NewzIntel.com

Category: Commerce

  • ADB projects India’s GDP to grow at 6.5% in 2025, 6.7% in 2026 amid strong domestic demandion

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Wednesday projected that India’s GDP will grow at 6.5% in 2025 and a robust 6.7% in 2026, driven by strong domestic demand, a normal monsoon, and monetary easing.

    Inflation in India is expected to stay well within the Reserve Bank of India’s target range, with headline inflation projected at 3.8% for 2025 and 4.0% for 2026, according to the ADB. A sharp decline in food prices has helped ease overall price pressures, with Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation falling to 2.1% in June — the lowest level in over six years — as food inflation turned negative.

    India’s real GDP growth is projected to range between 6.4% and 6.7% this fiscal year, reaffirming the country’s position as the fastest-growing major economy in the world, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said earlier this month.

    Meanwhile, ADB has lowered its growth forecasts for developing Asia and the Pacific for both this year and the next. The downward revisions are attributed to weaker exports due to higher US tariffs and global trade uncertainty, as well as subdued domestic demand.

    According to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) July 2025, the region’s economies are now expected to grow by 4.7% this year, a 0.2 percentage point decrease from April’s projection. The 2026 forecast has also been revised downward to 4.6% from 4.7%.

    The outlook for developing Asia and the Pacific could worsen further if US tariffs and trade tensions escalate. Other risks include geopolitical conflicts that could disrupt global supply chains and drive up energy prices, as well as a deeper-than-expected slump in China’s property market.

    “Asia and the Pacific have weathered an increasingly challenging external environment this year. But the economic outlook has weakened amid intensifying risks and global uncertainty,” said ADB Chief Economist Albert Park.

    “Economies in the region should continue strengthening their fundamentals and promoting open trade and regional integration to support investment, employment, and growth,” Park added.

    Growth projections for the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the region’s largest economy, remain unchanged at 4.7% for this year and 4.3% for next year. Southeast Asian economies are expected to be hit hardest by deteriorating trade conditions and rising uncertainty. ADB now forecasts growth of 4.2% for the subregion this year and 4.3% next year—both figures roughly half a percentage point lower than the April estimates.

    — IANS

  • Indian stock market surges amid value buying, Sensex jumps 540 points

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian stock market settled in positive territory on Wednesday following buying in banking, financial services, automobiles and healthcare sectors amid positive global cues surrounding the US-Japan trade pact.

    Sensex closed at 82,726.64, up 539.83 or 0.66 per cent. The 30-share index opened with a decent gap-up at 82,451.87 against last session’s closing value of 82,186.81. The index soared further to hit an intraday high of 82,786.43, following buying interest in heavyweights like Tata Motors, Bharti Airtel and ICICI Bank.

    Nifty 50 closed at 25,219.90, up 159 points or 0.63 per cent.

    “The day was characterised by robust performance across key sectors such as Banking, Financial Services, Automobiles, Healthcare, and Information Technology. In contrast, pockets of weakness persisted in Realty, Media, Consumer Goods, and Metals, reflecting a sectorally bifurcated landscape,” said Ashika Institutional Equities in its note.

    On the global stage, investor sentiment soared following optimistic developments surrounding the US-Japan trade pact, igniting expectations for further international agreements shortly.

    Tata Motors, Bharti Airtel, Bajaj Finance, Maruti Suzuki, Bajaj FinServ, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Eternal, Asian Paints, and SBI were top gainers from the Sensex’s stocks. Hindustan Unilever, Infosys, and Ultratech Cements ended the session in red.

    Meanwhile, 37 stocks advanced and 13 shares declined from Nifty50.

    Among sectoral indices, Nifty Bank settled 454 points or 0.80 per cent higher, Nifty Auto surged 203 points or 0.85 per cent and Nifty IT closed 92.60 points or 0.25 per cent up. Nifty FMCG declined.

    Broader indices followed the gaining momentum as well. Nifty Net 50 surged 159 points, Nifty 100 rallied 0.55 per cent or 142 points, and Nifty Midcap 100 ended the session up 203 points or 0.34 per cent. Nifty Smallcap 100 settled flat.

    Rupee traded flat in a narrow range near 86.40, with marginal movement of 0.01 per cent against the dollar. The dollar index also remained steady around 97.40 as markets awaited further cues.

    “Domestic capital markets gained 0.65 per cent, while Fed Chair Powell’s recent speech kept the dollar range-bound. Attention now shifts to next week’s U.S. interest rate decision, which will be a key directional trigger. Rupee is expected to trade within a range of 85.80–86.70,” said Jateen Trivedi of LKP Securities.

    (IANS)

  • Govt clears six semiconductor projects worth ₹1.55 lakh crore, over 27,000 jobs on cards

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Centre has so far approved six semiconductor manufacturing projects, entailing a cumulative investment of around ₹1.55 lakh crore. These are expected to generate over 27,000 direct jobs, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

    Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada said the approvals are part of the government’s ₹76,000-crore ‘Semicon India Programme’, aimed at building a semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in the country.

    “Semiconductor manufacturing is a highly specialised industry involving complex processes. Most of the jobs created are skilled roles,” Prasada said in a written reply. He added that the sector, being foundational, is likely to have a cascading impact on employment across other industries and supply chains.

    As part of the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme, fiscal support has been extended to 22 approved startups and MSMEs. Of these, three design companies are based in Telangana, where 11 others have received design infrastructure support. Additionally, 22 institutes in the state are being supported under the Chips to Startup (C2S) programme, with six receiving financial assistance.

    Tamil Nadu also has three approved companies under the DLI scheme, while six firms have received design infrastructure support.

    The C2S programme targets the development of 85,000 skilled professionals in the semiconductor sector. So far, over 45,000 students from 100 institutions have enrolled. The government is providing engineering colleges with design tools and software to support chip design training.

    In 2022, the Skilled Manpower Advanced Research and Training (SMART) Lab was set up at NIELIT Calicut, with the goal of training one lakh engineers. Over 42,000 engineers have been trained so far, the minister said.

    The government is also working with global industry and academic partners including Lam Research, IBM, and Purdue University to build capacity in chip design and manufacturing.

    IANS

  • MIL-Evening Report: Indonesian military set to complete Trans-Papua Highway under Prabowo’s rule

    By Julian Isaac

    The Indonesian Military (TNI) is committed to supporting the completion of the Trans-Papua Highway during President Prabowo Subianto’s term in office.

    While the military is not involved in construction, it plays a critical role in securing the project from threats posed by pro-independence Papuan resistance groups in “high-risk” regions.

    Spanning a total length of 4330 km, the Trans-Papua road project has been under development since 2014.

    However, only 3446 km of the national road network has been connected after more than a decade of construction.

    “Don’t compare Papua with Jakarta, where there are no armed groups. Papua is five times the size of Java, and not all areas are secure,” TNI spokesman Major-General Kristomei Sianturi told a media conference at the Ministry of Public Works on Monday.

    One of the currently active segments is the Jayapura–Wamena route — specifically the Mamberamo–Elim section, which stretches 50 km.

    The project is being carried out through a public-private partnership and was awarded to PT Hutama Karya, with an investment of Rp3.3 trillion (about US$202 million) and a 15-year concession. The segment is expected to be completed within two years, targeting finalisation next year.

    Security an obstacle
    General Kristomei said that one of the main obstacles was security in the vicinity of construction sites.

    Out of 50 regencies/cities in Papua, at least seven are considered high-risk zones. Since its inception, the Trans-Papua road project has claimed 17 lives, due to clashes in the region.

    In addition to security challenges, the delivery of construction materials remains difficult due to limited infrastructure.

    “Transporting goods from one point to another in Papua is extremely difficult because there are no connecting roads. We’re essentially building from scratch,” General Kristomei said.

    In May 2024, President Joko Widodo convened a limited cabinet meeting at the Merdeka Palace to discuss accelerating development in Papua. The government agreed on the urgent need to improve education, healthcare, and security in the region.

    The Minister of National Development Planning, Suharso Monoarfa, announced that the government would ramp up social welfare programmes in Papua in coordination with then Vice-President Ma’ruf Amin, who chairs the Agency for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy in Papua (BP3OKP).

    ‘Welfare based approaches’
    “We are gradually implementing welfare-based approaches, including improvements in education and health, with budgets already allocated to the relevant ministries and agencies,” Suharso said in May last year.

    As of March 2023, the Indonesian government has disbursed Rp 1,036 trillion for Papua’s development.

    This funding has supported major infrastructure initiatives such as the 3462 km Trans-Papua Highway, 1098 km of border roads, the construction of the 1.3 km Youtefa Bridge in Jayapura, and the renovation of Domine Eduard Osok Airport in Sorong.

    Republished from the Indonesia Business Post.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: CMA proposes action to drive more competition on mobile platforms

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    CMA proposes action to drive more competition on mobile platforms

    Measures designed to boost the UK’s app economy, unlocking global success and ensuring UK consumers aren’t left behind.

    The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is today proposing to designate Apple and Google with ‘strategic market status’ (SMS) in each of their mobile platforms and has published separate roadmaps of potential actions to improve competition.

    The UK app economy

    The UK has a vibrant app developer community, representing Europe’s largest app economy by revenue and app developer count. In total, the UK app economy generates an estimated 1.5% of the UK’s GDP and supports around 400,000 jobs here. App-led innovation has powered the success of strategically important sectors for the UK, like financial services and gaming. Fintech stands out, attracting over £18 billion in inward investment over the past 3 years. Meanwhile, gaming contributes £6 billion to the UK economy, with mobile gaming alone bringing in nearly £2 billion a year. UK developers are also behind many of the apps that make modern life work – helping millions of people work, shop, bank, travel, game, consume content and stay connected.

    UK mobile platforms

    Apple and Google’s mobile platforms hold an effective duopoly, with around 90 – 100% of UK mobile devices running on Apple or Google’s mobile platform. The CMA’s investigation has heard concerns affecting businesses and consumers in the UK. These differ across Apple and Google but include:

    • inconsistent and unpredictable app review processes can create uncertainty for developers, meaning delayed or failed launches
    • inconsistent app store search rankings may favour apps owned by the firms
    • up to 30% commission on some in-app purchases, as well as restrictions on developers ‘steering’ customers outside of their app stores, for example towards other ways to pay or subscribe, which could make some business models unviable, reduce consumer choice, and chill innovation
    • restrictions on developers’ access to features and functionality including between smartphones and wearable technology (such as smart watches) may be impeding innovation
    • ‘Choice architecture’ (like default settings, pre-installation, prominence, prompts, and friction) may favour the firms’ own services, limiting competition and genuine choice for users.

    It is essential the digital economy works well to power the success of businesses across the UK economy. More competition and choice will unlock opportunities for UK businesses to invest, innovate and grow, as well as allowing UK consumers to benefit from the latest innovations, high quality experiences and more choice.

    A proportionate, pro-innovation approach

    The UK’s new digital markets competition regime can help unlock opportunities for innovation and growth, by promoting competition in digital markets while protecting UK consumers and businesses from unfair or harmful practices. To support pace and provide greater predictability for Apple and Google and other market participants, the CMA has published roadmaps outlining how it would prioritise actions taken during the first half of any designation period. Measures outlined in the roadmaps focus on areas including:

    App stores

    • Ensuring a fair and transparent app review process and app store rankings to give UK app developers certainty
    • Allowing the ability to ‘steer’ users out of app stores, for example to make purchases. Potentially driving innovation and financial savings for developers

    Interoperability

    • Ensuring UK app developers have interoperable access to key Apple functionality to create innovative products and services
    • Addressing Apple restrictions on digital wallets to ensure UK FinTech can compete, and enabling connected devices like smartwatches and gaming headsets to seamlessly connect with smartphones

    Consumer choice

    • Ensuring consumers have a genuine choice over the services they use on their devices

    AI services

    • Exploring the factors likely to be important for the development of AI services like voice assistants on mobile devices to ensure a level playing field in this rapidly advancing sector

    Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, said:

    Apple and Google’s mobile platforms are both critical to the UK economy – playing an important role in all our lives, from banking and shopping to entertainment and education. But our investigation so far has identified opportunities for more innovation and choice.

    The targeted and proportionate actions we have set out today would enable UK app developers to remain at the forefront of global innovation while ensuring UK consumers receive a world-class experience. Time is of the essence: as competition agencies and courts globally take action in these markets, it’s essential the UK doesn’t fall behind.

    The CMA welcomes views on its proposed designation decisions and accompanying roadmaps. A final decision on both SMS designations will be made by 22 October 2025.

    More information about these investigations is available on the Apple and Google case pages.

    Read more on today’s announcement in this blog.

    Notes to editors

    1. On 23 January 2025 the CMA launched two separate SMS investigations – one into Apple and another into Google – to assess these firms’ position in their respective ‘mobile ecosystems.’ The investigations are exploring the impact on people who use mobile devices and the businesses developing services or content for these devices. The CMA is today publishing proposed decision reports and roadmaps as part of these parallel investigations.
    2. The CMA will be consulting with affected businesses and consumer groups widely over the coming months. The CMA expects to begin consulting on a first set of priority interventions from shortly after any designation decision and will publish an updated roadmap addressing our approach to the more complex issues the CMA has identified in the first half of 2026.
    3. The issues covered by the proposed designations are being scrutinised around the world and the CMA recognises that any proposed action taken must fit with decisions being taken elsewhere.
    4. In line with the CMA’s prioritisation principles and the strategic steer from government, the CMA’s roadmaps consider targeted measures where it can make a difference in the UK, and which fit with steps taken, or proposed, in other jurisdictions such as the EU and US.
    5. A finding that Google/Apple has SMS does not imply that it has acted anti-competitively. If the CMA designates Google and/or Apple as having SMS, it would then be able (subject to a legal framework that includes further public consultation and showing that measures are proportionate) to introduce interventions (including as set out in the roadmap) to unlock competition, increase innovation, and protect consumers.
    6. FinTech figures from: Innovate Finance FinTech Investment Landscape reports
    7. For media enquiries, contact the CMA press office on 020 3738 6460 or press@cma.gov.uk.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Jobs unlocked as first wave of hydrogen projects sign contracts

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Jobs unlocked as first wave of hydrogen projects sign contracts

    10 projects from the first phase of the government’s flagship hydrogen programme can begin construction.

    • Spades in the ground as 10 of the UK’s first commercial-scale green hydrogen projects sign contracts, boosting growth as part of Plan for Change
    • homegrown, green hydrogen to fuel range of British business and industry with clean power, from tissue manufacturing and waste disposal to breweries and bus services
    • projects to unlock more than 700 good jobs across Britain in the clean energy industries of the future, while delivering on clean energy mission and industrial strategy

    Skilled jobs will be created in Britain’s industrial heartlands, as the first commercial-scale green hydrogen projects in the country sign long-term contracts to fuel heavy industry with clean, homegrown energy. 

