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Category: China

  • MIL-OSI USA: Strong Votes to Fully Fund Veterans, Bolster Military Readiness

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Dale Strong (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Dale Strong, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, voted today in support of H.R. 3944, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026. The vital legislation championing veterans, supporting military families, and prioritizing infrastructure upgrades, passed the House of Representatives on a 218-206 vote.

    Once enacted, this bill will provide essential funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) to support critical investments in military infrastructure, readiness, and the well-being of service members, veterans, and their families.  

    “I’m proud to support this bill, which delivers on our promises to America’s veterans by fully funding their health care and benefits,” said Rep. Strong. “It will help improve the lives of our troops and their families with better access to childcare, safer housing, and stronger base infrastructure. This funding bill also makes an effort to fund key construction projects to support readiness and our national security, expands mental health services, combats veteran homelessness, and makes smart investments in the Indo-Pacific to push back against China’s growing threat.”

    NORTH ALABAMA WINS

    Representative Strong successfully secured pivotal provisions directly benefiting North Alabama:  

    Advancing U.S. Space Command Headquarters Plans  

    One provision advances the U.S. Space Command (USSPACECOM) Headquarters process and requires a detailed funding plan and report for the necessary facilities investments.  

    “During the entire USSPACECOM basing process, Redstone Arsenal ranked as the #1 location for the headquarters. Four subsequent DoD Inspector General and GAO reports confirmed that the Air Force made the right choice — Redstone is what is best for national security, the taxpayer, the personnel, and their families,” said Strong.

    Ensuring Fair Veteran Cemetery Placement  

    Strong was also successful advancing a provision directing the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) to conduct a report evaluating its veteran population data collection methodology. A 2019 U.S. Government Accountability Office report indicated that if U.S. Census Bureau data were used rather than NCA’s current methodology, North Alabama would rank 2nd in need for a VA cemetery.

    “Nearly 60,000 veterans call Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District home. Those veterans and their families deserve the opportunity to choose a final resting place closer to home. Currently, the closest VA cemeteries are in Corinth, MS, Montevallo, AL, and Chattanooga, TN. I firmly believe that a more accurate data evaluation would make North Alabama a top candidate for a National or VA-grant funded state cemetery,” said Strong.  

    Other wins that will benefit North Alabama include a provision that expresses Congressional support for DoD range operations and supporting facilities, such as Redstone Test Center at Redstone Arsenal, and language directing the Veterans Health Administration to submit a report and recommended legislative changes to improve reimbursement rates, locality adjustments, prescription drug prices for veterans living in VA State Veteran Homes, like the Floyd E “Tut” Fann Home in Huntsville, AL.  
     

    KEY TAKEAWAYS  

    Champions our veterans by:  

    • Fully funding veterans’ health care programs.  
    • Fully funding veterans’ benefits and VA programs.  
    • Supporting President Trump’s efforts to combat veteran homelessness by investing in the new Bridging Rental Assistance for Veteran Empowerment program.  
    • Maintaining funding levels for research, mental health programs, and other programs relied upon by veterans.  

    Supports the Trump Administration and the mandate of the American people by:  

    • Protecting the 2nd Amendment rights of veterans by preventing the VA from sending information to the FBI about veterans without a judge’s consent.  
    • Syncing up with President Trump’s Executive Orders on no funds for DEI, gender affirming care, and protecting Hyde-like language at the VA.  
    • Prohibiting the VA from processing medical care claims for illegal aliens.  

    Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:  

    • Providing robust funding for military construction, enabling continued investment in the Indo-Pacific region, and infrastructure necessary to support advanced weapons systems.  
    • Maintaining the prohibitions on the closure of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and the use of military construction funds to build facilities for detainees on U.S. soil.  
    • Prohibiting the VA from purchasing resources directly or indirectly from the People’s Republic of China.  

    DETAILED FUNDING SUMMARY  

    Department of Defense (Military Construction and Family Housing)  

    Provides $18 billion for the Department of Defense (DoD) military construction and family housing for the following:

    • Planning and design of future barracks to address barrack deficiencies identified by the Government Accountability Office.  
    • Demolition of excess and obsolete infrastructure, saving taxpayers money and lowering long-term facility maintenance costs at DoD.  
    • Guard and Reserve facility construction.  
    • Military Family Housing.  
    • Child development centers to improve the quality of life of military families.  

    Department of Veterans Affairs  

    Provides $452.64 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs for the following:  

    • Fully funds veterans’ medical care  
    • Fully funds veterans’ benefits and toxic exposures-related needs for the Toxic Exposures Fund (TEF).  
    • Bridging Rental Assistance for Veteran Empowerment program, an innovative effort to end veteran homelessness.  

    The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 is the first of 12 annual Appropriations bills to pass the House of Representatives.  

    “I want to thank Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, as well as the MilCon-VA subcommittee Chairman Judge John Carter and Ranking Member Debbie Wasserman-Schultz for their hard work on this critical funding bill,” said Strong.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Speaker Appoints Strong to Serve on Commission Dedicated to Holding China Accountable

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Dale Strong (Alabama)

    WASHINGTON—Today, Speaker Mike Johnson appointed Representative Dale Strong to serve as a Commissioner on the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC).  

    “I am proud to be appointed to the CECC as a Commissioner this Congress. The Chinese Communist Party is relentless in its efforts to undermine America, not just through open confrontation but by exploiting our laws, infiltrating our institutions, and using covert tactics to weaken our economy and security from within,” said Representative Dale Strong. “This commission plays a critical role in shining a light on abuses and holding the Chinese government accountable.”

    “For 25 years, the Congressional-Executive Commission on China has done vital work to hold the Chinese Communist Party accountable and educate the western world about their abuse of human rights and the rule of law,” said Speaker Johnson. “I am honored to appoint my friend Dale Strong to serve on the Commission to continue carrying out this longstanding, bipartisan priority and to ensure that the CCP’s abuses do not go unchecked.”

    BACKGROUND:  

    Congress created the CECC in 2000 with the mandate to monitor the rule of law in China and to provide transparency and accountability on the actions of the Chinese government.

    The Commission submits an annual report to Congressional leadership and the President to inform U.S. policy decisions. The CECC holds formal hearings and roundtables with academics, government officials, business representatives, and other experts to gather information for the report. Most recently, the CECC has reported on China’s use of forced labor, proliferation of mass biometric surveillance systems, cultural and religious suppression, and imprisonment of political dissidents.  

    The bipartisan group is composed of 23 members: nine Senators, nine members of the House of Representatives, and five senior Administration officials appointed by the President.

    ### 

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Overlooked and underestimated: Sand and dust storms wreak havoc across borders

    Source: United Nations 2

    That’s how much sand and dust enters the atmosphere on an annual basis according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO)’s annual report on the storms which scatter such particles across borders worldwide.

    The UN weather agency’s reports warns that while the amount of dust decreased marginally in 2024, the impact on humans and economies is increasing.

    WMO estimates that over 330 million people across 150 countries are affected by sand and dust storms, leading to premature deaths and other health consequences in addition to steep economic costs.

    More than just a dark sky 

    “Sand and dust storms do not just mean dirty windows and hazy skies. They harm the health and quality of life of millions of people and cost many millions of dollars,” said Celeste Saulo, the Secretary-General of WMO.

    While the movement of sand and dust is a natural weather process, increased land degradation and water mismanagement have, in the past few decades, exacerbated the prevalence and geographic spread.

    Dust and sand particles – 80 per cent of which come from North Africa and the Middle East – can be transported thousands of kilometres across borders and oceans.

    “What begins in a storm in the Sahara, can darken skies in Europe. What is lifted in Central Asia, can alter air quality in China. The atmosphere does not recognize borders,” said Sara Basart, WMO Scientific Officer, at a briefing in Geneva.

    And this is precisely what happened in 2024. Dust and sand from the Western Sahara travelled all the way to Spain’s Canary Islands. And fierce winds and drought in Mongolia brought dust to Beijing and northern China.

    Fast-growing challenge

    “These extreme weather events are not local anomalies. Sand and dust storms are fast becoming one of the most overlooked yet far-reaching global challenges of our time,” said a senior official on Thursday morning speaking on behalf of Philémon Yang, President of the General Assembly.

    The storms can obscure sunlight, altering ecosystems on land and in the ocean. In addition to environmental impacts, these weather occurrences have profound impacts on humans and their economies.

    “Once considered seasonal or localised, sand and dust storms have escalated into a persistent and intensifying global hazard,” said Rola Dashti, the co-chair of the UN Coalition on Combating Sand and Dust Storms.

    Between 2018-2022, over 3.8 billion people were exposed to dust particles, with the worst-affected regions experiencing dust exposure 87 per cent of the time during that same period.

    These particles exacerbate cardiovascular diseases and have other adverse health effects, leading to 7 million premature deaths each year especially among already vulnerable populations.

    Mr. Yang referred to this as the “staggering human toll”: from an economic perspective, storms can lead to a 20 per cent reduction in crop production among rural communities, pushing them towards hunger and poverty.

    In the Middle East and North Africa alone, economic losses in 2024 as a result of sand and dust storms accounted for 2.5 per cent of the regional GDP.

    Can’t go it alone

    WMO is calling on the international community to invest more in early warning systems and data tracking.

    “No country, no matter how prepared, can face this challenge alone. Sand and dust storms are a trans-boundary threat that demands coordinated, multisectoral and multilateral action,” said Ms. Dashti.

    With 2025-2034 declared the Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms, Mr. Yang said this should prove a turning point. He urged Member States to move from awareness to action – and fragmentation to coordination. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Kennedy on Putin: “We need to cut off his sale of oil.”

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator John Kennedy (Louisiana)

    Watch Kennedy’s comments here. 

    WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) delivered the following remarks on the U.S. Senate floor: 

    “Now, regardless of how you feel about the war in Ukraine, I think most fair-minded people can agree on two things. Number one: Vladimir Putin, who runs Russia—not the people of Russia, but their leadership—is a thug. He’s a pirate. He has blood under his fingernails. He can’t be trusted.

    “The second thing that I think most fair-minded Americans can agree on is that we would all like to see the war ended. . . . I think Ukraine is willing to negotiate a reasonable settlement, but it takes two to tango, and we are not going to have a settlement until President Putin decides it is in his best interest to stop the war. “Not in Russia’s best interest because I don’t think he cares about his people. I think the war will stop when Putin thinks it is in his best interest. 

    “And I don’t think he is going to think it is in his best interest until he feels the pressure, Mr. President, because dealing with Putin is like dealing with most tyrants: It is like hand-feeding a shark. You can’t reason with them. You have to make them feel the pain. 

    “A lot of people think of Russia and think of Putin as this gigantic country with a lot of wealth and power, and that is not really the case. Yes, they have nuclear weapons, but, actually, the Russian economy is pretty small. . . . The Russian economy is only about $2 trillion. New York state, in America, has a bigger economy than Russia, and I think we need to keep that in mind.

