Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni and Deputy Minister Nonceba Mhlauli present the Statistics South Africa budget vote
Category: DJF
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New lease of life for abandoned bikes
Source: City of Oxford
ODS, on behalf of Oxford City Council, has donated more than 100 abandoned bicycles, collected from across the city, to Recycle Your Cycle.
The social enterprise refurbishes bicycles in prison workshops, helping prisoners develop valuable skills while promoting environmental sustainability.
The ODS partnership supports Recycle Your Cycle’s mission to reduce waste, rehabilitate prisoners through meaningful work, and provide affordable bikes to the community. Recycle Your Cycle operates workshops in prisons across the country. Each bike refurbished by inmates is a step toward reintegration, offering both practical training and a sense of purpose. Once repaired, the bikes are distributed to partner charities and low-income individuals, contributing to affordable transport solutions nationwide.
Comments
“These donated bicycles have been recovered by ODS as part of its commitment to keeping Oxford clean and tidy. They are on their way to being repaired and given a new lease on life with new, well-deserving, owners. It’s another example of how ODS continues to do good in the community, both in Oxford and wider afield.
Councillor Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies“We’re proud to support Recycle Your Cycle with this donation of over 100 bicycles. At ODS, we’re committed to sustainability and to making Oxford a cleaner, greener city. These bikes were abandoned across the city; now we’re helping to give them a second life, supporting people and communities in the process.
“By working with Recycle Your Cycle, we’re not only reducing waste, but also supporting rehabilitation efforts in prisons across the UK. It’s a great example of how ODS, social enterprise, and the wider community can come together to create lasting, positive impact.
“Whether it’s helping someone gain new skills in a prison workshop or making cycling more accessible for someone in need, this partnership delivers real value on multiple levels.”
Simon Howick, Managing Director, ODS“This generous donation from ODS is a fantastic example of how public services can partner with social enterprises to create a positive social and environmental impact.
“Each of these bikes will help someone in need, whether it’s the prisoner gaining skills or the new rider who receives a safe, reliable bicycle.”
Mark Abrahams, Director, Recycle Your CycleTo report an abandoned bicycle, visit the Report an Abandoned Bicycle webpage.
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: G7 Foreign Ministers’ statement on Iran and the Middle East
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements
News storyG7 Foreign Ministers’ statement on Iran and the Middle East
Joint Statement of the G7 Foreign Ministers on Iran and the Middle East
Joint statement:
We the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, met in The Hague on June 25, 2025, where we discussed recent events in the Middle East.
We reiterate our support for the ceasefire between Israel and Iran announced by U.S. President Trump, and urge all parties to avoid actions that could further destabilize the region.
We appreciate Qatar’s important role in facilitating the ceasefire and express our full solidarity to Qatar and Iraq following the recent strikes by Iran and its proxies and partners against their territory. We welcome all efforts in the region towards stabilization and de-escalation.
We reaffirm that the Islamic Republic of Iran can never have nuclear weapons, and urge Iran to refrain from reconstituting its unjustified enrichment activities. We call for the resumption of negotiations, resulting in a comprehensive, verifiable and durable agreement that addresses Iran’s nuclear program.
In order to have a sustainable and credible resolution, we call on Iran to urgently resume full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as required by its safeguards obligations and to provide the IAEA with verifiable information about all nuclear material in Iran, including by providing access to IAEA inspectors. We condemn calls in Iran for the arrest and execution of IAEA Director General Grossi.
We underscore the centrality of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. It is essential that Iran remains party to and fully implements its obligations under the Treaty.
We reiterate our commitment to peace and stability in the Middle East. In this context, we reaffirm that Israel has a right to defend itself. We reiterate our support for the security of Israel.
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Published 2 July 2025 -
MIL-OSI Russia: Students of SPbGASU entered the top thousand participants of the competition “Your move, class monitor!”
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –
The All-Russian student project “Your Move” (an initiative of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia) is holding a competition “Your Move, Headman!” The competition brought together more than 12,000 participants from all over the country.
The participants of the competition completed a series of competition tasks. First, they had to prepare an essay about what it means to be a headman. Then the contestants took an online test on their knowledge of the “Your Move” project and youth policy in Russia, mastered the “School of Headmen” course, and held “Opportunities for Youth in Russia” meetings in their groups. The final test was the creation of a portfolio, which had to reflect the achievements and activity of the entire group – in studies, social projects, volunteer activities, as well as participation in the “Your Move” initiative and in grant competitions of Rosmolodezh.
Five representatives of SPbGASU made it into the top thousand, selected from 12 thousand participants. They are Daria Alekseeva (second year of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, group 1-SUZSs-2), Ekaterina Kashitsyna (fourth year of the Faculty of Automobile and Road Engineering, group 1-NTTSs-4), Anna Snetkova (second year of the Faculty of Economics and Management, group 1-EBs-2), Victoria Marusey (second year of the Faculty of Engineering Ecology and Urban Management, group 1-Sb(VV)-2) and Olga Gavrichenkova (third year of the Faculty of Engineering Ecology and Urban Management, group 1-Sb(IS)-3).
The “Your Move, Headman!” competition is held in two streams throughout the year. Based on the results of each module, a thousand winners will be determined. Each of them will receive a scholarship, which will be paid for six months. The best 100 headmen will take part in the final events of the project.
The second module of the “Your Move, Headman!” competition will start in September. At the same time, the “Otkryvayu” (Discovering) competition will begin for those who will begin their studies in the first year. It will help first-year students to make a name for themselves at the beginning of their student journey, immerse themselves in the student community and its opportunities, and also get acquainted with the ecosystem of Russian youth policy. Based on its results, 200 winners will be determined, who will receive a prize from the project.
Students of SPbGASU take an active part in the project “Your Move”. On June 30, the festival of youth projects of leaders and associations of St. Petersburg “Prometheus” was held, organized by the regional team of the project. From our university, the participants of the program were the project “Drawing”, aimed at developing and supporting interests in the field of descriptive geometry (headed by Edgar Barsegyan) and the project “The concept of an exploitable roof or a well-thought-out courtyard territory on the example of SPbGASU” (headed by Elena Sedunova). The teams held presentations of their initiatives, which were attended by experts of the project “Your Move”, and received recommendations for their further development.
Don’t miss the opportunity to take part in the events of “Your Move”! Register at project website.
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MIL-OSI Russia: More than 700 streets in Moscow will be improved by the end of the year
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –
This year, specialists from the city services complex will improve more than 700 streets in various administrative districts of the capital, said the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Housing and Public Utilities and Improvement Petr Biryukov.
“The main objective of the comprehensive improvement program is to ensure comfortable movement for drivers and pedestrians, organize convenient routes to residential areas, transport and socially significant facilities. Last year, 667 streets were put in order, including over 20 kilometers of the Yauza River embankments, the historical park near the main building of the Lomonosov Moscow State University and adjacent streets were renovated,” said Pyotr Biryukov.
During the improvement, Novorizhanskoe and Ostashkovskoe highways, Butyrskaya, Dubninskaya, Krylatskiye Kholmy streets will be renovated. Work will also be carried out on six embankments – Nagatinskaya, Novodanilovskaya, Danilovskaya, Paveletskaya, Derbenevskaya and Shlyuzovaya.
The specialists will change the pavement of the sidewalks and roads, make convenient parking pockets for motorists and new ground crossings with contrast lighting supports for pedestrians. In addition, they will modernize street lights and install modern bus stops, new road signs, traffic lights and pedestrian navigation steles. This will make the city even more comfortable and safe.
In addition, the area will be further landscaped – lawns will be laid out and trees will be planted.
The comprehensive improvement projects being implemented in the capital correspond to the goals and objectives of the national project “Infrastructure for life”.
Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.
Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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https: //vv.mos.ru/nevs/ite/156175073/
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MIL-OSI United Nations: Nearly Three-Quarters of World Heritage Sites Are at High Risk from Water-Related Hazards
Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre
A new analysis by UNESCO and World Resources Institute (WRI) reveals that 73% of World Heritage sites are highly exposed to water-related hazards, such as drought, water stress, or riverine and coastal flooding. Strengthening water stewardship is essential to protect these sites and the communities and ecosystems they sustain.
