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Category: DJF

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New study looks for ways to help River Itchen salmon reach sea

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    New study looks for ways to help River Itchen salmon reach sea

    The Environment Agency and partners are looking for ways to improve fish passage past barriers and restore the lower River Itchen by Southampton.

    Juvenile salmon called smolt are struggling with barriers in the River Itchen. Photo by Kieran Gillingham

    • In Southampton, juvenile salmon, known as smolts, are struggling to get past barriers in the river during their journey to the sea.
    • Just upstream of the mouth of the river, the river has begun finding its own route away from the main channel.
    • The Environment Agency is working with partners to explore options to improve fish passage, restore the river and improve its resilience to climate change impacts

    The Environment Agency is looking at options to make the journey of juvenile salmon out to sea at Southampton easier. 

    Each spring, shoals of juvenile salmon, known as smolts, begin their journey to the sea. This journey begins on the River Itchen, through the estuary, and out to the sea where the salmon feed and grow before returning to the river as adults to spawn. But salmon are struggling to get past the first hurdle. The bottom section of the River Itchen where it transitions to the estuary has been changed many times historically. It was once used for transport and trade as a sea lock and onward travel to Winchester. Now, the current structures control water levels through Riverside Park.  

    Smolt are struggling to get past water control barriers on the River Itchen like Woodmill sluice

    These structures present the biggest obstacles for smolts, especially in large groups. The sharp change in water velocity created by these structures causes smolt to become hesitant and bunch up, making them vulnerable to predation and poaching. Eventually the current carries them over or under the structures and back onto their journey to the sea. But the delay impedes their migration and worsens the odds of them completing their lifecycle and eventually returning as adults to spawn. Significant changes are needed to make this critical part of the system more smolt friendly. 

    Breach

    Part of the River Itchen has ‘breached’ with water branching off the main river.

    The situation for smolts is further complicated by issues upstream in Riverside Park, where the manmade channel sits higher than the natural floodplain. Gravity has caused the river to ‘breach’ – meaning a significant amount of water is now branching off from the main river and finding its own natural course through the floodplain. For now, this does not affect the smolt who continue to follow the main course of the river, ignoring any offshoots. But over time this breach will take more water and impact the ecology of the river downstream. 

    In response to these intertwined issues, the Environment Agency has launched a study to find options to help smolts and improve the lower River Itchen chalk stream and wetland system. 

    Jackie Mellan, the Environment Agency’s project manager for this study, said:

    The River Itchen has really changed in the past 10 years – the flow of the river is diverting, salmon are at significant risk of extinction, sea level has risen, and climate change makes floods and low flows more extreme and frequent.  

    The first step is finding out what can be done to improve the river system and increase its ecological resilience. For salmon that means improving migration to the sea and boosting their odds of returning to spawn.

    Better fish passage and resilient river habitat is needed

    The change in water velocity by underwater structures causes smolt to hesitate and bunch up – making them vulnerable to predation.

    The investigation into options for the lower part of the River Itchen, from Woodmill to Mansbridge, is focused on the main River Itchen, lower Monks Brook, the breached channel, Marlhill Copse stream and neighbouring wetland areas. The study will be completed by October and is expected to identify suitable options ranging from restoring river habitat, improving fish passage and encouraging community engagement and support in the form of citizen science and active management of the area.  

    The River Itchen is a loved environment and a big part of the local community. Local groups, such as The Itchen Estuary Conservation Champions, have been active in shaping areas of focus in the project scope. The youth group has been active in the community, conducting smolt surveys and collecting water samples. Through their citizen science work they have supported the protection of salmon and advocated for more areas to be rewilded alongside salmon protection at a recent engagement event.  

    Councillor John Savage, Cabinet Member for Green City and Net Zero at Southampton City Council, said:

    We are delighted to work closely with community groups whose vital efforts help preserve, protect, and promote the River Itchen.  

    Our ongoing collaboration across various issues ensures the health of the river channels and the wellbeing of young salmon—now more important than ever.  

    Regular meetings with Southern Water and the Environment Agency reinforce our shared commitment to safeguarding this precious ecosystem for future generations.

    The River Itchen and its unique salmon

    Each spring, shoals of juvenile salmon, known as smolts, begin their journey to the sea. Photo by Kieran Gillingham

    The River Itchen is an internationally renowned chalk stream. It is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Area of Conservation and one of six chalk stream rivers in England to have Atlantic salmon, which have shaped the unique genetic makeup of this species. Despite this list of protections, the Atlantic salmon population remains at high risk of extinction. 

    In response to recent declines in Itchen salmon, the Itchen Salmon Delivery Plan was launched and brings together key conservation groups, fisheries organisations, and government agencies, including Wessex Rivers Trust, Angling Trust, Environment Agency, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, Natural England, Test & Itchen Association, WildFish, Wild Trout Trust, and Southern Water. By combining resources and expertise, the initiative aims to tackle the environmental challenges that threaten salmon populations at every stage of their lifecycle – from river to sea and back again.

    Background 

    The Itchen Salmon Delivery Plan focuses on practical solutions, including: 

    • Restoring habitat: Improving spawning and rearing habitats to support salmon at all life stages. 
    • Enhancing fish passage: Removing barriers that prevent salmon from migrating. 
    • Enhancing water quality – Reducing pollution to create a cleaner, healthier river.  
    • Managing water resources – Addressing over-abstraction to maintain natural river flows. 
    • Strengthening fisheries enforcement: Reducing illegal fishing and poaching. 
    • Engaging communities: Encouraging local people to get involved in protecting their river and its wildlife. 

    The Lower Itchen project is just one action within the plan that the Environment Agency is delivering.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Love Portsmouth pop-up shop bows out on a high!

    Source: City of Portsmouth

    The Love Portsmouth pop-up shop at Gunwharf Quays is celebrating its final weekend of trading, marking the end of a highly successful six-month run. This Portsmouth City Council initiative, delivered in partnership with Love Southsea and supported by Landsec, has exceeded expectations, attracted thousands of visitors and provided a valuable platform for local businesses.

    Originally launched in January 2025 for a three-month period, the shop’s popularity led to a three-month extension. In total, over 30 Portsmouth-based businesses have benefited from the opportunity to showcase and sell their products in a premium retail environment.

    The shop has been a springboard for innovation and collaboration. Highlights include:

    • The launch of The Fossil Thief, a new venture by Staggeringly Good Brewery in collaboration with two more Portsmouth businesses.
    • The creation of Ummi Chai, a tea blend created by a collaboration between Tea Mountain and Road from Karachi and Ummi Chai beauty products – a collaboration of Goly Natural and Road from Karachi.
    • Exclusive Portsmouth-themed merchandise developed by Love Southsea.
    • Serving as the official retail outlet for Portsmouth Pride 2025 merchandise.

    Councillor Steve Pitt, Leader of Portsmouth City Council with responsibility for economic development said:

    “The Love Portsmouth pop-up has been a fantastic showcase of our city’s entrepreneurial spirit. It’s not only helped small businesses grow but also brought a new energy to our local economy. We’re proud of what’s been achieved and are exploring how we can build on this success to support even more local talent.”

    Yvonne Clay, Centre Director at Gunwharf Quays added:

     “The Love Portsmouth pop up has been an incredible success over the last six months. The initiative has not only provided a brilliant platform for over 30 local businesses to flourish in a premium retail environment but has also brought a unique energy and diverse offering to our guests. We’re proud to have supported such a valuable project that showcases the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit of Portsmouth.”

    The Love Portsmouth shop showcases a curated selection of high-quality goods produced by local Portsmouth businesses including natural skincare by Goly Natural, handcrafted jewellery by Wild Jewellery, quality teas by Tea Mountain, handcrafted luxury candles by Salt and Blossom, sustainable designer fashion by SpottandHerbert, merchandise for Portsmouth Pride 2025 and unique children’s clothing by Little Loves Apparel. Local artists also showcased their work.

    Lulu Whitmore, Director of Love Southsea, said:

    “Love Portsmouth has been a joy to deliver. The response from the public to buy local and the success of the businesses involved has been fantastic.”

    The Love Portsmouth pop up shop was funded through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund and will close at 6pm on Monday 30 June.

    For more information visit rediscoverportsmouth.co.uk/love-portsmouth

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Interview with Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov to RIA Novosti

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Anton Alikhanov: We are fighting phantom enterprises.

    In an interview with RIA Novosti, Minister of Industry and Trade Anton Alikhanov spoke about how pseudo-Russian brands are identified, what measures the state is introducing to ensure product safety in schools and kindergartens, and the fight against illegal goods.

    Anton Alikhanov (photo: Ministry of Industry and Trade)

    A. Veselova: Anton Andreevich, what is the situation with illegal turnover of products in Russia today?

    A. Alikhanov: I would like to start by saying that ten years ago, by decision of the president, a state commission was created to combat illegal turnover of industrial products. It became the main coordinating link in the comprehensive work in the fight against the shadow market. The activities of all industry and regulatory bodies at the federal level are linked through it.

    Various tools are used to reduce the circulation of illegal products. But the most effective has become the digital marking and traceability system of goods “Honest Sign”.

    This direction is already being implemented in all EAEU countries and in Uzbekistan. In Russia, 31 product categories are monitored from the conveyor to the consumer on a mandatory basis, with 16 being subject to an experiment. The government is also considering further expansion of the system to various products, especially in the food industry and industrial goods. The Honest Sign mobile application is used by almost 28 million consumers, they have checked more than 300 million products and identified 240 thousand violations. All complaints are sent to regulatory authorities.

    A. Veselova: What effect on the economy has been recorded in the country from the introduction of labeling?

    A. Alikhanov: According to the Federal Tax Service, over the past five years the economic effect has amounted to 1.2 trillion rubles in the form of tax and other revenues to budgets at all levels. More than half of this amount was achieved by whitening the tobacco market – 627 billion rubles. The results in other product groups are also noticeable. In dairy products – 148 billion rubles, in light industry – 143 billion rubles, in the footwear segment – 85 billion rubles, in perfumery – 35 billion rubles.

    In addition to increasing state revenues, legal businesses earned an additional 687 billion rubles by increasing their market share. And according to Rosstat data, the profitability of sales has increased for all bona fide market participants. Since the launch of mandatory labeling by 2023, tobacco products have increased by 17.9%, packaged water by 13.1%, footwear by 5.7%, and dairy products by 3.2%. I would like to note that these effects have been achieved without a noticeable impact on the final price for the consumer. According to the Research Institute of the Ministry of Finance, the share of labeling in the cost price is no more than 1%.

    A. Veselova: Since April 2024, a permit regime has been in effect for a number of goods in Russia, which checks the quality of the goods through a special QR code; if the product is of poor quality, the system will not allow the buyer to purchase it. How effective is this mechanism? How does the regime protect consumers?

    A. Alikhanov: Due to the introduction of a permit regime at store checkouts, sales of 1.2 billion low-quality or illegal goods have been blocked. Among them: beer – 299 million units, milk – 243 million, tobacco – 311 million, in the light industry – 187 million, soft drinks – 110 million. This system already applies to 16 groups of goods and will be expanded this year to non-alcoholic beer, caviar, veterinary drugs, technical rehabilitation equipment and bicycles.

    The labeling system allows for batches of unsafe products to be blocked within an hour by decision of regulatory authorities. For example, Rospotrebnadzor, based on research, did this proactively with respect to six million dietary supplements across the country with dangerous levels of lithium, melatonin, and simethicone. Similarly, due to a poisoning incident, sales of a batch of 2.5 million bottles of water were promptly stopped. Thus, we now have a mechanism for quickly stopping sales of products whose quality and safety are in doubt.

    It is important that we not only control the products themselves, but also close illegal production facilities, in particular 56 tobacco factories, using control bodies. At the same time, many enterprises left the shadow sector and began to operate according to the law. This is how more than 550 “new” water producers appeared, the number of legal importers of dietary supplements increased tenfold and those who produce them tripled.

    A. Veselova: What is happening now in the sphere of state control over industrial products?

    A. Alikhanov: State control is one of the key mechanisms for consumer protection. It ensures quality control and product safety in accordance with established requirements at all stages – during production, delivery and circulation.

    Today, the safety of certain types of products is confirmed by a certificate or declaration, while there is no further state control over such products. That is, there may be cases when an unscrupulous manufacturer provides the laboratory with a so-called “golden sample” that fully complies with the requirements. This is how he receives a certificate. And the product goes to the market under this certificate, but it does not comply with the requirements. As a result, unsafe products may end up on the shelf.

