Category: DJF

PM Modi begins historic Argentina visit by paying tribute to country’s liberator

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday began his historic visit to Argentina by paying respects at the statue of General Jose de San Martin, the country’s revered freedom fighter and national hero, in Buenos Aires.

PM Modi laid a wreath and paid tribute at the San Martin Memorial, marking the first bilateral visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the South American nation in 57 years.

General Jose de San Martin is recognised as the liberator of Argentina, and the monument was created in 1862 by French sculptor Louis Joseph Daumas. It was the first equestrian statue in Buenos Aires.

San Martin led crucial phases of Argentina’s struggle for independence between 1813 and 1818 — defeating Spanish forces at the Battle of San Lorenzo, reorganising the Army of the North, becoming Governor of Cuyo, and creating the Army of the Andes, which he led across the mountains into Chile to liberate the neighbouring country from Spanish rule. He later moved north to help liberate Peru in 1820.

Later, the PM was warmly received by Argentina’s President Javier Milei at the historic Casa Rosada as the two leaders began bilateral engagements.

PM Modi arrived in Argentina early Saturday on the third leg of his five-nation tour, following visits to Ghana and Trinidad and Tobago earlier in the week. The tour will continue with visits to Brazil (July 5–8) and Namibia (July 9).

The Prime Minister was accorded a ceremonial welcome ahead of delegation-level talks, followed by a lunch hosted by President Milei in his honour.

Argentina has been a strategic partner of India since 2019, and the two countries celebrated 75 years of diplomatic relations last year.

The visit comes at a particularly significant time, as Argentina is undertaking major economic reforms that mirror those India implemented in the past, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted ahead of the visit.

Both leaders are expected to discuss economic and trade matters to further strengthen bilateral relations.

“India’s advancements in defence manufacturing, the space sector, and new areas such as information technology and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) can offer valuable expertise. We can share experiences with Argentina. Our expertise in telemedicine and digital healthcare solutions is also on offer to help Argentina expand access to medical services and improve overall quality and cost-effective healthcare delivery,” said MEA Secretary (East) P. Kumaran during a special media briefing ahead of the PM’s visit.

The leaders are also expected to review ongoing cooperation and explore ways to enhance the India-Argentina partnership in key areas, including defence, agriculture, mining, oil and gas, renewable energy, trade and investment, and people-to-people ties.

India and Argentina have made significant progress in bilateral cooperation in the mineral resources sector, particularly lithium — a key element in India’s green energy transition. An MoU on cooperation in mineral resources was signed in August 2022, and the first meeting of the Joint Working Group under the MoU was held in January 2025.

“Argentina holds the world’s second-largest shale gas reserves and the fourth-largest shale oil reserves, along with substantial conventional oil and gas deposits, making it a potentially important energy partner for India. Its rich reserves of critical minerals such as lithium, copper, and rare earth elements complement India’s growing need for secure and sustainable supplies for clean energy and industrial growth. India’s public sector enterprise KABIL has already secured a few concessions in Argentina since 2024. Our leaders will discuss this further,” Kumaran added.

Notably, India-Argentina bilateral trade more than doubled in three years — from 2019 to 2022 — peaking at USD 6.4 billion in 2022. In 2021 and 2022, India was Argentina’s fourth-largest trading partner. Argentina is a key supplier of edible oils — particularly soybean and sunflower oil — to India. In 2024, total annual bilateral trade rose by 33 percent to USD 5.23 billion, positioning India as Argentina’s fifth-largest trading partner and export destination.

—IANS

July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: 1 missing, 28 rescued after excursion boat capsizes in central China’s Hunan Province /long version/

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

CHANGSHA, July 5 (Xinhua) — One person is missing and 28 others have been rescued after a sightseeing boat sank in central China’s Hunan Province on Saturday afternoon, local authorities said.

A total of 29 people were thrown overboard after the 40-seater boat capsized at around 4:30 p.m. on Dongjiang Lake in Zixing City.

By 18:00, 28 people had been rescued, one of them is in critical condition and is receiving medical assistance.

A preliminary investigation showed that at the time of the incident, a sudden gust of wind with a speed of up to 30 m/s was recorded in the area.

Search and rescue operations are currently ongoing, and further investigation into the circumstances of the incident is underway. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: 9 killed, 11 injured in minibus collision in northern Egypt

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

CAIRO, July 5 (Xinhua) — At least nine people were killed and 11 others injured on Saturday when two minibuses collided on a highway in Egypt’s northern Menoufia province, the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population said in a statement.

The department reported that the victims were taken to hospitals in Menoufia for emergency medical care.

According to Egyptian news site Yom7, a preliminary investigation has shown that speeding may have been the cause of the accident. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese company and RDIF intend to jointly build a new benchmark for cooperation between the two countries in Beijing

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

Moscow, July 5 /Xinhua/ — Chinese real estate developer China Railway Real Estate Group Co., Ltd. /CRREG/ and the Russian Direct Investment Fund /RDIF/ recently held talks to jointly build a new benchmark for cooperation between the two countries in Beijing, CRREG said.

Li Dinghuan, General Manager of CRREG Beijing Branch, said that CRREG and RDIF are willing to give full play to their respective advantages and plan to build a “China-Russia Trade, Economic and Cultural Center /tentative name/” in the central business district of the Chinese capital to jointly create a new benchmark for China-Russia cooperation, provide a new platform for enterprises and chambers of commerce of both sides to expand economic cooperation and cultural exchanges.

Vice President of the Russian Direct Investment Fund Anton Dan-Chin-Yu reported that trade and economic cooperation and cultural exchanges play an important role in bilateral relations between Russia and China. The Russian Direct Investment Fund is interested in cooperation with China in building a new Russian-Chinese trade, economic and cultural center in Beijing. By that time, the Russian Direct Investment Fund will attract Russian chambers of commerce and enterprises in the energy, finance, culture and education sectors to locate in the center.

CRREG and RDIF also signed a memorandum on joint cooperation for the “Chinese-Russian Trade, Economic and Cultural Center /preliminary name/.” –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: UN chief condemns Russian strikes on Ukraine, warns of nuclear safety risk

Source: United Nations 2

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, António Guterres expressed alarm over the dangerous escalation and the rising toll on civilians.

He reiterated that attacks against civilians and critical infrastructure are prohibited under international law and called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.

“These strikes disrupted the power supply to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, once again underlining the ongoing risks to nuclear safety,” UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said.

“The Secretary-General reiterates his call for a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine as a first step towards a just, comprehensive and sustainable peace, in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions.”

Fragile situation

The airstrikes on Friday severed the nuclear plant’s last external power connection, forcing the ZNPP to rely on emergency diesel generators for more than three hours, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Power was eventually restored, but the incident marked the ninth time the plant has lost all off-site electricity since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.

Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the nuclear watchdog, warned that the situation remains extremely fragile.

“What was once virtually unimaginable – that a major nuclear power plant would repeatedly lose all of its external power connections – has unfortunately become a common occurrence,” he said.

Nuclear safety deterioration

Located in southern Ukraine, the Zaporizhzhia plant is the largest nuclear power facility in Europe. Although its six reactors have been in cold shutdown since 2024, they still require electricity to cool reactor cores and spent fuel pools to prevent overheating and potential radioactive release.

During the blackout, 18 diesel generators were activated to maintain critical cooling functions. The plant has enough diesel on site for at least ten days, with contingency plans in place to secure further supplies if needed, IAEA reported.

The ZNPP has become dramatically more vulnerable since the war began. Prior to the conflict, it had access to ten external power lines; it now relies on just one.

IAEA teams remain based at the site and continue to monitor the situation closely.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congestion Pricing Succeeding in Reducing Traffic
Source: US State of New York

overnor Kathy Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that in its first six months, New York City’s congestion pricing program has succeeded in reducing traffic and raising revenues to fund transit improvements across the region, while economic activity in New York City has flourished. Activated at 12:00 am on January 5th, the nation’s first urban congestion pricing program reduces gridlock in Manhattan’s Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ) below 60th Street by charging motorists to enter the zone. Revenue from congestion pricing is on track to reach the forecasted $500 million in 2025, allowing the MTA to advance $15 billion in critical capital improvements to mass transit on its subway, bus, Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North Railroad systems.

“Six months in, it’s clear: congestion pricing has been a huge success, making life in New York better,” Governor Hochul said. “In New York, we dare to do big things, and this program represents just that – traffic is down throughout the region, business is booming, transit ridership is up, and we are making historic upgrades to our transit system. We’ve also fended off five months of unlawful attempts from the federal government to unwind this successful program and will keep fighting – and winning – in the courts. The cameras are staying on.”

New York State and the MTA have successfully fought off repeated legal challenges to congestion pricing and have stood up to block the unlawful attempts of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Trump Administration to terminate the program. In May, a preliminary injunction was issued in the case of Metropolitan Transportation Authority v. Duffy, keeping congestion pricing in effect pending further court proceedings and enjoining the federal government from taking retaliatory measures in response.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “Congestion relief is a massive success and validation of the initiative keeps pouring in. The program is achieving all of its goals in terms of traffic reduction, increased travel speeds, safety, noise reduction and more. And not only is Congestion Relief delivering all the projected benefits – and more – it’s also proving that New York State government can effectively execute major, ambitious initiatives that improve the quality of life in ways New Yorkers notice and appreciate.”

MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer said, “In addition to all of the benefits New Yorkers are already feeling on our streets, Congestion Relief is delivering accessibility at 25 subway and railroad stations, modern subway signals for AC and BDFM riders, new subway and rail cars, and countless other essential projects for our public transit system. The new MTA is hard at work advancing these projects better, faster, and cheaper.”

Since the congestion pricing program took effect on Jan. 5, it has delivered a wide array of benefits according to data from the MTA and other reports and studies from business groups and other data sources.

Congestion pricing is reducing traffic and improving quality of life

In just six months, congestion pricing has succeeded in reducing traffic, speeding up the flow of traffic, and reducing delays – not just in the Congestion Relief Zone but throughout the region. The number of vehicles entering the zone is down by 11% since congestion pricing started. Every day, 67,000 fewer vehicles enter the zone, and since the program started, more than 10 million fewer vehicles have entered the zone compared to last year.

According to a report from the Regional Plan Association and Waze, traffic delays are down in the Congestion Relief Zone by 25% and across the metropolitan region by 9%. Delays are also down by 10% in the Bronx and 14% in parts of Bergen County, NJ. Time lost to traffic jams is down 12%, giving seven minutes for every hour spent in traffic in 2024 back to commuters’ lives. Travel times on river crossings have decreased by 6% to as much as 42% in 2025 compared to 2024. In the Holland Tunnel, rush hour delays are down by 65% since congestion pricing began. In the Lincoln Tunnel, MTA express buses are traveling almost 24% faster than in 2024. Roads and highways approaching the Congestion Relief Zone, including Flatbush Ave in Brooklyn and the Long Island Expressway, are also moving faster than last year.

Reduced gridlock has improved quality of life in New York City. Crashes in the Congestion Relief Zone are down 14%. Traffic injuries are down by 15% in the zone, and the safety benefits are being felt citywide. Just this week, the New York City Department of Transportation released data showing that pedestrian fatalities on New York City streets are at historic lows, matching levels last seen in 2018.

Additionally, air quality has improved and noise pollution has reduced since the program was launched. Honking and vehicle noise complaints to 311 are down by 45% in 2025. A new report from the City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released on July 2 showed steady or decreasing levels of fine particle air pollution (or PM2.5) at most sites, both inside and outside the Congestion Relief Zone.

Transit service and ridership are on the rise

Transit ridership across all modes has increased from January-May 2025 when compared to the same period last year. All MTA modes of public transportation have had post-pandemic record high ridership in the first half of 2025.
- Subway: +7%
- Bus: +12%
- LIRR: +8%
- Metro-North: +6%
- Access-A-Ride: +21%
Transit service has steadily improved in 2025 to near record levels. In May, subway On-Time Performance was 85.2%, the best non-pandemic month in recorded history. Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North On-Time Performance have consistently been at or near 97% and 98% respectively in 2025. Buses are moving faster thanks to congestion pricing. Bus speeds have increased by an average of 3.2% within the CRZ, with some routes increasing by as much as 25%.

Governor Hochul and the MTA have also made historic investments to improve bus service. Service was increased on eight key Express Bus routes in March and on 14 high-ridership local bus routes on June 29th. The MTA also launched the first phase of the Queens Bus Network Redesign on June 29th, bringing more frequent and direct service with better connections to 800,000 Queens bus riders. Phase 2 will launch on August 31.

Economic activity in New York City is up

Gridlock is bad for the economy. According to a report from the Partnership for New York City before congestion pricing was launched, businesses and individuals were wasting hundreds of hours sitting in traffic, costing the economy $20 billion per year. Congestion pricing is a locally developed solution to a generational challenge. 

Already, the benefits of congestion pricing are improving New York City’s economy. Commuters are saving as much as 21 minutes each way. Time savings help businesses make deliveries and save costs. The annual value of these time savings could be as high as $1.3 billion. In May, business district pedestrian activity within the Congestion Relief Zone increased by 8.4% compared to May 2024. This growth is much faster than for business districts outside of the zone, which saw an increase of 2.7%.

Business is booming in the Congestion Relief Zone in 2025. Broadway just posted its biggest season ever with $1.9 billion in ticket sales; retail sales are on track to be up $900 million in 2025 compared to 2024; Hotel occupancy was 87% in April 2025 compared to 85% in April 2024; Commercial office leasing in 2025 Q1 is up 11% compared to 2024 Q4 and up 80% since 2024 Q1. At the same time, New York City now has the most jobs in its history – nearing 4.86 million in April 2025. That represents 1.6% growth over April 2024, outpacing the national average of 1.1%.

The MTA is investing in transit improvements funded by congestion pricing

By enabling the MTA to issue $15 billion in bonds to fund projects in its 2020-2024 Capital Plan, congestion pricing is powering improvements across the MTA network. Improvement projects funded by congestion pricing include:
- 435 additional R211 subway cars – including 80 additional open-gangway cars
- 44 new, more reliable dual-mode locomotives for the Long Island Rail Road
- 300 new M9A cars for Metro-North and the Long Island Rail-Road
- Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) signal upgrades on the A and C lines between Downtown Brooklyn and Ozone Park, allowing for more frequent and reliable service
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades at 23 subway stations, including new elevators, reconstructed platforms, and other improvements
Additionally, funding from congestion pricing allows the MTA to move forward with the tunneling contract for Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway, which will be awarded in the second half of 2025.

MIL OSI USA News –
July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Congestion Pricing Succeeding in Reducing Traffic
Source: US State of New York

overnor Kathy Hochul and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that in its first six months, New York City’s congestion pricing program has succeeded in reducing traffic and raising revenues to fund transit improvements across the region, while economic activity in New York City has flourished. Activated at 12:00 am on January 5th, the nation’s first urban congestion pricing program reduces gridlock in Manhattan’s Congestion Relief Zone (CRZ) below 60th Street by charging motorists to enter the zone. Revenue from congestion pricing is on track to reach the forecasted $500 million in 2025, allowing the MTA to advance $15 billion in critical capital improvements to mass transit on its subway, bus, Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North Railroad systems.

“Six months in, it’s clear: congestion pricing has been a huge success, making life in New York better,” Governor Hochul said. “In New York, we dare to do big things, and this program represents just that – traffic is down throughout the region, business is booming, transit ridership is up, and we are making historic upgrades to our transit system. We’ve also fended off five months of unlawful attempts from the federal government to unwind this successful program and will keep fighting – and winning – in the courts. The cameras are staying on.”

New York State and the MTA have successfully fought off repeated legal challenges to congestion pricing and have stood up to block the unlawful attempts of the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) and the Trump Administration to terminate the program. In May, a preliminary injunction was issued in the case of Metropolitan Transportation Authority v. Duffy, keeping congestion pricing in effect pending further court proceedings and enjoining the federal government from taking retaliatory measures in response.

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said, “Congestion relief is a massive success and validation of the initiative keeps pouring in. The program is achieving all of its goals in terms of traffic reduction, increased travel speeds, safety, noise reduction and more. And not only is Congestion Relief delivering all the projected benefits – and more – it’s also proving that New York State government can effectively execute major, ambitious initiatives that improve the quality of life in ways New Yorkers notice and appreciate.”

MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer said, “In addition to all of the benefits New Yorkers are already feeling on our streets, Congestion Relief is delivering accessibility at 25 subway and railroad stations, modern subway signals for AC and BDFM riders, new subway and rail cars, and countless other essential projects for our public transit system. The new MTA is hard at work advancing these projects better, faster, and cheaper.”

Since the congestion pricing program took effect on Jan. 5, it has delivered a wide array of benefits according to data from the MTA and other reports and studies from business groups and other data sources.

Congestion pricing is reducing traffic and improving quality of life

In just six months, congestion pricing has succeeded in reducing traffic, speeding up the flow of traffic, and reducing delays – not just in the Congestion Relief Zone but throughout the region. The number of vehicles entering the zone is down by 11% since congestion pricing started. Every day, 67,000 fewer vehicles enter the zone, and since the program started, more than 10 million fewer vehicles have entered the zone compared to last year.

According to a report from the Regional Plan Association and Waze, traffic delays are down in the Congestion Relief Zone by 25% and across the metropolitan region by 9%. Delays are also down by 10% in the Bronx and 14% in parts of Bergen County, NJ. Time lost to traffic jams is down 12%, giving seven minutes for every hour spent in traffic in 2024 back to commuters’ lives. Travel times on river crossings have decreased by 6% to as much as 42% in 2025 compared to 2024. In the Holland Tunnel, rush hour delays are down by 65% since congestion pricing began. In the Lincoln Tunnel, MTA express buses are traveling almost 24% faster than in 2024. Roads and highways approaching the Congestion Relief Zone, including Flatbush Ave in Brooklyn and the Long Island Expressway, are also moving faster than last year.

Reduced gridlock has improved quality of life in New York City. Crashes in the Congestion Relief Zone are down 14%. Traffic injuries are down by 15% in the zone, and the safety benefits are being felt citywide. Just this week, the New York City Department of Transportation released data showing that pedestrian fatalities on New York City streets are at historic lows, matching levels last seen in 2018.

Additionally, air quality has improved and noise pollution has reduced since the program was launched. Honking and vehicle noise complaints to 311 are down by 45% in 2025. A new report from the City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released on July 2 showed steady or decreasing levels of fine particle air pollution (or PM2.5) at most sites, both inside and outside the Congestion Relief Zone.

Transit service and ridership are on the rise

Transit ridership across all modes has increased from January-May 2025 when compared to the same period last year. All MTA modes of public transportation have had post-pandemic record high ridership in the first half of 2025.
- Subway: +7%
- Bus: +12%
- LIRR: +8%
- Metro-North: +6%
- Access-A-Ride: +21%
Transit service has steadily improved in 2025 to near record levels. In May, subway On-Time Performance was 85.2%, the best non-pandemic month in recorded history. Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North On-Time Performance have consistently been at or near 97% and 98% respectively in 2025. Buses are moving faster thanks to congestion pricing. Bus speeds have increased by an average of 3.2% within the CRZ, with some routes increasing by as much as 25%.

Governor Hochul and the MTA have also made historic investments to improve bus service. Service was increased on eight key Express Bus routes in March and on 14 high-ridership local bus routes on June 29th. The MTA also launched the first phase of the Queens Bus Network Redesign on June 29th, bringing more frequent and direct service with better connections to 800,000 Queens bus riders. Phase 2 will launch on August 31.

Economic activity in New York City is up

Gridlock is bad for the economy. According to a report from the Partnership for New York City before congestion pricing was launched, businesses and individuals were wasting hundreds of hours sitting in traffic, costing the economy $20 billion per year. Congestion pricing is a locally developed solution to a generational challenge. 

Already, the benefits of congestion pricing are improving New York City’s economy. Commuters are saving as much as 21 minutes each way. Time savings help businesses make deliveries and save costs. The annual value of these time savings could be as high as $1.3 billion. In May, business district pedestrian activity within the Congestion Relief Zone increased by 8.4% compared to May 2024. This growth is much faster than for business districts outside of the zone, which saw an increase of 2.7%.

Business is booming in the Congestion Relief Zone in 2025. Broadway just posted its biggest season ever with $1.9 billion in ticket sales; retail sales are on track to be up $900 million in 2025 compared to 2024; Hotel occupancy was 87% in April 2025 compared to 85% in April 2024; Commercial office leasing in 2025 Q1 is up 11% compared to 2024 Q4 and up 80% since 2024 Q1. At the same time, New York City now has the most jobs in its history – nearing 4.86 million in April 2025. That represents 1.6% growth over April 2024, outpacing the national average of 1.1%.

The MTA is investing in transit improvements funded by congestion pricing

By enabling the MTA to issue $15 billion in bonds to fund projects in its 2020-2024 Capital Plan, congestion pricing is powering improvements across the MTA network. Improvement projects funded by congestion pricing include:
- 435 additional R211 subway cars – including 80 additional open-gangway cars
- 44 new, more reliable dual-mode locomotives for the Long Island Rail Road
- 300 new M9A cars for Metro-North and the Long Island Rail-Road
- Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) signal upgrades on the A and C lines between Downtown Brooklyn and Ozone Park, allowing for more frequent and reliable service
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) upgrades at 23 subway stations, including new elevators, reconstructed platforms, and other improvements
Additionally, funding from congestion pricing allows the MTA to move forward with the tunneling contract for Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway, which will be awarded in the second half of 2025.

MIL OSI USA News –
July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: Why Texas Hill Country, where a devastating flood killed dozens, is one of the deadliest places in the US for flash flooding

Source: The Conversation – USA (2) – By Hatim Sharif, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The University of Texas at San Antonio

A Kerrville, Texas, resident watches the flooded Guadalupe River on July 4, 2025. Eric Vryn/Getty Images

Texas Hill Country is known for its landscapes, with shallow rivers winding among hills and through rugged valleys. But that geography also makes it one of the deadliest places in the U.S. for flash flooding.

In the early hours of July 4, 2025, a rush of flood water swept through an area dotted with summer camps and small towns about 70 miles west of San Antonio. At least 27 people died, and about two dozen girls from one camp and other people in the area were still unaccounted for the following morning, officials said. More than 200 people had to be rescued.

The flooding began as many flash floods in this region do, with a heavy downpour that sent water sheeting off the hillsides into creeks. The creeks poured into the Guadalupe River. Around 3 a.m. on July 4, National Weather Service data shows the river was rising about 1 foot every 5 minutes near the camp. By 4:30 a.m., the water had risen more than 20 feet.

Flood expert Hatim Sharif, a hydrologist and civil engineer at the University of Texas at San Antonio, explains what makes this part of the country, known as Flash Flood Alley, so dangerous.

What makes Hill Country so prone to flooding?

Texas as a whole leads the nation in flood deaths, and by a wide margin. A colleague and I analyzed data from 1959 to 2019 and found 1,069 people had died in flooding in Texas over those six decades. The next highest total was in Louisiana, with 693.

Many of those flood deaths have been in Hill County, an area known as Flash Flood Alley. It’s a crescent of land that curves from near Dallas down to San Antonio and then westward.

The hills are steep, and the water moves quickly when it floods. This is a semi-arid area with soils that don’t soak up much water, so the water sheets off quickly and the shallow creeks can rise fast.

When those creeks converge on a river, they can create a wall of water that wipes out homes and washes away cars and, unfortunately, anyone in its path.

Hill Country has seen some devastating flash floods. In 1987, heavy rain in western Kerr County quickly flooded the Guadalupe River, triggering a flash flood similar to the one in 2025. Ten teenagers being evacuated from a camp died in the rushing water.

San Antonio, considered the gateway to Hill Country, was hit with another flash flood on June 12, 2025, that killed 13 people whose cars were swept away when they drove into high water from a flooding creek near an interstate ramp in the early morning.

Why does the region get such strong downpours?

One reason Hill Country gets powerful downpours is the Balcones Escarpment.

The escarpment is a line of cliffs and steep hills created by a geologic fault. When warm air from the Gulf rushes up the escarpment, it condenses and can dump a lot of moisture. That water flows down the hills quickly, from many different directions, filling streams and rivers below.

As temperature rise, the warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture, increasing the downpour and flood risk.

A tour of the Guadalupe River and its flood risk.

The same effect can contribute to flash flooding in San Antonio, where the large amount of paved land and lack of updated drainage to control runoff adds to the risk.

What can be done to improve flash flood safety?

First, it’s important for people to understand why flash flooding happens and just how fast the water can rise and flow. In many arid areas, dry or shallow creeks can quickly fill up with fast-moving water and become deadly. So people should be aware of the risks and pay attention to the weather.

Improving flood forecasting, with more detailed models of the physics and water velocity at different locations, can also help.

Probabilistic forecasting, for example, can provide a range of rainfall scenarios, enabling authorities to prepare for worst-case scenarios. A scientific framework linking rainfall forecasts to the local impacts, such as streamflow, flood depth and water velocity, could also help decision-makers implement timely evacuations or road closures.

Education is particularly essential for drivers. One to two feet of moving water can wash away a car. People may think their trucks and SUVs can go through anything, but fast-moving water can flip a truck and carry it away.

Officials can also do more to barricade roads when the flood risk is high to prevent people from driving into harm’s way. We found that 58% of the flood deaths in Texas over the past six decades involved vehicles.

The storm on June 12 in San Antonio was an example. It was early morning, and drivers has poor visibility. Cars drove into floodwater without seeing the risk until it was too late.

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

– ref. Why Texas Hill Country, where a devastating flood killed dozens, is one of the deadliest places in the US for flash flooding – https://theconversation.com/why-texas-hill-country-where-a-devastating-flood-killed-dozens-is-one-of-the-deadliest-places-in-the-us-for-flash-flooding-260555

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK re-establishes diplomatic relations with Syria in first Ministerial visit for 14 years
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

UK re-establishes diplomatic relations with Syria in first Ministerial visit for 14 years

The Foreign Secretary has visited Syria to renew our diplomatic relationship, eight months on from the collapse of Assad’s regime.
Foreign Secretary’s visit to Syria marks first by a UK Minister in 14 years and renews the UK and Syria’s diplomatic relationship.

Commitment to support Syria as the new Government seeks to rebuild Syria’s economy, deliver an inclusive political transition and forge a path to justice for the victims of the Assad regime.

New UK funding to assist with removal of Assad era chemical weapons and provide urgent humanitarian assistance in Syria, to bolster UK and Middle East security, tackle irregular migration, and deliver on the Government’s Plan for Change.

Eight months on from the collapse of the Assad regime, the UK has officially re-established diplomatic relations with the Syrian Government following the Foreign Secretary’s visit to Damascus today.

As the first UK Minister to visit in 14 years, the Foreign Secretary emphasised that the UK will support the Syrian Government to deliver its commitments to build a more secure and prosperous future for Syrians, increasing security in the wider region and the UK.

The Foreign Secretary met President Al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister al-Shaibani to reiterate the importance of an inclusive and representative political transition in Syria and offer continued UK support to the Syrian people.

A stable Syria is in the UK’s interests. We want to ensure that Daesh’s territorial defeat endures, and they can never resurge, and we want to prevent vulnerable Syrians from being exploited by people smuggling gangs across Europe. Building closer diplomatic partnerships with Syria is critical to safeguard UK security, in line with the Government’s Plan for Change.

Foreign Secretary, David Lammy said:

As the first UK Minister to visit Syria since the fall of Assad’s brutal regime, I’ve seen first-hand the remarkable progress Syrians have made in rebuilding their lives and their country.

After over a decade of conflict, there is renewed hope for the Syrian people. The UK is re-establishing diplomatic relations because it is in our interests to support the new government to deliver their commitment to build a stable, more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians.

A stable Syria is in the UK’s interests, reducing the risk of irregular migration, ensuring the destruction of chemical weapons, tackling the threat of terrorism and delivering the Government’s Plan for Change.

During his visit to Syria, the Foreign Secretary met Syrian Civil Defence volunteers (White Helmets) to learn more about the vital work they carry out across the country, including with the safe removal of unexploded ordnance and emergency lifesaving medical work.

The fall of Assad presents an opportunity for the new Syrian government to fully declare and destroy Assad’s evil chemical weapons programme. As part of the visit, the UK has committed an additional £2 million this financial year to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to support their vital work addressing the horrific legacy of Assad’s chemical weapons in Syria. The UK contribution will support the OPCW’s operational requirements in Syria as they help the Syrian Government fulfil their commitments to eliminate Assad’s chemical weapons once and for all.

Demonstrating the UK’s continued commitment to sustainable development and Syria’s recovery from conflict, the Foreign Secretary met women-led businesses in Syria, which have been supported by the UK’s livelihoods and economic recovery programme.

UK support is set to continue, with the additional £94.5 million package announced today, which will provide urgent humanitarian aid to Syrians, support Syria’s longer-term recovery through education and livelihoods, and support countries hosting Syrian refugees in the region.

The Foreign Secretary will travel on to Kuwait where strengthening regional security and boosting bilateral relations will be top of the agenda in meetings with His Highness the Crown Prince, His Highness the Prime Minister and His Excellency the Foreign Minister. The Foreign Secretary will advocate for UK businesses to have access to new opportunities to support Kuwaiti growing markets– further advancing business engagement between UK and Kuwait and the wider region.

The Foreign Secretary will also announce a new partnership with Kuwait to tackle the humanitarian crisis in Sudan. New funding will help provide nutrition support and restore clean drinking water supplies, as Sudan faces both famine and a devastating cholera outbreak. Support will also be made available to fund lifesaving work in Somalia where conflict and the climate crisis are driving pressing humanitarian needs.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

The UK has provided £4.5bn of assistance to Syria and countries in the region since 2011.

Over the past two years the UK has provided more than £5m to the White Helmets in support of their lifesaving emergency medical, firefighting and search rescue services. This includes £2.25m this financial year to continue this work and ensure a smooth transition of their activities to the Government.

The UK has already provided £837,300 to the OPCW Syria Missions since the fall of Assad to support their immediate work in ensuring the safe and rapid destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons.

Media enquiries

Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

Telephone 020 7008 3100

Email the FCDO Newsdesk (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

Share this page

The following links open in a new tab

Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)

Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

Updates to this page

Published 5 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Allister tells Glasgow 12th of Protocol risk to the UK

Source: Traditional Unionist Voice – Northern Ireland

TUV leader Jim Allister told the ‘Glasgow Twelfth’ the very substance and existence of the United Kingdom was at risk because of the Protocol/Windsor Framework.

“The constitutional basis of your membership of the U.K., the Act of Union 1707, and Northern Ireland’s, the Act of Union 1800, are identical in form and substance. Each is built on the twin pillars of a political union and an economic union. Art 3 of each of our Acts of Union affirm a political union through a single sovereign parliament for the whole nation; and each of our Articles 6 guarantee unfettered trade between and within all parts of the Kingdom.

“It is the latter, of course, that has been trashed by the union-dismantling Windsor Framework, because it fetters trade with NI by establishing an EU border to entrap NI within its territory and control.

“Whereas England, Scotland Wales left the EU, Northern Ireland was left behind under its Customs Code and in its Single market for goods, meaning in 300 areas of law we are governed by foreign laws we don’t make and can’t change. That is not just a democratic outrage, but a deliberate building block for Irish unity as NI is now governed in those 300 areas by the identical laws as the Republic of Ireland. And as these are the laws that shape our trade and economy they are inexorably building the stepping stone of an all-Ireland economy, which always was the intended design of the Windsor Framework.

“Hence, why anyone worthy of the name ‘unionist’ rejects the Windsor Framework in all its parts.

“In that rejection we ask for the support of our fellow citizens in Scotland who equally recognise threat to our Union when they see it, because you, like us, live under the blight of a separatist First Minister, though you are spared the obscenity of being told there was no alternative to the murder of your kith and kin.

“Going forward, there is common cause in rebuilding and restoring our Union, so that the natural affinity between Scotland and Northern Ireland – which is reflected in what we celebrate today – is accentuated, not blocked with preposterous trade barriers and the heavy hand of EU colonial rule, from which you have been spared, but by which we are still benighted.

“Your covenanting forefathers knew the strength and value of covenanting together to defend what mattered; may we together with determination covenant to not rest until all our nation is free of the foreign rule of Brussels diktats.”

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Egypt: President El-Sisi Meets the Speaker of Libya’s House of Representatives

Source: APO – Report:

.

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received the Speaker of Libya’s House of Representatives, Counselor Aguila Saleh. The meeting was attended by Political Advisor to the Speaker of Libya’s House of Representatives, Hamid Al-Safi, and Director of the General Intelligence Service, Major General Hassan Rashad.

Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said that the meeting reviewed the latest developments on the Libyan scene. President El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s firm position in support of Libya and its national institutions, emphasizing the importance of preserving Libya’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The President also stressed the necessity for unifying efforts to reach a comprehensive political settlement to the crisis. This is in order to allow for presidential and parliamentary elections to be held concurrently as soon as possible, in a way that fulfills the aspirations of the Libyan people for stability, security, and a dignified life.

President El-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s commitment to continuing its efforts and coordination with all Libyan brothers and concerned international parties. This stems from Egypt’s belief in the necessity of stability in the brotherly state of Libya, and that Libya’s political and security stability is an integral part of Egypt’s own stability.

The President also emphasized the importance of the departure of all foreign forces from Libya, which will contribute to promoting security, enabling Libyan institutions to play their role in consolidating stability across all Libyan territories.

The President expressed Egypt’s interest in the reconstruction Libya and in participating in this process, as well as transferring Egyptian development expertise to support the development process.

The Speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives expressed his deep appreciation for the historical and fraternal relations between Egypt and Libya, and for the role of President El-Sisi and Egyptian institutions in supporting Libya’s unity and the cohesion of its national institutions. He affirmed that this support represents a fundamental pillar for restoring security and stability and for advancing the transitional phase leading to the implementation of the upcoming electoral entitlements.

– on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 6, 2025
Massive turnout in Bihar’s Special Revision: 13% voter forms already collected: ECI

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar is progressing at a brisk pace, with officials working at the grassroots level to ensure that no eligible voter is left out of the updated rolls.

According to the latest data shared by the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday evening, more than 1.04 crore Enumeration Forms — about 13.19% of Bihar’s total 7.90 crore registered electors (as on June 24, 2025) — have already been collected. Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and other election officials have also distributed nearly 94% of the forms, with over 7.38 crore forms handed out so far.

Over 77,000 BLOs are going door-to-door to assist voters in filling out the Enumeration Forms and collecting them. In many cases, BLOs are capturing live photographs of voters and uploading them instantly to reduce the burden on citizens to arrange photos themselves.

To facilitate wider participation, partially filled forms can be downloaded from the ECI portal ([https://voters.eci.gov.in](https://voters.eci.gov.in)) or the ECINET App, and voters can also upload completed forms directly through the app.

To strengthen the exercise, an additional 20,603 BLOs are being deployed to ensure the smooth and timely completion of the revision process. Nearly four lakh volunteers, including government officials, NCC cadets, NSS members, and others, are also assisting in the field to help senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PwDs), the sick, and other vulnerable groups submit their forms.

At the administrative level, 239 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), 963 Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), 38 District Election Officers (DEOs), and the state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) are overseeing the exercise on the ground.

Political parties have also extended their cooperation, with 1,54,977 Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by various parties actively supporting the door-to-door revision drive.

July 6, 2025
Trump says tariff letters to 12 countries signed, going out Monday

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

U.S. President Donald Trump said he had signed letters to 12 countries outlining the various tariff levels they would face on goods they export to the United States, with the “take it or leave it” offers to be sent out on Monday.

Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One as he traveled to New Jersey, declined to name the countries involved, saying that would be made public on Monday.

In a global trade war that has upended financial markets and set off a scramble among policymakers to guard their economies, Trump in April announced a 10% base tariff rate and additional amounts for most countries, some ranging as high as 50%.

However, all but the 10% base rate were subsequently suspended for 90 days to allow more time for negotiations to secure deals.

That period ends on July 9, although Trump early on Friday said the tariffs could be even higher – ranging up to 70% – with most set to go into effect August 1.

“I signed some letters and they’ll go out on Monday, probably twelve,” Trump said, when asked about his plans on the tariff front. “Different amounts of money, different amounts of tariffs.”

Trump and his top aides initially said they would launch negotiations with scores of countries on tariff rates, but the U.S. president has soured on that process after repeated setbacks with major trading partners, including Japan and the European Union.

He touched on that briefly late on Friday, telling reporters: “The letters are better … much easier to send a letter.”

He did not address his prediction that some broader trade agreements could be reached before the July 9 deadline.

The shift in the White House’s strategy reflects the challenges of completing trade agreements on everything from tariffs to non-tariff barriers such as bans on agricultural imports, and especially on an accelerated timeline.

Most past trade agreements have taken years of negotiations to complete.

The only trade agreements reached to date are with Britain, which reached a deal in May to keep a 10% rate and won preferential treatment for some sectors including autos and aircraft engines, and with Vietnam, cutting tariffs on many Vietnamese goods to 20% from his previously threatened 46%. Many U.S. products would be allowed to enter Vietnam duty free.

A deal expected with India has failed to materialize, and EU diplomats on Friday said they have failed to achieve a breakthrough in trade negotiations with the Trump administration, and may now seek to extend the status quo to avoid tariff hikes.

(Reuters)

July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HKETO Jakarta celebrates in Philippines 28th anniversary of HKSAR establishment (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

â€‹The Director-General of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Jakarta, Miss Libera Cheng, today (July 5) attended a dinner organised by the Hongkong Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Inc in Manila, the Philippines, to celebrate the 28th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Addressing the dinner, Miss Cheng said that with the staunch support of the motherland and the advantages in connecting the Mainland and the world under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong has continued to consolidate its status as an international financial, shipping and trade centre. Hong Kong has performed remarkably in international rankings. It was named the world’s freest economy in the Economic Freedom of the World 2024 Annual Report, and ranked third globally in the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025, the World Investment Report 2025 and the Global Financial Centres Index. Hong Kong’s success in attracting top-tier international companies and talent is also widely acknowledged. The number of companies in Hong Kong with overseas or Mainland parent companies has risen to 9 960, while the number of start-ups in the city increased to around 4 700, both reaching record highs.

Miss Cheng added that Hong Kong has a close relationship with the Philippines. Hong Kong is the Philippines’ fifth largest trading partner, with bilateral trade in goods amounting to US$13.9 billion last year. In tourism, Hong Kong has continued to attract Filipino visitors, welcoming around 1.2 million arrivals from the Philippines last year, representing a 55 per cent increase compared with 2023. In the first five months of this year alone, more than 550 000 Filipino visitors travelled to Hong Kong, marking a 27 per cent year-on-year increase and reflecting strong people-to-people ties between the two places.

Miss Cheng also shared the latest developments in Hong Kong with the guests, highlighting the emerging opportunities under the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as strategic responses to future challenges. She said that as a global financial and trade centre, Hong Kong is well positioned to serve as a vital bridge connecting Mainland China and the Philippines. She thanked the chamber for fostering connections, and hoped that more outstanding Philippine enterprises would expand their business networks in Hong Kong to create synergy. On the other hand, Hong Kong has been actively seeking early accession to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, with a view to making greater contributions to regional development.

Around 250 representatives from the local government and business sectors, including the Minister Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, Ms Wang Yulei, and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council’s Consultant in Manila, Ms Maribeth Barros, attended the event.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI China: New generating unit at SW China hydropower station starts operation

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

BEIJING, July 5 — The second generating unit at a hydropower station located at the main stream of the Jinsha River in southwest China, has been put into operation after a successful 72-hour trial, according to a report in the Science and Technology Daily on Saturday.

The Batang hydropower station is equipped with three 250,000-kilowatt power generation units, capable of a total installed capacity of 750,000 kilowatts.

Its first power generation unit was put into operation on May 15, while the third unit is expected to start running in mid-July.

Once this power station is fully commissioned, it will be capable of providing more than 3 billion kilowatt-hours of clean energy annually, sufficient to meet the annual electricity consumption of 1.75 million households.

This, notably, is equivalent to saving 1.05 million tonnes of standard coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 3.15 million tonnes per year.

MIL OSI China News –

July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI China: A glimpse of Arxan, popular tourist destination in N China

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

A glimpse of Arxan, popular tourist destination in N China

Updated: July 5, 2025 22:00 Xinhua

An aerial drone photo taken on July 5, 2025 shows tourists visiting the national forest park in Arxan of Hinggan League, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Arxan, located at the southwestern foot of the Dahinggan Mountains and at the intersection of four major grasslands, is an increasingly popular tourist destination. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo taken on July 5, 2025 shows tourists visiting the national forest park in Arxan of Hinggan League, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo taken on July 4, 2025 shows a night view of Arxan in Hinggan League, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo taken on July 5, 2025 shows the scenery of the national forest park in Arxan of Hinggan League, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo taken on July 4, 2025 shows a view of Arxan in Hinggan League, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]

An aerial drone photo taken on July 5, 2025 shows tourists taking a boat tour at the national forest park in Arxan of Hinggan League, north China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. [Photo/Xinhua]

MIL OSI China News –

July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Khorgos Automobile Checkpoint Recognized as International Sanitary Land Port

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

BEIJING, July 5 (Xinhua) — The Horgos Port of Entry in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Friday was officially awarded the title of “international sanitary land port” after passing the assessment and acceptance by an expert team of the World Health Organization (WHO) on the spot, the press service of the Horgos city administration said.

The assessment of an international sanitary port is carried out by WHO according to several criteria: the sanitary and hygienic infrastructure of the checkpoint, the hygiene management system and the capacity to respond to public health emergencies.

The transformation of Horgos Port into an international sanitary land port greatly enhances its ability to respond to international public health emergencies and creates a safer environment for customs clearance, and is of great significance to serving the high-quality construction of the Belt and Road and ensuring global public health security.

Situated on China’s border with Kazakhstan, the Khorgos checkpoint is the largest integrated border crossing in Xinjiang, handling both road and rail freight. It serves as a key hub in the key area of the Silk Road Economic Belt under construction. -0-

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: International health tourism booming on China’s Hainan Island

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

HAIKOU, July 5 (Xinhua) — Located in the coastal town of Boao in south China’s Hainan Province, the Boao Lecheng International Health Tourism Pilot Zone is fast becoming a leading healthcare and innovation hub in China, attracting increasing attention from around the world.

The pilot zone, which is considered the only special medical service zone in China, hosts more than 30 leading domestic and foreign medical institutions. With special policy support, the pilot zone has introduced 485 advanced drugs and medical devices that have been approved abroad but have not yet entered the domestic market, benefiting more than 130,000 patients.

Canadian figure skating coach Mark Batka, suffering from growing tumors on his chest and back that were hampering his ability to work, decided to have surgery during a four-day recuperation trip to the pilot zone.

“In Canada it’s more expensive and it takes time to get an appointment for the surgery. And since I was here, I decided to give it a try and I was very happy, I think it went very well,” he said.

Mark Batka is just one of many foreign visitors who have taken advantage of the medical services at the pilot zone, which offers a world-class package of services, from premium medical check-ups and a combination of traditional Chinese and Western treatments to cultural experiences such as incense tasting, tea ceremonies and calligraphy.

Boao Yiling Life Support Center, a leading provider of comprehensive medical services in the pilot zone, provides a wide range of services such as health care, disease prevention, specific therapies, rehabilitation and mental health.

Janet Wong, who went on a Canadian wellness tour with Mark Batka, said she was impressed by the high-quality medical check-up she received at the centre.

“We were so surprised from the very beginning when we arrived,” she said, adding that the treatment was excellent and the medical examination incredibly thorough.

“In a way, it really does feel like a vacation,” said Stephanie Wing See Yau, another member of the Canadian group, calling the centre a truly world-class facility.

“It’s really impressive how they’ve put all these treatments together in one place,” she said, noting that she was glad to see that there was a focus on overall wellness, not just physical wellness but mental wellness as well. She described her trip as a great experience and said she would definitely recommend it to friends.

As part of the pilot zone’s efforts to develop health tourism, 25 specialized routes have been launched, tailored to different needs, from traditional Chinese medicine and chronic disease treatment to high-end medical check-ups and medical cosmetology. These routes are increasingly popular around the world. The pilot zone has also become a key platform supporting Hainan’s efforts to become a hub for international tourism and consumption.

By the end of 2024, more than 410,000 people had taken medical tours in the pilot zone, which is 36.76 percent more than in the previous year. Since the beginning of this year, 188,300 tourists from countries such as Canada, Spain, Russia, Uzbekistan and Cuba have already visited the zone to use medical services.

Kareldus Agas, an official with the International Tourism Promotion Department of Indonesia’s Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, was deeply impressed by the comprehensive services at the pilot zone after visiting some wellness projects and traditional cultural activities, including calligraphy and cupping.

He said that Boao Lecheng not only offers advanced medical services, but also a harmonious combination of relaxation, wellness and spiritual healing, creating a truly unforgettable experience. He expressed a strong desire to visit the area again, even without a medical request, just to enjoy the unique feeling of relaxation he felt there.

The pilot zone has established partnerships with more than 180 pharmaceutical companies and medical equipment manufacturers from 20 countries, providing access to advanced international medical services for both domestic and foreign visitors, said He Ying, an official with the Boao Lecheng International Health Tourism Pilot Zone.

He added that the zone will continue to strengthen its service platforms and capacity to receive foreign tourists with the aim of becoming a world-class health tourism destination.

As part of its broader economic strategy, China is turning Hainan into a free trade port and aims to turn the province into a global tourist and consumer destination by 2035. -0-

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 6, 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi: The Global Statesman of Our Times

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Since the Second World War, almost eight decades ago, no leader had captivated the global imagination until the late 2010s.

The majority of the Cold War years were lost to the political turmoil that plagued the nations in the West. In the Soviet Union, the leaders were infamous for weakening the once grand empire. Even the American Presidents could not escape the curse of time, and eventually, the world entered the 20th century with crises that hinted at imminent conflicts.

Back home in India, the political leadership was largely contained within one party, and further, within one family.

Not choosing to align with a bloc, India went for the non-aligned movement, and in hindsight, we were everywhere, and yet, nowhere. When Chief Minister Narendra Modi was elevated to the higher office in Delhi in 2014, a nation of more than 120 Crore people was not only looking at a new leadership framework to guide the nation, but also a new perspective to take India’s message to the world.

In Narendra Modi, the country saw the resolve of a national leader and the vision of a global statesman.

The last eleven years have been of global turmoil. The 2010s witnessed the incapacity of several Western nations, including the United States of America, to shake off the economic horrors of the Great Recession of 2008.

Just when the nations were getting their economic trajectory back on track, the pandemic, the most gruesome in a century, hit the world in 2020. This was followed by the global supply chain crisis in 2020-21, the Russia-Ukraine War in 2022, and the Middle East tensions in 2023. In the decade PM Modi has governed India, the world has been in a constant state of chaos.

In this constant state of chaos, the political leadership across countries has been impacted as well. America saw the exit of a Democratic President in 2016, only to witness the return of another leader from the same party in 2020.

Across Europe, governments found their mandates dented post-pandemic, if not snatched altogether. Even China, which began the 2010s with geopolitical heft, was marred in its economic challenges by early 2020s, and while the leadership remains, resistance against the Communist Party is attaining a point of inevitability.

It is in this decade PM Modi cemented his position globally. While the combination of welfare programs, strong economic growth, prudent fiscal management, infrastructure push, and rapid digitalisation ushered the nation ahead under his leadership, the last decade was also of diplomacy with a difference.

India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was no longer a mute spectator nor a submissive commentator. India’s assertion was visible in the early months of the Narendra Modi Government. Diplomacy had several facets, from rescue operations to humanitarian aids, from enhancing economic relations to collaborating on modern technologies.

In 2022, PM Modi’s stellar move to balance national economic interests with geopolitical intricacies resulted in India increasing its share of oil imports from Russia. Eventually, even the Europeans had to follow India’s cue. Post-2023 and the October attack on Israel, India’s global stance on the Middle East was consistent with the sensitivities of the region.

PM Modi’s diplomatic approach has been about prioritising the relationship before the returns, and that is what explains the constant push in African countries, and even some South American countries. Many countries that were earlier ignored under the previous governments are now active partners.

Interestingly, the Modi Doctrine has also been about evolving with time. Eleven years is a long time, and countries do diverge on several issues. Case in question is Turkey. While the nation responded to India’s humanitarian aid with drones to Pakistan, PM Modi was quick to send them a direct reminder during his visit to Cyprus.

Modi’s diplomacy has several shades, and several countries have embraced it as well, which explains the number of honours for the Prime Minister. Earlier today, PM Modi has been conferred with Ghana’s highest state honor, the Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana, marking a significant milestone in his global recognition. This award is part of an impressive collection of 24 international honors celebrated by 140 crore Indians, symbolizing India’s relentless rise on the world stage.

The accolades span a wide range of nations, including Cyprus’s Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, Sri Lanka’s Mitra Vibhushana, Mauritius’ Grand Commander of the Order of the Star & Key of the Indian Ocean, Kuwait’s Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer, Guyana’s Order of Excellence, Barbados’ Order of Freedom, Nigeria’s Grand Commander of the Order, and Dominica’s Dominica Award of Honour.

Additional distinctions come from Russia’s Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Greece’s Grand Cross of the Order of Honour, France’s Grand Cross of the Legion, Egypt’s Order of the Nile, Republic of Palau’s Ebakl Award, Papua New Guinea’s Order of Logohu, Fiji’s Companion of the Order of Fiji, and Bhutan’s Order of the Druk Gyalpo.

The list of honors continues with the US Government’s Legion of Merit, Bahrain’s King Hamad Order of the Renaissance, Maldives’ Order of the Distinguished Rule of Nishan Izzuddin, United Arab Emirates’ Order of Zayed Award, Palestine’s Grand Collar of the State of Palestine Award, Afghanistan’s State Order of Ghazi Amir Amanullah Khan, and Saudi Arabia’s Order of King Abdulaziz.

PM Narendra Modi will be conferred with Trinidad and Tobago’s highest civilian honour, The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, his 25th sovereign honour.

PM Modi is a global statesman of our times. Since Franklin D. Roosevelt, no leader has been so instrumental to a world that is rapidly changing. Eleven years in office, and only half done in all probability, the Prime Minister has a lot to offer to the world in terms of global leadership. He’s India’s strongest voice, sincerest messenger, and the most stupendous testament to a nation that is rediscovering its civilizational place in the world.

(Tushar Gupta is a Delhi-based journalist and a political commentator)

July 6, 2025
India’s healthcare system accessible, affordable and innovative: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday underlined India’s growing stature as a global hub for pharmaceuticals and medical research, while reaffirming that the country’s healthcare system remains qualitative, accessible and affordable.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 7th Annual International Conference of the Innovative Physicians Forum — IPF MEDICON 2025 — in New Delhi, Birla said India’s medical infrastructure and service delivery have significantly improved, making healthcare more inclusive and patient-centric.

“India has enhanced the quality of healthcare while ensuring it remains within the reach of every citizen,” Birla said, highlighting the role of digital health technologies, expanded outreach, and affordable treatment options in building a robust and equitable healthcare ecosystem.

Addressing medical professionals and delegates from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and the UK, the Speaker praised Indian doctors for embracing innovation and advanced technologies, even as developed countries face growing health challenges. “The reputation and quality of Indian doctors have earned recognition worldwide,” he said.

Birla noted that despite limited resources, the dedication and sacrifice of doctors, paramedical staff and healthcare workers enabled India to effectively manage the COVID-19 pandemic — a testament, he said, to the credibility of India’s healthcare system.

Emphasising India’s emergence as a centre for drug manufacturing, vaccine production and biomedical research, the Lok Sabha Speaker said the country’s skilled scientists, strong research infrastructure, and commitment to innovation are driving advancements that serve both domestic and global health needs.

He added that the government is prioritising research, innovation and free medical treatment for the underprivileged through initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, further strengthening India’s role in shaping the future of global health.

Calling innovation and research the “need of the hour”, Birla urged institutions, scientists, and policymakers to collaborate and harness rapid scientific and technological advancements to tackle emerging health challenges and improve patient care. “Fostering a culture of innovation and investing in medical research are essential for developing new treatments, enhancing disease prevention, and strengthening the healthcare ecosystem,” he said.

Speaking about the conference, Birla said it is more than an event — “it is a global platform for human service.” He expressed hope that discussions would address artificial intelligence, digital tools, robotics, and other modern medical technologies to help create a more efficient and human-centred healthcare system.

Kamaljeet Sehrawat, MP, was also present at the conference alongside international medical representatives.

July 6, 2025
India’s healthcare system accessible, affordable and innovative: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Saturday underlined India’s growing stature as a global hub for pharmaceuticals and medical research, while reaffirming that the country’s healthcare system remains qualitative, accessible and affordable.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 7th Annual International Conference of the Innovative Physicians Forum — IPF MEDICON 2025 — in New Delhi, Birla said India’s medical infrastructure and service delivery have significantly improved, making healthcare more inclusive and patient-centric.

“India has enhanced the quality of healthcare while ensuring it remains within the reach of every citizen,” Birla said, highlighting the role of digital health technologies, expanded outreach, and affordable treatment options in building a robust and equitable healthcare ecosystem.

Addressing medical professionals and delegates from Nepal, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and the UK, the Speaker praised Indian doctors for embracing innovation and advanced technologies, even as developed countries face growing health challenges. “The reputation and quality of Indian doctors have earned recognition worldwide,” he said.

Birla noted that despite limited resources, the dedication and sacrifice of doctors, paramedical staff and healthcare workers enabled India to effectively manage the COVID-19 pandemic — a testament, he said, to the credibility of India’s healthcare system.

Emphasising India’s emergence as a centre for drug manufacturing, vaccine production and biomedical research, the Lok Sabha Speaker said the country’s skilled scientists, strong research infrastructure, and commitment to innovation are driving advancements that serve both domestic and global health needs.

He added that the government is prioritising research, innovation and free medical treatment for the underprivileged through initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, further strengthening India’s role in shaping the future of global health.

Calling innovation and research the “need of the hour”, Birla urged institutions, scientists, and policymakers to collaborate and harness rapid scientific and technological advancements to tackle emerging health challenges and improve patient care. “Fostering a culture of innovation and investing in medical research are essential for developing new treatments, enhancing disease prevention, and strengthening the healthcare ecosystem,” he said.

Speaking about the conference, Birla said it is more than an event — “it is a global platform for human service.” He expressed hope that discussions would address artificial intelligence, digital tools, robotics, and other modern medical technologies to help create a more efficient and human-centred healthcare system.

Kamaljeet Sehrawat, MP, was also present at the conference alongside international medical representatives.

July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to Texas floods

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

July 5, 2025

Scientists comment on the flooding in Texas.

Dr Martina Egedusevic, Impact Fellow in Green Futures, University of Exeter, said:

“The devastating floods in Texas are a stark reminder of how intensifying extreme weather events driven by climate change are interacting with land-use change, urbanisation, and aging infrastructure to produce severe impacts. While individual flood events are influenced by multiple factors, we know that warmer air holds more moisture, increasing the likelihood of intense rainfall. In many urban areas like those affected in Texas, impervious surfaces prevent water absorption, overwhelming drainage systems and exacerbating flash flooding.

“This underlines the importance of not only improving forecasting and emergency response but also investing in long-term, systemic approaches to flood resilience. Nature-based solutions such as wetland restoration, reforestation, and sustainable urban drainage systems can complement engineering infrastructure by slowing runoff and increasing infiltration. As our research in the UK and internationally shows, working with nature can help mitigate the worst effects of flooding while delivering co-benefits for biodiversity, air quality, and climate adaptation.

“However, each region has its own hydrological and social context, so local knowledge and inclusive planning are essential. Understanding where and why such flood events happen also means tackling the underlying vulnerabilities like poorly planned development, socio-economic inequalities, and environmental degradation.”

Prof Bill McGuire, Professor Emeritus of Geophysical & Climate Hazards, UCL, said:

“The tragic events in Texas are exactly what we would expect in our hotter, climate-changed, world. There has been an explosion in extreme weather in recent years, including more devastating flash floods caused by slow-moving, wetter, storms, that dump exceptional amounts of rain over small areas across a short time. This frequently overwhelms river catchments leading to severe damage to adjacent infrastructure and loss of life. Such events will only become more commonplace as the global temperature continues to climb, driven by carbon dioxide emissions that still top 40 billion tonnes every year.”

Dr Jess Neumann, University of Reading, said:

“The devastating floods of Kerr County in Texas is a tragic reminder of the dangers of sudden extreme rainfall and flash flooding.

“Flash floods are not uncommon in the Hill Country area of Texas, where the weather is easily influenced by a ready supply of moist air from the Gulf of Mexico. When very heavy rain falls on steep hillsides, this can create the conditions for raging torrents to be created in previously dry river beds, in just a matter of hours.

“Totals of 200mm (around 8 inches) of rainfall were originally forecast, which is a significant amount in any location. In places, this is expected to have reached more than 12 inches of rain. For context, in the UK, 50mm of rain a day is considered heavy rainfall with serious potential for flooding.

“This terrible event, in which children are missing and many have died, raises critical questions about effective early warning systems, flood planning and preparedness in the region.

“It cannot be right that a flood of this magnitude, in an area known to be at high risk of flash floods, caused such devastation and has taken so many people by surprise.”

Prof Hannah Cloke, professor of hydrology at the University of Reading, said:

“For so many children to be swept away in a flood is an almost unimaginable horror. Sadly, it can be the inability to see such a tragedy emerging that can be part of the failure of an early warning system for floods. An alert system is a chain of human communication, and if one person in any part of the chain doesn’t respond as they should to take action, the system runs the risk of failure. Human communication about events that have not yet occurred requires the use of imagination, and a lack of imagination can be lethal.

“This downpour seems to have been well forecasted by multiple forecasters around the world, several hours in advance. Warnings were issued, but the systems do not seem to have been in place to get information to those in harm’s way fast enough. The timing of the flood, which happened in the middle of the night, would have meant that any last-minute actions to get out of the way of the water would have been hampered by darkness.

“It is not good enough for authorities to say they were not aware that floods were coming. Warnings were available but the message just didn’t get through. This must be a reminder of the need to invest more effort in checking every aspect of early warning systems, from the science, to the communications, to the education required to spread more understanding of the risks and how to respond to them.”

“Once again, we are left horrified and humbled by the dreadful power of the weather and the ability of our rivers to take lives.”

Declared interests

Prof Bill McGuire: “No conflicts of interest.”

Dr Jess Neumann: “I am a trustee of the Charity River Mole River Watch. We work with water companies including SES Water and the Environment Agency. We receive funding for research from local Government, NGO’s and private business / industry. No other conflicts of interest to declare.”

Prof Hannah Cloke: “Works with and advises the Met Office, ECMWF and Environment Agency.”

For all other experts, no reply to our request for DOIs was received.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

July 6, 2025
Carrying red wreath, Liverpool players join family for Diego Jota’s funeral

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Carrying a red floral wreath bearing his shirt number, Diogo Jota’s Liverpool teammates joined relatives and residents in a small Portuguese town on Saturday for the funeral of the soccer star, who died with his brother in a car crash on Thursday.

Club captain Virgil Van Dijk, goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and manager Arne Slot were among Liverpool teammates past and present who attended the service in Gondomar for the striker and his brother, Andre Silva.

The English Premier League stars carried two floral tributes in the club’s red colour into the chapel, each in the shape of a shirt.

The one carried by Van Dijk had the number 20 written in white flowers, which Jota wore on his Liverpool shirt.

The other bore the number 30, which was worn by Jota’s brother, who played for FC Peñafiel in Portugal’s second division.

Dressed in black and with their heads bowed, the teammates entered the church in silence. The only sound was the applause from the crowd outside.

Rute Cardoso, who married her childhood sweetheart Jota only weeks before the fatal crash, arrived with relatives.

Hundreds of residents of Gondomar, a small town in northern Portugal where Jota grew up, gathered outside.

The private service was presided over by the Bishop of Porto, Manuel Linda.

In an emotional homily addressed to Jota’s parents, his wife and their three young children, Linda said “solidarity in love is always stronger than death”.

Teammates from the Portugal national squad including Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes, who both play in the English Premier League, also attended the service.

“Jota will always be in our hearts. He will always be present at every breakfast, lunch, dinner, at all our national team get-togethers, at our PlayStation games, at our card games,” Silva told Portuguese broadcaster TVI.

Jota’s death at the age of 28 sent shock waves through the world of soccer and beyond, with messages of condolences pouring in from national leaders as well as across the sport.

Fans continued to lay flowers and other tributes to the striker on Saturday outside Liverpool’s Anfield stadium.

The brothers were believed to have been driving to a ferry in Spain to travel to Britain when their Lamborghini veered off the road and burst into flames after midnight on Thursday. Police said they suspected a tyre had burst.

-Reuters

July 6, 2025
Carrying red wreath, Liverpool players join family for Diego Jota’s funeral

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Carrying a red floral wreath bearing his shirt number, Diogo Jota’s Liverpool teammates joined relatives and residents in a small Portuguese town on Saturday for the funeral of the soccer star, who died with his brother in a car crash on Thursday.

Club captain Virgil Van Dijk, goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and manager Arne Slot were among Liverpool teammates past and present who attended the service in Gondomar for the striker and his brother, Andre Silva.

The English Premier League stars carried two floral tributes in the club’s red colour into the chapel, each in the shape of a shirt.

The one carried by Van Dijk had the number 20 written in white flowers, which Jota wore on his Liverpool shirt.

The other bore the number 30, which was worn by Jota’s brother, who played for FC Peñafiel in Portugal’s second division.

Dressed in black and with their heads bowed, the teammates entered the church in silence. The only sound was the applause from the crowd outside.

Rute Cardoso, who married her childhood sweetheart Jota only weeks before the fatal crash, arrived with relatives.

Hundreds of residents of Gondomar, a small town in northern Portugal where Jota grew up, gathered outside.

The private service was presided over by the Bishop of Porto, Manuel Linda.

In an emotional homily addressed to Jota’s parents, his wife and their three young children, Linda said “solidarity in love is always stronger than death”.

Teammates from the Portugal national squad including Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes, who both play in the English Premier League, also attended the service.

“Jota will always be in our hearts. He will always be present at every breakfast, lunch, dinner, at all our national team get-togethers, at our PlayStation games, at our card games,” Silva told Portuguese broadcaster TVI.

Jota’s death at the age of 28 sent shock waves through the world of soccer and beyond, with messages of condolences pouring in from national leaders as well as across the sport.

Fans continued to lay flowers and other tributes to the striker on Saturday outside Liverpool’s Anfield stadium.

The brothers were believed to have been driving to a ferry in Spain to travel to Britain when their Lamborghini veered off the road and burst into flames after midnight on Thursday. Police said they suspected a tyre had burst.

-Reuters

July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: The 2024–2025 World Heritage Map is now published

Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre

The latest edition of the World Heritage Map is now available to order! This new design, poster-sized wall map features all 1,223 World Heritage properties, illustrated with stunning photographs from across the globe.

This map offers a visual journey through the richness of World Heritage sites, the various countries where they are located and key data.

The featured image on this year’s map presents the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak, a World Heritage site in Bulgaria. Recognized as a masterpiece of Thracian creative genius, the tomb is renowned for its remarkably well-preserved Hellenistic frescoes, reflecting the sophistication of Thracian culture and funerary art.

Produced by the World Heritage Centre and Geo4Map, with the support of Bulgaria, the map can now be ordered from the World Heritage Centre website.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Ukraine Attacks Russian Military Airfield Borisoglebsk

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

Kyiv/Moscow, July 5 /Xinhua/ — Ukraine attacked the Borisoglebsk military airfield in the Voronezh region in western Russia on Saturday, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) reported on Telegram.

The General Staff noted that the special operation was carried out to reduce the Russian Federation’s ability to carry out air strikes on Ukrainian territory, since Borisoglebsk is the base for Su-34, Su-35S and Su-30SM fighters.

The attack hit a warehouse containing guided bombs, a training aircraft and probably other aircraft, the report said.

The Russian Telegram channel Shot reports that the city of Borisoglebsk in the Voronezh region was subjected to an attempted attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. According to local residents, eight to ten powerful explosions thundered around two o’clock in the morning. According to preliminary data, air defense forces shot down several air targets over the city.

There is no information about the consequences on the ground or about victims, Shot reports. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: UN Tourism to Promote Sustainable Tourism Development in Uzbekistan

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

Tashkent, July 5 /Xinhua/ — UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili visited the Central Asian University for Environment and Climate Change Studies /Green University/ under the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change as part of his visit to Uzbekistan. As reported by Dunyo news agency on Friday, UN Tourism and Green University signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at developing cooperation in the areas of sustainable tourism, ecology and education.

It is noted that the document envisages strengthening the potential of Uzbekistan in the field of sustainable tourism through the training of qualified personnel and the exchange of best practices, increasing public understanding of the importance of sustainable tourism as a factor in positive changes for society and nature, promoting tourism as a tool for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, facilitating the implementation of innovative solutions for environmental protection, natural resource management and combating climate change, supporting scientific research and academic exchanges, and developing joint educational and awareness-raising programs.

The memorandum also includes regular interaction between UN Tourism and Green University, coordination of joint projects, organization of training programs and exchange of best practices, the agency reported. –0–

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Waste recycling efforts lauded

Source: Hong Kong Information Services

Secretary for Environment & Ecology Tse Chin-wan today officiated at an award ceremony to commend schools, students and families for their outstanding performance in waste reduction and recycling during the 2024-25 school year.

Speaking at the SGREEN x We-recycle@School Competitions Award Ceremony, co-organised by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and Ocean Park Hong Kong, Mr Tse highlighted that the current-term Government has successfully reversed the long-term trend of rising waste disposal quantities over the years through promoting waste reduction at source and expanding the recycling network.

He remarked that the disposal quantity of municipal solid waste decreased by a total of 7.5% from 2021 to 2024, while the waste recovery rate increased from 28% in 2020 to 33% in 2023.

Mr Tse congratulated all the awardees and thanked them for their support of Hong Kong’s waste reduction and recycling efforts.

He also emphasised that it is crucial to educate the next generation to achieve waste reduction at source.

“In 2024, the EPD launched the We-recycle@School Activity, providing a variety of teaching materials and promotional support to primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong to assist schools and teachers in integrating waste reduction and recycling knowledge into daily teaching, encourage students to make good use of recycling facilities in schools and the community, and inspire their family members to practise resource separation and recycling together.”

The EPD said the We-recycle@School Activity has received an overwhelming response since its launch. Currently, around 550 primary and secondary schools have participated in the scheme, encompassing about 350,000 students.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: United Arab Emirates (UAE) leaders congratulate President of Cabo Verde on Independence Day

Source: APO – Report:

.

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a message of congratulations to President José Maria Neves of the Republic of Cabo Verde on the occasion of his country’s Independence Day.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, sent similar messages to President Neves and Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva on the occasion.

– on behalf of United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 6, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Message from the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Independence Day of Cabo Verde

Source: APO – Report:

.

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, warmly congratulates the Government and people of Cabo Verde as they celebrate another year of independence.

Today, we celebrate Cabo Verde’s incredible journey of freedom, unity, and growth. The African Union remains dedicated to collaborating closely with Cabo Verde to support regional integration, sustainable development, and peace across Africa.

Together with the people of Cabo Verde, we mark this important milestone and wish them ongoing prosperity and success in the future.

Happy Independence Day!

– on behalf of African Union (AU).

MIL OSI Africa –

July 6, 2025