    In an update to the hydrogen market, the government has confirmed that 10 projects from the first phase of its flagship hydrogen programme – Hydrogen Allocation Round (HAR1) – can begin construction, supporting the government’s mission to become a clean energy superpower.   

    This means spades can now enter the ground across the country in a major boost to the UK’s hydrogen industry, creating highly skilled jobs in industrial cities and regions such as South Wales, Bradford (North West), North Scotland and Teesside (North East).  

    These projects will support British industry to move away from using fossil fuels towards domestically-produced low-carbon hydrogen, reducing emissions heavy industry – such as steel, glass and heavy transport – ensuring decarbonisation is a route to reindustrialisation. 

    The HyMarnham project in Newark, Nottinghamshire has already started construction. The project is transforming the old High Marnham coal-fired power station into a clean energy hub by using hydrogen to decarbonise waste disposal operations.  

    Cromarty Hydrogen Project in Northeast Scotland is another of the 10 projects. The project’s 3 5MW electrolysers – which use electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen – will power local industrial users, including distilleries. 

    Taken together, the projects are expected to create over 700 jobs, including roles for apprentices, graduates, pipefitters and engineers. They are also expected to bring in over £400 million of private capital investment which has been committed between 2024 and 2026 – driving economic growth and British innovation through the Plan for Change. 

    The update comes as Andrex and Kleenex producer Kimberly-Clark announces that it will be the first major consumer goods company in the UK to make a significant commitment to green hydrogen. Kimberly-Clark, together with energy partners HYRO, Carlton Power, and Schroders Greencoat, will invest a combined £125 million into HAR1 projects at two plants in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria and Northfleet, Kent.

    Minister for Industry, Sarah Jones, said: 

    This government is rolling out hydrogen out at scale for the first time, with 10 of the first projects now shovel-ready to start powering businesses with clean, homegrown energy from Teesside to Devon.  

    Hydrogen will help us cut industrial emissions and support Britain’s industrial renewal by creating thousands of jobs in our industrial heartlands as part of the Plan for Change. 

    Neil McDermott, Chief Executive of Low Carbon Contracts Company (LCCC), said: 

    LCCC is proud to have signed the UK’s first Low Carbon Hydrogen Agreements, supporting the development of projects under the Hydrogen Production Business Model.  

    These agreements provide revenue stability for producers, and a clear signal that low-carbon hydrogen has a key role to play in the UK’s future energy system.  

    We look forward to working closely with project developers to bring these projects into operation.

    Dan Howell, Managing Director at Kimberly-Clark UK & Ireland said:  

    We are delighted to be the first UK consumer goods manufacturer to really embrace green hydrogen, showing that manufacturing industries can take the lead and overcome the technical challenge and adopt green hydrogen at scale. This initiative builds on the investments and progress we’ve already made with innovative technologies for our business, our consumers and our customers.

    Today’s announcement follows the Spending Review which saw an extra £500 million confirmed for the first ever hydrogen transport and storage network as part of Britain’s industrial renewal, connecting hydrogen producers with vital end users, including power stations and industry for the first time. 

    The government has also announced that it will consult on transmission-level hydrogen blending – assessing the economic and technical feasibility for hydrogen to be blended into the networks that are the backbone of Britain’s gas system, before it is safely transported into homes and businesses. 

    Hydrogen transmission blending has the potential to reduce costs for hydrogen production projects and the wider energy system, and the consultation will also gather evidence to assess whether hydrogen blending could lower consumers’ energy bills. 

    Clare Jackson, CEO of Hydrogen UK, said:  

    Signing these contracts demonstrates the confidence and commitment of both the government and industry in building a sustainable hydrogen sector.   

    Our members are at the forefront of this transition, and their projects will play a vital role in meeting the UK’s net-zero targets while driving economic growth and job creation.

    Dr Emma Guthrie, CEO of the Hydrogen Energy Association, said:  

    This announcement marks a significant and encouraging milestone for the UK’s hydrogen sector.   

    The signing of contracts for 10 projects under HAR1 provides vital momentum and confidence for industry and investors alike.   

    We look forward to seeing these projects move into the next phase, helping to scale up the UK’s low carbon hydrogen economy.

    Pierre de Raphélis-Soissan, CEO of Hynamics UK who are developing the Tees Green Hydrogen project, said:  

    We are delighted that Tees Green Hydrogen has successfully signed a contract as part of the Hydrogen Allocation Round.   

    We are committed to advancing low carbon hydrogen solutions that not only support the UK’s energy transition but also contribute to a sustainable future for our communities.   

    This achievement marks a significant milestone in the journey towards industrial decarbonisation within the Tees Valley region.

    Gareth Mills and Kevin Selleslags, on behalf of Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen (BLCH) said: 

    Signing our contract to take the largest HAR 1 project forward is a significant step.  

    Thanks to the government’s investment, we’re able to continue to progress our plans to transform Birkshall from a former fossil fuel gas site powering Bradford’s homes and businesses to a flagship low carbon hydrogen production facility and fuelling station.  

    The scheme will not only help the area decarbonise with cleaner fuel but will vitally create around £120 million and support 125 jobs in the regional economy.

    Alistair Collins, Director at HyMarnham Power, said:   

    As one of the first HAR1 projects now commissioning electrolyser systems, we’re proud to demonstrate what government support can unlock, real infrastructure, green hydrogen production and a tangible contribution to the UK’s net zero and energy security goals.

    Lucy Whitford, RES’ Managing Director, UK&I, said:  

    Green hydrogen, created using British low carbon energy, will revolutionise how we power industry, helping the UK to build a globally competitive, zero carbon economy in the process.  

    We are proud of the success of HYRO’s Northfleet project, which will show how we can make green hydrogen a reality.

    Notes to editors

    HAR1 projects are expected to access over £2 billion over 15 years in revenue support from the Hydrogen Production Business Model and over £90 million in capital expenditure support via the Net Zero Hydrogen Fund. 

    Further details of the 10 projects which have signed to HAR1 are detailed in the table below, with contracts available on the LCCC registry. 

    Government is working collaboratively with the project developer of the final HAR1 project to ensure they are ready to sign the Low Carbon Hydrogen Agreement as soon as possible. 

    See the transmission blending consultation.

    Project name Developer Constituency Summary
    Cromarty Hydrogen Project Scottish Power & Storegga Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross Cromarty Green Hydrogen Project is located in northeast Scotland and is being developed by Scottish Power and Storegga. The project will use electricity from nearby wind farms produce hydrogen that could be sold to local industrial offtakers, including distilleries.
    Bradford Low Carbon Hygen Bradford East Bradford Low Carbon Hydrogen is located within the city centre of Bradford, Yorkshire and is being developed by Hygen in partnership with Ryze. The project will use renewable electricity to produce hydrogen for use in a range of offtakers in the mobility sector. JCB and Wrightbus are key potential customers.
    West Wales Hydrogen Project Morgen & Trafigura Mid and South Pembrokeshire West Wales Hydrogen Project is located in Milford Haven, West Wales, and is being developed by MorGen and Trafigura. The project will produce hydrogen could be sold to local industrial offtakers including Natural Gas facilities to decarbonise their operations.
    High Marnham JG Pears & GeoPura Newark HyMarnham is located on the site of an old coal power station in the East Midlands and is being developed by JG Pears and GeoPura. Hydrogen produced is expected to be used by GeoPura to supply their remote power generation units and by JG Pears as part of their waste disposal operations.
    Whitelee Green Hydrogen Scottish Power Kilmarnock and Loudoun Whitelee Green Hydrogen is located in central Scotland, 14 miles south of Glasgow and is being developed by Scottish Power. The project will use electricity from Whitelee Wind Farm to produce hydrogen to be sold to local distilleries and transportation companies to decarbonise their operations.
    Green Hydrogen 3 HYRO Gravesham Green Hydrogen 3 is located in Northfleet, South east, and is developed by HYRO. Electricity will be sourced through a renewable Power Purchase Agreement and aims to be used to produce hydrogen for use in a paper mill to power industrial boilers.
    Trafford Carlton Power Stretford and Urmston (Greater Manchester) Trafford Hydrogen Project is located in Trafford, Manchester and is being developed by Carlton Power. The project will produce hydrogen to be sold to a range of local industrial offtakers.
    Barrow   Barrow-in-Furness (Cumbria) Barrow Hydrogen is located in Cumbria and is being developed by Carlton Power. The project could provide low carbon hydrogen to the neighbouring Kimberly Clark tissue manufacturing site.
    Langage   South West Devon (Plymouth) Langage green hydrogen is located in Plymouth and is being developed by Carlton Power. The project will supply hydrogen to companies located in Langage Energy Park which could utilise Hydrogen in place of gas in industrial processes such as minerals processing.
    Tees Green EDF/Hynamics Redcar (Teesside) The Tees Green hydrogen project is located in Teeside. Low carbon hydrogen will be produced from electricity generated in the Teesside Offshore Wind Farm for use in the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel, helping decarbonise the aviation industry in the future.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Díaz-Balart: Doing More for National Security with Less, in the FY 2026 National Security and State Department Funding Bill

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – This morning, House Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, the Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP), Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), joined Cheryl Casone on Mornings with Maria on Fox Business to discuss the NSRP Fiscal Year 2026 funding bill, concerns over a potential Democrat-led government shutdown, and allegations surrounding former President Obama’s role in the Russia collusion hoax against President Trump.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Stay in Touch with FEMA and SBA to Keep Recovery on Track

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: Stay in Touch with FEMA and SBA to Keep Recovery on Track

    Stay in Touch with FEMA and SBA to Keep Recovery on Track

    ST

    LOUIS – If you have applied for help after recent disasters in Missouri, stay in touch with FEMA and the U

    S

    Small Business Administration about your on-going recovery needs

    Helpful Tips: Read your letter from FEMA carefully

    Provide contractor estimates for disaster-related repairs

    Must include the contractor’s contact information

    When contacting FEMA, provide your nine-digit FEMA registration ID number

    Keep receipts for disaster-related purchases (items to make repairs to home, hotel receipts, etc

    )

    Contact FEMA if your current housing situation, phone number, or mailing address have changed

     You can stay in touch with FEMA by visiting DisasterAssistance

    gov, calling the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362, or visiting a Disaster Recovery Center

    Visit a Disaster Recovery CenterLOCATIONSHOURS OF OPERATIONUnion Tabernacle M

    B

    Church626 N

    Newstead Ave

    St

    Louis, MO 63108Monday-Friday: 8 a

    m

    -7 p

    m

    Saturday: 9 a

    m

    -4 p

    m

     Sunday: ClosedUrban League Entrepreneurship and Women’s Business Center 4401 Natural Bridge Ave

    St

    Louis, MO 63115Monday-Friday: 8 a

    m

    -7 p

    m

    Saturday: 9 a

    m

    -4 p

    m

     Sunday: ClosedSumner High School — Parking Lot4248 Cottage Ave

    St

    Louis, MO 63113Monday-Friday: 8 a

    m

    -7 p

    m

    Saturday: 9 a

    m

    -4 p

    m

     Sunday: ClosedSt

    Louis County LibraryMid-County Branch7821 Maryland Ave

    Clayton, MO 63105Tuesday-Thursday: 8 a

    m

    -7 p

    m

    Closing Permanently: Thursday, July 24St

    Louis County LibraryPrairie Commons Branch915 Utz Ln

    Hazelwood, MO 63042Tuesday-Thursday:  8 a

    m

    -7 p

    m

    Closing Permanently: Thursday, July 24U

    S

    Small Business Administration (SBA) CentersIf you do not qualify for FEMA assistance, or to supplement FEMA assistance, a disaster loan from the SBA may be available

    SBA’s Business Recovery Centers and Disaster Loan Outreach Centers serve as a one-stop shop for disaster assistance

    These centers provide in-person support with SBA disaster loan applications, help applicants check their loan status, and offer guidance on funds available to businesses, nonprofits, homeowners, and renters impacted in a declared disaster area

    SBA representatives are also in all Disaster Recovery Centers

    LOCATIONSHOURS OF OPERATIONSBA Business Recovery CenterSt

    Louis Community College – Harrison Education Center3140 Cass Ave

     St

    Louis, MO 63106Monday-Friday: 8:30 a

    m

    -6:30 p

    m

    Saturday and Sunday: ClosedSBA Disaster Loan Outreach CenterSt

    Louis County Library – Florissant Valley Branch195 S New Florissant Rd

     Florissant, MO 63031Monday-Thursday: 9 a

    m

    -6 p

    m

    Friday and Saturday: 9 a

    m

    -5 p

    m

     Sunday: ClosedSBA Disaster Loan Outreach CenterSt

    Louis County Library – Mid-County Branch7821 Maryland Ave

    Clayton, MO 63105Opening Friday, July 25Monday-Thursday: 9 a

    m

    -6 p

    m

    Friday: 9 a

    m

    -5 p

    m

     Saturday: 9 a

    m

    -4 p

    m

    Sunday: Closed Important Deadline – March 14-15 Missouri DisasterHomeowners and renters affected by the March 14-15 disaster in Bollinger, Butler, Camden, Carter, Franklin, Howell, Iron, Jefferson, Oregon, Ozark, Perry, Phelps, Reynolds, Ripley, St

    Louis, Wayne, Webster and Wright counties may be eligible

    The deadline to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance is July 22, 2025

    Important Deadline – May 16 Missouri DisasterHomeowners and renters affected by the May 16 disaster in St

    Louis City, St

    Louis County and Scott County may also be eligible

    The deadline to apply for FEMA Individual Assistance is August 11, 2025

    You can still ask for additional assistance, as long as you submit an initial application before the deadline

    sara

    zuckerman
    Tue, 07/22/2025 – 20:04

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Tailored support for Aberdeen oil and gas workers

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Tailored support for Aberdeen oil and gas workers

    Around 200 oil and gas workers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire will be offered tailored support to seize clean energy job opportunities.

    • Around 200 oil and gas workers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire will be offered tailored support and funding to help unleash the North Sea’s clean energy future
    • new skills pilot will support a fair and prosperous transition by giving workers the tools and support to move into the thousands of high-quality jobs being created in growth industries like offshore wind, carbon capture and hydrogen – delivering on UK Government’s Plan for Change
    • backed by £900,000, the pilot will be delivered in partnership between the UK Government, Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland

    Around 200 Aberdeen oil and gas workers are set to benefit from a tailored skills programme launched today (Wednesday 23 July), which will support them to take advantage of the high-quality job opportunities in Scotland’s growing clean energy sector.   

    The Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund, backed by £900,000 of UK Government funding, will help build the pipeline of skilled workers needed to make Britain a clean energy superpower as part of the government’s Plan for Change. 

    The programme is open to current and former oil and gas workers who live in or are employed in Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire, and are interested in moving into roles within clean energy, to take advantage of the thousands of high-quality jobs being created in the clean energy growth industries of the future.

