelo on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel, the Cardinals are gathering in Conclave to elect the successor of Peter. An election in which an increasing number of cardinals from the countries under the jurisdiction of the Dicastery for Evangelization – Section for the First Evangelization and the New Particular Churches – are participating.To date, a total of 1,123 ecclesiastical districts (i.e., Archdioceses, Dioceses, Territorial Abbeys, Apostolic Vicariates, Apostolic Prefectures, Missions sui iuris, Apostolic Administrations, and Military Ordinariates) are subject to the Dicastery for Evangelization. Most of them are in Africa (525) and Asia (481), followed by the Americas (71) and Oceania (46).The Conclave of June 1963When John XXIII died on June 3, 1963, 82 Cardinals were still alive, all of whom had the right to participate in the election of the Successor of Peter. The rule that today prohibits Cardinals over the age of 80 from participating in the Conclave was introduced by Paul VI in 1970. Thus, the College of Cardinals that elected Pope Paul VI included Cardinals over the age of 80.Nevertheless, only 80 of them entered the Sistine Chapel. Two Cardinals did not come to Rome: the Hungarian József Mindszenty (the communist regime forbade him from leaving the country) and Carlos María Javier de la Torre, Archbishop of Quito, Ecuador (absent due to health reasons). A total of 29 nations were represented.A total of seven cardinals from the territories then under the jurisdiction of the Congregation Propaganda Fide participated in the Conclave that year: Peter Tatsuo Doi (Japan, Archbishop of Tokyo, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan), Valerian Gracias (India, Archbishop of Bombay, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India), Laurean Rugambwa (Tanzania, Bishop of Bukoba), Thomas Tien Ken-sin (China, Archbishop of Beijing, Apostolic Administrator of Taipei), and Norman Thomas Gilroy (Australia, Archbishop of Sydney, Primate of Australia, Grand Prior for Australia-New South Wales of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem).The Conclaves of 1978Paul VI was the first Pope to expand the boundaries of the College of Cardinals by appointing numerous non-European cardinals. After the death of the Pope (on August 6, 1978), who decided to exclude Cardinals over eighty from voting with the Motu Proprio “Ingravescentem Aetatem” of 21 November 1970 and modified some norms of the Conclave with the Apostolic Constitution “Romano Pontifici Eligendo” of 1 October 1975, a total of 111 cardinals were eligible to vote.At the conclave in August 1978, however, only 108 people entered the Sistine Chapel: Valerian Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay, John Joseph Wright, Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, and Bolesław Filipiak, Dean Emeritus of the Roman Rota, were all absent from the Conclave for health reasons.A total of 18 cardinals from the so-called mission territories took part in the election of John Paul I, including one cardinal who works in the Roman Curia and one French cardinal who heads an archdiocese in North Africa: Bernardin Gantin (Benin, President of the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum”), Lawrence Trevor Picachy (India, Archbishop of Calcutta, President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India), Justinus Darmojuwono (Indonesia, Archbishop of Semarang), Joseph Marie Anthony Cordeiro (Pakistan, Archbishop of Karachi), Stephen Kim Sou-hwan (South Korea, Archbishop of Seoul, Apostolic Administrator of Pyongyang), Thomas Benjamin Cooray (Sri Lanka, Archbishop of Colombo, President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Sri Lanka), Joseph Marie Trinh-nhu-Khuê (Vietnam, Archbishop of Ha Noi), Maurice Michael Otunga (Kenya, Archbishop of Nairobi, President of the Episcopal Conference of Kenya, Military Vicar for Kenya), Victor Razafimahatratra (Madagascar, Archbishop of Antananarivo, President of the Episcopal Conference of Madagascar), Dominic Ekandem (Nigeria, Bishop of Ikot Ekpene, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria), Hyacinthe Thiandoum (Senegal, Archbishop of Dakar, President of the Episcopal Conference of Senegal, Mauritania, Cape Verde and Guinea Bissau), Owen McCann (South Africa, Archbishop of Cape Town), Laurean Rugambwa (Tanzania, Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam) Emmanuel Kiwanuka Nsubuga (Uganda, Archbishop of Kampala), Paul Zoungrana (Burkina Faso, Archbishop of Ouagadougou), Joseph-Albert Malula (Democratic Republic of Congo, Archbishop of Kinshasa), Pio Taofinu’u (Samoa, Bishop of Samoa and Tokelau), Reginald John Delargey (New Zealand, Archbishop of Wellington, President of the New Zealand Bishops’ Conference).In 1978, a second Conclave took place just over a month after the first, as John Paul I died after only 33 days of pontificate. During this brief period, there were no Consistories, and when the cardinals met again in the Sistine Chapel in October of that year, the cardinals were the same ones who had met a few weeks earlier. They all held the same offices. Forty-six nations were represented in both Conclaves.The 2005 ConclaveThe first Conclave of the third millennium began with the reform of the conclave, which John Paul II initiated in 1996 with the Apostolic Constitution “Universi Dominici Gregis.” That year, the cardinals were accommodated for the first time in the new guesthouse Casa Santa Marta (instead of in the halls of the Apostolic Palace), which had been built specifically for this purpose. In the conclave that led to the election of Benedict XVI, 117 Cardinals were eligible to vote. A total of 115 entered the Sistine Chapel: Adolfo Antonio Suárez Rivera (Archbishop Emeritus of Monterrey, Mexico) and Jaime Lachica Sin (Archbishop Emeritus of Manila, Philippines) were unable to travel to Rome for health reasons.At the time of John Paul II’s death, the eligible Cardinals came from 52 nations on all continents. In total, there were seventeen cardinals from countries entrusted to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, some of whom headed dicasteries and bodies of the Holy See: Wilfrid Fox Napier (South Africa, Archbishop of Durban), Gabriel Zubeir Wako (Sudan, Archbishop of Khartoum), Telesphore Placidus Toppo (India, Archbishop of Ranchi), Armand Gaétan Razafindratandra (Madagascar, Archbishop of Antananarivo), Bernard Agré (Ivory Coast, Archbishop of Abidjan), Emmanuel Wamala (Uganda, Archbishop of Kampala), Christian Wiyghan Tumi (Cameroon, Archbishop of Douala), Frédéric Etsou-Nzabi-Bamungwabi (Democratic Republic of Congo, Archbishop of Kinshasa), Francis Arinze (Nigeria, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments), Peter Seiichi Shirayanagi (Japan, Archbishop Emeritus of Tokyo), Michael Michai Kitbunchu (Thailand, Archbishop of Bangkok, President of the Thai Bishops’ Conference), Stephen Fumio Hamao (Japan, President of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People), Anthony Olubunmi Okogie (Nigeria, Archbishop of Lagos), Ivan Dias (India, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples), Julius Riyadi Darmaatmadja (Indonesia, Archbishop of Jakarta, Military Bishop of Indonesia), Jean-Baptiste Pham Minh Mân (Vietnam, Archbishop of Ho Chi Minh), Peter Turkson (Ghana, Archbishop of Cape Coast).The 2013 ConclaveWhen Benedict XVI announced to the world his resignation from the Petrine Ministry during a Consistory in February 2013, 117 eligible cardinals were present, but only 115 entered the Sistine Chapel. Julius Riyadi Darmaatmadja (Archbishop Emeritus of Jakarta, Indonesia) and Keith Michael Patrick O’Brien (Archbishop Emeritus of Saint Andrews and Edinburgh, Scotland) were absent for health reasons.During the conclave that led to the election of Pope Francis, 17 Cardinals from the territories entrusted to the Missionary Dicastery arrived in Rome. As in previous Conclaves, several of these cardinals served in the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia: Peter Turkson (Ghana, President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace), Albert Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige Don (Sri Lanka, Archbishop of Colombo), Robert Sarah (Guinea, President of the Pontifical Council ‘Cor Unum’), George Alencherry (India, Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly), Oswald Gracias (India, Archbishop of Bombay), Polycarp Pengo (Tanzania, Archbishop of Dar-es-Salaam), John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan (Nigeria, Archbishop of Abuja), John Njue (Kenya, Archbishop of Nairobi), Wilfrid Fox Napier (South Africa, Archbishop of Durban), Gabriel Zubeir Wako (Sudan, Archbishop of Khartoum), Telesphore Placidus Toppo (India, Archbishop of Ranchi), Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya (Democratic Republic of Congo, Archbishop of Kinshasa), John Tong Hon (China, Bishop of Hong Kong), Théodore-Adrien Sarr (Senegal, Archbishop of Dakar), Anthony Olubunmi Okogie (Nigeria, Archbishop of Lagos), Ivan Dias (India, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples), Jean-Baptiste Pham Minh Mân (Vietnam, Archbishop of Hô Chí Minh).The 2025 ConclaveAt the time of Pope Francis’s death, there are 252 cardinals alive, of whom 135 arepotential electors for the Conclave that begins on May 7. Of these, 133 will enter the Sistine Chapel, as two of them, Cardinal Antonio Cañizares Llovera, Archbishop Emeritus of Valencia, and Cardinal John Njue, Archbishop Emeritus of Nairobi, are absent for health reasons.It will be a Conclave with Cardinals from 66 nations. Among them are 34 from the territories under the jurisdiction of the Dicastery for Evangelization. Some of them come from other countries but exercise their ministry in these mission countries, just as some are active in the Roman Curia: Giorgio Marengo (Italy, Apostolic Prefect of Ulan Bator, Mongolia), Virgílio do Carmo da Silva (East Timor, Metropolitan Archbishop of Dili), Dieudonné Nzapalainga (Central African Republic, Metropolitan Archbishop of Bangui), Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla (South Sudan, Metropolitan Archbishop of Juba), Jean-Paul Vesco (France, Metropolitan Archbishop of Algiers), Soane Patita Paini Mafi (Tonga, Bishop of Tonga), Anthony Poola (India, Metropolitan Archbishop of Hyderabad), Ignace Bessi Dogbo (Ivory Coast, Metropolitan Archbishop of Abidjan), Protase Rugambwa (Tanzania, Metropolitan Archbishop of Tabora), Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa), Stephen Chow Sau-yan (China, Bishop of Hong Kong), Antoine Kambanda (Rwanda, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kigali), Tarcisius Isao Kikuchi (Japan, Metropolitan Archbishop of Tokyo), William Goh Seng Chye (Singapore, Archbishop of Singapore), John Ribat (Papua New Guinea, Metropolitan Archbishop of Port Moresby), Stephen Brislin (South Africa, Metropolitan Archbishop of Johannesburg), Désiré Tsarahazana (Madagascar, Metropolitan Archbishop of Toamasina), Filipe Neri Ferrão (India, Metropolitan Archbishop of Goa and Damão), Cristóbal López Romero (Spain, Archbishop of Rabat, Morocco), Lazarus You Heung-sik (South Korea, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy), Sebastian Francis (Malaysia, Bishop of Penang), Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo (Indonesia, Metropolitan Archbishop of Jakarta), Arlindo Gomes Furtado (Cape Verde, Bishop of Santiago de Cabo Verde), Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij (Thailand, Archbishop Emeritus of Bangkok), Thomas Aquino Manyo Maeda (Japan, Metropolitan Archbishop of Osaka-Takamatsu), Charles Maung Bo (Myanmar, Metropolitan Archbishop of Yangon), Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson (Ghana, Chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences), John Atcherley Dew (New Zealand, Archbishop Emeritus of Wellington), Albert Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige Don (Sri Lanka, Metropolitan Archbishop of Colombo), Philippe Nakellentuba Ouédraogo (Burkina Faso, Archbishop Emeritus of Ouagadougou), Jean-Pierre Kutwa (Ivory Coast, Archbishop Emeritus of Abidjan), Joseph Coutts (Pakistan, Archbishop Emeritus of Karachi), Robert Sarah (Guinea, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments), Peter Ebere Okpaleke (Nigeria, Bishop of Ekwulobia). (Agenzia Fides, 6/5/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Dingell Remarks on H.J.Res.88

