Source: United States Navy
The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) celebrated its 2025 Spring Quarter graduates during a commencement ceremony on June 18 at King Hall Auditorium. A total of 375 warrior-scholars—including 32 allied and partner military officers representing 21 nations worldwide — received advanced degrees in defense-focused disciplines.
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: State University of Management – Official website of the State –
June 22, 1941 is a day that will forever remain in the memory of our people.
At 4:15 a.m., when the world was still asleep, Nazi Germany, violating all agreements, unleashed a war against the Soviet Union. This moment marked the beginning of the Great Patriotic War – one of the most tragic periods in the history of our country.
Alarms woke people up. Many could not believe what was happening. The morning skies turned fiery as German planes began bombing towns and villages. The world that seemed stable collapsed in a second.
Hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians found themselves in the epicenter of horror. Bombing, destruction, fear, death – all this became a reality that people had to face.
But despite heavy losses and terrible suffering, the people showed incredible resilience.
From the first days of the war, people gathered in self-defense units, signed up for the army, prepared to defend their homeland. This day marked the beginning of a long and difficult journey, in which everyone united from the southern seas to the polar region, regardless of gender, age, nationality or profession.
The Moscow Engineering and Economic Institute (today GUU) contributed to the common Victory. Many employees went to the front, fought in the 7th division of the people’s militia, the 3rd Moscow Communist Division and other formations. During the war years, the university continued to work on training specialists who were needed by the country’s economy more than ever. When the enemy approached the capital, university representatives participated in defense activities: they built fortifications, worked in logging, and organized subsidiary farming.
June 22, 1941 is not just a date. It is a symbol of courage and unity that became the basis for victory in a war that took millions of lives but did not break the spirit of the people.
We remember and honor those who fought, who gave their lives for freedom and independence. Eternal memory to the heroes!
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.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
ISLAMABAD, June 21, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a closely watched meeting at the White House, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, met with U.S. President Donald J. Trump. Analysts at the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) in Islamabad, have characterized this as a strategic reset for Pakistan.
Held over a luncheon in the Cabinet Room and followed by an extended session in the Oval Office, the meeting included Secretary of State Senator Marco Rubio, U.S. Special Representative for Middle Eastern Affairs Steve Witkoff, and Pakistan’s National Security Advisor. Initially planned for an hour, the talks stretched over two hours, underscoring the depth of engagement. According to ISPR’s official press release, the exchange between Field Marshal Munir and President Trump reflected a new level of mutual recognition, with both leaders exchanging commendations for each other’s leadership. Munir conveyed the gratitude of Pakistan’s people and government for Trump’s personal role in brokering a ceasefire between Pakistan and India during the recent regional crisis. Trump, in return, praised Pakistan’s regional peacekeeping and counterterrorism efforts.
IRS notes that the dialogue extended beyond security matters to encompass expansive discussions on trade, economic development, energy, cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, and mineral exploration—an ambitious agenda suggesting long-term strategic alignment. President Trump voiced a strong interest in developing a mutually beneficial trade partnership with Pakistan rooted in shared goals and regional convergence.
Both sides also discussed escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, agreeing on the urgency of diplomatic resolution. Trump was briefed on Pakistan’s position as a responsible regional stakeholder advocating for de-escalation. The IRS views this engagement as emblematic of Pakistan’s evolving global posture—from reactive crisis diplomacy to proactive strategic positioning. In its analysis, the think tank highlights how Pakistan is increasingly seen by Washington as a necessary stabilizing force amid a deteriorating Middle East environment. According to the think tank’s analysis, Pakistan’s shared borders with Iran and its strategic position in the Middle East have the potential to catapult Pakistan into the middle of a diplomatic solution.
As a symbol of warming ties, Field Marshal Munir formally invited President Trump to undertake an official visit to Pakistan. The invitation was well received, with both sides agreeing to maintain momentum on key collaborative tracks.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/33ef65bd-a6de-49db-b2ee-bd8bc97cc66f
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
Scientists comment on a real-time forecast of heat related deaths during the 19-22 June 2025 heatwave.
Prof Hannah Cloke, Professor of Hydrology, University of Reading, said:
“This is a simple, rapid analysis that uses an already understood relationship between heat and excess mortality, and applies the numbers from the ECMWF forecast for average daily temperatures for this weekend. While this isn’t peer reviewed science, it does highlight something we already understand well, that hot weather over a long period kills people. Every one of these figures is an individual person, with a family and a community that will be devastated by their early death. This is no less a tragedy than a plane crash or an outbreak of a deadly disease.
“Climate change is making heatwaves more common, longer and hotter in the UK, but no-one should die because they are unprepared for hot weather or because their home heats up and kills them. While we should urgently curb emissions to reduce the heating of our planet, saving lives in the future, we can save lives now by adapting our homes and practices so that people don’t die needlessly in hot weather. With better planning, building regulations, and early warnings leading to action, we can stop people from getting dangerously overheated and dying.
“The study notes a limitation that it does not consider temporal attenuation of temperature. Hot weather is less dangerous if you are able to cool off. You could save a life by checking on a vulnerable or elderly person and helping them to cool down, if just for a few hours. Shading windows or changing your plans to avoid the fiercest daytime heat could be the difference between life and death.”
Dr Chloe Brimicombe, Climate Scientist and Heat Specialist and Freelance Consultant, said:
“This real time analysis although alarming is accurate and can be taken into account through syndromic surveillance (real time tracking) by the health service. It is consistent with patterns we see with other UK heatwaves and is good to see this transparency.
“Heatwaves might be silent killers but they also subtly impact every part of our society from how we shop to hospital admissions to productivity and our pets and wildlife too. And we need a policy response that brings everyone together and tackles it across society not just the health sector.”
‘Real-time forecast of heat-related excess mortality during the 19-22 June 2025 heatwave in England and Wales’ by Garyfallos Konstantinoudis et al. was published at 00:01 UK time on Saturday 21 June.
Declared interests
Prof Hannah Cloke: “works with and advises the Met Office and Environment Agency and a Fellow of ECMWF which provided the forecast data used in the study.”
Dr Chloe Brimicombe: No disclosure.
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) — Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will pay an official visit to China from June 22 to 26 at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
Lawrence Wong was born in December 1972. He was elected to the Singapore Parliament in 2011 and has served successively as Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Minister for National Development, Minister for Education and Minister for Finance.
In 2022, the politician took up the post of Deputy Prime Minister, simultaneously serving as Minister of Finance. In May 2024, he became Prime Minister, retaining the post of head of the Ministry of Finance, and in May 2025, he began his second term in this post. –0–
Source: Government of Canada regional news
Premier David Eby has issued the following statement celebrating National Indigenous Peoples Day:
“Today, people throughout the province and country are coming together to celebrate the rich cultures and many contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.
“Indigenous Peoples have stewarded the lands and waters of this country for millennia. They have made important contributions to all areas of civic life, from arts and culture to science and law. They continue to create positive change in their communities and beyond. And they have done it all while healing from past harms.
“National Indigenous Peoples Day is an opportunity to honour this strength, bravery and resilience. It is an invitation to learn more about the past, present and future of Indigenous Peoples. And it is a call to action to stand up against Indigenous-specific racism, including residential school denialism. We all have a role to play.
“Our government is committed to working toward a future rooted in reconciliation, respect and the recognition of Indigenous rights.
“In partnership with Indigenous Peoples, our government continues to lead Canada in our work to implement the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. We are also working together to advance shared priorities, such as improving access to health care, building more homes and growing a stronger, more diversified economy.
“Today is also the summer solstice, which holds cultural significance for Indigenous Peoples who welcome the longest day of the year with traditional ceremonies and celebrations. Many Indigenous communities generously invite neighbouring communities to join them on this special day. From festivals and powwows to films and art exhibits, there are many family-friendly events to enjoy throughout the province.
“As we celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to get out in their community and learn about the Indigenous Peoples who call it home. Today, as we enjoy the most daylight of the year, we can all help build a brighter future for everyone.”
Christine Boyle, Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, said:
“On this National Indigenous Peoples Day, we honour the many ways in which the leadership of Indigenous Peoples continues to shape B.C. for the better. From the celebrations at Royal Roads University on Vancouver Island to the community event at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park in Prince George to the block party at the Carnegie Community Centre in Vancouver, let’s come together in celebration and reflection. Today, let’s ask ourselves what each of us can do to advance, collectively, in a good way, now and for future generations.”
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Erica Borgstrom, Professor of Medical Anthropology, The Open University
The House of Commons narrowly passed the terminally ill adults (end of life) bill on June 20, a significant step toward legalising assisted dying in England and Wales. The bill must still pass through the House of Lords before it can become law. So far, the debate has centred on a key question: should people already facing a terminal prognosis have the legal right to choose when to end their lives?
The discussions, both in Parliament and among the wider public, have often focused on personal stories of dying – some shared as examples of a “good” death, others as cautionary tales of suffering. When speaking to the BBC after the bill passed, MP Kim Leadbeater, who introduced the legislation, described the current situation as a “failing status quo.” She argued that the law must change to offer more control and compassion at the end of life.
More than 530,000 people die in England each year, and it’s estimated that around 90% of them could benefit from palliative care. Yet many are still dying in pain, with thousands experiencing unmet needs in their final months. Some supporters of the bill argue that access to assisted dying could offer an escape from anticipated suffering and loss of dignity, especially when palliative care falls short.
The concept of a “good” death already shapes the country’s end-of-life care policy. Current practice encourages patient choice, comfort and dignity usually guided by the question: what matters most to you?
Through advance care planning, patients can express preferences for their care, such as refusing resuscitation or declining further treatment. But these choices are usually framed in terms of what not to do. Assisted dying, by contrast, introduces a new ethical dimension: it’s not about withholding treatment, but about actively intervening to end life.
Over the past 15 years of conducting ethnographic research on end-of-life care in England, I’ve seen just how deeply people are affected when asked to contemplate their future – or the future of someone they love.
Read more:
Is the UK really the best place in the world to die?
Some patients are decisive: they know what they don’t want, and they say so clearly. Others apologise for being a burden. Some find it too difficult to plan at all. In fact, fewer than 3% of UK adults have documented advance care plans.
Clinicians, too, face challenges. I’ve seen doctors wish patients would recognise when treatment has become futile – and patients, in turn, hope doctors will take the decision to “just stop”. There can be deep mistrust, with some fearing they’ll be “given up on”. These tensions are unlikely to disappear if assisted dying is legalised; in fact, they may become more pronounced.
In England, the legal definition of “terminal illness” is a life expectancy of six months or less, and that’s the threshold used in this bill. It excludes people with incurable but long-term conditions who may be suffering, but aren’t likely to die within half a year.
This six-month cut-off also assumes that doctors can accurately predict how long someone has left. But Marie Curie, the end of life charity, called that definition “outdated” and “arbitrary,” highlighting how it fails to reflect clinical reality.
More recently, research examining nearly 100,000 patient records from London found that prognosis is least reliable when predicting survival over the “weeks to months” time-frame – exactly the bracket covered by the bill. Doctors are more confident estimating if someone has less than two weeks or more than a year. Anything in between is often described, quite literally, as “the length of a piece of string”.
The bill’s passage in the Commons reflects a growing desire to give people more choice, control and clarity at the end of life. For many, it marks a long-overdue recognition of both suffering and the right to self-determination.
Yet while the vote signals strong support for greater autonomy in dying, the everyday realities of predicting prognosis and navigating complex end-of-life decisions remain uncertain. The practical and ethical challenges are far from resolved.
Erica Borgstrom receives/has received funding for her research from the National Institute of Health Research, the UKRI Economic and Social Research Council, Marie Curie, the Foundation for the Sociology of Health and Illness, NHS England & NHS Innovation, and End of Life Doula UK.
– ref. Assisted dying – medical anthropolgist on the complex practical and ethical road ahead – https://theconversation.com/assisted-dying-medical-anthropolgist-on-the-complex-practical-and-ethical-road-ahead-259478
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Erica Borgstrom, Professor of Medical Anthropology, The Open University
The House of Commons narrowly passed the terminally ill adults (end of life) bill on June 20, a significant step toward legalising assisted dying in England and Wales. The bill must still pass through the House of Lords before it can become law. So far, the debate has centred on a key question: should people already facing a terminal prognosis have the legal right to choose when to end their lives?
The discussions, both in Parliament and among the wider public, have often focused on personal stories of dying – some shared as examples of a “good” death, others as cautionary tales of suffering. When speaking to the BBC after the bill passed, MP Kim Leadbeater, who introduced the legislation, described the current situation as a “failing status quo.” She argued that the law must change to offer more control and compassion at the end of life.
More than 530,000 people die in England each year, and it’s estimated that around 90% of them could benefit from palliative care. Yet many are still dying in pain, with thousands experiencing unmet needs in their final months. Some supporters of the bill argue that access to assisted dying could offer an escape from anticipated suffering and loss of dignity, especially when palliative care falls short.
The concept of a “good” death already shapes the country’s end-of-life care policy. Current practice encourages patient choice, comfort and dignity usually guided by the question: what matters most to you?
Through advance care planning, patients can express preferences for their care, such as refusing resuscitation or declining further treatment. But these choices are usually framed in terms of what not to do. Assisted dying, by contrast, introduces a new ethical dimension: it’s not about withholding treatment, but about actively intervening to end life.
Over the past 15 years of conducting ethnographic research on end-of-life care in England, I’ve seen just how deeply people are affected when asked to contemplate their future – or the future of someone they love.
Read more:
Is the UK really the best place in the world to die?
Some patients are decisive: they know what they don’t want, and they say so clearly. Others apologise for being a burden. Some find it too difficult to plan at all. In fact, fewer than 3% of UK adults have documented advance care plans.
Clinicians, too, face challenges. I’ve seen doctors wish patients would recognise when treatment has become futile – and patients, in turn, hope doctors will take the decision to “just stop”. There can be deep mistrust, with some fearing they’ll be “given up on”. These tensions are unlikely to disappear if assisted dying is legalised; in fact, they may become more pronounced.
In England, the legal definition of “terminal illness” is a life expectancy of six months or less, and that’s the threshold used in this bill. It excludes people with incurable but long-term conditions who may be suffering, but aren’t likely to die within half a year.
This six-month cut-off also assumes that doctors can accurately predict how long someone has left. But Marie Curie, the end of life charity, called that definition “outdated” and “arbitrary,” highlighting how it fails to reflect clinical reality.
More recently, research examining nearly 100,000 patient records from London found that prognosis is least reliable when predicting survival over the “weeks to months” time-frame – exactly the bracket covered by the bill. Doctors are more confident estimating if someone has less than two weeks or more than a year. Anything in between is often described, quite literally, as “the length of a piece of string”.
The bill’s passage in the Commons reflects a growing desire to give people more choice, control and clarity at the end of life. For many, it marks a long-overdue recognition of both suffering and the right to self-determination.
Yet while the vote signals strong support for greater autonomy in dying, the everyday realities of predicting prognosis and navigating complex end-of-life decisions remain uncertain. The practical and ethical challenges are far from resolved.
Erica Borgstrom receives/has received funding for her research from the National Institute of Health Research, the UKRI Economic and Social Research Council, Marie Curie, the Foundation for the Sociology of Health and Illness, NHS England & NHS Innovation, and End of Life Doula UK.
– ref. Assisted dying – medical anthropolgist on the complex practical and ethical road ahead – https://theconversation.com/assisted-dying-medical-anthropolgist-on-the-complex-practical-and-ethical-road-ahead-259478
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
HAIKOU, June 21 (Xinhua) — Canadian tourist Stephanie Wing Xi Yao found the wellness treatments at a medical center in Boao Township, south China’s Hainan Province, more like a “resort.”
“Everything here is top-notch, the staff pays attention to all aspects of health – not only physical but also mental,” she told Xinhua at the Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone in Boao, which is home to more than 30 leading domestic and foreign medical institutions.
Through special policy measures, 485 advanced drugs and medical equipment licensed abroad but not yet available domestically were brought into the pilot zone, benefiting more than 130,000 patients, including Yao.
Her four-day experience at the medical centre, which combined cutting-edge medical examinations, traditional Chinese medicine treatments, tea ceremonies and cultural immersion, was much more than just a chance to relax. It demonstrates the concrete outcome of a key step in China’s opening-up strategy: turning Hainan into a free trade port (FTP).
As Hainan FCT prepares to launch a separate customs control regime by the end of the year, it plans to become not only a tourist mecca but also an important gateway for China’s high-level opening-up.
