Category: DJF

Centre asks states to crack down on fake, substandard fertilizers

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

In a move to protect farmers and ensure the integrity of agricultural inputs, Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has written to the Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories, calling for immediate and strict action against the sale of fake and substandard fertilizers.

The directive aims to curb the black marketing of subsidized fertilizers, the circulation of counterfeit products, and illegal practices such as forced tagging of nano or bio-stimulant fertilizers.

Emphasizing that agriculture is the backbone of India’s economy, the Minister stressed the importance of providing farmers with quality fertilizers on time, at affordable prices. He reminded states that the sale of substandard or fake fertilizers is prohibited under the Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985, which is part of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.

The Centre has directed states to monitor fertilizer distribution closely, take action against overpricing and diversion, and strengthen sampling and testing to detect counterfeit products. It also instructed authorities to immediately halt forced tagging practices and to take strict legal action, including license cancellations and FIRs, against violators.

States have been encouraged to involve farmers and farmer groups in monitoring efforts and to launch awareness campaigns to help them distinguish between genuine and fake fertilizers.

Calling for a statewide crackdown, Chouhan said regular monitoring and strict enforcement would ensure lasting solutions and protect farmers’ interests.

July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Vaccination against cholera brings hope to more than 2 million Angolans

Source: APO – Report:

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A new round of the oral vaccination campaign against cholera was officially launched this Saturday in the municipality of Cafunfo, Lunda Norte province, an initiative of the Angolan government, through the Ministry of Health, with the support of GAVI – Global Alliance for Vaccines, the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, the European Union and other partners in the health sector.

The campaign plans to vaccinate more than 2 million people in the most affected municipalities in the provinces of Cabinda, Kwanza Sul, Huíla, Lunda Norte, Namibe and Zaire – regions where there is currently active transmission of the disease.

The campaign started simultaneously in all the provinces covered, with teams on the ground starting vaccination activities at fixed posts and through door-to-door visits.

At the launch, the Minister of Health, Dr. Sílvia Lutucuta, called on everyone to get involved: “Everyone has to take part in this war against cholera, we’re almost there, there’s just a little bit left and if we all work together we’ll be able to get rid of cholera in Angola.”

The minister also highlighted the strengthening of the response capacity thanks to the support of partners: “Through our partners, we managed to get around 1 million vaccines in the first and second rounds. Now we’ve got 2 million vaccines that will allow us to increase coverage and protect even more people.”

The vaccine used in this round is Euvichol-S, an oral, single-dose vaccine donated by Gavi and distributed via the international mechanism coordinated by the International Coordination Group (ICG). The campaign involves 942 vaccination teams, made up of vaccinators, mobilizers and supervisors, who will work at fixed posts and also through door-to-door visits.

All people aged one year and over will be vaccinated, as part of an integrated response that includes epidemiological surveillance, access to drinking water, sanitation, risk communication and case management.

During the ceremony, the WHO Representative in Angola, Dr. Indrajit Hazarika, highlighted the role of the vaccine in protecting communities, but recalled that it must be complemented by other structural measures: “The oral vaccine is a strong tool in our hands, in each campaign we stop the transmission of cholera by reinforcing the vital shield of protection for communities. But the vaccine alone is not enough, we must remain vigilant. The fight against cholera is also about sustainable investment in water, sanitation and hygiene. Only in this way will we cut cholera in the long term.”

In the beneficiary neighborhoods, the mood is hopeful. After months of fear and uncertainty, the arrival of the vaccine represents a concrete response and essential protection, especially for the most vulnerable families.

Verónica Domingos Ferreira, who lives in the municipality of Kikombo, Kwanza Sul, was one of the people vaccinated. After seeing her neighbors fall ill months ago, she decided to seek information and protect her family. Today, she is relieved: “I’m very grateful. Today I got vaccinated and I vaccinated my children. This vaccine is a blessing. Now I feel that my family is better protected.”

With actions like this, Angola is strengthening its capacity to respond to outbreaks and reaffirming its commitment to the health and dignity of its communities. The campaign will continue in the coming days, with calls for the active participation of the entire population.

– on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Angola.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Xi congratulates Jennifer Simons on election as Surinamese president

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

BEIJING, July 13 — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday congratulated Jennifer Simons on her election as Surinamese president.

In his congratulatory message, Xi depicted Suriname as China’s strategic cooperative partner in the Caribbean region.

Thanks to the joint efforts from both sides, China-Suriname relations have enjoyed sound and steady growth with fruitful practical cooperation in various fields and close coordination in multilateral affairs over the past 49 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Xi said.

Xi said that he attaches great importance to the growth of China-Suriname relations and stands ready to work with President-elect Simons to deepen the mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation and further grow the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership so as to deliver greater benefits to the two peoples.

MIL OSI China News –

July 13, 2025
Hungary’s opposition flags ‘New Deal’ to kickstart stagnating economy

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Hungary’s opposition leader Peter Magyar said on Saturday his Tisza party will launch a “Hungarian New Deal” to revive the stagnating economy with massive investment and predictable policy if it wins elections next year.

Magyar, whose centre-right party has a firm lead over the ruling Fidesz in most opinion polls, poses the biggest political challenge to nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who after 15 years in power finds himself struggling to boost the inflation-hit economy.

The risk of steep U.S. tariffs on EU imports also looms large over recovery prospects and Saturday’s announcement of 30% tariffs on the EU by President Donald Trump is bad news for the Central European country.

Magyar announced his Hungarian New Deal plan to supporters at his party’s congress in the western city of Nagykanizsa.

“We need economic growth, investments, predictable financial and economic policy in Hungary,” Magyar said, adding that Tisza would crack down on corruption and buy back state assets that he said had been stolen over the past 15 years.

The main pillars of Tisza’s plan will be a major healthcare reform with additional funding of 500 billion forints ($1.5 billion) annually, a large-scale rental flat and home construction programme, a modernisation of state railways using EU and national funds, and investments in energy efficiency for households and in education.

Magyar, a former government insider who burst into Hungarian politics last year, again pledged to unlock some 20 billion euros of suspended EU funds that Hungary has not received for years due to clashes between Brussels and Orban over a perceived erosion of democracy and corruption — accusations that Orban denies.

The parliamentary election is set to take place early next year, though no date has been set. In June parliament passed Orban’s 2026 election year budget, including steep tax cuts for families, a key demographic group for Fidesz.

“People are fed up with this regime. And Tisza is a kind of ‘collecting party’ which stood behind all this (discontent). People want change,” said Edit Piroska Borsi, a retired teacher at the congress.

(Reuters)

July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Mr Chaib participates in a virtual meeting organised for the national community in Moscow

Source: APO

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The Secretary of State to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, in charge of the National Community Abroad, Sofiane Chaib, took part, alongside the Minister of Youth, in charge of the Higher Council of Youth (CSJ), Mustapha Hidaoui, in a virtual meeting organized for young Algerians living abroad, in coordination with the Algerian embassy in Moscow.

This virtual meeting is part of a series of activities organized by the CSJ for this segment of the national community, in collaboration and coordination with Algerian diplomatic and consular missions abroad.

In his welcome address, Chaib praised the added value of this type of activity that aims to strengthen ties with young people in the diaspora through a participatory approach to important issues.

The Secretary of State also highlighted the priority given by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to this important matter, noting the attention paid to maintaining permanent contact with young people in our overseas community and implementing measures and initiatives aimed at bolstering their ties with the homeland and benefiting from their diverse experiences for national development.