    Successful applicants will receive careers advice and funding towards training courses – supporting local people into opportunities in sectors such as offshore wind, hydrogen and carbon capture and storage, which could include roles in welding, electrical engineering, and construction.

    This underscores the government’s commitment to unleashing the North Sea’s clean energy future and putting workers, communities, families and trade unions at the heart of a prosperous and sustainable transition for oil and gas.     

    Aberdeen is a key growth region for clean energy and is the headquarters of Great British Energy, alongside a thriving offshore wind and carbon capture industry. It is estimated that the offshore wind sector could support up to 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in Great Britain by 2030, with many jobs expected to be generated in other growth areas.  

    The programme will be delivered in partnership between the UK Government, Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland. 

    Minister for Energy Michael Shanks said:

    Aberdeen has been the energy capital of Britain for decades and while oil and gas will be with us for decades to come, we are determined to make sure that workers are supported to access the thousands of jobs in industries such as offshore wind and carbon capture.  

    This funding will help deliver a fair and prosperous transition in the North Sea, unlocking the full potential of renewable energy and reaping the economic benefits from the skills and experiences of Aberdeen’s workforce.

    Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray said:

    It’s great news that this vital skills training in Aberdeen is now going live. We are absolutely committed to supporting Scotland’s world-class oil and gas workers as we transition to clean energy.  

    This pilot will ensure there is a key role for our offshore workers in delivering our net zero future.

    Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy Gillian Martin said: 

    The North East of Scotland has long been a titan in the oil and gas industry and the expertise within our workforce must be at the heart of driving a just transition to new fuels and sustainable energy. 

    This new Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund will support offshore workers to take on roles in the sustainable energy sector and has been designed and developed by the Scottish Government, supported by funding from UK Government’s Regional Skills Pilot for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and will be delivered by Skills Development Scotland. 

    Through initiatives such as the Just Transition Fund and the Energy Transition Fund, the Scottish Government has already invested £120 million in the North East’s transition to net zero to help create green jobs, support innovation, and secure the highly skilled workforce of the future.

    Skills Development Scotland Chair Frank Mitchell said:

    Scotland’s oil and gas workforce possesses a broad range of skills and experience which is vital to the continued growth of the renewable energy sector. 

    The shift to sustainable energy generation and transmission represents a generational opportunity, and this funding will assist workers in making the most of their expertise in that growing sector. 

    Our careers advisers are available for anyone who needs support in considering their options, or whether applying for the fund is right for them.

    This builds on previous government action to drive investment and deliver the next generation of good jobs for North Sea workers, including: 

    Oil and gas workers are also benefitting from the Energy Skills Passport, in collaboration with industry and Scottish Government, which helps workers to identify routes into several roles in offshore wind including construction and maintenance. This will also be expanded to include more clean energy sectors over time. 

    The Aberdeen pilot is part of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero Regional Skills Pilots. Funding has already been given to Cheshire West and Chester, North and North East Lincolnshire and Pembrokeshire to identify skills support that is needed in their area. These areas will be considered for further funding for targeted measures. The Aberdeen pilot did not receive funding as part of Phase 1 of the Regional Skills Pilot as extensive skills mapping for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire has already been undertaken. 

    Sue Ferns OBE, Senior Deputy General Secretary at Prospect union said:

    This is an important announcement which recognises the vital need for more support for workers transitioning away from carbon-intensive jobs. 

    We will only be able realise the government’s ambitious decarbonisation agenda through investing in the workforce in the energy sector, and the progression of these skills pilots is a welcome signal of intent to better support workers to re-skill. The transition will be different for different workers, so it is welcome that this intervention offers flexibility in what training courses will be funded. 

    As the sector continues with the transition it is vital employers are also held to account for helping their workers gain the necessary skills and training, and unions will be working with the Government to ensure employers step up to the plate and provide further support to transitioning workers.

    Katy Heidenreich, Director of Supply Chain and People at Offshore Energies UK said:

    Aberdeen’s integrated energy workforce has the expertise that’s essential for the offshore energy we need today and for the roll out of renewable energy alongside it.  

    The UK’s energy workers have a proud heritage and hold high value jobs in oil and gas, which the nation needs for decades to come.  

    This world-class expertise is essential for building a low carbon, high growth energy future and it’s critical government and industry work together to secure it.

    Russell Borthwick, Chief Executive at the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce said: 

    The North East of Scotland will be the engine room for the UK’s energy transition. As we pivot from oil and gas to renewables and new technology it’s vital that our workforce is leading that process – not left behind.  

    We welcome investment in the skills needed to unlock the opportunity ahead. Matching these skills with sustainable career paths will depend upon a strong future pipeline of projects, a stable policy landscape and a clear consensus between industry and government on the direction of travel.

    Case study

    Many oil and gas workers have already made the transition. Aishawarya Lakshmanann started as an electrical engineer in oil and gas in Aberdeen, before moving into clean energy and is now working for Ocean Winds on an offshore wind farm. She said: 

    Being able to lead a sustainable life has always been my dream and is what drove me towards the renewables sector.  

    As an engineer I worked in the oil and gas sector from 2018, and it made me rethink how we use our natural energy resources. The UK’s thriving renewable energy sector aligns perfectly with my life and career goals.  

    My transition from oil and gas into renewables has been hugely beneficial for me, allowing me to build a more sustainable life and make a positive impact on the issues we face globally.  

    The idea of creating a carbon neutral world fascinates me as an engineer and working for a major offshore wind company is providing a great place to learn and grow alongside brilliant minds. It’s great to see the funding announcement from UK government to support others to make the transition.

    Notes to editors

    The Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Regional Skills Pilot was announced in January.

    The Regional Skills Pilot comes from the Office for Clean Energy Skills Fund and has been awarded to the following regions: 

    • North and North East Lincolnshire-Midlands Net Zero Hub hosted by Nottingham City Council 
    • Cheshire West and Chester – North West Net Zero Hub – overseen by Local Enterprise Partnerships and Combined Authorities in the North West 
    • Pembrokeshire – Welsh Government  *Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire- Scottish Government. 

    To be eligible, applicants must be resident or work for an employer in the oil and gas sector with an office in the Aberdeen City or Aberdeenshire area or have worked in the oil and gas sector within the last 2 years. 

    Further information regarding eligibility and how to apply can be found at: Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund.

    Up to 100,000 jobs supported by offshore wind in Great Britain by 2030: This includes direct and indirect jobs. Information on the methodology underpinning this estimate can be found here: Job estimates for wind generation by 2030: methodology note. 

    North Sea oil and gas production is in natural decline, with a 72% reduction in production occurring between 1999 and 2023, so embracing clean energy is the route to the jobs and investment of the future.  

    This natural decline of oil and gas in the North Sea is already having an impact on jobs and will continue to do so. ONS figures show that direct jobs in oil and gas extraction fell by around a third between 2014 and 2023, despite ongoing domestic licensing and production.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ18: Promoting meetings, incentive travels, conventions and exhibitions tourism

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         Following is a question by the Hon Tang Fei and a written reply by the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):

    Question:

         It is reported that the Singapore Government is actively developing the meetings, incentive travels, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry, having set a clear target of tripling related tourism revenue by 2040. Through measures such as policy support, financial assistance, and cross-departmental collaboration, the Singapore Government has successfully attracted numerous international event organisers to establish a presence there, significantly enhancing Singapore’s competitiveness in the global MICE market. However, Hong Kong’s ranking in the international MICE market is relatively behind, having ranked only 33rd globally in terms of the number of MICE events held in 2023. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) whether comprehensive and regular evaluations of the effectiveness of Hong Kong’s existing MICE policies have been conducted, including performance in areas such as recent international rankings, market competitiveness, economic gains and spillover benefits to related industries; if so, of the details and how the authorities will adjust future development strategies for the MICE industry based on the evaluation results; if not, the reasons for that and whether consideration will be given to initiating such evaluations as soon as possible to more effectively promote the long-term development of the MICE industry;

    (2) as there are views that Hong Kong’s current image at international MICE events is primarily associated with traditional trade exhibitions and lacks high-end international summits with global influence, whether the Government will consider re-examining and adjusting its current MICE promotion strategies, which could involve actively pursuing the hosting of internationally renowned summits with decision-making influence, with a view to enhancing Hong Kong’s image as an international city, attracting high-end visitors and driving economic growth; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

    (3) as there are views that resources for the MICE industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) are dispersed, and with Hong Kong being the most internationalised city in the region, how the Government will assume a leading role in promoting MICE development; whether it will, through policy advocacy, resource integration, cross-city collaboration and other means, guide the Mainland cities in the GBA to jointly develop a co-ordinated MICE development strategy, thereby enhancing the overall competitiveness of the entire GBA in the international MICE industry?

    Reply:

    President,

         We have consulted the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau on the part involving the promotion of meetings, incentive travels, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) tourism, and the consolidated reply is as follows:

         Hong Kong is the world’s seventh-largest trading entity in merchandise trade and also the region’s premier convention and exhibition (C&E) hub. Many well-known international organisations and businesses have chosen to host C&E events in Hong Kong. C&E events, in particular international ones, have attracted numerous participants (including exhibitors and buyers), not only benefitting the C&E industry but also bringing in high-spending business travellers that drive economic activities in such related sectors as accommodation, catering, retail, entertainment etc., thereby benefitting various industries and bringing important contributions to Hong Kong’s economy.

         In 2024, Hong Kong’s two dedicated venues for mega C&E events (viz. the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and the AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE)) hosted over 350 C&E events, attracting 9.17 million participants. In terms of attracting visitors, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has been striving to attract different types of visitor segments. Among others, the HKTB seeks to encourage those visitors coming to Hong Kong to participate in MICE-related business activities as well as stay and travel in the city through promoting Hong Kong as a destination for MICE tourism. In 2023 and 2024, there were about 1.3 million and 1.42 million overnight MICE visitors respectively. Their per capita spending was about 30 per cent and 40 per cent higher than that of the overall overnight visitors in the respective years.

         In view of the contribution of C&E events to Hong Kong’s overall economy, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government launched the Incentive Scheme for Recurrent Exhibitions (ISRE) in July 2023 to subsidise venue rentals of eligible exhibitions organised by private organisers. The ISRE was very well received, supporting more than 200 eligible exhibitions by the end of June this year. To further promote the development of the C&E industry and the mega event economy, thereby generating overall economic benefits for Hong Kong, the HKSAR Government has just launched the ISRE 2.0 on July 1, 2025, by allocating an additional provision of $500 million, focusing on attracting new and recurrent international exhibitions of a large scale.

         Since the resumption of tourism in Hong Kong starting from February 2023, the HKTB has stepped up its efforts to promote the recovery and development of MICE tourism. So far, the HKTB has successfully bid, assisted in successful bidding, or subsidised the staging of over 2 500 international MICE events in Hong Kong, which span across various fields including innovation and technology, financial services, medical science, luxuries, community services, aviation, etc. Among these events, there are high-end international summits of global impact, including the Fortune Innovation Forum 2024 held in March 2024, the Leaders of Luxury Summit 2024 held in November 2024 and the Consensus Hong Kong held in February 2025. Meanwhile, scheduled international MICE events include the Routes World 2025 to be held in September 2025, as well as the Lions International Convention and the Association of National Olympic Committees General Assembly to be held in 2026 etc. It is estimated that the MICE events supported by the HKTB in 2025-26 will attract more than 183 000 high value-added overnight MICE visitors to visit Hong Kong, generating a total spending of about $1.4 billion based on the per capita spending of $7,800 by MICE visitors in 2024.

         In respect of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), the HKTB will extend the scope of its promotion work under the theme of “Meet Hong Kong ‧ Meet GBA” to explicate the opportunities within the GBA so as to attract the staging of overseas MICE events in Hong Kong. In addition, the C&E industry will also explore the inclusion of GBA elements in suitable events. Among others, the UFI Global Congress 2025 will be held in the AWE in November 2025. As the host of the event, the AWE has incorporated GBA itineraries (Zhuhai and Macao) for participants from all over the world with a view to showcasing Hong Kong’s strategic advantage of being located in the centre of the GBA.

         Looking ahead, the HKSAR Government and the HKTB, in collaboration with the C&E industry and relevant organisations, will continue to support the staging of international MICE events of different scales and types in Hong Kong, so as to help consolidate Hong Kong’s position as an international MICE capital and attract more high value-added overnight visitors.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ8: Combating illegal rental activities

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

         Following is a question by the Hon Shang Hailong and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Tang Ping-keung, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):
     
    Question:
     
         It has been reported that the Police neutralised a rental fraud syndicate several months ago, involving at least 150 victims and approximately HK$13 million in losses. Through an apartment management company, the syndicate recruited local individuals as agents (“principal tenants”) with high commissions on websites or social media platforms, luring talent admitted to Hong Kong under talent admission schemes and students that were “drifters in Hong Kong” to prepay one year’s rent before defrauding the victims of their rent using fake tenancy agreements. There are views that the incident highlights gaps in the current regulatory framework for the property rental market. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
     
    (1) whether it will consider improving the current regulatory framework for domestic tenancies in response to the aforementioned case in which “principal tenants” allegedly defrauded tenants through illegal means, so as to protect the rights and interests of landlords and tenants;
     
    (2) whether it will require the Estate Agents Authority to strengthen random inspections of property rental advertisements on Mainland and local social media platforms to root out advertisements containing fraudulent or misleading content;
     
    (3) whether the authorities will collaborate with the relevant Mainland authorities and Hong Kong’s higher education institutions to develop “guidelines on fraud prevention in the local rental market”, which will be distributed to relevant individuals after the Immigration Department issues visas under the Top Talent Pass Scheme and before students’ arrival in Hong Kong;
     
    (4) whether the Police will strengthen co-operation with social media platforms to promptly remove and follow up on residential property rental advertisements containing fraudulent content; and
     
    (5) how the Police will strengthen efforts to combat activities where lawbreakers entice students to participate in rental scams using high commissions; whether penalties be increased to serve as a deterrent?
     
    Reply:
     
    President,
     
         The Government has noted recent illegal rental activities perpetrated by fraud syndicates targeting new arrivals in Hong Kong. Through the social media, criminals impersonating owners of residential units contact new arrivals searching for rental units. The criminals falsely claim that they can sublet the units to the new arrivals at a discounted price and lure them into paying rent. Unfamiliar with Hong Kong’s tenancy system and ways of seeking help, the new arrivals are prone to fall victims to the fraudsters.
     
         The Government has paid close attention to these rental-related scams. In this connection, the Government combats these activities through a multi-pronged approach, including strengthening monitoring work to ensure compliance of property rental advertisements, conducting targeted law enforcement actions and stepping up publicity and education.
     