    A. Veselova: Are you developing additional mechanisms to protect consumers in order to prevent unsafe products from entering the market?

    A. Alikhanov: We have developed a set of measures with the Ministry of Economic Development. First of all, these are changes to the legislation to restore state control over certain types of industrial products – I believe that it will be effective. This is confirmed by the experiment that Rosstandart is conducting on certain types of construction products and materials. We are talking about cable products, various types of cement, construction and concrete mixtures, as well as heating convectors and radiators. Over two thousand control measures have already been carried out in a year of the experiment.

    According to the inspection results, 57% of cases revealed violations of product quality requirements. Such unsafe products are recalled from the market. For example, in St. Petersburg, about 6 thousand tons of dry construction mixtures worth a total of about 104 million rubles were withdrawn from circulation. And such cases are not isolated.

    Another significant initiative in this direction was introduced by the State Duma deputies. They proposed to legislatively enshrine the regulation of technical conditions, according to which manufacturers often release their products. We fully support this approach.

    A. Veselova: What is the difference between technical conditions and technical regulations? What effect do you expect from fixing technical conditions?

    A. Alikhanov: Technical conditions today are a non-public document in which the manufacturer himself defines the requirements for his products. Formally, they should not be lower than the requirements of technical regulations. But technical regulations establish only minimum safety requirements and do not affect quality parameters. Therefore, the requirements of technical conditions may be lower than GOSTs. A simple example: if a manufacturer puts saury in a can labeled “kilka”, this may not violate safety standards or technical conditions. But it absolutely does not meet consumer expectations and, most importantly, violates GOST requirements.

    We are confident that the removal of technical specifications from the unregulated zone will increase transparency and ensure fair competition. In addition, it will involve bona fide manufacturers in the national standardization process. Ultimately, this will have a positive effect on the quality of products released into circulation and will increase consumer confidence.

    A. Veselova: What additional measures are being taken to protect products from possible attempts at counterfeiting?

    A. Alikhanov: We conducted an experiment with the Ministry of Economic Development and the CRPT, following which the government adopted Resolution No. 837, which comes into force on September 1. It strengthens control not only over the availability, but also the content of permits for goods in the labeling system. This will allow us to confirm their relevance and compliance with the declared products. If the documents do not pass the check, the products will not be allowed on the market.

    In addition, a ban on sales at the checkout will be introduced if the permits are declared invalid after the products have been put into circulation. We are currently verifying the contents of the documents with the state registers of Rosaccreditation and Rospotrebnadzor. In the future, we will expand the array of data on the products themselves and whether the company has the right to produce them. We are discussing this decision with the member countries of the association and expect a positive decision from the Eurasian Economic Commission.

    A. Veselova: How does the ministry combat pseudo-Russian brands? How acute is this issue today?

    A. Alikhanov: We are conducting an experiment to identify such manufacturers and phantom enterprises. For example, more than 2.8 thousand shoe manufacturers are registered in the marking system, of which almost 470 are in Moscow. If the system reveals, based on risk indicators, that the activities of such companies deviate from the norm and raise suspicions, then representatives of the CRPT and Rospotrebnadzor conduct an on-site inspection. In fact, they determine whether there is real production or just a legal entity that legalizes illegal products.

    The first results showed that 92% of inspections of footwear, consumer goods and dietary supplements were fake enterprises. Their addresses were found to be vacant lots, residential buildings or abandoned buildings. These companies tried to “legalize” products that did not correspond to the declared documents. In some cases, there is reason to believe that these are imports that are registered as products of Russian origin in order to evade customs duties and control.

    Based on the results of the experiment, a mechanism was developed to limit the issuance of marking codes to such legal entities and block their products. Before the traceability system appeared, this was impossible to do. For now, we have extended this algorithm to the least regulated industries – footwear, light industry, perfumery, tires and dietary supplements. Then we will cover other product categories.

    A. Veselova: Anton Andreevich, there was information on the Internet about the incorrect operation of the marking system in case of unstable Internet operation? Do you know about this, does such a problem really exist?

    A. Alikhanov: Since March 1, 2025, an offline mode has been introduced for a number of product groups that require mandatory labeling, which allows checking the product even without the Internet. To do this, a special local module of the system is installed at the checkout, into which a database of labeled products is loaded. When attempting to make a sale, the system first accesses the online database, and if the check fails, for example, due to the lack of Internet, it loads data from the local module. Thus, the system ensures correct operation even during temporary Internet problems.

    A. Veselova: Today, more and more people use marketplaces, but it is difficult to check the quality of goods there. What measures do you plan to take in connection with counterfeit products on marketplaces?

    A. Alikhanov: In our opinion, it is necessary to strengthen control over marketplaces in order to exclude violations when selling marked goods on the Internet. The draft law “On the platform economy” provides for the obligations of trading platforms to check the registration of the seller, the product and its code in the marking system. If any of these criteria are not met, the offer should not be reflected in the buyer’s search. While such requirements have not yet been enshrined in law, CRPT has entered into agreements with the largest marketplaces: Yandex, Wildberries, SberMegaMarket, Samokat, Ozon, AliExpress and Russian Post. These online platforms have undertaken to independently check customer complaints received through the Honest Sign application and take action against violators. According to the marking system, 95% of complaints were confirmed. In relation to a third of them, marketplaces applied sanctions: fines, blocking goods or warnings. For the rest, sellers received notifications demanding that they eliminate the violations.

    A. Veselova: Today, goods from the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union cross customs under a simplified regime. There are frequent cases where goods illegally enter one of these countries and then travel to Russia. Is the Ministry working on measures to strengthen control in such cases?

    A. Alikhanov: Our country is the largest market in the EAEU and, of course, there are cases that you mentioned. Often these goods then end up, for example, in the fake production facilities that I mentioned earlier.

    To solve the problem, it is necessary, firstly, to harmonize the list of goods that are subject to mandatory labeling. That is, the nomenclature must be uniform in all EAEU countries. This is what we are discussing with our colleagues.

    Secondly, it is necessary to ensure regular verification of information from the labeling system with data from the EAEU member states on goods sent to Russia. This also concerns the verification of mirror customs statistics and the country of origin of the goods.

    A. Veselova: What effect do you expect from the experiment to control the supply of unsafe and low-quality food products to social institutions?

    A. Alikhanov: With the introduction of a permit regime at cash registers and the integration of the marking system with Mercury, counterfeit products were blocked from entering stores. But we see that dubious products have begun to appear in schools and hospitals where there are no cash registers.

    In order to set a barrier for it, at the end of last year, we decided at the state commission to start an experiment in the labeling system to control the supply of food products to the social sphere. So far, it covers several regions – Krasnodar, Perm, Stavropol and Khabarovsk Territories, Moscow and Novosibirsk Regions, St. Petersburg. We will complete it by September, having created criteria and a mechanism for stopping this practice. The experiment affects packaged water and dairy products, which are subject to labeling. In the near future, we will make such control mandatory, since we are already seeing successful results.

    A. Veselova: What are the prospects for the development of the labeling system in Russia in the future?

    A. Alikhanov: The introduction of labeling is advisable for goods that are most sensitive to illegal trafficking. Therefore, the government will systematically expand the range of products, including industrial products. We are conducting experiments on radio electronics, building materials, and radiators. We are working on traceability issues for the raw materials from which these goods are made.

    We will scale and develop the labeling system, supplement it with new functionality. That is, we will continue to narrow the opportunities for various tricks that pose a threat to human health and undermine food and economic security.

    Source – RIA Novosti.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Working Group on Patriotic Education holds third meeting (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Working Group on Patriotic Education holds third meeting  
         This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression as well as the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War (80A). The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government places great importance on planning 80A commemorative activities. The Chief Executive clearly stated in last year’s Policy Address that the Government will host a series of commemorative activities to further enhance the public’s spirit of patriotism and sense of national belonging. The Working Group is responsible for co-ordinating the relevant bureaux and departments in organising various commemorative activities.
     
         The Chairman of the CBLPSC and Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Chan Kwok-ki, said that over the past few months, various bureaux and departments have been formulating proposals and making preparations for different types of commemorative activities. At today’s meeting, the Working Group discussed the content of various commemorative activities and the four core spirits and principles that should be upheld in planning these activities. First, activities should be guided by the core spirit of “remembering history, honouring martyrs, cherishing peace, and creating a great future” and based on correct historical perspectives, so that members of the public can thoroughly understand the history of the War of Resistance and work together to cherish and safeguard peace. Second, Hong Kong’s contributions to the victory in the War of Resistance should be highlighted, along with in-depth research into historical materials about Hong Kong’s wartime history as well as proper restoration and protection of war-related sites. Third, the activities should have a focus on young people, with a view to helping them learn about the history of the War of Resistance and the arduous journey towards national prosperity and strength, thereby fostering their sense of national identity and spirit. Fourth, people from all walks of life should be engaged, including motivating and supporting different community groups to organise commemorative events, and encouraging the public to actively participate in such events.
     
         The Convenor of the Working Group, Dr Starry Lee, said that the four sub-groups under the Working Group had separately held meetings, focusing on putting forward plans and proposals on related commemorative activities across four aspects, namely education; local community; history, politics, economics and culture; and media publicity. The Working Group will continue to work closely with relevant bureaux and departments of the HKSAR Government, aiming to deepen public understanding of the history of the War of Resistance through commemorative activities that are diverse in type and rich in content, and thus make the patriotic spirit take root in Hong Kong.
     
         Currently, preparations for various activities to commemorate the victory in the War of Resistance are progressing steadily. These include an official ceremony at the Hong Kong City Hall Memorial Garden on September 3, the Victory Day of the War of Resistance, to honour the occasion; thematic exhibitions co-organised by the Hong Kong Museum of History and the National Museum of China, as well as the Hong Kong Museum of the War of Resistance and Coastal Defence and the Guangdong Museum of Revolutionary History; educational activities for members of the public, young people and students; and screenings of war-related films. In addition, different community groups have been organising commemorative activities in various forms. The HKSAR Government will announce more details in due course and release information on commemorative events, exhibitions and educational activities through a dedicated webpage to facilitate public viewing and participation.
    Issued at HKT 19:42

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Taxi fleet job fair to be held

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Transport Department said today that a job fair for the recruitment of taxi fleet drivers will be held on Wednesday at the Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices.

    The fair is being jointly organised by the Labour Department and three taxi fleet operators. It will aim to enhance job seekers’ understanding of taxi fleets and give fleet operators a chance to meet their recruitment needs. 

    Job seekers will be able to submit job applications on-site and may be invited to on-the-spot interviews.

    The fair will be held from 2.30pm to 5pm at the Kowloon West Job Centre in Sham Shui Po and admission is free.

    According to the operators, they will offer various incentives to fleet drivers, including a referral bonus for new drivers and safe driving bonuses. They will also provide flexible working hour arrangements.

    The operators will offer pre-service training to enhance drivers’ customer service skills. Passengers will be able to schedule trip using online hailing platforms, thereby increasing drivers’ potential income.

    In addition, operators will implement systematic management to support drivers in handling customer enquiries and feedback, creating a better working environment.

    The department is setting up designated fleet taxi stopping places at the airport, certain boundary control points to provide convenience for fleet drivers in picking up passengers on pre-booked trips.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • India advances carbon pricing reforms to meet climate goals

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India is moving steadily towards establishing a comprehensive carbon pricing ecosystem aimed at meeting its climate and development commitments. With the formal adoption of the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) in July 2024 and increasing alignment with global carbon markets, the country is setting the stage for a structured, rate-based Emissions Trading System (ETS).

    According to the World Bank’s State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2025 report, India has emerged as a notable player among emerging economies—alongside Brazil and Türkiye—in advancing carbon pricing frameworks and climate finance tools.

    A Transition to Rate-Based Emissions Trading

    Unlike cap-based systems where total emissions are limited, India’s ETS follows a rate-based model. Here, emissions are not capped outright, but each entity is assigned a performance benchmark to limit net emissions relative to output. This model offers greater flexibility, particularly for fast-growing economies like India, by accommodating industrial expansion while maintaining climate discipline.

    The national ETS is set to initially cover nine energy-intensive sectors, including cement, steel, and power generation. Facilities outperforming benchmark emission levels will be issued tradable Credit Certificates. The scheme thus rewards efficiency while laying the groundwork for the Indian Carbon Market (ICM).