Chaib said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will spare no effort on its part to examine all proposals that will be made during this meeting, which will be followed by other similar meetings in the future with young people of the diaspora.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: President Mahama inaugurates committee for University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) transfer to University of Ghana

Source: APO

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President John Dramani Mahama has inaugurated a committee tasked with overseeing the transfer of the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) from the Ministry of Health to the University of Ghana.

The inauguration fulfils a key commitment by President Mahama to strengthen the links between the nation’s leading teaching hospital and its premier university.

Named the Transitional Management Committee, the body is co-chaired by two distinguished Ghanaians: Professor Aaron Lawson, a seasoned academic and former Provost of the College of Health Sciences at the University of Ghana, and Professor Mutawakilu Iddrissu, a Neurosurgeon at the Department of Surgery, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital.

The committee has been given a comprehensive mandate to guide the transition process. Its key responsibilities include:

1. Conducting a comprehensive review of the legal mandates, operational structures, and academic frameworks of both UGMC and the University of Ghana Medical School.
2. Developing integration guidelines to ensure coherence between UGMC’s clinical mandates and the university’s teaching and research mandates.
3. Designing a practical roadmap with clear timelines and a communication plan for stakeholders.
4. Facilitating all necessary legal and administrative processes for the seamless transfer and integration.
5. Identifying potential challenges, particularly in funding, staffing, and resource allocation, and proposing sustainable solutions.
6. Establishing a transition secretariat to provide operational and logistical support.
7. Reviewing expressions of interest for partnership by international health care institutions.
8. Submitting a comprehensive report to the President of the Republic within three months from the date of inauguration.

President Mahama emphasised the significance of the committee’s work, urging the members to “work diligently with a sense of historic responsibility,” adding, “You’re laying the foundation for a legacy of health care and medical education excellence. You’re building a bridge between the past and the future.”

The President described the UGMC as currently “a beacon of excellence, a world-class medical institution with a national mandate.”

He noted that the Centre “hosts the largest digitised medical simulation and training centre in West Africa,” which has “the potential to provide cutting-edge training for healthcare professionals across the West African sub-region.”

Built during President Mahama’s first term in office at a cost of $271 million and commissioned before he handed over power, the University of Ghana Medical Centre is a quaternary health facility.

It provides specialised care in numerous areas, including urology, ophthalmology, ear, nose and throat, cardiology, dermatology, neurology, and interventional radiology for cancers.

The facility also boasts amenities such as a medical hotel for clients, assisted reproductive technology services for fertility solutions, and a helipad for airlifting emergency cases.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Oil funds for ‘Big Push’ will be efficiently used, Mahama tells Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC)

Source: APO

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President John Dramani Mahama has assured members of the Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) that oil revenues earmarked for his proposed $10 billion “Big Push” infrastructure initiative will be efficiently disbursed and managed.

The President gave the assurance during a courtesy call by the PIAC members. Led by its Chairman, Mr Constantine K.M. Kudzedzi, the Committee members visited to congratulate the President on his recent election victory and discuss matters concerning the management of Ghana’s oil revenues.

President Mahama outlined his government’s ambitious plan to invest $10 billion over the next five years, allocating $2 billion annually, into priority infrastructure projects across the country.

These projects will target key sectors, including roads, major bridges, education, and health infrastructure, as well as areas vital for boosting productivity in the agriculture sector.

He specified that agricultural projects under the “Big Push” would encompass irrigation schemes, construction of farmer service centres, and support for agribusiness development.

The President stated that the primary sources of funding for this significant policy initiative would be petroleum revenue and minerals royalties.

Commending PIAC for its vital role, President Mahama praised the Committee’s efforts in monitoring and ensuring transparency and accountability in the utilisation of Ghana’s petroleum revenues.

He highlighted PIAC as a commendable model for other countries seeking effective oversight mechanisms.

President Mahama inaugurates committee for UGMC transfer to University of Ghana.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: President of Chad’s National Assembly Meets Qatar’s Ambassador

Source: APO

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HE President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Chad, Ali Kolotou Tchaimi, met with HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Chad, Talib bin Mohammed Al Mankhas.

The meeting discussed cooperation ties between the two countries.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: China completes construction of country’s largest 750 kV ring power transmission line

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

URUMQI, July 13 (Xinhua) — China completed construction on Sunday of a 4,197-km ultra-high-voltage (UHV) power transmission line around the Tarim Basin, home to the country’s largest desert, marking a milestone in infrastructure development in the southern part of northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The largest project of its kind in the country, the 750-kV ring transmission line consists of nine substations and nearly 10,000 steel towers, according to the Xinjiang-based local company in charge of implementing the project, which is part of the Xinjiang branch of China National Grid Corporation.

The said power transmission line took 15 years to build and is expected to be officially commissioned by November 2025, the company said.

The Tarim Basin is home to the Taklamakan Desert, the world’s second-largest shifting sand desert. For centuries, sandstorms have battered the oases of southern Xinjiang, hampering development in the region.

Officials and experts believe the project could accelerate development in southern Xinjiang and provide new energy sources across the country. -0-

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

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MIL OSI Russia News –

July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Uzbekistan’s dried apricot exports up 36 percent in first five months of 2025

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

Tashkent, July 13 (Xinhua) — Uzbekistan exported 6,832 tons of dried apricots in January-May 2025, up 36 percent year-on-year, UzDaily.uz reported on Sunday, citing the National Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan reportedly exported 6,832 tons of dried apricots worth $10.6 million in January-May 2025. “Export volumes increased by 1,800 tons compared to the same period last year, representing a 36 percent increase,” the report said.

The main export destinations are reportedly Kazakhstan /1,792 tons/, China /1,078 tons/, and Türkiye /1,023 tons/.

In November 2024, the press service of the President of Uzbekistan reported that in 2025, the export of fruits and vegetables could reach $3.5 billion. –0–

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

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MIL OSI Russia News –

July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: D. Trump urges supporters to stop attacking attorney general over Epstein investigation

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

WASHINGTON, July 13 (Xinhua) — U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday urged his supporters to stop attacking Attorney General Pam Bondi over the Justice Department’s recent findings regarding sex trafficking defendant Jeffrey Epstein.

“What is happening to my ‘boys’ and in some cases ‘girls’?” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “They are all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi who is doing a fantastic job! We are on the same team, MAGA, and I don’t like what is happening,” he added.

He urged his team “not to waste time and energy on Jeffrey Epstein, a man no one cares about.”

Trump’s defense comes amid a backlash over the Epstein files. On Monday, the Justice Department released a memo saying there was no evidence Epstein had a “client list” or was murdered, prompting disbelief in the findings and criticism of the investigation by Trump’s political allies.

For years, D. Trump and his supporters have been advocating for the release of Epstein’s client list. –0–

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

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MIL OSI Russia News –

July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Creative fireworks show held in China’s ‘fireworks capital’

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

Tourists enjoy a creative fireworks show in Liuyang City, central China’s Hunan Province, July 12, 2025. Liuyang, a small city known as China’s “fireworks capital,” has organized 26 creative fireworks events in the first half of 2025. These events have attracted over 1.5 million tourists in total, stimulating consumer spending of nearly 4 billion yuan (about 558 million U.S. dollars). (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

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MIL OSI China News –

July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI China: 4,000 hiking enthusiasts hit rugged trails in southwest China’s Chongqing

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

Nearly 4,000 hikers from across China gathered on Saturday to compete in the 10th Jinfo Mountain hiking race, in southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality.

Jinfo mountain, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site for its karst landscape, has attracted a growing number of hikers in recent years to experience its natural beauty of steep cliffs, gorges, peaks, caverns, stone forests and waterfalls.

Saturday’s event featured three race categories: competitive, fitness, and family. Competitors from competitive category navigated a challenging 14.5-kilometer mountain course, including vertical ascents and a high-altitude trail carved into cliffs.

Liu Jun of Hubei province won the men’s race in one hour and 32 minutes, while Chengdu’s Liu Jianhua claimed the women’s title in one hour and 55 minutes. Fitness and family group participants completed a six-kilometer scenic route that combined physical activity with natural sightseeing.

Jinfo Mountain is one of China’s top eco-tourism destinations, with forest coverage exceeding 95 percent and cool, oxygen-rich air during the summer months.

The race, launched in 2015, has grown into a signature national outdoor event, boosting tourism and local economies.

MIL OSI China News –

July 13, 2025
West Indies bowl out Australia for 225 after dramatic collapse

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Australia lost seven wickets for 68 runs in a dramatic collapse to be all out for 225 on day one of the third and final test against West Indies at Sabina Park in Kingston, Jamaica.

West Indies finished the day on 16 for one — 209 runs behind — after Australia’s Mitchell Starc bowled Kevlon Anderson off the inside edge in the pacer’s 100th test.

Starc, 35, is just the second Australian fast bowler after Glenn McGrath to play 100 tests.

Australia won the toss and opted to bat first for the day-night test but crumbled despite being 157-3 at one stage as the West Indies bowlers ripped through their middle order before being dismissed in 70.3 overs.

Australia’s Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas shared a 28-run opening partnership before Justin Greaves provided the breakthrough for West Indies by removing Konstas. Steve Smith top-scored for Australia with 48, and shared a 61-run stand with Cameron Green, the visitors’ highest partnership of the day.

West Indies quick Shamar Joseph finished with 4-33, the pick of the home bowlers, while Jayden Seales and Justin Greaves took three wickets each.

For West Indies, opener Brandon King was batting on eight with skipper Roston Chase on three at the other end after losing Anderson for three runs.

West Indies fielded a makeshift opening pair of Anderson and King after Mikyle Louis and John Campbell sustained injuries while fielding and were sent to hospital for scans.

“Every pitch has been tough. The more balls you spend in the middle you hope it gets better but it just hasn’t been the case,” Green told broadcasters.

“It’s a bit of a grind first time with these balls, but a lot of learnings. Time in the middle is key – just trying to get used to their bowlers, their conditions.

“Very happy with our position (in this test). We wanted to give them a tricky last 45 minutes. To get them one down is crucial, and we’ll wait and see what happens tomorrow.”

Australia won the first test by 159 runs and second by 133 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

(Reuters)

July 13, 2025
Women’s Euro 2025: Sweden storm to group victory with 4-1 win over Germany

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Sweden made the most of Germany defender Carlotta Wamser’s expulsion to sweep to a 4-1 win and secure top spot in their Group C clash on Saturday, with their opponents also going through to the quarter-finals as runners-up.

The Swedes finished top of the group with a perfect nine points from three games and will take on the runners-up in Group D, which features France, England, Netherlands and Wales.

The Germans will face the winners of Group D.

Friday’s encounter was the first time the Germans conceded four goals at a Women’s Euros and the Swedes were good value for their win, punishing virtually every mistake the Germans made.

Germany got off to a flying start, slicing Sweden open through the middle as Wamser slid the ball into the path of Jule Brand, who managed to slip it past Jennifer Falk despite the Swedish keeper getting a touch.

The Swedes struck back within five minutes, striker Stina Blackstenius expertly timing her run behind the defence and latching on to Kosovare Asllani’s ball before flashing a shot past Ann-Katrin Berger to level.

Though the Germans looked dangerous every time they crossed the halfway line, it was the Swedes who took the lead through Smilla Holmberg in the 25th minute, the fullback marauding into the box before losing control and then steering an attempted clearance into the net from a tight angle.

RED CARD

Germany’s challenge fell apart in the 32nd minute when Wamser was shown a straight red card for a deliberate handball to block a goal, and Fridolina Rolfo scored from the spot to make it 3-1 in her 100th international.

“The red card was decisive,” Germany coach Christian Wueck said. “We couldn’t fight back into the game with one less player on the pitch.”

Though the Germans made the odd dangerous foray in the second half, the Swedes exploited their numerical advantage and substitute Lina Hurtig put the game beyond reach with a close-range finish in the 80th minute.

“It’s very important to build on a good feeling and gain confidence, now we can look forward,” goalscorer Blackstenius said.

The Germans were disappointed with how the game turned out after such a good start.

“We started the game very well. We were fully in it and the better team,” Klara Buhl said.

“We then give the game away in 10 minutes, that’s incredibly bitter. We have to put that behind us as quickly as possible.”

The Swedes play their quarter-final in Zurich next Thursday, while the Germans will have two extra days of rest before playing their game in Basel on Saturday.

(Reuters)

July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Backing British Industry: Government launches £2.5bn DRIVE35 programme to power UK auto investment and jobs
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

Backing British Industry: Government launches £2.5bn DRIVE35 programme to power UK auto investment and jobs

UK auto firms will benefit from a £2.5 billion commitment over the next decade that will support thousands of jobs and help ensure the UK remains at the forefront of zero-emission vehicle development.
UK auto sector boosted by £2.5 billion under DRIVE35, as government launches new and improved funding competitions, supporting projects which help the transition to zero-emission vehicle manufacturing.

Package forms part of the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy, which takes bold ambition to significantly increase business investment in the advanced manufacturing sector by 2035.

Government also announces over £300 million of investment for specific auto projects, supporting the UK’s thousands of high-value manufacturing jobs and delivering on the Plan for Change.

UK auto firms will benefit from a £2.5 billion commitment over the next decade that will support thousands of jobs and help ensure the UK remains at the forefront of zero-emission vehicle development.

Government is today announcing the launch of DRIVE35, comprising new and improved funding competitions that will support UK businesses. The programme will fund a wide spectrum of projects which help the transition to zero-emission vehicle manufacturing – targeting established high-volume manufacturing and multi-billion-pound gigafactories, all the way to start-ups, prototypes and cutting-edge automotive innovation.

The new programme was announced in the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan, part of the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy. It will commit £2 billion in funding to 2030 alongside an additional £500m for research and development to 2035, signalling a ten-year commitment to UK automotive innovation.

The cash will provide certainty to the sector, give innovators the confidence to invest in the UK and will support the latest in research and development, unlocking capital investment in zero emission vehicles, batteries and their supply chains. 

The automotive sector contributed £21.4 billion in GVA to the economy in 2024 and currently employs 132,000 people across all parts of the UK – including many highly-skilled, highly-paid roles, and apprenticeships. The transition to zero emissions is the biggest opportunity of the 21st century to attract investment, harness British innovation, and deliver growth for generations to come.

The UK was also the largest EV market in Europe in 2024 and the third in the world with over 382,000 EVs sold – up a fifth on the previous year. There are now more than 82,000 public chargepoints in the UK – with one added every half an hour – ensuring that motorists are always a short drive from a socket.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

We’re helping British carmakers get to the front of the pack by working hand in hand with investors to build a globally competitive electric vehicle supply chain in the UK as we deliver our Plan for Change.

We’re taking action to back the industry for the future with the biggest set of announcements for the sector in the last decade. This includes securing a landmark trade deal with the US to bring down tariffs for British car manufacturers, measures in our modern Industrial Strategy to lower electricity prices and updating the ZEV mandate, supporting UK manufacturers to safeguard jobs, and secure the future of the sector.

Economic growth is our number one priority, and by funding our world leading auto sector we are creating the right conditions for increased investment, bringing growth, jobs, and opportunities to every part of the UK.

The funding announced today forms part of government’s bold ambition to significantly increase business investment in the advanced manufacturing sector by 2035, giving British firms an edge in the frontier industries of the future and driving growth across the UK.  

DRIVE35 will build on previous successes with the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) and the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) R&D competitions, which between them leveraged over £6 billion of investment from the private sector, creating thousands of jobs across the UK economy.

The Department for Business and Trade today also announces over £300 million for specific UK automotive manufacturing firms and projects. This includes over £100 million of capital investment for UK automotive manufacturing via the ATF, approximately £140 million in combined Government and industry R&D investment, and £18 million from the new £150m Connected & Automated Mobility (CAM) Pathfinder programme.

With Government support, Bolton is set to benefit from over £100 million in investment from Astemo Ltd., which will be vital to the production of electric vehicle (EV) components in the UK. This investment will produce new generations of electric inverters, supporting over 220 direct high-value jobs in the region and hundreds more in the wider UK supply chain.

The West Midlands will also welcome a recent £15 million investment from Dana to produce parts that are crucial for EV manufacturing. Dana’s investment will ensure skilled jobs in the region, supporting over 100 direct jobs over the long term.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive said:

The creation of this dedicated automotive programme is further evidence of the sector’s importance to economic growth. Delivered as part of the Industrial Strategy, DRIVE35 has the potential to unlock investment and innovation in the UK, supporting jobs and creating wealth across the country. The importance of a long term, cross-government strategy with specific measures for automotive cannot be understated given the challenges facing the sector amid geopolitical uncertainty and fierce global competition. DRIVE35, and the wider measures identified in the Industrial Strategy, must now be implemented at pace to ensure the UK is amongst the leaders in next generation automotive technologies.

Ian Constance, CEO, Advanced Propulsion Centre UK and Zenzic said:

This new investment underlines the commitment from Government to secure advanced manufacturing in the UK. I am pleased that the APC, Zenzic, and its delivery partners are here to facilitate a new wave of funding in the automotive industry, supporting innovation, driving scale-up, and enabling transformation.

Today, we have announced projects receiving four types of grants that boost the UK’s leadership in automotive manufacturing. They will enable the rapid development of demonstrators featuring cutting-edge technology, accelerate ambitious SMEs, and support vital collaborative R&D innovation. This will encourage further investment in the UK’s growing zero-emission supply chain, safeguarding skilled jobs, building on the country’s reputation as a world-leader for technology.

Thanks to the wide range of eligible technologies under the new competitions, DRIVE35 funding will benefit UK auto businesses of all sizes and maturities, from small-scale innovators to large-scale established global companies. Through targeted investment for successful project applicants, the programme will create tens of thousands of new jobs, stimulate billions in economic growth and investment, and cut millions of tonnes CO2 emissions.

The programme will provide a more impactful offering for investors across three streamlined pillars: Transformation, Scale Up and Innovation. Tomorrow the government will open the following competitions across the DRIVE35 programme:

Automotive Transformation Fund: A new and improved capital funding offer under DRIVE35’s keystone Transformation pillar, supporting large-scale capital investments in the UK, and now with a widened technology scope.

Scale Up Feasibility Studies: R&D funding to support businesses with strategic thinking on opportunities to scale, creating a pipeline of exciting decision-ready auto projects for UK investment.

Innovation competitions: Through DRIVE35’s Collaborate and Demonstrate streams, we will build on over a decade of success to support both early-stage and late-stage R&D projects involving innovative technologies and processes.

DRIVE35 will continue the successes of the UK’s world-leading achievements in R&D. As an example, this government has recently committed a combined £70 million of R&D grant funding for over 50 innovative automotive projects. The programme will be delivered by DBT in partnership with APC UK and Innovate UK.

Combined with industry funding, this totals £140 million in new investment for UK R&D. These projects will support technologies including batteries, energy storage, lightweighting and power electronics. Successful applicants include Mercedes and JLR.

Notes to editors:

The winners of the R&D competitions are as follows:

Mobilise: An SME accelerator programme for zero-emission vehicle-related technology, as well as innovations in connected and automated mobility (CAM), and automotive software.

Allye Energy – London

Antobot – South East, Chelmsford

Cellmine – Scotland, Livingstone

Drisq – West Midlands, Malvern

Electrify Everything Now – West Midlands, Worcester

Evie Autonomous – West Midlands, Stoke-On-Trent

High Temperature Material Systems (HTMS) – South West, Bristol

Infiniti Recycling – South East, Cambridge

Kuasasemi – Wales, Cardiff

Lightning Tree Advanced Materials – London

Minimalx – London

Muon Tech – West Midlands, Leamington Spa

Otaski Energy Solutions – North East, Gateshead

Saif Autonomy – South East, Cambridgeshire

Senergy Innovations – Northern Ireland, Carryduff

Super6 – London

Talos Consulting Services – South East, Banbury

Collaborate: Grants fund projects where companies, and academic institutions, form a consortium to take a product or process to commercial readiness. Please note, these are the lead partners only – there are several partners in each consortium.

Ionic Technologies International – Northern Ireland, Belfast

Mint Biomining – West Midlands, Coventry

Mercedes Amg High Performance Powertrains – East Midlands, Northamptonshire

Jaguar Land Rover – West Midlands, Coventry

Phinia Delphi UK – South West, Gloucestershire

Demonstrate: Grants are for companies that are earlier in their product or process development or need a short, sharp sprint to get where they want to be. Please note that these are the lead partners.

Cummins UK – Yorkshire And The Humber, Huddersfield

Oxlid – East Midlands, Nottingham

Thermulon – London

Expert Tooling & Automation – West Midlands, Coventry

Cool Van Ltd – North West – Barnoldswick

Jaguar Land Rover – West Midlands, Warwick

Batri – Wales, Bridgend

Magnetic Systems Technology – Yorkshire and the Humber, Rotherham

Leyland Trucks – North East, Leyland

Project Four Design – West Midlands, Warwick

Fluorok – South East, Oxford

Hydrostar UK – South West, Exeter

Lorillion – West Midlands, Coventry

Talos Consulting Services – South East, Banbury

Ford Motor Company – South East, Essex

Advanced Electric Machines – North East, Washington

Maeving – West Midlands, Coventry

Fering Technologies – London

Green Lithium Refining – North East, Teesside

Mercedes Amg High Performance Powertrains – East Midlands, Northamptonshire

Watt Electric Vehicle Company – South West, Worcester

Electrified Automation – South West, Bridgwater

Ulemco – North West, Liverpool

Clean Air Power Gt – East Midlands, Melton Mowbray

Donut Lab Development UK – South West, Chippenham

Electric Aviation Group – South West, Bristol

Project Four Design – West Midlands, Warwick

Altilium Metals – South West, Plymouth

Inetic – Southampton

Morris Commercial – West Midlands, Evesham

Ilika Technologies – South East, Hampshire

Mcmurtry Automotive – South West, Wotton-Under-Edge

Yasa – South East, Oxford

Phoenix Carbon – East Of England, Stowmarket

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Published 13 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Tickets Are Live: WomenIN Festival 2025 Is Calling the Impactful, the Bold, the Brilliant, and the Brave!
Source: APO

Date: 13–14 November 2025
Venue: Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town

Get ready, Cape Town — the continent’s most inspiring, intersectional, and women-led experience is back. Tickets for WomenIN Festival 2025 are now officially live, and this year’s edition is set to be the most dynamic yet.

Brought to you by the team behind the WomenIN portfolio at the VUKA Group, The WomenIN Festival is not just an event — it’s a movement. We’re passionate about creating real impact and proud to be walking the talk through our work with a range of NPOs and our ongoing efforts to end period poverty and more. This is a celebration of women who are building businesses, reshaping industries, mentoring the next generation, and changing what leadership looks like. It’s where purpose meets power, and passion fuels possibility.

More than a moment, WomenIN is a platform for progress — offering real tools, bold ideas, and authentic connection. Whether you’re a student, entrepreneur, executive, artist, activist, or ally — this is the space to be seen, heard, and supported.

The Only Truly Cross-Sector, Intersectional Event of Its Kind in Africa

What sets WomenIN Festival apart is its cross-sector, intersectional approach. Across the year, WomenIN has hosted groundbreaking sector-specific gatherings: WomenIN Green Economy, WomenIN Energy, WomenIN Mobility, WomenIN Mining, WomenIN Digital Transformation, and more.

The WomenIN Festival brings it all together — one platform, one powerful space, where industries, identities, and ideas converge. This is not just another women’s event. It’s the future — inclusive, ambitious, and unapologetically bold.

Here’s What to Expect at WomenIN Festival 2025:
- Conversations that matter — unfiltered talks and powerful panels with some of Africa’s most impactful leaders in business, tech, media, energy, sustainability, finance, and more
- Hands-on learning through transformative masterclasses and workshops that equip you with the tools to lead change
- Youth-led showcases that amplify the voices of tomorrow’s changemakers
- Connection spaces to collaborate and co-create with powerful women (and allies) across the continent
- Interactive activations, immersive experiences, and unexpected moments of joy and transformation
Tickets starting at R1,499 for a 2-day experience. Group bookings available.

There’s an access point for everyone — from student passes to group tickets and premium VIP experiences.

Sponsor a Ticket, Power a Future

WomenIN is proud to introduce its Sponsor a Ticket initiative — an opportunity for individuals and organisations to sponsor access for young women who would not otherwise be able to attend. This is about creating real, tangible impact — unlocking doors, building confidence, and investing in the next generation of leaders.

“When we invest in women, we don’t just change one life — we ripple transformation across communities, sectors, and economies. The WomenIN Festival is that ripple. It’s where we show up for one another and leave no one behind.”
— Naz Fredericks-Maharaj, WomenIN Portfolio Director, Vuka Group

Real Impact. Real Change. All Year Round.

From rural school drives to youth mentorship, from digital inclusion campaigns to high-impact corporate partnerships — WomenIN is more than a festival. It’s a values-driven ecosystem with a clear mission: to uplift, equip, and empower women and girls in Africa to rise, lead, and thrive.

Join the Movement. Be the Moment.

Whether you’ve followed us from the beginning or you’re only just discovering our work, this is your invitation to join a growing network of changemakers who are louder together, braver together — and better together.

Visit www.WeAreWomenIN.com to get your ticket, sponsor someone else’s, or explore partnership opportunities.

Come as you are. Leave ignited.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

WomenIN (WiN): Empowering Women, Breaking Barriers, Creating Impact:
WomenIN is a powerful cross-sector movement that connects, inspires, and uplifts women across Africa through collaboration, leadership, and sustainable development. From energy and mobility to retail, gaming, and the green economy, WiN is driving real change by building inclusive ecosystems where women can thrive.

Through a range of in-person gatherings, digital content, workshops, and sector-specific initiatives, WomenIN provides a trusted platform for female professionals, entrepreneurs, changemakers, and allies to grow together, break silos, and co-create solutions for Africa’s future. With a strong focus on capacity building, leadership development, and market access for female-owned businesses, WomenIN is building a legacy of impact for generations to come.

Whether you’re a corporate, NPO, SMME, or individual changemaker, there is space for you at the table—because we win when we WiN together.

For more information, please visit: www.WeAreWomenIN.com or contact our team at info@wearewomenin.com.

ABOUT VUKA Group:
VUKA Group brings people and organisations together to connect with information and each other in meaningful conversations that drive growth and transformation across Africa’s industries. With 20+ years of experience on the continent, the group delivers sector-leading platforms across Energy, Mining, Smart Mobility, Transport, Retail, and Women Empowerment.

The WomenIN (WiN) portfolio is a flagship initiative of VUKA Group, championing gender inclusivity and creating opportunities for women to lead, influence, and innovate across sectors. With a proudly African team and a commitment to sustainable development, VUKA is creating a future where everyone has the opportunity to rise.

Learn more at: www.WeAreWomenIN.com

Media files

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MIL OSI Africa –
July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Guineafowl can outsmart extreme temperatures: we spent a year finding out how

Source: The Conversation – Africa (2) – By Johann van Niekerk, Doctor, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa

Have you ever wondered how wild birds cope with baking hot afternoons and freezing cold mornings? Our new study has taken a close look at one of Africa’s most familiar birds – the helmeted guineafowl – and uncovered surprising answers about how they deal with extreme temperatures.

The helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris) is a common sight across sub-Saharan Africa’s savannas and semi-arid regions. They are instantly recognisable with their spotted plumage, bony helmet, bare blue head, and loud cackling calls. These birds are famously social, often seen roaming in noisy flocks.

Helmeted guineafowl can endure air temperatures from -4°C up to 40°C in South Africa.

The idea that animals huddle to stay warm – known as social thermoregulation – is well documented in mammals and birds like penguins. This theory proposes that animals huddle together to conserve heat in cold conditions, but is this what guineafowl are doing?

Together with colleagues in Spain, we set out to find the answer because understanding whether birds group to keep warm or for other reasons helps ecologists uncover the true drivers of social behaviour. This can also inform how species will respond to changing climates and help guide conservation strategies.

We studied a wild population of guineafowl in South Africa’s Madikwe Game Reserve, a protected area near the Botswana border. It’s known for its sharp daily temperature fluctuations during winter, with cold, frosty mornings dropping to 0°C and sweltering afternoons reaching up to 40°C.

To spy on the birds without disturbing them, we set up a live-streaming webcam at a busy waterhole, recording their behaviour over an entire year. We watched how group size, body posture and daily routines shifted with the seasons and weather.

What we found was striking.

Our study challenges some common assumptions about how animals survive in extreme climates. Guineafowl don’t rely on cuddling for warmth like some penguins and some species of monkeys. Rather, they use behaviour – adjusting posture, timing their activity and changing group sizes according to food and safety needs – to navigate life’s temperature extremes.

This strategy may help them cope with the growing unpredictability of climate.

When they get together, it’s to exploit a food patch and nurture their offspring within close-knit social groups while foraging, or to fend off predators during coordinated mobbing behaviour.

What we found

The evidence we gathered shows that the guineafowl did not form bigger groups when temperatures dropped. There was no evidence they huddled together to stay warm. Even at night, when they roosted in trees, they perched in small family units – just two or three birds per branch.

Our findings suggest that the reason guineafowl form groups has more to do with food and safety.

During the dry winter months, when seeds and vegetation are scarce, the birds form large foraging flocks to help find food and stay safe from predators. More eyes mean better chances of spotting danger. This supports the widely recognised “many eyes” hypothesis, which shows that individuals in larger groups benefit from improved predator detection. But once the rains return and food becomes more plentiful and spread out, the guineafowl split into pairs or small groups to focus on breeding.

While group size wasn’t tied to temperature, the birds used clever body postures to handle both heat and cold. On chilly mornings below 17°C, they puffed out their collar feathers and tucked their bare necks deep into their bodies, creating a rounded, fluffy ball that trapped heat.

On warmer days, they stood tall with their necks fully extended, legs exposed, and feathers sleek to release excess heat. When temperatures soared above 30°C, they opened their beaks to pant, spread their wings slightly away from their bodies, and exposed bare skin to cool off, much as a dog pants on a hot day.

One of the most delightful behaviours observed was “sunning”. On frosty winter mornings, guineafowl would fly down from their roosts and stand facing the rising sun, fluffing their feathers and soaking up warmth before starting their day. It’s a simple, effective way to heat up after a cold night.

Another surprise was how rarely the birds drank water. Despite living in a dry environment, only about 2% of observed guineafowl visits were to the waterhole. In wet seasons, they likely get most of their moisture from eating green plants and insects. In the cold, dry season, when food is drier, drinking increased slightly, but still far less than expected.

They drank even less when it was both hot and windy, possibly because the noise of the wind makes it harder to detect predators when standing out in the open. Avoiding water during hot periods is usual among helmeted guineafowl, which typically avoid exposing themselves during peak heat due to increased predation risk and the physiological stress of extreme temperatures. Most galliforms (gamebirds) and terrestrial species favour early morning or late afternoon activity patterns, limiting mid-day exposure.

Every evening, the flock gathered at the same familiar “launching pad” near the waterhole and flew into nearby trees to roost. But once again, warmth wasn’t the reason for this behaviour. They roosted to avoid ground predators, not to share body heat. I have seen them for many years going into trees when predators or dogs chase them, unlike spurfowl and francolin just flying further on.

Why insights are useful

This research carries important lessons for understanding animal adaptation. Rather than relying on group warmth, guineafowl show how behavioural flexibility, adjusting posture, timing and habitat use, can buffer them against harsh conditions. It highlights how survival depends not just on temperature or water availability, but on having access to diverse habitat types: open grasslands for foraging and trees or dense bush for roosting and safety.

As climates shift and ecosystems change, understanding how animals like guineafowl cope with extremes will be crucial for conservation planning.

Johann van Niekerk 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. Guineafowl can outsmart extreme temperatures: we spent a year finding out how – https://theconversation.com/guineafowl-can-outsmart-extreme-temperatures-we-spent-a-year-finding-out-how-260439

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China says response to Japanese planes’ actions reasonable, professional 2025-07-13 16:37:08 The response of Chinese military aircraft to the Japanese planes repeatedly conducting close reconnaissance in the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone was entirely reasonable and professional, a Chinese defense spokesman said on Sunday morning.
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
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MIL OSI China News –
July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Xi congratulates Jennifer Simons on election as Surinamese president 2025-07-13 16:47:21 Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday congratulated Jennifer Simons on her election as Surinamese president.
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) — Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday congratulated Jennifer Simons on her election as Surinamese president.

In his congratulatory message, Xi depicted Suriname as China’s strategic cooperative partner in the Caribbean region.

Thanks to the joint efforts from both sides, China-Suriname relations have enjoyed sound and steady growth with fruitful practical cooperation in various fields and close coordination in multilateral affairs over the past 49 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Xi said.

Xi said that he attaches great importance to the growth of China-Suriname relations and stands ready to work with President-elect Simons to deepen the mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation and further grow the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership so as to deliver greater benefits to the two peoples.
loading…

MIL OSI China News –
July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Guineafowl can outsmart extreme temperatures: we spent a year finding out how

Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Johann van Niekerk, Doctor, Department of Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa

Have you ever wondered how wild birds cope with baking hot afternoons and freezing cold mornings? Our new study has taken a close look at one of Africa’s most familiar birds – the helmeted guineafowl – and uncovered surprising answers about how they deal with extreme temperatures.

The helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris) is a common sight across sub-Saharan Africa’s savannas and semi-arid regions. They are instantly recognisable with their spotted plumage, bony helmet, bare blue head, and loud cackling calls. These birds are famously social, often seen roaming in noisy flocks.

Helmeted guineafowl can endure air temperatures from -4°C up to 40°C in South Africa.

The idea that animals huddle to stay warm – known as social thermoregulation – is well documented in mammals and birds like penguins. This theory proposes that animals huddle together to conserve heat in cold conditions, but is this what guineafowl are doing?

Together with colleagues in Spain, we set out to find the answer because understanding whether birds group to keep warm or for other reasons helps ecologists uncover the true drivers of social behaviour. This can also inform how species will respond to changing climates and help guide conservation strategies.

We studied a wild population of guineafowl in South Africa’s Madikwe Game Reserve, a protected area near the Botswana border. It’s known for its sharp daily temperature fluctuations during winter, with cold, frosty mornings dropping to 0°C and sweltering afternoons reaching up to 40°C.

To spy on the birds without disturbing them, we set up a live-streaming webcam at a busy waterhole, recording their behaviour over an entire year. We watched how group size, body posture and daily routines shifted with the seasons and weather.

What we found was striking.

Our study challenges some common assumptions about how animals survive in extreme climates. Guineafowl don’t rely on cuddling for warmth like some penguins and some species of monkeys. Rather, they use behaviour – adjusting posture, timing their activity and changing group sizes according to food and safety needs – to navigate life’s temperature extremes.

This strategy may help them cope with the growing unpredictability of climate.

When they get together, it’s to exploit a food patch and nurture their offspring within close-knit social groups while foraging, or to fend off predators during coordinated mobbing behaviour.

What we found

The evidence we gathered shows that the guineafowl did not form bigger groups when temperatures dropped. There was no evidence they huddled together to stay warm. Even at night, when they roosted in trees, they perched in small family units – just two or three birds per branch.

Our findings suggest that the reason guineafowl form groups has more to do with food and safety.

During the dry winter months, when seeds and vegetation are scarce, the birds form large foraging flocks to help find food and stay safe from predators. More eyes mean better chances of spotting danger. This supports the widely recognised “many eyes” hypothesis, which shows that individuals in larger groups benefit from improved predator detection. But once the rains return and food becomes more plentiful and spread out, the guineafowl split into pairs or small groups to focus on breeding.

While group size wasn’t tied to temperature, the birds used clever body postures to handle both heat and cold. On chilly mornings below 17°C, they puffed out their collar feathers and tucked their bare necks deep into their bodies, creating a rounded, fluffy ball that trapped heat.

On warmer days, they stood tall with their necks fully extended, legs exposed, and feathers sleek to release excess heat. When temperatures soared above 30°C, they opened their beaks to pant, spread their wings slightly away from their bodies, and exposed bare skin to cool off, much as a dog pants on a hot day.

One of the most delightful behaviours observed was “sunning”. On frosty winter mornings, guineafowl would fly down from their roosts and stand facing the rising sun, fluffing their feathers and soaking up warmth before starting their day. It’s a simple, effective way to heat up after a cold night.

Another surprise was how rarely the birds drank water. Despite living in a dry environment, only about 2% of observed guineafowl visits were to the waterhole. In wet seasons, they likely get most of their moisture from eating green plants and insects. In the cold, dry season, when food is drier, drinking increased slightly, but still far less than expected.

They drank even less when it was both hot and windy, possibly because the noise of the wind makes it harder to detect predators when standing out in the open. Avoiding water during hot periods is usual among helmeted guineafowl, which typically avoid exposing themselves during peak heat due to increased predation risk and the physiological stress of extreme temperatures. Most galliforms (gamebirds) and terrestrial species favour early morning or late afternoon activity patterns, limiting mid-day exposure.

Every evening, the flock gathered at the same familiar “launching pad” near the waterhole and flew into nearby trees to roost. But once again, warmth wasn’t the reason for this behaviour. They roosted to avoid ground predators, not to share body heat. I have seen them for many years going into trees when predators or dogs chase them, unlike spurfowl and francolin just flying further on.

Why insights are useful

This research carries important lessons for understanding animal adaptation. Rather than relying on group warmth, guineafowl show how behavioural flexibility, adjusting posture, timing and habitat use, can buffer them against harsh conditions. It highlights how survival depends not just on temperature or water availability, but on having access to diverse habitat types: open grasslands for foraging and trees or dense bush for roosting and safety.

As climates shift and ecosystems change, understanding how animals like guineafowl cope with extremes will be crucial for conservation planning.

– Guineafowl can outsmart extreme temperatures: we spent a year finding out how
– https://theconversation.com/guineafowl-can-outsmart-extreme-temperatures-we-spent-a-year-finding-out-how-260439

MIL OSI Africa –

July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Submissions: Indonesia plans to rewrite its national history: A return to an incomplete narrative?

Source: The Conversation – Indonesia – By Adrian Perkasa, Peneliti Pascadoktoral, Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies

Indonesia’s plan to rewrite its official national history was initially met with positive responses, particularly for its goal of better serving the younger generation. But the project to reshape the country’s mainstream historical narrative soon ignited widespread controversy for overlooking underrepresented groups and reinforcing authoritarian tendencies.

By incorporating the latest data and expanding the coverage of historical events and figures, the initiative — launched by the Indonesian Historian Association (MSI) and backed by the Culture Ministry on May 2025 — raised hopes for a more inclusive, accurate, and relevant national history.

However, backlash soon followed, with criticism intensifying after Culture Minister Fadli Zon’s controversial statement) dismissing the 1998 mass rapes as mere rumours.

Various groups argue that the rewriting of national history is a calculated move to bolster an increasingly authoritarian government, as it relies solely on scholars and historians with ties to those in power.

Many groups remain underrepresented

A nation’s relationship with its history is deeply tied to how contemporary narratives are constructed or shaped. For national historiography to carry legitimacy, it must meaningfully include the voices of diverse groups, classes, communities, and entities.

However, the project’s terms of reference fail to give due attention to space for women’s roles in the Indonesian independence movement].

Its treatment of historical narratives from regions beyond Java also remains insufficient — let alone its neglect of non-political and non-economic themes, such as the arts or sports.

Silent affirmation?

In response to the controversy, few formal statements have been made from either MSI or the historians involved in the project, apart from the minister and the project’s principal editor.

One notable exception came from a historian via his social media page, where he reflected on the dilemma of being both an intellectual and a public servant involved in the project.

He argued that speaking from within, rather than criticising from the outside, demands greater courage and careful calculation – a stance he fears is likely to be overlooked.

As a history-and-culture researcher, his remarks reinforce the perception that many of the historians involved in the revision project are civil servants at state universities or individuals closely aligned with those in power.

Lessons from the past

History itself tells us that the writing of national history is deeply intertwined with the interests of ruling authorities and their affiliated groups.

From its inception, the genre of national history that emerged in 19th-century Europe and the United States was closely tied to efforts to legitimise territorial expansion and colonial rule.

In the context of Indonesia’s current national history revision project, it is worth revisiting comparisons between how national histories were written under Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines and Suharto in Indonesia.

Historians in both countries should be recognised as active agents with their own interests and authority — not as passive participants or easily influenced figures.

During Suharto’s regime, one historian even withdrew from the state-led national history writing project due to disagreements, particularly over methodological approaches.

The project’s director marginalised historian Sartono Kartodirdjo — who championed a multidimensional approach — in favour of a more linear, state-centric narrative. Sartono’s more holistic perspective made space for a broader range of historical actors, including farmers and other often-overlooked communities.

A similar precedent can be traced back to the early years of Indonesian independence, when the government initiated efforts to document the country’s national history in the 1950s. At the time, the National History Writing Committee — comprising prominent scholars — organised Indonesia’s first National History Seminar.

Yet the initiative failed to produce an official national history, partly due to the same kind of unresolved methodological debates that resurfaced during Suharto’s rule.

A project for whom?

Marcus Tullius Cicero, the Roman philosopher-turned-statesman, once said, historia magistra vitae est – history is the teacher of life.

Given the failures and controversies surrounding Indonesia’s earlier attempt to produce an official national history, the current revision project demands critical re-evaluation — and, if necessary, a complete halt.

Merely involving more historians to boost representation is not an adequate solution either.

The core issue lies not in revising history, but in advancing Indonesian historiography. Rather than pushing ahead with an extensive national history rewrite, the government should prioritise fostering diverse local history initiatives — through programmes such as the Cultural Endowment Fund or the Indonesiana Fund.

This approach would enable a more comprehensive and representative account of Indonesian history — one that integrates local perspectives while remaining connected to national and global narratives.

Saya pernah dan masih berkolaborasi untuk riset dengan beberapa lembaga di lingkungan Kementerian Kebudayaan seperti Museum dan Cagar Budaya Nasional, Balai Pelestarian Kebudayaan, dan lainnya.

– ref. Indonesia plans to rewrite its national history: A return to an incomplete narrative? – https://theconversation.com/indonesia-plans-to-rewrite-its-national-history-a-return-to-an-incomplete-narrative-260298

MIL OSI –

July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Exclusive: Cities today are not only economic hubs, but also diplomatic centers – Kazakhstani expert

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

ALMATY, July 13 (Xinhua) — Cities today are not only economic hubs but also diplomatic centers, Serik Korzhumbayev, editor-in-chief of the Delovoy Kazakhstan newspaper, said in a recent exclusive interview with Xinhua at the “Dialogue of Mayors of the World – SCO Summit Cities” event held in Tianjin.

According to him, participation in the SCO cities dialogue has shown that respect for cultural diversity, dialogue at the people level and real cooperation at the city level are becoming the most important for the sustainable development of the countries of the region. Kazakhstan, as a bridge between the East and the West, between China and Central Asia, plays a key role in this process.

“Today we see how the humanitarian dimension is coming to the forefront within the SCO. It is especially important that the younger generation of the SCO member states have the opportunity to exchange experiences, learn from each other, and understand the values of their partners. This is the foundation for long-term peace and sustainable development,” said S. Korzhumbayev.

The expert also stressed that cities like Tianjin are becoming a model of “modernization with a human face,” where technology serves not only efficiency, but also the comfort of life, ecology, and safety.

The Tianjin meeting in preparation for the SCO summit this fall was a convincing confirmation that cities are becoming “laboratories” of a new format of international cooperation – more humane, technological and environmentally friendly. These cities are where connections, trust and images of the future are formed that will determine the course of development of the entire Eurasian space. –0–

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

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: In the first half of 2025, the volume of goods sent by China-Europe trains from Zhejiang Province increased by 11.1 percent.

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) — A total of 131,000 standard containers of cargo were shipped from east China’s Zhejiang Province via the Yixinou (Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe) route on China-Europe international rail freight services in the first half of 2025, up 11.1 percent year on year, according to data from Hangzhou Customs.

According to the official website of the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China, there are currently 26 regular cross-border routes within the framework of China-Europe rail freight transportation, linking Zhejiang Province with more than 160 cities in more than 50 countries on the Eurasian continent. The volume of goods sent by China-Europe trains maintains stable growth.

In order to ensure the steady growth of the range and quantity of goods transported along Yixinou routes, Hangzhou Customs has taken a series of measures to simplify customs clearance, such as opening a “green corridor” for China-Europe trains and pre-registration for customs clearance of goods on a 24/7 basis /24 hours a day, 7 days a week/.

The Yiwu-Xinjiang-Europe international freight railway route was officially launched in November 2014. It starts in Yiwu, known as the “world supermarket,” passes through Xinjiang to Kazakhstan, crosses the territories of Russia, Belarus, Poland, Germany, France and ends in Madrid, Spain. The total length of the line is more than 13 thousand km. -0-

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

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 13, 2025
80.11% electors of Bihar submitted their enumeration forms: Election Commission

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday said that it has made significant progress in Bihar by establishing direct contact with nearly all electors, achieving over 80% collection of Enumeration Forms (EFs) well ahead of the stipulated deadline of July 25.

With the support of 77,895 existing Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and 20,603 newly appointed BLOs, field-level operations are being rigorously monitored by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) across all 243 Assembly Constituencies, involving 38 District Election Officers (DEOs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), and 963 Assistant EROs (AEROs).

As of 6:00 PM on Saturday, a total of 6,32,59,497 Enumeration Forms, amounting to 80.11% of the target, have been collected — indicating that four out of every five electors in the state have already submitted their forms.

This extensive outreach is being supported by 1.5 lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by political parties, and over 4 lakh volunteers, with a focus on ensuring inclusion of senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PwDs), and other vulnerable groups.

The ECI has completed 100% printing and nearly full distribution of EFs to electors found at their registered addresses. The collected forms are being swiftly digitised, with 4.66 crore EFs already uploaded onto ECINet, a newly developed integrated software system that replaces the earlier 40 ECI apps.

Electors are encouraged to submit their EFs along with eligibility documents to ensure their inclusion in the draft electoral rolls, which will be published on August 1, 2025. Those needing more time can submit documents until August 30, the last date for filing claims and objections.

With the current pace, the ECI is confident of surpassing its target well before the deadline, marking a major step forward in strengthening the electoral process in Bihar.

July 13, 2025
Shivraj Singh calls PM Modi’s tenure a ‘golden era’ for employment in India

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure a ‘golden era’ for employment in India. He made the remarks while distributing appointment letters to successful candidates at the Pradhan Mantri Rozgar Mela held in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.

The nationwide employment drive saw over 51,000 youth across the country receiving appointment letters for government jobs. PM Modi also addressed the event virtually.

Speaking at the event, Chouhan said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision is a blessing for India. Under his leadership, we are on a grand mission to build a ‘Viksit Bharat’. There’s tremendous work happening across all sectors. In terms of employment, Prime Minister Modi’s current tenure is a golden era, as over 25 crore people have risen above the poverty line. He has uprooted poverty from its roots.”

“Speaking of direct government jobs – more than 10 lakh youth have already been provided with employment”, he added.

Chouhan emphasized that more than 51,200 youth have been appointed to various departments on Saturday, including the Railways, through a fully transparent, merit-based process.

Congratulating the newly appointed candidates, he said their employment marks not only personal success but also their role in building a ‘Viksit Bharat’. He also thanked PM Modi for his visionary leadership and continued commitment to youth empowerment.

July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China defends approach by military aircraft after Japan complaint

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

A Chinese defense spokesperson on Sunday dismissed Japanese claims that Chinese military aircraft had flown “abnormally close” to its planes, saying China’s response was legitimate and professional.

Japanese Air Self-Defense Force intelligence-gathering aircraft had engaged in repeated close-in surveillance efforts in China’s air defense identification zone over the East China Sea, said Jiang Bin, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, in response to a question from the media.

Chinese aircraft took measures to identify, track and monitor the Japanese planes in accordance with the law, Jiang said. “Our response was entirely legitimate, reasonable, and conducted in a professional and standard manner.”

Close-in reconnaissance and harassment by Japanese military vessels and aircraft are sources of maritime and air security risks between China and Japan, said the spokesperson.

“We urge the Japanese side to work with China to foster an atmosphere conducive to the stable development of bilateral ties,” Jiang added.

MIL OSI China News –

July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China completes “power expressway loop” around southern Xinjiang desert

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

China has finished construction of a 4,197-km extra-high voltage power transmission loop around the Tarim Basin, home to the country’s largest desert, marking a major infrastructure milestone in southern Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China.

The final section of the 750-kilovolt (kV) loop, now the country’s largest of its kind, was connected on Sunday, capping a 15-year project involving nine substations and nearly 10,000 steel towers, according to a subsidiary of State Grid Xinjiang Electric Power Co., Ltd., which constructed the project.

This move completed a “power expressway loop”, which is expected to become fully operational by November 2025, the company said.

Tarim Basin is home to the Taklimakan Desert, the world’s second-largest drifting desert. For centuries, relentless sandstorms have battered the oases of southern Xinjiang, isolating them not only in terms of distance but also from the prospects of development.

Officials and experts say the project could put southern Xinjiang on a fast track to development and boost new energy supply nationwide.

MIL OSI China News –

July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CS to depart for Hainan, Heilongjiang

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki will depart for Hainan Province and Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, tomorrow morning to meet local leaders to discuss matters of mutual concern and explore ways to strengthen exchanges and co-operation.

During the visit, Mr Chan will also join activities of Mainland study tours under the Strive & Rise Programme to interact with participating mentees.

Mr Chan will return to Hong Kong on July 16. During his absence, Deputy Chief Secretary Cheuk Wing-hing will be Acting Chief Secretary.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 13, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Latin American regional bloc condemns US sanctions against Cuban officials

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

CARACAS, July 13 (Xinhua) — The Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of the Americas (ALBA) on Saturday strongly condemned U.S. sanctions against senior Cuban officials.

In a statement, the bloc called the sanctions imposed by the US State Department on Friday “shameful,” condemning the measures against Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, Armed Forces Minister General Alvaro Lopez Miera and Interior Minister Lazaro Alberto Alvarez Casas.

“The sanctions reflect a deep fear of imperialism in the face of the living example of resistance, dignity and sovereignty embodied by the Cuban Revolution,” the statement said, reaffirming the bloc’s solidarity with the Cuban people, government and leadership.

“Cuba is not alone. The people of America stand with it,” the statement said.

Washington announced the sanctions on Friday, which Washington said were related to the role of Cuban officials in the “brutal suppression of protests” in 2021. –0–

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

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MIL OSI Russia News –

July 13, 2025