         In consultation with the Housing Bureau, the reply to the Member’s question is as follows:
     
    (1) The Government’s policy on the private residential rental market is to maintain a stable environment and minimise unnecessary intervention, with a view to facilitating free operation and steady development of the market. The Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance (Cap. 7) provides a framework for legal tenancy matters. Part IV of Cap. 7 is applicable to general domestic tenancy, where landlords and tenants may draw up the terms and conditions of the tenancy agreements as mutually agreed, and execute the tenancy arrangements in accordance with the spirit of the contracts. The “principal tenants” mentioned in the question, who deceived the sub-tenants by illegal means, may have committed fraud-related offences, which are regulated under the Theft Ordinance (Cap. 210) and the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 455). Furthermore, the Estate Agents Ordinance (Cap. 511) regulates companies and individuals engaged in the estate agency trade. Estate agents and salespersons must comply with Cap. 511 and its subsidiary legislation. They should also comply with the Code of Ethics and Practice Circulars issued by the Estate Agents Authority (EAA). Persons who fail to do so may be liable to disciplinary action. If a licensee is convicted of a criminal offence, the EAA may suspend or revoke the licence of such a person.
     
    (2) The EAA has all along been conducting cyber patrols to closely monitor online advertisements on the sale and letting of properties in Hong Kong (including those posted on social media platforms in the Mainland and Hong Kong), and examine whether they comply with the provisions of the Estate Agents Ordinance and its subsidiary legislation, such as whether the advertisements contain any false or misleading information. The EAA has stepped up these efforts in recent years. A total of 862 random checks on online property advertisements were conducted in the first half of 2025, representing an increase of 21 per cent compared to the same period last year. In case of any suspected non-compliance, the EAA will conduct follow-up investigations. Cases involving criminal elements (such as suspected fraud) will be referred by the EAA to law enforcement agencies for follow-up actions.
     
    (3) To raise the vigilance of new arrivals to Hong Kong against rental-related scams, the Police and the EAA work jointly with relevant Mainland authorities and local stakeholders (including tertiary institutions) to provide new arrivals with online and offline information on rental-related fraudulent activities both before and after their arrivals, so as to help them identify and guard against the scams.
     
    Pre-arrival information
     
         To enable new arrivals to learn about Hong Kong’s tenancy system and the fraudsters’ common deception tactics as early as possible, the Police have disseminated anti-fraud promotional materials specifically tailored for new arrivals through social media platforms such as Xiaohongshu and Douyin. In addition, the Police have produced a video clip in collaboration with the National Immigration Administration, the Criminal Investigation Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security and the Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD). Adopting a first-person perspective of the new arrivals, the video clip demonstrates the modus operandi of fraudsters, with a view to raising the awareness of the new arrivals. The National Immigration Administration will also arrange for the viewing of these videos by the prospective new arrivals during their visa application process. Meanwhile, these videos are disseminated across border control points, exit-entry service halls in the Mainland as well as social media platforms including Xiaohongshu and Douyin.
     
         To strengthen protection of students who newly arrive in Hong Kong, the Police, in collaboration with the National Anti-Fraud Center, have organised both online and offline sharing sessions specifically for Mainland students coming to Hong Kong for studies and their parents. Additionally, anti-fraud information, including details on rental-related scams and ways of seeking help, has been distributed to parents.
     
    Post-arrival information
     
         To ensure that new arrivals stay vigilant after arriving in Hong Kong, the Police distribute anti-fraud booklets and leaflets to them through the six regional public service counters of the ImmD, the Labour and Welfare Bureau and major tertiary institutions across Hong Kong. These materials include methods to prevent rental scams.
     
         Additionally, to broaden the reach of the information, the Police collaborate with relevant industries, including the real estate sector, the banking sector and telecommunications service providers, to distribute anti-fraud promotional packages to new arrivals. These promotional materials are updated from time to time, so as to remind new arrivals to be aware of the latest scam tactics, including rental-related scams.
     
         Furthermore, the EAA is committed to educating consumers on the salient points pertaining to renting and purchasing properties. In view of the fraudulent cases relating to property purchase or rental encountered by new arrivals in recent years, in addition to the promotional measures jointly rolled out with the Police, the EAA has, since the beginning of 2025, been actively collaborating with the Hong Kong Talent Engage, Economic and Trade Offices in the Mainland, the Consumer Council, higher education institutions, non-governmental organisations supporting new arrivals and local media to provide new arrivals with information on renting and purchasing properties in Hong Kong. An online public seminar, which was broadcast live on local and Mainland social media platforms, was also organised to enhance new arrivals’ knowledge on the procedures for renting and purchasing properties in Hong Kong as well as fraud prevention. The EAA has put up a number of online advertisements through the Mainland’s media network, and has participated in a seminar organised by the Hong Kong Talent Engage, reminding consumers that they should appoint licensed estate agents to better protect their own interests. In this connection, the EAA website provides the Licence List (www.eaa.org.hk/en-us/Licence-list), through which the public can input the full name or licence number of an agent to ascertain whether the agent is holding a valid licence. Moreover, the EAA distributes booklets such as “A Guide to Tenancy” and “Tenancy Guide for Non-local Students in Hong Kong” to various collaborating units. The public may also download these publications from the EAA website (smart.eaa.org.hk/publications) for reference. In future, the EAA will continue with its proactive publicity and education efforts through various channels and means, including preparing the launch of a new educational website, with a view to enhancing publicity on the steps and points to note when renting and purchasing properties in Hong Kong, so as to raise the anti-fraud awareness amongst the general public and new arrivals.
     
    (4) The Police have been maintaining close collaboration with social media platforms. Should suspected fraudulent (including rental-related) content be found, the Police will request the platforms concerned to immediately remove the content and take appropriate follow-up actions. During the period between January and May this year, the platforms concerned have reviewed and removed over 33 000 items of fraudulent content at the request of the Police.
     
    (5) As mentioned in the introduction of our reply, the Government has been paying close attention to the above-mentioned rental-related scams and adopting a multi-pronged approach, which includes enhanced targeted enforcement actions, to combat these activities. For example, in February this year, the Police carried out the Operation Black Fire, during which a criminal syndicate manipulated by triads involving “fake estate agents” was smashed. A total of 14 persons, including a syndicate mastermind, a licensed estate agent and 12 syndicate members, have been arrested so far. The fraud syndicate was involved in over 270 cases, with crime proceeds amounting to approximately HK$30 million. While the Police are continuing with their investigation, one of the arrested persons has already been charged with one count of “conspiracy to defraud”, and more of them may be charged.
     
         Lawbreakers enticing students to participate in rental scams using commissions may have committed fraud-related offences, including the offence of “fraud” under section 16A and the offence of “obtaining property by deception” under section 17 of the Theft Ordinance, and are liable to imprisonment for up to 14 years and 10 years respectively. In addition, under section 159C of the Crimes Ordinance (Cap. 200), a person who has committed the offence of “conspiracy to defraud” is liable on conviction to imprisonment for up to 14 years, while a person charged with “dealing with property known or believed to represent proceeds of indictable offence” under section 25 of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance for proceeds of deception is liable to maximum penalties of 14 years’ imprisonment and a fine of HK$5 million. Depending on the nature and gravity of the case, the Police may also apply to the court for invocation of section 27 of the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance to seek enhanced sentences and thus strengthen deterrence. Members of the public are urged not to commit the offence out of greed.
     
         In conclusion, the Government will continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach to stringently combat rental scams, and raise the new arrivals’ vigilance against related scams through enhanced publicity and education.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: BFAC appreciates Consumer Council’s committed efforts in encouraging continuous improvement in product standards

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

    The following is issued on behalf of the Business Facilitation Advisory Committee Secretariat:

         The Business Facilitation Advisory Committee held its 57th meeting today (July 23). At the meeting, the Consumer Council briefed members on its mechanism and procedures regarding comparative product testing.

         To safeguard consumer’s interests and enable informed consumption choices for a better quality of life, one of the important tasks of the Council is to conduct tests, surveys and research on consumer products to provide objective and unbiased information to consumers. The Council has adopted a structured and transparent process for conducting product testing and research. The evaluations are designed from user’s perspectives, focusing on performance, safety and/or sustainable consumption, etc. The results are published in “CHOICE Magazine” and other media of the Council, reaching more consumers through media coverage. In addition, the Council shares the findings and recommendations with relevant traders before publishing the report and invites them to provide comments in regard to the findings. This mechanism provides an effective communication platform for the Council and traders, while also serving as a reminder to manufacturers to prioritise quality and safety when optimising the overall production process, thereby strengthening consumer protection and also building a better reputation. 

         The Committee appreciated the Council’s ongoing efforts in building a safe and sustainable consumption environment, and strengthening communication and liaison between consumers and traders. 

         The Committee also received the work reports of its three task forces:

    Wholesale and Retail Task Force (WRTF)
    ——————————————-
     

    • The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) briefed the WRTF on the common legislative framework for Producer Responsibility Schemes (PRSs) and the initial proposal of the PRS on Plastic Beverage Containers and Beverage Cartons. The EPD stated that the common legislative framework would set out the general operational mechanisms for PRSs, the responsibilities of relevant stakeholders, and the associated regulatory control measures, etc. This framework would facilitate the future inclusion of more regulated products into the PRSs progressively, taking into account actual circumstances and expanding the waste-to-resources capacities. Regarding the initial proposal of the PRS on Plastic Beverage Containers and Beverage Cartons, the WRTF agreed that all sectors of society should share the responsibility to protect the environment, and suggested the EPD continue to communicate with the trades, ensuring various factors are thoroughly considered before implementing the Scheme.
    • The Customs & Excise Department (C&ED) briefed the WRTF on the operation, procedures and advantages of the Mainland-Hong Kong “Single Submission for Dual Declaration” Scheme. The C&ED launched the Scheme in November 2024, currently covering all cargo passing through land boundary control points between the two places. Cargo information submitted by Mainland enterprises to the Mainland platform will be encrypted and automatically sent to the Hong Kong platform, from which Hong Kong enterprises can retrieve relevant cargo information for completing a local Customs declaration. The WRTF welcomed the “Single Submission for Dual Declaration” Scheme, and considered that it would facilitate Customs declarations for local enterprises.

    Food Business and Related Services Task Force (FRSTF)
    ————————————————————
     

    • The Fire Services Department (FSD) consulted the FRSTF on the new requirements for the installation of fire extinguisher cabinets in outdoor seating accommodation (OSA) of licensed food premises. The FSD proposed that all new licensing applications of food premises shall impose a requirement of installing a fully enclosed, dedicated fire extinguisher cabinet within the OSA of food premises to prevent fire extinguishers from being adversely affected by dust, moisture and other environmental factors, thereby ensuring their prompt and effective operation in the event of a fire. The FRSTF noted the proposal and suggested that the FSD to provide clear requirements for fire extinguisher cabinets to facilitate the trade’s compliance.
    • The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) briefed the FRSTF on the Digital DIY (DDIY) Portal to facilitate the digital transformation of Hong Kong’s food and beverage industry. The DDIY Portal is designed to facilitate local enterprises, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in identifying suitable digital transformation solutions and connecting them to reputable service providers for implementation, enhancing operational efficiency and creating business opportunities. The FRSTF welcomed the business facilitation services provided by the HKPC and suggested the HKPC to consider performing the role of project manager to assist trades in successful implementation of digital solutions.

    Task Force on Business Liaison Groups (BLGTF)
    —————————————————
     

    • The HKPC briefed the BLGTF on the main services of the SME ReachOut and other popular government funding schemes. SME ReachOut helps SMEs identify suitable funding schemes, answers application inquiries and provides form-review advisory services. Currently there are more than 40 government funding schemes targeting SMEs, covering areas such as business expansion, upgrading and transformation, research and development, fostering technology talent, and promoting new industrialisation, along with a number of industry-specific funding schemes. The HKPC briefed the BLGTF on details of some popular funding schemes and provided information on their application eligibility, funding amount and funding scope. The BLGTF thanked the HKPC for the briefing.

         The Committee also expressed appreciation for the commitment and achievements of the bureaux and departments in continuously implementing the business facilitation measures under the Be the Smart Regulator Programme to enhance their business licensing services. 

         Papers for the Committee meeting are available at www.gov.hk/en/business/supportenterprises/bf/advisory/index.htm for public access.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: TECO Sydney Worked with TCCA to Host Taste of Taiwan- 2025 International Tour of Taiwan Gourmet Cuisine at Prefecture 48

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    Tawan in Sydney had the pleasure working with Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce in Australia to host Taste of Taiwan- 2025 International Tour of Taiwan Gourmet Cuisine at #Prefecture48.
    We’d like to thank the parliamentary friends- the Hon Rod Roberts MLC and Matt Cross MP, colleagues from consular corps & community leaders for attending.
    Amb Douglas Hsu remarked that Taiwan is recognized as a culinary paradise, and he is delighted to have the opportunity to share Taiwanese cuisine with friends around the world. He trusted that through food and culture mutual understanding can be greatly enhanced.
    Director General David Cheng-Wei Wu pointed out that Taiwanese food is rich in variety, which reflects the unique history, profound culture background & our colourful life. It has incorporated different gourmet cultures and formed such a harmonious & diverse feature.
    We also kicked off 2025 Soft Power 3 Episodes thru Taste of Taiwan on that day, and Episode Two & Three will be Taiwan Film Festival in Australia Premiere on July 24 at Event Cinema and performance of Cutural Goodwill Mission formed by Formosa Melody Music Centre on Sep 22 at Chatswood Concourse.
    NSW members of Parliment mentioned the close ties between #Taiwan & #Australia, expressed gratitude for the outstanding contributions of the Taiwanese community, recognized the resilience & strength of Taiwanese people and affirmed that NSW & Taiwan will always stand shoulder to shoulder in mutual support. They also praised Taiwan’s cuisine, noting that Australia—also being a multicultural society—blends culinary traditions from around the globe.
    Big thanks go to the organizer TCCA & its President Peter Huang, Ms. Sonia Chen, and the owner of P48 Michael Wu for allowing all the guests to enjoy themselves and experience charm of Taiwan.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The main stage of the Green Market will host a program for capital businessmen

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    On July 23, the main stage of the Green Market on Bolotnaya Square will host the event “SberBusiness. Wednesday” for Moscow entrepreneurs. Sber specialists and experts from the Made in Moscow project will talk about how to take your business to a new level and achieve maximum efficiency. Discussions, a panel session, and master classes will be held for guests. To attend the event, you need registration on the mos.ru portal.

    The program will begin at 14:30 and will be divided into three thematic blocks. The first will be dedicated to promotion tools available to Moscow entrepreneurs with the support of the city, including the Made in Moscow project. Speakers will talk about online and offline opportunities for business development, as well as the strength of the capital’s entrepreneurial community. Representatives of Moscow business will speak on the main stage — Svetlana Kruglikova, founder of the Esply men’s cosmetics brand, and Maria Bursakova, founder of the Made in Moscow coffee shops.

    The second block will be dedicated to Sber’s partner companies that help develop the local brand. Experts will present tools for emotional branding, effective promotion of regional brands through retail media, as well as solutions for effective business management. The speakers will be the head of the Internet Marketing Department of the inSales online trade management platform Elizaveta Markova, the head of the Cooper advertising platform department Alexander Noskov and the head of the GR projects sector of Sberbank Moscow Maria Losevskaya.

    The third block will feature a panel session dedicated to common mistakes entrepreneurs make when working with brands, patents and copyrights. Experts and businessmen will discuss how to avoid legal risks and protect intellectual property using examples from real Moscow companies. The moderator will be Alexandra Bondar, head of the PR department of the Made in Moscow project. The speakers will be the founder and CEO of the patent company Institute of Innovations and Law Max Lutskovsky, chief lawyer of the company Kangaroo. Pro Nadezhda Odnorog, founder of the Bagryanitsa clothing brand Anastasia Aksenova and founder of the Avetida brand Vera Gavrik.

    In addition, the Sber hub will host a master class by Elizaveta Markova dedicated to creating inspiring visual content for business.

    Events for Moscow entrepreneurs with the support of Sber are held on Bolotnaya Square from July 9 to September 14 on Wednesdays. Experts on key topics for starting and developing a business in the capital speak on the main stage of the Green Market. The first topic on July 9 was HR trends in 2025 and the future of HR.

    Moscow received an award from the All-Russian competition “Know Ours” for supporting local brandsIn the Active Citizen project you can appreciate the Made in Moscow art pavilions

    “Made in Moscow” is a project to promote local brands. Today it has more than seven thousand brands, and on the site you can find over 34 thousand products created in the capital. Entrepreneurs receive free support measures – from participation in large city events to information assistance.

    Project “Summer in Moscow” — the main event of the season. It brings together the most vibrant events of the capital. Every day, charity, cultural and sports events are held in all districts of the city, most of which are free. “Summer in Moscow” is being held for the second time, and this season will be more eventful: new, original and colorful festivals and events will be added to the traditional ones.

    Get the latest news quickly official telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    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 –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Vice Premier He Lifeng to visit Sweden on July 27-30 to participate in trade talks with the US – Ministry of Commerce

    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

    Xinhua | 23.07.2025

    Key words: china-politics

    Source: Xinhua

    Vice Premier He Lifeng will visit Sweden from July 27-30 to participate in trade talks with the US – Ministry of Commerce Vice Premier He Lifeng will visit Sweden from July 27-30 to participate in trade talks with the US – Ministry of Commerce

    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 –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Households given freedom and choice with more ways to cut energy bills

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Households given freedom and choice with more ways to cut energy bills

    Government sets out plans for a more flexible electricity system, helping working families save on their bills.

    • More support for consumers to bring down their bills, with new ways to take advantage of off-peak, lower electricity prices if they choose 
    • flexible tariffs and technologies allow consumers to shift energy usage to times when it is cheaper 
    • plans for a more flexible electricity system will ensure families benefit from the government’s clean energy mission and Plan for Change

    Households and businesses will be supported with more options to take control of their energy – expanding freedom and choice as the government drives for clean power.  

    The government’s plans for a more flexible electricity system set out today will help working families save on their bills, by supporting those who want to take advantage of low prices when clean energy is abundant. Consumers will have the opportunity to switch to a flexible tariff and use smart appliances to automatically reap the rewards of cheaper power at non-peak times. 

    Many consumers are already protecting their pockets by varying when they use their electricity. Electric vehicle drivers, for example, could save up to £330 per year by smart charging overnight.  

    More households who want to feel those benefits will be supported through the government’s commitments in the Clean Flexibility Roadmap. These include helping electric vehicle drivers get discounts on their electricity when using public chargers at off-peak times, requiring suppliers to make information on smart tariffs more accessible to consumers, and taking the next steps to help consumers access tailored products and services based on their electricity usage. 

    Supporting more consumers to use electricity at off-peak times will also boost the efficiency and resilience of the electricity network, making up to £70 billion in estimated savings on system costs by 2050.  

    This marks a crucial milestone in ensuring consumers reap the rewards of the government’s mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower, which it is driving forward as part of its Plan for Change.

    Energy Minister Michael Shanks said:

    This roadmap gives households and businesses the choice and control over when and how they use their energy.

    The flexible electricity system we are working to build will help make that a reality for consumers across the country, by supporting them to bring down their bills through using new tariffs and technologies.

    In this way we will protect working people’s pockets and ensure they are the first to benefit from our clean power mission.

    Kayte O’Neill, Chief Operating Officer, NESO, said:  

    The journey towards a decarbonised system will bring opportunities for industry and consumers if we can solve the challenges of using the system flexibly. 

    This roadmap provides clear direction for that, setting out the actions needed to increase flexibility across Great Britain and the rewards it will bring.

    Akshay Kaul Director General for Infrastructure Group, Ofgem, said:

    A more flexible energy market will be a real game changer, giving households more control over what they pay for their energy.   

    Small lifestyle tweaks such as programming a dishwasher or tumble dryer to run overnight when costs are low or charging your electric car during high winds can have a material impact on people’s bills.    

    At Ofgem we’re opening up flexibility markets to bring better tariffs and products to consumers to make cheaper bills a reality.

    Stakeholder reaction

    Sarah Honan, Head of Policy at ADE: Demand, said: 

    Industry demanded a step change in leadership to match our ambition – and this roadmap delivers. A dedicated Flexibility Commissioner aligns squarely with our sector’s blueprint for consumer-led clean power.  

    Now, we must place British homes and businesses at the heart of the system; paying them to flex, not paying gas plants to bail us out. That’s how we lower bills, ditch fossil fuel dependency and make clean power by 2030 real.

    Barnaby Wharton, Director of Future Electricity Systems, RenewableUK, said:  

    A secure, affordable and resilient power system based on renewables needs flexibility at its core, to match times when wind and solar are generating with smart demand. 

    This roadmap puts consumers at the heart of that system, empowering households and businesses to take control of how and when they use electricity, so they can save money by using power when it’s cheapest. 

    By embracing smart tariffs and technologies like EVs, modern heating systems and home batteries, and by accelerating the roll-out of more grid-scale batteries and Long Duration Energy Storage alongside renewables, we can build a more agile system which can shift, adapt and respond to demand faster. Scaling up our capacity to store energy is essential to strengthen the grid and enhance the UK’s energy security.

    Naomi Baker, Senior Policy Manager at Energy UK, said: 

    Energy UK welcomes the roadmap as a positive step towards a smarter, more flexible electricity system that passes the lower cost of renewables through to bill payers. We support the comprehensive scope – from the major new technologies (long duration storage, CCUS and hydrogen) that will ensure system resilience, through to the knotty regulatory barriers that limit market access from consumer assets. 

    The UK is already leading the world in creating an energy system with consumers at the heart of it. Today’s publication builds on this with a market-led approach where customer participation is voluntary, attractive and accessible. A smart flexible system will be a win for bills, a win for British jobs and a win for energy security.

    Kelly Butler, Director of External Affairs at BEAMA, said: 

    As long-standing advocates for accelerating electrification, BEAMA welcomes the publication of the Clean Flexibility Roadmap and a commitment not only to track progress but also focus on practical delivery.

    With appropriate lead times for product development, a technology agnostic approach within electrification and a clear connection across consumer facing policies such as EPCs, we anticipate major supply chain investment to meet the challenge.

    With the oversight of a new Flexibility Commissioner, the roadmap has the potential to help grow the sector, and bring increased momentum to delivering flexibility to consumers and businesses through mass market uptake of Energy Smart Appliances.

    Merlin Hyman OBE, Chief Executive of Regen, said: 

    Making our power system more flexible in how we match supply and demand is a key part of clean power 2030 so we greatly welcome the government’s Clean Flexibility Roadmap.

    The roadmap is an important step to bring together reforms needed to unlock the full value of the rapidly developing grid scale storage sector and consumer led flexibility in a coordinated work programme.

    The challenge now is to deliver what is a significant programme of reform of the way our electricity markets and system work to enable a rapid transition to a clean power system and to deliver value to customers.

    Notes to editors

    In December 2024, the government published its Clean Power 2030 Action Plan, which set out plans for a two to three-fold increase in clean flexibility capacity from 2023 levels, to a range of 51 to 66 GW, by 2030. The Clean Flexibility Roadmap, published today, explains how the government, working with Ofgem and NESO, will deliver that commitment.  

    The first steps that will be taken to support a more flexible electricity system as part of the roadmap include:  

    • appointing a Flexibility Commissioner, who will provide leadership over the policy area 
    • establishing ways of working with NESO and Ofgem to hold government and industry to account for delivery
    • setting up an annual forum to track progress

    Policies being delivered as part of this work include Market-wide Half-Hourly Settlement, which will enable energy usage to be billed every 30 minutes, and the Smart Secure Electricity Systems programme, which aims to help people access consumer-led flexibility. 

    All figures included are based on government analysis unless clearly labelled otherwise.  

    The government has today also published:

    • a consultation on consumer engagement in consumer-led flexibility, which explores how more consumers who want to use energy flexibly can be supported to do so, to help optimise and sustain uptake over the short, medium and long term

    • a call for evidence on improving asset visibility, which seeks views on options for improving how distributed energy assets, like heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points, are registered with distribution network operators (DNOs). This aims to reduce administrative burdens for installers, support flexible use of the assets and prevent network infrastructure from being built unnecessarily

    • a response to the call for evidence on energy smart data, which confirms that the government will continue work to consider whether to introduce a smart data scheme for the energy sector. Smart data is the process of sharing customer data – at the customer’s request – with authorised third parties in a secure way. It will help customers access useful, innovative and personalised products and services that cater to their needs

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Ministry of Economic Development will act as a strategic partner of the Russian Creative Week

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) – Ministry of Economic Development (Russia) –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The Ministry of Economic Development of Russia has become a strategic partner of the Russian Creative Week. The forum will be held in Moscow on September 25–27 at the Russia National Center. The initiator and organizer of the event is the Creative Economy ANO.

    The Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation carries out functions to develop state policy and improve the regulatory framework in the creative economy, and is also engaged in developing a long-term strategy for the development of this sector.

    The cooperation between the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia and the ANO “Creative Economy” will allow for a comprehensive discussion of the draft strategy – the fundamental document at the site of the “Russian Creative Week”, key issues in the field of creative economy at the federal level, and to attract the attention of entrepreneurs to the issues of developing creative industries.

    “The development of the creative economy requires a systematic approach and consideration of the positions of all participants in the process: the state, business and industry associations. The forum will create a space for uniting these views and developing joint solutions,” commented Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia Tatyana Ilyushnikova.

    President of the ANO “Creative Economy” Marina Mongush emphasized: The Ministry of Economic Development has launched the process of preparing a document that will determine how this sector will develop until 2030.

    “We are actively working with colleagues, with departments, with the expert community so that the strategy takes into account not only the economic, but also the socio-cultural, value-oriented approach to the creative economy. The Russian Creative Week forum will give our joint work with the Ministry of Economic Development an additional impetus,” believes the president of the ANO Creative Economy.

    “Russian Creative Week” has become an effective tool for the development of the industry as a whole – this is acknowledged by experts, noting that the forum gives a powerful impetus to the growth of regional “experience economies”.

    “It is important for people to be part of something big, and not just stand at a machine or work in a bank branch. It is important for everyone to build their own temple and feel involved in big goals, and it is the value-oriented approach that gives this feeling and distinguishes one community of people from all the others, both in the example of a separate company and in the example of the country,” emphasized the head of the Presidential Administration for Public Projects of the Russian Federation, Sergei Novikov.

    Partners of the Festival-Forum “Russian Creative Week”:

    Official partners: Rostec State Corporation, Andrey Melnichenko Charitable Foundation.

    Business partner: Aluminum Association.

    Business program partner: Prosveshchenie Group of Companies.

    Participating regions: Moscow, the Republic of Bashkortostan, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Nizhny Novgorod, Chelyabinsk, Tula regions.

    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 –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: eThekwini council approves strategy to improve solid waste management

    Source: Government of South Africa

    The eThekwini Municipality has approved the Cleansing and Solid Waste Turnaround Strategy during a special council meeting held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.

    The strategic plan has been developed in line with National Treasury’s Metro Trading Services Reform Framework.

    The new strategy, which was adopted on Monday, will see the transformation of the Waste Management Unit to a Cleansing and Solid Waste Business Directorate, establishing a single point of accountability.

    This change will enable the Executive Director of the Waste Management Directorate to have the necessary responsibility and authority to improve its services and ensure accountability.

    As per the requirements by National Treasury, the strategy is supported by two key documents, including Cleansing and Solid Waste Directorate’s Institutional and Governance Roadmap (A1) and Business and Investments Plan (A2), also forming part of the Metro Trading Services Reform to improve all aspects of the solid waste business.

    According to the report, the institutional reforms focus on improved management and governance, while the Business and Investment Plan focuses on the Waste Business Development Plan.

    The Directorate is also required to develop a Performance Improvement Action Plan (A3) which is due in April 2026.

    “The report states that this will be submitted in due course, as it is a pre-requisite for the Urban Settlements Development Grant, an incentive grant that will be provided during the 2026/27 financial year,” the council said.

    This marks the third major turnaround strategy adopted by the Council under the National Treasury’s Trading Services Reform to improve the performance of trading services, following similar approvals in the Water and Sanitation and Energy sectors.

    “Metros, including eThekwini Municipality, had to first develop a turnaround strategy outlining plans to address structural and investment gaps affecting trading services,” the council said. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Aurora Mobile Explores Strategic Opportunities in Real World Asset (RWA) Market

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHENZHEN, China, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Recent reports have indicated that Aurora Mobile Limited (NASDAQ: JG) (“Aurora Mobile” or the “Company”), a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China, has been approached by various parties seeking to collaborate in exploring opportunities in the Real World Asset (RWA) markets, both in China and globally.

    In response, Mr. Weidong Luo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aurora Mobile, commented, “There are many different aspects of our current products and services that I believe can help all parties grow and prosper in the RWA markets. We are actively exploring opportunities in this space and have been engaging in meaningful discussions with institutions that have expressed strong interest.”

    As a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China, Aurora Mobile sees great potential for synergy with RWA development through its core business segments: data services, marketing cloud services, and customer engagement solutions. Specific opportunities include:

    • Integrating Data Services with RWA:
      Aurora Mobile has amassed an extensive data asset base, having served 1.78 million apps with more than 1.4 billion monthly active devices. This data can be combined with RWA projects to provide critical support in assessing underlying asset value and risk. For example, in real estate RWA projects, Aurora Mobile can provide data on surrounding population density and consumer purchasing power to aid investor decision-making. Similarly, for renewable energy RWA initiatives, Aurora Mobile can offer user behavior insights to optimize asset operation strategies. The Company’s data strength can also support asset valuation and pricing of RWA projects by establishing more accurate data-driven models.
    • Marketing Cloud Services Empower RWA Promotion:
      Aurora Mobile’s marketing cloud solutions help businesses achieve multi-channel customer reach. For RWA projects, its robust marketing channels can be used to promote RWA products to a wider base of investors. For instance, Aurora Mobile can deliver project updates and investment opportunities to potential investors via SMS, Email, and other channels. This enhances visibility and recognition, ultimately boosting RWA asset sales and liquidity.
    • Customer Engagement to Support RWA:
      Aurora Mobile is committed to helping enterprises build strong relationships with customers by enhancing investor service experiences. Aurora Mobile can facilitate timely responses to investor inquiries, handle complaints, and strengthen investor trust and satisfaction in RWA projects. In addition, investor feedback gathered through these interactions can offer valuable insights for RWA project refinement and optimization.
    • AI-Driven Collaboration Opportunities:
      Aurora Mobile has made strategic advancements in AI, such as integrating with GPTBots.ai, the Company’s AI agent platform. AI technology is also essential in the RWA space, particularly for asset pricing optimization and risk forecasting. Leveraging its AI technology capabilities, Aurora Mobile can collaborate with RWA stakeholders to develop AI-powered applications, improving the intelligence and efficiency of RWA project management.
    • Cross-Border Business Synergies with RWA:
      Aurora Mobile provides customer engagement and marketing technology applications for Chinese companies that are expanding overseas. As a result, the Company has accumulated extensive experience in cross-border business. As RWAs enable the global trading of assets, Aurora Mobile can leverage its cross-border service capabilities to support RWA projects across borders. This includes helping promote and operate such projects in different regions and assisting with issues such as cross-border payments and investor communications.

    With its proven technological capabilities and deep market experience, Aurora Mobile is well positioned to contribute to the growth and innovation of the RWA ecosystem and looks forward to exploring further collaboration opportunities with partners in this space.

    About Aurora Mobile Limited

    Founded in 2011, Aurora Mobile (NASDAQ: JG) is a leading provider of customer engagement and marketing technology services in China. Since its inception, Aurora Mobile has focused on providing stable and efficient messaging services to enterprises and has grown to be a leading mobile messaging service provider with its first-mover advantage. With the increasing demand for customer reach and marketing growth, Aurora Mobile has developed forward-looking solutions such as Cloud Messaging and Cloud Marketing to help enterprises achieve omnichannel customer reach and interaction, as well as artificial intelligence and big data-driven marketing technology solutions to help enterprises’ digital transformation.

    For more information, please visit https://ir.jiguang.cn/.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. Among other things, the Business Outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as Aurora Mobile’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. Aurora Mobile may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including but not limited to statements about Aurora Mobile’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: Aurora Mobile’s strategies; Aurora Mobile’s future business development, financial condition and results of operations; Aurora Mobile’s ability to attract and retain customers; its ability to develop and effectively market data solutions, and penetrate the existing market for developer services; its ability to transition to the new advertising-driven SAAS business model; its ability to maintain or enhance its brand; the competition with current or future competitors; its ability to continue to gain access to mobile data in the future; the laws and regulations relating to data privacy and protection; general economic and business conditions globally and in China and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of the press release, and Aurora Mobile undertakes no duty to update such information, except as required under applicable law.

    For more information, please contact:

    Aurora Mobile Limited
    E-mail: ir@jiguang.cn

    Christensen

    In China
    Ms. Xiaoyan Su
    Phone: +86-10-5900-1548
    E-mail: Xiaoyan.Su@christensencomms.com

    In US
    Ms. Linda Bergkamp
    Phone: +1-480-614-3004
    Email: linda.bergkamp@christensencomms.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Strategic Prediction Highlights Starlink’s Role in America’s Next Communications Breakthrough

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Austin, TX, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A new strategic brief from tech entrepreneur and author James Altucher is circulating among media and technology circles, calling attention to what he describes as a “massive shift in global communication power” led by Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink.

    Altucher’s brief lays out a chain of evidence connecting a closed-door Musk meeting, and what he believes could be a defining date in the company’s history: August 13, 2025.

    A Private Network Outside Government Reach

    According to Altucher, the public continues to underestimate the true purpose of Starlink.

    Altucher argues that Starlink is no longer just about connecting rural homes—it may soon become the world’s most powerful independent communication system, able to operate above political restrictions, military conflicts, and traditional gatekeepers.

    Inside the Meeting That Started It All

    Altucher says his prediction was inspired by information from a source who was present at a private meeting involving Elon Musk and several industry insiders.

    Altucher believes it played a crucial role in accelerating Starlink’s public-facing timeline—leading toward a major milestone he believes may land on August 13.

    The Urgency of August 13

    Altucher emphasizes that the timeline is moving fast. He singles out August 13, 2025, as a moment the public should not ignore.

    About James Altucher

    James Altucher is a bestselling author, tech founder, and media personality with over two decades of experience at the intersection of technology and finance. He has launched more than 20 companies and published over 25 books, including Choose Yourself and Skip the Line. Altucher has written for The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and TechCrunch, and he regularly appears on CNBC, Fox Business, and other top platforms. His work focuses on helping people understand major technological shifts before they go mainstream.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Strategic Prediction Highlights Starlink’s Role in America’s Next Communications Breakthrough

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Austin, TX, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — A new strategic brief from tech entrepreneur and author James Altucher is circulating among media and technology circles, calling attention to what he describes as a “massive shift in global communication power” led by Elon Musk’s satellite internet venture, Starlink.

    Altucher’s brief lays out a chain of evidence connecting a closed-door Musk meeting, and what he believes could be a defining date in the company’s history: August 13, 2025.

    A Private Network Outside Government Reach

    According to Altucher, the public continues to underestimate the true purpose of Starlink.

    Altucher argues that Starlink is no longer just about connecting rural homes—it may soon become the world’s most powerful independent communication system, able to operate above political restrictions, military conflicts, and traditional gatekeepers.

    Inside the Meeting That Started It All

    Altucher says his prediction was inspired by information from a source who was present at a private meeting involving Elon Musk and several industry insiders.

    Altucher believes it played a crucial role in accelerating Starlink’s public-facing timeline—leading toward a major milestone he believes may land on August 13.

    The Urgency of August 13

    Altucher emphasizes that the timeline is moving fast. He singles out August 13, 2025, as a moment the public should not ignore.

    About James Altucher

    James Altucher is a bestselling author, tech founder, and media personality with over two decades of experience at the intersection of technology and finance. He has launched more than 20 companies and published over 25 books, including Choose Yourself and Skip the Line. Altucher has written for The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and TechCrunch, and he regularly appears on CNBC, Fox Business, and other top platforms. His work focuses on helping people understand major technological shifts before they go mainstream.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK and Türkiye agree big step towards multi-billion-pound export of Typhoon fighter jets

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    UK and Türkiye agree big step towards multi-billion-pound export of Typhoon fighter jets

    A multi-billion-pound export deal of Typhoon fighter jets to Türkiye – which could secure thousands of skilled UK jobs – is a significant step closer today, following the signing of an agreement that will also strengthen the UK-Türkiye partnership.

    • Defence Ministers of UK and Türkiye sign agreement in Istanbul, a major step towards the export of Typhoon fighter jets to Türkiye.

    • Agreement strengthens NATO’s collective deterrence and builds on years of defence cooperation and growing industrial ties between UK and Türkiye.

    • 20,000 UK jobs are supported by Typhoon programme, with exports set to secure thousands of UK production line jobs, delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.  

    Defence Secretary John Healey and Defence Minister Yaşar Güler signed the Memorandum of Understanding at the International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul. Building on years of defence cooperation, they agreed that a future Typhoon exports deal would strengthen Türkiye’s advanced combat capabilities and help sustain the 20,000 UK jobs involved in the Typhoon programme here at home.

    Negotiations on the potential deal with Türkiye will now continue over the coming weeks. It would be the first export order the UK has secured for Typhoon since 2017.

    By securing thousands of jobs on UK production lines, the Government will be delivering on our Plan for Change by driving defence as an engine for economic growth.

    Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

    The UK’s production of Typhoon fighter jets is an engine for economic growth – supporting the lives and livelihoods of thousands of British people right across the UK. 

    Signing a multi-billion export deal with Türkiye will sustain and protect 20,000 UK jobs for future years to come – which is why my government is so dedicated to securing it. It will bolster our vital defence industry, deliver on our Plan for Change and keep us and our allies safer during these uncertain times.

    Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

    Today’s agreement is a big step towards Türkiye buying UK Typhoon fighter jets. It shows this government’s determination to secure new defence deals, building on our relationships abroad to deliver for British working people.

    Equipping Türkiye with Typhoons would strengthen NATO’s collective defence, and boost both our countries’ industrial bases by securing thousands of skilled jobs across the UK for years to come.

    Last month’s Strategic Defence Review stressed the importance of exports, and now with our new defence exports office, we are developing defence’s role as an engine for economic growth as a foundation of the government’s Plan for Change.” 

    It comes as the Defence Secretary John Healey makes the drive for new defence export deals a high priority.

    The Ministry of Defence is preparing to take on responsibility for defence exports from 31st July, in a significant step of delivery for the Strategic Defence Review. The defence exports team will back British businesses on the global stage, drive potential exports and seek to enhance economic growth.

    The latest statistics show UK defence exports were valued at £14.5 billion in just a 12-month period. Following the SDR’s direction, it moves responsibility for defence exports from the Department for Business and Trade, making the MOD the lead for securing deals for military equipment with our allies.

    The Typhoon workshare agreement would see more than a third (37%) of each aircraft manufactured in the UK; the rest of each aircraft would be produced by the Eurofighter Partner Nations. Final production at BAE Systems’ Warton site would include radars from Edinburgh and engines from Bristol, helping secure thousands of UK jobs.

    Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, BAE Systems said:

    This Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Türkiye and the UK underscores the importance of their long-standing defence co-operation through NATO and the critical role Typhoon plays in security and defence in Europe and the Middle East.

    The UK also continues to invest in its own world-class Typhoon fleet, which will remain the backbone of the UK’s air defence until at least the 2040s. The RAF’s existing Typhoons are being upgraded over the next 15 years, supporting skilled jobs across the UK.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Over the past five years, the Russpass service has been used more than 63 million times

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    In six months totourist service Russpass was accessed about 26 million times – almost three times more than in the same period of 2024. This was reported by Natalia Sergunina, Deputy Mayor of Moscow. The project has been running since July 20, 2020 and was created on the initiative of the Moscow Government. Today, it has collected about 57 thousand offers for travel around Russia, over a third of which relate to the capital.

    On the platform you can find themed excursions and signature routes, buy tickets for a plane or other types of transport, as well as for major events or museums, book accommodation, and create a cultural and educational program for your trip.

    “Over the past five years, Russpass has been used more than 63 million times. Since its launch, it has combined dozens of useful services — from a convenient travel planner to personalized selections based on artificial intelligence,” noted Natalia Sergunina.

    About 22 thousand people have already received individual recommendations from the neural network on choosing hotels, museums, attractions and cultural venues.

    The project presents over one thousand ready-made routes. They are dedicated to architecture, history, literature and other areas. For those who want to create their own route, there is a special service that will create a trip scenario for each day and tell you how to book tickets.

    For entrepreneurs, there is a portal called “Russpass. Business”, where over 3.4 thousand tourism companies have already registered. For them, the platform has published a list of federal and city support measures, as well as a job exchange, a list of industry events, and a “Knowledge Base” section with materials about the capital’s hospitality industry.

    You can find travel ideas, thematic selections and interviews with industry experts in the online publication “Russpass-magazine”. It already contains about four thousand articles.

    Ruspass oversees the capital Tourism Committee together with the city Department of Information TechnologyThe service’s digital infrastructure formed the basis of the national portal “Travel.RF”.

    Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

    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 –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LCQ5: Liquor duty

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following is a question by Dr the Hon Kennedy Wong and a reply by the Acting Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development, Dr Bernard Chan, in the Legislative Council today (July 23):

    Question:

         Since October last year, the Government has reduced the duty rate for liquor with import price over $200 from 100 per cent to 10 per cent for the portion above $200. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

    (1) whether it has compiled statistics on the changes in the value and volume of imports and re-exports of liquor to date after the reduction in the duty rate on liquor, and how such data compare with those prior to the reduction, together with a breakdown by type of liquor (e.g. Chinese baijiu, whisky and brandy);

    (2) as the Government has indicated that the reduction in the duty rate on liquor aims to promote the development of Hong Kong into a trading hub for high-end liquor and boost the growth of various industries such as catering, hotel, logistics and warehousing, whether the Government has assessed if the policy has achieved the expected effects after its implementation; whether the Government will study a further reduction in the duty rate on liquor; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that; and

    (3) whether the Department of Health has, after the reduction in the duty rate on liquor, conducted a population health survey to compile statistics on the proportion of the population aged 15 or above who have consumed liquor; whether it will step up its efforts to publicise and educate the public about the health effects of alcohol, in order to prevent problems such as alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse and binge drinking; if so, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?

    Reply:

    President,

         Having consulted the Health Bureau, the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) and the Customs and Excise Department (C&ED), the consolidated reply to the question raised by Dr the Hon Kennedy Wong is as follows:

         Currently, liquor duty in Hong Kong is levied on liquor for local sales or other uses, while liquor for export or re-export through Hong Kong to other regions is not subject to duty. As such, the liquor duty reduction has a more direct impact on liquor imported for local consumption, whereas the re-export trade of liquor is more influenced by macro factors such as global economic conditions and geopolitics.

         According to the statistics from the C&ED, during the 8.5-month period from the reduction of the duty rate on high-end liquor on October 16 last year to the end of June this year, both the volume (in litre) and value of duty-paid liquor import increased as compared with the 8.5-month period prior to the liquor duty reduction. Of these, the import volume of liquor rose by more than 20 per cent, while its value went up significantly by nearly 90 per cent, reflecting that the two-tier system introduced by the Government is effective in boosting high-end liquor trading. A comparison of the volume and value of duty-paid liquor before and after the reduction in liquor duty rate, as well as detailed statistics breakdown by type of liquor, is provided in Annex I for Members’ reference.

         On the other hand, as liquor duty is not levied on re-exported liquor, the C&ED does not maintain statistical data on the value of liquor re-export. The information provided by the C&SD is set out in Annex II.

         As the liquor duty reduction has only been implemented for a short period, its effectiveness in various aspects remains to be observed. Regarding the suggestion from some members of the trade that the Government should further reduce the duty on liquor, we would like to reiterate that the purpose of lowering liquor duty is to encourage the trade and auctions of high-end liquor in Hong Kong, thereby giving impetus to the development of other high value-added sectors such as logistics and storage, tourism as well as high-end food and beverage consumption. At the same time, we are also mindful of the need to avoid increasing liquor consumption among the public as a result of reducing liquor duty, thereby leading to other problems.

         When introducing the relevant measures, the Government has fully balanced different policy considerations such as promoting economic development, maintaining stable public finances and protecting public health. We will closely monitor the development of the liquor trade and review the effectiveness of the measures in a timely manner. Any further adjustments will require careful consideration of the impact on different aspects with prudent planning. The Government currently has no plan to further adjust the duty rate on liquor.

         In fact, the Government has been attaching great importance to the harms brought by alcohol, in particular alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse and binge drinking. In 2018, the Government launched the “Towards 2025: Strategy and Action Plan to Prevent and Control Non-communicable Diseases in Hong Kong”, setting out nine local targets, with “reduce harmful use of alcohol” being one of them, to be achieved by 2025. The Government will continue to adopt a risk-based approach to reduce alcohol-related harm through publicity, education, treatment and support services. Among which, the Department of Health (DH) has launched the Pilot Alcohol Cessation Counselling Service (Pilot Programme) through subvention to a non-governmental organisation. The Pilot Programme was launched on April 8, 2024, and will last for two years to provide free counselling service for Hong Kong residents identified to have probable alcohol dependence. The DH has also launched a publicity and education campaign named “Understanding Alcohol Harm” since 2022 to enhance the public’s understanding of the health risks associated with alcohol consumption; and provides online risk assessment of drinking behaviour, personalised health advice, self-help tools, health education resources, etc to encourage drinkers to change their drinking behaviour for the sake of their health.

         In addition, the DH conducts the Population Health Survey (PHS) approximately every five years with the Health Behaviour Survey conducted in between as regular surveillance to understand the health status of the Hong Kong population, including drinking behaviours. Figures relevant to drinking behaviours in past PHSs are set out in Annex III. The 2025/26 PHS is expected to commence in the third quarter this year with the findings to be available in end-2026, which would reflect the situation after the partial reduction of duty on liquor.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The admission campaign for foreign citizens is in full swing at the Polytechnic University

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The Polytechnic University is completing the main stage of accepting documents from foreign applicants. During the large-scale campaign, the university team participated in educational exhibitions, quota selections and webinars in the countries of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the CIS.

    Since autumn 2024, the university has presented its educational programs at 39 events, including 12 face-to-face (in China, Turkey, Vietnam, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan) and six online exhibitions, 17 information webinars and four regional selection rounds jointly with Rossotrudnichestvo representative offices. Foreign applicants familiarized themselves with the new admission algorithms. To promote the Open Doors international Olympiad, which gives talented students a unique opportunity to enter the Polytechnic University and study for free, an interview with the winners was held. They told their compatriots about studying at SPbPU. Also, specialized webinars on the master’s and bachelor’s degree tracks were held jointly with the Global Universities Association.

    This year, a unified algorithm for admission to Russian universities for foreign and Russian citizens was launched. Now foreigners participate in the general competition on an equal basis with Russian schoolchildren. The progress of admission can be monitored in real time through the competition lists, which are already available on the official website of the university. The results of the main stage of enrollment will be known in August. Based on the results of the summer campaign, additional recruitment will take place for the remaining vacancies.

    An important innovation of the international Open Doors Olympiad is the opening of the bachelor’s degree program for the winners. If previously only applicants for master’s and postgraduate studies participated, now future bachelors can too. At the moment, about 300 applications have been received, and about a hundred of them are for bachelor’s degree programs. Most of the guys participating in the Olympiad represent foreign countries and do not speak Russian. Therefore, after admission, they will begin their studies with a pre-university training program.

    Polytechnic University traditionally attracts great interest from applicants from key regions: the CIS countries (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are in the lead), China and other BRICS countries, Turkey and Latin America (especially Colombia and Ecuador). At the same time, the number of representatives of the African continent interested in studying in pre-university training programs is growing at the university. To develop this area, Polytechnic University took part in a special series of events organized by the Rosatom State Corporation. A series of exhibition and presentation webinars and educational lectures covered nuclear technologies in energy and their non-energy applications in related industries. Popular science lectures were given by Associate Professor of the Higher School of Mechanical Engineering Hamuda Khaled and Senior Lecturer of the Higher School of Technosphere Safety Jamilya Idrisova. The goal is to attract students from African countries to Rosatom’s flagship universities to study in nuclear and related specialties in Russia.

    A significant number of bachelor’s and master’s degree graduates choose to continue their education at SPbPU. According to preliminary data from the admissions campaign, over 2,000 applications have already been submitted for the main educational programs (bachelor’s, master’s, postgraduate) under the contract, and over 800 for the preparatory faculty. Candidates within the Russian Federation Government quota are also being considered. Over 800 applications have been processed to date.

    The most popular bachelor’s degree programs among applicants are economics and international relations, engineering and construction programs, IT and high technology. Of particular interest is the English-language program “International Business”.

    The following areas are in demand in the Master’s program: construction, electric power engineering and electrical engineering, automation of technological processes, management, foreign regional studies, applied mechanics. The following English-language areas are also in demand: “Informatics and computing engineering”, “Biotechnical systems and technologies”, “Infocommunication technologies and communication systems”, “Development of international business”, “Intelligent systems”, “Microelectronics of infocommunication systems”, “Civil engineering” and “Molecular and cellular biotechnology”.

    In postgraduate studies, technical fields (energy, construction, mechanical engineering) and biotechnology are leading.

    “It is difficult to predict the results of the new admissions system, including the movement of competition lists, since this is the first such experience. We recommend that applicants closely monitor updates on the SPbPU website and be prepared for additional recruitment in August. Despite the novelty of the procedure and the complexity of the exams, the interim figures indicate a record interest in studying at the leading technical university in Russia,” said Evgeniya Satalkina, Head of the International Education Department.

    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 –

  • MIL-OSI China: More occupations bolstering China’s employment market

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

    China is spearheading job creation through the introduction of new occupations, providing diverse career paths and high-quality employment opportunities.

    The move, led by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, will align talent development with emerging fields and bridge skill gaps, an official said on Tuesday.

    According to data released by the ministry on the same day, China added 6.95 million new urban jobs nationwide in the first half of the year, achieving 58 percent of this year’s target and maintaining a year-on-year urban unemployment rate of 5 percent in June.

    Various policies including introducing new occupations have been implemented to support job stability, the ministry said, adding that from August last year to date, it has launched 17 new occupations and 42 new job types.

    Wang Xiaojun, deputy head of the ministry’s department of vocational capacity building, said at a news conference in Beijing that the creation of new occupations generates a greater number of high-quality employment opportunities. “It provides workers with broader and more diverse career development paths,” she said.

    The rapid growth of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and big data, is creating numerous new digital professions, Wang said, citing AI-generated animation producers and unmanned aerial vehicle swarm flight planners as examples of roles emerging in response to the evolving job market.

    By the end of 2024, there were about 1.62 million registered UAV owners in China, which was double the number compared with the previous year, she noted.

    Wang also highlighted the rise of new professions catering to evolving consumer needs, such as indoor environmental specialists, sleep health managers and customized travel photography planners.

    “The ministry plans to establish standards, enhance training and align talent development with market demands to bridge talent gaps in emerging fields,” she said.

    Li Chang’an, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics’ Academy of China Open Economy Studies, said the release of a new catalog each year serves, regulates and manages emerging roles.

    “The emergence of numerous new roles is followed by training activities. The primary goals of releasing new occupations are standardization and training, which enable individuals to hold qualification certificates for the new positions,” he said.

    New occupations play a crucial role in guiding employment, Li said. “Individuals, especially young people, are made aware of diverse job opportunities, prompting them to engage in career guidance tailored to evolving occupational categories,” he added.

    The Chinese government will conduct subsidized training for 10 million candidates annually over the next three years as yet another tool to enhance employment.

    Furthermore, the government will add positions in key sectors in the digital, green, silver and nighttime economies.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) Market Set to Hit USD 24.1 Billion by 2032, Growing at 31.90% CAGR, Fueled by Rapid AI and Machine Learning Adoption | AnalystView Market Insights

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    San Francisco, USA, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The global Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) Market is poised for substantial growth, with projections indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 31.90%, reaching a market value of approximately USD 24,097.31 million by 2032. TPUs, or Tensor Processing Units, are highly specialized application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) originally developed by Google to address the increasing demands of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) workloads.

    Unlike traditional CPUs and GPUs, Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) are engineered to accelerate tensor operations—the core of neural network training and inference—by efficiently executing large-scale matrix multiplications with minimal power usage. This specialized architecture makes TPUs ideal for deep learning across industries such as healthcare (advanced imaging diagnostics), finance (algorithmic trading and fraud detection), automotive, and telecommunications.

    On the government front, federal support is strong: the FY 2025 U.S. budget proposes hundreds of millions for foundational AI R&D via the NSF, AI talent initiatives, and the National AI Research Resource pilot. Additionally, in May 2024, Senate leaders called for at least USD 32 billion per year in non‑defense AI funding to maintain U.S. leadership. These commitments, combined with private-sector uptake, are accelerating TPU adoption nationwide.

    Grab a Complimentary Sample Report PDF @ https://analystviewmarketinsights.com/request_sample/AV3789

    Market Key Players- Detailed Competitive Insights

    • Amazon Web Services, Inc.
    • Google Inc.
    • Graphcore
    • IBM Corporation
    • Intel Corporation
    • Micron Technology
    • Microsoft Corporation
    • NVIDIA Corporation
    • Qualcomm Technologies
    • Xilinx Inc.
    • Others

    Why TPUs Are Gaining Momentum

    Unlike general-purpose CPUs and GPUs, TPUs are engineered specifically to handle large-scale matrix operations required in artificial intelligence (AI) applications. Their architecture is tailored to perform these operations with superior efficiency and lower energy consumption, making them a preferred choice for AI model training and inference. This specialized capability enables significantly faster processing of data, accelerating development cycles in AI and reducing infrastructure costs.

    With the AI industry poised to contribute over $14 trillion to the global economy by 2035, the demand for high-performance, scalable, and energy-efficient computing solutions like TPUs is accelerating. These processors are already widely adopted in data centers, cloud AI platforms, and AI research environments, acting as the backbone for high-speed machine learning tasks.

    Widespread Adoption Across Key Sectors

    The impact of TPUs extends across multiple industries:

    • Healthcare: Enhancing diagnostics, image recognition, and real-time patient data analysis.
    • Finance: Powering fraud detection systems, algorithmic trading platforms, and real-time risk analytics.
    • Automotive: Enabling autonomous driving systems through high-speed data processing.
    • Manufacturing & Logistics: Driving real-time automation and predictive analytics in smart factories.

    Cloud platforms like Google Cloud TPU, AWS Inferentia, and Microsoft Azure AI Infrastructure are offering TPUs as-a-service, allowing organizations to scale their AI capabilities without hefty hardware investments.

    Driving the Future of Edge Computing and IoT

    The role of TPUs is also expanding into edge computing and Internet of Things (IoT) deployments. These chips enable AI models to operate locally on edge devices, reducing data transmission delays and enhancing real-time decision-making. In smart cities, autonomous vehicles, and connected devices, TPUs are crucial for low-latency, high-efficiency AI operations at the network edge.

    As smart infrastructure and IoT ecosystems expand, TPUs will become even more integral in delivering real-time intelligence, particularly in mission-critical environments such as traffic management, remote diagnostics, and predictive maintenance.

    Competitive Strategies and Market Trends

    To remain competitive, key players in the TPU market are investing in:

    • Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with cloud providers and AI software developers to integrate TPUs seamlessly into broader ecosystems.
    • Product Innovation: Designing next-gen TPUs with enhanced performance for tasks like generative AI, large language models, and advanced analytics.
    • Vertical Integration: Major tech firms such as Google, Amazon, and Apple are increasingly bringing TPU development in-house to optimize cost, performance, and control over their AI stacks.

    A notable trend is the rise of custom TPU designs, where companies develop hardware specifically tailored to niche AI applications. Whether it’s accelerating natural language processing or optimizing vision models for robotics, these customized chips deliver precise performance gains.

    Market Outlook and Future Prospects

    With AI adoption accelerating across multiple industries, the demand for Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) is expected to grow exponentially. According to projections from the U.S. Department of Commerce, the global AI market could reach USD 190.6 billion by 2025, positioning TPUs as a foundational technology in this expansion.

    Designed for high-speed, energy-efficient processing of complex tensor operations, TPUs enable faster training and deployment of advanced AI models. As businesses increasingly adopt data-driven strategies, TPUs are powering applications across healthcare, finance, automotive, and telecommunications, improving efficiency, decision-making, and scalability. This unique capability ensures TPUs will remain integral to the next wave of AI innovation. 

    TABLE OF CONTENT:

    1. Tensor Processing Unit Market Overview
    1.1. Study Scope
    1.2. Market Estimation Years
    2. Executive Summary
    2.1. Market Snippet
    2.1.1. Tensor Processing Unit Market Snippet by Deployment
    2.1.2. Tensor Processing Unit Market Snippet by Application
    2.1.3. Tensor Processing Unit Market Snippet by End User
    2.1.4. Tensor Processing Unit Market Snippet by Country
    2.1.5. Tensor Processing Unit Market Snippet by Region
    2.2. Competitive Insights
    3. Tensor Processing Unit Key Market Trends
    3.1. Tensor Processing Unit Market Drivers
    3.1.1. Impact Analysis of Market Drivers
    3.2. Tensor Processing Unit Market Restraints
    3.2.1. Impact Analysis of Market Restraints
    3.3. Tensor Processing Unit Market Opportunities
    3.4. Tensor Processing Unit Market Future Trends
    4. Tensor Processing Unit Industry Study
    4.1. PEST Analysis
    4.2. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
    4.3. Growth Prospect Mapping
    4.4. Regulatory Framework Analysis
    5. Tensor Processing Unit Market: Impact of Escalating Geopolitical Tensions
    5.1. Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic
    5.2. Impact of Russia-Ukraine War
    5.3. Impact of Middle East Conflicts
    6. Tensor Processing Unit Market Landscape
    6.1. Tensor Processing Unit Market Share Analysis, 2024
    6.2. Breakdown Data, by Key Manufacturer
    6.2.1. Established Players’ Analysis
    6.2.2. Emerging Players’ Analysis……

    Unlock insights into territorial performance, business segmentation, and player analysis.@ https://www.analystviewmarketinsights.com/reports/report-highlight-tensor-processing-unit-market

    Key Report Benefits:

    • In-depth analysis of top market players and strategic initiatives
    • Comprehensive regional outlook and growth hotspots
    • Insights into emerging TPU applications in cloud, edge, and industry-specific solutions
    • Future projections and competitive landscape assessments

    Browse more Reports from AnalystView Market Insights:

    Automotive Hinges Market

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    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Panasonic TOUGHBOOK Research Highlights Urgency of Windows 11 Migration

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Critical infrastructure organisations face increased security, compatibility, performance, cost, and compliance risks if they delay upgrading to Windows 11.

    Bracknell, UK. 23rd July 2025 – Panasonic TOUGHBOOK has released research revealing the challenges and concerns for organisations navigating Windows 10 end-of-life and migrating to the Windows 11 operating system*. With support for Windows 10 ceasing on 14th October 2025, Panasonic’s research shows organisations that have not yet completed their migration are concerned about security risks, costs, and software compatibility issues arising from out-of-support software.

    Panasonic’s whitepaper, ‘Navigating the Shift: The Business Case for Upgrading to Windows 11’ also explores the extent of hardware refreshes needed to support Windows 11, and reveals concerns about the impact of device downtime during upgrade cycles.

    Standing still presents significant security risks and cost implications
    One of the biggest challenges surveyed organisations face is the security risk of inaction or delaying their Windows 11 migration. Ninety-eight percent of organisations surveyed say they are ‘likely’ to invest in Microsoft’s Extended Security Update (ESU) if they have not completed migration to Windows 11 by October.

    More than half (58%) are not confident that they will be able to manage device security without either completing the migration or investing in ESU. They are concerned that if they don’t migrate or purchase ESU, they will be exposed to higher ransomware and malware risk (94%), data breaches (93%), a lack of patches for new security threats (91%), compliance risks (89%) and the impact on business reputation (88%).

    Cost is another concerning factor for organisations delaying their Windows 11 migration beyond October 2025. Two-thirds predict that they’ll face higher costs overall, with 55% expecting these will come in the form of higher cybersecurity expenses. With Microsoft advising that an enterprise with 1,000 devices will face an ESU bill for approximately £320,000 over the three years that ESU is available, the cost of delay is tangible and immediate

    In addition, 48% predict increased support costs and 46% believe business continuity risks will have cost implications. Increased maintenance costs (40%) and hardware costs (38%) are also factors.

    Software upgrade means hardware replacement and reduced productivity
    Surveyed organisations operate an average of 4,000 devices and estimate that 62% either have been, or will still need to be replaced or upgraded, to ensure compatibility with Windows 11. This rises to 76% of devices in organisations with more than 5,000 employees.

    Almost half (45%) of respondents see challenges around the loss of productivity due to downtime when devices are being upgraded. Consequently 75% are adopting a phased approach. One-quarter (25%) are delaying software upgrades to coincide with device replacement. Application and business software compatibility issues are another migration challenge, cited by 47%.

    Upgrades will be managed through a combination of remote upgrades (46%) and in-person upgrades (54%), with 64% expecting to draw heavily on device manufacturer support during the process.

    Benefits of migration outweigh risks of delay
    Respondents currently migrating to Windows 11 expect to unlock important benefits around security and protection (44%), performance and processing power (36%) and having a future-proofed device ecosystem (36%). They also seek to leverage AI features such as Microsoft Copilot or Bing AI (34%) as well as deploying Edge AI capabilities in the field (29%).

    Chris Turner, Head of Go-to-Market, Panasonic TOUGHBOOK Europe, comments: “The window is closing for organisations to make a well-planned, measured and cost-effective transition to Windows 11 and start unlocking its benefits. The cost, security, and performance risks of delay are steadily increasing as the end-of-life deadline approaches, which is especially concerning in the critical sectors we surveyed including emergency services, field services and utilities, and defence organisations.

    “Organisations that are still to undertake Windows 11 migration need support to ensure their deployment is not rushed and risky. Panasonic TOUGHBOOK offers customers full transition support to ensure a seamless migration experience, maintain productivity and take the uncertainty from the process. By acting now, businesses can avoid incurring both cost and risk beyond October 2025,” adds Turner.

    To download the Panasonic TOUGHBOOK whitepaper, ‘Navigating the Shift: The Business Case for Upgrading to Windows 11’, please click here: https://eu.connect.panasonic.com/gb/en/whitepapers/navigating-shift-business-case-upgrading-windows-11

    For more information on how Panasonic’s Mobile-IT As-a-Service offering can help your organisation migrate to Windows 11, click here: https://eu.connect.panasonic.com/gb/en/toughbook/Mobile-IT-As-A-Service

    *Research Methodology
    Panasonic commissioned research from 200 decision makers from the UK and Germany (100 each) in March 2025. Respondents are involved with purchasing decisions and working for organisations with 1,000+ employees, in field services and utilities; defence; emergency services; automotive; supply chain and logistics; and manufacturing sectors.

    Panasonic Press Contact
    Lisbeth Lashmana
    Head of European Marketing, Panasonic TOUGHBOOK
    Lisbeth.Lashmana@eu.panasonic.com

    Panasonic Press Contact
    Jim Pople
    C8 Consulting
    jim@c8consulting.co.uk

    About the Panasonic Group
    Founded in 1918, and today a global leader in developing innovative technologies and solutions for wide-ranging applications in the consumer electronics, housing, devices, B2B solutions and energy sectors worldwide, the Panasonic Group switched to an operating company system on April 1, 2022, with Panasonic Holdings Corporation serving as a holding company. The Group reported consolidated net sales of Euro 51.6 billion (8,458.2 billion yen) for the year ended March 31, 2025. To learn more about the Panasonic Group, please visit: https://holdings.panasonic/global/

    About Panasonic Connect Europe GmbH
    Panasonic Connect Europe began operations on October 1st, 2021, creating a new Business-to-Business focused and agile organisation. With more than 400 employees and led by CEO Shusuke Aoki, the business aims to contribute to the success of its customers with innovative products and integrated systems and services – all designed to deliver its vision to Change Work, Advance Society and Connect to Tomorrow.

    Panasonic Connect Europe is headquartered in Wiesbaden and consist of the following business units: 

    • The Mobile Solutions Business Division helping mobile workers improve productivity with its range of Toughbook rugged notebooks, business tablets and handhelds.
    • The Media Entertainment Business Division incorporating Visual System Solutions offering a range of high brightness and reliable projectors as well as high quality displays; and Broadcast & ProAV offering Smart Live Production solutions from an end-to-end portfolio consisting of PTZ and system cameras, camcorders, the Kairos IT/IP platform, switchers and robotic solutions that are widely used for live event capture, sports production, television, and xR studios.
    • Business and Industry Solutions delivering tailored technology solutions focused on Retail, Logistics and Manufacturing. Designed to increase operational efficiency and enhance customer experience, helping businesses to perform at their best, every day.
    • Panasonic Factory Solutions Europe selling a wide range of smart factory solutions including electronics manufacturing solutions, robot and welding systems and software solutions engineering.

    For more information please visit: https://eu.connect.panasonic.com

    Please visit Panasonic Connect Europe’s LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/panasonic-connect-europe/

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The 15th China-Northeast Asia Expo will be held in Changchun

    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 23 (Xinhua) — The 15th China-Northeast Asia Expo will be held in Changchun, northeast China’s Jilin Province, from August 27 to 31, 2025, the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China announced at a press conference on Tuesday.

    As it became known, four main thematic pavilions will be opened at the EXPO this year, including the pavilion of modern industry, the pavilion of open cooperation, the pavilion of new types of consumption and new services, the pavilion of international goods and goods from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.

    The EXPO will also host business-to-business events, such as a roundtable on local cooperation in Northeast Asia, Russian Business Day, etc.

    To date, more than 8,000 businessmen from 42 countries and regions of the world, as well as 27 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government of China have confirmed their participation in the Expo, said Yang Andi, vice-chairman of the people’s government of Jilin Province.

    The China-Northeast Asia Expo has been held annually since the first event was held in 2005, and has become an important platform for reaching consensus and implementing trade and economic cooperation in the Northeast Asian region. -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 –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New Silvertown Tunnel has significantly cut congestion in east and south-east London, reducing journey times on approach roads by as much as 70 per cent in the morning peak, and boosting public transport uptake in the capital

    Source: Mayor of London

    • Latest Transport for London (TfL) monitoring data confirms the new Silvertown Tunnel is a huge success for Londoners with eased congestion, increased public transport use and improved journeys for all
    • Since the new tunnel opened on 7 April this year, on budget and on time, there is significantly less congestion around the approaches to the Blackwall Tunnel during peak morning travel hours
    • Londoners using the previously congested northbound A102 approach to the tunnels have seen a 70 per cent decrease in their journey times in the morning peak when compared to the month prior to the Silvertown Tunnel opening
    • New figures also show a huge boost in number of Londoners choosing to take public transport with improved reliability and services seeing more than 20,000 daily trips on the three zero-emission bus routes serving the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels – an increase of 160 per cent
    • Discounted travel and public transport concessions introduced by the Mayor of London and TfL are working to better connect communities to jobs, opportunities, homes and leisure

    New data published today by Transport for London (TfL) shows that the Silvertown Tunnel is easing congestion for Londoners, boosting public transport use and improving journeys for everyone [1].

    Delivered on time and on budget by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, the 1.4km Tunnel – which opened on 7 April this year and connects Silvertown to the Greenwich Peninsula in east London – is the first new road crossing east of London’s Tower Bridge in 33 years.

    Latest monitoring data from three months of operations has confirmed that the Tunnel is achieving the objectives it was designed for. These include supporting economic and population growth, in particular in east and south-east London, by providing improved cross-river transport links, and, through road user charging, managing congestion in this area of London.

    The report shows that, since the tunnel’s opening just over three months ago, the performance of the road network has improved and there is significantly less congestion around the Blackwall Tunnel approaches. This is particularly noticeable on the northbound A102 approach to the tunnels which was previously a hotspot for congestion. Now, during weekday morning peak hours, average speeds on the approach road have increased from 9mph in March 2025 – prior to the tunnel opening – to 30mph. These faster journeys mean that there has also been a 70 per cent decrease in journey times in the morning peak when compared with before the Silvertown Tunnel opened (March 2025).

    Currently, there are around 91,000 vehicles using the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels combined in both directions on a typical weekday, with almost 22,000 of these vehicles using the Silvertown Tunnel.​ It compares with around 96,000 vehicles per day using the Blackwall Tunnel before the Silvertown Tunnel opened – this is a reduction of six per cent despite a 50 per cent increase in road capacity for cars and vans.​ Of all the vehicles crossing the river at this point, only around four per cent are HGVs.

    The data published today covers the first 11 weeks of operation of the Silvertown Tunnel. TfL will continue to closely monitor and report on the scheme’s impact on congestion, resilience and air quality, in line with their obligations under the Development Consent Order for the scheme’s construction.

    The additional resilience that the new crossing provides is directly benefiting Londoners, especially when an incident occurs at the Blackwall Tunnel. Before the Silvertown Tunnel opened, daily incidents and closures caused delays of up to 20 minutes – a six-minute closure could result in three-mile tailbacks.

    There has been a 39 per cent reduction in the number of unplanned closures at the Blackwall Tunnel since the Silvertown Tunnel opened. When the Blackwall Tunnel was closed in both directions on 14 May due to a road traffic incident, there was minimal impact to traffic flow because drivers were able to use the Silvertown Tunnel, demonstrating the additional resilience that the new tunnel provides to the road network.

    Use of bus services operating through the Blackwall and Silvertown Tunnels has also increased. 

    Now, almost one in ten (nine per cent) cross-river trips through the two tunnels are being made by public transport. With new double-deck, zero-emission buses running through the Silvertown Tunnel and making use of the dedicated bus and HGV lane, more than 20,000 journeys are being made each day across new route SL4, the extended 129 and the existing 108 service, an increase of 160 per cent compared to before the scheme opened. It is estimated that around 7,000 of these journeys, which are free on pay as you go for at least the first 12 months, are crossing the river using one of the tunnels.

    In particular, Londoners who use the route 108 bus between Stratford International and Lewisham via the Blackwall Tunnel are experiencing around 23 per cent less excess waiting time – the average time passengers wait beyond the scheduled wait time – compared to the period before the Silvertown Tunnel opened, while peak northbound journey times on route 108 through the tunnel segment have reduced by 4.5 minutes. [2]

    These bus routes are working alongside a free cycle shuttle service between North Greenwich and Royal Docks. Data on use of the cycle shuttle service shows steady demand of around 125-130 cyclists daily, and usage is expected to grow as cyclists plan and adapt their routes to benefit from this innovative and free crossing option. TfL will continue working with boroughs and local stakeholders to raise awareness of the service over the summer months to encourage greater uptake.

    Across the wider road network, early analysis from the data released today shows that total traffic volumes – including on key corridors such as the A2, A12, and A13 – have remained stable and TfL is working closely to manage additional customers using the Woolwich Ferry.

    As the strategic river crossing in east London, the Blackwall and Silvertown tunnels corridor continues to carry the majority of cross-river traffic in east London as expected. Today’s new data shows that eligible TfL customers are signing up for discounts to use the Silvertown Tunnel, including the business discount for host boroughs (Greenwich, Newham and Tower Hamlets) and the east London low-income residents’ discount. [3]

    The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The new data TfL has published today clearly demonstrates the impact the new Silvertown Tunnel is having. It’s a big win for London. Since it opened in April, we have seen congestion significantly reduced at the Blackwall Tunnel, ensuring more Londoners get to their destination on time. The discounts and concessions we have put in place have also helped to encourage public transport uptake, boosting the numbers of journeys being made on the three cross-river zero-emission bus routes by 160 per cent.

    “This is encouraging early data, and we will continue to monitor the impacts of the scheme as we continue to build a better, greener and fairer London for everyone.”

    Alex Williams, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer at TfL, said: “It’s great to see that our initial analysis is showing that the new Silvertown Tunnel, supported by user charges, is already reducing congestion around the Blackwall Tunnel, improving journey times, and supporting thousands of Londoners to cross the river using public transport such as the free bus services that the tunnel facilitates.

    “We are fully committed to monitoring the impact of the tunnels, including how it impacts other river crossings and traffic along major and local roads in London, and will work hard to ensure that the benefits of the scheme are embedded to secure long-term improvements for Londoners.”

    Suzi Rullo, Senior Development Manager, Royal Docks Team, said: “The opening of the Silvertown Tunnel provides a significant boost to infrastructure in the Royal Docks – enhancing bus services, improving cycle access via the Lower Lea Crossing and delivering major upgrades to the road network around the Tidal Basin Roundabout. These new connections add to the Royal Docks excellent transport links – the Elizabeth Line, Jubilee Line, DLR and the Royal Docks Corridor road improvement initiative – helping to drive growth and unlock investment across the area.

    “As the tunnel’s construction works have completed, we are now working with TFL to release the land back to landowners in preparation for development of the Thameside West planning consent – set to deliver 5,000 new homes, strategic industrial land and a new DLR station.”

    Muniya Barua, Deputy Chief Executive at BusinessLDN, said: “It’s positive to see the Silvertown Tunnel already helping to improve journey times and reduce congestion only a few months after opening. The project shows what’s possible when the public and private sectors work in partnership to deliver vital infrastructure.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –