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  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Over £1bn in investment deals as UK-France launch new Industrial Strategy Partnership

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    Over £1bn in investment deals as UK-France launch new Industrial Strategy Partnership

    The UK and France have launched a new Industrial Strategy Partnership following a successful UK-France Summit, where over £1 billion worth of investment deals into the UK have been confirmed.

    • New Partnership is first of its kind in Europe, boosting UK-France collaboration in key high growth sectors.   

    • Follows a successful UK-France Summit, where leading firms announced a billion pounds worth of investment creating thousands of highly skilled jobs.  

    • Deals are the latest vote of confidence and show the Plan for Change is working – as recent survey puts UK as joint-top global investment destination.   

    A new partnership between the UK and France will deepen economic collaboration and unlock billions in valuable investment into high growth-driving sectors – boosting the economy and delivering on the Plan for Change. 

    The announcement comes following yesterday’s 37th UK-France Summit, where leading French companies announced investments worth over £1 billion into the UK, creating thousands of highly-skilled jobs across the country – helping to put more money in people’s pockets. 

    This builds on the tidal wave of investment the government has welcomed into the UK since taking Office, worth over £100 billion, alongside 384,000 jobs created since the election. 

    The partnership forms part of the UK’s recent modern Industrial Strategy – a new approach that will create a more connected, high-skilled and resilient economy to kickstart an era of economic prosperity, the central mission in the government’s Plan for Change. 

    This partnership is a collaboration in key growth sectors including in technology, clean energy industries and advanced manufacturing, supporting a quicker green and digital transition and building our economic resilience to drive economic growth and innovation. 

    It advances a cross-Channel trade relationship worth £104 billion in 2024 and reaffirms the UK’s position as a global investment destination, the same week a Deloitte survey found that international finance leaders see the UK as the joint-most attractive destination when it comes to investment. 

    It also builds on the strong collaboration which already exists between the UK and France across vital areas including energy, aviation, tech and finance – all of which fall under the key growth sectors identified in the government’s modern Industrial Strategy. 

    Today’s announcement follows Wednesday’s roundtable attended by leading French and British firms hosted by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, French Economy, Finance and Industry Minister Eric Lombard and French Digital Affairs Minister Clara Chappaz.  

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said:  

    This is our first Industrial Strategy Partnership with a major European partner, and will combine our joint expertise across energy, advanced manufacturing, technology and more, helping deliver our Plan for Change by boosting growth to deliver more money in people’s pockets.

    Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    This milestone is an exciting new chapter in our already strong relationship with France and will boost both countries’ key sectors by driving two-way innovation and investment, delivering on our Plan for Change.”  

    Our Modern Industrial Strategy is a 10-year plan to kickstart an era of economic prosperity and this partnership will serve as a welcome anchor at a time of significant geopolitical uncertainty. It is built on the best of foundations, with both our businesses and citizens sharing deep links.

    Today’s deals show that the UK is open for international companies to expand their businesses in a wide range of priority sectors, including:  

    • Veolia has announced a £70 million investment to transform an existing, disused industrial facility to a state-of-the-art plastics sorting and recycling facility in Shropshire, creating more than 130 local jobs. 

    • Thales, in conjunction with partners, is planning £40 million of AI-focussed R&D investment as part of its CortAIx UK AI Accelerator, which will employ 200 people. 

    • Comand AI are investing £35 million over the next five years to set up an office in the UK, in their first step to becoming a pan-European defence company.  

    • Pernod Ricard is investing a further £17.5 million in its Scotch whisky producer, Chivas Brothers, to create two new bottling lines at its Kilmalid site near Glasgow.   

    • LVMH will operate at least twenty Sephora stores by 2028, with a need of 800 additional recruitments.   

    • EDF confirmed earlier this week that thousands of UK jobs and apprenticeships will be created as it announced it will take a 12.5% stake in Sizewell C – in a major boost for UK growth and energy security. Assystem will double its nuclear workforce in the UK, creating 1,000 new engineering, digital and project management jobs. Urenco also signed a 15-year deal with EDF to produce fuel for nuclear power stations, supporting Urenco UK’s workforce of more than 1,400 people. 

    • French company Ardian has also in the last week finalised its acquisition of an additional 10% stake in London Heathrow as a gateway for growth with a further £888 million investment, taking their investment into the airport to £2.85 billion, supporting the site’s 80,000 jobs.  

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds also met with French Economy, Finance and Industry Minister Éric Lombard yesterday, to discuss the importance of French investment in the UK and how this new partnership will enable more collaboration in key sectors such as clean energy, tech and economic resilience. 

    UK companies are also continuing to succeed in the French market, delivering on the government’s AI opportunities action plan, from capability to R&D. British tech unicorns are winning tens of millions of pounds in significant contracts with French corporates, driving jobs and growth at home. 

    This includes Synthesia’s new partnership with Decathlon to create a pioneering AI avatar lab, ElevenLabs’ collaboration with M6 and TV5 Monde, and Darktrace’s contract with GL Events, a French major events operator. BT is also connecting more than 80 French-headquartered companies including Alstom and Michelin in France, with operations totalling approximately £130 million last financial year. 

    The refresh of the Lancaster House defence partnership is also creating new opportunities in the UK’s aerospace and defence sectors, supporting over 2,750 highly skilled jobs and representing billions to the UK and French economies through joint export promotion and capability projects which benefit the UK’s defence industries, including MBDA and Airbus. 

    The agreement with France follows the Industrial Strategy Partnership committed to between the UK and Japan in March, preceding publication of the Strategy in June.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Be prepared as agency issues Amber alert for hot weather

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    It will be in force from 12pm today (Friday 11 July, 2025) until 9am on Tuesday 14 July, 2025, with the warmest weather forecast to climb to over 30C over the next 48 hours.

    The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) warns that the hot weather is likely to bring increased pressures on health and social care services, could lead to a possible rise in deaths – particularly among those aged 65 or over or with health conditions – and is a health risk to the wider population.

    Councillor Obaida Ahmed, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “While many people enjoy hot weather, high temperatures such as those forecast over the coming days can be dangerous, especially for people who may be particularly vulnerable such as older people, young children and those with serious illnesses.

    “Everyone can enjoy the sun safely by keeping out of the heat at the hottest time of the day, avoiding sunburn and staying hydrated with plenty of cool, non-alcoholic drinks.

    “Older people and those with long term illnesses are particularly vulnerable to the effects of very hot weather, so I’d urge people to look out for them and keep indoor areas as cool as possible.”

    Top tips for being sun safe include:

    • try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm
    • wear UV sunglasses, preferably wraparound, to reduce UV exposure to the eyes, walk in the shade, apply sunscreen of at least sun protection factor 15 with UVA protection
    • wear light, loose fitting cotton clothes, a hat and light scarf, which will help minimise the risk of sunburn
    • drink plenty of water – and note that sugary, alcoholic and caffeinated drinks can make you more dehydrated
    • look out for others especially vulnerable groups such as the older people, young children and babies and those with serious illnesses
    • never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals
    • avoid deep water, such as canals and lakes
    • keep bedroom and living space cool by closing the curtains on windows that receive the sun and opening windows at cooler times of the day and overnight. Turn off non-essential lights and electrical items as these generate heat
    • health and social care workers should regularly check on vulnerable patients, share sun safety messages, make sure room temperatures are set below 26°C and ensure patients have access to cold water and ice.

    For more advice, please visit Heatwave: how to cope in hot weather.

    To keep an eye on the weather forecast for Wolverhampton, visit Met Office.

    There are 4 levels of warning deployed by UKHSA – Green, Yellow, Amber and Red – an amber warning means the whole health service is likely to be affected by the hot weather.

    Among examples given by UKHSA are difficulties managing medicines, the ability of the workforce to deliver services and internal temperatures in care settings exceeding the recommended thresholds.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Dame Dorothy Street resurfacing works

    Source: City of Sunderland

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    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: HSE Educational Programs Presented at INNOPROM-2025

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: State University “Higher School of Economics” –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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    July 11

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Five people, including newlyweds, killed in road accident in Afghanistan

    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

    KABUL, July 11 (Xinhua) — Five people, including a newlywed couple, were killed and another injured in a road accident in Afghanistan’s northern Badakhshan province on Thursday evening, regional police spokesman Ehsanullah Kamgar said on Friday.