    “Russia’s economy is also not terribly diversified. It is mostly oil. . . .  Number one: The price of oil is down. We know that. Number two: Russia is spending all of its money fighting the war with Ukraine, which has hurt other parts of its economy.

    “The point I am trying to make, Mr. President, is: When you are dealing with a tyrant like Putin and you are trying to bring him to the negotiating table, what you have to do is get him down and choke him. And the way to get President Putin down and choke him is through his cash flow. Putin—and, remember, I am not talking about the good people in Russia. I am talking about their leadership. I am talking about Vladimir Putin, the thug. 

    “Putin is only able to prosecute his war through cash flow generated by his sale of oil. That is the only way. Without that cash flow from oil, he can’t continue. We need to cut off his money. We need to cut off his sale of oil.

    “Now, we already have sanctions on Russia, and Europe has sanctions on Russia, but Russia has figured out how to evade those sanctions and continue to sell its oil. For example, India is buying a lot of Russia’s oil. China is buying a lot of Russia’s oil, but we can stop that.

    “We have a bill—87 of us have signed on— that would apply what is called secondary sanctions on Russia. Our bill would not only sanction Russia and its sale of oil, but it would sanction everybody who buys Russian oil, a big difference.

    “It would say to those who want to buy Russian oil: If you want to buy Russian oil, have at it—knock yourself out—but you are not going to be able to do business with America, and you are not going to be able to use the American dollar, which is the world’s currency, to do business in America. It will put Putin on his knees within three months, and he won’t have any choice but to come to the bargaining table.

    “Now, President Trump has been very patient. President Biden wasn’t patient; he was giving. I remember when President Biden said to Putin: Well, you know, we don’t want you to go into Ukraine, but if it is just a little excursion, it might be okay. I remember that. What do you think Putin did? Do you remember hand-feeding a shark? He went right into Ukraine.

    “President Trump, on the other hand, has really tried to be rational and negotiate with Putin and say: Look, we need to have an amicable solution to satisfy both sides. Ukraine is willing. Putin has done nothing but embarrass our president and our country.

    “The time has come to put Russia on its knees. I hate to see it for the Russian people, but the time has come to put Putin on his knees. Get him down and choke him. The only way you are going to do that is to cut off his cash flow. And the only way you are going to cut off his cash flow is to cut off his oil sales because that is at least a third—and probably 40%—of his money.

    “We have no choice. Otherwise, this war could go on forever.

    “Now, we have the bill locked, loaded, and ready to go. We are waiting for President Trump to give us the high sign because we want to stay together. The president is the one who is trying to negotiate the peace, but I hope President Trump will seriously consider letting us pull the trigger because it is the only thing—it is the only thing—that is going to get Vladimir Putin to the table.

    “I wish the world weren’t like that. There are just some people—I don’t know why. If I make it to heaven, I am going to ask. But there are some people in this world, they are not sick; they are not misunderstood; they are not mixed up. It is not really that their mom or daddy didn’t love them enough. They are just bad people. They are. And some of them run countries, and one of them is Vladimir Putin. So, let’s go do what we have to do.”

    Watch Kennedy’s speech here.  

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Commission must tackle China’s export restrictions on rare earth elements

    Source: European Parliament

    In a resolution adopted on Thursday, Parliament set out its concerns about Chinese export restrictions on critical raw materia

    On April 4 2025, China imposed export restrictions on seven rare earth elements and magnets used in the defence, energy, and automotive sectors as a response to increased U.S. tariffs on Chinese products. Under the new rules, exporters will need additional licences before being able to export from China.

    In a resolution, adopted by 523 votes in favour, 75 against and with 14 abstentions, Parliament says China’s action is unjustified and is intended to be coercive given the country’s quasi-monopolistic position. MEPs stress the need for the EU to identify, operationalise and strengthen areas it holds critical advantages over China in essential goods and technologies. They are deeply concerned about Chinese demands for export permit applicants to disclose sensitive data. The Commission and member states must accelerate the implementation of the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA), MEPs say. The CRMA aims to ensure the EU has secure, diversified and sustainable access to raw materials.

    The resolution also underlines the need for the EU to activate domestic mining projects and calls on the Commission and member states to assess the minimum level of strategic stocks of rare earth elements. MEPs call for concluding bilateral partnerships on raw materials with countries that meet high sustainability and human rights standards.

    Parliament underlines the importance of the EU stating these concerns and their broader implications for global supply chains at the upcoming EU-China Summit.

    Background

    China has a quasi-monopoly on the export of critical raw materials, rare earth elements and permanent magnets. These are used in industry, such as the automotive and defence industries, but also in wind turbines, headphones, and MRI machines. The Chinese restrictions have already impacted these industries.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Breaking News: China to Work with Egypt to Uphold International Trade and Economic Order – Chinese Premier

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    CAIRO, July 10 (Xinhua) — China hopes to work with Egypt to uphold economic globalization and the international trade and economic order, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in Cairo on Thursday.

    As Li Qiang noted during talks with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, the two countries should safeguard the common interests of a wide range of developing countries and promote peace and stability in the Middle East and the world as a whole. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China, Japan Can Build Constructive, Stable Relations to Meet New Era: Chinese FM

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (Xinhua) — China and Japan can jointly advance strategic and mutually beneficial China-Japan relations and strive to build constructive and stable bilateral ties that meet the requirements of the new era, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

    Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, made the statement during a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya.

    Noting that China and Japan are important neighbors, Wang Yi noted that the significance of their interstate relations goes far beyond bilateral relations.

    As the Chinese diplomat recalled, this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and this is an important opportunity to soberly assess history and pave the way for the future.

    China hopes that Japan will learn profound lessons from history and adhere to the path of peaceful development, Wang continued, adding that on this basis, bilateral relations can inject greater certainty and new impetus into the development of the region and the world as a whole.

    The head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that China’s policy towards Japan always maintains stability and continuity. He expressed hope that the Japanese side will form an objective and correct perception of China and adhere to a positive and rational policy towards China.

    Wang Yi recalled that the four Sino-Japanese political documents contain clear provisions on the Taiwan issue. Japan must strictly abide by them, ensure that words correspond to deeds, and maintain the political basis of interstate relations, the head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry emphasized.

    Takeshi Iwaya, for his part, noted that recently a number of positive results have been achieved in relations between Japan and China, which demonstrated the proper state of bilateral ties. The two countries, the head of the Japanese Foreign Ministry pointed out, need to further strengthen communication, reduce differences, expand cooperation and promote the stable development of strategic and mutually beneficial Japanese-Chinese relations.

    Speaking about the Taiwan issue, Takeshi Iwaya assured that Japan has not changed its position set out in the 1972 Japan-China Joint Statement.

    Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, Takeshi Iwaya said Japan intends to take history seriously, look to the future and continue on the path of peaceful development.

    He added that Japan looks forward to working with China to strengthen exchanges at all levels and advance cooperation in various fields. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Azerbaijani President and Armenian Prime Minister Reaffirm Commitment to Direct Dialogue

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    Baku, July 10 (Xinhua) — Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a meeting in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) on Thursday, during which they reaffirmed their readiness to continue direct dialogue on normalizing bilateral relations, according to a press release from the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry following the talks.

    The two leaders reiterated that direct bilateral negotiations are the most effective format for resolving outstanding issues. They agreed to continue results-oriented dialogue aimed at achieving sustainable and comprehensive peace.

    The negotiations began in an expanded format with the participation of delegations, after which they continued in a one-on-one format.

    I. Aliyev and N. Pashinyan discussed the course of the border delimitation process and instructed the relevant state commissions to intensify practical work. The parties also reaffirmed their commitment to confidence-building measures and regular bilateral contacts.

    They expressed gratitude to UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for organizing the meeting.

    In March of this year, Azerbaijan and Armenia announced that they had completed the approval of the text of the draft peace agreement and the establishment of interstate relations, which gave rise to cautious optimism about the prospects for a final settlement of the long-standing conflict. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Breaking: China looks to optimize trade, expand cooperation with Egypt — Chinese Premier

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    CAIRO, July 10 (Xinhua) — China is committed to working with Egypt to promote the optimization and development of bilateral trade and create more bright spots of cooperation and new economic growth points, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in Cairo on Thursday.

    As Li Qiang noted during talks with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, the two countries could expand cooperation in emerging areas such as new energy, electric vehicles, artificial intelligence and the digital economy. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Russian Foreign Minister and US Secretary of State Discuss Bilateral Relations and Global Situation

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    Moscow, July 10 /Xinhua/ — Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday to discuss bilateral relations and the global situation, the Russian Foreign Ministry reported.

    “In development of the agreements reached by the presidents of Russia and the United States, including during their last telephone conversation on July 3, a thorough comparison of watches was conducted on the entire spectrum of issues on the bilateral agenda and the situation in the world. A substantive and frank exchange of opinions took place on the settlement around Ukraine, the situation around Iran and Syria, as well as a number of other international problems,” the statement says.

    It is noted that the mutual commitment to finding peaceful solutions to conflict situations, restoring Russian-American economic and humanitarian cooperation, and unimpeded contacts between the societies of the two countries, which, in particular, could be facilitated by the resumption of direct air traffic, was confirmed.

    “The constructive and mutually respectful dialogue between the foreign policy departments of Russia and the United States on a growing range of issues of mutual interest will continue,” the Russian Foreign Ministry’s statement emphasized. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Four men arrested by Police National Security Department

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         The National Security Department (NSD) of the Hong Kong Police Force took enforcement actions on July 9 and arrested four men, aged between 15 and 47, who were suspected of illegally participating in the Hong Kong Democratic Independence Alliance, which was established in China’s Taiwan region and engaged in activities aimed at committing subversion, in contravention of the offence of subversion under Article 22 of the National Security Law. The arrested persons are being detained for investigation.

         The Hong Kong Democratic Independence Alliance was established in 2024 through a social media platform, with the objectives of committing subversion and achieving “Hong Kong independence”. The organisation has publicly expressed its stance in support of secession and subversion on various occasions. Investigation revealed that the arrested persons held different roles within the organisation and were actively involved in its affairs, including planning publicity, liaising with external forces and organising related activities.

         Police stressed that any person or organisation inciting secession, subversion or endangering national security in any form is committing a serious offence. Any person who contravenes the offence of “subversion” is liable to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Police will ensure that the law is observed and strictly enforced, and will take resolute actions to hold offenders accountable. All illegal acts will be followed up to this end.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Dutch and European business leaders share insights on “Financial Services and FinTech, Business and Professional Services” at annual NHKBA summer event (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    The Netherlands Hong Kong Business Association (NHKBA), with the support from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels, organised the annual summer event under the theme “Financial Services and FinTech, Business and Professional Services” on July 7 (Amsterdam time) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The event gathered around 100 representatives from Dutch and European business leaders, and Hong Kong representatives to exchange insights on key sectors under the theme. 
     