    India’s Ministry of Power approved eight methodologies on March 28, 2025, for generating voluntary carbon credits. These include renewable energy, green hydrogen production, industrial energy efficiency, and mangrove afforestation. This move supports the broader aim of transitioning from existing schemes such as the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) programme to a market-ready, credit-based system.

    Emerging Economies in Comparison

    Among peer economies, China operates a similar rate-based ETS focused on the power and heavy industrial sectors. Indonesia, too, follows a rate-based structure and has recently expanded its coverage. Brazil stands apart with a cap-based system, legislated in December 2024, covering all sectors barring agriculture. India’s carbon pricing framework is currently in the regulatory phase but is expected to become operational within the next fiscal year.

    Voluntary Carbon Market: Expanding the Scope

    India is developing a voluntary carbon market to include sectors currently outside the purview of the compliance mechanism. These encompass agriculture, afforestation, and clean cooking initiatives. The objective is to channel private capital towards climate-positive projects through transparent crediting mechanisms and market participation.

    The regulatory backbone for this voluntary market is provided by the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022. This law empowers the central government to issue carbon credit certificates, thereby legitimising both compliance and voluntary credit markets.

    Policy Support and Institutional Framework

    Several flagship initiatives are helping fortify India’s carbon market architecture. Among them is the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to produce 5 million metric tonnes of green hydrogen annually by 2030. The mission is closely tied to the carbon credit mechanism through approved methodologies that recognise hydrogen’s potential as a low-emission fuel.

    Meanwhile, the PAT scheme—implemented by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) since 2012—has achieved a 15–25% reduction in emissions intensity in targeted sectors. It will gradually integrate with the ETS, ensuring a seamless policy transition.

    India’s renewable energy ambitions remain central to its climate policy. The government aims to install 500 GW of non-fossil fuel-based power capacity by 2030, with carbon pricing acting as a complementary instrument to accelerate this shift.

    Market Readiness and Governance

    To strengthen governance, the National Steering Committee for the Indian Carbon Market (NSCICM) has been constituted. It includes representatives from key ministries, state governments, and industry stakeholders. The Committee is responsible for setting targets, issuing guidelines, and ensuring transparency in market operations. It also oversees the development of international trading mechanisms and verifies emission intensity reductions.

    The Bureau of Energy Efficiency, functioning under the Ministry of Power, plays a pivotal role as the technical arm of India’s climate governance. Since its inception in 2002, BEE has deployed a combination of regulatory and market-based tools to drive energy efficiency across sectors such as industry, buildings, transport, and agriculture.

    Enabling Behavioural Shifts

    India’s approach also includes behavioural interventions. Launched as a global movement at COP27, Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) encourages individuals to adopt climate-friendly daily habits. The mission aims to mobilise one billion people by 2028 and transform 80% of Indian villages and urban bodies into green communities.

    Complementing this is the Green Credit Programme (GCP), which was notified in October 2023 under the Environment Protection Act, 1986. GCP promotes tree plantation on degraded forest land, issuing digital credits to participants—ranging from individuals to corporations—who maintain the plantations over a decade. The scheme is designed to expand India’s green cover and incentivise voluntary environmental stewardship.

    Towards a Carbon-Conscious Economy

    India’s carbon pricing journey is firmly grounded in the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC), ensuring that climate action remains equitable and context-specific. With institutional structures now in place and policy backing strong, the country is poised to lead by example in aligning economic development with environmental sustainability.

  • MIL-OSI Russia: To Svetlana Kryuchkova, People’s Artist of Russia.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Mikhail Mishustin congratulated the theater and film actress on her anniversary.

    The telegram states, in particular:

    “Your bright, multifaceted talent, acting skills and selfless dedication to your work have earned you well-deserved professional recognition, sincere love and admiration of the audience, and have been awarded high state awards and prizes.

    I wish you inexhaustible inspiration, good health and all the best.”

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 23 June 2025 One optometrist’s mission to transform eye care in Somalia

    Source: World Health Organisation

    Based in Mogadishu, Dr Kalif leads a life of tireless dedication. Each afternoon, he treats patients in his private clinic, offering essential eye care in a setting where such services are scarce. He also teaches at the only optometry faculty in southern and central Somalia—home to the majority of the country’s population.  

    In addition, he is the Project Manager of Charity Vision Somalia, overseeing the country’s first free comprehensive vision eye care center. And every Friday, he travels 30 kilometers outside the capital to run eye camps, providing checkups for villages who, in many cases, have never had their eyes examined in their lives. 

    Dr Kalif’s commitment is deeply personal. In the early 2000s, his grandmother was left aphakic (the condition of having no lens in the eye) after undergoing cataract surgeryand forced to rely on thick  +10.00 diopter that left bruises on her face. “Her glasses were so heavy they left painful marks on her nose,” Mohamed recalls. “I used to tell her that one day, I’d become an eye doctor and make things better for her.” Although she passed away before he could finish his education, her struggle remains a powerful source of inspiration behind his misión to make eye care more accessible for everyone. 

    Somalia lacks resources, and eye care does not receive much attention. But Mohamed refuses to let these challenges hold him back. Using simple tools and a single donated room in a voluntary hospital, he and his team treat over 100 patients every month for free. He focuses on creating solutions with what is on hand. “You don’t need magic,you just need a system.”  

    Technology is helping him build that system. After discovering the WHOeyes app through LinkedIn—a free vision screening tool developed by the World Health Organization (WHO)— Dr Kalif contacted WHO to translate the tool into Somali.   

    Today, he encourages families to check their eyesight and identify early signs of vision impairment. He also collaborates with local health platforms to spread awareness and plans to promote the app through social media videos. “It is easy to use and very effective,” he explains. “In a country like Somalia where awareness is lacking, this app could change lives.” 

    One of the biggest obstacles, he says, is a widespread lack of knowledge. Many parents and teachers don’t realize that children might be struggling with their vision. Over the years, Dr Kalif has screened hundreds of schoolchildren and discovered preventable conditions going unnoticed. He recalls a 17-year-old girl who lived with blurred vision in one eye her whole life. “She told me, ‘I thought everyone’s left eye was like this,’” he says. “When she smiled after getting her glasses, that’s the moment that keeps me motivated.” 

    But Dr. Kalif’s ambition reaches beyond individuals—he is focused on transforming the entire system.  He played a key role in setting up Somalia’s first optometry training program, which celebrated its first group of graduates in 2024. He is also teaming up with the National eye health coordinator of the Ministry of Health and the WHO country office in Somalia to complete the first ECSAT (Eye care situation analysis tool) and prepare a national eye health strategy. His goal is to link Somali professionals with global training programs to gain expertise without always needing help from outside specialists. 

    In a country where healthcare is often limited and vision care is rarely prioritized,  Dr Kalif stays optimistic. “Vision changes lives,” he explains. “I’ve watched people go from being jobless to providing for their families all because they could see again.” 

    His vision for the future is simple. “Eye care everywhere in Somalia. That’s my life’s mission”. 

     

     

    Note: 

    About optometry 
    Optometry is a healthcare profession that is autonomous, educated, and regulated (licensed/registered), and optometrists are the primary healthcare practitioners of the eye and visual system who provide comprehensive eye and vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, detection/diagnosis and management of disease in the eye, and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system. According to the World Council of Optometry, an optometries holds a bachelor’s degree or higher from a tertiary-level educational institution.  

    About WHOeyes 

    WHOeyes is a free, population-facing mobile software application to check near and distance visual acuity. Regular visual acuity checks can ensure that vision impairment is identified at the earliest so that you can take action to continue enjoying your sight. You can learn more and download it here. 

    “,”datePublished”:”2025-06-23T11:14:46.0000000+00:00″,”image”:”https://cdn.who.int/media/images/default-source/topics/health-and-well-being/disability/blindness-and-vision-impairment/mohamed-optometrist-have-vision.png?sfvrsn=7e3681c0_3″,”publisher”:{“@type”:”Organization”,”name”:”World Health Organization: WHO”,”logo”:{“@type”:”ImageObject”,”url”:”https://www.who.int/Images/SchemaOrg/schemaOrgLogo.jpg”,”width”:250,”height”:60}},”dateModified”:”2025-06-23T11:14:46.0000000+00:00″,”mainEntityOfPage”:”https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/one-optometrist-s-mission-to-transform-eye-care-in-somalia”,”@context”:”http://schema.org”,”@type”:”Article”};
    ]]>

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: 95 dead in Eastern Cape floods, as search and recovery efforts continue

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Eastern Cape Provincial Government has announced that a total of 95 bodies have been recovered across various districts, following the recent floods, including the bodies of two teenage males discovered yesterday afternoon.

    This as the search and recovery efforts continue.

    “Out of the recovered bodies, 86 have been identified and have been collected by their families and processes are underway for the identification of the remaining bodies,” the provincial government said in a statement on Monday.

    The provincial government said it was coordinating the provision of burial support for the victims of the disaster. This includes the storage of the bodies, burial services and transportation of the remains to the area identified by the families for burial. 

    “The provision of this support has been made possible through support from AVBOB and government is also engaging with other funeral parlours with a view to mobilise support in line with the needs of the family.

    “Government has provided support to 26 deceased persons that were buried from Thursday to this weekend,” the provincial government said. 

    In addition to the burial services, government has provided the following support to the bereaved families:

    • The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has extended the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, and this includes the provision of financial support towards funeral preparations.

    • Grocery hampers donated by Interlink Express.

    • The Department of Education has provided financial support of R5000 per deceased learners.

    • Various local municipalities are assisting with grave preparation where required.

    • Home Affairs emergency and mobile services for bereaved and displaced families.

    • The Department of Home Affairs has deployed three mobile offices each in Butterworth and Mthatha. 

    “Through this intervention, 311 in Mthatha and 145 in Butterworth affected individuals are being assisted to replace their birth certificates and IDs that were lost as a result of the disaster. All six mobile offices will remain on site this week to continue to provide support to the survivors as they rebuild their lives,” the statement said.

    Search and recovery efforts 

    The integrated search and recovery teams have been assisted by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) members who continue to work tirelessly to locate and recover any remaining bodies.

    From Monday, the search and recovery teams will be joined by a team from the North West Provincial Government, increasing the number of teams to four.

    The provincial government has welcomed the support of government institutions and non-governmental organisations who have been part of rescue and recovery efforts, including the provision of humanitarian support.

    Eastern Cape Acting Premier, Mlungisi Mvoko, has acknowledged the role played by ordinary citizens in continuously cooperating with authorities and providing the necessary assistance during this challenging time.

    “The provincial government is committed to speeding up efforts of ensuring that affected communities are supported to rebuild their lives,” the provincial government said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region has 54 sister cities

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 23 (Xinhua) — Urumqi, capital of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Samarkand, capital of Uzbekistan’s Samarkand Province, established sister city relations following the recently held second China-Central Asia Summit, bringing the number of sister cities of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to 54 from 16 countries in Asia, Europe, North America and Oceania, the Xinjiang Daily newspaper reported on Monday, citing a source from the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

    According to the report, back in August 2023, the authorities of Urumqi and Samarkand signed an agreement of intent to establish sister city relations, this step is aimed at promoting bilateral cooperation in trade, economy, culture, education, tourism, health care and other fields in various forms in order to stimulate the common prosperity and development of both cities.

    To date, sister city relations have been established between Urumqi and 14 cities in 12 countries, including Peshawar in Pakistan, Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, Almaty in Kazakhstan and Narrandera in Australia.

    These facts show Xinjiang’s expanded opening to the outside world, which is also reflected in the region’s foreign trade. According to statistics, in the first five months of this year, Xinjiang traded with 222 countries and regions around the world, with foreign trade turnover amounting to 227.67 billion yuan (about 31.75 billion U.S. dollars), up 22.9 percent year on year. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Presentation of Russian-language documentary prose “Chinese Seeds” held in China

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 23 (Xinhua) — The presentation of the Russian-language documentary prose “Chinese Seeds or How I Grew Wheat in Kazakhstan” took place in Beijing last week.

    The event was held as part of the 31st Beijing International Book Fair, which ended on Sunday in the Chinese capital, the Keji Ribao/Science and Technology Daily newspaper reported.

    The authors of the new book are Jin Min, chief correspondent of the Nongye Kejibao (Agricultural Science and Technology Newspaper), and Zhang Zhengmao, a leading researcher at the Northwest University of Agriculture and Forestry.

    The documentary prose “Chinese Seeds” details the cultivation of high-quality wheat varieties and the results of cooperation between scientific researchers from both sides, which served as a vivid example of the mutual convergence of the aspirations of the peoples of the two countries within the framework of the joint construction of the “Belt and Road”.