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

    WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) spoke on the House Floor on H.J.Res.88. Dingell’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below.

    See a video of her remarks here.
     
    Thank you, M. Speaker. 
     
    I rise today in opposition to H.J.Res.88.
     
    As a staunch defender of Michigan’s auto industry — the backbone of the American economy — and someone who cares deeply about the environment, I do not take this vote lightly. I have spoken to all the stakeholders involved multiple times.
     
    I believe in preserving consumer choice, maintaining American leadership in innovation, defending the future of domestic manufacturing, and protecting the environment. These are not mutually exclusive.
     
    Michigan, and the United States, put the world on wheels, and now, we are leading the transition to the next generation of vehicles.
     
    We cannot afford to cede that leadership to our adversaries. I will remind my colleagues that it wasn’t that long ago when gasoline prices went up and American consumers wanted smaller cars, Japanese carmakers flooded our market with smaller vehicles, caught our domestic industry flat-footed, and U.S. manufacturers paid the price for a decade. 
     
    We must innovate, adapt, and build vehicles competitively here at home. The global marketplace wants EVs, hybrids, and internal combustion engines.
     
    To lead globally, we must accelerate the manufacturing of cleaner vehicles in a practical, affordable, and inclusive way. That means building out EV charging infrastructure, keeping hybrids and plug-in hybrids available, and ensuring affordability, which is becoming one of the biggest issues in this country. Especially when competing with at least one country where the government subsidizes manufacturing, uses forced labor, and manipulates currency.
     
    We cannot cede our leadership to China or any other country. This also means investing in advanced manufacturing, securing domestic battery supply chains, and protecting the Inflation Reduction Act’s historic EV investments.
     
    California’s Advanced Clean Cars 2 program would impose EV sales mandates across nearly 30 percent of the U.S. market. While that may work for California, it isn’t working in some other states.
     
    Let me be clear: this is not the time to ban gas-powered vehicles. CARB and Governors must be able to adjust these programs if market conditions change. Maryland Governor Wes Moore recently did just that, easing compliance enforcement. 
     
    I share concerns about consumer choice, but this Congressional Review Act resolution has serious legal flaws. The Government Accountability Office and the Senate Parliamentarian both ruled that these waivers are not subject to the CRA. Proceeding sets a dangerous precedent. 
     
    Misusing the CRA today could open the door to striking down a wide range of federal programs tomorrow, including Medicaid waivers, which worries me greatly. I don’t sleep at night on that one. 
     
    We are here today because some states have adopted stricter rules that could ban new gas-powered vehicles by this summer. I support the EV transition, but we are simply not there yet.

    For model year 2026, ACC 2 states would require 35 percent of new car sales to be a mix of electric or hybrid, yet the national average is still around 10 percent. That jumps to 68 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2035. For most states, this is not realistic today.
     
    We need all stakeholders at the table — labor, manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, environmental groups, and consumers — to work together for the American people, and figure it out so we stay competitive in a global marketplace, meet consumer demand, take care of the environment, sell affordable cars, and keep manufacturing in this country.
     
    This resolution would be unprecedented federal overreach. While I disagree with California’s timeline, I also disagree with misusing the CRA to address it.
     
    If we’re serious about American leadership, EVs must be in our portfolio. I remain committed to protecting American jobs, expanding consumer choice, and ensuring U.S. leadership in global automotive innovation.
     
    The American people sent us here to solve problems. Let’s stop wasting time on illegitimate messaging CRAs and work together to support innovation, build out the infrastructure, and ensure access to affordable, American-made vehicles — whether gas-powered, hybrid, or electric.
     
    Let’s work together for our country. With that, I will be voting ‘no’.
     
    Thank you, M. Speaker, and I yield back.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: FDA Announces Expanded Use of Unannounced Inspections at Foreign Manufacturing Facilities

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    For Immediate Release:
    May 06, 2025

    Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced its intent to expand the use of unannounced inspections at foreign manufacturing facilities that produce foods, essential medicines, and other medical products intended for American consumers and patients. This change builds upon the agency’s Office of Inspection and Investigations Foreign Unannounced Inspection Pilot program in India and China and aims to ensure that foreign companies will receive the same level of regulatory oversight and scrutiny as domestic companies.  
    “For too long, foreign companies have enjoyed a double standard—given advanced notice before facility inspections, while American manufacturers are held to rigorous standards with no such warning. That ends today. This is a key step for the FDA as part of a broader strategy to get foreign inspections back on track,” said FDA Commissioner Martin A. Makary, M.D, M.P.H.  
    In addition, the FDA will evaluate the agency’s policies and practices for improvements to the foreign inspection program to ensure that the FDA is the gold standard for regulatory oversight. These changes will include clarifying policies for FDA investigators to refuse travel accommodations from regulated industry including lodging and transportation arrangements (taxi, limousine, and for-hire vehicle transit), to maintain the integrity of the oversight process.
    The FDA conducts approximately 12,000 domestic inspections and 3,000 foreign inspections each year in more than 90 countries. While U.S. manufacturers undergo frequent, unannounced inspections, foreign firms have often had weeks to prepare, undermining the integrity of the oversight process. Despite the advanced warning that foreign firms receive, the FDA still found serious deficiencies more than twice as often than during domestic inspections.  
    Only in specific programs and cases are the FDA’s domestic inspections pre-announced to assure that appropriate records and personnel will be available during the inspection. But regulated companies do not have the authority to negotiate the day or time of the inspection— nor should foreign companies have the capability to do so either. With this shift, the FDA is further ensuring that every product entering the U.S. is safe, legitimate, and honestly made. Unannounced inspections will also help expose bad actors—those who falsify records or conceal violations—before they can put American lives at risk. The FDA is authorized to take regulatory action against any firm that seeks to delay, deny, or limit an inspection, or refuses to permit entry for an unannounced drug or device inspection.
    “The FDA’s rigorous, science-based global inspections of manufacturing facilities ensure that the food and drug products that enter the U.S. marketplace, and the homes of American consumers, are safe, trusted, and accessible,” said FDA Assistant Commissioner for Inspections and Investigations Michael Rogers. “These inspections provide real-time evidence and insights that are essential for making fact-based regulatory decisions to protect public health.”
    The FDA’s global inspections generate real-time intelligence that strengthens enforcement and keeps American families safe. Every inspection goes through a classification assignment process to enable an appropriate regulatory response. Even inspections that yield a “No Action Indicated” provide important regulatory intelligence that strengthens the safety net for American consumers.   This expanded approach marks a new era in FDA enforcement—stronger, smarter, and unapologetically in support the public health and safety of Americans. For more information about FDA inspections, visit the Inspections Database Frequently Asked Questions and Inspections Yield Valuable Results, Regardless of Classification.
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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Miller-Meeks: It’s Time to End Dependence on China and Bring Jobs Back to Iowa

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ (IA-02)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) is standing shoulder-to-shoulder with President Trump in the fight to rebuild American industry, end our reliance on Communist China, and restore good-paying jobs to Iowa and across the country.