A Precious Resource Under Growing Threat
Water-related hazards—including floods, droughts, and storms—have accounted for over 90% of the world’s major disasters since 1970, resulting in more than 2 million deaths and economic losses exceeding USD 3.6 trillion, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). World Heritage sites have not been exempted from these hazards and face increasing threats to their natural and cultural values. These sites stand as powerful reminders of humanity’s enduring relationship with water. From awe-inspiring landscapes shaped over millennia to cultural landmarks forged through human ingenuity—such as ancient irrigation systems, historic canals, and modern engineering achievements—they reflect the cooperation with nature that has enabled societies to flourish across generations. Yet, while water is fundamental to their significance, it can also pose serious risks when its balance is disrupted, threatening the integrity of these irreplaceable places.
A new analysis by UNESCO and World Resources Institute (WRI) highlights the scale of these threats: 73% of World Heritage sites are highly exposed to at least one water-related hazard—such as drought, water stress, or riverine and coastal flooding—and 21% face multiple overlapping risks. Around the world, World Heritage sites are increasingly caught between the extremes of too much and too little water, with climate change, urbanization, river regulation, and upstream water withdrawals intensifying these pressures, especially in regions such as the Middle East, North Africa, parts of South Asia, and northern China.
“The Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas gives us critical data to track how water risks are evolving around the world. These insights are more urgent than ever, helping governments, site managers, and communities take targeted action — before floods, droughts, or water shortages cause irreversible damage to treasured places that serve as lifelines for both people and ecosystems,”
Approximately 600 World Heritage sites are highly exposed to water scarcity conditions — reflected in water stress or drought— making it the most widespread water-related risk, threatening nearly half of all properties. The vast majority (around 90%) of these exposed sites are cultural properties . While natural sites face a comparatively lower level of exposure, they are increasingly experiencing conditions that place growing stress on ecosystems and biodiversity. Sites such as the Ahwar of Southern Iraq and Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls (Zambia / Zimbabwe) have endured severe multi-year droughts since 2020. Drought also heightens the risk of wildfires, compounding the damage: in the Pantanal Conservation Area (Brazil) and Noel Kempff Mercado National Park (Bolivia), prolonged dry conditions have fueled intense fires with severe impacts on flora, fauna, and local communities.
Drought at Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls (Zambia / Zimbabwe) in 2019 / Source: Copernicus Browser
Severe flood risk, both riverine and coastal, affects approximately 400 World Heritage sites. Floods have already impacted both natural and cultural World Heritage properties, highlighting the urgent need for strengthened resilience. In 2020, Rwenzori Mountains National Park (Uganda) experienced significant climate-related flooding that that disrupted river systems, posing challenges for both local communities and wildlife. In 2022, major flooding led to the temporary closure of Yellowstone National Park (United States of America), with over $20 million required for infrastructure repairs before the park could reopen. More recently, in 2024, severe flooding in Kaziranga National Park (India) resulted in the loss of more than 200 animals, including 10 endangered rhinos, while Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal) has been affected by Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) linked to accelerating glacial retreat.
© ICIMOD
Cultural sites have also experienced serious impacts from flooding. The catastrophic floods that left nearly one-third of Pakistan submerged in 2022 caused significant damage to the Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro. Other ancient sites such as the Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Afghanistan), Angkor (Cambodia) and Petra (Jordan), have also been affected by flooding, with damage to their integrity. In parts of Africa, communities in Timbuktu (Mali) and the Historic Centre of Agadez (Niger) are facing the compounded challenges of severe drought followed by intense flooding — a clear illustration of increasing climate variability.
Flood at Archaeological Ruins at Moenjodaro (Pakistan) in 2022 / Source: Copernicus Browser
Around 50 World Heritage sites are highly exposed to coastal flooding. Some cultural sites are already experiencing the impacts, with growing risks to their integrity. The Complex of Hué Monuments (Viet Nam) has endured repeated flooding in recent years, accelerating deterioration. The Forts and Castles along the coast of Ghana, face increasing danger from shoreline erosion and rising seas, putting at risk these important remains of fortified trading posts that formed part of early global trade history. While coastal flooding has not yet caused major reported damage at natural World Heritage sites, the risk is rising. Sites such as the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China and Banc d’Arguin National Park (Mauritania) are highly vulnerable, as sea level rise could transform or submerge critical coastal habitats essential for migratory species.
“This analysis underscores the urgent need to address water-related risks to World Heritage sites, which are being intensified by climate change. Strengthening resilience through innovation, traditional knowledge, and cooperation is essential to safeguarding these irreplaceable places for future generations.”
Towards Solutions: Protecting Heritage Through Water Stewardship
Despite these challenges, examples of effective action demonstrate that solutions are possible—particularly when supported by international cooperation, innovation, and traditional knowledge. UNESCO actively supports States Parties in addressing water-related threats through a combination of emergency mechanisms, technical guidance, and long-term cooperation. Emergency support is provided through instruments such as the World Heritage Fund’s International Assistance, the Rapid Response Facility (RRF) and the Heritage Emergency Fund (HEF), while expert missions under the World Heritage Convention’s Reactive Monitoring process help guide response efforts. UNESCO also provides capacity building and technical support to strengthen local responses, contributing to long-term resilience, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable water management at World Heritage sites through programmes such as the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP).
Integrated water resource management (IWRM) — which promotes the coordinated development and management of water, land, and related resources — is increasingly being incorporated into conservation strategies for World Heritage properties. At Petra (Jordan) and the Old City of Sana’a (Yemen), for example, IWRM principles are guiding flood risk reduction strategies such as early warning systems, which help safeguard monuments from increasingly severe flash floods. Similarly, in the Migratory Bird Sanctuaries along the Coast of Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf of China, a government ban on land reclamation, followed by wetland restoration efforts, has led to a fivefold increase in bird populations in some areas, providing renewed habitat for migratory species.
© UNESCO / Community Engagement through Risk Prevention in Petra
Heritage-sensitive climate adaptation is also key. The Chan Chan Archaeological Zone (Peru) illustrates how site managers are applying innovative water management measures — including drainage improvements and protective earthworks — to reduce the impact of increasingly intense rainfall and flooding on fragile adobe structures. At the Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam (Afghanistan), UNESCO has supported emergency measures to stabilize the structure following flood events that endangered its integrity, along with technical assistance for improved flood management in the surrounding valley.
© UNESCO / The Minaret and Archaeological Remains of Jam, a UNESCO project to safeguard the iconic site
Transboundary cooperation plays a vital role where shared water systems support World Heritage values. The Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM), through collaboration between Angola, Namibia, and Botswana, coordinates efforts to protect the seasonal flooding that sustains the Okavango Delta’s biodiversity and local livelihoods. Similarly, at Iguaçu National Park, on the border between Brazil and Argentina, park managers work with upstream stakeholders to maintain sustainable water flows that protect the falls’ ecosystem while supporting vital hydroelectric production at the Itaipu Dam. To address the consequences of melting glaciers and increased occurrences of Glacier Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) due to climate change impacts, UNESCO is engaging with communities in the Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal) to identify potential adaptation pathways using the Climate Risk Informed Decision Analysis (CRIDA).
Traditional knowledge, community stewardship, and partnerships between local communities, national authorities, and international organizations are central to many successful initiatives. In the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, the revitalization of ancient irrigation systems and forest restoration supports both cultural heritage and resilience to drought and erosion. In the Ahwar of Southern Iraq, joint efforts have facilitated the restoration of marshlands, enhancing water governance and helping buffer against drought and salinity.
Modern technology further complements these approaches. Tools such as GIS mapping, remote sensing, and water quality monitoring provide real-time data to inform decision-making and enable site managers and authorities to respond effectively to emerging threats. To support this, UNESCO’s World Heritage Online Map Platform (WHOMP), serves as an important resource for monitoring water-related risks and informing site-level planning.
These efforts and solutions are among the many actions contributing to the protection of World Heritage sites and the strengthening of their resilience for generations to come. World Heritage sites are not static relics of the past, but dynamic systems shaped by human ingenuity, natural forces, and the enduring relationship between people and water. Strengthening their protection calls for an integrated approach that combines time-honoured practices with scientific innovation, draws on both traditional knowledge and modern science, and fosters inclusive governance and transboundary cooperation. Advancing water stewardship that supports both cultural and natural heritage is essential to safeguarding their Outstanding Universal Value and ensuring their continued contribution to sustainable development and the well-being of communities worldwide.
UNESCO gratefully acknowledges the support of the Government of Flanders (Belgium) for the World Heritage Online Map Platform (WHOMP), which made this analysis possible.
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MIL-OSI United Nations: UNESCO Launches Groundbreaking Report on Climate Change Impacts in Mediterranean World Heritage Cities
Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre
UNESCO World Heritage Centre has launched a groundbreaking new report Climate Change in Mediterranean World Heritage Cities during a high-level online event attended by over 140 participants from international organisations, national authorities, academia, and civil society. The report addresses the intersection of three important concerns around impacts of climate change on cultural heritage, the Mediterranean region as a global climate hotspot, and cities as a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions as well as of climate action. It marks a milestone in UNESCO’s efforts to bridge the knowledge gap between climate science and heritage-based adaptation planning. Combining qualitative analysis of reports from cities and settlements and Earth observation data, the study provides both Earth system models and regional climate models to identify the hazards already experienced and projections for future climate risks that the World Heritage properties should prepare for. This publication aims to raise global awareness of the gravity and urgency of the climate crisis, as well as recognise cultural heritage as a valuable resource for climate action.
The launch event was opened by Mr Ernesto Ottone R., UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture who provided a broad introduction to ongoing engagements of UNESCO with regard to climate change and culture. Ms Yana Gevorgyan, Director of the GEO Secretariat emphasized the potential of Earth Intelligence and GEO’s global platforms to guide local responses to climate risks, referencing the Urban Heritage Climate Observatory (UHCO) and the Global Heat Resilience Service. While reiterating the importance of the report H.E. Ms Christina Kokkinakis, Ambassador of the European Union to UNESCO highlighted the urgency of climate change in Europe and the European Union’s priorities for achieving climate neutrality, while reflecting that “Mediterranean cities have survived for centuries—we don’t just lose a momentum, but our collective future. It is not about what we inherit, but what we choose for the future.”
Presented by its lead co-authors, Ms Jyoti Hosagrahar, Deputy Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, and Mr Evangelos Gerasopoulos, Director of the Greek GEO Office, the new publication is the first comprehensive, data-driven assessment of climate change risks to World Heritage cities in the Mediterranean region. Drawing on Earth observations, local climate projections, and qualitative reports from site managers, the study assesses 114 cities inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The results are alarming: nearly two-thirds of these cities already experience at least one climate-related hazard, such as extreme heat, flooding, droughts, or storms; and nearly a fifth of the Mediterranean World Heritage Cities report already facing 3 or more climate hazards.
Under the worst-case scenario for 2100, coastal World Heritage cities in the region will additionally face sea-level rise, and the majority will be exposed to multiple, compounding climate hazards.
Despite the challenges posed by climate change, World Heritage Cities are immense repositories of traditional knowledge accumulated over millennia. The report highlights key heritage-informed policies and actions, including urban planning responses to enhance resilience. Urban climate mitigation and adaptation strategies could also include adapting traditional building techniques and planning solutions to optimise climate conditions in historic cities and settlements. Case studies featured in the publication illustrate how such measures are already making a difference. Looking ahead, the report considers that a wide range of actions are required, from international policies to national and local strategies. Regular monitoring is key, as is the integration of cultural heritage into climate action plans and policies at all governmental levels. Better planning allows cities to harness resilience, adaptation and mitigation offered by their cultural heritage.
Comments by experts during the launch event reinforced the report’s urgency and relevance. Sir Jim Skea, Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), stressed the importance of scaling up climate knowledge for local action, and commended the report’s multidisciplinary approach reminding participants that the impacts of climate change are not uni-dimensional, as well as the necessity of engaging with more diverse forms of knowledge, including indigenous and local one – as demonstrated in the publication. Professor Christos S. Zerefos, Secretary General of the Academy of Athens, noted that “The culture we inherit should be preserved—not by ignoring the discomforts our monuments endure, as they can’t speak.” Ms Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, Vice-Chair of IPCC Working Group III and Chair of the Scientific Steering Committee for the upcoming IPCC Special Report on Cities and Climate Change, recognised the report as an important and timely contribution aligned with global scientific efforts. All the experts noted that the value of the lessons learned from the 114 World Heritage Cities in the Mediterranean region extended far beyond the entire world.
Mr Lazare Eloundou Assomo, Director of the World Heritage Centre, closed the event reiterating the importance of this report for UNESCO and the World Heritage Centre, emphasising that the report is “more than a diagnosis – it is a roadmap for protecting cultural heritage in the face of climate change”, especially as we prepare for the start of the 2025 World Heritage Committee session. He called for expanded partnerships and long-term monitoring, and stated: “As the climate crisis accelerates, so must our collaborations. This is an opportunity to ensure more resilient, just, and sustainable cities where our shared heritage is safeguarded for generations to come.”
The full publication is now available on the UNESCO platform. It aims to serve as a knowledge resource and decision-making tool for States Parties, site managers, urban planners, and heritage professionals working across the region and beyond.
Read the publication
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MIL-OSI Africa: SAA’s wings now in full flight
Source: South Africa News Agency
Following several challenging years, State-owned airline, South African Airways (SAA), is now in a position to contribute economic value.
This is according to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, who presented the departmental Budget Vote in Parliament on Wednesday morning.
SAA was racked by allegations of fraud and corruption during the State capture years. It was put under business rescue and grounded but has recovered to fly domestic, continental and international flights.
“With unencumbered assets and renewed profitability, SAA is well-positioned to drive economic value through expanded international services, job creation, and increased contributions to tourism and trade,” Creecy said.
Furthermore, the airline is now contributing to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
“According to [an Oxford Economics Africa] study, SAA contributed R9.1 billion to South Africa’s GDP in 2023/24, a figure projected to more than triple to R32.6 billion by 2029/2030. Over the same period, the airline’s operations are expected to support 86 700 jobs, up from the current 25 000, demonstrating its growing role as a national employer and economic catalyst.
“The airline has concluded three out of four outstanding audits and reported a profit of R252 million for the 2022/23 financial year for the first time since 2012. Now operating independently and no longer reliant on government guarantees, SAA is self-funding its operations and fleet growth, while remaining open to a strategic equity partner as part of its long-term restructuring,” the Minister highlighted.
Strengthening ACSA
Creecy revealed that the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has been allocated some R21.7 billion for infrastructure development.
“[This is] in order to meet our target of moving 42 million passengers per year and increasing air freight handling through the ACSA network of airports. This will improve facilities for passenger safety and comfort over the medium-term and build a new freight terminal at OR Tambo International Airport.
“In addition, we are fast tracking projects to ensure reliable availability of jet fuel to all airlines at all our airports, as well as the general upkeep and upgrading of facilities and technologies at each of our airports to improve both security of passengers and cargo, as well as convenience of airport users,” she said.
On the roads
Creecy told Parliament that the state of roads in South Africa remains an important issue that the department is concerned about, with the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) taking over some 3 099 kilometers of provincial roads over the past year.
“Over the period of the MTDP [Medium-Term Development Plan] and beyond, SANRAL has reprioritised within the existing maintenance and capital allocated funding so that these roads are serviced through the Route Road Maintenance Programme,” she said.
Creecy also revealed that the driver’s licence printing machine is now back in operation.
“The old card machine is currently fixed and we are hard at work to clear out the printing backlog of licence cards. To ensure we have a backup solution, we have signed a MOU with the Government Printing Works. We expect that within three months, this backup solution will be able to print driver’s licence cards,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
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MIL-OSI Africa: Transport committed to driving change in rail, logistics and freight
Source: South Africa News Agency
The Department of Transport is ploughing ahead with the execution of reforms to drive the work of turning around passenger, freight and logistics systems.
This is the word from Minister Barbara Creecy, who presented the department’s Budget Vote in Parliament on Wednesday morning.
“Prompt execution of reforms in the logistics sector is essential to address and reduce the risks present in both our global and domestic environments.
“Effective implementation of reforms is essential for boosting growth and employment; however, geopolitical tensions may alter foreign direct investment patterns,” Creecy said.
The Minister explained that the department is guided by clear targets, including:
- Ensuring that 250 million tons of freight are carried on the Transnet network by 2029.
- Improving the speed of loading and unloading ships.
- Ensuring 600 million passenger journeys per annum by 2030.
- Moving some 42 million passengers and 1.2 million tons of airfreight through the Airports Company of South Africa (ACSA) network of airports by the end of this political term.
- Reducing road fatalities by 45% by 2029.
Boosting rail
Creecy told Parliament that fundamental to the rail reform programme is the “intention to re-establish rail as the backbone of transport for people and goods”.
“Since we embarked on the journey to restore passenger rail services nationwide, I am proud to share that PRASA [Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa] had, by the end of May 2025, successfully revived 35 out of 40 corridors and sections of service lines.
“[We] continue to deliver at pace, with PRASA achieving an unaudited figure of 77 million passenger journeys for the last financial year and 116 million passenger journeys for the 2025/26 financial year.
“Our competitive pricing model for commuter passengers will ensure that working-class communities take advantage of our offerings,” she said.
The agency will receive some R66.1 billion over the medium-term.
“This significant budget is for maintaining, recovering and renewing rail infrastructure, rebuilding the signalling system, rolling out new train sets to priority corridors and increasing rail passenger trips,” she said.
Freight rail
The Minister assured South Africans that the department will “do all within our power to rebuild and modernise the capabilities, operational effectiveness and competitiveness of our State-owned freight logistics operator”.
“The Roadmap for the Freight Logistics System in South Africa clarifies that strategic infrastructure, such as rail lines and ports, will remain in public ownership, as assets belonging to the South African people.
“We must also enhance the involvement of additional operators as a way of extending freight logistics capabilities of the country and region, beyond what the public sector alone would have been able to accomplish.
“It is important to point out that as an economy we need freight logistics operators that can compete, but that can also complement each other when the need arises, for the benefit of our country and region,” she said.
In this regard, Creecy highlighted that “limited state resources to fund infrastructure development” have made private sector investment critical.
“To guide private sector investment in our five priority rail and port corridors, we have just concluded a Request for Information process. Transnet will issue Requests for Proposals from the end of August 2025 and so begin the formal procurement process.
“In line with the Private Sector Participation [PSP] envisioned in the White Paper on the National Rail Policy, Cabinet approved a PSP Framework in 2023 to guide private sector involvement across the logistics sector value chain,” she said.
The Minister emphasised, however, that the department is not waiting on private sector involvement to get the trains rolling.
“To sustain our economy, we cannot afford to wait until the PSPs reach financial close before launching an ambitious programme to rehabilitate Transnet’s rail network and rolling stock, as well as port infrastructure and equipment.
“Funding sources for immediate rehabilitation of the five priority rail corridors include the current Transnet budget for rail and rolling stock maintenance and the purchase of port equipment; submissions to National Treasury’s Budget Facility for infrastructure; and private investment in refurbishing or expanding line capacity through existing customer agreements.
“As a result of the hard work by the Transnet War Room, port volumes were 54.28% higher at the end of the 2024/5 financial year than the previous year; rail tonnage increased by 9 million tons; and containers handled in our ports increased by 48 000 Units,” she said. – SAnews.gov.za
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MIL-OSI Economics: OEUK news Offshore Safety Awards 2025: Winners announced 2 July 2025
Source: Offshore Energy UK
Headline: OEUK news
Offshore Safety Awards 2025: Winners announced
2 July 2025
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If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email [email protected]
Screen-reader and keyboard navigation
Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements, alongside console screenshots of code examples:
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Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website. In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels; descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups), and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology. To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
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Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
- Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
- Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
- Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
- ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
- Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
- Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
- Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
- Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
- Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
- Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
- Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
- Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
- Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to [email protected]
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MIL-OSI Economics: OEUK news Offshore Safety Awards 2025: Winners announced 2 July 2025
Source: Offshore Energy UK
Headline: OEUK news
Offshore Safety Awards 2025: Winners announced
2 July 2025
Accessibility Statement
- oeuk.org.uk
- 2 July 2025
Compliance status
We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of circumstance and ability.
To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level. These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.
This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.
Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML, adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.
If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email [email protected]
Screen-reader and keyboard navigation
Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements, alongside console screenshots of code examples:
-
Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website. In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels; descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups), and others. Additionally, the background process scans all the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology. To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on as soon as they enter the website.
These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.
-
Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside it.
Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Disability profiles supported in our website
- Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
- Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
- Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
- ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
- Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
- Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.
Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments
- Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
- Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over seven different coloring options.
- Animations – person with epilepsy can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
- Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
- Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
- Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
- Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.
Browser and assistive technology compatibility
We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers).
Notes, comments, and feedback
Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs. There may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to [email protected]
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: expert reaction to wildfires in Scotland, including in the Highlands and Moray
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Scientists comment on wildfires in Scotland.
Prof Rory Hadden, Chair of Fire Science, University of Edinburgh, said:
“It is widely expected that the number of wildfires will increase in Scotland (and the UK) as we see more periods of extreme weather driven by climate change. The recent fine weather means that vegetation has dried out and becomes susceptible to ignition sources. Even a small heat source such as a BBQ or campfire can initiate a wildfire either by direct flame contact with vegetation, or by igniting a smouldering fire in dry vegetation and soils which will later transition to a flaming fire.
“Once vegetation is ignited, a fire will grow extremely rapidly especially if there is wind and/or dense vegetation. This is especially true given the recent weather conditions in Scotland and means that typically it will be challenging to fight without proper resources. Also a smouldering fire in soils may only transition to flaming some hours after it is ignited (and there may be no obvious signs that smouldering has been ignited). Once ignited a fire will spread rapidly through vegetation, moving fastest in the direction of the wind and up slopes. Poor access, difficult terrain and extensive vegetation coverage means that the fire can spread over large areas relatively quickly.
“The impacts of these fires are of course significant. There is a huge cost to the fire and rescue services in fighting and managing these fires – drawing resources from a wide area. There is the destruction of natural capital – the countryside provides important ecosystem services that we all rely on and these are impacted negatively by wildfires. Loss of vegetation impacts on wildlife. The smoke is harmful and can impact on people large distances away, exacerbating respiratory conditions. If the fire burns into peat soils then the loss of carbon to the atmosphere will be significant and may drive future climate change. There is also possibility of loss of property as fires move towards settlements (farms, villages, towns).
“While there is ongoing research on this topic, there is lots we do not know around the changes in risk to people, property and environment posed by wildfires in Scotland and the UK. The fire and rescue services are adapting but there is currently no national fire danger assessment tool or clear coordination at Government level in Scotland. We need to work on finding measures to manage fire risk in Scotland and the UK, including fuel load management (e.g. prescribed burning, mechanical means) as well as communications with stakeholders and the public to advise of periods of higher fire danger. This is critical because as well as climate change, we are in a period of significant changes in land use (including rewilding) across Scotland and the UK.
“It is important to note that the leading cause of wildfires is people. We all need to do our part when visiting the countryside to ensure we do not bring ignition sources – pack a picnic instead of a BBQ, and only have campfires in designated areas.”
Declared interests
Prof Rory Hadden: “Funding declaration:
US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service;
US Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology;
Funding on unrelated projects from Defence and Security Accelerator;
UKRI EPSRC.”
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MIL-OSI Russia: IMF Staff Complete 2025 Article IV Mission to Timor-Leste
Source: IMF – News in Russian
July 2, 2025
End-of-Mission press releases include statements of IMF staff teams that convey preliminary findings after a visit to a country. The views expressed in this statement are those of the IMF staff and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF’s Executive Board. Based on the preliminary findings of this mission, staff will prepare a report that, subject to management approval, will be presented to the IMF’s Executive Board for discussion and decision.
- Timor-Leste’s growth is expected to remain robust at 3.9 percent in 2025, supported by fiscal expansion and strong credit growth. Inflation has fallen sharply but is expected to increase moderately in the remainder of 2025.
- To support growth and macroeconomic stability, Timor-Leste’s substantial savings in the Petroleum Fund should be spent better and more prudently. This would deliver higher living standards and preserve fiscal sustainability.
- The implementation of financial and fiscal reforms would accelerate private sector development and make public expenditure more efficient.
Washington, DC – July 2, 2025: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team led by Mr. Yan Carrière-Swallow visited Dili during June 19-July 2 to conduct discussions for the 2025 Article IV consultation with Timor-Leste. At the conclusion of the discussions, Mr. Carrière-Swallow issued the following statement:
“Timor-Leste’s financial buffers and favorable demographics provide an opportunity to develop its economy. Despite impressive progress since independence, the economy remains under-diversified, and fiscal and external imbalances are large. We welcome Timor-Leste’s efforts for greater economic integration in the global and regional economies through World Trade Organization (WTO) membership and prospective ASEAN accession, which will boost growth and is providing a positive impulse to the government’s reform agenda.
“Growth is expected to remain robust at 3.9 percent in 2025, supported by fiscal expansion and strong credit growth, and to moderate to 3.3 percent in 2026. Inflation, which had fallen sharply last year as global food and energy prices declined but is expected to increase moderately as global food prices rise. Inflation is expected to average 0.9 percent in 2025 and to rise to 1.8 percent in 2026. Risks to the outlook are balanced.
“The 2026 budget should prioritize high-quality spending on physical and human capital, including health and education, while containing recurrent expenditure. The government is rightly focused on identifying measures to contain the public sector wage bill, which has grown sharply in recent years, and on implementing a Value Added Tax by January 2027.
“Absent further reforms, deficits are projected to remain large over the medium term, which would lead to a full depletion of the Petroleum Fund by the end of the 2030s. We recommend a 10-year reform agenda of structural and fiscal reforms, allowing the Timorese government to support private sector development while gradually reducing fiscal deficits to preserve debt sustainability. For 2026, our proposed reforms would be consistent with an expenditure envelope of around US$1.85 billion for central government.
“We welcome continued progress in the government’s financial sector reforms—including an insolvency framework, a secure transactions law, development of corporate accounting standards, and a new law on banking activities—whose implementation would support private sector development. We also recommend accelerating the issuance of land titles and establishing a national digital ID system, which are crucial reforms to boost access to credit, diversify the private sector, and improve the efficiency of public spending.
“The team had fruitful discussions with Minister of Finance Santina Cardoso, Central Bank Governor Hélder Lopes, other senior officials, the private sector, civil society, and development partners. On behalf of the IMF team, I would like to thank the Timorese authorities for their hospitality and excellent cooperation. The IMF stands ready to continue providing capacity development to assist the government’s operations and reform efforts.”
IMF Communications Department
MEDIA RELATIONS
PRESS OFFICER: Pemba Sherpa
Phone: +1 202 623-7100Email: MEDIA@IMF.org
https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/07/02/pr25232-imf-staff-complete-2025-article-iv-mission-to-timor-leste
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MIL-OSI China: China tightens anti-money laundering rules for precious metals and gemstone dealers
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
China tightens anti-money laundering rules for precious metals and gemstone dealers
BEIJING, July 2 — China’s central bank has issued new anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing regulations specifically targeting dealers of precious metals and gemstones operating within the country.
The new rules by the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) aim to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing, combat related crimes, and standardize practices within this sector, according to a recent statement from the PBOC.
Effective on Aug. 1, dealers will be required to meet specific anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing obligations for any cash transaction valued at 100,000 yuan (about 13,977 U.S. dollars) or more, or the equivalent amount in foreign currency, according to the new rules.
This includes reporting any single cash transaction or cumulative daily cash transactions reaching or exceeding the 100,000 yuan threshold to the China Anti-Money Laundering Monitoring and Analysis Center. Such reports must be submitted within five working days of the transaction date.
The rules apply to all dealers legally engaged in spot trading of precious metals like gold, silver, platinum, and gemstones such as diamonds and jade within China.
Gold price in China has seen a notable increase this year, with both spot price and futures contract on the Shanghai Gold Exchange hitting an all-time high in April, highlighting market demand.
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MIL-OSI China: Cargo throughput via Three Gorges Dam reaches 83 mln tonnes in H1
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
Cargo throughput via Three Gorges Dam reaches 83 mln tonnes in H1
An aerial drone photo taken on July 2, 2025 shows ships passing through the dual-channel five-tier ship locks of the Three Gorges Dam in an orderly manner in Yichang City, central China’s Hubei Province. The shipping throughput via the Three Gorges Dam has reached 83.08 million tonnes in the first half of 2025, rising 10.4 percent year on year, data from the Three Gorges Navigation Authority showed. The ship locks of the Three Gorges Dam have handled over 19,121 vessels in this period, letting through a cargo volume of 81.61 million tonnes, a year-on-year increase of 13.52 percent. [Photo/Xinhua] An aerial drone photo taken on July 2, 2025 shows ships passing through the dual-channel five-tier ship locks of the Three Gorges Dam in an orderly manner in Yichang City, central China’s Hubei Province. [Photo/Xinhua] An aerial drone photo taken on July 1, 2025 shows ships passing through the dual-track five-tier ship locks of the Three Gorges Dam in an orderly manner in Yichang City, central China’s Hubei Province. [Photo/Xinhua] An aerial drone photo taken on July 1, 2025 shows ships passing through the dual-channel five-tier ship locks (L) and a ship lift (R) of the Three Gorges Dam in an orderly manner in Yichang City, central China’s Hubei Province. [Photo/Xinhua] An aerial drone photo taken on July 2, 2025 shows ships passing through the dual-channel five-tier ship locks of the Three Gorges Dam in an orderly manner in Yichang City, central China’s Hubei Province. [Photo/Xinhua] An aerial drone photo taken on July 1, 2025 shows ships passing through a ship lift of the Three Gorges Dam in an orderly manner in Yichang City, central China’s Hubei Province. [Photo/Xinhua] -
MIL-OSI China: China releases national standards for emerging industries
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, July 2 — China’s State Administration for Market Regulation on Wednesday said that it has released a series of national standards for emerging industries such as artificial intelligence (AI).
Seven national standards have been released — covering AI, information technology and the Internet of Things — to provide technical support for the expansion of digital services and applications, the administration said.
Another five national standards cover data centers, cybersecurity technologies, and systems and software engineering, supporting deeper integration and interconnection throughout the digital economy.
The administration has released national standards on the safety of electric earthmoving machinery and the general requirements for battery-swap systems, improving the standards system for the electrification of traditional construction equipment and supporting the green transformation and upgrading of traditional industries, the administration said.
It has also released a range of national standards covering such areas as elderly care and child care, transportation and energy, agriculture and rural development, and green and low-carbon development.
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MIL-OSI USA: STATE COLLEGE – Shapiro Administration Continues to Stand Up for Pennsylvania Farmers, Families, and Food Businesses Who Will be Hurt by Proposed Federal SNAP Funding Cuts
Source: US State of Pennsylvania
July 02, 2025 – State College, PA
ADVISORY – STATE COLLEGE – Shapiro Administration Continues to Stand Up for Pennsylvania Farmers, Families, and Food Businesses Who Will be Hurt by Proposed Federal SNAP Funding Cuts
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding will join Pennsylvania State Grange President Matt Espenshade, local farmers, and state legislators to bring attention to the harmful impact of proposed federal funding cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), as well as how federal cuts already in effect for other food assistance programs, will hurt Pennsylvania farmers, food businesses, and families.
The event will highlight the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to fighting hunger in Pennsylvania while supporting our farmers, families, and food businesses. Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget proposes increased investments to help end hunger and support farms across Pennsylvania.
WHO:
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding
Department of Human Services Executive Secretary Andrew Barnes
State Representative Paul Takac
State Representative Emily Kinkead
Pennsylvania State Grange President Matt Espenshade
Wasson’s Farm and Market Owner Candy WassonWHEN: TOMORROW, Wednesday, July 2 at 11 a.m.
WHERE:
Wasson’s Farm and Market (event barn)
2545 Shingletown Road
State College, PA 16801RSVP: Press attending should RSVP with news outlet and photographer and reporter names to aginfo@pa.gov.
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MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Graves of three soldiers killed in Normandy identified
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News storyGraves of three soldiers killed in Normandy identified
Three soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in 1944 now have named graves at Banneville-la-Campagne War Cemetery in Normandy.
David Little, the nephew of Trooper Little stands at the graveside of his uncle with his wife, daughter and the military party. MOD Crown Copyright.
The family of a soldier killed during the Battle of Normandy has visited the newly named grave of their loved one, who has now been identified after an 80-year search for closure.
Rededication services took place on 26 June at CWGC Banneville-la-Campagne War Cemetery in Normandy for Trooper Francis Dominic Kelly and Trooper Victor Terrence Little, both of 1st Northamptonshire Yeomanry, and Private John Aneurin Protheroe of 2nd Battalion The Monmouthshire Regiment, all of whom died in August 1944.
The identifications were made following research by Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), known as the ‘MOD’s War Detectives’, the National Army Museum and Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).
Trooper Little’s nephew, David Little, attended the moving ceremonies to pay their respects. He said:
We were so wonderfully surprised when JCCC contacted us regarding our Uncle Vic as there has always been a sadness that Victor’s remains had never been found. We’ll always be grateful for the work of the JCCC War Detectives in enabling us to attend the rededication service of dear Victor on behalf of his parents and siblings.
Headshot of Tpr Francis Dominic Kelly (courtesy of the Kelly family).
Robert Gore, the grandson of Pte Protheroe could sadly not attend the service. He said:
My Grandfather was posted missing believed killed in 1944 when my mother was 13 and my aunt 3 years old. My mother has kept his memory very much alive with her stories to me and my 4 siblings.
When I was about 10 I read a novel where a soldier goes missing but eventually comes home alive. As a 10 year-old, that was always my fantastic hope that my grandfather would reappear. The identification of his grave at Banneville is the culmination of that dream even though he never came back alive and my mother is now also dead. I, my siblings and cousins are all grateful for the efforts of the MoD in this regard and we offer our heartfelt thanks.
The identifications came after a researcher submitted cases to the CWGC suggesting possible locations for their graves. Following further investigation by CWGC, the National Army Museum and the JCCC, the identities of the 3 soldiers were confirmed.
Pte John Aneurin Protheroe (courtesy of the Protheroe family).
The services were organised by the Ministry of Defence’s JCCC, known as the ‘War Detectives’, with representatives from The Royal Corps of Signals, The Royal Regiment of Artillery and The Royal Welsh in attendance.
Rosie Barron, JCCC Caseworker, said:
It has been a pleasure to work with the military party to organise these services and to have had the families of Trooper Little and Private Protheroe present. It is important that the memory of these men is honoured, and a strong reminder that the fighting in Normandy did not end on D-Day, but that the Battle of Normandy lasted until the end of August 1944 and was hard won by the Allies.
All 3 men had previously been commemorated on the Bayeux Memorial to the missing. The CWGC has now replaced their headstones with named markers and will care for them in perpetuity.
Fergus Read, Commemorations Case Officer at the CWGC, said:
It is an honour to have been involved in the research that led to the formal identification of these men. It is a privilege to play a part in establishing where these casualties of the battles in Normandy are buried. This now allows the Commission to care for their named graves, in perpetuity.
Updates to this page
Published 2 July 2025 -
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Graves of four soldiers killed in 1940 identified in France
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News storyGraves of four soldiers killed in 1940 identified in France
Four British servicemen who died during World War Two in France have been rededicated, bringing closure to families after more than 85 years.
The rededication service for Gunner Humphries attended by his great nephews. MOD Crown Copyright.
Last week’s rededication services for Private (Pte) William Falconer, Gunner (Gnr) Joseph Humphries, Signalman (Sig) Edmund Roberts and Major (Maj) Richard White-Cooper were all held at Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) Le Grand-Lucé War Cemetery near Le Mans, France, on 24 June.
The families of Gnr Humphries, Sig Roberts and Maj White-Cooper attended the rededication service, as well as serving soldiers of The Royal Corps of Signals, The Royal Regiment of Artillery and The Royal Welsh.
They were some of many British servicemen remaining in France after Operation Dynamo, which saw the mass evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) through Dunkirk. As the Germans advanced across France, fighting continued and further evacuations were made from ports along the northern and western French coasts.
Maj Richard White-Cooper (courtesy of the White-Cooper family).
All 4 men had been brought to 9th General Hospital located in the Chateau at Le Grand-Lucé either for treatment or burial. Casualties that died while in the hospital’s care were being buried at the site of Le Grand-Lucé War Cemetery close by. As they were missing, all 4 men had previously been commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial.
The graves were recently identified after John Hawthorn, the husband of Sig Roberts’ granddaughter, submitted a case to CWGC hoping to have Sig Roberts’ final resting place confirmed. After extensive research by CWGC, the National Army Museum and JCCC, the graves of all 4 men were identified. This means that all casualties buried in Le Grand-Lucé War Cemetery have now been identified.
John Hawthorn said:
Words are not adequate to express the emotions I had when I got the email from Rosie Barron telling me that the JCCC were happy to confirm they recognise that Sig Edmund Roberts is buried in the CWGC cemetery at Le Grand Luce, France. Brian, his son and my father-in-law, was only 3 years old when Eddie died on 13 June 1940. He never knew where or how his father died, nor where his body rested.
The only commemoration was a name on the Dunkirk Memorial. Having a headstone to mark Eddie’s grave provides the family with closure, comfort, and the opportunity to visit a specific place to pay our respects. We are eternally grateful to the tireless work of CWGC and the JCCC, and especially Rosie for all she has done.
Headshot of Sig Edmund Roberts (courtesy of the Roberts family).
The services were organised by the MOD’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), also known as the ‘War Detectives’.
JCCC Caseworker, Rosie Barron, said:
The story of what happened to those members of the BEF still left in France following the Dunkirk evacuations is rarely told. These services highlight the dangers experienced by these men in the struggle to hold the German Army back, and to evacuate from ports further west. Regrettably these men all lost their lives in the confusion of this period. It is a privilege to have met their families and to know that their stories have been concluded.
CWGC has replaced the headstones over the graves and will care for them in perpetuity, ensuring these brave servicemen are remembered with honour.
Updates to this page
Published 2 July 2025 -
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership: Joint Statement
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
News storyKenya-UK Strategic Partnership: Joint Statement
Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs H.E Musalia Mudavadi met in London on 2 July 2025 and reflected on the new Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership
Speaking as they met at London’s Guildhall in the margins of the Africa Debate, Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP and Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs H.E Musalia Mudavadi said:
As Commonwealth nations, the Republic of Kenya and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland enjoy a deep and vibrant relationship, rooted in our shared history, shared values and set apart by the exceptional talents of our people.
The new Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership 2025-2030 will provide a comprehensive framework to progress our shared objectives, strengthening the bilateral relationship and delivering growth for both our countries.
The Partnership will focus on areas of shared interest and strength, including green growth, climate and nature, science and technology, and security and stability. We will be laser-focussed on delivery – creating jobs, enhancing links between our academics, innovators and scientists, and protecting the environment, nature and our people.
Kenya is a gateway to the East African market with over 300 million people with combined GDP of over USD 400 billion (Kshs.52 billion). UK-Kenya trade is valued at £1.8 billion (Kshs.218 billion). UK companies are among the largest employers in Kenya. This new partnership will deliver £1 billion (Kshs.177 billion) for the UK economy in export finance, engineering jobs and defence manufacturing jobs in Northampton and County Durham.
The Partnership will see Lloyd’s of London enter the Nairobi insurance market as a gateway to the East Africa Market valued up to £0.5 billion (Kshs.88billion).
Over the next five years, Kenya and the UK will deliver on high value investment deals of mutual benefit to both economies.
This includes Nairobi Railway City, a flagship project, which exemplifies what is possible when ambition meets partnership. Railway City is worth up to £150 million (Kshs.26billion) with the potential for 10,000 direct and indirect jobs in Kenya. Procurement for construction of the first phase of the project has now launched with opportunities ranging from commercial real estate and hospitality to tech innovation and student housing.
Both countries have agreed to explore a new Digital Trading Agreement and to aim to double trade by 2030 in areas like financial services, digital and technology, and defence and security.
The Kenya and UK governments will further their global leadership on climate and nature through the Partnership, mobilising at least £200 million (Kshs.35billion) for Kenyan climate adaptation, keeping the 1.5 C temperature goal in reach and unlocking green energy transitions and nature-based solutions.
Under science and technology, the Strategic Partnership will harness the potential of science, research, innovation and technology partnerships, including on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies, to drive inclusive growth, job creation and sustainable development.
Finally, this new strategic partnership will strengthen our joint response to regional terrorism, illicit finance, cyber attacks and organised crime, keeping our people safe.
Through the UK-Kenya Security Compact, which we signed today, both countries will prioritise efforts to reduce irregular migration, and support regional stability. The renewed Compact is designed to address both traditional and emerging security threats. Priorities include tackling risks from digital spaces and new technologies, reducing irregular migration, and countering illicit finance. The partnership will continue to build on its strong foundation, ensuring that previous achievements are sustained and that new challenges are met with a coordinated, forward-looking approach.
This high ambition Strategic Partnership will enable us to go far, together, for a more prosperous and secure future for both our great nations.
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Published 2 July 2025 -
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Kings Worthy resident’s flora photographs recognised with new board
Source: City of Winchester
The efforts of a keen photographer to document the flora of Topfield open space have been recognised by Winchester City Council.
A new information board has been created from the photographs of Kings Worthy resident Mervyn Edwards, who has been recording and photographing the different flowers he identifies at Topfield throughout the year.
Mervyn Edwards with Cllr Jackie Porter at the new board Mervyn showed one of his pictures to Winchester City Council Cabinet Member for Place and the Local Plan, Cllr Jackie Porter. From there, with the help of council officers from the Natural Environment team, Mervyn’s photos were compiled into an information board for the benefit of any visitors to the space.
The board was unveiled after a short ceremony, attended by Mervyn, who was joined by family, friends and neighbours.
Councillor Porter said: “I first became aware of Mervyn’s photographic prowess when I visited him and he showed me his beautiful picture.
“When I then saw his unique record of every single flower that he had seen on Topfield throughout the year, I knew that this was something to be shared with every visitor.
“Mervyn should be very proud that this board will be used by generations of Topfield visitors. The time and effort photographing the flowers has already engendered a real connection with the ecology of this area for future generations. His photographic record will be an inspiration to visitors for years to come, and we would like to offer him our gratitude and thanks.”
Among those who have already benefitted from the board are the local Kings Worthy Guides and Rangers, who recorded June’s flora in bloom for a local database which will enable the community to see nature’s progress at the open space over the coming years.
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Sensex, Nifty end lower as investors turn cautious over Trump’s tariff deadline
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
The stock markets ended lower on Wednesday, as investor sentiment remained cautious due to US President Donald Trump’s firm stand on the upcoming tariff deadline.
The nervousness led to a risk-off mood among investors, pulling the benchmark indices lower.
After rising to an intra-day high of 83,935.29, the Sensex lost momentum and closed at 83,409.69, down 287.6 points or 0.34 per cent.
The Nifty also declined by 88.45 points or 0.35 per cent to end the day at 25,453.4.
“Mixed global cues, particularly ahead of the impending tariff deadline, are driving investor caution,” Vinod Nair of Geojit Investments Limited said.
“Market attention is gradually shifting to crucial Q1 earnings, which have high expectations,” he added.
Nair added that the underlying trends such as robust macroeconomic fundamentals and increased government expenditure continue to support market resilience.
Among the Sensex stocks, the biggest losers were Bajaj Finserv, L&T, Bajaj Finance, HDFC Bank, and Bharat Electronics.
On the other hand, Tata Steel, Asian Paints, Ultratech Cement, Trent, Maruti, and Sun Pharma were among the top gainers.
Broader markets followed a similar trend. The Nifty Midcap100 index ended down by 0.14 per cent, while the Nifty Smallcap100 index slipped 0.41 per cent.
Sector-wise, Nifty Metal, Consumer Durables, Auto, IT, Pharma, and Healthcare managed to close in the green.
However, Nifty Realty, Financial Services, Bank, Oil & Gas, and Media dragged the overall sentiment with losses.
The total market capitalisation of all listed companies on the NSE stood at Rs 5.35 trillion.
Meanwhile, the India VIX, which measures market volatility, eased slightly by 0.66 per cent to settle at 12.44 points — suggesting some cooling off in investor nervousness despite the day’s losses.
Gold traded in a narrow range as market awaits key US data releases. Comex Gold moved between $3327 – $3340, while MCX Gold traded between Rs 97,000 – Rs 97,400.
“The prices expected to remain in the broader range of Rs 96,500 – Rs 97,850 as participants price in potential dollar weakness and upcoming US data, including Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP), ADP non-farm employment, and unemployment figures,” Jateen Trivedi of LKP Securities stated.
(IANS)
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Sensex, Nifty end lower as investors turn cautious over Trump’s tariff deadline
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
The stock markets ended lower on Wednesday, as investor sentiment remained cautious due to US President Donald Trump’s firm stand on the upcoming tariff deadline.
The nervousness led to a risk-off mood among investors, pulling the benchmark indices lower.
After rising to an intra-day high of 83,935.29, the Sensex lost momentum and closed at 83,409.69, down 287.6 points or 0.34 per cent.
The Nifty also declined by 88.45 points or 0.35 per cent to end the day at 25,453.4.
“Mixed global cues, particularly ahead of the impending tariff deadline, are driving investor caution,” Vinod Nair of Geojit Investments Limited said.
“Market attention is gradually shifting to crucial Q1 earnings, which have high expectations,” he added.
Nair added that the underlying trends such as robust macroeconomic fundamentals and increased government expenditure continue to support market resilience.
Among the Sensex stocks, the biggest losers were Bajaj Finserv, L&T, Bajaj Finance, HDFC Bank, and Bharat Electronics.
On the other hand, Tata Steel, Asian Paints, Ultratech Cement, Trent, Maruti, and Sun Pharma were among the top gainers.
Broader markets followed a similar trend. The Nifty Midcap100 index ended down by 0.14 per cent, while the Nifty Smallcap100 index slipped 0.41 per cent.
Sector-wise, Nifty Metal, Consumer Durables, Auto, IT, Pharma, and Healthcare managed to close in the green.
However, Nifty Realty, Financial Services, Bank, Oil & Gas, and Media dragged the overall sentiment with losses.
The total market capitalisation of all listed companies on the NSE stood at Rs 5.35 trillion.
Meanwhile, the India VIX, which measures market volatility, eased slightly by 0.66 per cent to settle at 12.44 points — suggesting some cooling off in investor nervousness despite the day’s losses.
Gold traded in a narrow range as market awaits key US data releases. Comex Gold moved between $3327 – $3340, while MCX Gold traded between Rs 97,000 – Rs 97,400.
“The prices expected to remain in the broader range of Rs 96,500 – Rs 97,850 as participants price in potential dollar weakness and upcoming US data, including Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP), ADP non-farm employment, and unemployment figures,” Jateen Trivedi of LKP Securities stated.
(IANS)
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India’s rising middle class to drive global leisure travel boom: report
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
India’s expanding middle class and its younger, travel-savvy population are poised to play a pivotal role in driving the future of global leisure travel, according to a new report released on Wednesday.
Data compiled by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) projects that annual global consumer spending on leisure travel will triple from $5 trillion in 2024 to an estimated $15 trillion by 2040 — making it larger than the global pharmaceutical and fashion industries.
The report attributes this sharp rise to increasing incomes in developing economies and a growing preference for spending on experiences rather than material possessions.
India’s domestic leisure travel segment has already rebounded strongly after the pandemic, with spending between 2019 and 2024 showing moderate to robust growth.
This momentum is expected to continue, with BCG forecasting domestic leisure travel spending in India to rise by 12 per cent annually. Regional spending is projected to grow by 8 per cent, and international spending by 10 per cent per year.
Overnight trips are also likely to grow steadily — by 3 per cent domestically, 4 per cent regionally, and 6 per cent internationally.
Millennials and Gen Z are leading this surge, with their enthusiasm for travel exceeding that of older generations by up to 26 percentage points. Notably, Gen X in India continues to remain an influential segment for the travel industry — unlike in many developed economies, where their share is declining.
Globally, leisure travel overnights are expected to grow at 4 per cent annually until 2029, before moderating to 3 per cent per year through 2040.
Domestic travel will continue to form the largest share, increasing from a projected $4.1 trillion in 2024 to $11.7 trillion by 2040. Regional travel is forecast to grow from $710 billion to over $2 trillion, while international leisure travel is expected to more than triple to $1.4 trillion during the same period.
-IANS
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Trump tax-cut plan returns to US House, Republicans divided on bill
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
The debate within President Donald Trump’s Republican Party over a massive tax-cut and spending bill returns to the House of Representatives on Wednesday, as party leaders try to overcome internal divisions and meet a self-imposed July 4 deadline.
The Senate passed the legislation, which nonpartisan analysts say will add $3.3 trillion to the nation’s debt over the next decade, by the narrowest possible margin on Tuesday after intense debate on the bill’s hefty price tag and substantial cuts to the Medicaid health care program.
Similar divides exist in the House, which Republicans control by a 220-212 margin and where a fractious caucus has regularly bucked its leadership in recent years — though members have so far not rejected major Trump priorities.
“The House will work quickly to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill that enacts President Trump’s full America First agenda by the Fourth of July,” House Speaker Mike Johnson said in a statement on Tuesday, citing the bill’s extension of Trump’s 2017 individual tax cuts and increased funding for the military and immigration enforcement.
House Republican leaders set an initial procedural vote on the bill for 9 a.m. ET (1300 GMT).
Some of the loudest Republican objections against it come from party hardliners angry that it does not sufficiently cut spending and a $5 trillion increase in the nation’s debt ceiling, which lawmakers must address in the coming months or risk a devastating default on the nation’s $36.2 trillion debt.
“What the Senate did was unconscionable,” said Representative Ralph Norman, a South Carolina Republican, one of several fiscal hawks who spoke out against the Senate bill’s higher price tag, accusing the Senate of handing out “goodie bags” of spending to satisfy holdouts.
Norman said he would vote against advancing the bill on Wednesday.
Democrats are united in opposition to the bill, saying that its tax breaks disproportionately benefit the wealthy, while cutting services that lower- and middle-income Americans rely on. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that almost 12 million people could lose health insurance as a result of the bill.
“This is the largest assault on American healthcare in history,” Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters on Tuesday, pledging that his party will use “all procedural and legislative options” to try to stop – or delay – passage.
The version of the bill passed by the Senate on Tuesday would add more to the debt than the version first passed by the House in May and also includes more than $900 million in cuts to the Medicaid program for low-income Americans.
Those cuts also raised concerns among some House Republicans.
“I will not support a final bill that eliminates vital funding our hospitals rely on,” Representative David Valadao of California said before Senate passage.
TIMING DIFFICULTIES
But some House Republicans worried about social safety-net cuts could find solace in the Senate’s last-minute decision to set aside more money for rural hospitals, funding that Representative Nick Langworthy, a New York Republican, called “a lifeline that will be very helpful to districts like mine.”
Any changes made by the House would require another Senate vote, making it all but impossible to meet the July 4 deadline.
Further complicating the timeline, a wave of storms in the Washington area on Tuesday night canceled flights, and some lawmakers from both parties detailed on social media plans to drive from their home districts to the Capitol for Wednesday’s expected vote.
A senior White House official said on Tuesday that Trump is expected to be “deeply involved” in the whip operation this week.
Trump for weeks has pushed for passage ahead of the July 4 Independence Day holiday, though he has also in recent days softened that deadline, describing it as less than critical.
Any public opposition to the bill risks irking Trump, as was the case when the president slammed Senator Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican who announced his retirement after coming out in opposition to the bill.
Another former Trump ally, the world’s richest person Elon Musk, this week resumed an active campaign against the bill over social media, blasting its deficit-building effects. That has reignited a feud between Trump and Musk.
(Reuters)
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MIL-OSI Africa: The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) Wins Global Trade Review (GTR) Best Deals of 2024 for Türkiye Earthquake Response Financing
The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (www.ITFC-idb.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group, has been recognized with a GTR (Global Trade Review) Best Deals of 2024 for its innovative US$150 million Murabaha financing facility, to support Türkiye’s post-earthquake economic recovery.
Executed in close partnership with the Ministry of Treasury and Finance of the Republic of Türkiye, the Industrial Development Bank of Türkiye (TSKB), and the Development and Investment Bank of Türkiye (TKYB), this landmark Shariah-compliant financing was the first Islamic trade finance facility designed for post-disaster recovery.
The financing was developed in response to the devastating earthquakes that struck Türkiye in February 2023, resulting in an estimated US$100 billion in damages and disrupting over 220,000 businesses. The facility delivered working capital support and laid the foundation for sustainable economic revival in key sectors including food security, agriculture, and trade.
Commenting on the award, Nazeem Noordali, Chief Operating Officer, ITFC highlighted, “This award is a testament to our continued commitment to support trade-driven resilience. By partnering with Türkiye’s public sector and key development banks, we have introduced an Islamic finance solution that strengthens recovery and supports long-term trade sustainability.”
Ms. Sedef Aydaş Head of Department the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Treasury and Finance, stated that ITFC is one of the first financing organizations showing its willingness to support Türkiye’s post-earthquake economic recovery and added that: “We as Ministry of Treasury and Finance are delighted and thankful to receive GTR Best Deal of 2024 with the first transactions with ITFC for its financing support to Türkiye regarding food security, agriculture and SME trade financing in the earthquake region. I hope the deals we had with ITFC will be one of the landmark projects for future transactions in various areas.”
The project has also accelerated the adoption of Islamic trade finance solutions in Türkiye’s public sector. TSKB and TKYB utilized the opportunity to develop new Shariah-compliant frameworks with strategic impact across other sectors like renewable energy, climate resilience, employment and inclusive development. It also opened new avenues for Islamic financing in Türkiye’s public sector, paving the way for future Murabaha based financing from international players.
Commenting on the award, Ms. Meral Murathan, Executive Vice President & Sustainability Leader of TSKB, said: “As Türkiye’s first privately-owned development and investment bank, we have been committed to supporting sustainable and inclusive development for the past 75 years. In the aftermath of the February 2023 earthquake, we placed the sustainable redevelopment of the affected regions at the core of our mission. The US$ 150 million Murabaha-based agreement we signed with ITFC in August 2024 marks the first cooperation between TSKB and ITFC. We are pleased to have structured this partnership to support trade-driven recovery and resilience in the earthquake-impacted areas by addressing the urgent needs of local businesses.”
The award was presented at the GTR Best Deals 2024 ceremony, where ITFC representative alongside officials from the Ministry of Treasury and Finance of the Republic of Türkiye and TSKB.
İbrahim H. Oztop, the CEO of the Development and Investment Bank of Türkiye commented “We are very pleased to be involved in this transaction, executed in collaboration with ITFC, our partner institution. This financing not only represents a step forward in strengthening our corporate financing structure but also helps us to achieve our strategic goals. We consider this award as a recognition of our institution’s vision and mission on an international level.”
This recognition reinforces ITFC’s leadership in Islamic trade finance solutions and its contribution to achieving SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure).
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).
Contact Us:
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LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4laE2YEAbout the International Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC):
The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) is a member of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Group. It was established with the primary objective of advancing trade among OIC member countries, which would ultimately contribute to the overarching goal of improving the socioeconomic conditions of the people across the world. Commencing operations in January 2008, ITFC has provided more than US$83 billion of financing to OIC member countries, making it the leading provider of trade solutions for member countries’ needs. With a mission to become a catalyst for trade development for OIC member countries and beyond, the Corporation helps entities in member countries gain better access to trade finance and provides them with the necessary trade-related capacity building tools, enabling them to successfully compete in the global market. -
MIL-OSI Video: ECB Forum on Central Banking 2025 – Session 2
Source: European Central Bank (video statements)
Session 2: Monetary transmission through households, consumption and savings
Chair: Frank Elderson, Member of the Executive Board and Vice-Chair of the Supervisory Board, European Central Bank
Paper: “Discretionary spending is the cycle, and why it matters for monetary policy”
Author: Paolo Surico, Professor, London Business School
(together with Michele Andreolli, Assistant Professor, Boston College, Natalie Rickard, London Business School, and Chiara Vergeat, London Business School)Discussant: María Teresa Valderrama, Head of the Monetary Policy Section, Oesterreichische Nationalbank
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MIL-OSI Video: ECB Forum on Central Banking 2025 – Panel 1
Source: European Central Bank (video statements)
Panel 1: Cross-country heterogeneity in the euro area and implications for monetary policy
Chair: Isabel Schnabel, Member of the Executive Board, European Central Bank
Agnès Bénassy-Quéré, Second Deputy Governor, Banque de France
Piet Haines Christiansen, Director, Danske Bank
Luca Fornaro, Senior Researcher, CREI, and Adjunct Professor, Universitat Pompeu Fabra
Refet Gürkaynak, Professor, Bilkent University -
MIL-OSI Video: ECB Forum on Central Banking 2025 – Welcome and introduction
Source: European Central Bank (video statements)
ECB Forum on Central Banking 2025 – Welcome and introduction
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MIL-OSI Video: ECB Forum on Central Banking 2025 – Session 1
Source: European Central Bank (video statements)
Session 1: Macroeconomic implications of changes in euro area labour markets
Chair: Luis de Guindos, Vice-President, European Central BankPaper: “Eurosclerosis at 40: labor market institutions, dynamism, and European competitiveness”
Author: Benjamin Schoefer, Associate Professor, University of California, BerkeleyDiscussant: Nicola Fuchs-Schündeln, President, WZB Berlin, and Professor, Goethe University Frankfurt