    According to him, the accident occurred in Kasham district on Thursday night when the newlyweds were driving home. Five people died on the spot. E. Kamgar said careless driving was the cause of the accident.

    A woman from the same family suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital, a police spokesman said.

    On July 6, in the eastern province of Panjshir, three people were killed and seven were injured in a similar incident. –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 –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China will play constructive role in promoting dialogue between Thailand and Cambodia: Wang Yi

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    KUALA LUMPUR, July 11 (Xinhua) — China and Thailand celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties in 2025, and China is willing to work with Thailand to advance the building of a community with a shared future to a higher level, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said during talks with Thai Foreign Minister Marit Sangyampong on the sidelines of the China-ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting here on Thursday.

    Wang Yi told his interlocutor that China is ready to play a constructive role in promoting dialogue and de-escalating border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia.

    The construction of a China-Thailand community with a shared future continues to advance. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the “golden jubilee of China-Thailand friendship,” he said.

    China firmly supports Thailand in pursuing a development path suited to its national conditions and always gives priority to China-Thailand ties in its diplomatic relations with neighbors, Wang said. China is willing to work with Thailand to bring the building of a community with a shared future to a higher and more meaningful level, he added.

    The Chinese minister advocated closer alignment of development strategies and further integration of interests between the two sides, proposing to build new growth engines in areas such as the digital economy, artificial intelligence, cross-border e-commerce and green development to support the modernization efforts of both countries. He also called for accelerating the construction of the China-Thailand railway to give full play to the stimulating effect of model large-scale projects and realize the vision of interconnected development among China, Laos and Thailand.

    On global trade, Wang Yi stressed that the US had undermined the free trade system and disrupted global production and supply chains by imposing tariffs unilaterally. He expressed confidence that Thailand and other ASEAN countries would protect their legitimate interests and oppose unilateralism, power politics and bullying. Beijing intends to sign the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area 3.0 protocol by the end of the year to expand the common market and demonstrate joint support for WTO rules and the multilateral trading system through concrete actions, the minister added.

    Touching upon the border issue between Thailand and Cambodia, Wang Yi noted that both countries are good neighbors and friends of China. He expressed hope that the parties will resolve the issue through dialogue and consultations in good faith, striving to de-escalate tensions and restore stability as soon as possible. China will adhere to an objective and impartial position and play a constructive role in promoting peaceful relations between the two countries, the Foreign Minister added.

    In turn, M. Sangyampong said that China is a reliable friend of Thailand. Over the 50 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the countries have maintained mutual trust and respected each other’s core interests, he stressed. The principle of “Thailand and China are as close as one family” has stood the test of time, and the construction of a Thai-Chinese community with a common destiny continues to bear rich fruit, the minister added.

    Thailand firmly adheres to the one-China principle and looks forward to strengthening high-level exchanges and practical cooperation in the areas of connectivity, trade, agriculture and combating transnational crime, Sangyampong said.

    Bangkok firmly supports multilateralism and the multilateral trading system and calls for an early restoration of normal trading order, he said.

    Border and territorial issues should not be resolved by force, the Foreign Minister stressed, expressing gratitude to China for its objective and balanced position on disputes, as well as for its mediation role and efforts to promote dialogue. Thailand is ready to resolve disputes with Cambodia through bilateral channels in the spirit of good neighborliness and goodwill, M. Sangyamphong said. –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 –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Canada to continue trade talks with US until August 1 – PM

    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

    OTTAWA, July 11 (Xinhua) — Canada will continue trade talks with the United States until a new deadline of Aug. 1, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday.

    During the current trade negotiations with the United States, the Canadian government has stood firm in protecting the interests of workers and businesses, he wrote on social media. “We will continue to do so as we work through the new August 1 deadline,” the politician added.

    Canada has made significant progress in combating the spread of fentanyl in North America, Carney said. Ottawa is committed to continuing to work with Washington to save lives and protect communities in both countries, the Canadian prime minister said.

    “We are building a strong Canada. The federal government, provinces and territories are making significant progress in building a unified Canadian economy,” the premier said, adding that Canada must strengthen its trading partnerships around the world.

    US President Donald Trump announced earlier on Thursday that he would impose a 35 percent tariff on imports from Canada starting August 1.

    D. Trump published a letter addressed to M. Carney on his own social network Truth Social, in which he criticized Canada for retaliatory measures against previous American tariffs.

    The American leader noted that the new tariff was imposed because of the flow of fentanyl from Canada to the United States, as well as alleged unfair trade practices. The head of the White House said he would consider adjusting the tariff if Canada cooperated with the United States to stop fentanyl smuggling.

    The Trump administration previously imposed a 25 percent tariff on Canadian goods, but later made an exception for products covered by the U.S.-Canada-Mexico trade agreement. –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 –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: US Tariffs Could Trigger Brazil’s Economic Reciprocity Law – L.I. Lula da Silva

    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

    SAO PAULO, July 11 (Xinhua) — The United States’ imposition of 50 percent tariffs on Brazilian imports could trigger the country’s economic reciprocity law, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Thursday.

    If the 50 percent tariff goes into effect on August 1, the Brazilian government will invoke the provisions of the law while maintaining the possibility of negotiations, the president added.

    “But if the negotiations fail, the law on economic reciprocity will be invoked. If he /D. Trump/ takes 50 percent from us, we will also take 50 percent from him,” the Brazilian president said in an interview with the local television channel RecordTV.

    For the past 15 years, Brazil has had a trade deficit with the United States, its second-largest trading partner, he said. –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 –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Mongolian President Opens National Naadam Festival

    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

    ULAN BATOR, July 11 (Xinhua) — Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh on Friday delivered a speech at the official opening ceremony of the national Naadam festival 2025.

    He stated that Naadam is a precious heritage of state administration, history and culture, a symbol of the unity, independence and prosperity of the Mongolian people, the spiritual strength of the Mongolian nation, the great joy of the Mongolian people and a majestic holiday of the Mongolian state.

    “I would like to extend our best wishes to the festival guests who are looking forward to the unique Naadam festival,” said U. Khurelsukh.

    The Naadam Festival, which is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site, is an official holiday in Mongolia. It is celebrated throughout Mongolia every year from July 11 to 15. The celebration includes horse racing, wrestling competitions, and archery. –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 –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Development Bureau imposes regulating action on contractor involved in fatal industrial incident at non-governmental construction site in Chek Lap Kok

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Development Bureau imposes regulating action on contractor involved in fatal industrial incident at non-governmental construction site in Chek Lap Kok 
    The DEVB, being the party to procure services for public works, attaches great importance to the site safety performance of all construction sites under the purview of contractors on the List, regardless of whether the sites are public works construction sites or not. The DEVB issued a notification to the contractor concerned today to suspend it from tendering for public works contracts in the roads and drainage category with immediate effect pursuant to the regulating regime. The contractor concerned has to conduct an independent safety audit to review its safety management system. Taking cognisance of the outcome of the independent safety audit, the contractor is required to submit an improvement action plan and implement improvement measures, with a view to demonstrating that it has an effective safety management system before the lifting of the suspension from tendering can be considered. The suspension from tendering is not only confined to future tender exercises but is also applicable to tender exercises with procedures initiated but not concluded.
     
    The Labour Department is investigating this industrial incident and will handle it in accordance with the law. Subject to the investigation findings, the DEVB may impose further regulating actions on the contractor concerned later on, including extension of the period of suspension from tendering for public works contracts and even removal from the List.
    Issued at HKT 17:35

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Census and Statistics Department wins Outstanding Gold Award in Privacy-Friendly Awards for second consecutive time (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Census and Statistics Department wins Outstanding Gold Award in Privacy-Friendly Awards for second consecutive time  
    The Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Mr Leo Yu, attended the awards presentation ceremony yesterday (July 10) and exchanged insights with representatives from other award-winning enterprises, public and privacy organisations, as well as government departments on their efforts to safeguard personal data privacy.
     
    Mr Yu said, “By upholding the values of respect for privacy and commitment to excellence, the C&SD has long been maintaining momentum for improvement. The department has been implementing various measures to continuously enhance personal data privacy and data security. Colleagues of all ranks of the department will continue to be committed to a high standard of personal data protection and data security. The general public can feel secure in providing data to us, for compiling relevant and accurate statistics. The statistics will be used by the Government as references when formulating public policies, and also be used by various sectors of society. The public can thus contribute together to the social and economic development of Hong Kong by this means.”
         
    The Privacy-Friendly Awards, organised by the PCPD, aims to recognise the efforts made by enterprises, public and private organisations as well as government departments in protecting personal data privacy. There are four categories of the Privacy-Friendly Awards, which are Outstanding Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards, with new special awards introduced this year to commend organisations for their outstanding performance in the relevant aspects of protecting personal data privacy.
     
    For details on personal data privacy protection at the C&SD, please visit: www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/page_1083.htmlIssued at HKT 17:45

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    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Have your say on council Housing Allocations Policy

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The official public consultation is now open and will run until Wednesday 3 September, 2025.

    The allocations policy outlines how the council prioritises and allocates housing to applicants, in accordance with Section 166A of the Housing Act 1996. It ensures that homes are allocated fairly and transparently to those in the greatest need.

    Significant changes were last introduced in 2021. However, further updates are now being proposed to:

    • Ensure the policy remains aligned with its core objectives
    • Reflect current legislation, government policy, and statutory guidance
    • Maintain a strong focus on those with the most urgent housing needs
    • Support regeneration initiatives and the delivery of new homes
    • Help prevent homelessness and reduce reliance on temporary accommodation

    City of Wolverhampton Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing, Councillor Steve Evans, said: “We are delivering better homes for local people across the city and improving council housing.

    “Of course, due to national factors and the financial pressures all councils are facing, we have limited housing stock – and this consultation is a vital piece of work to help frame how we best go about allocating our council homes.

    “It is important people have their say and I would urge them to take part in the consultation on this policy, which addresses the challenges being experienced by residents.

    “The objective is to ensure local people with the greatest housing need have the best opportunity to access suitable housing that best meets their needs, in a fair and transparent way.”

    To take part in the consultation, please visit Housing Allocations Policy.

    In addition, there will be in person events across the city to speak directly with residents, stakeholders, and partners. Dates and venues for these events will be confirmed and advertised during the consultation period.

    All feedback gathered during the consultation will be thoroughly reviewed and carefully considered. The insights shared will directly inform the development of the revised policy, ensuring it reflects the needs, priorities, and aspirations of residents and communities.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: RUDN University Master and His Wife Win the Title of “Best Student Family in Russia”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peoples’Friendship University of Russia –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Dmitry and Diana Gubina, a future landscape architect and educational program methodologist, met at a summer camp in Kazan. There, the boys fell in love, got married after school, and went to study at Moscow universities. On Family, Love, and Fidelity Day, their couple won the Best Student Family of Russia competition.

    The competition took place from April 21 to July 8, with a total of 210 couples taking part. At the first stage, the jury assessed the participants’ portfolios and their video business cards.

    “Diana and I attached our diplomas with achievements to the portfolio. My wife has the status of a silver and gold medalist of the student competition “I am a professional”, she is a student of the Moscow City Pedagogical University. I attached my honors bachelor’s degree from RUDN and successes in grant competitions and olympiads. There was nothing super creative in our video business card, we just sincerely and heartily told about ourselves,” – Dmitry Gubin (Landscape Architecture, Master, 2nd year).

    Love and charity

    Dmitry and Diana are not only gnawing at the granite of science together, but are also involved in a charity project. The couple created an autonomous non-profit organization, the Educational Center STEP. The organization provides free education and exam preparation for schoolchildren from low-income families and families in difficult life situations, orphans and children from orphanages. “We also have mentoring programs. During group classes, children develop their flexible skills, and mentors help them choose interesting areas for study, participate in competitions, and get vouchers to children’s centers. Recently, our ANO received a grant from Rosmolodezh for 500 thousand rubles,” — Dmitry Gubin (Landscape Architecture, Master’s student, 2nd year).

    Such an important project could not leave the jury members indifferent. Dmitry and Diana made it to the finals, where they competed with 28 other couples on the Gzhel State University site in the Moscow region from July 6 to 8.

    Parade of talents

    In the final, the children took part in intellectual games, demonstrated their physical fitness and even prepared several delicious dishes.

    “We passed the GTO standards: we pumped up our abs, lifted weights, did push-ups… Then there was the creative numbers stage. We told the story of our family through dance, which was accompanied by audio and video. And we presented the jury with pine cone jam, because this is our tradition – every year we collect pine cones and make jam. Another creative stage was a master class, where my wife and I created wax candles. We added aromatic oils, dried lavender and currants to them to make our work unique. And in the culinary talents competition, my wife and I prepared a “Sunny” salad, similar to the Greek one, cucumber and cream cheese rolls in the form of snails and a fruit dessert,” – Dmitry Gubin (Landscape Architecture, Master’s degree, 2nd year).

    Family trail

    An important stage of the final was teamwork with other participants of the competition. The contestants were divided into groups and developed proposals for organizing all-Russian educational and leisure events for students. The ideas that made it into the top 3 were presented at the plenary session to the Deputy Head of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia Olga Petrova.

    “Our team presented the project “Family Path”: this is a festival in the form of a journey through time for young families and couples. Its essence is to allow participants to immerse themselves in the life of different peoples of the country through historical and ethnographic reconstruction, as well as to study their crafts and customs. We also proposed to establish an all-Russian Family Center. Families will be able to come here for festivals, training courses and meetings dedicated to the history, crafts and way of life of their ancestors,” – Dmitry Gubin (Landscape Architecture, Master’s student, 2nd year).

    Students’ initiatives will be implemented within the framework of the federal project “Family Support”.

    Cruiser to the future

    The RUDN Agrarian and Technological Institute is proud of the married couple’s victory.

    “Dmitry is an excellent student not only in terms of his studies, but also in matters of extracurricular activities. He annually takes part in grant stories and Olympiads, successfully combines his studies in the Master’s program and his professional path. In a word, he is the pride of the institute. And now he and his wife have the title of “Best Student Family of Russia”. I want to wish Dmitry and Diana not to stop there, because they have a huge number of bright and memorable moments of family life ahead of them. I am glad that for the guys, family is not just a stamp in the passport, but a real cruiser paving the way to the future,” – Alexandra Dmitrieva, Deputy Director for Work with Students of the RUDN Agrarian and Technological Institute.

    The competition “The Best Student Family of Russia” was held within the framework of the federal project “Family Support” of the national project “Family”.

    Organizers:

    Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation; Tambov State University named after G.R. Derzhavin.

    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 –

  • 798 people killed while receiving aid in Gaza, says UN human rights office

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The U.N. human rights office said on Friday that it had recorded at least 798 killings both at aid points run by the U.S.- and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and near humanitarian convoys run by other relief groups, including the U.N.

    The GHF uses private U.S. security and logistics companies to get supplies into Gaza, largely bypassing a U.N.-led system that Israel says had let militants divert aid.

    The United Nations has called the plan “inherently unsafe” and a violation of humanitarian impartiality rules.

    “Up until the seventh of July, we’ve recorded now 798 killings, including 615 in the vicinity of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation sites, and 183 presumably on the route of aid convoys,” OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told reporters in Geneva.

    The GHF began distributing food packages in Gaza at the end of May and has repeatedly denied that incidents had occurred at its sites.

    -Reuters

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/VIETNAM – Summer training courses for Vietnamese catechists are on the rise

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    by Andrew Doan Thanh PhongBac Ninh (Agenzia Fides) – In Vietnam, all pupils across the country have a 3-month summer vacation from June to August, and catechism classes are also on summer vacation. Therefore, catechists also have a break after 9 months of teaching catechism to children. This is also a reasonable time for catechists to improve their professional knowledge in teaching catechism. For that reason, most parishes across the country organize short-term courses for catechists.Recently, at the Pastoral Center of Bac Ninh Diocese, the Diocesan Catechetical Committee organized a summer training course for Catechists in the year 2025 for some parishes in the diocese. At the beginning of the training day, Father Dominic Nguyen Nhu Khue shared about the current situation of catechism teaching in the diocese, emphasizing the need to innovate content, methods and lesson plans to suit the current pastoral situation. He also affirmed: “The essential role of the team of catechist is as ‘bridges’ to bring the Word of God to children, and catechists should become people who inspire catechism learning through their living testimony and dedicated service”.In the current digital age today, young people are absorbed in their mobile phones playing games and participating in social networking sites. The Catechism Pedagogy presented by the nuns in the course do not only provide basic knowledge but also open up flexible approaches that are suitable for each locality and each specific group of students.In the homily at the opening Mas of the course training Catechism for 80 catechists in Bui Chu Diocese in Northern Vietnam, Father Joseph Nguyen Trong Tinh – in charge of the Committee for Catechism, mentioned the role of the Holy Spirit in evangelization. He said: “The Holy Spirit was the power that helps the apostles courageously go out to preach the Gospel despite the danger and the same for catechists, they need the help of the Holy Spirit.”According to statistics, the number of Catholics in Vietnam today is about 7,294,713 people, accounting for 7.21% of the population in 27 dioceses, of which there are about 56,133 catechists. They are a very important part of the parish, teaching catechism to children from 4 to 18 years old. Depending on the specific situation, the number of students and catechists in each parish is different. In addition to male and female religious, most of the catechists are parishioners who volunteer to serve the work of teaching catechism. The training and selection of catechists are also flexible in The Church of Vietnam, they are directly managed by the parish priest and under the guidance of male and female religious in tern of knowledge and skills to teach catechism to the parish’s children.Also in Hai Phong Diocese, in the north Vietnam, the Catechetical Committee organized training courses of catechetical pedagogy to the diocesan parishes with the participation of 140 catechists. Ms. Mary Magdalene Pham Thi Thuy – The Secretary of the Catechetical Committee of the Archdiocese of Saigon – introduced to the fundamental contents of catechetical pedagogy such as: principles of teaching, skills in presenting the Word of God, and methods of approaching children in the new era. In addition, the catechists also learned important topics such as: Psychology of children, methods of preparing lessons, and especially the presentation of the Word of God in relation with the inner life of prayer.Father Peter Hoang Van Do, Head of the Catechetical Committee, advised and invited each catechist to become a living witness of the Word of God in the environment of faith education. The mission of a catechist – he said – is also to be a companion, a sower of faith and a bridge connecting children with Christ, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to help children truly encounter the Word of God in a living way. (Agenzia Fides, 11/7/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/VIETNAM – Summer training courses for Vietnamese catechists are on the rise

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    by Andrew Doan Thanh PhongBac Ninh (Agenzia Fides) – In Vietnam, all pupils across the country have a 3-month summer vacation from June to August, and catechism classes are also on summer vacation. Therefore, catechists also have a break after 9 months of teaching catechism to children. This is also a reasonable time for catechists to improve their professional knowledge in teaching catechism. For that reason, most parishes across the country organize short-term courses for catechists.Recently, at the Pastoral Center of Bac Ninh Diocese, the Diocesan Catechetical Committee organized a summer training course for Catechists in the year 2025 for some parishes in the diocese. At the beginning of the training day, Father Dominic Nguyen Nhu Khue shared about the current situation of catechism teaching in the diocese, emphasizing the need to innovate content, methods and lesson plans to suit the current pastoral situation. He also affirmed: “The essential role of the team of catechist is as ‘bridges’ to bring the Word of God to children, and catechists should become people who inspire catechism learning through their living testimony and dedicated service”.In the current digital age today, young people are absorbed in their mobile phones playing games and participating in social networking sites. The Catechism Pedagogy presented by the nuns in the course do not only provide basic knowledge but also open up flexible approaches that are suitable for each locality and each specific group of students.In the homily at the opening Mas of the course training Catechism for 80 catechists in Bui Chu Diocese in Northern Vietnam, Father Joseph Nguyen Trong Tinh – in charge of the Committee for Catechism, mentioned the role of the Holy Spirit in evangelization. He said: “The Holy Spirit was the power that helps the apostles courageously go out to preach the Gospel despite the danger and the same for catechists, they need the help of the Holy Spirit.”According to statistics, the number of Catholics in Vietnam today is about 7,294,713 people, accounting for 7.21% of the population in 27 dioceses, of which there are about 56,133 catechists. They are a very important part of the parish, teaching catechism to children from 4 to 18 years old. Depending on the specific situation, the number of students and catechists in each parish is different. In addition to male and female religious, most of the catechists are parishioners who volunteer to serve the work of teaching catechism. The training and selection of catechists are also flexible in The Church of Vietnam, they are directly managed by the parish priest and under the guidance of male and female religious in tern of knowledge and skills to teach catechism to the parish’s children.Also in Hai Phong Diocese, in the north Vietnam, the Catechetical Committee organized training courses of catechetical pedagogy to the diocesan parishes with the participation of 140 catechists. Ms. Mary Magdalene Pham Thi Thuy – The Secretary of the Catechetical Committee of the Archdiocese of Saigon – introduced to the fundamental contents of catechetical pedagogy such as: principles of teaching, skills in presenting the Word of God, and methods of approaching children in the new era. In addition, the catechists also learned important topics such as: Psychology of children, methods of preparing lessons, and especially the presentation of the Word of God in relation with the inner life of prayer.Father Peter Hoang Van Do, Head of the Catechetical Committee, advised and invited each catechist to become a living witness of the Word of God in the environment of faith education. The mission of a catechist – he said – is also to be a companion, a sower of faith and a bridge connecting children with Christ, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to help children truly encounter the Word of God in a living way. (Agenzia Fides, 11/7/2025)
    Share:

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • India’s creator economy set to shape a trillion-dollar future

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    At WAVES 2025, a new report by the Boston Consulting Group grabbed the spotlight, drawing the attention of policymakers, creators, and investors. The report revealed that India’s creator economy is already driving more than $350 billion in consumer spending, a number expected to exceed $1 trillion by 2030.

    Titled From Content to Commerce: Mapping India’s Creator Economy, the report paints a vivid picture of a nation in the midst of a creative and commercial boom. With 2 to 2.5 million active creators—defined as individuals with more than 1,000 followers—India is home to one of the world’s largest and youngest digital communities. But what’s most striking is the current monetization gap. Only 8 to 10 percent of these creators are earning meaningful income from their content, revealing a vast reserve of untapped potential that may well become the fuel for the next stage of India’s economic growth story.

    The report underscores the sweeping influence creators now hold over consumer decisions. Over 30 percent of purchases are directly shaped by digital content—ranging from short-form videos to long-format storytelling, tutorials, product reviews, and live streams. Comedy, film, fashion, and serials remain the dominant genres, but the expansion into new content territories like gaming, wellness, and finance is reshaping how India learns, shops, and interacts.

    What makes this shift even more profound is how it is transcending generational and geographic lines. No longer confined to Gen Z or urban metros, the creator ecosystem is reaching deep into smaller towns, regional markets, and older demographics. The emergence of multilingual creators and regional influencers has catalyzed a more inclusive digital marketplace—one that mirrors the real India in all its complexity and diversity.

    For brands and marketers, this evolution has not just altered strategies; it has flipped the entire funnel. Traditional advertising methods are being replaced or supplemented by more agile, creative, and targeted forms of engagement. Campaigns are now designed with creators at the core—allowing for faster content production, greater freedom of expression, and improved metrics through outcome-based testing. Virtual gifting, live commerce, subscription models, and fan-funded initiatives are rising as new revenue streams, giving creators both financial agency and deeper community ownership.

    WAVES 2025 served as the perfect launchpad for this new digital vision. With its ambitious scope covering media, technology, and storytelling, the summit highlighted how India’s creator economy is not merely an offshoot of the entertainment sector, it is the engine powering a new form of commerce and cultural diplomacy. As discussions ranged from AI in filmmaking to the future of AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics), one theme emerged with clarity: creators are not just influencing trends—they are shaping the market.

    Investors are recalibrating strategies to fund content-driven startups. Policy frameworks are being debated to offer protections and incentives for digital freelancers. Education platforms are rolling out creator economy courses. And most significantly, creators across India—from school-going influencers in Raipur to AI-powered illustrators in Chennai—are beginning to realize their role not just as entertainers, but as economic contributors.

    The trillion-dollar forecast is not a distant dream—it is a pathway already in motion. With the right mix of innovation, infrastructure, and inclusivity, India’s creator economy could become one of its most significant exports. And as the world turns its eyes toward this new digital juggernaut, one thing is certain: India is no longer just telling stories. It is rewriting the script of global influence—one post, one video, one idea at a time.

  • India’s creator economy set to shape a trillion-dollar future

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    At WAVES 2025, a new report by the Boston Consulting Group grabbed the spotlight, drawing the attention of policymakers, creators, and investors. The report revealed that India’s creator economy is already driving more than $350 billion in consumer spending, a number expected to exceed $1 trillion by 2030.

    Titled From Content to Commerce: Mapping India’s Creator Economy, the report paints a vivid picture of a nation in the midst of a creative and commercial boom. With 2 to 2.5 million active creators—defined as individuals with more than 1,000 followers—India is home to one of the world’s largest and youngest digital communities. But what’s most striking is the current monetization gap. Only 8 to 10 percent of these creators are earning meaningful income from their content, revealing a vast reserve of untapped potential that may well become the fuel for the next stage of India’s economic growth story.

    The report underscores the sweeping influence creators now hold over consumer decisions. Over 30 percent of purchases are directly shaped by digital content—ranging from short-form videos to long-format storytelling, tutorials, product reviews, and live streams. Comedy, film, fashion, and serials remain the dominant genres, but the expansion into new content territories like gaming, wellness, and finance is reshaping how India learns, shops, and interacts.

    What makes this shift even more profound is how it is transcending generational and geographic lines. No longer confined to Gen Z or urban metros, the creator ecosystem is reaching deep into smaller towns, regional markets, and older demographics. The emergence of multilingual creators and regional influencers has catalyzed a more inclusive digital marketplace—one that mirrors the real India in all its complexity and diversity.

    For brands and marketers, this evolution has not just altered strategies; it has flipped the entire funnel. Traditional advertising methods are being replaced or supplemented by more agile, creative, and targeted forms of engagement. Campaigns are now designed with creators at the core—allowing for faster content production, greater freedom of expression, and improved metrics through outcome-based testing. Virtual gifting, live commerce, subscription models, and fan-funded initiatives are rising as new revenue streams, giving creators both financial agency and deeper community ownership.

    WAVES 2025 served as the perfect launchpad for this new digital vision. With its ambitious scope covering media, technology, and storytelling, the summit highlighted how India’s creator economy is not merely an offshoot of the entertainment sector, it is the engine powering a new form of commerce and cultural diplomacy. As discussions ranged from AI in filmmaking to the future of AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics), one theme emerged with clarity: creators are not just influencing trends—they are shaping the market.

    Investors are recalibrating strategies to fund content-driven startups. Policy frameworks are being debated to offer protections and incentives for digital freelancers. Education platforms are rolling out creator economy courses. And most significantly, creators across India—from school-going influencers in Raipur to AI-powered illustrators in Chennai—are beginning to realize their role not just as entertainers, but as economic contributors.

    The trillion-dollar forecast is not a distant dream—it is a pathway already in motion. With the right mix of innovation, infrastructure, and inclusivity, India’s creator economy could become one of its most significant exports. And as the world turns its eyes toward this new digital juggernaut, one thing is certain: India is no longer just telling stories. It is rewriting the script of global influence—one post, one video, one idea at a time.

  • India’s creator economy set to shape a trillion-dollar future

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    At WAVES 2025, a new report by the Boston Consulting Group grabbed the spotlight, drawing the attention of policymakers, creators, and investors. The report revealed that India’s creator economy is already driving more than $350 billion in consumer spending, a number expected to exceed $1 trillion by 2030.

    Titled From Content to Commerce: Mapping India’s Creator Economy, the report paints a vivid picture of a nation in the midst of a creative and commercial boom. With 2 to 2.5 million active creators—defined as individuals with more than 1,000 followers—India is home to one of the world’s largest and youngest digital communities. But what’s most striking is the current monetization gap. Only 8 to 10 percent of these creators are earning meaningful income from their content, revealing a vast reserve of untapped potential that may well become the fuel for the next stage of India’s economic growth story.

    The report underscores the sweeping influence creators now hold over consumer decisions. Over 30 percent of purchases are directly shaped by digital content—ranging from short-form videos to long-format storytelling, tutorials, product reviews, and live streams. Comedy, film, fashion, and serials remain the dominant genres, but the expansion into new content territories like gaming, wellness, and finance is reshaping how India learns, shops, and interacts.

    What makes this shift even more profound is how it is transcending generational and geographic lines. No longer confined to Gen Z or urban metros, the creator ecosystem is reaching deep into smaller towns, regional markets, and older demographics. The emergence of multilingual creators and regional influencers has catalyzed a more inclusive digital marketplace—one that mirrors the real India in all its complexity and diversity.

    For brands and marketers, this evolution has not just altered strategies; it has flipped the entire funnel. Traditional advertising methods are being replaced or supplemented by more agile, creative, and targeted forms of engagement. Campaigns are now designed with creators at the core—allowing for faster content production, greater freedom of expression, and improved metrics through outcome-based testing. Virtual gifting, live commerce, subscription models, and fan-funded initiatives are rising as new revenue streams, giving creators both financial agency and deeper community ownership.

    WAVES 2025 served as the perfect launchpad for this new digital vision. With its ambitious scope covering media, technology, and storytelling, the summit highlighted how India’s creator economy is not merely an offshoot of the entertainment sector, it is the engine powering a new form of commerce and cultural diplomacy. As discussions ranged from AI in filmmaking to the future of AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics), one theme emerged with clarity: creators are not just influencing trends—they are shaping the market.

    Investors are recalibrating strategies to fund content-driven startups. Policy frameworks are being debated to offer protections and incentives for digital freelancers. Education platforms are rolling out creator economy courses. And most significantly, creators across India—from school-going influencers in Raipur to AI-powered illustrators in Chennai—are beginning to realize their role not just as entertainers, but as economic contributors.

    The trillion-dollar forecast is not a distant dream—it is a pathway already in motion. With the right mix of innovation, infrastructure, and inclusivity, India’s creator economy could become one of its most significant exports. And as the world turns its eyes toward this new digital juggernaut, one thing is certain: India is no longer just telling stories. It is rewriting the script of global influence—one post, one video, one idea at a time.

  • MIL-OSI China: TCM footprint now covers 196 countries; acupuncture recognized by 113 WHO members

    Source: People’s Republic of China Ministry of Health

    Traditional Chinese medicine has spread to 196 countries and nations across the world and more than 100 types of TCM drugs have obtained registration in countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, with the market size estimated to exceed 4.8 trillion yuan ($665.3 billion) by 2025, China’s Health Minister said on Monday.

    Lei Haichao, minister of the National Health Commission, said that acupuncture is now recognized in 113 member states of the World Health Organization. Also, a TCM technology committee under the International Organization for Standardization has issued 119 TCM-related standards.

    Lei made the statements in a signed article that called for strengthened efforts to make TCM better benefit people around the world. It was released by Study Times, a newspaper administered by the Central Party School of the Communist Party of China.

    Lei highlighted the significance of deepening cooperation with the WHO, the ISO and other international organizations, and advancing the development of TCM standards.

    He said that more high-quality overseas TCM centers will be established and more TCM clinics or training facilities will be set up in key Belt and Road countries and African nations.

    Efforts will also be made to explore the establishment of TCM hospitals overseas and ensure that all Chinese medical aid teams dispatched abroad include TCM practitioners.

    Lei also proposed collaborating with the WHO to build an international clinical trial registration platform for traditional medicine. The objective is to cultivate a batch of competitive TCM companies and brands with high added value to drive the entire industrial chain development of TCM.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China to expand high-level opening-up continuously: FM spokesperson

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

    BEIJING, July 11 — Closed exclusivity is not an option for China, China will continue to take actions to expand high-level opening-up, a foreign ministry spokesperson said here Friday.

    Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular press briefing in response to media coverage, saying that China’s visa-free policy shows the world China’s vitality, which contrasts the recent tightening of visas and increasing closure in some countries.

    China now has unilateral visa exemption for 47 countries and transit visa exemption for 55 countries, Mao said, adding that continuous efforts are being made to streamline the visa application process by providing one-stop entry services and instant tax refund for goods purchased upon departure from China. “Foreign friends’ China tour has become smoother,” she noted.

    “Decoupling and disruption of industrial and supply chains and closed exclusivity are not options for China,” Mao said.

    “China will continue to take actions to expand high-level opening up, share opportunities and create a shared future with all countries,” she added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing unveils 24 measures to boost consumption

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

    Beijing on Thursday announced a comprehensive action plan with 24 measures aimed at driving consumption and enhancing the city’s role as an international consumption center.

    By 2030, Beijing targets an average annual consumption growth rate of about 5% and plans to build two to three major integrated commercial landmarks with annual sales exceeding 100 billion yuan ($13.94 billion).

    The plan places income growth at the core of consumption expansion. Measures include promoting reasonable wage increases, implementing an employment-first strategy to support job creation, and establishing a more dynamic minimum wage adjustment mechanism.

    To make it easier to purchase housing, the plan introduces reforms to housing provident fund policies. Buyers will be allowed to withdraw provident fund balances directly for home down payments, while new regulations will be developed to enable second-hand home transactions with existing mortgages to be settled via provident fund loans, streamlining the process for both buyers and sellers.

    In the automotive sector, Beijing will optimize the allocation of license plate quotas to better serve family demand for vehicles, strengthen second-hand vehicle trading platforms, and simplify cross-regional transactions.

    Emerging trends like anime, collectibles, and youth culture, known locally as the “Guzi Economy,” will receive policy support. The city also plans to develop a “Future Beauty City” by attracting cosmetic and medical aesthetic business. 

    Beijing is also expanding online healthcare services. As of June, 307 local medical institutions offered online services. A total of 1.11 million online consultations were recorded in the first half of this year, up 45% year on year. 

    New tourism projects, including the second phase of Universal Studios and cultural routes along the Great Wall and the Grand Canal, will further enrich leisure options. Public spaces and old venues will be revitalized to create more vibrant commercial areas.

    Beijing will boost consumption around its two main airports. Plans include building a world-class shopping and tourism complex near Beijing Daxing International Airport and turning the airports into gateways for foreign shoppers.

    Duty-free shops will offer more premium Chinese goods, and cross-border e-commerce will be expanded, making it easier for shoppers to buy online and pick up in person.

    In addition, the city will promote greater use of Olympic venues and major sports events to stimulate spending. A series of premium international and domestic sporting events will be held to drive sports-related consumption, according to the plan.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Cutting-edge technologies revitalize Beijing Central Axis

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

    As the Beijing Central Axis approaches the first anniversary of its inscription on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), cutting-edge technologies have empowered efforts to protect and preserve its cultural heritage. Meanwhile, a host of new cultural-tourism scenarios have emerged along the axis.

    The Yongdingmen Gate tower, the southern terminus of Beijing Central Axis, stands as a witness to both the traditional urban management systems of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911) and historical events across different eras.

    Since the Beijing Central Axis gained the UNESCO World Heritage status, Yongdingmen Gate has become a must-visit landmark. Its historical exhibition, enhanced with modern display technologies, has drown tens of thousands of visitors to the ancient gate tower.

    “In the second half of this year, the Yongdingmen Gate tower is scheduled for restoration,” said Chen Yanqing, deputy director of Dongcheng District Cultural Heritage Research Center. “Upon completion of this comprehensive conservation effort, its exhibitions will also undergo upgrades to better accommodate visitor needs.”

    From Yongdingmen Gate, the journey northward along the axis leads to Zhengyangmen Gate. The efforts to restore the Arrow Tower in Zhengyangmen have incorporated the the 3D laser scanning technology.

    “For severely damaged architectural components, we conducted comprehensive 3D scanning to create digital models,” said Chen Liang, an official of the Beijing Central Axis Heritage Conservation Center. “These informed the precise reconstruction of lintels, railings, and other elements using traditional molds — strictly adhering to original materials, designs, craftsmanship, and techniques.”

    In the Arrow Tower, there is a multi-function weather station to monitor microclimatic conditions around the ancient structure. Adjacent to it, an integrated BeiDou monitoring station uses advanced data signals to detect potential subsidence in the building’s foundation.

    The tower is equipped with five distinct monitoring systems, employing remote sensing satellites and online data transmission to enable precision conservation management. It also includes a hydrostatic level, an intelligent video deflectometer, and wireless accelerometers to measure settlement, detect displacement, and monitor vibrations, respectively.

    The Drum Tower at the northern anchor of the Beijing Central Axis now features a VR experience zone. In this digital realm, visitors embark on a space-time journey back to the founding era of the Yuan dynasty’s Dadu capital. This immersive voyage reveals the axis’ origins and the Chinese wisdom behind its design, allowing visitors to learn about traditional Chinese philosophy.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Capital Intl Exhibition & Convention Center Hotel opens

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

    The Capital International Exhibition and Convention Center Hotel opened recently, marking the full operation of the center and its supporting facilities, according to its operator Beichen Group on Thursday.

    The five-star hotel has a total floor area of 69,000 square meters, with eight floors above ground and one underground level. It offers 410 guest rooms and a 1,000-square-meter banquet hall, catering to accommodation, banquets, and conferences associated with the exhibition center.

    The exhibition center itself began operation in February this year. As Beijing’s largest standalone exhibition and convention venue, it offers comprehensive functions and features cutting-edge technologies, marking a significant upgrade to the city’s exhibition capacity.

    The center comprises a convention center, a hotel, nine exhibition halls, and three registration halls. It provides an indoor exhibition area of about 210,000 square meters and an outdoor exhibition area of around 50,000 square meters.

    Since July, the center has hosted seven medium- and large-scale industry events, including three conventions in automotive manufacturing, food, and healthcare, serving a total of 17,000 attendees.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: IAGCI seeks reviewer to evaluate coverage of healthcare and medical treatment in Home Office country information

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    IAGCI seeks reviewer to evaluate coverage of healthcare and medical treatment in Home Office country information

    Experts on comparative international healthcare provision are invited to submit expressions of interest by the close of 22 August 2025.

    Section 48(2)(j) of the UK Borders Act 2007 provides that the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) shall:

    consider and make recommendations about … the content of information about conditions in countries outside the United Kingdom which the Secretary of State compiles and makes available, for purposes connected with immigration and asylum, to immigration officers and other officials.

    To assist the Independent Chief Inspector in fulfilling this statutory role, a body of experts sitting as the Independent Advisory Group on Country Information (IAGCI) regularly reviews the Country of Origin Information (COI) products that are produced by the Home Office. The Home Office refers to COI where conditions in a foreign country are relevant to an immigration or asylum decision, for example when considering a claim for international protection under the Refugee Convention or immigration applications based on a human rights claim. The IAGCI’s reviews assess whether the content of COI is accurate, balanced, objective, and up-to-date, and they serve as the basis for an ICIBI inspection report.

    In addition to reviewing the Home Office’s country policy and information notes (CPINs) and responses to country of origin information requests (COIRs) relating to individual countries, the IAGCI examines the way that ‘cross-cutting’ themes are dealt with across all of the COI issued by the department. In the past, thematic reports commissioned by the IAGCI examined coverage of such topics as issues related to children, sexual orientation and gender identity or expression, and statelessness.

    At a forthcoming meeting, the IAGCI intends to consider the coverage of healthcare (including mental healthcare) and medical treatment in the COI produced by the Home Office. Country information on the availability and quality of healthcare and medical treatment is presented in numerous CPINs, including the following, which focus specifically on this area:

    In its consideration of this coverage, the IAGCI wishes to assess the quality, accuracy, and completeness of the information provided on healthcare and medical treatment in individual countries; to evaluate the overall approach taken to compiling and presenting information on this area across the range of relevant CPINs; and to identify any significant gaps in the coverage of medical provision issues in Home Office COI.

    To inform this discussion, the IAGCI seeks to commission a review paper to be prepared by an expert with in-depth knowledge of comparative healthcare systems. The reviewer commissioned to undertake this project will be an experienced researcher with demonstrated expertise in international healthcare. They will not be expected to be an expert on all countries concerned, but they should have an understanding of the relevance of information about healthcare and medical treatment to immigration and asylum decisions.

    Description of work

    The review paper will be a substantial piece of research that provides an assessment of the coverage of healthcare (including mental healthcare) and medical treatment in existing COI products, commenting on their:

    1. Completeness: the extent to which relevant available information on healthcare (including mental healthcare) and medical treatment has been reflected in relevant CPINs. Additional publicly available sources should be identified where appropriate.

    2. Accuracy and balance: whether relevant information from source material has been accurately and appropriately reflected in the CPIN, noting any specific errors or omissions.

    Though the review paper need not necessarily provide a comprehensive assessment of every relevant CPIN, it should offer a comparative summary, noting the strengths and weaknesses of the available reports. The review paper should also comment, and offer any relevant recommendations, on the Home Office’s overall approach to compiling and presenting information on healthcare and medical treatment. In addition, the review paper should seek to identify where coverage of healthcare and medical treatment in Home Office COI could usefully be expanded, whether that might be within existing CPINs or through the production of new CPINs covering additional countries or covering specific healthcare and medical issues in greater depth.  

    While there is room for individual discretion in the way the researcher approaches the task and prepares a review, the IAGCI requires that these guidelines be followed:

    1. The format and scope of the review should be agreed with the Chair of the IAGCI, and the reviewer will be expected to address any comments or suggestions the Chair may have on the final draft of the review.

    2. The COI under review should be assessed in terms of the situation in the country up to the stated ‘cut off’ date for inclusion of information in the relevant CPIN; if the reviewer wishes to recommend reference to more recent material, the review should make clear that that material was not available at the time the relevant CPIN was produced.

    3. Any suggestions for additional information (or corrections to information in the document) must be referenced to a source document for the Home Office to be able to use it. If no published source is available to support the suggested information, the reviewer may supply a letter providing the information for use as a source document.

    The reviewer will be expected to attend the IAGCI meeting at which their review will be considered. Representatives from the Home Office will also attend the meeting to provide responses to comments and recommendations made in the review.

    Reviews commissioned by the IAGCI may be used as source documents for future CPINs and other COI products.

    Payment for this work will be set at £6,000, payable following acceptance by the IAGCI Chair of the completed review and the reviewer’s participation in the IAGCI meeting to discuss the review. Contractual terms will be confirmed in a short-form contract.

    How to Apply

    Researchers interested in completing this review should submit:

    • a brief letter setting out (1) their relevant experience and expertise as a researcher with expert knowledge of international healthcare systems, (2) any relevant background demonstrating knowledge of how considerations around healthcare (including mental healthcare) and medical treatment relate to immigration and asylum decision-making, and (3) how they would approach the task of reviewing Home Office COI pertaining to healthcare (including mental healthcare) and medical treatment
    • their c.v.

    Expressions of interest should be submitted to IAGCI@icibi.gov.uk by close of 22 August 2025 and will be judged with reference to the bidder’s demonstrated knowledge and expertise of comparative standards of healthcare provision; their awareness of the relevance of information on healthcare and medical treatment to immigration and asylum decision-making; their research experience, including any relevant experience of reviewing country of origin information; and the soundness of their proposed approach to carrying out the review.

    It is expected that the successful bidder will be notified by 29 August 2025. The completed review will be due by the close of 5 December 2025 and will be discussed at an IAGCI meeting planned for early 2026.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: IAGCI invites tenders to evaluate Home Office country information products on Afghanistan, Colombia, and India

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    IAGCI invites tenders to evaluate Home Office country information products on Afghanistan, Colombia, and India

    Potential reviewers of country of origin information are invited to submit expressions of interest by the close of 22 August 2025.

    Section 48(2)(j) of the UK Borders Act 2007 provides that the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration (ICIBI) shall:

    consider and make recommendations about … the content of information about conditions in countries outside the United Kingdom which the Secretary of State compiles and makes available, for purposes connected with immigration and asylum, to immigration officers and other officials.

    To assist the Independent Chief Inspector in fulfilling this statutory role, a body of experts sitting as the Independent Advisory Group on Country Information (IAGCI) regularly reviews the country of origin information (COI) products that are issued by the Home Office. These reviews assess whether the content of COI is accurate, balanced, objective, and up-to-date, and they serve as the basis for an ICIBI inspection report.

    Country of origin information

    The Home Office refers to COI products in procedures that assess claims of individuals for refugee status or other forms of international and humanitarian protection. COI is also used in policy formulation. COI is contained in:

    • country policy and information notes (CPINs)
    • responses to country of origin information requests (COIRs)

    CPINs are generated on an ongoing basis, generally focusing on countries from which asylum claims are most commonly received. These reports may provide general background information on a country, address aspects of conditions in a country that are relevant to common types of asylum claims, and/or describe the current humanitarian or security situation in a country. CPINs are compiled from material produced by a range of recognised external information sources (such as news reports, academic literature, independent research reports, and fact-finding reports from UK government or from other governments). CPINs also contain Home Office policy on the recommended position to be taken with respect to various types of claims, based on the available and accepted country information.

    COIR responses are prepared to address specific queries from caseworkers or other Home Office officials. These relate to information that is not covered in the CPINs.

    Description of work

    IAGCI commissions country experts or experienced researchers to evaluate and report upon the information contained in Home Office COI products. The IAGCI requires an expert to review the following COI products on Afghanistan, Colombia, and India (3 separate tenders; 1 for each country):

    Tender 1 (Afghanistan)

    Tender 2 (Colombia)

    Tender 3 (India)

    The successful bidder will review, in addition to up to 10 COIR responses on conditions in India, 3 of the CPINs below (to be agreed with the IAGCI prior to the commencement of work):

    The reviewer will be asked to evaluate the extent to which the material under review provides an accurate, balanced, and up-to-date summary of the key available sources regarding conditions in the country concerned and to identify any areas where the COI can be improved. Specifically, the review should entail:

    • assessing the extent to which information from source documents has been appropriately and accurately reflected in the CPIN reports
    • identifying additional sources detailing relevant aspects of current conditions in the country
    • noting and correcting any specific errors or omissions of fact
    • making recommendations for general improvements regarding, for example, the structure of the report, its coverage, or its overall approach
    • ensuring no reference is made to an individual source which could expose them to risk

    The reviewer should follow these guidelines:

    • the review should focus exclusively on the country of origin information contained within the document, and not pass judgment on the policy guidance provided
    • CPINs should be reviewed in the context of their purpose as set out above. It should consider the situation in the country up to the stated ‘cut off’ date for inclusion of information
    • when suggesting amendments, rather than ‘tracking changes’ on the original CPIN, a list of suggested changes should be provided as part of a stand-alone review paper, and each report should be reviewed separately. A reporting template will be provided to the reviewer
    • any suggestions for additional information (or corrections to information in the document) must be referenced to a source document (preferably open source) for the Home Office to be able to use it. The Home Office may use foreign language source documents, but only if the information is considered essential and is not available in an English-language source

    Previous reviews of COI products can be consulted on the ICIBI website.

    The selected reviewer will be expected to consult with the Chair of the IAGCI in advance of commencing work on the review and to address any comments or suggestions the Chair may have on the final draft. The reviewer will also be expected to attend an IAGCI meeting at which the review will be discussed. Representatives from the Home Office will also attend the meeting to provide responses to comments and recommendations made in the review.

    Reviews commissioned by the IAGCI will be published and may be used as source documents for future CPINs or other Home Office COI products.

    Payment for this work will be set at £3,000, payable following acceptance by the IAGCI Chair of the completed review and the reviewer’s participation in the IAGCI meeting to discuss the review. Contractual terms will be confirmed in a short-form contract.

    How to Apply

    Experts interested in conducting one of these reviews should submit:

    • a brief letter setting out (1) their relevant experience and expertise, including knowledge of human rights and/or asylum issues, pertaining to Afghanistan, Colombia, or India; and (2) how they would approach the task of reviewing the selected COI.
    • their c.v.

    Expressions of interest should be submitted to IAGCI@icibi.gov.uk by the close of 22 August 2025 and will be judged with reference to the bidder’s demonstrated country knowledge and expertise; their awareness of human rights and/or asylum issues; their research experience, including any relevant experience of reviewing country of origin information; and the soundness of their proposed approach to carrying out the review.

    It is expected that the successful bidder will be notified by 29 August 2025. The final review will be due by the close of 24 October 2025 and will be discussed at an IAGCI meeting planned for later in the year.

    Updates to this page

    Published 11 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Congratulations to Alexander Kharitonovich on being awarded the academic degree of Doctor of Economics

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Congratulations on being awarded the academic degree of Doctor of Economics to Alexander Vasilyevich Kharitonovich, Associate Professor of the Department of Management in Construction at SPbGASU (Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia No. 692 dated July 8, 2025). Scientific consultant – Galina Fedorovna Tokunova, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Economics and Management, Professor of the Department of Management in Construction at SPbGASU.

    Dissertation topic: “Development of a methodology for managing changes in large territorially distributed economic systems (using investment and construction complexes as an example).”

    The defense of the dissertation in specialty 5.2.6. Management took place on March 27, 2025 in the dissertation council 24.2.339.11, created on the basis of the Moscow State University of Civil Engineering.

    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 –

  • Semicon India 2025 to feature global pavilions, country roundtables, and record participation

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The fourth edition of Semicon India 2025, scheduled for September 2–4 at Yashobhoomi (India International Convention and Expo Centre), New Delhi, will see the largest-ever global participation, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) announced on Friday.

    Jointly organised by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) and SEMI, the event aims to showcase India’s expanding capabilities across the microelectronics and semiconductor value chain. This year’s theme is ‘Building the Next Semiconductor Powerhouse’.

    According to the ministry, over 300 companies from 18 countries will exhibit at Semicon India 2025 — the highest to date. The event will, for the first time, feature four international pavilions from Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia. Eight country roundtables are also planned to promote bilateral partnerships between India and key semiconductor markets.

    In line with India’s push to strengthen its talent pipeline, the event will include dedicated skilling and workforce development programmes. Students and engineers will have access to training, upskilling sessions, and career counselling. A dedicated Semiconductor Design Startup Pavilion will highlight innovation-driven chip design firms, while the number of State Government Pavilions has risen to nine from six in the last edition.

    The three-day conference will bring together global CXOs, technology leaders, and policy experts to share insights on manufacturing trends, supply chain strategies, and emerging technologies.

    The Centre has been working to position India as a trusted semiconductor hub, supported by the Semicon India programme — a ₹76,000-crore initiative to build a robust domestic semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem. The government recently revised the programme to keep pace with aggressive incentives offered by other countries and the limited number of companies with advanced node technologies.

    In a related development, the Union Cabinet has approved India’s sixth semiconductor manufacturing unit, which will come up near Jewar Airport in Uttar Pradesh through a joint venture between the HCL Group and Taiwan’s Foxconn. The facility, with a capacity of 20,000 wafers per month, is expected to produce 36 million chips monthly and create employment for around 2,000 people.

    Meanwhile, work is underway on the other five approved units, one of which is expected to be inaugurated later this year.

    To further boost the sector, the government recently amended Special Economic Zone (SEZ) rules to address the unique requirements of semiconductor and electronics component manufacturing. Given the capital-intensive nature and longer gestation periods of these industries, the changes are intended to attract pioneering investments and strengthen India’s position in the global semiconductor landscape.

     

  • ENG vs IND, 3rd Test: Pope has his “fingers crossed” as Stokes battles injury at Lord’s

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    England captain Ben Stokes was seen limping with a possible groin injury during Day 1 of the third Test at Lord’s on Thursday, raising concerns ahead of a crucial phase in the series against India.

    Vice-captain Ollie Pope said he had his “fingers crossed” that Stokes would recover in time, with the series locked at 1-1.

    “Fingers crossed he can pull something magical off and come back strong. We’ve got a big Test over the next four days, and two more after this, so it’s important to manage him well,” Pope said after play.

    “One of my jobs is to make sure he doesn’t push himself too far”, England’s No. 3 added.

    On a hard-fought day, Joe Root held firm with an unbeaten 99 as England reached 251/4 in 83 overs at stumps. Pope contributed 44 off 104 balls as England, known for their aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach, opted for a more measured innings against a disciplined Indian attack.

    “It was not necessarily the way we are used to starting the first innings but 251/4 is a pretty good score. Hopefully we can take it past 400, maybe 500,” Pope said. “Considering the nature of the surface and the way India bowled, it’s a day we’ll take. We had to adapt — that’s something we’re always trying to improve, working out when to press and when to absorb pressure.”

    England will resume play on Friday with Root one run short of his 31st Test century.

    —IANS

  • China’s GDP growth set to slow, raising pressure on policymakers

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    China’s economy is expected to have slowed down in the second quarter from a solid start to the year as trade tensions with the United States added to deflationary pressures, reinforcing expectations that Beijing may need to roll out more stimulus.

    The world’s second-largest economy has so far avoided a sharp slowdown in part due to a fragile U.S.-China trade truce and policy stimulus, but markets are braced for a gloomier second half pressured by slowing exports, weak consumer demand, and a persistent property downturn.

    Gross domestic product growth in April-June is forecast at 5.1% year-on-year, cooling from 5.4% in the first quarter, a Reuters poll of 40 economists showed on Friday.

    The projected pace would still exceed the 4.7% growth forecast in a Reuters poll in April and remain broadly in line with the official full-year target of around 5%.

    Investors are closely watching for signs of fresh stimulus at the upcoming Politburo meeting due in late July, which is likely to shape economic policy for the remainder of the year.

    “We expect second-quarter GDP growth to exceed 5%, compared to 5.4% in the first quarter, indicating that there is no immediate need for additional stimulus,” analysts at Societe Generale said in a note.

    GDP growth is projected to slow to 4.5% in the third quarter and 4.0% in the fourth, according to the poll, underscoring mounting economic headwinds as U.S. President Donald Trump’s global trade war leaves Beijing with the tough task of getting households to spend more at a time of uncertainty.

    “We see a demand cliff in the second half, driven by multiple factors,” said Ting Lu, chief China economist at Nomura, in a note. Lu cited slowing exports under U.S. tariffs, the fading boost from a consumer goods trade-in program, austerity measures, and a protracted property slump.

    “We believe Beijing will very likely rush to roll out a new round of supportive measures at some point during H2.”

    For the whole of 2025, China’s GDP growth is forecast to cool to 4.6% – falling short of the official goal – from last year’s 5.0% and ease further to 4.2% in 2026, according to the poll.

    On a quarterly basis, the economy is forecast to have expanded 0.9% in the second quarter, slowing from 1.2% in January-March, the poll showed.

    The government is due to release second-quarter GDP data and June retail sales, industrial production and investment data at 0200 GMT on July 15.

    STIMULUS ALONE NOT ENOUGH

    Beijing has ramped up infrastructure spending and consumer subsidies, alongside steady monetary easing. In May, the central bank cut interest rates and injected liquidity as part of broader efforts to cushion the economy from Trump’s trade tariffs.

    Analysts polled by Reuters expect the central bank to cut its key policy rate – the seven-day reverse repo rate – by 10 basis points in the fourth quarter, along with a similar cut to the benchmark loan prime rate (LPR). The central bank is also expected to lower the weighted average reserve requirement ratio (RRR) by 20 basis points during the same period.

    But China observers and analysts say stimulus alone may not be enough to address deflation, which deepened to its worst level in almost two years in June.

    China’s GDP deflator – the broadest measure of prices across goods and services – is expected to decline further in the second quarter, marking a ninth consecutive quarterly drop, the longest streak since records began in 1993.

    Analysts polled by Reuters estimate a 0.1% rise in China’s consumer prices for this year, well below the government’s target of around 2%, before picking up 1.0% in 2026.

    Expectations are growing that China could accelerate supply-side reforms to curb excess industrial capacity and find new ways to boost domestic demand.

    Chinese government advisers are stepping up calls to make the household sector’s contribution to broader economic growth a top priority at Beijing’s upcoming five-year policy plan, as the trade tensions and deflation threaten the outlook.

    (Reuters)