    “Under President Trump’s leadership, we are putting America—and American manufacturing—first again. Whether it’s medical supplies, semiconductors, or steel, we must never depend on Communist China for what we can make right here at home,” said Miller-Meeks. “That’s why I’m fighting to bring good-paying jobs back to Iowa, strengthen our supply chains, and ensure our rural communities lead the next chapter of American manufacturing. This isn’t just about economics—it’s about national security, self-reliance, and securing America’s future.”

    With over $5 trillion in U.S. investments and trade agreements secured under President Trump, companies are coming back to the United States. American manufacturing is surging—from semiconductors to steel—and the America First agenda is delivering results.

    In Congress, Miller-Meeks is helping lead that charge with legislation to strengthen domestic manufacturing, medical readiness, and workforce development:

    • Her ONSHORE Act, now signed into law, streamlines federal review processes to bring critical manufacturing projects back to American soil, including rural communities across Iowa.
    • Her bipartisan Diagnostics Testing Preparedness Plan Act (H.R. 1108) ensures the U.S. can develop and manufacture diagnostic medical tests here at home during public health emergencies—never again depending on adversarial nations like China for essential medical supplies.
    • Her Improve Employer-Directed Skills Act (H.R. 2690) empowers Iowa employers to partner with workforce boards to train and upskill workers for the exact jobs local businesses need. A version of this legislation passed the House as part of the Stronger Workforce for America Act with bipartisan support.
    • Her Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act (H.R. 1721), which recently passed the House, directs federal agencies to identify rural communities—like those in Southeast Iowa—best suited for expanded domestic manufacturing. The bill lays the groundwork for long-term job growth, American-made supply chains, and less reliance on foreign adversaries like China.

    A 24-year Army veteran, physician, and former small business owner, Miller-Meeks remains a leading voice in Congress for rebuilding American strength, empowering employers, and restoring opportunity in every corner of Iowa and across the country.

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kim, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect U.S. Economy from CCP Military Aggression

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Young Kim (CA-39)

    Washington, DC — Today, U.S. Representative Young Kim (CA-40) joined Reps. Zach Nunn (IA-03) and Ritchie Torres (NY-15) to introduce bipartisan legislation to shield American markets from the catastrophic economic fallout of a potential Chinese Communist Party (CCP) invasion of Taiwan.  

    The Fortifying U.S. Markets from Chinese Military Aggression Act would create an advisory committee under the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) to develop an actionable plan to safeguard the U.S. economy in the event of CCP military escalation. 

    “Taiwan is not just a steadfast partner to the United States – it is home to 90% of the world’s advanced semiconductors that power our lives. The impact of a CCP attack on Taiwan on the lives of all Americans cannot be overstated,” said Rep. Young Kim. “The United States must be proactive in protecting our economy in case of an attack or blockade against Taiwan, and I’m glad to partner with Reps. Nunn and Torres on a bipartisan bill that would do exactly that.”  

    “While the United States has long-standing military plans in place to respond to a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan, there’s no economic game plan,” said Rep. Nunn. “90% of the world’s advanced semiconductors are manufactured in Taiwan. The economic impact of that capacity falling into the hands of the CCP would be devastating, not just for global markets, but for Main Street Iowa businesses. This bipartisan bill ensures we have a clear, coordinated plan to respond.” 

    “American investors should never be in the business of bankrolling the CCP’s military. Our bipartisan bill is a clear-eyed effort to ensure American financial markets are not exploited to strengthen an authoritarian regime that threatens our values and our allies,” said Rep. Torres. “Transparency and accountability are not just economic principles: they are national security imperatives. I’m proud to work with Congressman Nunn to push for a bipartisan solution to safeguard the integrity of our markets and defend American interests.” 

    “Representatives Zach Nunn, Ritchie Torres and Young Kim are demonstrating the kind of forward-thinking leadership our markets urgently need. In today’s globally interconnected financial system, the economic consequences of a geopolitical crisis — particularly one involving China and Taiwan — could be swift and severe,” said Ari Rubenstein, Global Trading Systems CEO. “This bipartisan bill takes a critical step toward strengthening market resilience, enhancing coordination among regulators, and ensuring we’re not caught flat-footed. Capital markets thrive on stability and preparedness, and I applaud Congressmen Nunn, Torres and Kim for proactively addressing a risk that is too significant to ignore.” 

    The bill responds to growing concerns from financial analysts and national security leaders who warn that the U.S. has no economic contingency plan to address the ripple effects of CCP aggression in the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan produces nearly 90% of the world’s most advanced semiconductors, components critical to the global supply chain and U.S. national security. 

    If the CCP were to invade, economists estimate a short-term market drop of up to 34%. Bloomberg estimates a global GDP loss of $10 trillion, more than double the contraction caused by the 2008 financial crisis or the COVID-19 pandemic. 

    While military contingency plans exist, the U.S. currently lacks an economic response strategy to such an invasion. This bipartisan effort would build a framework for interagency and private sector coordination, ensuring Main Street and U.S. markets are better protected if geopolitical tensions escalate by: 

    • Establishing a 12-member FSOC Advisory Committee that would include market makers, asset managers, exchanges, and experts on China-related geopolitical risk. 
    • Tasking the committee with developing detailed reports and recommendations to identify market vulnerabilities and safeguard U.S. financial stability. 
    • Requiring FSOC to issue annual public reports on economic risks from a Taiwan conflict, including threats to U.S. banking and retaliatory actions from China. 
    • Providing recommendations to regulators to ensure U.S. capital markets are prepared for potential market volatility or trade disruptions. 

    Text of the bill can be found here. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The winners of the term paper competition were awarded as part of the Architectural Seasons

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Yulia Kolmykova, “Historical Environment”

    The SPbGASU summed up the results of the term paper competition, which took place within the framework of the International Creative Forum “Architectural Seasons”. This year, the Grand Prix went to the creative group consisting of: Ye Zijian, Zhao Yongkang, Wu Zongda and Tian Hongxu, under the direction of Chen and Lu Honggui (Zhengzhou University, China).

    A total of 800 works were submitted to the competition. Students from the first to fifth years of the bachelor’s degree and the first year of the master’s degree participated. The winners were determined in two stages by voting, in which more than two thousand people took part.

    200 people reached the final. 42 students were awarded the title of laureate in 14 nominations. We asked the laureates from SPbGASU to tell us about their works.

    Religious building

    Arina Tereshchenko, fourth-year student of the Faculty of Architecture, first-degree laureate in the nomination “Religious Building” (supervised by Associate Professor of the Department of Architectural and Urban Heritage Elena Baulina and Senior Lecturer of this department Galina Fedotova):

    – The project is a temple complex inspired by traditional Armenian church architecture. The project uses natural materials that are resistant to climatic conditions and time – stone, basalt, tuff, which emphasizes the connection with the historical context. In addition to the main temple, the complex includes a chapel, a church clergy house, an educational center, and a baptistery. All elements are combined into a harmonious composition with a single architectural style. The project seeks not only to recreate the architectural appearance of the Armenian church, but also to create a living spiritual space that is relevant to the modern parish and open to dialogue between cultures.

    Blocked residential building

    Anna Kasyanova, a third-year student of the Faculty of Architecture, first-degree laureate in the nomination “Blocked Residential Building” (supervised by Associate Professor of the Department of Architectural and Urban Heritage Natalia Dubrovina, assistants of the department Gleb Bagayev and Ksenia Kakunets):

    – My main task in this project is to create a clear, pleasant image of a residential building, without unnecessary details, which would organically fit into the natural environment. The image is the most difficult part of my project. I spent more than three months selecting analogs, coming up with and drawing different versions of the house, architectural details. Over time, my experience increased, and I managed to create the final image of the house.

    Individual residential building

    Veronika Merkul, a second-year student of the Faculty of Architecture, first-degree laureate in the Individual Residential Building nomination (supervisors: Professor of the Department of Architectural Design Oleg Romanov; Deputy Dean for Academic Affairs, Associate Professor of the Department of Architectural Design Elena Voitsehovskaya; Senior Lecturer of the Department of Architectural Design Varvara Khmeleva):

    – In my project, I decided to follow such an architectural trend as dacha constructivism. It seemed to me that it could fully reflect the features of the design location, without claiming historicism. It was important to preserve the culture of the area, avoiding obvious remake. My decisions were influenced by the features of the site, which is located at the end of the street, due to which the house is visible from three sides and should form a dominant feature. Such elements as round or narrow rectangular windows, non-standard volumes on the roof (a reference to the surrounding pine trees) and other decor, according to my idea, should make each facade unique (so that you want to look at it), and spacious terraces encircling the main volume will allow you to fully enjoy the views of the Gulf of Finland. Under the roof, away from the household part of the building, there is an art studio, illuminated by two dormer windows. It was important that the style of the building reflect the creative interests of the owner.

    Public interior

    Gasan Abasov, fifth-year student of the Faculty of Architecture, first-degree laureate in the nomination “Public Interior” (supervised by associate professors of the Department of Architectural Design Igor Ivanov and Maria Yakunenkova):

    – The interior of the engineering center is a multifunctional space, including an entrance group with a cloakroom, a coffee shop, an exhibition space, an auditorium and a block with toilets, technical rooms and a warehouse. The dominant role in the interior of the main building of the engineering center is played by a reinforced concrete cube, as if hovering in the center of the space. It houses another exhibition area. The cube is crossed by a strip of ceiling, connecting the central building with the rest of the complex. The main source of natural light is a large-span wooden structure with stained glass glazing. Sunlight, passing through it, creates an interesting light and shadow pattern, which, in contrast to the minimalist interior, sets a bright rhythm.

    Residential interior

    Ekaterina Sokolova, third-year undergraduate student at the Faculty of Architecture, first-degree laureate in the Residential Interior category (supervised by Associate Professor of the Department of Architectural Design Fyodor Perov, Associate Professor and Academic Secretary of the Department of Architectural Design Olga Kokorina):

    – The main goal of the residential interior design project is to create functional and comfortable housing that is not only beautiful and convenient, but also meets the needs and preferences of its inhabitants. To do this, I studied the regulatory requirements for the design of residential buildings, as well as the expected life scenarios of people, their possible needs. When creating the project, I also took into account the features of the premises and its location.

    Historical environment

    Yulia Kolmykova, first-year student of the Master’s program at the Faculty of Architecture, first-degree laureate in the Historical Environment nomination (supervised by Associate Professor of the Department of Architectural and Urban Heritage Evgeniya Shuvaeva and Senior Lecturer of the Department of Architectural and Urban Heritage Darya Bobrova):

    – The cultural heritage site of regional significance – the Zapolye estate is located in the Luzhsky district of the Leningrad region. Before starting the work, I studied archival and bibliographic materials, identified the current problems of the territory. The objectives of the project were to increase the tourist potential of the territory, restore historical functions, and draw attention to the importance of preserving old Russian estates.

    To solve the tasks set, it is proposed to adapt this territory for a children’s agronomic camp and restore the preserved historical buildings. It is also planned to restore the parterre garden and historical alleys according to archival drawings. It is supposed to locate housing for pupils and employees, as well as sports grounds and parking lots on the unguarded territory.

    Hand-drawn graphics

    Nadezhda Nikolaeva, a second-year undergraduate student at the Faculty of Architecture, first-degree laureate in the Hand-drawn Graphics category (supervised by senior lecturers from the Department of History and Theory of Architecture Igor Khramov and Leonid Krupnik):

    – The Rostov Kremlin is depicted here, but despite its dominant position, it is not the main character. The Kremlin here is not just architecture: it is, first of all, an environment that creates an atmosphere and determines the laws of existence. The key characters are people and cows. Cows are a symbol of timelessness, well-being and tranquility, and people are the personification of progress and the change of eras. The essence of life is revealed in their interaction. Thus, the picture raises the question of the dialogue between architecture and time: something is eternal, and something changes, adapting to new realities.