    “Chinese Seeds or How I Grew Wheat in Kazakhstan” was published in Chinese in March 2023. According to the plan, this book will also be published in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Korean.

    The author of the book, Zhang Zhengmao, who was in Astana, presented to the participants of the presentation via video link the development of the Chinese-Kazakhstani project of the Research Center for Analysis and Testing of Grain Quality.

    The new book was published by Guangxi Kesuejishu Chubanshe (Guangxi Science and Technology) Publishing House. Its director, Cen Gang, said the publication of the book will further promote exchanges between China and Kazakhstan. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Exclusive: China and Kazakhstan open a new chapter in cooperation in the field of sustainable development technologies – President of the NAS of the Republic of Kazakhstan

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    Astana, June 23 (Xinhua) — China and Kazakhstan are opening a new chapter in cooperation in the field of sustainable development technologies, Akhilbek Kurishbayev, President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NAS RK) and Rector of the Kazakh National Agrarian Research University (KazNAIU), said in an interview with Xinhua.

    The Kazakhstan-China Center for Science and Technology Transfer, established in February 2025 at the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan jointly with the Zhejiang University of Technology and leading Chinese high-tech companies, opens a new page in the development of innovative partnership. Within its structure, the International Joint Laboratory of Spatio-Temporal Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Sustainable Development is being formed, which has already outlined priority areas at the launch stage.

    “A stable platform will be formed on the basis of the center, on which scientists from Kazakhstan, China and other countries of the Central Asian region will work according to a single program, with clearly defined goals and objectives, concentrating resources on conducting research and obtaining effective results, including adapting Chinese technologies to national conditions,” noted A. Kurishbayev.

    According to him, organizational and technical preparatory work is in full swing, and the laboratory will begin full-scale operations in the near future.

    “We have high hopes for the work of this center and its laboratory. I am sure that these hopes will be justified,” shared A. Kurishbaev. “The basis for this is our common desire for cooperation and the concentration of common scientific potential to solve a single problem,” he added.

    Speaking about his own contribution to the development of bilateral scientific cooperation, A. Kurishbayev recalled that since 2007, as Vice Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, he took the most active part in establishing and developing mutually beneficial cooperation with China. The first steps in developing cooperation in the field of science and trade in agriculture were agreements on phytosanitary and veterinary safety.

    According to him, a lot of work has been done since then: joint laboratories have been created, internships have been organized, and the Alliance for Agricultural Education, Science, and Innovation in the Field of Great Silk Road Technologies has been formed.

    “I have been to China many times, visited leading research institutes and universities,” he shared. “The scale of development of artificial intelligence, smart cities, green technologies, genetics, as well as approaches to modeling natural disasters are impressive.”

    Kazakhstan, according to him, has prospects in such areas as digitalization of the agricultural sector, water technologies, natural resource management and sustainable development of rural areas – it is in these areas that deep and practice-oriented cooperation with Chinese scientific schools is possible.

    He also emphasized the importance of environmental partnership: “Our countries are located in a single ecosystem of the Central Asian region, and we are doomed not only to live here together, but also to bear responsibility for its preservation and improvement. Therefore, it is extremely important for us to search for new environmentally friendly technologies that allow us to move away from “dirty” production and take the path of “green” development and, on this basis, create conditions for a more comfortable life not only for the present, but also for future generations. This is our sacred duty, and we have no other way. We all understand this very well.”

    A. Kurishbaev also noted the deteriorating environmental situation in the world. According to him, the negative consequences will be felt especially strongly by the fragile ecosystem of Central Asia. “This process can only be stopped by joint efforts, based on the results of research by our scientific organizations. All this is in our hands. This requires not only our joint desires, but also our determination to implement them in practice,” concluded A. Kurishbaev. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Israel strikes military targets in western Iran

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    JERUSALEM, June 23 (Xinhua) — The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out new strikes on targets in Kermanshah province in western Iran, the IDF said on Monday.

    The Israeli Air Force struck what it called “military infrastructure” — launch pads and storage facilities for surface-to-surface missiles, the military said in a statement. More than 15 warplanes took part in the operation.

    The strikes came shortly after Iran fired a rocket at Israel before dawn, sending air raid sirens ringing across much of the country. The Israeli military said the rocket was shot down and there were no casualties or damage.

    The Iranian attack followed US President Donald Trump’s suggestion of possible regime change in Iran. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Nguyen’s Injectable Piezoelectric Gel Could Treat Osteoarthritis without Surgery

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Millions of Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, a painful joint disease that wears down cartilage and can severely impact mobility. Pain medications only mask symptoms, and surgical option carry risks of infection and immune rejection.

    Thanh Nyugen examines a sample of piezoelectric nanofibers which will be used for the injectable hydrogel for cartilage regeneration. (Contributed photo)

    At the University of Connecticut, a research team led by Thanh Nguyen, associate professor of mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering, believes the future of joint repair might lie in a tiny electrical spark—and a simple injection.

    Backed by a $2.3M grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), Nguyen and his team are developing an injectable hydrogel designed to stimulate cartilage regeneration in large animal models.

    “With current treatments, we’re managing the pain, not healing the tissue,” says Nguyen. “We’re hoping that the body’s own mechanical movements—like walking—can generate tiny electrical signals that encourage cartilage to grow back.”

    The innovation harnesses the body’s natural bioelectric signals to promote healing. The injectable gel contains a piezoelectric scaffold—a composite made from biodegradable poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) nanofibers and magnesium oxide nanoparticles. When subjected to mechanical stress—such as joint movement or ultrasound—this scaffold generates small electrical charges.

    “By delivering [electrical] signals directly to damaged areas, the scaffold can stimulate cell activity and encourage the regeneration of strong, durable cartilage, particularly in high-load joints like the knees and hips.” — Thanh Nguyen, College of Engineering

    These mimic the body’s natural electrical cues that guide tissue development and repair.

    “By delivering these signals directly to damaged areas, the scaffold can stimulate cell activity and encourage the regeneration of strong, durable cartilage, particularly in high-load joints like the knees and hips,” Nguyen says. “This method also is cell-free and drug-free, a major advantage over traditional regenerative therapies that often require lab-grown stem cells.”

    The new grant-funded study, titled “Injectable Cell-Free Piezoelectric Scaffold to Treat Osteoarthritis in Large Animal Models,” will run through 2029. It’s based on two previous studies by Nguyen, his former postdoctoral fellow Yang Liu (now a professor at Peking University, China) and his former student Tra Vinikoor ’24 Ph.D. (now an advisor at the federal Food and Drug Administration). In these studies, the team injected the gel into the knees of rabbits with damaged cartilage, and within two months, saw re-formed, functional cartilage in the animals’ knees.

    Their work was published in the top medical journals of Science Translational Medicine and Nature Communication. (See previous UConn Today articles: Regrowing Cartilage in a Damaged Knee Gets Closer to Fixing Arthritis and Gel Repairs Cartilage Without Surgery, With Electricity)

    Nguyen’s team will spend the next four years testing the injectable gel’s effectiveness in large animal models. This is a key step before human clinical trials. (contributed photo)

    Over the next four years, Nguyen’s team will test the gel’s effectiveness in large animal models, a key step before human clinical trials. Along with four other active NIH Research Project (RO1) grants funding Nguyen’s work with piezoelectric biomaterials, the group hopes that the result of this project will successfully demonstrate that a single injection, followed by brief external ultrasound sessions, can significantly restore cartilage function in severe osteoarthritis cases.

    Nguyen’s research is highly interdisciplinary and at the interface of biomaterials, nano/micro-technology, and medicine. He credits the project’s progress to a “deeply collaborative” environment at UConn, where engineering and biomedical science intersect in innovative ways.

    The NIH/NIBIB grant is the fourth grant Nguyen received in FY25. Others include: “MAP Technology for Single-Admin and Co-Delivery of Polio and Other Vxs,” supported by a $4M grant from the Gates Foundation; “Bionic Self-Charged Bone Composite Scaffold,” supported by a $2.1 award from NIH/NIBIB; and “Advancing Multi-bNAbs Microneedle Patch Technology For HIV-1 Prevention in Breastfeeding Infants,” supported by a $1.5M grant from NIH/National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

    In addition, Nguyen served as the Materials Research Society’s Early Career Distinguished Presenter at the organization’s meeting in 2025. He spoke about his work on “Current Advances of Biodegradable and Biocompatible nanofiber-based materials for tissue engineering and drug delivery.”

    “We’re building hope for people who’ve been told their only option is a joint replacement,” he says.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gift Brings UConn’s Immersive Holocaust and Bias Awareness Program to High School Students

    Source: US State of Connecticut

    Students in some Greater Hartford schools will get the chance to learn about reducing bias and antisemitism through a new UConn program that uses powerful, interactive experiences. Organizers hope to eventually expand the program statewide.

    The Morris and Judy Sarna Breaking Bias & Creating Community Program in UConn’s Neag School of Education enables students to ask Holocaust survivors questions through a high-tech, immersive program from the USC Shoah Foundation.

    Students also engage with “The Journey Back” from the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. “The Journey Back” is a virtual reality experience where survivors take students on a journey that mirrors their experiences during the Holocaust, including visits to the Auschwitz concentration camp.

    Students also learn through a customized photo exhibit in their school that depicts the various perspectives and identities representing their schools and communities. For example, the West Hartford program will feature several photos of a local man who is a World War II veteran. The images show him variously playing cards, standing with a life-size photo of himself in his military uniform, and holding a Jewish star badge given to him by a French family he helped rescue during the war.

    The idea behind the Breaking Bias & Creating Community Program is to reduce hatred and build awareness, empathy, and community by understanding different perspectives and by studying past examples of antisemitism and racism.

    The cutting-edge program piloted last year at E.O. Smith High School in Storrs and will be launched in West Hartford middle and high schools in September. Glastonbury schools will host the program the following year. The program is expected to reach tens of thousands of students in multiple Connecticut school districts over the next decade.

    The program was made possible by a generous gift to the Neag School of Education from Judy Sarna and her late husband, Morris, who was a Holocaust survivor.

    “In essence, the goal is about reducing bias and building community,” explains Alan Marcus, the UConn Curriculum and Instruction professor who developed and directs the program. “The program is designed to help students develop empathy by seeing other people’s perspectives and being able to have conversations with them.”

    The program is designed to help students develop empathy by seeing other people’s perspectives and being able to have conversations with them. &#8212 Alan Marcus, Curriculum and Instruction professor

    The program also involves UConn students majoring in teacher education and graduate students. The UConn students help teach the programs in the schools, gaining hands-on, experiential learning. The gift from the Sarnas supports one of the University’s key campaign goals to invest in academic and innovation excellence.

    Judy Sarna says she and her husband, Morris, became involved in the program because they were increasingly worried about the rise in antisemitism and racism they were seeing around the world.

    Morris Sarna, who passed away Jan. 17 at age 97, was imprisoned in a series of Nazi concentration camps for four years starting at age 12. He and his brothers, Jack and Charles, survived and were liberated from the Czestochowa camp. Another brother, Joseph, survived the Mauthausen camp. But their parents and two youngest brothers were murdered in the Belzec extermination camp.

    Judy Sarna explains how they first got involved with the UConn program.

    “One day, my husband said, the world is getting like 1938 Germany,” Sarna says. “What can we do? There’s so much antisemitism.”

    Soon after, her niece told her about UConn’s program. The niece had learned about it through a friend, Carmen Effron ’72 (ED), ’81 MBA, who serves on the Neag Dean’s Board of Advocates. Judy immediately knew that she wanted to support the program.

    “I said, ‘Morris, I found the project for us. This is something we can do,” she says.

    One day, my husband said, ‘the world is getting like 1938 Germany. What can we do? There’s so much antisemitism.’ … I said, ‘Morris, I found the project for us. This is something we can do.’ &#8212 Judy Sarna

    Judy Sarna says it is important for new generations to learn about the Holocaust to make sure it is never repeated. She hopes the program will help foster more of a sense of understanding and community.

    “I think the Holocaust is an important piece of history. It shows how governments and people can be swayed and taken for a ride in a direction that generations will be sorry for,” she says. “It’s not impossible for the right person at the right time, who’s a great speaker, to really turn the world upside down.”

    She believes the innovative technology behind the program is more engaging for younger generations than more traditional methods, such as reading “The Diary of Anne Frank.”