    Speaking at the event, the Special Representative for Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, highlighted the resilience of Hong Kong’s economy amid global challenges. She emphasised, “Under the ‘one country, two systems’ principle, Hong Kong has maintained a solid institutional foundation of the rule of law, independent judiciary, robust regulatory regime, a low and simple tax system, and free flow of people, goods, capital and information, and has remained a trusted gateway to Asia and a market for global capital.”

    Ms Yung cited Hong Kong’s rankings in a number of recent surveys as one of the world’s top three international financial centres, among the top three in global competitiveness, the freest economy in the world, and home to five universities ranked in the world’s top 100.

    She further underlined that financial services remain a pillar of Hong Kong’s economy. She remarked, “Our deep capital markets, efficient banking system, and strong legal and regulatory infrastructure provide an ecosystem in which businesses from around the world can thrive. We are also embracing the future through fintech innovation.” 

    Ms Yung also updated the audience on Hong Kong’s latest efforts to refine financial regulation to balance innovation with investor protection, including the recent completion of legislation on stablecoins. She also discussed Hong Kong’s leading role in green and sustainable bond issuance in Asia.

    The NHKBA annual summer event concluded with networking sessions and engaging discussions on how Dutch and European enterprises can benefit from Hong Kong’s role as a “super connector” between Europe, Asia, and China. The evening culminated in a dinner reception, at which the Secretary for Justice, Mr Paul Lam, SC, spoke on Hong Kong’s distinctive advantages of enjoying strong support from the motherland while being closely connected to the world under the “one country, two systems” principle.

            

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Commissioner of Customs and Excise visits Urumqi Customs and attends launching ceremony of Fuzhou Customs District’s Fujian-Guangdong-Hong Kong Single E-lock Scheme (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    ​The Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Mr Chan Tsz-tat, yesterday (July 9) completed his four-day visit to the Urumqi Customs District and the Fuzhou Customs District. He attended the launching ceremony of the Fuzhou Customs District’s Fujian-Guangdong-Hong Kong Single E-lock Scheme during his visit.

    During July 6 to 8, Mr Chan visited the Urumqi Customs to meet with the Director General in the Urumqi Customs District, Mr Hao Weiming. The two exchanged views on the promotion of Hong Kong’s economic and trade ties and exchanges with Xinjiang, as well as the exploration of co-operation opportunities and enhancement of collaboration between the two sides. Mr Chan also visited the Urumqi International Land Port, the Operation Monitoring and Inspection Control Centre of the Urumqi Customs District, and the Kalasu Ground Crossing to learn more about the intelligent cargo monitoring and customs clearance process of the China-Europe Railway Express in Urumqi. He expressed hope that both sides could reinforce the complementary strengths of the country’s southern and western gateways to contribute to the stability of the supply chain between Asia and Europe in the future.

    During the visit, Mr Chan and the Vice Chairman of the People’s Government of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, Mr Zhu Lifan, toured the Khunjerab Ground Crossing Gateway, which is under the Urumqi Customs and has an altitude reaching 5 100 metres, to understand its significance in safeguarding the smooth operation of the China-Pakistan economic corridor and national security. They also discussed issues of mutual concern. Afterwards, they visited the Shuibulanggou Party Spirit Education Base.

    Yesterday, Mr Chan went to Fuzhou to continue his visit and attended the launching ceremony of the Fujian-Guangdong-Hong Kong Single E-lock Scheme in Fuzhou Customs. Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Chan said that the official launch of the first Customs clearance point of the Scheme in Fuzhou Customs will help further promote interconnections and the flow of goods between Fujian, Guangdong and Hong Kong, marking a new breakthrough in clearance facilitation and co-operation between Mainland and Hong Kong Customs. Meanwhile, Mr Chan said he hopes that the extension of the Scheme to Fuzhou Customs would enhance the efficiency of cross-boundary intermodal transportation, bring Fuzhou’s various products to overseas markets, and consolidate and strengthen Hong Kong’s status and competitiveness as an international maritime centre, international aviation hub and international logistics hub, creating a win-win situation for trade between the two places.

    At the event, the first transportation truck carrying transshipment goods departed from the first clearance point in Fuzhou Customs District through the Scheme, and arrived at Hong Kong International Airport via the Shenzhen Bay Control Point this morning (July 10), where the goods were transshipped to overseas destinations. Fujian-Guangdong-Hong Kong Customs could streamline the clearance process and expedite the flow of cargo transshipments by reducing duplicated inspections of the same consignments under the Scheme.

    In Fuzhou, Mr Chan also separately met with member of the Leading Party Members Group of Fuzhou Municipal People’s Government Mr Zhang Fan; the Deputy Director General of the Guangdong Sub-Administration of the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Feng Guoqing; and the Deputy Director General in the Fuzhou Customs District, Mr Lin Yuefei. He expressed his gratitude for their dedicated support and co-ordination in extending the Scheme to Fuzhou Customs District, and had discussions on leveraging opportunities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development and deepening co-operation.

    Following Xiamen Customs District, Fuzhou Customs District is the second Customs District to implement the Scheme in Fujian Province. Hong Kong and Mainland Customs will continue to proactively expand the Single E-lock Scheme by establishing more clearance points in both places, and plan to extend the Scheme to the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region to attract more cargoes to Hong Kong for transshipment and increase the competitiveness of Hong Kong’s shipping and logistics sector.

                     

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Rosen, Curtis Introduce Bill to Counter Chinese Sabotage of Taiwan’s Critical Infrastructure

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV)

    Bipartisan legislation aims to protect Taiwan’s undersea communication cables against “gray zone tactics” used by China
    WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and John Curtis (R-UT), members of the Foreign Relations Committee, introduced the Taiwan Undersea Cable Resilience Initiative Act. This bipartisan bill would protect Taiwan’s critical communications infrastructure and deter malicious “gray zone” activities by the Chinese Communist Party. The cables—critical for global communication and commerce—have repeatedly been targeted by China for undercover sabotage to undermine Taiwan’s security and sovereignty.
    “The Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing efforts to target Taiwan’s undersea cable infrastructure don’t just threaten Taiwan’s national security, but connectivity and communication around the world,” said Senator Rosen. “Senator Curtis and I are introducing this bipartisan legislation to bolster collaboration between our two nations in order to protect these underground cables and impose sanctions on any adversary that targets this critical infrastructure. I will continue to push back on China’s growing aggression, and its attempts to undermine democracy.”
    “We can’t stand idle as China ramps up its tactics to isolate Taiwan, including by sabotaging its vital undersea cables,” said Senator Curtis. “By improving systems and increasing cable resiliency, our bipartisan legislation sends a clear message: the United States stands with Taiwan and our allies in defending shared infrastructure, sovereignty, and freedom.”
    Senator Rosen has prioritized strengthening the U.S.–Taiwan partnership and defending Taiwan against growing threats from the Chinese Communist Party. She introduced and helped pass into law via the annual defense bill the bipartisan Taiwan Cybersecurity Resiliency Act to enhance joint cyber defense efforts, and she led the introduction of the bipartisan TAIWAN Security Act to bolster defense and supply chain cooperation. She has also been a consistent leader in pushing back against authoritarian influence more broadly.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Speaker Johnson: The One Big Beautiful Bill is Great for People Who Go to Work Every Day

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

    WASHINGTON — This morning, Speaker Johnson joined Shannon Bream on Fox News Sunday to discuss the One Big Beautiful Bill being signed into law and address the devastating floods in central Texas. 

    “As I said on the House floor the other day, it takes a lot longer to build a lie than to tell the simple truth. Our Republicans are going to be out across the country telling the simple truth,” Speaker Johnson said. “And guess what? It will be demonstrated. Everyone will have more take home pay. They’ll have more jobs and opportunity. The economy will be doing better and we’ll be able to point to that as the obvious result of what we did. “

    Click here to watch the full interview

    On the One Big Beautiful Bill’s impact on working class families:

    What we did in this bill is we made permanent the 2017 Trump Tax Cuts, and that was geared for lower- and middle-class Americans. In spite of everything they said, the bottom 20% of earners saw their lowest federal tax rate in 40 years. Now we’re building upon that. We just made that permanent and we’re building upon it because now we’ve cut taxes on overtime and tips and have more tax relief for seniors. And we’re giving everybody a tax cut, and that’s going to help the economy. It’s going to be jet fuel for small business owners, entrepreneurs, risk takers, the people that provide the jobs, manufacturers, farmers get assistance here, and that will lift the economy. 

    The Council of Joint Economic Advisors is expecting a 3%, growth rate in the economy. That will be incredible. They’re expecting 4 million additional jobs to be added. The average American, the typical American household, will have $13,000 more in take home pay. This is a great thing for people who go to work every day. They’re going to feel that. And we’re excited about the upcoming election cycle in 2026 because people will be riding an economic high just as, as we did after the first two years of the first Trump Administration – this time’s on steroids.

    On the One Big Beautiful Bill growing the U.S. economy:

    If you make between $30,000 and $80,000 a year, you’re going to have a 15% less federal tax rate. You are going to save more money, you’re going to keep more of your hard-earned money, and that’s not going away. So, by making all these tax cut permanent, it’s the largest tax bill, the most important, most consequential tax bill that Congress has ever passed because of what it does for people who go out and work hard every day. We’re going to make it easier on them. And all the other pro-growth policies in this bill. We also, at the same time, achieve the largest savings for the taxpayers in US history, about $1.6 trillion in savings. All those things are going to have a great effect.

    By the way, in the bill, we’re also going to secure the border permanently. We’re going to return to American energy dominance again, which is going to also be jet fuel of the economy. We’re going to take care of the peace through strength because we’re going to give important investments in our military industrial complex, which will help us in our competition with China. There is so much in this bill, it would be difficult for us to cover it in one segment, but people are going to feel that and we’re super excited about what we were able to deliver.

    On the devastating floods in Central Texas:

    In a moment like this, we feel just as helpless as everyone else does. I’ve talked to my colleagues there in Texas, Chip Roy and August Pfluger. You know that’s Chip’s district, August’s daughters were at the camp. We also had Buddy Carter of Georgia who had grandchildren there. It touches so many families, and all we know to do at this moment is pray. Every available resource has been deployed. The president, of course, is dialed in and watching this developed moment by moment as we are. And we will handle supplemental funding requests as they come in. But right now, they’re still trying to do rescue and recovery and our hearts go out to all of them.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Launch of “green corridor” for student visa application facilitates more convenient human exchanges between China and Russia – Chinese Consul General in Khabarovsk Jiang Xiaoyang

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    VLADIVOSTOK, July 10 (Xinhua) — The green corridor for student visas recently launched by the Chinese Consulate General in the Russian city of Khabarovsk has facilitated more convenient people-to-people exchanges between China and Russia, Chinese Consul General in Khabarovsk Jiang Xiaoyang told Xinhua.

    According to Jiang Xiaoyang, with the new academic year approaching, in order to facilitate the procedures for obtaining a study visa to China, the Chinese Consulate General in Khabarovsk will launch a “green corridor” for students from June 30 to August 31, 2025. During this period, the consular section of the Consulate General will provide services such as priority check in the system for an X-category visa /X1 or X2 visas are issued, respectively, for long-term study with a stay of over 180 days and short-term study with a stay of up to 180 days/ and out-of-turn service for students who personally submit their passports after online approval of the application.

    As the Consul General emphasized, China adheres to the course of high-level openness to the outside world and constantly optimizes the visa policy to facilitate more convenient exchanges between residents of China and foreign countries. According to him, humanitarian exchanges are an important part of Chinese-Russian relations, the parties closely cooperate in the field of education, the number of Chinese students in Russia and Russian students in China is constantly growing.

    Jiang Xiaoyang added that the Consulate General intends to create more convenient conditions for processing documents for young Russian students from its consular district who wish to continue their education in China. The diplomatic mission hopes that all students will achieve success in their studies, become successors of the cause of Chinese-Russian friendship, and promote cooperation between the two countries.

    The Chinese Consulate General in Khabarovsk reported that 116 Russian students have received visas to China through the “green corridor” to date. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK-France Leaders Declaration

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UK-France Leaders Declaration

    The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the President of the French Republic met today in Downing Street for the 37th UK-France Summit.

    The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the President of the French Republic met today in Downing Street for the 37th UK-France Summit.

    The United Kingdom and France share a commitment to peace, democracy, the rule of law, the rules-based international order, and human rights. In an international context in which these values are increasingly jeopardised, France and the United Kingdom share a responsibility to stand up for these aims and values, as major European countries, permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, major world economies, and open democracies. Our relationship and cooperation are fundamental.

    Our two countries share a unique friendship, an intertwined history and profound connections between our people, businesses, and communities. As we open a new chapter in our bilateral and European ties, also building on the outcome of the first EU-UK Summit held in May 2025, we want to make our people safer and more secure, champion fair and lasting peace worldwide, deepen our defence and security collaboration, support competitiveness and growth for our economies, providing jobs, and prosperity to our countries.

    Foreign Policy/Global Issues

    We reaffirm our determination to ensure Russia does not prevail in its illegal war of aggression, as well as our commitment to lasting support to Ukraine, including security assurances that safeguard its independence and sovereignty. Today we convened the Coalition of the Willing bringing together more than thirty nations committed to Ukraine’s long-term security. We welcomed the development of mature operational plans to deploy a reassurance force once hostilities have ceased, and to help secure Ukraine’s skies and seas and regenerate Ukraine’s armed forces. We have agreed to launch a Counter-Shadow Fleet Partnership to crack down on dangerous Russian-backed vessels in the Channel, reduce Russian oil revenues via these vessels, and safeguard our maritime security. Alongside this, we commit to seeking a lowering of the crude oil price cap, further depriving Russia of the oil revenues it uses to fund its barbaric war. We will strengthen our joint efforts to prevent the supplying of dual-use components and weapons to Russia by third countries’ entities. We reiterate our readiness to step up pressure on Russia as it refuses to commit to peace. We are committed to defending democracy and stability in the wider European neighbourhood and have agreed to work together on new support to strengthen resilience in the Western Balkans and Moldova. We welcome the conclusion of the negotiations on a peace treaty between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and urge the parties to sign this agreement as soon as possible

    We reaffirm our determination that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon. We will continue our cooperation, including in the E3 format with Germany, working with the US to ensure a robust deal on Iran’s nuclear programme that takes into account our shared security interests. We will continue to advocate for the resumption of Iran’s full cooperation with the IAEA. We are committed to addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, pushing for an immediate ceasefire, and the release of all remaining hostages. We reaffirm our commitment to recognising a Palestinian state, as a contribution to a peace process. We will work together to support its development and the realisation of a Two-State Solution. We are also stepping up our coordination on security and humanitarian challenges in support of wider regional stability in Syria and Lebanon.

    Beyond Europe, we share a responsibility and resolve to defend our values and interests. As demonstrated by the actions of Russia’s enablers, our security is inextricably linked to the Indo-Pacific. We will strengthen our coordination and work together for a free, open, and sovereign Indo-Pacific through new joint maritime security training, reciprocal base access, and joint support to regional organisations. We will launch a Global Maritime Security Dialogue. We jointly reaffirm our commitment to peace and stability in the Korean peninsula, in the South and East China Seas, and in the Taiwan Strait, where we call for the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues. We will keep coordinating efforts and initiatives to address peace and security challenges in Africa and their humanitarian consequences, in particular regarding Sudan and the Great Lakes.

    We will continue to act through the European Political Community to respond to common security challenges, including irregular migration, and promoting stability and democratic resilience, competitive and economic growth throughout the continent.

    We share a commitment to strengthening the multilateral system and working together for reform across the three pillars of the UN. We have today agreed to expand our cooperation on humanitarian disaster preparation and responses, and to coordinate our work on global issues such as climate change, poverty and promotion of sexual and reproductive health rights. We support the next phase of the International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits by each committing seed funding to unlock philanthropic finance and sustainable nature-positive outcomes.

    Defence And Security

    The return of conventional warfighting at scale in Europe, combined with hostile state actors, hybrid warfare and disinformation, requires a new, whole of society and government approach. As Europe’s two nuclear powers and leading militaries, we share responsibility for the continent’s defence and security. We are united in the face of profound security threats and challenges, in particular the immediate and pressing threat posed by Russia to Euro-Atlantic security.

    Today we announced Lancaster House 2.0 to modernise our cooperation. Through this we agree to deepen and broaden our unique defence and security partnership enshrined in the 2010 Lancaster House Treaties, a core pillar of security in Europe, complementing our cooperation in NATO and reinforcing Europe’s contribution to it, as well as the UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership.

    Deepening our longstanding and resolute commitment to cooperation of our independent nuclear deterrents, we have agreed to set out, in a specific statement, our contribution to the defence of European partners and NATO allies, and that whilst our nuclear forces are independent, they can be coordinated. We have decided to establish a UK-France Nuclear Steering Group that will coordinate policy, capability and operation.

    We will launch the Combined Joint Force, to build a shared capability of sufficient scale for warfighting, and ready to operate in all domains, including space and cyber, in the defence of Europe. This evolution of the existing Combined Joint Expeditionary Force will continue to be at the forefront of Coalition of the Willing planning. We have also agreed the path for new military capability projects, including the next generation of our Deep Strike and Air-to-Air missiles.

    We will deepen our cooperation on cyber issues, tackling the proliferation and irresponsible use of commercial hacking capabilities. We will address emerging threats, including in the hybrid domain, whilst harnessing the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies. We will maximise our impact against the highest-threat terrorist groups including deepening our counter-terrorism cooperation in Syria.

    We are committed to redoubling our collaboration to ensure the Euro-Atlantic security architecture remains fit for purpose, with European allies both shouldering their existing obligations and fully involved in shaping any new arrangements. We will intensify our cooperation with Germany and other partners to this end.

    Irregular Migration

    The cruelty of organised gangs who smuggle individuals across the Channel at great risk to life blights both our societies. Today, we announce a strengthening of our cooperation to tackle illegal Channel crossings, focused on reducing the risk to life at sea, breaking the criminal gang networks through law enforcement cooperation, and working upstream to tackle the root causes and smuggling networks.

    We continue to work together on novel and innovative approaches to intercept boats, exemplified by the ongoing French Maritime Review supporting enhanced Maritime co-operation, to ensure we adapt as the criminal gangs change their approach. We seek to use all the tools at our disposal, including both existing and new sanctions, to tackle people smuggling, trafficking, and organised immigration crime. In parallel, the United Kingdom is intensifying its efforts to reform its domestic asylum system, deliver on increasing returns and tackle illegal working.

    France and the UK have agreed to trial a pilot to deter illegal journeys across Europe to the UK and dangerous small boat crossings while saving lives, as an innovative approach to break the business model of organised gangs. It will provide for the readmission of migrants directly to France after an illegal journey by small boat to the United Kingdom and will also offer a reciprocal legal route to the UK for migrants in France, with a principle of equivalence between the number of readmissions to France and the number of legal admissions to the UK. The agreement will be finalised and signed subject to completing prior legal scrutiny in full transparency and understanding with the Commission and EU Member states as this initiative is related to an EU external border, and implemented within a few weeks, subject to the above processes, with real-time monitoring. We are pursuing an ambitious approach that complements wider European cooperation on irregular migration, including working together to prevent irregular Channel crossings within the Common Understanding agreed at the UK-EU Summit on 19 May.

    In this context, building on the Sandhurst Agreement, the United Kingdom reaffirms its commitment to fund Maritime action, increased law enforcement response onshore and inland, alongside new joint upstream working to tackle the issue at source and in transit, through the existing financial agreement through to March 2026, and through the finalisation of a new three year cycle (2026-2029) as soon as possible.

    Growth

    We will ensure continued cooperation and leadership on economic sectors of the future, leading to more growth, skills, and high-quality jobs for our people. This collaboration will make us stronger, remove barriers, and boost our collective resilience and cooperation on economic security, including on critical minerals. We will lead Europe on safely harnessing AI to the benefit of our people and economies, partnering our supercomputers and incubators, and combining the forces of our world-leading universities and research.

    We are committed to protecting our Critical National Infrastructure that underpins our thriving economies. Satellite connectivity is strategically important to Europe’s security and resilience and the UK’s investment in the Eutelsat Group is a demonstration of our commitment to this important technology, alongside the French Government and other existing shareholders. The UK will thus join, prorated to its current stake, the capital increase led by the French State and other existing shareholders of Eutelsat announced on June 19 – taking the total amount of capital raised to €1.5 billion. In the context of European Space Projects, we welcome UK suppliers bidding for supply chain commercial contracts when conditions are met. We will also work towards a resilient terrestrial alternative to Global Navigation Satellite Systems.

    Together, we will lead the way for Europe’s transition to net zero, creating the green jobs of the future and securing affordable energy supplies for our people. Today we reassert our resolve to diversify civil nuclear supply chains from Russia, upskill our nuclear workforces, and manage a responsible nuclear legacy. We welcome the confirmation by EDF of a 12.5% stake in Sizewell C post Financial Close and the proposed issuance of a €6 billion/£5 billion debt guarantee facility to Sizewell C from Bpifrance Assurance export.

    Today, we have agreed that our regulators will move forward in assessing interconnection projects under proportionately-agreed cost and revenue sharing arrangements between beneficiaries, aiming at delivering 1GW further interconnection by 2035. The delivery of further interconnection will be considered in line with national strategic plans. We will continue to work together on key technologies, including offshore wind, carbon capture, usage and storage, and hydrogen.

    We agree to deepen our collaboration on transport, particularly across the Channel, seeking ways to support decarbonisation, protect maritime workers’ pay and conditions, and support growth in the international rail sector. We also welcome the newly-adopted full bilateral framework on the Channel Tunnel, supporting the continued flow of passengers and goods.

    People-to-People

    We are delighted to announce an exceptional cultural partnership with the unprecedented loan of the Bayeux Tapestry to the UK, for an exhibition in the British Museum between September 2026 and July 2027, and the loan of the Sutton Hoo Treasures among other masterpieces from the British Museum, for exhibitions in the Museums of Rouen and Caen, recalling the deep historical ties between our two countries. This exchange will feature as part of the 2027 European Year of the Normans which will celebrate the millennium of William the Conqueror, through cooperation, cultural and educational activities that will recall the strength of our links, past, present, and future. We will celebrate artistic, educational, and community-driven activity through events and initiatives that will support our creative industries. We will also work together to celebrate the 2027 Grand Départ of the Tour de France from the UK.

    We welcome the decision by the French government to facilitate the recognition by local authorities of UK blue badges throughout France for disabled drivers. We will expand connections between UK and French schools, supported by an extension of the arrangements we have made to facilitate school trips in both directions. We will maintain our working relationships on the introduction of the Schengen Entry/Exit System (EES) within the agreed EU framework and timetable to assure security and fluidity across our common border crossing points. Finally, we welcome further constructive exchanges between our Parliaments.

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    Published 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Foreign Minister Calls for Promoting Construction of China-Vietnam Community of Shared Future

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (Xinhua) — China hopes to work with Vietnam to make continuous progress in building a China-Vietnam community with a shared future, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday.

    Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, made the statement during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Vietnam Bui Thanh Son.

    Noting that the leaders of the two parties and countries have outlined strategic plans to deepen the China-Vietnam community with a shared future of strategic significance, Wang Yi stressed that China is willing to take the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties as a new starting point together with Vietnam to maintain high-level exchanges, consolidate strategic mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and properly handle differences.

    According to the head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, China expects to strengthen strategic coordination with Vietnam on the platform of East Asian cooperation, welcomes Vietnam’s status as a BRICS partner country and supports its early accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

    Wang Yi stressed that China always opposes trade and economic bullying and tariff coercion, supports the resolution of trade, economic and tariff issues through equal dialogue, and intends to jointly uphold the rules and system of multilateral trade with Vietnam, and protect the legitimate interests of all countries through unity and self-strengthening.

    Bui Thanh Son, for his part, said that Vietnam expects to deepen practical cooperation with China in areas such as railways, finance, science and technology, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

    According to him, Vietnam and other countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are ready to work with China to achieve greater progress in the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and promote an early conclusion of consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.

    Vietnam is willing to maintain close communication with China, uphold multilateralism and international trade rules, and jointly promote the development and prosperity of the region and the world as a whole, Bui Thanh Son added. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chairman of NPC Standing Committee Meets with Vice Speaker of National Assembly of Republic of Korea

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 10 (Xinhua) — Zhao Leji, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC), met with Lee Hak-yeon, vice speaker of the National Assembly (parliament) of the Republic of Korea (ROK), in Beijing on Thursday.

    Zhao Leji recalled that Chinese President Xi Jinping sent congratulations to Lee Jae-myung on his election as President of the Republic of Korea and held a telephone conversation with him, during which the two sides reached an important consensus on elevating China-South Korea strategic cooperation and partnership to a higher level.

    The Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee stressed that China is ready to work with the ROK, under the strategic leadership of the heads of state, to improve mutual understanding and trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, expand cultural and humanitarian exchanges, and promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations.

    According to Zhao Leji, the NPC is willing to maintain close communication with the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, play the role of mechanisms and platforms for exchanges between legislative bodies, so as to provide legal guarantees for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries and deepen coordination and cooperation within the framework of multilateral mechanisms.

    For his part, Lee Hak-yeon noted that the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea hopes to deepen cooperation with the NPC in order to contribute to the development of trade and economic ties and strengthening friendship between the peoples of the two countries. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: The Bangladesh delta is under a dangerous level of strain, analysis reveals

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Md Sarwar Hossain, Senior Lecturer in Environmental Science & Sustainability, University of Glasgow

    The Ganges delta in Bangladesh. Emre Akkoyun/Shutterstock

    Bangladesh is known as the land of rivers and flooding, despite almost all of its water originating outside the territory. The fact that 80% of rivers that flow through Bangladesh have their sources in a neighbouring country, can make access to freshwater in Bangladesh fraught. And the country’s fast-growing cities and farms – and the warming global climate – are turning up the pressure.

    In a recent analysis, my colleagues and I found that four out of the ten rivers that flow through Bangladesh have failed to meet a set of conditions known as their “safe operating space”, meaning that the flow of water in these rivers is below the minimum necessary to sustain the social-ecological systems that rely on them. These rivers included the Ganges and Old Brahmaputra, as well as Gorai and Halda.

    This puts a safe and reliable food and water supply not to mention the livelihoods of millions of fishers, farmers and other people in the region, at risk.

    Water flow on the remaining six rivers may be close to a dangerous state too, due to the construction of hydropower dams and reservoirs, as well as booming irrigated agriculture.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    The concept of a safe operating space was devised by Stockholm University researchers in 2009 and typically assesses the Earth’s health as a whole by defining boundaries such as climate warming, water use and biodiversity loss which become dangerous to humanity once exceeded. A 2023 update to this research found that six of the nine defined planetary boundaries have been transgressed.

    Since the Bangladesh delta is one of the world’s largest and most densely populated (home to around 170 million people), we thought it prudent to apply this thinking to the rivers here. We found that food, fisheries and the world’s largest intertidal mangrove forest, a haven for rich biodiversity, are all under strain from water demand in growing cities such as Dhaka.

    The knock-on effects

    During all seasons but winter, river flows in the Bangladesh delta have fallen over the past three decades.

    No river in the Bangladesh delta is within its safe operating space.
    Kabir et al. (2024)

    Our analysis highlights the limits of existing political solutions. The ability of the Ganges river to support life and society is severely strained, despite the Ganges water sharing treaty between India and Bangladesh, which was signed in 1996.

    Rivers in Bangladesh have shaped the economy, environment and culture of South Asia since the dawn of human civilisation here. And humans are not the only species suffering. Hilsha (Tenualosa ilisha), related to the herring, is a fish popular for its flavour and delicate texture. It contributes 12% to national fish production in Bangladesh but has become extinct in the upper reaches of the Ganges due to the reduction of water flow.

    Excessive water extraction upstream, primarily through the Farakka barrage, a dam just over the border in the Indian state of West Bengal, has also raised the salinity of the Gorai river. A healthy river flow maintains a liveable balance of salt and freshwater. As river flows have been restricted, salinity has crept up, particularly in coastal regions that are also beset by sea level rise. This damages freshwater fisheries, farm yields and threatens a population of freshwater dolphins in the Ganges.

    Low river flows and increasing salinisation now threaten the destruction of the world’s largest mangrove forest, the loss of which would disrupt the regional climate of Bangladesh, India and Nepal. It would also release a lot of stored carbon to the atmosphere, accelerating climate change and the melting of snow and ice in the Himalayan mountain chain.

    Resilience to climate change

    Solving this problem is no simple task. It will require cooperation across national boundaries and international support to ensure fair treaties capable of managing the rivers sustainably, restoring their associated ecosystems and maintaining river flows within their safe operating spaces.

    The mighty Ganges is running dry in some parts of Bangladesh during the hotter months.
    Md Sarwar Hossain

    This is particularly challenging in the Bangladesh delta, which contains rivers that drain many countries, including China, India, Nepal and Pakistan. The political regimes in each country might oppose transboundary negotiations, which could nevertheless resolve conflict over water which is needed to sustain nearly 700 million people.

    There have been success stories, however. The Mekong river commission between Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam is a useful template for bilateral and multilateral treaties with India and Nepal for the Ganges, and China and Bhutan for the Jamuna river.

    Tax-based water sharing can help resolve conflicts and decide water allocation between countries in the river basin. The countries using more water would pay more tax and the revenue would be redistributed among the other countries who share rivers in the treaty. Additionally, water sharing should be based on the historical river flow disregarding existing infrastructure and projections of future changes.

    Reducing deforestation, alternating land use and restoring wetlands could enhance resilience to flooding and drought and ensure water security in the Bangladesh delta. Ultimately, to secure a safe operating space for the rivers here is to secure a safe future for society too.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

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

    – ref. The Bangladesh delta is under a dangerous level of strain, analysis reveals – https://theconversation.com/the-bangladesh-delta-is-under-a-dangerous-level-of-strain-analysis-reveals-241097

    MIL OSI Analysis –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: How China’s green transition is reshaping ethnic minority communities

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Reza Hasmath, Professor in Political Science, University of Alberta

    China has emerged as a global front-runner in the fight against climate change, with sweeping policies aimed at curbing environmental degradation and building a more sustainable future.

    Yet behind these green ambitions lies a more complicated human story. Ethnic minority communities — who make up roughly nine per cent of China’s total population and often inhabit ecologically sensitive regions like Tibet, Xinjiang, Yunnan and Inner Mongolia — are experiencing the transition in ways that involve significant trade-offs.

    Where they live, how they work and the cultural practices they depend on have all been shaped by state environmental policies, often without meaningful input or representation.

    My ongoing research examines the lesser seen consequences of China’s environmental agenda, focusing on how it affects the lives of ethnic minority communities across four critical dimensions: traditional livelihoods, internal migration, economic well-being and cultural identity.

    Disruptions to traditional livelihoods

    For centuries, many ethnic minorities in China have built their livelihoods around the land. Tibetan nomadic herders, Uyghur and Kazakh farmers and communities like the Yi, Qiang or Tu have long depended on agriculture, grazing and forest products not just for economic survival, but as a way of life deeply tied to ancestral customs and ecological knowledge.

    That fabric is now fraying. Climate change, rising temperatures and desertification have degraded pasturelands in Tibet and farmland in Xinjiang, undermining herding and agriculture.

    At the same time, state policies like the Grain for Green program, which converts farmland into forest to reduce erosion, have displaced upland farmers and restricted access to traditional lands.

    These disruptions are compounded by restrictions on small-scale logging and non-timber forest product collection. These practices have long sustained communities such as the Hani, Dai and Yi.

    Although these initiatives aim for environmental conservation, they often lack provisions for alternative livelihood options, rendering affected ethnic minority communities vulnerable to economic hardship.

    Internal migration

    As China’s environmental and development policies reshape rural regions, ethnic minority communities are increasingly affected by internal migration. Some ethnic minority families move voluntarily for work, while others are displaced by large-scale infrastructure or conservation projects.

    In Tibet, expanded rail and road networks have boosted trade, but contributed to the migration of herding communities. In Yunnan, dam construction has displaced villages inhabited by ethnic groups such as the Nu, Lisu, Hani and Bai, often with minimal consultation.

    Relocation into urban areas introduces new pressures: overcrowded infrastructure, limited services and increased competition for employment. These conditions can exacerbate the marginalization of ethnic minorities and heighten social tensions.

    The effects are especially stark in Xinjiang. Uyghur communities have been relocated to new urban zones where efforts framed as economic development often fracture social structures and push assimilation.

    Coupled with securitization measures, such transitions risk eroding cultural identity and deepening socio-economic disparities, particularly among ethnic minority women.

    Ultimately, internal migration fragments extended family networks, an essential characteristic for many ethnic minority cultures. Without inclusive planning, these relocations can entrench the very inequities that sustainability efforts seek to address.

    A double-edged economy

    Green transition policies promise new livelihoods through eco-tourism, conservation work and renewable energy sectors. For some communities, these transitions have created new pathways.

    Pilot programs in ecologically sensitive zones such as Qinghai have involved Tibetan herders as conservation workers, combining ecological protection with livelihood maintenance.

    These examples remain exceptions. Most affected communities lack training and access to green jobs. The Grain for Green program offers short-term land conversion subsidies, but little in the way of long-term retraining. As a result, some households plunge deeper into poverty after losing access to their farmland or pasture.

    Ironically, relocated families sometimes end up in low-paid construction jobs tied to the very projects that displaced them. This circular dependency — displaced by green projects, then employed in their construction — offers no route to upward mobility and deepens socio-economic marginalization.

    Cultural displacement

    Perhaps the most intangible impact of China’s green transition is cultural. In many ethnic minority communities, livelihoods are intertwined with the environment; rituals follow the seasons and sacred sites mark the land.

    Conservation bans and resettlement disrupt ancestral customs and erase mobility patterns, as seen with the sedentarization of Tibetan nomads.

    Eco-tourism campaigns and “heritage villages” try to preserve culture. However, they often turn it into a spectacle. Traditions become performances curated for tourists, while the deeper practices — language, inter-generational teaching and land-based rituals — fade.

    Well-meaning efforts to promote ethnic minority festivals in the name of boosting tourism have also sometimes led to the standardization of diverse traditions into single narratives, minimizing internal variation in customs and flattening community voices.

    A more inclusive green transition?

    There is no doubt that China’s climate ambition is transforming its economy and the daily lives of millions. From the Tibetan Plateau to the Tarim Basin in Xinjiang and across the vast grasslands of Inner Mongolia, environmental protection is impacting the people whose lives are rooted in these fragile ecosystems.

    Making this transition equitable means ensuring ethnic minorities shape, not merely receive, state policy. That includes integrating local ecological knowledge into conservation planning, providing long-term training for displaced populations and ensuring that relocation compensation reflects economic losses, as well as social and cultural costs.

    China frames its environmental vision through the concept of “ecological civilization,” a philosophy rooted in Confucian ideals and socialist principles that seeks to harmonize human development with nature. At its best, this model aspires to align economic growth with ecological balance.

    For ecological civilization to fulfil its promise, it must be inclusive and prioritize cultural rights alongside environmental goals. Environmental policymakers must recognize that sustainability is about both reducing emissions and preserving the dignity, heritage and agency of all communities.

    China’s green transition has the potential to be a global model. To lead by example, however, it must confront not only the climate crisis, but also the deeper challenge of inclusion.

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

    – ref. How China’s green transition is reshaping ethnic minority communities – https://theconversation.com/how-chinas-green-transition-is-reshaping-ethnic-minority-communities-259793

    MIL OSI Analysis –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 4 arrested in security action

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Police’s National Security Department arrested four men on July 9 on suspicion of illegally participating in the Hong Kong Democratic Independence Alliance, which engaged in activities aimed at committing subversion, in contravention of the offence of subversion under Article 22 of the National Security Law.
     
    The arrestees, aged between 15 and 47, are being detained for investigation.
     
    Police said that the Hong Kong Democratic Independence Alliance was established in China’s Taiwan region in 2024 through a social media platform, with the objectives of committing subversion and achieving “Hong Kong independence”.
     
    The organisation has publicly expressed its stance in support of secession and subversion on various occasions, it added.
     
    An investigation revealed that the arrested persons held different roles within the organisation and were actively involved in its affairs, including planning publicity, liaising with external forces and organising related activities.
     
    Police stressed that any person or organisation inciting secession, subversion or endangering national security in any form is committing a serious offence. Additionally, any person who contravenes the offence of subversion is liable to a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
     
    The force said it will ensure that the law is observed and strictly enforced, and take resolute actions to hold offenders accountable. Furthermore, it emphasised that all illegal acts will be followed up to this end.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: A Statement from FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, M.D., M.P.H: 100 Days of Embracing Gold-Standard Science, Transparency and Common Sense

    Source: US Department of Health and Human Services – 3

    For Immediate Release:
    July 10, 2025
    Statement From:

    As I mark my hundredth day on the job at the FDA, I’m proud to celebrate the agency’s accomplishments in the bipartisan effort to Make America Healthy Again. I came here with big questions: Why does it take ten years for a drug to reach patients? How can we fix America’s  food supply so it is not filled with harmful chemicals and additives? Why are childhood chronic diseases so prevalent? We are taking bold action to address these big, obvious problems, and more, which have been staring at us for years.
    The FDA regulates products that account for 20% of all U.S. consumer spending, and our work impacts the lives of every American. Over the past 100 days, we’ve launched dozens of key initiatives across the full range of the FDA’s purview to help make food healthier for children and families, accelerate meaningful cures and treatments, and modernize the agency with transparency, gold-standard science and common sense. Highlights include:  
    Food – Healthier Food for Children

    Fixing America’s Food Supply

    Petroleum-based food dye removal – Took action to phase out petroleum-based synthetic food dyes from the U.S. food supply, which are linked to numerous health risks.
    Improving infant formula – Continued the work of Operation Stork Speed by hosting an expert roundtable on infant formula and exploring new ways to bring additional and healthier options without ingredients like seed oils, added sugars and heavy metals to market.
    Food chemical review – Initiated a robust, transparent review of chemicals currently in the food supply, such as BHT, BHA and ADA; and expedited the review of chemicals currently under review, such as phthalates, propylparaben and titanium dioxide.
    GRAS reform – Exploring rulemaking to require “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) submissions to FDA to stop industry’s long-standing practice of introducing ingredients into the food supply without FDA knowledge or oversight.
    Natural food dyes – Approved uses of three food colors derived from natural sources: Galdieria extract blue, butterfly pea flower extract and calcium phosphate, and initiated an accelerated the review of other natural alternatives.
    Began revising broken dietary guidelines – Launched the Nutrition Regulatory Science Program in partnership with NIH to better address highly relevant questions for Americans’ health, such as the impact of ultra-processed foods and the effect of certain food additives.
    Defining ultra-processed foods – Will launch FDA/USDA request for data and information to help develop a uniform definition of ultra-processed foods, and industry roundtable, paving the way for additional study and action.

    More Meaningful Cures, Treatments and Diagnostics

    Accelerating Cures  

    Reducing animal testing – Published a roadmap to transition away from animal testing for investigational new drug applications wherever possible and use more effective, human-relevant methods, such as organ-on-a-chip systems, advanced computer simulations, and pre-existing international data. Announced the intent to launch a pilot program in which select monoclonal antibody developers may pursue a primarily non-animal-based testing strategy, under close FDA consultation.
    Commissioner’s National Priority Voucher program – Announced a pilot program to expedite drug review processes from 10-12 months to 1-2 months following submission of a final application addressing U.S. national priorities, such as tackling a major health crisis or unmet public health need, increasing domestic drug manufacturing, and delivering more innovative cures for the American people.
    Revised Covid-19 vaccine regulatory framework – Adopted a new evidence-based approach to Covid-19 booster approvals, replacing a one-size-fits-all regulatory framework and broad marketing authorizations with a risk-stratified approach that is already embraced by most doctors and parents. Updated labeling of mRNA shots to include new safety information about myocarditis and pericarditis.
    Addressed industry influence – Limited the circumstances where individuals employed at FDA-regulated companies, such as pharmaceutical companies, may serve as members of FDA advisory committees, where statutorily possible, to mitigate perceived conflicts of interest and strengthen integrity to the review process.
    CEO Listening Tour – Launched a six-city listening tour to meet directly with pharmaceutical and biotech executives, gathering honest feedback and big ideas to help the agency better accelerate cures and innovation.
    Cell and Gene therapy innovation – Engaged dozens of industry experts in a roundtable to shape actions that will ensure America leads at the forefront of innovation in this space.
    Removed restrictions on certain gene therapies – Removed REMS requirement for currently approved BCMA- and CD19-directed autologous chimeric antigen receptor CAR T cell immunotherapies, the first of many steps towards a more common-sense regulatory approach in this space.
    Diagnostics to empower healthy decisions – Cleared the first in vitro diagnostic device that tests blood to aid in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease.  Initiated process to remove regulations on Laboratory Developed Tests (LDTs).
    Extended-release drug labeling change – Revised labeling on extended-release stimulants for ADHD treatment, cautioning parents and providers about the risks of adverse reactions, including weight loss, when used by children under six.

    Administration – Gold-Standard Science & Common Sense

    Protecting American Consumers

    Combatting illegal vapes – In collaboration with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, seized nearly $34 million worth of illegal, youth-appealing e-cigarette products originating in China.
    Protecting the microbiome from fluoride tablets – Initiated action to remove concentrated ingestible fluoride prescription drug products for children from the market, which were not FDA-approved and have been shown to alter the gut microbiome.
    Examining talc – Hosted an expert panel to review the latest evidence and discuss potential health risks associated with talc used in food, drugs and cosmetics.
    Unannounced foreign inspections – Expanded the use of unannounced foreign inspections where appropriate, holding domestic and international drug manufacturers to the same high standard.
    Holistic inspection policy review – Began comprehensive review of the agency’s policies and practices for foreign inspections (including policies related to travel accommodations), ensuring the FDA remains the gold standard for regulatory oversight.
    Protecting American’s biological samples – Initiated action to review and, where necessary, halt clinical trials which involve exporting Americans’ living cells and DNA to labs in hostile countries, such as China, for genetic engineering and subsequent infusion back into U.S. patients.
    Enhancing drug importation – Fought high prescription drug prices by working to streamline the process by which states can pursue importation of safe, effective and affordable drugs from Canada, without imposing additional risk to public health and safety.
    Cracking down on falsified data – Discovered that third-party testing companies in China were producing falsified or otherwise invalid data; acted swiftly to protect the integrity of the premarket application process and the medical device supply chain.
    Fighting “gas station heroin” –Issued warning letters against companies distributing and selling unlawful tianeptine products, warned health care professionals and the general public about the extensive adverse events associated with tianeptine use.
    FDA import alerts – Updated several import alerts – for certain dietary supplements, cheeses, seafood, fish products and more – to help prevent illegal and unauthorized products flooding the U.S. market and risking American’s safety and health.

    Unleashing AI and Big Data

    AI-assisted review – Completed a successful first AI-assisted scientific review pilot, demonstrating that internal AI tools can greatly reduce the time reviewers spend on mundane tasks or non-productive busywork.
    Equipping reviewers with internal AI tools – Launched Elsa, a generative AI tool designed to help all FDA employees – from scientific reviewers to investigators – work more efficiently. Elsa is just an initial step in the FDA’s larger plans to integrate AI into agency processes.
    Building a better adverse event reporting database – Launched a comprehensive effort to consolidate disparate adverse event reporting databases, which will enable far more effective post-market monitoring of drug products.

    Modernization and Radical Transparency

    Transparent communications – Created FDA Direct, a regular channel for communicating directly with the public through frequent, unscripted conversations with the FDA Commissioner about strategic updates and the thinking behind key agency decisions.
    Transparent agenda – In the Journal of the American Medical Association, provided a clear outline of FDA leadership’s priorities for modernizing and improving the agency in the months ahead.
    Transparent decision making – Began publishing, to the greatest extent possible, decision letters issued in response to applications for new drugs and biological products.

    I’m excited by what the talented FDA team have been able to achieve in 100 days by embracing gold-standard science, radical transparency and common sense. This is just the beginning. We’ll continue to introduce initiatives to modernize the agency, protect consumers, bring more meaningful cures, treatments and diagnostics to patients, and make healthier food available for children, using the best science and data to Make America Healthy Again.
    Related Information

    Related Information

    ###

    Boilerplate

    The FDA, an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, protects the public health by assuring the safety, effectiveness, and security of human and veterinary drugs, vaccines and other biological products for human use, and medical devices. The agency also is responsible for the safety and security of our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, dietary supplements, radiation-emitting electronic products, and for regulating tobacco products.

    Content current as of:
    07/10/2025

    Follow FDA

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI USA: Assessing the Global Climate in June 2025

    Source: US National Oceanographic Data Center

    June Highlights:

    • June saw widespread warmer-than-normal temperatures across most of the globe.
    • Northern Hemisphere snow cover extent was below average in June.
    • Sea ice extent was near-record low for the Arctic and third lowest for the Antarctic.
    • Global tropical cyclone activity was above average with nine named storms.
    Map of global selected significant climate anomalies and events in June 2025.

    Temperature

    June 2025 had the third-warmest June global surface temperature in NOAA’s 176-year record, with a temperature 1.76°F (0.98°C) higher than the 20th-century baseline. This June was cooler than June 2023 (second warmest) and June 2024 (warmest). According to NCEI’s Global Annual Temperature Outlook, there is a very high likelihood that 2025 will rank among the five warmest years on record. However, it is unlikely that 2025 will rank as the warmest year on record. 

    Land and Ocean Temperature Percentiles for June 2025 (°C). Red indicates warmer than average and blue indicates colder than average.

    June saw widespread above-average temperatures across much of the globe’s surface. Warm temperature departures were most notable in parts of North America, Europe, central Asia, western and eastern Antarctica and the northern Pacific Ocean. Pockets of below-average temperatures were present across parts of the higher latitudes of the Arctic, Greenland and the North Atlantic, as well as parts of northwestern and northern Asia, India, north and eastern Australia, southern South America, central Antarctica and the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

    Regionally, Europe and Asia both had their fifth-warmest June on record. North America had its eighth-warmest and Africa its ninth-warmest. South America, Oceania, the Arctic, the Antarctic and the Caribbean and Hawaiian regions also recorded above-average temperatures for June; however, their anomalies did not place among their respective top 10 warmest Junes on record.

    Precipitation

    As is typical, precipitation patterns varied globally. Regions that experienced drier-than-average conditions included parts of northern Canada and the western contiguous U.S., as well as the southern half of Europe, the central and western parts of Asia and southwestern and eastern Australia. Southern and western Alaska, the eastern half of the U.S., northern South America, northern Europe and much of Asia had wetter-than-average conditions.

    Snow Cover

    The Northern Hemisphere snow cover extent was the 12th-smallest June extent on record, with 610,000 square miles below average. Snow cover over North America and Greenland was below average by 280,000 square miles and was the 11th-smallest snow cover extent in the 59-year record. Eurasia was also below average by 330,000 square miles—tying with 2009 as the 13th-smallest June extent. 

    Sea Ice

    Global sea ice extent was the second-smallest June extent on record at 850,000 square miles below the 1991–2020 average. Arctic sea ice extent was also the second-smallest extent at 320,000 square miles below average. The Antarctic sea ice extent was the third-smallest for June at 540,000 square miles below average.

    Map of the Antarctic (left) and Arctic (right) sea ice extent in June 2025.

    Tropical Cyclones

    Globally, tropical cyclone activity was above average during June, with a total of nine named storms. The Atlantic basin had two named storms: Tropical Storm (TS) Andrea and TS Barry. Notably, Barry brought heavy rain and strong winds to parts of eastern Mexico. Its remnants also contributed to extreme flooding over parts of central Texas in early July.

    The East Pacific basin was more active, with five named storms: Hurricane Barbara, TS Cosme, TS Dahlia, Hurricane Erick and TS Flossie. Among these, Hurricane Erick stands out as the earliest major hurricane on record to make landfall in Mexico.

    The West Pacific saw two named storms: Typhoon Wutip and TS Sepat. Wutip, an equivalent Category 1 typhoon, brought heavy rain and strong winds to southern China.

    No tropical cyclones formed in the North Indian Ocean and the Southern Hemisphere basins.

    For a more complete summary of climate conditions and events, see our June 2025 Global Climate Report or explore our Climate at a Glance Global Time Series.

    MIL OSI USA News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Production of computers and electronic equipment in Kazakhstan increased by 74 percent.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    Almaty, July 10 (Xinhua) — The production volume of computers, electronic and optical equipment in Kazakhstan increased by 74.3 percent in the first five months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, the Kazinform news agency reported on Thursday, citing the press service of the Ministry of Industry and Construction of Kazakhstan.

    The production volume exceeded 41.7 billion tenge /about 80.7 million US dollars/. For the same period last year, the figure was less than 30 billion tenge.

    In real terms, production increased by 89 percent. The index of physical volume /IPV/ of production amounted to 189.3 percent. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China ready to deepen cooperation with Egypt within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative – Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China /more details/

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    CAIRO, July 10 (Xinhua) — China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Egypt under the Belt and Road Initiative in areas including economy, trade, finance, manufacturing, new energy, science and technology, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in Cairo on Thursday.

    As Li Qiang indicated during his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, China is ready to encourage more competitive Chinese companies to invest in the Egyptian economy.

    Li Qiang conveyed cordial greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping to A.F. al-Sisi, saying that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Egypt relations have been developing rapidly in recent years.

    According to the Premier of the State Council, the Chinese side hopes to work with Egypt to take advantage of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries to develop traditional friendship, strengthen political mutual trust and continue to firmly support each other on issues affecting mutual core interests.

    China, Li Qiang continued, is willing to work with Egypt to continuously enrich the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership, promote new achievements of bilateral cooperation in various fields, and consistently move towards the goal of building a China-Egypt community with a shared future in the new era.

    According to Li Qiang, today’s international situation is characterized by growing turbulence and worsening chaos, in particular, this concerns protracted and intractable conflicts in West Asia and North Africa.

    The head of the Chinese government stressed that China is ready to maintain close communication with Egypt and facilitate a speedy end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip.

    The Chinese side is also willing to work with Egypt to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis, prevent the spread and escalation of the conflict, and make unremitting efforts for a comprehensive, fair and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue, Li Qiang noted.

    He said China hopes to strengthen communication and coordination with Egypt in multilateral forums including the UN, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to implement genuine multilateralism.

    Li Qiang added that China is willing to work with Egypt to promote the building of an equal and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive economic globalization that benefits everyone, and promote the sustainable and long-term development of China-Arab and China-Africa cooperation.

    A.F. al-Sisi asked Li Qiang to convey his sincere greetings and good wishes to Xi Jinping, pointing out that under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has achieved remarkable achievements in socio-economic development.

    China is a sincere friend of Egypt, and since the establishment of diplomatic relations, bilateral ties have consistently developed in a stable and successful manner, the Egyptian leader stated.

    In recent years, he particularly noted, Egypt and China, through joint efforts, have established a comprehensive strategic partnership, as a result of which bilateral ties have reached the highest level in history.

    A.F. al-Sisi assured that Egypt firmly adheres to the one-China principle and is ready to maintain close high-level exchanges with China, advance the joint construction of the Belt and Road, and deepen cooperation in areas such as economy, trade, investment, new energy, infrastructure and tourism.

    According to him, Egypt welcomes the entry of more Chinese enterprises into the Egyptian market and is ready to create favorable conditions for this.

    A.F. al-Sisi added that his country supports a number of global initiatives put forward by Xi Jinping and is willing to strengthen multilateral cooperation with China to promote peace and development around the world. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China Ready to Deepen Cooperation with Egypt under Belt and Road Initiative – Premier of State Council of China

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    CAIRO, July 10 (Xinhua) — China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Egypt under the Belt and Road Initiative in areas including economy, trade, finance, manufacturing, new energy, science and technology, and cultural and humanitarian exchanges, Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in Cairo on Thursday.

    As Li Qiang indicated during his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, China is ready to encourage more competitive Chinese companies to invest in the Egyptian economy.

    Li Qiang conveyed cordial greetings from Chinese President Xi Jinping to A.F. al-Sisi, saying that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, China-Egypt relations have been developing rapidly in recent years.

    According to the Premier of the State Council, the Chinese side hopes to work with Egypt to take advantage of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries to develop traditional friendship, strengthen political mutual trust and continue to firmly support each other on issues affecting mutual core interests.

    China, Li Qiang continued, is willing to work with Egypt to continuously enrich the China-Egypt comprehensive strategic partnership, promote new achievements of bilateral cooperation in various fields, and consistently move towards the goal of building a China-Egypt community with a shared future in the new era.

    According to Li Qiang, today’s international situation is characterized by growing turbulence and worsening chaos, in particular, this concerns protracted and intractable conflicts in West Asia and North Africa.

    The head of the Chinese government stressed that China is ready to maintain close communication with Egypt and facilitate a speedy end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip.

    The Chinese side is also willing to work with Egypt to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis, prevent the spread and escalation of the conflict, and make unremitting efforts for a comprehensive, fair and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue, Li Qiang noted.

    He said China hopes to strengthen communication and coordination with Egypt in multilateral forums including the UN, BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to implement genuine multilateralism.

    Li Qiang added that China is willing to work with Egypt to promote the building of an equitable and orderly multipolar world and an inclusive economic globalization that benefits everyone, and promote the sustainable and long-term development of China-Arab and China-Africa cooperation. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Russia: There are no winners in trade and tariff wars – Chinese Foreign Ministry

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 10 (Xinhua) — China has consistently opposed overly broad interpretations of national security and consistently believes that there are no winners in trade and tariff wars, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Thursday.

    Mao Ning made the statement while commenting on the fact that US President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced the introduction of a 50 percent tariff on imported copper based on national security concerns.

    China’s position is very clear, the official said, adding that the abuse of tariffs is not in the interests of either side. -0-

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: TikTok users in Ghana and Zimbabwe enjoy making fun of government – why it can have a downside

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Jacob Nyarko, Lecturer of Communication Studies, University of Cape Coast

    Browse the internet or turn on the global news and chances are the coverage of Africa you find is about war, coups, displaced populations and disease.

    Generally, the west and its media are blamed for this negative, Afropessimistic portrayal of the continent.

    Africans have taken strategic steps to repair this negative narrative. An example is the Africa Rising campaign. It was launched in 2000 by a coalition of African activists and organisations. Its objective was to highlight the role of Africa in global development and encourage Africans at home and the diaspora to contribute positively. Social media platforms played a large role in content distribution and messaging. The success of this campaign is still the subject of debate.



    Read more:
    Western media outlets are trying to fix their racist, stereotypical coverage of Africa. Is it time African media did the same?

    As communication scholars, we were intrigued by the visual appeal of the social media platform TikTok. With our area of expertise being Ghana and Zimbabwe respectively, we were interested in how citizens of these countries were using the popular TikTok app to report on themselves.

    Our study explored the self-critical content that many Africans share on TikTok. We found that TikTok posts and comments by Ghanaian and Zimbabwean creators generated entertaining information. We call this “fun journalism”. TikTokers use it to comment on important issues, but the way they do it could also harm the reputation of the two countries and influence decisions in unintended ways.

    Fun journalism and reputation

    As a creative and innovative platform, TikTok has enabled users to produce multimedia materials and share them across the globe for fun and entertainment. According to the Digital 2025: Ghana report by Datareportal, 81% of Ghanaians aged 16 and over use the internet to access TikTok monthly. That makes it the second most popular platform after WhatsApp (93%). Zimbabwe has 2.05 million TikTok users aged 18 and above, according to tech data aggregator Datareportal.

    Studies show that users tend to “play” with social media, even when they use it for serious things. Our study showed that the fun videos uploaded by TikTokers from Ghana and Zimbabwe covered serious issues like security, education, sanitation, corruption, entertainment, religion and sports.



    Read more:
    Nigerian TikTok star Charity Ekezie uses hilarious skits to dispel ignorance about Africa

    For example, one Ghanaian TikTok video compares how a Ghanaian and a European would react if they picked up money that someone had lost. The video suggests an African would keep the money, while a European would try to locate the original owner.

    In many instances, users ridiculed their countries and fellow citizens. They compared African conditions to the global north in ways that degraded local endeavours. For example, in one TikTok video, a user imitated Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa having difficulties explaining the number of zeroes in a million. This gave the impression that he was semi-literate and out of his depth.

    We found that, generally, the entertaining discourses on TikTok were laden with insults and critiques of government. Though some of the content raised legitimate concerns, it seldom offered solutions to the identified challenges. This suggested that TikTok content that jokingly covered significant national development issues eroded reputational gains made by the two countries by framing them negatively. We cite several examples in the study.

    Comparing this phenomenon to other countries, a study on Chinese uploads onto TikTok showed the following results: 41% positive, 53% neutral and 6% negative.

    Self-ridiculing factors and misinformation

    TikTokers ridiculed the reputation of Ghana and Zimbabwe in three ways:

    • Exaggerated production of video content. This includes emotional background sounds, tone of voice, slang, animation, unfavourable shooting locations and poor video quality

    • comparing African countries to foreign conditions

    • generating unfavourable comments.

    “Fake news” has become an integral part of social media, raising doubts about the credibility of information generally. We argue that such content should no longer be seen as harmless humour.

    link text

    Implications and measures

    As the press freedom rankings of both countries fall, TikTok can be a safe, open space for citizens to raise important public concerns.

    The platform makes space for a diversity of opinions from the youthful populations found in the two countries. This is important for communication and building consensus in development.

    We argue that TikTokers should be encouraged to offer constructive criticisms of their countries and propose solutions instead of insults.

    Policy makers should tap into the vast repository of “fun” information published on TikTok for development. The opinions expressed by citizens online are a helpful reflection of societal needs. This can be taken into consideration when formulating policies.



    Read more:
    How memes in the DRC allow people to laugh at those in power – and themselves

    Mainstream professional media could adopt the fun journalism model to tell serious stories in ways that boost development and reputation. The platform’s wide usage will make information accessible to a large audience.

    Media regulatory bodies, nongovernmental organisations and civil society groups are encouraged to educate netizens to publish critical and progressive stories about their countries. This can help combat misinformation and disinformation on social media, particularly TikTok.

    Finally, governments should take steps to positively project their respective countries to the world. They could run educational programmes to inculcate a sense of patriotism and identity to rekindle the initiatives that Africa Rising advocated.

    Jacob Nyarko receives funding from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana for this work.

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

    – ref. TikTok users in Ghana and Zimbabwe enjoy making fun of government – why it can have a downside – https://theconversation.com/tiktok-users-in-ghana-and-zimbabwe-enjoy-making-fun-of-government-why-it-can-have-a-downside-259734

    MIL OSI –

    July 11, 2025

  • MIL-OSI Africa: TikTok users in Ghana and Zimbabwe enjoy making fun of government – why it can have a downside

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Jacob Nyarko, Lecturer of Communication Studies, University of Cape Coast

    Browse the internet or turn on the global news and chances are the coverage of Africa you find is about war, coups, displaced populations and disease.

    Generally, the west and its media are blamed for this negative, Afropessimistic portrayal of the continent.

    Africans have taken strategic steps to repair this negative narrative. An example is the Africa Rising campaign. It was launched in 2000 by a coalition of African activists and organisations. Its objective was to highlight the role of Africa in global development and encourage Africans at home and the diaspora to contribute positively. Social media platforms played a large role in content distribution and messaging. The success of this campaign is still the subject of debate.

    Read more: Western media outlets are trying to fix their racist, stereotypical coverage of Africa. Is it time African media did the same?

    As communication scholars, we were intrigued by the visual appeal of the social media platform TikTok. With our area of expertise being Ghana and Zimbabwe respectively, we were interested in how citizens of these countries were using the popular TikTok app to report on themselves.

    Our study explored the self-critical content that many Africans share on TikTok. We found that TikTok posts and comments by Ghanaian and Zimbabwean creators generated entertaining information. We call this “fun journalism”. TikTokers use it to comment on important issues, but the way they do it could also harm the reputation of the two countries and influence decisions in unintended ways.

    Fun journalism and reputation

    As a creative and innovative platform, TikTok has enabled users to produce multimedia materials and share them across the globe for fun and entertainment. According to the Digital 2025: Ghana report by Datareportal, 81% of Ghanaians aged 16 and over use the internet to access TikTok monthly. That makes it the second most popular platform after WhatsApp (93%). Zimbabwe has 2.05 million TikTok users aged 18 and above, according to tech data aggregator Datareportal.

    Studies show that users tend to “play” with social media, even when they use it for serious things. Our study showed that the fun videos uploaded by TikTokers from Ghana and Zimbabwe covered serious issues like security, education, sanitation, corruption, entertainment, religion and sports.

    Read more: Nigerian TikTok star Charity Ekezie uses hilarious skits to dispel ignorance about Africa

    For example, one Ghanaian TikTok video compares how a Ghanaian and a European would react if they picked up money that someone had lost. The video suggests an African would keep the money, while a European would try to locate the original owner.

    In many instances, users ridiculed their countries and fellow citizens. They compared African conditions to the global north in ways that degraded local endeavours. For example, in one TikTok video, a user imitated Zimbabwean president Emmerson Mnangagwa having difficulties explaining the number of zeroes in a million. This gave the impression that he was semi-literate and out of his depth.

    We found that, generally, the entertaining discourses on TikTok were laden with insults and critiques of government. Though some of the content raised legitimate concerns, it seldom offered solutions to the identified challenges. This suggested that TikTok content that jokingly covered significant national development issues eroded reputational gains made by the two countries by framing them negatively. We cite several examples in the study.

    Comparing this phenomenon to other countries, a study on Chinese uploads onto TikTok showed the following results: 41% positive, 53% neutral and 6% negative.

    Self-ridiculing factors and misinformation

    TikTokers ridiculed the reputation of Ghana and Zimbabwe in three ways:

    • Exaggerated production of video content. This includes emotional background sounds, tone of voice, slang, animation, unfavourable shooting locations and poor video quality

    • comparing African countries to foreign conditions

    • generating unfavourable comments.

    “Fake news” has become an integral part of social media, raising doubts about the credibility of information generally. We argue that such content should no longer be seen as harmless humour.

    link text

    Implications and measures

    As the press freedom rankings of both countries fall, TikTok can be a safe, open space for citizens to raise important public concerns.

    The platform makes space for a diversity of opinions from the youthful populations found in the two countries. This is important for communication and building consensus in development.

    We argue that TikTokers should be encouraged to offer constructive criticisms of their countries and propose solutions instead of insults.

    Policy makers should tap into the vast repository of “fun” information published on TikTok for development. The opinions expressed by citizens online are a helpful reflection of societal needs. This can be taken into consideration when formulating policies.

    Read more: How memes in the DRC allow people to laugh at those in power – and themselves

    Mainstream professional media could adopt the fun journalism model to tell serious stories in ways that boost development and reputation. The platform’s wide usage will make information accessible to a large audience.

    Media regulatory bodies, nongovernmental organisations and civil society groups are encouraged to educate netizens to publish critical and progressive stories about their countries. This can help combat misinformation and disinformation on social media, particularly TikTok.

    Finally, governments should take steps to positively project their respective countries to the world. They could run educational programmes to inculcate a sense of patriotism and identity to rekindle the initiatives that Africa Rising advocated.

    – TikTok users in Ghana and Zimbabwe enjoy making fun of government – why it can have a downside
    – https://theconversation.com/tiktok-users-in-ghana-and-zimbabwe-enjoy-making-fun-of-government-why-it-can-have-a-downside-259734

    MIL OSI Africa –

    July 11, 2025
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