    Architectural photography

    Artem Titov, a second-year master’s student at the Faculty of Architecture at St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, and a first-degree laureate in the Architectural Photography category, spoke about his series of works, Bosnian Patches:

    – Every year at the end of January, my friends and I go skiing. In search of ski resorts that we had not yet tried, we came across a little-known to Russian tourists complex in Bosnia and Herzegovina – the Jahorina ski resort, where the Winter Olympics were held in 1984. But going to another country with an interesting history just for skiing is pointless. So my friends and I put together a long route around the country, visiting several cities and architectural landmarks. Traditional wooden buildings, medieval stone structures and panel houses from the socialist period coexist here. I tried to capture all this diversity in my photos.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ernst Applauds Trump’s Ban of Wuhan-Style Gain-of-Function Research

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
    Published: May 6, 2025
    Order comes after Ernst fought for years to end batty experiments of pandemic potential.
    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) released the following statement after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to ban all federal funding of risky gain-of-function research in China, Iran, and other countries and blocking all federal funding for foreign research that could cause another pandemic.
    “I have been fighting for years to end the insane practice of sending tax dollars to China for sketchy pseudoscience,” said Ernst. “Thankfully, President Trump is ending the batty experiments, like those conducted in Wuhan, that are dangerous and wasteful. This is a great win for the American people and common sense. I will continue working to expose and halt all taxpayer-funded risky research of pandemic potential in malign foreign countries!”
    Background:
    Ernst has led the charge in Washington to stop tax dollars from being sent for risky research overseas.
    An Ernst-requested investigation exposed how EcoHealth sent over $1 million U.S. tax dollars to the Wuhan Institute of Virology for risky experiments on bat coronaviruses. She also secured an audit by the Department of Defense’s Inspector General of risky research in China paid for by the Pentagon and hidden from the public by Biden’s Pentagon.
    She fought to permanently debar the Wuhan Institute of Virology and defund EcoHealth Alliance from receiving U.S. tax dollars.
    Ernst efforts also led to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) defunding EcoHealth and promising to cut off any taxpayer dollars used for research of pandemic potential.
    In her $2 trillion blueprint to slash waste in Washington, Ernst pointed to the millions being sent to China for secretive risky research.
    Last month, she introduced the AFAR Act to end the insane practice of funding sketchy animal experiments in China with American tax dollars. Ernst also introduced the TRACKS Act to require every penny sent to foreign adversaries or entities of particular concern, such as terrorist groups including the Taliban, to be accounted for and disclosed to the public for scrutiny.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: New Car Sales in Russia Down 27% in January-April 2025

    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

    Moscow, May 6 /Xinhua/ — According to the results of the first four months of 2025, sales of new cars of all segments in Russia decreased by 27 percent year-on-year and amounted to 404 thousand units, the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade reported.

    During the specified period, 346.4 thousand new passenger cars were sold in Russia, a decrease of 26%. The market volume in the light commercial vehicle segment amounted to 34 thousand units, which is 16% less than the same period last year.

    In addition, 20 thousand trucks and 3 thousand electric vehicles were sold in January-April, which is 49 percent and 66 percent less, respectively, than in the same period a year earlier.

    At the same time, in April, the overall market growth was noted by 25 percent compared to March 2025, the ministry noted. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 80 Eternal Flames Lit in Russian Regions in Honor of the 80th Anniversary of Victory

    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

    Xinhua | 06. 05. 2025

    Keywords: lights, lit, regions of Russia, anniversary of victory, honor, particle of the eternal flame, we keep the flame of victory, within the framework of the all-Russian action, within the framework of the action, anniversary of victory, launch of the action, Victory Day, February employees, reported the press, company service, Primorsky Krai

    St. Petersburg, May 6 /Xinhua/ — 80 Eternal Flames were lit simultaneously for the first time on Tuesday in eight federal districts of Russia as part of the all-Russian campaign “Keeping the Flame of Victory,” the press service of Gazprom Mezhregiongaz reported.

    New flames were lit in various settlements from the Kaliningrad Region to Primorsky Krai. The main venue for the ceremonial launch of the event was the Zhuravli memorial in St. Petersburg, which was restored specifically for the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. A part of the Eternal Flame was moved for it from the Alexander Garden in Moscow.

    As part of the “Keeping the Flame of Victory” campaign, Gazprom Mezhregiongaz employees have been connecting new Eternal Flames to network natural gas every week since February 21. In total, more than 130 Eternal Flames will be switched to network natural gas by Victory Day. –0–

    Source: Xinhua

    80 Eternal Flames Were Lit in Russian Regions in Honor of the 80th Anniversary of Victory 80 Eternal Flames Were Lit in Russian Regions in Honor of the 80th Anniversary of Victory

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PASSED: Congressman Moran’s No Dollars to Uyghur Forced Labor Act

    Source: Congressman Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01)

    Washington, D.C. ­– The House of Representatives unanimously passed Congressman Nathaniel Moran’s (R-TX-01) No Dollars to Uyghur Forced Labor Act. This legislation that would prohibit Department of State contracts with companies tied to forced labor in the Xinjian region of China. Congressman Moran spoke in support of the legislation ahead of its passage in the House.

    “Slavery in any form is morally repugnant, and America—known on the international stage as a beacon of freedom and liberty—must not be complicit in the Chinese Communist Party’s genocide and oppression of the Uyghur people,”said Congressman Moran. “The United States must push back on China, not only in our words, but through our actions. Failing to do so enables the CCP to grow in strength and exert its malign influence over the world. It is past time we enforce accountability against our greatest adversary.”

    Watch Congressman Moran’s Full Remarks HERE

    Congressman Moran’s Full Remarks as Delivered:
     “I rise today in strong support of the No Dollars to Uyghur Forced Labor Act. I urge my colleagues to support this critical legislation that would prohibit U.S. State Department contracts with companies tied to forced labor in the Xinjiang region of China.

    “Our bill would ensure that U.S. funds are not used to finance projects in partnership with companies or organizations that import products mined or manufactured in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People’s Republic of China.

    “Many basic goods that we consider to be part of our everyday lives as Americans are produced in Xinjiang, including textiles, bricks, cotton, and polysilicon.

    “As home to the majority of China’s cotton, coal, and natural gas reserves, and representing one-sixth of China’s land mass, the Xinjiang region is central to China’s economy.

    “It is considered to be the ‘core hub’ for China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which is China’s primary tool to exert economic influence across the globe.

    “China’s economy relies in large part on Xinjiang, yet behind its industries lie a horrifying reality—mass detention, forced labor, and brutal oppression of the people who live there.

    “The CCP is oppressing the Uyghur people and other ethnic minorities by detaining them in what they call ‘re-education centers’ for forced labor in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region of China.

    “Slavery in any form is morally repugnant, and America—known on the international stage as a beacon of freedom and liberty—must not be complicit in the Chinese Communist Party’s genocide and oppression of the Uyghur people.

    “The United States must push back on China, not only in our words, but through our actions. Failing to do so enables the CCP to grow in strength and exert its malign influence over the world. It is past time we enforce accountability against our greatest adversary. 

    “The U.S. must act decisively against the companies that profit from these abuses and take a firm stand against totalitarian regimes.

    “The CCP asserts its control over the Uyghur people through threats, intimidation, confinement, and physical and emotional abuse. Failing to confront China empowers gross human rights abuses and allows for the spread of such atrocities to be determined by the CCP.

    “Our legislation will ensure that our State Department plays no part in the forced slave labor of the Uyghur people.

    “America must continue to lead with strength and morality on the world’s stage and refuse to fund these brutal tactics and cruelty. Passing this critical legislation is the first step, and I urge my colleagues to vote yes. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Excelliance MOS Adopts Silvaco DTCO Flow for the Development of Next-Gen Silicon Carbide Devices

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SANTA CLARA, Calif., May 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Silvaco Group, Inc. (“Silvaco”) (NASDAQ: SVCO), a leading provider of TCAD, EDA software, and SIP solutions that enable semiconductor design and digital twin modeling through AI software and innovation, today announced that Excelliance MOS has adopted Silvaco’s DTCO (Design Technology Co-Optimization) flow, including Victory TCAD™ and UTMOST IV™, to accelerate the development of its next-generation Silicon Carbide (SiC) power devices.

    As demand for high-efficiency power electronics continues to grow, Excelliance MOS is leveraging Silvaco’s advanced DTCO platform to streamline research and development for cutting-edge SiC technology. Silvaco’s Victory Process™ and Victory Device™ simulators provide realistic process and accurate device simulation, including support for SiC-specific phenomena such as anisotropic oxidation and mobility, enabling precise modeling of next-generation devices.

    “Building efficient power devices requires an integrated TCAD simulation and SPICE modeling environment,” said Eric Guichard, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the TCAD business unit at Silvaco. “Our DTCO flow—combining Victory TCAD with UTMOST IV SPICE modeling and Victory DoE™—provides Excelliance MOS with a powerful, user-friendly solution that enhances device and circuit performance optimization and reduces development time.”

    “Silvaco’s DTCO solution provides our team the accuracy and efficiency we need to push the boundaries of SiC device and circuit design,” said Fermi Liu, Director of R&D Department at Excelliance MOS. “With Silvaco’s DTCO flow combining Victory TCAD and UTMOST IV, we can simulate, analyze, and refine device performance faster than ever, helping us bring innovative power solutions to market more rapidly.”

    The inclusion of Victory DoE, Silvaco’s intuitive design-of-experiments interface, allows for rapid exploration of process variations, while UTMOST IV delivers automated electrical measurements and SPICE model extraction to speed up characterization and circuit-level modeling. Together, these tools enable Excelliance MOS to efficiently design, simulate, and refine next generation SiC devices.

    Silvaco’s simulation solutions are technology-agnostic and support a wide range of applications, including power, memory, photonics, CMOS, and display technologies. With user-centric features such as streamlined interfaces, automation capabilities, and comprehensive DoE support, Silvaco’s tools empower engineers to innovate with greater speed and accuracy.

    About Silvaco Group, Inc.
    Silvaco is a provider of TCAD, EDA software, and SIP solutions that enable semiconductor design and digital twin modeling through AI software and innovation. Silvaco’s solutions are used for semiconductor and photonics processes, devices, and systems development across display, power devices, automotive, memory, high performance compute, foundries, photonics, internet of things, and 5G/6G mobile markets for complex SoC design. Silvaco is headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and has a global presence with offices located in North America, Europe, Brazil, China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan. Learn more at silvaco.com.

    Contacts
    Media Relations:
    Tiffany Behany, press@silvaco.com

    Investor Relations:
    Greg McNiff, investors@silvaco.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Ancient Mars may have had a carbon cycle − a new study suggests the red planet may have once been warmer, wetter and more favorable for life

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Elisabeth M. Hausrath, Professor of Geoscience, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

    A panorama created from images taken by the rover Curiosity while it was working at a site called ‘Rocknest’ in 2012. NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems

    Mars, one of our closest planetary neighbors, has fascinated people for hundreds of years, partly because it is so similar to Earth. It is about the same size, contains similar rocks and minerals, and is not too much farther out from the Sun.

    Because Mars and Earth share so many features, scientists have long wondered whether Mars could have once harbored life. Today, Mars is very cold and dry, with little atmosphere and no liquid water on the surface − traits that make it a hostile environment for life. But some observations suggest that ancient Mars may have been warmer, wetter and more favorable for life.

    Even though scientists observing the surface of Mars conclude that it was once warmer than it is today, they haven’t been able to find much concrete evidence for what caused it to be warmer. But a study my colleagues and I published in April 2025 indicates the presence of carbonate minerals on the planet, which could help solve this puzzle.

    Carbonate minerals contain carbon dioxide, which, when present in the atmosphere, warms a planet. These minerals suggest that carbon dioxide could have previously existed in the atmosphere in larger quantities and provide exciting new clues about ancient Mars’ environment.

    As a geochemist and astrobiologist who has studied Mars for more than 15 years, I am fascinated by Mars’ past and the idea that it could have been habitable.

    Ancient carbon cycle on past Mars

    Observations of Mars from orbiting satellites and rovers show river channels and dry lakes that suggest the Martian surface once had liquid water. And these instruments have spotted minerals on its surface that scientists can analyze to get an idea of what Mars may have been like in the past.