PLACE OF FREE MOVEMENT OF FACTORS
The central component of this transformation is the Lecheng Medical Tourism Pilot Zone. A total of 25 medical tourism routes have been launched, covering a wide range of needs, including traditional Chinese medicine, chronic disease treatment, premium diagnostics, and beauty rehabilitation, which have gained popularity among residents of Indonesia, Russia, Spain, and other countries.
In 2024, the medical special zone was visited more than 410,000 times, which is 36.76 percent more than the previous year.
Lecheng is just one part of Hainan’s broader efforts to open up. Beyond the medical sector, the province is accelerating foreign companies’ access to finance, education, communications and high-tech industries as China seeks to create a free trade zone with the highest global trading standards.
Backed by China’s huge domestic market and its strategic positioning, Hainan is an important hub linking the world’s second-largest economy to global markets.
The Hainan PCT is poised to become “a key gateway leading China into a new era of opening up,” said Chi Fulin, head of the China Institute of Reform and Development Studies.
With the approach of the launch of the separate customs control regime, the political system of the PST was formed, based on such features as zero tariffs, low tax rates, a simplified tax system and facilitated movement of production factors.
For companies based in Lecheng, the zero-tariff policy on medical imports has saved nearly 8.2 million yuan (about $1.14 million) in duties since December 2024.
The launch of separate customs control will be a concrete step towards creating an important gateway for China’s high-level opening up, Chi Fulin noted.
INSTITUTIONAL OPENNESS ATTRACTS FOREIGN CAPITAL
Since the Hainan FCT has prioritized institutional integration and coordination in trade, financial and regulatory systems, experts believe that this will create a strong driving force for the development of the FCT and contribute to China’s high-level opening-up expansion strategy.
Official data show that Hainan Province has implemented a total of 158 institutional innovations to date. These reforms include technology-enhanced government tenders, a one-stop shop for business licenses, and the establishment of a dedicated IP zone to support the breeding industry.
The Hainan Free Trade Zone serves not only as a testing ground for the free movement of goods, services and data, but also as a front for innovation in regulation and mechanisms, said Zhou Xiaochuan, vice chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia (BOA).
With an optimized business environment, Hainan has become a leading destination for foreign investment, ranking among the best in the country in terms of its performance. In 2024, the number of foreign-invested enterprises in Hainan increased by 19.2 percent year-on-year, and the volume of foreign direct investment attracted allowed the region to rise to 10th place in the country.
To date, Hainan has attracted investment from 158 countries and regions, and its economic openness ratio – the ratio of total foreign trade to GRP – has more than doubled from 17.3 percent in 2018 to 35 percent in 2024.
The province’s landmark events such as BAF, a leading platform advocating for openness and multilateral cooperation, and the China International Consumer Goods Expo, the largest consumer expo in the Asia-Pacific region, offer dynamic opportunities for global investors to observe China’s evolving opening-up agenda.
LVMH’s luxury retail arm DFS made its largest single investment in 60 years in 2024, opening a landmark complex in Yalong Bay in Sanya, Hainan’s famous tropical resort city. The project will combine luxury retail, hotels and entertainment to create a premier luxury shopping and tourism destination.
“The Hainan FTA represents China’s commitment to high-standard opening-up,” said DFS China President Nancy Liu.
China’s special economic zones, such as the Hainan Free Trade Zone and the 21 pilot free trade zones, serve as key drivers of industrial transformation and opening-up, Chi Fulin stressed, noting their role as “growth accelerators for both regional and global economies.”
Once the separate customs control is put into effect, the Hainan FCP will create key opportunities for international enterprises to more effectively access China’s domestic market and play a greater role in strengthening market connectivity with global markets through regulatory harmonization focused on trade in services, he added. -0-
In a powerful convergence of hope, action, and purpose, more than 1,000 young change-makers, policymakers, philanthropists, and development partners from across Africa came together in Nairobi on Wednesday to mark the opening of CorpsAfrica’s (www.CorpsAfrica.org) 2025 All-Country Conference (ACC 2025).
Download document (1): https://apo-opa.co/3ZIHAbQ
Download document (2): https://apo-opa.co/3ZJ4Pm9
Under the theme ‘Leading with Ubuntu: African Youth Transforming the Continent,’ speakers at the ACC 2025 unanimously called for African governments to institutionalize youth volunteerism as a pillar of national development. They urged policymakers to create enabling environments while aligning volunteer programs with broader socio-economic objectives, including job creation, civic engagement, and education.
“At a time when Africa’s youth are calling for meaningful opportunities and a voice in shaping their future, we stand firm in our belief that they are the solution. Our vision is to cultivate a generation of African leaders—rooted in community and committed to sparking sustainable change from the grassroots up,” said Liz Fanning, Founder and CEO of CorpsAfrica.
CorpsAfrica’s ACC 2025 is the organisation’s flagship biennial gathering, uniting diverse stakeholders to champion and accelerate youth-driven development across Africa. Building on the momentum of the ACC 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda, this year’s five-day summit aims to elevate the role of African youth—not just as leaders of tomorrow but as present-day catalysts for community-led, youth-driven transformation.
Hosted at the Kenya School of Government, ACC 2025 brings together CorpsAfrica Volunteers, alumni, and staff from all 11 operating countries—Kenya, Malawi, Ghana, Rwanda, Morocco, Senegal, Ethiopia, Uganda, The Gambia, South Africa, and Côte d’Ivoire —marking a continental milestone in celebrating the power of volunteerism, African philanthropy, and youth innovation.
“Since 2011, we’ve deployed over 1,000 African volunteers to under-resourced rural communities—not to impose solutions, but to listen, collaborate, and implement low-cost, high-impact community-led projects rooted in Indigenous knowledge. These aren’t just projects; they’re transformative platforms for human-centered design and asset-based community development,” emphasized Dr. Samora Otieno, CorpsAfrica’s Chief of Programs.
The results speak volumes: CorpsAfrica volunteers have spearheaded more than Over 10,500 social and economic activities and 425 small-scale, high-impact community projects since 2021, improving the lives of nearly 2 million people. From education and clean water access to food security and youth entrepreneurship, these grassroots efforts tackle Africa’s most pressing challenges—one community at a time.
CorpsAfrica’s ACC 2025 convenes in Nairobi at a pivotal moment, as Africa’s youth champion calls for expanded access to employment, entrepreneurship, and meaningful economic inclusion. Africa is the world’s youngest continent, with more than 70% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population under the age of 30 – yet faces a youth unemployment crisis of staggering proportions.
For example, Kenya’s youth unemployment rate exceeds 38%, while Nigeria and South Africa grapple with even higher rates of 42% and 46% respectively.
The conference aligns with global recognition of volunteerism’s transformative potential—including the UN Volunteers’ 2022 State of the World’s Volunteerism Report, which urges nations to formally recognize volunteer time as a measurable national economic asset.
“We must reframe volunteerism – not as unpaid work, but as transformative leadership and professional development that accelerates public service for the 21st century” emphasized Dr. Patricia King’ori-Mugendi, Country Director of CorpsAfrica/Kenya. ”
CorpsAfrica envisions ACC 2025 as the catalyst for a fundamental shift—harnessing African philanthropy to scale grassroots innovation across the continent. The June 16-20, 2025 gathering embodies Ubuntu principles through its commitment to pan-African knowledge exchange and collaborative action.
Beyond conventional conferences, ACC 2025 delivers actionable outcomes: from youth investment policy dialogues to hands-on social enterprise incubators and community innovation demonstrations. This initiative re-frames the youth empowerment conversation, positioning volunteerism not as an alternative but as a strategic springboard to meaningful employment, entrepreneurial success, and values-driven leadership.
Participants attended robust professional development workshops and received a professional certificate to accelerate their careers on completion of their Volunteer service and become CorpsAfrica Alumni.
The Government of Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment and innovation during the conference. Hon. Salim Mvurya, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sport, challenged African nations to break free from donor dependency, urging a collaborative approach where governments, local businesses, diaspora networks, and communities jointly invest in youth volunteerism programs that deliver tangible opportunities, social inclusion, and dignity.
‘Africa’s youth have spoken with unmistakable clarity,’ Mvurya declared. ‘They want jobs – not handouts; platforms – not patronage; and action – not promises. As policymakers, we recognize this reality. Young people aren’t waiting – they’re building. CorpsAfrica’s model proves what happens when we equip youth with both trust and tools to lead.’
As the premier organization equipping young Africans to lead sustainable change in their communities, CorpsAfrica demonstrates a transformative model of development – conceived by Africans, led by Africans, and implemented by Africans.
‘The All-Country Conference sends a clear message to our youth. As Africa’s true transformation architects, your place isn’t just in boardrooms – it’s in villages, farms, classrooms, and clinics. Real leadership begins where people live, work, and struggle@, concluded Dr. King’ori-Mugendi.
CorpsAfrica is redefining volunteerism as a powerful professional pathway. By embedding service into education curricula, employment systems, and national development frameworks, CorpsAfrica is creating an ecosystem where community-driven solutions become Africa’s sustainable growth engine.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of CorpsAfrica.
About CorpsAfrica:
Founded in 2011, CorpsAfrica recruits and trains ambitious young Africans to serve as volunteers in remote, under-resourced communities in their own countries. These volunteers facilitate small-scale, high-impact projects that are identified by local people and designed through a process of community-led development and human-centered design. Learn more at www.CorpsAfrica.org.
Source: NATO
Representatives from NATO’s Defence and Security Cooperation Directorate met with Armenia’s Deputy Chief of Defence, Major General Arthur Yeroyan, and the leadership of the Armenian Armed Forces’ education institutions in Yerevan, on 9 and 10 June 2025. Following a request from Armenia’s Ministry of Defence, a team of experts of NATO’s Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP) conducted an assessment of the Armenian military education system, earlier this year. During the visit in June the DEEP team presented the assessment’s results and recommendations to the Armenian Deputy Chief of Defence.
Armenia is currently developing a new military education concept and doctrinal basis for its armed forces, in line with Western standards. NATO and Armenia will prioritise their cooperation on doctrine development, the approach to combined arms, strategic leadership, and on the drafting of a human resources concept for all different officer ranks and career paths.
NATO’s Defence Education Enhancement Programme is supporting the continued professionalisation of the Armenian security and defence structures, through institution building and faculty development activities, including by modernising the Language Centre and establishing an eLearning Centre in the national Military Academy. Additional efforts are being carried out to consolidate the National Defence Research University as strategic level military education institution and to boost the development of a NCO corps, with the aim to enhance the ability of Armenian personnel to work alongside NATO.
Armenian Deputy Chief of Defence, Major General Arthur Yeroyan, underscored that the support provided by NATO through its Defence Education Enhancement Programme is key for the ongoing modernisation efforts of the Armenian forces and defence institutions.
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
An unprecedented heatwave has gripped Kashmir, with temperatures exceeding 35°C for the past few days.
Srinagar city recorded a high of 35.2°C on Thursday — the highest June temperature in the past two decades. Jammu city, too, saw a maximum of 36.5°C, narrowing the temperature gap between the two cities to just 1.3°C.
The heat wave has caused a sharp drop in the water level of the Jhelum River, the Valley’s main water body. Originating at the Verinag Spring in Anantnag district and flowing into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) via Uri in Baramulla district, the Jhelum has been severely affected.
With perennial water reservoirs in the mountains already depleted due to reduced snowfall in winter, water levels in streams, rivers, lakes, springs, and wells across the Valley have alarmingly diminished.
Farmers in Ganderbal, Srinagar, Budgam, Bandipora, Kupwara, Baramulla, Shopian, Kulgam, and Anantnag districts are already reporting water shortages for their paddy fields and apple orchards. Paddy crops, especially in higher areas, have begun to suffer due to inadequate irrigation.
Paddy requires substantial water until the grains mature, and only during ripening and harvest can farmers allow their fields to dry. Apple orchards also require regular irrigation during the fruiting season; insufficient water leads to apples that lack color, succulence, and have a much shorter shelf life.
While occasional rainfall in April and May had temporarily compensated for reduced water discharge in local rivers and streams, the current heat wave is worsening the situation.
The Meteorological Department, however, offered some relief. A Met office forecast on Friday said, “Weather is likely to remain mainly dry in the Kashmir division with isolated light rain in the Jammu division during the next 24 hours. Scattered to fairly widespread light rain is likely to occur across J&K in the following two days.”
Meanwhile, the School Education Department has announced a 10-day summer break starting July 1.
IANS
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
An unprecedented heatwave has gripped Kashmir, with temperatures exceeding 35°C for the past few days.
Srinagar city recorded a high of 35.2°C on Thursday — the highest June temperature in the past two decades. Jammu city, too, saw a maximum of 36.5°C, narrowing the temperature gap between the two cities to just 1.3°C.
The heat wave has caused a sharp drop in the water level of the Jhelum River, the Valley’s main water body. Originating at the Verinag Spring in Anantnag district and flowing into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) via Uri in Baramulla district, the Jhelum has been severely affected.
With perennial water reservoirs in the mountains already depleted due to reduced snowfall in winter, water levels in streams, rivers, lakes, springs, and wells across the Valley have alarmingly diminished.
Farmers in Ganderbal, Srinagar, Budgam, Bandipora, Kupwara, Baramulla, Shopian, Kulgam, and Anantnag districts are already reporting water shortages for their paddy fields and apple orchards. Paddy crops, especially in higher areas, have begun to suffer due to inadequate irrigation.
Paddy requires substantial water until the grains mature, and only during ripening and harvest can farmers allow their fields to dry. Apple orchards also require regular irrigation during the fruiting season; insufficient water leads to apples that lack color, succulence, and have a much shorter shelf life.
While occasional rainfall in April and May had temporarily compensated for reduced water discharge in local rivers and streams, the current heat wave is worsening the situation.
The Meteorological Department, however, offered some relief. A Met office forecast on Friday said, “Weather is likely to remain mainly dry in the Kashmir division with isolated light rain in the Jammu division during the next 24 hours. Scattered to fairly widespread light rain is likely to occur across J&K in the following two days.”
Meanwhile, the School Education Department has announced a 10-day summer break starting July 1.
IANS
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
BEIJING, June 21 (Xinhua) — The Samarkand branch of the China-Central Asia Belt and Road Joint Laboratory for Humanity and Environment Studies recently successfully held its second course on Chinese-Uzbek archaeological technology, according to the website of the Institute of Cultural Heritage of Northwest China University (Shaanxi Province, northwest China).
The event was organized by the above-mentioned university and the International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage “Silk Road” of Uzbekistan /hereinafter referred to as the Silk Road University/. The course was attended by 32 teachers and students from the Silk Road University, Samarkand State University, Samarkand Archaeological Institute and Samarkand State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering.
The course participants were given lectures by Chinese archaeologists. They told the participants about the principles of analysis of osteochemical and molecular paleobiological technologies, as well as their application and the latest achievements in the field of studying the life models of the ancient population of Central Asia, human migration and genetic evolution, as well as the origin and spread of domesticated animals. Subsequently, in the joint laboratory, Chinese archaeologists familiarized the participants in detail with the procedures for processing samples and the basics of working with devices, conducting practical classes on sample preparation using the bone remains of animals discovered by the joint Chinese-Uzbek archaeological team.
At the end of the course, Professor Wang Jianxin, Chief Researcher of the Silk Road Joint Archaeological Research Center of Northwest University of China, and Professor Mastura Sidikova, Dean of the Faculty of History and Cultural Heritage of Silk Road University, presented certificates to the participants. Wang Jianxin noted that modern scientific methods make it possible to extract rich historical and cultural information from archaeological sites. He expressed hope that the course would enable the participants to gain a basic understanding of the principles and standards of archaeological technology, awaken interest in this field and the desire to devote themselves to the protection of cultural heritage and archaeological research in Uzbekistan in order to become experts in this field. He also invited the participants to study and exchange experiences at Northwest University of China.
Mastura Sidikova thanked Northwestern University for establishing an international joint laboratory at the Silk Road University, deepening academic cooperation and organizing major international scientific conferences that have caused a wide resonance in academic circles. She was sincerely pleased with the increase in the number of participants in the current course and expressed hope for strengthening cooperation to create more advanced platforms and opportunities in the field of training international talents. -0-
Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region
The Acting Commissioner for Census and Statistics, Mr Tim Chau, officiated at the prize presentation ceremony of the 2024/25 Statistical Project Competition (SPC) for Secondary School Students of the Hong Kong Statistical Society today (June 21). Principal Assistant Secretary for Education Ms Edith Tse also attended as an officiating guest. The President of the Hong Kong Statistical Society, Professor Chan Ngai-hang; the Chief Adjudicator of the competition, Professor Cheung Ka-chun; the Chief Strategy Officer of Hang Seng Indexes Company Limited (sponsor of the competition), Ms Candy Lam; representative of the Department of Decision Analytics and Operations of the City University of Hong Kong (sponsor of the thematic prize), Ms Teresa Ng; and representative of the Division of Science, Engineering and Health Studies of the College of Professional and Continuing Education of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (sponsor of the thematic prize), Dr Anthony Loh, also presented prizes to the winning teams and extended their congratulations to every member of the teams.
In his address at the prize presentation ceremony, Mr Chau emphasised that it is even more important for students to learn how to discern the reliability of statistical figures in today’s era of information explosion. Statistical knowledge not only helps students interpret data but also enables them to identify potential biases and misleading information within the data. He pointed out that quality statistical results are usually based on scientific statistical theories and methods, as well as logical analysis. He encouraged students to contribute to society by fully utilising their statistical knowledge as a valuable technical resource, and by harnessing their analytical capabilities and creative thinking.
This edition of the competition received an encouraging response of 221 statistical projects from about 850 secondary school students, covering a broad spectrum of topics. Participating students were able to utilise official statistics as the main source of data to analyse and interpret social and economic issues in Hong Kong.
The 2024/25 SPC, co-organised by the Hong Kong Statistical Society and the Education Bureau, is the 39th edition of the competition. The Commissioner for Census and Statistics is the patron of the competition. Over the past years, many statistician-grade staff members of the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) have actively participated in the organisation and professional adjudication of the SPC in the capacity of members of the Hong Kong Statistical Society, with the aim of improving statistical literacy among secondary school students and promoting the application and importance of statistics in society. This fully demonstrates that the C&SD attaches great importance and commitment to nurturing young talent.
The key objectives of the competition are to promote the interest of secondary school students in research methods, statistics and statistical techniques; encourage students to understand the local community in a scientific and objective manner through the proper use of statistics; and promote a sense of civic awareness.
Members of the public are welcome to visit the webpage of the competition for the list of winners this year (www.hkss.org.hk/index.php/spc$en).
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
LANZHOU, June 21 (Xinhua) — Sixteen high school students from Kazakhstan are currently participating in a summer camp at Lanzhou University.
During the ten days, the students will attend Chinese language classes, participate in local special cultural activities such as cooking beef noodles and making hand-made fans, and take tours along the Yellow River route and Danxia Landform, etc.
Ermek Talaptanov, a graduate of Lanzhou University, became a counselor for high school students from Kazakhstan.
Ermek Talaptanov studied Chinese at Lanzhou University for two years and after completing his studies, returned to Kazakhstan to teach Chinese and popularize Chinese culture.
Li Chunlin, dean of the Institute of International Cultural Exchanges of Lanzhou University, said that the training activities and exchanges began on June 17. He hopes that Kazakh youth will make full use of this opportunity to gain new knowledge, experience culture and make friends, and become a new generation of envoys to promote friendship between the two countries in the future. -0-
Source: ASEAN
At the invitation of the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco, Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, will lead the ASEAN Secretariat delegation for an Official Visit to Morocco, on 24-26 June 2025, covering Rabat and Casablanca. Throughout the visit, SG Dr. Kao is scheduled to meet with key high-ranking officials and stakeholders, including Ministers of the Moroccan Government, business community and private sector, academia, and students. During his visit to Rabat, SG Dr. Kao will take the opportunity to give a lecture at the Moroccan Institute of Training, Research and Diplomatic Studies (IMFRED). In addition, SG Dr. Kao will engage with the ASEAN Committee in Rabat to keep the Committee abreast of the latest developments in ASEAN. The Official Visit aims to further advance the ASEAN-Morocco Sectoral Dialogue Partnership.
The post Secretary-General of ASEAN to Conduct an Official Visit to the Kingdom of Morocco appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Source: ASEAN
At the invitation of the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco, Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, will lead the ASEAN Secretariat delegation for an Official Visit to Morocco, on 24-26 June 2025, covering Rabat and Casablanca. Throughout the visit, SG Dr. Kao is scheduled to meet with key high-ranking officials and stakeholders, including Ministers of the Moroccan Government, business community and private sector, academia, and students. During his visit to Rabat, SG Dr. Kao will take the opportunity to give a lecture at the Moroccan Institute of Training, Research and Diplomatic Studies (IMFRED). In addition, SG Dr. Kao will engage with the ASEAN Committee in Rabat to keep the Committee abreast of the latest developments in ASEAN. The Official Visit aims to further advance the ASEAN-Morocco Sectoral Dialogue Partnership.
The post Secretary-General of ASEAN to Conduct an Official Visit to the Kingdom of Morocco appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu called Prime Minister Narendra Modi a visionary for transforming yoga into a global wellness movement.
The Chief Minister highlighted the global recognition of the International Day of Yoga since its adoption by the United Nations. He credited Prime Minister Modi’s leadership for this achievement, noting that Yoga Day is now celebrated at over 12 lakh venues across 175 countries, with participation from 10 crore people worldwide.
Naidu was speaking at the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations in Visakhapatnam, where he joined the Prime Minister, central and state ministers, the Governor, and others in performing the Common Yoga Protocol.
Naidu praised PM Modi for popularizing yoga not only in India but around the world.
“Yoga is accepted by everyone, irrespective of nationality, region, religion, or language. Yoga unites the body, mind, and spirit. It benefits physical health, mental well-being, and stress management; boosts immunity; and enhances self-confidence, self-discovery, personal growth, mindfulness, and inner peace. This leads to reduced violence and promotes peace,” said Naidu.
He noted that technologies like Artificial Intelligence have made yoga more inclusive and accessible.
Naidu thanked the Prime Minister for giving Andhra Pradesh the opportunity to host the event, calling it historic. He pointed out that over 3 lakh people participated in a yoga session held along a 28-km stretch from Visakhapatnam to Bhogapuram.
He added that during the month-long campaign ‘Yogandhra’, more than 1.44 lakh yoga teachers were trained. The campaign registered over 2.17 crore participants at 1.4 lakh locations, with 1.7 crore certificates being issued.
He announced that 22,122 tribal students created a Guinness World Record by simultaneously performing Surya Namaskar in Visakhapatnam on Friday.
Expressing delight over the organization of global competitions focused on yoga, Naidu said the Yoga Super League would be held in September.
He also urged the Prime Minister to use his influence to include yoga in the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and eventually, the Olympic Games. He remarked that the Prime Minister can “break any record and make history.”
“Yoga has achieved mass momentum. We must ensure it becomes a part of our daily lives,” the Chief Minister said, appealing to the youth to practice yoga for one hour every day.
“Young people should see yoga not just as exercise but as a powerful tool to enhance focus, discipline, and creativity in a rapidly evolving digital world. With regular practice, you will witness a miracle in your lives,” he said.
Stating that a healthy, wealthy, and happy Andhra Pradesh is the goal of the Swarnandhra vision, he added that it aligns with Viksit Bharat.
Naidu noted that PM Modi has revived yoga, naturopathy, and Ayurveda, and is promoting green energy, Swachh Bharat, and natural farming. He said the Prime Minister’s vision extends beyond a healthy global community to a healthy planet.
IANS
Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Inspector Danny Meade:
A 44-year-old man faces a number of charges after crashing a stolen vehicle in Pakuranga this morning following a string of burglaries.
The man is thought to have been responsible for seven reported burglaries, stealing two cars, and getting into three crashes, between around 5:10am and 5:50am today.
It began in Udys Road where Police received a call from someone reporting an unknown man had broken into their house, and a physical confrontation took place. Fortunately there were no injuries, and the man left on foot.
Within minutes, Police received two further separate reports from residents on Udys Road – one reporting a man trying to force entry to her home, and a second reporting their front door being smashed.
Residents of a Pakuranga Road property called Police just after 5:30am, reporting that an unknown man had forced entry into their house armed with a knife. There were no injuries reported, before the man left.
Around 5:40am, Police were made aware of an incident on Grammar School Road, where they had seen a person run off towards their neighbour’s about 10 minutes earlier.
By this stage, a Police dog unit was in the area and had come across the man on a separate Grammar School Road property.
Minutes later, Police received another call from someone reporting the man had kicked in the front door to their house and was smashing items inside.
He stole this person’s car keys and drove off in their vehicle, crashing through a gate and onto Pakuranga Road, then onto Udys Road.
A Police unit was in the vicinity, before the vehicle crashed at the intersection of Udys Road and Reeves Road.
The man has then stolen another car from a property on Reeves Road, which Police pursued for a short time before it crashed at the intersection of Ti Rakau Drive and Tiraumea Drive, causing significant damage to a fence.
The man ran off on foot, before being arrested a short time later.
He will appear in court at a later date.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –
Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News
MINSK, June 21 /Xinhua/ — The Faculty of Economics of the Belarusian State University (BSU) held a ceremony on Wednesday to present a special issue of the New Economy magazine dedicated to the PRC, the faculty’s press service reported.
This edition publishes the results of dissertation research in economic sciences. The special issue includes scientific articles by students, postgraduates and teachers of the economic faculty of BSU on Belarusian-Chinese economic relations. The authors of the studies included in it were awarded the first copies of the special issue.
During the ceremony, the Dean of the Faculty of Economics of BSU Anna Koroleva emphasized the importance of academic interaction within the framework of international scientific cooperation and the development of applied research in the field of the Chinese economy.
The Cultural Advisor of the Chinese Embassy in Belarus, Xia Guangyuan, congratulated the students, postgraduates and their academic supervisors on the publication. “The special issue, containing 35 in-depth scientific articles, is not only a comprehensive analysis of the complex modern economic picture, but also a rich fruit of the joint efforts of Chinese and Belarusian scientists in the intellectual sphere,” the diplomat noted.
He stressed that the two countries are facing unprecedented pressures and choices in the face of global uncertainty, but it is precisely in the challenges that new opportunities for restructuring and development lie.
The magazine’s editor-in-chief, Viktor Saevich, noted that the Chinese economy is open, inclusive and dynamic, and that studying the Chinese economic model is of reference value for all countries in the world.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Faculty of Economics and the Rectorate of BSU, the Embassy of China in Belarus, the magazine “New Economy”, as well as partners of the faculty and the publication. –0–
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 21, 2025.
Former New Zealand PM Helen Clark blames Cook Islands for crisis
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific presenter/producer Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark believes the Cook Islands, a realm of New Zealand, caused a crisis for itself by not consulting Wellington before signing a deal with China. The New Zealand government has paused more than $18 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands after
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15 months after ‘flour massacre’ shock, Israel commits daily Gaza food aid killings
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ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 20, 2025
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 20, 2025.
ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 20, 2025
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 20, 2025.
Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (4)
The 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) is set to be celebrated on a grand scale on Saturday, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the national event in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
The theme for this year is “Yoga for One Earth, One Health,” which echoes India’s vision of global wellness and reflects the integrated vision of well-being. It emphasises the interconnectedness of human and planetary health, drawing from the Indian ethos of “Sarve Santu Niramaya” (May all be free from disease).
PM Modi arrived in Visakhapatnam on Friday evening and was received by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
“#InternationalYogaDay On behalf of the people of Andhra Pradesh, I welcome Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji to our state for the celebration of International Yoga Day tomorrow. All the districts of Andhra Pradesh are geared up to participate in the grand culmination of #Yogandhra!” the Andhra CM said in a post on X.
According to the Ministry of AYUSH, the Prime Minister will perform the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP) with over 3 lakh participants at the Visakhapatnam venue, synchronised with over 10 lakh locations across the country under the ‘Yoga Sangam’ initiative.
The mass demonstration will be held from 6:30 to 7:45 AM and is expected to attract unprecedented participation from across the country.
He will be joined by Union Minister of State (IC) for AYUSH and Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav, along with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, in a massive demonstration of India’s global wellness vision.
More than 2 crore people are expected to participate in yoga sessions at over 1 lakh locations across the state.
The Government of Andhra Pradesh is also coordinating a Guinness World Record attempt to mark the occasion.
Additionally, the Andhra Pradesh government will award over 50 lakh yoga certificates to registered participants, making this decadal edition of IDY a truly historic moment in India’s health and wellness journey.
As part of the celebrations in Visakhapatnam, a remarkable Surya Namaskar programme was organised at Andhra University today, where around 25,000 tribal children performed 108 Surya Namaskars in 108 minutes. This unique initiative highlighted the enthusiastic participation of tribal communities and reflected yoga’s deepening reach at the grassroots level.
Delhi, too, is set to actively participate in the national celebration. Yoga events will be held at 109 locations across the capital, including a grand programme at the historic Red Fort on Saturday.
Organised by Brahma Kumaris in collaboration with the Ministry of AYUSH, and supported by the Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga and the Archaeological Survey of India, the Red Fort event will highlight the theme “Yoga for One Earth, One Health.”
To ensure the inclusive reach of yoga’s benefits, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a letter to all Gram Pradhans, noting, “It is a matter of pride that yoga has positively transformed lives not only in India but across the world.”
As in previous editions of IDY, the Prime Minister’s message has infused Gram Panchayats with renewed enthusiasm, resulting in a significant rise in yoga-related activities at the grassroots level, particularly in Panchayats, Anganwadis, and Community Health Centres. The introduction of 10 Signature Events to encourage public participation for IDY 2025 has elicited an unprecedented response from across the country and abroad.
Against the target of 1 lakh registrations for the June 21 event, more than 11 lakh organisations and groups have registered for the Yoga Sangam event at their respective places through the Yoga portal of the Ministry of AYUSH.
Rajasthan topped the list with 2.25 lakh registrations, followed by three more states that crossed the 1 lakh registration mark.
To honour this milestone year, the Ministry of AYUSH has conceptualised 10 Signature Events, rolled out over 100 days. These events cater to different sections of society and showcase the evolving landscape of yoga in India and abroad.
They include Yoga Sangam, which involves mass yoga demonstrations across over 1,00,000 locations alongside the national event; Yoga Bandhan, which includes international collaborations and the exchange of yoga delegations; Harit Yoga, which integrates yoga with environmental actions like tree plantations and cleanliness drives; and Yoga Park, which involves upgrading public parks into dedicated yoga spaces.
It also includes Yoga Samavesh, an inclusive yoga outreach with customised protocols for marginalised groups; Yoga Prabhava, a comprehensive 10-year impact report on IDY and its societal outcomes; Yoga Connect, a global online yoga summit held on June 14, featuring global experts and policymakers; Yoga Unplugged, youth-centric campaigns combining tech, trends, and traditional yoga; Yoga Maha Kumbh, a series of large-scale events celebrating yoga’s cultural and spiritual dimensions; and Samyoga, which showcases the integration of yoga evidence with modern healthcare practices.
The decadal celebration is being coordinated through a Whole-of-Government approach, involving ministries, departments, state governments, urban local bodies, and Indian missions abroad.
Preparatory activities have been ongoing for weeks, with special drives, yoga camps, and competitions organised by various government bodies.
Globally, Indian embassies and cultural centres are actively conducting yoga demonstrations and awareness campaigns, further strengthening India’s cultural diplomacy and leadership in wellness. With its strong foundation over the past ten years and enthusiastic participation from all sectors, IDY 2025 is poised to be a landmark moment in India’s wellness journey.
The message is clear — yoga is not only a gift from India to the world but also a pathway to a healthier, more harmonious, and sustainable future for all.
(ANI)
Source: US Department of Homeland Security
This criminal illegal alien faces federal charges including attempted murder of a federal officer and assault of a federal officer with infliction of bodily injury
WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the arrest of Gabriel Hurtado-Cariaco, a criminal illegal alien and Tren de Aragua gang member who violently attacked a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agent and an FBI special agent.
“This Venezuelan national is a criminal illegal alien and Tren de Aragua gang member who violently attacked an ICE and FBI agent and has been charged with attempted murder,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Our ICE agents are facing a 500% increase surge in assaults against them. Our brave law enforcement puts their lives on the line every day to arrest terrorists, gang members, and other violent criminals that the previous administration released into American communities. Secretary Noem has been clear: anyone who assaults an ICE law enforcement officer will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
On June 18, ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Omaha led an operation to arrest Gabriel Hurtado-Cariaco, a known Tren de Aragua terrorist, in Bellevue, Nebraska. As ICE and their law enforcement partners attempted to take him into custody, Hurtado-Cariaco launched a brutal and premeditated assault on an ICE HSI special agent.
During the attack, the illegal alien threw the ICE agent to the ground, slammed her head into the pavement, ripped off her body armor, and made repeated and physical violent contact. The agent sustained serious injuries to her head and arm and was immediately transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for treatment. The agent has since been released from the hospital and is recovering at home. Hurtado-Cariaco also assaulted an FBI agent during the incident.
Following the attack, Hurtado-Cariaco fled the scene but was apprehended approximately an hour later in the immediate area by ICE and coordinated law enforcement teams.
The Department of Justice charged Gabriel Hurtado-Cariaco—an illegal alien from Venezuela—with attempted murder of a federal officer and assault of a federal officer with infliction of bodily injury.
Hurtado-Cariaco entered the U.S. illegally in 2023—and Border Patrol removed him. In 2024—under the Biden administration—he re-entered the U.S. illegally and was released into the country with a notice to appear.
# # #
Source: US Department of Homeland Security
This criminal illegal alien faces federal charges including attempted murder of a federal officer and assault of a federal officer with infliction of bodily injury
WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the arrest of Gabriel Hurtado-Cariaco, a criminal illegal alien and Tren de Aragua gang member who violently attacked a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agent and an FBI special agent.
“This Venezuelan national is a criminal illegal alien and Tren de Aragua gang member who violently attacked an ICE and FBI agent and has been charged with attempted murder,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Our ICE agents are facing a 500% increase surge in assaults against them. Our brave law enforcement puts their lives on the line every day to arrest terrorists, gang members, and other violent criminals that the previous administration released into American communities. Secretary Noem has been clear: anyone who assaults an ICE law enforcement officer will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
On June 18, ICE Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Omaha led an operation to arrest Gabriel Hurtado-Cariaco, a known Tren de Aragua terrorist, in Bellevue, Nebraska. As ICE and their law enforcement partners attempted to take him into custody, Hurtado-Cariaco launched a brutal and premeditated assault on an ICE HSI special agent.
During the attack, the illegal alien threw the ICE agent to the ground, slammed her head into the pavement, ripped off her body armor, and made repeated and physical violent contact. The agent sustained serious injuries to her head and arm and was immediately transported to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for treatment. The agent has since been released from the hospital and is recovering at home. Hurtado-Cariaco also assaulted an FBI agent during the incident.
Following the attack, Hurtado-Cariaco fled the scene but was apprehended approximately an hour later in the immediate area by ICE and coordinated law enforcement teams.
The Department of Justice charged Gabriel Hurtado-Cariaco—an illegal alien from Venezuela—with attempted murder of a federal officer and assault of a federal officer with infliction of bodily injury.
Hurtado-Cariaco entered the U.S. illegally in 2023—and Border Patrol removed him. In 2024—under the Biden administration—he re-entered the U.S. illegally and was released into the country with a notice to appear.
# # #
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific presenter/producer
Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark believes the Cook Islands, a realm of New Zealand, caused a crisis for itself by not consulting Wellington before signing a deal with China.
The New Zealand government has paused more than $18 million in development assistance to the Cook Islands after the latter failed to provide satisfactory answers to Aotearoa’s questions about its partnership agreement with Beijing.
The Cook Islands is in free association with New Zealand and governs its own affairs. But New Zealand provides assistance with foreign affairs (upon request), disaster relief, and defence.
The 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration signed between the two nations requires them to consult each other on defence and security, which Foreign Minister Winston Peters said had not been honoured.
Peters and Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown both have a difference of opinion on the level of consultation required between the two nations on such matters.
“There is no way that the 2001 declaration envisaged that Cook Islands would enter into a strategic partnership with a great power behind New Zealand’s back,” Clark told RNZ Pacific on Thursday.
Clark was a signatory of the 2001 agreement with the Cook Islands as New Zealand prime minister at the time.
“It is the Cook Islands government’s actions which have created this crisis,” she said.
Urgent need for dialogue
“The urgent need now is for face-to-face dialogue at a high level to mend the NZ-CI relationship.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has downplayed the pause in funding to the Cook Islands during his second day of his trip to China.
Brown told Parliament on Thursday (Wednesday, Cook Islands time) that his government knew the funding cut was coming.
He also suggested a double standard, pointing out that New Zealand had also entered deals with China that the Cook Islands was not “privy to or being consulted on”.
A Pacific law expert says that, while New Zealand has every right to withhold its aid to the Cook Islands, the way it is going about it will not endear it to Pacific nations.
Auckland University of Technology senior law lecturer and a former Pacific Islands Forum advisor Sione Tekiteki told RNZ Pacific that for Aotearoa to keep highlighting that it is “a Pacific country and yet posture like the United States gives mixed messages”.
“Obviously, Pacific nations in true Pacific fashion will not say much, but they are indeed thinking it,” Tekiteki said.
Misunderstanding of agreement
Since day dot there has been a misunderstanding on what the 2001 agreement legally required New Zealand and Cook Islands to consult on, and the word consultation has become somewhat of a sticking point.
The latest statement from the Cook Islands government confirms it is still a discrepancy both sides want to hash out.
“There has been a breakdown and difference in the interpretation of the consultation requirements committed to by the two governments in the 2001 Joint Centenary Declaration,” the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) said.
“An issue that the Cook Islands is determined to address as a matter of urgency”.
Tekiteki said that, unlike a treaty, the 2001 declaration was not “legally binding” per se but serves more to express the intentions, principles and commitments of the parties to work together in “recognition of the close traditional, cultural and social ties that have existed between the two countries for many hundreds of years”.
He said the declaration made it explicitly clear that Cook Islands had full conduct of its foreign affairs, capacity to enter treaties and international agreements in its own right and full competence of its defence and security.
However, he added that there was a commitment of the parties to “consult regularly”.
This, for Clark, the New Zealand leader who signed the all-important agreement more than two decades ago, is where Brown misstepped.
Clark previously labelled the Cook Islands-China deal “clandestine” which has “damaged” its relationship with New Zealand.
RNZ Pacific contacted the Cook Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment but was advised by the MFAI secretary that they are not currently accommodating interviews.
This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
PHOENIX, June 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DataGlobal Hub, a fast-growing global media platform at the forefront of Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) news and insights, is proud to officially unveil the top speakers for Global Data & AI Virtual Tech Conference (GDAI 2025), a highly anticipated global summit convening the brightest minds in technology, innovation, and data leadership.
GDAI 2025 is scheduled for August 22nd to 24th, 2025, with the theme, “AI, Data, and the Future of Innovation,” bringing together thought leaders, professionals, and trailblazing creators from around the world to spotlight emerging technologies, transformative enterprise strategies, and the societal shifts shaping tomorrow’s workplace.
One Global Conversation: Three Tracks
GDAI 2025 will deliver practical value through three tailored conference tracks that reflect the evolving realities of data, business, and human potential:
What to Expect at GDAI 2025
Introducing conference speakers
GDAI 2025 is a global platform for possibility.
With over 100 top speakers expected, GDAI 2025 will feature dynamic keynotes, powerful panel discussions, and interactive tools designed to transform your thinking. Some of our speakers include industry leaders from top organizations like OpenAI, MetaAI, Nvidia, CNN, NBC and more
Be Part of the Future; Join the Movement
GDAI 2025 invites organizations, researchers, students, AI practitioners, and data enthusiasts to contribute to this global dialogue by registering for the conference.
Scholarship Award
Jori Glover is one of our outstanding scholarship recipients, she’s the nation’s top-ranked track and field hurdler and a D1. Jori is also a celebrated Hackathon champion, blending athletic excellence with emerging tech leadership. She was awarded our prestigious tech scholarships at the University of Southern California (USC), where she plans to pursue a major in Robotics and Gaming starting in 2026 as part of the Class of 2030.
About DataGlobal Hub
DataGlobal Hub is a global media organization dedicated to advancing data literacy and AI awareness through compelling content, thought leadership, and world-class events. Our mission is to empower individuals and organizations to thrive in an AI-driven world by connecting them with the right tools, stories, and communities.
Call to Action
We invite speakers, organizations, students, enthusiasts, and professionals to be part of this global conversation.
Learn More About DataGlobal Hub:
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/dataglobal-hub/
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Media Contact
Company Name: DataGlobal Hub
Website: https://www.dataglobalhub.org/
Contact Person: Mojeed Abisiga, CEO
Email: abisigadamilola@gmail.com
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
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Source: African Development Bank Group
(L-R) Rufus N. Darkortey, Executive Director at the African Development Bank representing The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Sudan, alongside Neil Cole, Financing Manager for South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Project Management Unit, Office of the President, Guillaume Le Bris, Head of Infrastructure and Energy, ILX Fund Management, Karen Rot-Münstermann, Evaluator General at African Development Bank Group, Adesoji Adelaja, John A. Hannah Distinguished Professor in Land Policy, Michigan State University and Global Fellow, Woodrow Wilson Center, David Kevin (DKL) Lumbila, Division Manager at the African Development Bank, Dr. Eric Kehinde Ogunleye as Director of African Development Institute, African Development Bank, during AM2025: Harnessing Africa’s Financial Capital.
Independent evaluations are essential to unlocking Africa’s domestic financial capital and driving reforms that deliver real development impact. This was the central message from a side event organized by the Independent Development Evaluation (IDEV) function of the African Development Bank Group, held during the Bank’s 2025 Annual Meetings in Abidjan.
The event, titled “Harnessing Africa’s Financial Capital for Development: Evidence from Independent Evaluations,” brought together evaluators, policymakers, economists, finance professionals, and private sector actors to explore how evaluation findings can strengthen resource mobilization, public financial management, and the efficient use of capital.
Opening the session, Karen Rot-Münstermann, Evaluator General of the Bank, emphasized the urgency of tapping Africa’s vast domestic capital in light of declining foreign aid and investment flows. Drawing from the Bank’s 2025 African Economic Outlook, she cited an annual loss of around $600 billion due to illicit financial flows and inefficiencies, while underscoring Africa’s potential to mobilize and retain up to about $1.43 trillion annually through better policies. “There is money in Africa,” she said, quoting AfDB Vice President and Chief Economist, Professor Kevin Urama. “It’s about mobilizing and valorizing it.”
Madhusoodhanan Mampuzhasseril, Division Manager at IDEV, presented key findings from three recent evaluations: a synthesis on public financial management, an impact evaluation of a public finance modernization project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and an evaluation of the Bank’s use of its public-private partnership mechanism. These findings emphasized the need for robust legal frameworks, effective IT systems, strong coordination mechanisms, and adaptation to local contexts.
A panel discussion moderated by Dr. Eric Ogunleye, Director of the Bank’s African Development Institute, featured diverse perspectives.
Rufus N. Darkortey, Executive Director at the Bank, illustrated how evaluation has driven impactful reforms in his constituency including The Gambia and Liberia, where it supported reforms that doubled the tax-to-GDP ratio and improved fiscal management. “All of that would not have been possible if evaluation had not been playing a driving role,” he emphasized.
Neil Cole, representing South Africa’s Just Energy Transition Unit, emphasized that resource mobilization must be matched with effective absorption and alignment with national priorities. “Evaluation helps us detect capacity gaps before we act,” he noted, calling for reforms grounded in evidence and institutional realities.
Representing the private sector, Guillaume Le Bris of the ILX Fund emphasized that pension-backed investments rely on credible data and institutional trust. “Evaluation is essential to de-risking investment and aligning capital with development outcomes,” he said. ILX, which has mobilized over $1.7 billion from Dutch and Danish pension funds, co-invests exclusively with multilateral development banks in emerging markets. Le Bris noted that robust evaluation systems are essential to attracting and retaining large-scale private capital.
Kevin Lumbila, Division Manager in the Bank’s Governance and Economic Reforms Department, shared results from a public finance modernization project in the DRC where integrated financial systems, new tax offices, and improved working conditions for staff led to better service delivery and a 10 percent average annual increase in revenue in participating provinces. “When citizens saw improvements like roads and waste collection, their willingness to pay taxes grew,” he explained. These outcomes, later captured in IDEV’s evaluation, demonstrate the power of adaptive, context-aware design in driving reform.
Prof. Soji Adelaja of Michigan State University, emphasized that evaluation must be embedded from the design stage, enabling meaningful adaptation. “You can’t evaluate what you didn’t set up to learn from,” he said, describing evaluation as not only a tool for accountability but also a strategic instrument for storytelling that builds public trust and boosts both public and private financing.
Panelists discussed the role of civil society and high-net-worth individuals in financing development. Prof Adelaja pointed to Nigeria’s successful raising of $340 million in a single day from private citizens, citing trust and transparency as key enablers.
Closing the session, Dr. Ogunleye urged stronger domestic resource mobilization and institutional capacity, noting that no country has developed solely on external aid. “Evaluation is not a luxury—it is a necessity. Smarter policies, better implementation, and fairer outcomes all begin with evidence,” he stressed.
The session made a compelling case for elevating evaluation as a central pillar in Africa’s financial reform agenda. It reaffirmed IDEV’s commitment to connecting evaluation with action that enhances Africa’s financial resilience and development effectiveness.
Source: Scottish Government
Funding allocated to projects working to enhance equality.
People with learning disabilities are being supported to fulfil their potential through new funding awards totalling almost £1.6 million.
The Learning Disability Support Fund is allocated to community projects working directly with people with learning disabilities to provide opportunities and build a more inclusive society.
The fund will run for 30 months from October 2025, with a total of £325,000 available for the first year and £650,000 in each of the following two years. Recipients of the first round are receiving grants of between £75,000 and £250.000. The charity get2gether is among the successful applicants and has been awarded £108,244 to support its work arranging social activities for people with learning disabilities in safe and friendly locations in Scotland.
Minister for Social Care and Mental Wellbeing Tom Arthur said:
“We want to create a society where people with learning disabilities can live fulfilling, independent and active lives and this funding will support the important work of get2gether and many other organisations which are working so hard to do just that.
“The grants will be used to provide people with education and information on matters such as accessing health services and developing safe relationships.
“In developing the fund, we have taken into account the views expressed by people with learning disabilities in recent consultation and research and we will work closely with the third sector to ensure it makes a real difference.”
Director at get2gether Mojca Becaj said:
“For a small charity like get2gether, the Scottish Government funding through the Learning Disability Support Fund is truly transformational.
“It will enable us to continue creating safe, inclusive spaces where people with learning disabilities can build friendships, relationships, and confidence as well as provide paid roles where they can step into their first paid employment — these are things that many adults take for granted but are life-changing for our members.
“We’re deeply grateful for the recognition and investment in our work and the opportunity to keep making a real difference to the lives of get2gether members.”
Natalie Kernaghan McCaughey, a get2gether ambassador said:
“I work as an ambassador at get2gether, we are a member-led charity that works with adults with disabilities. We believe everyone deserves love and friendship.
“I am a paid member of get2gether staff team, I have a lived experience of learning disability and autism. My role is to work with other members to create and co-host their own social events and make connections with each other.”
Director of Funds at Inspiring Scotland Erica Judge said:
“We know that the third sector plays a critical role in improving the lives of people with learning disabilities and we are pleased that this fund offers vital longer-term funding, ensuring projects like get2gether can plan their services for the next two and a half years.
“One of the important aspects of this fund is to help ensure people with learning disabilities’ voices are heard. Not only did people with learning disabilities inform and shape the Learning Disabilities Support Fund’s aims, their voice and experience were central to the decision-making process, and they played a key role in selecting which organisations received funding.”
BACKGROUND
Funding Awards
|
Organisation |
Funding Amount |
|
get2gether |
£108,244 |
|
Project Ability |
£81,741 |
|
People First (Scotland) |
£250,000 |
|
Neighbourhood Networks |
£91,931 |
|
Values Into Action Scotland |
£175,061 |
|
Scottish Youth Dance (YDance) |
£206,106 |
|
Dates-n-Mates |
£179,318 |
|
Values Into Action Scotland – The Scottish Assembly |
£249,998 |
|
Association for Real Change – NIN/LIN Networks |
£249,474 |
|
Total |
£1,591,873 |
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)
Today, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) hosted a special signing day ceremony for students in Georgia’s 12th District who have been accepted into one of the nation’s military service academies.
These academies include: The United States Military Academy (USMA) in West Point, New York; the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland; the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) in New London, Connecticut; the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in Kings Point, New York; and the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
During the event, Congressman Allen recognized several Georgia-12 students whose respective service academy nominations he sponsored. Congressman Allen also presented each student with a signed copy of the Congressional Record marking the occasion.
Georgia-12 students participating in the signing day event included:
Georgia-12 students unable to attend signing day:
After the event, Congressman Allen issued the following statement:
“It is extremely gratifying to nominate such qualified young leaders from our district to usher in this new generation of servicemen and women. I am honored to show our support for these selfless young students whose commitment to service and our great nation is truly remarkable. I have every confidence that these young leaders will go on to make the state of Georgia, and the United States of America, very proud.”