    “This is a wonderful opportunity to take a pilot project, created by someone with great credentials and backed by a university, and watch it flower into something bigger,” she says.

    “The Sarnas’ donation is the largest gift from a single, private donor that the Neag School has received in the past 25 years,” Neag School Dean Jason G. Irizarry says. “We are grateful to Morris and Judy for their amazing generosity and their recognition of this groundbreaking program’s enormous potential. Using cutting-edge technology to build community and empathy among middle and high school students is the kind of innovative excellence that UConn and the Neag School are known for. I am excited to see the program reach students throughout Connecticut and the nation, thanks to the Sarnas’ support.”

    Sarna hopes the program continues to expand, perhaps someday becoming part of a statewide or even national curriculum. She urges others to consider supporting the program.

    “This is a place where even a small amount of money can go a long way,” she says. “You’re educating teachers and students and that goes on and on generationally well beyond the program.”

    Support the Morris and Judy Sarna Breaking Bias & Creating Community Program fund through the UConn Foundation. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Three men jailed for a series of watch robberies

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Three men have been jailed following a Met Police investigation into a series of high-value watch robberies in central London.

    Met detectives used CCTV to identify the group of violent repeat offenders who carried out two robberies on consecutive days.

    The Met is focused on reducing the number of robberies taking place on the streets of London by targeting robbery hotspots with increased patrols. This action prevents and deters robberies from taking place, as we work to identify, apprehend and deter potential offenders.

    In this case, detectives tenaciously recovered and viewed hours of CCTV footage to link one vehicle and offenders to the three robberies, discovering the offenders had conducted surveillance on members of the public to identify their victims.

    On 25 June and 26 June 2024, the group struck. Three victims across Stratton Street and Brewer Street in Mayfair were threatened with violence as they tried to prevent the robbers from making off with their high value watches – two of which were stolen.

    The offenders were arrested on 30 July 2024 and clothing worn at the time of the offences was recovered, cementing the links between the offenders and the incidents. The offenders were later charged and remanded in custody.

    Detective Inspector Lizzie Beeston, who led the Met’s investigation, said: “Our investigation has ensured three violent offenders have been removed from our streets.

    “Every robbery has a significant impact on the victim. This is a violent crime that leaves a significant, lasting effect on the victim.

    “Tackling violent crime in all its forms is one of the Met’s priorities and we are determined to reduce the number of robberies. As part of the New Met for London Plan, localised proactive teams have been set up to deal with robberies affecting our local communities.”

    Tedros Haile, 35 (08.09.89) of Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith, pleaded guilty to one count of robbery on 25 June 2024 at Southwark Crown Court. He was later found guilty of a further count of robbery and one charge of attempted robbery following a trial at the same court on Tuesday, 11 February 2025.

    Mahad Jammeh, 24 (10.07.00) of Beaconsfield Road, Enfield and Christian Whittingham, 27 (11.11.97) of Granville Road, Uxbridge pleaded guilty to one count of robbery on 28 August 2024. They later pleaded guilty the two further counts on 4 November 2024.

    Haile and Jammeh attended Southwark Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday, 17 April. Haile was sentenced to 11 years and Jammeh was sentenced to 8 years.

    Christian Whittingham, 27 (11.11.97) of Granville Road, Uxbridge, was sentenced on the same charges at Southwark Crown Court on Friday, 20 June. Whittingham was sentenced to 10 years and six months.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How emotions rule every stage of the entrepreneurial process

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Florencio Portocarrero, Assistant Professor of Management, Department of Management, London School of Economics and Political Science

    tsyhun/Shutterstock

    Governments often see entrepreneurs as the engines of innovation, job creation and economic growth. In the UK alone, small and medium enterprises account for 99.8% of the business population and employ more than 16 million people.

    However, entrepreneurship is not just a strategic or financial undertaking. It’s primarily an emotional journey. From the spark of an idea to the triumphs and failures of running a business, emotions constantly shape how entrepreneurs think, decide, act and relate to others.

    Recent research I led draws on 276 studies to show that emotions don’t just accompany entrepreneurship – they drive it. Far from being distractions, emotions – like passion, fear, anxiety and compassion – and emotional intelligence can make or break a venture. Here are four ways they shape the entrepreneurial journey.

    1. The double edge of passion

    Ask any entrepreneur what keeps them going through long hours, tight budgets and personal sacrifice, and you’ll probably hear the word “passion”. Passion is one of the most studied emotions in entrepreneurship – for good reason. It fuels creativity, motivates persistence and can inspire others.

    Investors are more likely to back passionate founders and employees feel more engaged when their leaders show authentic enthusiasm. Passionate storytelling resonates with customers.

    Most of the benefits linked to passion emerge when entrepreneurs choose to pursue ventures that align with their identity and values. This aspect of the emotion is called “harmonious passion”, and it leads to greater wellbeing, better work-life balance and sustained motivation.

    But passion also has a darker side, called obsessive passion. This is a type of emotional experience driven by internal pressures (self-worth, for example) or external expectations (status or validation). Entrepreneurs with high levels of obsessive passion often become workaholics, suffer burnout and cannot walk away from their enterprises. This is even the case when their ventures are experiencing sustained failures.

    Passion can be a superpower. But like any power, it needs to be wielded with care.

    2. Fear and anxiety: not always the enemy

    Starting a business is inherently risky. Founders often deal with uncertain markets, fluctuating cash flow and high personal stakes. Unsurprisingly, fear and anxiety are common companions in this journey.

    These emotions are often framed negatively, but our research shows that they serve vital functions. Fear can make entrepreneurs more vigilant and help them anticipate challenges. Anxiety can enhance performance under pressure, such as during investor pitches or public launches. These can act like emotional smoke alarms, warning entrepreneurs about potential problems before they spiral.

    However, problems arise when these emotions become overwhelming. Chronic fear of failure can prevent entrepreneurs from taking calculated risks. It can lead to perfectionism, decision paralysis or the premature abandonment of promising ideas.

    The key is not to suppress fear or anxiety but to manage these emotions. Practices like journaling, peer mentorship and mindfulness training are valuable tools. They can help entrepreneurs reflect and use fear and anxiety constructively rather than letting it control them.

    Journaling can be an effective way for entrepreneurs to manage fear – and channel it positively.
    Daniel Hoz/Shutterstock

    3. Compassion as fuel for social enterprise

    Entrepreneurship isn’t always about chasing profits. Many founders launch ventures to address urgent social issues, from poverty and inequality to environmental degradation. These social entrepreneurs are often driven not just by vision but also by compassion.

    Our review found that compassion is a defining emotional characteristic of social entrepreneurs. It motivates them to act when others turn away. It helps them connect with communities, earn trust and stay resilient in the face of adversity. Their emotional connection to a mission creates a deep sense of purpose that can carry them through setbacks that might paralyse other entrepreneurs.

    This emotional resilience is often overlooked in traditional entrepreneurship education, which tends to emphasise strategy and metrics. But for many mission-driven founders, compassion is the emotional backbone of the business.

    4. Emotional intelligence as a business strategy

    Emotions don’t just shape how entrepreneurs feel, they affect how others respond to them. Our research points to emotional intelligence, the ability to recognise, understand and regulate emotions, as a critical skill for entrepreneurs.

    Founders who demonstrate high emotional intelligence motivate teams better, manage conflict and build trust with stakeholders. They’re more likely to retain talent, adapt under pressure and sustain long-term ventures. Investors, too, respond to emotional cues. A confident and passionate pitch can be more persuasive than a technically perfect but emotionally flat one.

    However, there’s a fine line. Too much emotional expression can backfire. Investors may question the founder’s judgement, and teams may interpret it as instability.

    The most effective entrepreneurs aren’t the ones who suppress their emotions but those who deploy them strategically. In a world where startups rise and fall on relationships, emotional intelligence is not a soft skill. It’s a core business strategy.

    Entrepreneurship is an emotional endeavour. The highs are exhilarating, but the lows can be crushing. While grit and skill matter, our review shows that founders’ emotional agility often determines whether they thrive or burn out.

    Innovation should be celebrated and it’s vital to recognise and support entrepreneurs’ emotional experiences. That means building programmes that teach emotional management, creating networks that offer psychological safety and reframing failure not as weakness but as part of the emotional terrain of entrepreneurship.

    This article was co-published with LSE Blogs at the London School of Economics.

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

    – ref. How emotions rule every stage of the entrepreneurial process – https://theconversation.com/how-emotions-rule-every-stage-of-the-entrepreneurial-process-258439

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Central African Republic : African Development Bank Strengthens Capacity to Tackle Illicit Financial Flows and Manage Resource-backed Loans

    The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) has successfully concluded a high-level workshop and policy dialogue aimed at enhancing the Central Africa Republic’s capacity to combat illicit financial flows (IFFs) and improve the governance of resource-backed loans.

    Held in Bangui from 10-13 June 2025 under the theme “Harnessing Africa’s Wealth: Curbing Illicit Financial Flows for Resilient Growth and Development,” the four-day event brought together 80 officials from key government ministries, including Finance, Economy, Planning, Environment, Mines and Geology – as well as civil society, the private sector, and local communities.

     The sessions were convened by the African Development Institute (ADI) (https://apo-opa.co/4k3PqnO) and the Natural Resources Management and Investment Centre (ECNR) (https://apo-opa.co/3I7F8Wc) as part of the Bank’s GONAT initiative, which supports improved natural resource governance in fragile and transitional states.

    High-level panelists included Prof. Richard Filakota, Minister of Economy, Planning and International Cooperation who also serves as the Bank’s Governor for the Central African Republic; Mr. Rufin Benam Beltoungou, Minister of Mines and Geology; and Prof. Chantal Laure Djebebe, Minister and Advisor to the Prime Minister on natural resources.

    Illicit financial flows are a major challenge across the continent, draining billions of dollars annually and severely constraining the ability of African countries to mobilize domestic resources for development.

    “The Central African Republic is rich in natural resources – gold, diamonds, uranium, copper, forests, among others. However, without enhanced oversight, institutional capacity, and sound strategic planning, these resources can become a source of political instability, illicit activities, and unsustainable debt,” warned Minister Beltoungou.

    Workshop participants emphasized the growing use of resource-backed loans – facilities collateralized by natural resources – to finance infrastructure development. While these instruments can unlock critical funding, they also pose risks.

    “Resource-backed loans are loans collateralized by natural resources and can help finance infrastructure such as roads, hospitals, and schools. However, caution is needed in managing repayment conditions, especially when a country lacks full control over its resource accounting,” emphasized Médard Goudozoui, a geological engineer and training beneficiary.

    The capacity-building sessions introduced a suite of practical tools and analytical methods for detecting and addressing IFFs in the Central African Republic.

    “We explored techniques such as the Partner Country Method, trade misinvoicing, and international indices like the Financial Secrecy Index and the Corruption Perception Index – all of which help identify discrepancies between export declarations and customs records in partner countries,” noted Fanta Mariette Samba-Vomi, a geological engineer and Director of the Mining Cadastre. According to her, such tools are critical in detecting anomalies related to under- or over-valuation of exported resources – as often seen in the gold and diamond sectors in the CAR.

    Gender inclusion in governance processes was also featured during the workshop.

    “We welcome the GONAT project’s focus on inclusive governance, with a target of at least 40% female participation. As a Bank, we recognize that transformative and sustainable change is only possible when the voices of women and local communities are integrated into policy formulation processes,” said Mamady Souaré, Country Manager of the African Development Bank Group in the Central African Republic.

    Echoing this, Alexia Molotouala, Head of Division at the Permanent Secretariat of the Kimberley Process, stated: “Increasing women’s involvement is critical because they play a key role in affected communities. Their participation enhances transparency, fairness, and policy effectiveness. Inclusive governance also promotes social cohesion and sustainable development.”

    Dr. Eric Ogunleye, Director of the African Development Institute emphasized the broader impact of the sessions. “It is our firm belief that the knowledge and tools acquired will go a long way in fostering stronger oversight of resource-backed loans and better governance of extractive resources.”

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

    Contact:
    Solange Kamuanga-Tossou
    Principal Regional Communication Officer
    African Development Bank
    media@afdb.org

    About the GONAT Project:
    GONAT is a flagship initiative of the African Development Bank Group. Designed to improve governance in the natural resources sector to facilitate domestic resource mobilization in fragile and transition states, the project specifically targets the Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe. Natural resource sectors covered under GONAT include oil, gas, minerals, forestry, fisheries, and wildlife.

    About the African Development Bank Group:
    The African Development Bank Group is Africa’s premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information: www.AfDB.org

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • Evacuees laud ‘Operation Sindhu’, credit PM Modi for safe evacuation

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    As India continues to bring its nationals home from Iran under ‘Operation Sindhu’, evacuees on Monday expressed heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government for the timely and efficient efforts to help Indians stuck in the war-hit country.

    Recounting their ordeal, one evacuee told IANS, “I was brought back from Iran. We were in serious trouble. I want to thank PM Modi for ensuring our safe return.”

    Another evacuee from Lucknow, who had been in Iran for the past 22 days, said, “When Israel attacked Iran, the Indian Embassy stayed in constant contact with us. They ensured our safety, provided us with food and medicine. We are truly thankful. Jai Modi!”

    Describing the tense conditions, a young student added, “The situation there was very bad, but the Indian Embassy supported us fully. We didn’t face any difficulties, and the arrangements for our return were excellent.”

    Another returnee added, “There’s nothing better than our India. Our PM Modi is truly great.”

    Another evacuee stated, “The situation in Iran was frightening with continuous bombardments. Despite that, the Indian government made proper arrangements. PM Modi took care of all of us.”

    Yet another person praised the seamless coordination, saying, “The government did a fantastic job, from picking us up in Iran to bringing us back home. The Indian Embassy was constantly in touch. I am extremely grateful.”

    On Monday, another batch of 285 Indian nationals landed safely in New Delhi as part of the ongoing ‘Operation Sindhu’, taking the total number of evacuees to 1,713.

    This large-scale evacuation effort comes in response to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, especially between Iran and Israel. The latest flight included passengers from various states including Delhi, Bihar, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Jammu and Kashmir.

    Coordinated by the Ministry of External Affairs, ‘Operation Sindhu’ highlights India’s firm commitment to safeguarding its citizens, even in the most volatile regions of the world.

    (With inputs from IANS)

  • Bridging Gaps, Building Futures: 11 Years of inclusive growth for minorities in India

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Over the past eleven years, the central government has made substantial progress in promoting inclusive development among the six centrally notified minority communities—Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, and Jains. Through a multi-dimensional approach involving education, employment, cultural preservation, digital transformation, and legislative reform, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has worked toward narrowing socio-economic disparities and empowering marginalized sections of society.

    Economic Empowerment and Skills Development

    At the heart of this transformative agenda is the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS), a flagship scheme launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs. This comprehensive initiative merges five earlier schemes—Seekho Aur Kamao, Nai Manzil, Nai Roshni, Hamari Dharohar, and USTTAD—into one. PM VIKAS focuses on upskilling youth, promoting entrepreneurship, and empowering minority women through leadership and training programs. It operates in conjunction with the Skill India Mission and integrates with the Skill India Portal for wider outreach and impact.

    The National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) continues to play a pivotal role in economic empowerment. Offering concessional loans for self-employment, the NMDFC has disbursed ₹752.23 crore to over 1.74 lakh beneficiaries as of March 10, 2025, a significant rise from ₹431.20 crore in 2014-15.

    Infrastructure Development for Community Welfare

    Infrastructure growth has been spearheaded by the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at holistic development in minority-concentrated areas. Since 2014-15, projects worth ₹18,416 crore have been sanctioned, covering approximately 5.63 lakh infrastructure units across sectors like health, education, sanitation, renewable energy, and women and child development. The scheme has now been digitized for better monitoring and transparency, with 1,300 Minority Concentration Areas identified across 308 districts in 32 states and UTs.

    Education and Scholarships

    While some schemes like the Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) and Padho Pardesh have been discontinued due to overlaps with other government initiatives, others like the Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship for girls in classes IX to XII, and Naya Savera (Free Coaching and Allied scheme) continue to support educational aspirations of minority youth. Naya Savera provides coaching for competitive exams and admissions into technical and professional courses.

    Cultural and Heritage Preservation

    Schemes like Hamari Dharohar and USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development) focus on preserving the cultural legacy of minority communities. These schemes support exhibitions, documentation, and skill development among traditional artisans while creating market linkages for their products.

    In further efforts to promote cultural heritage, ₹25 crore has been sanctioned for a Centre for Gurumukhi Script at Khalsa College, Delhi University, while ₹11.17 crore has been approved for a Centre for Avesta Pahlavi Studies at Mumbai University. Projects worth ₹65 crore are in progress for Jain Studies and Manuscriptology at institutions in Indore and Gujarat.

    Special Initiatives for Community Support

    The Jiyo Parsi scheme, launched in 2013-14 to address the declining Parsi population, has aided the birth of over 400 Parsi children. In FY 2023-24, ₹3 crore was released, with a proposed budget of ₹6 crore for 2024-25.

    Under the Buddhist Development Plan (BDP), ₹300.17 crore worth of projects have been approved to support Buddhist communities, especially in the Himalayan belt. Key institutions like the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS) and Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies (CIHCS) are implementing these initiatives through a hub-and-spoke model.

    The Government has also focused on easing the Haj pilgrimage, transferring its administration from the Ministry of External Affairs to the Ministry of Minority Affairs in 2016. Expenditures have increased from ₹47.37 crore in 2014-15 to ₹83.51 crore in 2023-24. Digital support has been introduced through the Haj Suvidha App, providing pilgrims access to essential services like travel details, emergency help, and training materials.

    Legislative Reforms and Digital Transformation

    A significant development came with the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 notified on April 8, 2025. This amendment strengthens governance and transparency in the management of Waqf properties. It is complemented by the launch of the UMEED Portalon June 6, 2025—a centralized digital platform for uploading, verifying, and monitoring Waqf properties. These measures aim to modernize asset management and ensure properties are used for their intended religious and charitable purposes.

    Further modernization efforts include the Qaumi Waqf Board Taraqqiati Scheme (QWBTS) and Shahari Waqf Sampatti Vikas Yojana (SWSVY), which focus on computerization and commercial development of waqf properties. From 2019-20 to 2023-24, ₹23.87 crore and ₹7.16 crore were spent under QWBTS and SWSVY respectively.

    Promoting Indigenous Arts and Entrepreneurship

    The Ministry also organizes Lok Samvardhan Parv, a cultural event to showcase minority arts and crafts while fostering entrepreneurship. Three editions have been held—in July 2024 at Dilli Haat, January 2025 at Baba Kharak Singh Marg, and April 2025 at Kashmir University in Srinagar. These events feature workshops on design, marketing, GST, and digital commerce in partnership with the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).

  • Putin tells Iranian foreign minister there was no justification for US attack

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Russian President Vladimir Putin told Iran’s foreign minister on Monday there was no justification for the U.S. bombing of his country and that Moscow was trying to help the Iranian people.

    Putin hosted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi in Moscow two days after U.S. President Donald Trump sent U.S. bomber planes to strike Iran’s three main nuclear sites.

    “The absolutely unprovoked aggression against Iran has no basis and no justification,” Putin told Araqchi in televised comments.

    “For our part, we are making efforts to assist the Iranian people,” he added.

    “I am very glad that you are in Moscow today, this will give us the opportunity to discuss all these pressing issues and think together about how we could get out of today’s situation.”

    Araqchi told Putin that Iran was conducting legitimate self-defence, and thanked Russia for condemning the U.S. actions. He conveyed best wishes to Putin from Iran’s supreme leader and president.

    “Russia is today on the right side of history and international law,” said Araqchi.

    It was unclear, however, what Russia might do to support Iran, an important ally with which Putin signed a strategic cooperation treaty in January. That agreement did not include a mutual defence clause.

    Before Saturday’s U.S. strikes, Moscow had warned that U.S. military intervention could destabilise the entire region and plunge it into the “abyss”.

    Asked what Russia was ready to do to help Tehran, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “It all depends on what Iran needs”. He said the fact that Moscow had offered to mediate in the crisis was itself a form of support.

    Peskov condemned the U.S. attacks.

    “An increase in the number of participants in this conflict is happening – or rather, has happened. A new spiral of escalation of tension in the region,” Peskov told reporters.

    “And, of course, we condemn this and express regret in this regard, deep regret. In addition, of course, it remains to be seen what happened to (Iran’s) nuclear facilities, whether there is a radiation hazard.”

    Peskov said Trump had not told Putin in detail about the planned strikes in advance.

    “There was no detailed information. The topic of Iran itself was repeatedly discussed by the presidents during their most recent conversations, certain proposals were voiced by Russia, but there was no direct detailed information about this,” he said.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Fusion energy powers UK’s Industrial Strategy

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Fusion energy powers UK’s Industrial Strategy

    Government’s Industrial Strategy, announced today, puts fusion energy at the heart of driving innovation, economic growth and energy security.

    STEP Tokamak with burning plasma, side view. Image credit: UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd.

    The UK is investing £2.5 billion over 5 years to lead the global race for fusion energy, with the STEP programme at its core. STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) is the UK’s flagship fusion programme, aiming to deliver a prototype fusion power plant by 2040 at West Burton, Nottinghamshire. Built on the site of a former coal-fired power station, STEP is delivering a ‘fossil to fusion’ mission and will create thousands of jobs, as well as acting as an anchor for a new industrial ecosystem in the region as part of the East Midlands Combined Authority’s Clean Energy Supercluster along the River Trent. Delivered by UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS), STEP is a cornerstone of the UK’s clean energy and industrial future. 

    The Industrial Strategy features STEP as a case study for fusion energy development, alongside further workstreams in the sector, such as the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s (UKAEA) Fusion Futures careers programme. Today’s announcements serve to highlight the government’s support for the sector and confidence in the STEP programme’s progress to date.

    Other recent UK fusion milestones include a UKAEA–ENI fusion energy fuels partnership announced in March, working to build the world’s largest tritium fuel cycle facility in the UK, and a £100 million investment boost via the Starmaker One fund from central government. Fusion is already delivering spillover benefits in AI, robotics and advanced materials – securing the UK’s place at the forefront of clean technology.

    UKIFS CEO Paul Methven reflected on the Industrial Strategy announcement:

    The UK is at the forefront of global fusion energy research, and STEP is the flagship initiative poised to transform that leadership into commercial reality. By building our prototype fusion power plant in the East Midlands, we’re not only advancing clean energy but also creating high-quality jobs, driving innovation, and delivering economic growth both regionally and nationally.

    Maintaining our global edge in such a transformative technology demands ambition and today’s Industrial Strategy publication, with STEP at its heart, shows that government is rising to that challenge. We’re ready to turn this bold vision into action and ensure the UK leads the way in this exciting sector.

    Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) Ed Miliband visited UK’s Fusion Research Campus in Oxfordshire earlier this year, where he said:

    After scientists first theorised over 70 years ago that it could be possible, we are now within grasping distance of unlocking the power of the sun and providing families with secure, clean, unlimited energy.

    In the introduction within the Industrial Strategy today, he lists fusion as a key part of the government’s mission:

    (By delivering) fusion in the East Midlands we will deliver the benefits of our Clean Energy Superpower Mission to communities up and down the country.’

    The project offers exciting innovation opportunities and a chance to shape the future of clean energy. STEP is currently in dialogue with potential Construction and Engineering partners, with announcements expected this coming winter 2025/26.

    Notes to Editors

    The Industrial Strategy is available here: Industrial Strategy: Clean Energy Industries Sector Plan

    STEP and UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) Ltd

    The first of its kind, STEP is the UK’s major technology and infrastructure programme to build a prototype fusion power plant that will demonstrate net energy, fuel self-sufficiency and a viable route to plant maintenance.  This will pave the way for the potential development of a fleet of future fusion power plants around the world and the commercialisation of fusion energy.

    We’ll achieve this by producing a prototype tokamak power plant – in an innovative spherical shape – that will demonstrate net energy. That’s why the programme is called STEP: it stands for ‘Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production’. But STEP is about more than tokamak technology – it’s a huge endeavour encompassing design, site development and construction, alongside supply chain logistics and industry. Fusion research and development has the potential to catalyse new ideas and technologies that will benefit multiple industries and help secure our future on this planet.

    By fusing government and business, inspiration and pragmatism, theory and practice, UK-expertise and international impact, we’re going to realise the step-change that will secure humanity’s bright future. A recent report by AMION, commissioned by local authorities, set out the economic potential of the STEP programme – summary HERE

    To sign-up for updates about STEP, visit: step.ukaea.uk or follow our social channels @STEPtoFusion.

    Updates to this page

    Published 23 June 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Free school meals expansion

    Source: Scottish Government

    Thousands more young people to benefit from August.

    More than 6,000 high school pupils will be eligible for free school meals from the beginning of the next school year, further supporting the Scottish Government’s national mission to eradicate child poverty.

    This trial phase of the free school meals programme will see S1 to S3 pupils in receipt of the Scottish Child Payment, who attend selected schools in eight local authority areas, receive a nutritious and healthy meal. This takes the number of pupils being offered free school meals in Scotland to over 360,000.

    An investment of £3 million will support almost 60 schools across eight proposed areas of Aberdeen, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Fife, Glasgow, Moray, North Ayrshire, Shetland and South Lanarkshire from August 2025.

    First Minister John Swinney made the announcement during a visit to Springburn Academy in Glasgow, where 140 more pupils could benefit.

    The First Minister said:

    “The free school meals programme is key in our national mission to eradicate child poverty, which saves families who take up the offer around £450 per eligible child per year. This next phase of the rollout will ensure that this offer is available to more families across the country.

    “We know the positive impact that access to a healthy and nutritious meal can have on a pupil’s learning and achievement in school. This demonstrates how important the programme is in our efforts to close the poverty-related attainment gap in Scotland, ensuring that every child is given an opportunity to succeed in education regardless of their background.

    “The Scottish Government will also continue its broader support to tackle the cost of the school day, including our £14.2 million School Uniform Clothing Grant and our investment in the £1 billion Scottish Attainment Challenge.”

    Background

    Local authorities put forward schools that already have the capacity in place to deliver additional meals to take part in the trial. The Scottish Government will continue to work with them in the coming weeks to establish the trial approach.

    The trial phase will be independently reviewed and will aid future development of any further phases of the free school meal programme.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Serve up some fun at free Barclays Big Tennis Weekend in Barnes Park

    Source: City of Sunderland

    Residents of all ages are being invited to pick up a racket and join in the fun as Barnes Park hosts a free Barclays Big Tennis Weekend on Sunday 6 July.

    Whether you’re trying tennis for the first time or rediscovering your love for the game, the event promises a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere with sessions designed for all skill levels.

    Hosted as part of the national Barclays Big Tennis Weekends initiative, the event is open to everyone. No previous experience is needed, and all equipment will be provided. Just come dressed comfortably with suitable trainers and get ready for some fun on the court.

    Three free sessions will take place throughout the day:

    ·        1 – 2pm – (under 9s*)

    ·        2:15 – 3:15pm – (10 – 16 year olds*)

    ·        3:30 – 4:30pm – (16+ year olds)

    *all under 11s must be accompanied by an adult

    Councillor Beth Jones, Cabinet Member for Culture, Communities and Tourism at Sunderland City Council, said: “It’s fantastic to welcome the Barclays Big Tennis Weekend to Sunderland. This is a great opportunity for families, friends, and individuals to get active, try something new, and enjoy one of our beautiful city parks.

    “Tennis is a brilliant way to stay fit, have fun, and meet others in the community. I’d encourage anyone who’s curious to come along—whether you’ve never picked up a racket or you’re looking to get back into the game.”

    In 2023, the courts in Barnes Park were part of over £400,000 worth of investment to improve 17 tennis courts across seven of Sunderland parks. There are two tennis courts available in Barnes Park, which is a green flag award winning park.

    The courts in Barnes Park, as well the others across Sunderland are available for everyone to use. There are both paid and free options at each park across the week, so you should always be able to find a free session to book. Find out more information at https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/SunderlandParksTennis

    Please note that in the case of bad weather, sessions will take place at Silksworth Community Pool Tennis & Wellness Centre, SR3 1PD

    Anyone looking to get involved with Barclays Big Tennis Weekend can find out more information and book your space here: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/BarnesPark/EventsV2/Book/3a094ea5-40dc-4c27-bab6-cb0b6f42d291

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tuen Mun site to be sold

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    A Tuen Mun non-industrial site in the 2025-26 Land Sale List will be sold by public tender from this Friday to August 8, the Lands Department announced today.

     

    Tuen Mun Town Lot No. 569 is designated for non-industrial purposes excluding its use as a godown, hotel and petrol filling station.

     

    It has a site area of about 4,368 sq m with a minimum gross floor area of 15,725 sq m and a maximum gross floor area of 26,208 sq m.

     

    Both exclude the gross floor area of government accommodation, being a public transport terminus, to be constructed by the purchaser under the conditions of sale.

     

    The land sale documents will be available on the department’s website from this Friday.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: African finance ministers shouldn’t be making bond deals: how to hand over the job to experts

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Misheck Mutize, Post Doctoral Researcher, Graduate School of Business (GSB), University of Cape Town

    Eurobonds, debts owed in a foreign currency, have become a quick and attractive way for African countries to borrow money. They are behind a sharp rise in commercial borrowing as a percentage of total external debt: it has nearly doubled from 27% in 2011 to 52% in 2020. This has increased the debt vulnerability of most African countries.

    Recent developments, however, show that most of the bonds have not been structured properly. As a result, African countries are paying way over the odds relative to their sovereign risks.

    Based on my bond price modelling expertise, it is my view that there are two major drivers of the mispricing of African government bonds. They are interlinked.

    Firstly, a lack of expertise in debt management offices, whose job it is to negotiate the terms of any debt deals and to oversee their execution. This is a topic I explored in a recent article.



    Read more:
    African countries are bad at issuing bonds, so debt costs more than it should: what needs to change

    The second factor, which I address here, is that in many African countries, finance ministers have assumed primary responsibility for Eurobond issuance. They engage directly with investment bankers, legal advisors and credit rating agencies.

    In my view they shouldn’t.

    Finance ministers should stay away from debt negotiations because they are political appointees. They operate under incentives tied to electoral cycles, not fiscal sustainability. Their short tenures and desire to fund visible projects often conflict with the long-term nature of sovereign debt obligations.

    They don’t have the necessary expertise to handle the technical complexity required to get the best possible deal, either.

    Simply calling for ministers to step aside would ignore the institutional realities in most African countries. In particular, debt management offices have severe capacity constraints.

    Nevertheless, as global financial conditions tighten and African countries seek to refinance maturing Eurobonds or issue new instruments, the risks of politicised borrowing must be minimised. Ministers should spend their energies on ensuring their debt management offices are well staffed with top quality teams. They should then leave it up to these technical staff to prepare and arrange the financing.

    This would leave room for ministers to manage any disagreements between technical staff and the banks when necessary. And to close the final deal.

    Ministers versus the experts

    Eurobond issuance involves advanced financial engineering – pricing models, investor engagement, covenant structuring and legal compliance across jurisdictions. It takes a deep understanding of capital markets.

    When debt management offices are operating at their best, they are filled with people who have this knowledge. They have a combination of financial market and public policy skills, including debt portfolio management, risk analysis and debt transaction processing.

    In discussions with debt managers at the African Sovereign Debt Conference it’s become clear to me that debt managers are sidelined in the international bond issuance negotiations. They are also sidelined in the execution process, except for administrative support.

    What happens instead is that finance ministers are usually key contacts of the investment bankers. By approaching a minister directly, investment bankers get to close their mandates faster.

    But this minimises due diligence and bypasses internal safeguards. Ministers may not pay attention to complex legal clauses under foreign jurisdictions, details of investor negotiations and fee structures. They may accept unfavourable terms, ignore sustainability assessments and obscure fiscal vulnerabilities in pursuit of political wins and quick disbursements.

    For example, in 2018, Ghana’s then finance minister was internationally lauded for financial stewardship. Ghana was the first African issuer of a longest tenure and a zero-coupon bond. A year later, the country defaulted, suggesting the bond terms weren’t great for the country. The minister nevertheless received several awards as the best and most prudent in Africa.

    There is also the issue of conflicts of interest. When the same actor – in this case the finance minister – proposes, negotiates and approves a debt instrument, the system lacks accountability.

    In many African countries, parliaments, audit institutions and civil society have limited understanding about the technical details of bond agreements. Ministers can easily sideline procurement rules and transparency mechanisms, resulting in non-competitive contracts and opaque fees paid to underwriters and advisors.

    Investment bankers prefer this arrangement as it works in their favour.

    Reforms that are needed

    Before finance ministers can hand over control, debt management offices must be equipped. This requires targeted reforms, including:

    • Capacity building through strategic partnerships: African debt management offices should work with international issuing syndicates and development partners to gain first-hand exposure to structuring, pricing and marketing global bonds.

    • Human capital reforms: Governments must attract and retain highly skilled debt managers by offering competitive pay, professional development opportunities and protection from political interference.

    • Debt management offices must be staffed by dedicated quantitative analysts. They must also be equipped to use real-time market intelligence systems and formal investor relations programmes.

    • Gradual delegation: Authority can be shifted, starting with less complex debt instruments.

    The role of the finance minister must evolve. Ministers should provide strategic leadership: approving borrowing strategies, ensuring alignment with macroeconomic goals, and engaging parliament and the public.

    Their function should shift from operational to institutional oversight and accountability.

    Structural reforms must embed the capacity, autonomy and transparency required for debt management offices to lead effectively.

    In South Africa, for example, the assets and liabilities management division of the National Treasury department manages government’s annual funding programme.

    Professionalising the debt issuance process is not just about avoiding technical mistakes. It’s also about creating resilient institutions that can withstand political turnover. That fosters credibility and long-term access to capital.

    Ministers should remain accountable to the public, and debt management offices must do their work based on technical merit.

    Misheck Mutize is affiliated with the African Union – African Peer Review Mechanism as a Lead Expert on credit ratings

    – ref. African finance ministers shouldn’t be making bond deals: how to hand over the job to experts – https://theconversation.com/african-finance-ministers-shouldnt-be-making-bond-deals-how-to-hand-over-the-job-to-experts-259017

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: African finance ministers shouldn’t be making bond deals: how to hand over the job to experts

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Misheck Mutize, Post Doctoral Researcher, Graduate School of Business (GSB), University of Cape Town

    Eurobonds, debts owed in a foreign currency, have become a quick and attractive way for African countries to borrow money. They are behind a sharp rise in commercial borrowing as a percentage of total external debt: it has nearly doubled from 27% in 2011 to 52% in 2020. This has increased the debt vulnerability of most African countries.

    Recent developments, however, show that most of the bonds have not been structured properly. As a result, African countries are paying way over the odds relative to their sovereign risks.

    Based on my bond price modelling expertise, it is my view that there are two major drivers of the mispricing of African government bonds. They are interlinked.

    Firstly, a lack of expertise in debt management offices, whose job it is to negotiate the terms of any debt deals and to oversee their execution. This is a topic I explored in a recent article.



    Read more:
    African countries are bad at issuing bonds, so debt costs more than it should: what needs to change

    The second factor, which I address here, is that in many African countries, finance ministers have assumed primary responsibility for Eurobond issuance. They engage directly with investment bankers, legal advisors and credit rating agencies.

    In my view they shouldn’t.

    Finance ministers should stay away from debt negotiations because they are political appointees. They operate under incentives tied to electoral cycles, not fiscal sustainability. Their short tenures and desire to fund visible projects often conflict with the long-term nature of sovereign debt obligations.

    They don’t have the necessary expertise to handle the technical complexity required to get the best possible deal, either.

    Simply calling for ministers to step aside would ignore the institutional realities in most African countries. In particular, debt management offices have severe capacity constraints.

    Nevertheless, as global financial conditions tighten and African countries seek to refinance maturing Eurobonds or issue new instruments, the risks of politicised borrowing must be minimised. Ministers should spend their energies on ensuring their debt management offices are well staffed with top quality teams. They should then leave it up to these technical staff to prepare and arrange the financing.

    This would leave room for ministers to manage any disagreements between technical staff and the banks when necessary. And to close the final deal.

    Ministers versus the experts

    Eurobond issuance involves advanced financial engineering – pricing models, investor engagement, covenant structuring and legal compliance across jurisdictions. It takes a deep understanding of capital markets.

    When debt management offices are operating at their best, they are filled with people who have this knowledge. They have a combination of financial market and public policy skills, including debt portfolio management, risk analysis and debt transaction processing.

    In discussions with debt managers at the African Sovereign Debt Conference it’s become clear to me that debt managers are sidelined in the international bond issuance negotiations. They are also sidelined in the execution process, except for administrative support.

    What happens instead is that finance ministers are usually key contacts of the investment bankers. By approaching a minister directly, investment bankers get to close their mandates faster.

    But this minimises due diligence and bypasses internal safeguards. Ministers may not pay attention to complex legal clauses under foreign jurisdictions, details of investor negotiations and fee structures. They may accept unfavourable terms, ignore sustainability assessments and obscure fiscal vulnerabilities in pursuit of political wins and quick disbursements.

    For example, in 2018, Ghana’s then finance minister was internationally lauded for financial stewardship. Ghana was the first African issuer of a longest tenure and a zero-coupon bond. A year later, the country defaulted, suggesting the bond terms weren’t great for the country. The minister nevertheless received several awards as the best and most prudent in Africa.

    There is also the issue of conflicts of interest. When the same actor – in this case the finance minister – proposes, negotiates and approves a debt instrument, the system lacks accountability.

    In many African countries, parliaments, audit institutions and civil society have limited understanding about the technical details of bond agreements. Ministers can easily sideline procurement rules and transparency mechanisms, resulting in non-competitive contracts and opaque fees paid to underwriters and advisors.

    Investment bankers prefer this arrangement as it works in their favour.

    Reforms that are needed

    Before finance ministers can hand over control, debt management offices must be equipped. This requires targeted reforms, including:

    • Capacity building through strategic partnerships: African debt management offices should work with international issuing syndicates and development partners to gain first-hand exposure to structuring, pricing and marketing global bonds.

    • Human capital reforms: Governments must attract and retain highly skilled debt managers by offering competitive pay, professional development opportunities and protection from political interference.

    • Debt management offices must be staffed by dedicated quantitative analysts. They must also be equipped to use real-time market intelligence systems and formal investor relations programmes.

    • Gradual delegation: Authority can be shifted, starting with less complex debt instruments.

    The role of the finance minister must evolve. Ministers should provide strategic leadership: approving borrowing strategies, ensuring alignment with macroeconomic goals, and engaging parliament and the public.

    Their function should shift from operational to institutional oversight and accountability.

    Structural reforms must embed the capacity, autonomy and transparency required for debt management offices to lead effectively.

    In South Africa, for example, the assets and liabilities management division of the National Treasury department manages government’s annual funding programme.

    Professionalising the debt issuance process is not just about avoiding technical mistakes. It’s also about creating resilient institutions that can withstand political turnover. That fosters credibility and long-term access to capital.

    Ministers should remain accountable to the public, and debt management offices must do their work based on technical merit.

    Misheck Mutize is affiliated with the African Union – African Peer Review Mechanism as a Lead Expert on credit ratings

    – ref. African finance ministers shouldn’t be making bond deals: how to hand over the job to experts – https://theconversation.com/african-finance-ministers-shouldnt-be-making-bond-deals-how-to-hand-over-the-job-to-experts-259017

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI China: Left lanes of Pingwang Bridge officially opens to traffic in China’s Jiangsu

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

    Left lanes of Pingwang Bridge officially opens to traffic in China’s Jiangsu

    Updated: June 23, 2025 18:41 Xinhua
    An aerial drone photo taken on June 23, 2025 shows a view of the Pingwang Bridge in Wujiang District of Suzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province. The left lanes of the newly-built Pingwang Bridge, a project of the east part of the Chang-Hu-Shen (Changxin-Huzhou-Shanghai) navigation channel (Jiangsu section) improvement project, was officially opened to traffic on Monday. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on June 23, 2025 shows a view of the Pingwang Bridge in Wujiang District of Suzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on June 23, 2025 shows a view of the Pingwang Bridge in Wujiang District of Suzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on June 23, 2025 shows a view of the Pingwang Bridge in Wujiang District of Suzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province. [Photo/Xinhua]
    An aerial drone photo taken on June 23, 2025 shows a view of the Pingwang Bridge in Wujiang District of Suzhou City, east China’s Jiangsu Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

    MIL OSI China News –

  • Succession plans for Iran’s Khamenei hit top gear

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The clock’s ticking for senior clerics seeking a successor to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

    A three-man committee from a top clerical body, appointed by Khamenei himself two years ago to identify his replacement, has accelerated its planning in recent days since Israel attacked Iran and threatened to assassinate the veteran leader, five insiders with knowledge of the discussions told Reuters.

    Khamenei, 86, is being regularly briefed on the talks, according to the Iranian sources who requested anonymity to discuss highly sensitive matters. He has gone into hiding with his family and is being guarded by the Vali-ye Amr special forces unit of the Revolutionary Guards, a top security official said.

    The ruling establishment will immediately seek to name a successor to Khamenei if he is killed, to signal stability and continuity, according to the sources who acknowledged that predicting Iran’s subsequent political trajectory was difficult.

    A new leader will still be chosen for his devotion to the revolutionary precepts of the Islamic Republic’s late founder Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, according to one insider, who is close to Khamenei’s office and privy to succession discussions.

    At the same time, the top echelon of power is also considering which candidate might present a more moderate face to ward off foreign attacks and internal revolts, the person said.

    Two frontrunners have emerged in the succession discussions, the five insiders said: Khamenei’s 56-year-old son Mojtaba, long seen as a continuity choice, and a new contender, Hassan Khomeini, grandson of the father of the Islamic revolution.

    Khomeini, a close ally of the reformist faction that favours the easing of social and political restrictions, nonetheless commands respect among senior clerics and the Revolutionary Guards because of his lineage, the sources added.

    “I once again humbly express that this small and insignificant servant of the Iranian people stands ready to proudly be present on any front or scene you deem necessary,” the 53-year-old said in a public message of support to the supreme leader on Saturday, hours before the U.S. bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities.

    Khomeini has come into the frame as a serious candidate this month amid the conflict with Israel and America because he could represent a more conciliatory choice internationally and domestically than Mojtaba Khamenei, the five people said.

    By contrast, Khamenei hews closely to his father’s hardline policies, according to the insiders who cautioned that nothing had been determined, candidates could change and the supreme leader would have the final say.

    However, with the military conflict continuing, it remains unclear whether any new leader could be chosen easily or installed securely or if he could assume the level of authority enjoyed by Khamenei, they added.

    Israeli strikes have also killed several of Iran’s top Revolutionary Guards commanders, potentially complicating a handover of power as the elite military force has long played a central role in enforcing the supreme leader’s rule.

    Khamenei’s office and the Assembly of Experts, the clerical body from which the succession committee was drawn, were not available to comment.

    TRUMP: KHAMENEI IS EASY TARGET

    Planning for an eventual handover was already in the works because of Khamenei’s age and the longstanding health concerns of a leader who has dominated all aspects of Iranian politics for decades, the sources said.

    The urgency of the task was underlined in September when Israel killed Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, a close ally of Khamenei’s, and the planning accelerated significantly this month following the Israeli attacks on nuclear sites, which were followed by the American attacks at the weekend.

    “We know exactly where the so-called ‘Supreme Leader’ is hiding,” U.S. President Trump warned on social media last week, calling for Tehran’s unconditional surrender. “He is an easy target.”

    Khamenei hasn’t publicly expressed any preference for his successor. The sources said he had repeatedly opposed the idea of his son taking over, in succession discussions in the past, concerned about any suggestion of Iran returning to the kind of hereditary rule that ended with the ousting of the shah in 1979.

    The role of Supreme Leader was created after the revolution and then enshrined in the constitution giving a top cleric ultimate authority in guiding the elected president and parliament.

    Officially, the leader is named by the Assembly of Experts, made up of 88 senior clerics who are chosen through a national election in which a hardline watchdog body aligned with Khamenei must approve all the candidates.

    “Whether the Islamic Republic survives or not, it will be a very different one, because the context in which it has existed has fundamentally changed,” said London-based Iranian political analyst Hossein Rassam, adding that Hassan Khomeini could fit the bill for a leader to take Iran in a new direction.

    “The regime has to opt for someone who’ll facilitate slow transition.”

    Hassan Khomeini’s close links to the reformist faction of Iranian politics, which pursued an ultimately unsuccessful policy of opening Iran to the outside world in the 1990s, saw hardline officials bar him from running as a member of senior clerical body the Assembly of Experts in 2016.

    The succession planners are aware that Khomeini is likely to be more palatable to the Iranian population than a hardliner, the five insiders said. Last year he warned of a “crisis of rising popular dissatisfaction” among Iranians due to poverty and deprivation.

    By contrast, Mojtaba Khamenei’s views echo those of his father on every major topic from cracking down on opponents to taking a hardline with foreign foes, the sources said – qualities they saw as hazardous with Iran under attack.

    A mid-ranking cleric who teaches theology at a religious seminary in the city Qom, the centre of Iranian religious life, Mojtaba has never held a formal position the Islamic Republic, though exercises influence behind the scenes as the gatekeeper to his father, according to Iran watchers.

    The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Mojtaba in 2019, saying he represented the Supreme Leader in “an official capacity despite never being elected or appointed to a government position” aside from working his father’s office.

    OTHER CANDIDATES FALL AWAY

    Several of the candidates long seen as possible successors to Khamenei have already died.

    Former presidents Hashemi Rafsanjani passed away in 2017, former judiciary chief Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi died of natural causes in 2018 and former President Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash in 2023. Another senior cleric Sadegh Amoli Larijani, has been sidelined.

    Others, such as the Assembly of Experts member Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, are still in contention but have fallen behind Mojtaba Khamenei and Hassan Khomeini, the five sources said.

    Beyond the most likely candidates, it’s also possible that a less prominent cleric could be chosen as a pawn of Revolutionary Guards, said Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group think-tank.

    “It is possible that they would put forward a candidate that no one has ever heard of and would not really hold the same levers of power that Ayatollah Khamenei has held now for more than 30 years,” he said.

    The supreme leader’s voice is powerful.

    After the death of the Islamic Republic’s founder Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989, Khamenei was publicly hailed as his predecessor’s choice. Although he had already served as president, Khamenei was only a mid-ranking cleric and was initially dismissed by influential clerics as weak and an unlikely successor to his charismatic predecessor.

    However, he steadily tightened his grip to become Iran’s unquestioned decision-maker, relying on the Revolutionary Guards as he outmanoeuvred rivals and crushed bouts of popular unrest.

    (Reuters)

  • Sensex ends lower in volatile session

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The stock markets started the week on a weak note as tensions escalated in the Middle East, after the United States bombed three nuclear facilities in Iran, showing clear support for Israel in the ongoing conflict.

    The development made investors cautious, leading to a fall in benchmark indices on Monday. The Sensex dropped 511.38 points, or 0.62 per cent, to close at 81,896.79. During the intra-day, it moved between a high of 82,169.67 and a low of 81,476.76.

    Similarly, the Nifty also ended in the red. It fell 140.50 points, or 0.56 per cent, to settle at 24,971.90. The index had touched an intra-high of 25,057 and a low of 24,824.85 during the session.

    Interestingly, broader markets performed better than the frontline indices. The Nifty Midcap100 closed with a gain of 0.36 per cent, while the Smallcap100 rose 0.70 per cent.

    Out of the 30 stocks in the Sensex, HCL Tech, Infosys, Larsen and Toubro, Mahindra and Mahindra, Hindustan Unilever, and ITC were the biggest losers, falling between 2.28 per cent and 1.21 per cent.

    On the other hand, Trent, Bharat Electronics, Bajaj Finance, Kotak Mahindra Bank, and Bajaj Finserv were the top gainers, rising between 3.39 per cent and 0.58 per cent.

    The performance of sectoral indices was mixed as Bank Nifty, Auto, FMCG, and Realty ended in the red while metal, consumer durables, pharma, and media sectors managed to close with gains.

    However, the biggest loser was the Nifty IT index, which declined by 1.48 per cent as stocks like Coforge and Persistent Systems pulled the sector down.

    “Last Friday, markets buildup in anticipation of easing Middle East tensions, following the US announcement of a two-week window to deliberate its involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict,” Vinod Nair of Geojit Investments Limited said.

    “However, the unexpected US airstrike on Iran’s nuclear facilities over the weekend disrupted those expectations, triggering a sharp rise in crude oil prices and leading to consolidation in the domestic equity market,” he added.

    The market’s fear gauge, India VIX, which indicates volatility, rose by 2.74 per cent to 14.05 points.

    The Nifty recovered significantly after a gap-down opening amid weak geopolitical sentiment. A pullback in crude oil prices helped the Indian market pare some of its morning losses, although it still ended on a negative note.

    Meanwhile, the rupee traded weak by 0.11 at 86.75 as the dollar index appreciated toward the 99 mark. “Technically, the rupee remains weak below 86, with the next support seen near 87,” said Jateen Trivedi of LKP Securities.

    (IANS)