    Today, Mars is very cold, with a thin atmosphere and dry climate. But in the ancient past, it may have been warmer and wetter, with a thicker heat-trapping atmosphere.
    NASA/J. Bell – Cornell U./M. Wolff – SSI via AP, File

    If ancient Mars had liquid water, it would have needed a much warmer climate than it has today. Warmer planets usually have thick atmospheres that trap heat. So, perhaps the Martian atmosphere used to be thicker and composed of heat-trapping carbon dioxide. If Mars did once have a thicker carbon dioxide-containing atmosphere, scientists predict that they’d be able to see traces of that atmospheric carbon dioxide on the surface of Mars today.

    Gaseous carbon dioxide dissolves in water, a chemical process that can ultimately contribute to formation of solid minerals at and below the surface of a planet − essentially removing the carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Lots of scientists have previously tried to find carbonate minerals on the surface of Mars, and part of the excitement about a warmer, wetter early Mars is that it could have been a suitable environment for ancient microbial life.

    Finding carbonates on Mars

    Previous searches for carbonates on Mars have turned up observations of carbonates in meteorites and at two craters on Mars: Gusev crater and Jezero crater. But there wasn’t enough to explain a warmer past climate on Mars.

    For the past few years, the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover has been traversing a region called Gale crater. Here, the rover’s chemistry and mineralogy instrument has discovered lots of the iron-rich carbonate mineral siderite.

    The Curiosity rover has detected carbonates on Mars’ surface.
    NASA

    As my colleagues and I detail in our new study about these results, this carbonate mineral could contain some of the missing atmospheric carbon dioxide needed for a warmer, wetter early Mars.

    The rover also found iron oxyhydroxide minerals that suggest some of these rocks later dissolved when they encountered water, releasing a portion of their carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. Although it is very thin, the modern Martian atmosphere is still composed mainly of carbon dioxide.

    In other words, these new results provide evidence for an ancient carbon cycle on Mars. Carbon cycles are the processes that transfer carbon dioxide between different reservoirs − such as rocks on the surface and gas in the atmosphere.

    Potential habitats for past microbial life on Mars

    Scientists generally consider an environment habitable for microbial life if it contains liquid water; nutrients such as carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur and necessary trace elements; an energy source; and conditions that were not too harsh − not too acidic, too salty or too hot, for example.

    Since observations from Gale crater and other locations on Mars show that Mars likely had habitable conditions, could Mars then have hosted life? And if it did, how would researchers be able to tell?

    Although microorganisms are too small for the human eye to detect, they can leave evidence of themselves preserved in rocks, sediments and soils. Organic molecules from within these microorganisms are sometimes preserved in rocks and sediments. And some microbes can form minerals or have cells that can form certain shapes. This type of evidence for past life is called a biosignature.

    Collecting Mars samples

    If Mars has biosignatures on or near the surface, researchers want to know that they have the right tools to detect them.

    So far, the rovers on Mars have found some organic molecules and chemical signatures that could have come from either abiotic − nonliving − sources or past life.

    The Curiosity rover travels across Mars searching for signs that the planet could have once been habitable.

    However, determining whether the planet used to host life isn’t easy. Analyses run in Earth’s laboratories could provide more clarity around where these signatures came from.

    To that end, the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover has been collecting and sealing samples on Mars, with one cache placed on the surface of Mars and another cache remaining on the rover.

    These caches include samples of rock, soil and atmosphere. Their contents can tell researchers about many aspects of the history of Mars, including past volcanic activity, meteorite impacts, streams and lakes, wind and dust storms, and potential past Martian life. If these samples are brought to Earth, scientists could examine them here for signs of ancient life on another planet.

    Elisabeth M. Hausrath receives funding from NASA, including from the MSL Curiosity rover Participating Scientist Program and the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover.

    – ref. Ancient Mars may have had a carbon cycle − a new study suggests the red planet may have once been warmer, wetter and more favorable for life – https://theconversation.com/ancient-mars-may-have-had-a-carbon-cycle-a-new-study-suggests-the-red-planet-may-have-once-been-warmer-wetter-and-more-favorable-for-life-255207

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Police arrest driver responsible for fatal crash in eastern China

    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

    JINAN, May 6 (Xinhua) — A driver surnamed Cai has been taken into custody on suspicion of committing a crime. The detained driver is the suspected culprit in a fatal traffic accident in the county-level city of Tengzhou, east China’s Shandong Province, local authorities said Tuesday.

    The accident happened at about 4:05 p.m. on Sunday when Cai, 29, went shopping in his car after drinking alcohol at lunch that day and tried to overtake another vehicle on the right, the local Public Security Bureau said.

    As a result of the incident, two people died on the spot, four more died later, despite the efforts of doctors. Two more people were injured and their lives are currently out of danger.

    The investigation into this case is ongoing. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Xi Jinping, EU leaders exchange congratulations on 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations

    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, May 6 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday exchanged congratulatory messages with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union (EU).

    In his message, Xi Jinping noted that China and the EU have established a comprehensive strategic partnership and are two major forces promoting multilateralism, two major markets supporting globalization, and two major civilizations advocating diversity.

    Xi Jinping noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 50 years ago, China and the EU have maintained close exchanges at various levels and in various sectors, noting that their dialogue and cooperation have been fruitful, cultural and people-to-people and cultural exchanges have been active, and multilateral coordination has been productive.

    He added that China-EU relations have become one of the most influential bilateral relations in the world, making significant contributions to improving the well-being of their peoples and promoting world peace and development.

    Noting that the world is undergoing rapid changes unseen in a century and human society is once again at a critical crossroads, Xi said a healthy and stable relationship between China and the EU not only promotes mutual achievements but also brightens the world.

    Xi Jinping said he highly values the development of China-EU relations and is willing to work with Costa and von der Leyen to take the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to summarize the experience accumulated in the development of relations, deepen strategic coordination, enhance mutual understanding and trust, strengthen the partnership, expand mutual opening-up, properly handle frictions and differences, and strive for an even brighter future for China-EU relations.

    He also called on both sides to uphold multilateralism, uphold justice, oppose unilateralism and bullying, join hands in solving global problems, and jointly build an equitable and orderly multipolar world and support inclusive economic globalization so as to make greater contributions to world peace, stability, development and prosperity. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –