NewzIntel.com

Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI China: Trump says US to supply Patriot missiles to Ukraine

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

    U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the United States will send Patriot air defense missiles to Ukraine to help bolster the country’s defenses against Russian attacks.

    Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Trump explained that the European Union would purchase the missiles from the United States and then deliver them to Ukraine.

    “We basically are going to send them various pieces of very sophisticated military equipment. They are going to pay us 100 percent for that, and that’s the way we want it,” Trump said, without specifying the number of Patriot systems to be provided.

    The president also said that he plans to meet with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the coming week to discuss Ukraine and other urgent matters. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: World’s most powerful direct-drive floating wind turbine unveiled in China

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

    This undated photo shows the world’s most powerful direct-drive floating wind turbine in Fuqing, southeast China’s Fujian Province. (China Huaneng Group/Handout via Xinhua)

    China has achieved a major breakthrough in clean energy technology with the rollout of the world’s most powerful direct-drive floating wind turbine.

    Jointly developed by state-owned enterprises China Huaneng Group and Dongfang Electric Corporation, the 17-megawatt turbine officially rolled off the production line on Thursday in Fujian Province’s coastal city of Fuqing, China Huaneng Group confirmed to Xinhua on Saturday.

    A single unit can generate 68 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, enough to power approximately 40,000 households.

    The turbine will undergo real-world testing in the waters off Yangjiang, in south China’s Guangdong Province, according to China Huaneng Group.

    Boasting an operational availability rate exceeding 99 percent, the giant machine features a record-breaking 262-meter rotor diameter with a swept area of approximately 53,000 square meters, equivalent to 7.5 standard soccer fields. Towering 152 meters, its hub is almost as high as a 50-story residential building.

    The turbine can withstand extreme maritime conditions, including waves over 24 meters and typhoons at level 17. Its unique stabilization technology enables continuous power generation even when the floating platform tilts at extreme angles.

    Liu Xin, director of the offshore wind division at China Huaneng Clean Energy Research Institute, highlighted the turbine’s adaptability, noting that its integrated intelligent sensing system enables holistic stability control for safe and efficient operation in complex deep-sea environments.

    The project’s research and development team made technological breakthroughs in floating wind power system coupling simulation technology and high-fidelity model testing techniques.

    Notably, all its core components, including blades, generators and transformers, are domestically produced, with China’s first large-diameter main shaft bearing incorporated into the design.

    This technological breakthrough opens the door to harnessing China’s vast deep-sea wind resources. According to the energy research institute under the National Development and Reform Commission, while nearshore waters (5-50 meters deep) offer around 500 GW of technically developable wind capacity, deep-sea resources are estimated to be three to four times this volume.

    Data from the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) underscores the global significance, showing that over 80 percent of offshore wind resources are located in waters deeper than 60 meters.

    Floating wind power generation technology and solutions are set to further unlock the potential of deep-water wind energy, according to GWEC.

    By the end of 2024, the global installed capacity of floating wind power is expected to reach 278 megawatts, with Norway, the United Kingdom, China and France leading as the top four markets, GWEC said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: 5,000 jobs secured as construction starts on Port Talbot green steel project

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    5,000 jobs secured as construction starts on Port Talbot green steel project

    5,000 steel jobs have been secured following the start of construction on Tata Steel’s Port Talbot electric arc furnace project today.

    • Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens join Tata Group Chairman to break ground on construction of electric arc furnace that will secure thousands of jobs.
    • Latest good news shows how UK’s modern Industrial Strategy is backing Welsh industry, following landmark energy support package slashing energy costs for Tata Steel and other UK steel firms.
    • Industry Minister Sarah Jones to chair meeting of Steel Council together with industry leaders at 7Steel this morning to work towards finalising UK’s Steel Strategy.

    5,000 jobs have been secured following the start of construction on Tata Steel’s electric arc furnace (EAF) at Port Talbot steelworks today (14 July).

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will join Tata Group Chairman N. Chandrasekaran, Wales Secretary Jo Stevens and other government and company representatives to break ground on the project and start construction later today.

    The construction milestone, made possible by a £500 million UK Government grant provided as part of the improved deal for Port Talbot’s transition which the Government agreed after only 10 weeks in office, is a major win for Welsh steelmaking in the run-up to the launch of government’s Steel Strategy this year.

    This morning, Industry Minister Sarah Jones will chair a meeting of the Steel Council at 7Steel in Cardiff to work towards finalising the upcoming Steel Strategy – backed by up to £2.5 billion of investment – and reflect on a series of recent wins for the industry with senior leaders from across the sector, including British Steel and UK Steel.

    This includes slashing energy costs for steel producers via new measures announced in the UK’s modern Industrial Strategy, strengthening the UK’s steel safeguard measures to protect the industry from spikes of foreign steel imports and bolstering the UK’s procurement rules to ensure UK-made steel is considered wherever possible for use on public construction projects.

    The Government is also backing the steel sector by working closely with the US to secure the removal of 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminium, while the UK remains the only country in the world not to pay a 50 percent tariff rate.

    Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said:

    This is our Industrial Strategy in action and is great news for Welsh steelmaking backing this crucial Welsh industry, which will give certainty to local communities and thousands of local jobs for years to come.

    This government is committed to a bright future for our steel industry, which is why we provided £500 million of funding to make this project possible. Our modern Industrial Strategy has set out how we’ll back the sector even further, including by slashing energy costs for firms like Tata Steel to level the playing field, as part of our Plan for Change.

    The start of construction on Tata Steel’s EAF marks a significant step forward in Port Talbot’s transition to greener steel production, and is expected to reduce the site’s carbon emissions by around 90 percent.

    The success of the project – and Tata Group’s continued investment in British industry – is testament to the UK’s strong and valued relationship with India, following the trade deal the Government agreed with India in May which will add billions to the UK economy going forward.

    During the groundbreaking event to mark the start of construction, the Business Secretary will tour the site of the new EAF, meet with senior management at Tata Steel and take part in a demonstration with a virtual reality headset to see how the new EAF will look when operational.

    Tata Group Chairman Mr Chandrasekaran said:

    This is a proud day for Tata Group, Tata Steel and for the UK. Today’s groundbreaking marks not just the beginning of a new Electric Arc Furnace, but a new era for sustainable manufacturing in Britain. At Port Talbot, we are building the foundations of a cleaner, greener future, supporting jobs, driving innovation, and demonstrating our commitment to responsible industry leadership.

    This project is also part of Tata Group’s wider investment in the UK, across steel, automotive, and technology among others, which reflects our deep and enduring partnership with this country.

    Secretary of State for Wales Jo Stevens said:

    The UK Government acted decisively to ensure that steelmaking in Port Talbot will continue for generations to come, backing Tata Steel with £500 million to secure its future in the town, along with £80 million to support workers and the wider community. Our Steel Strategy will also deliver up to £2.5 billion of investment to rebuild the UK industry, maintain jobs and drive growth.

    The construction of Tata’ s new furnace realises the promise we made to the community, while the development of floating offshore wind, plans for a Celtic Freeport and millions more for local regeneration all mean that Port Talbot has a bright future.

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Interview with Kieran Gilbert, Sunday Agenda, Sky News

    Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

    Kieran Gilbert:

    Let’s go live to Devonport, Tasmania. Joining me is the Treasurer, Jim Chalmers. Thanks for your time. The government’s spoken so much about stabilising relations with China. Is this visit about moving beyond that now?

    Jim Chalmers:

    Good morning, Kieran.

    There couldn’t be a more important time to strengthen an economic partnership and relationship which is full of opportunity but not short of complexity either. And so, these meetings between Prime Minister Albanese and President Xi and Premier Li, CEOs and businesses from both sides of the relationship is a really important one.

    It recognises that China is a big part of our prosperity. That makes it a big and important obvious focus of our economic diplomacy, and that’s what the Prime Minister’s visit is all about.

    Gilbert:

    Do you see it, though, as not just stabilising relations anymore? This is about maybe not returning it to the equilibrium we saw during the Howard years, but closer to that than what we’ve seen in recent years?

    Chalmers:

    Certainly we want to strengthen this relationship. It’s in the interests of our economy, our workers, our businesses, our investors, to strengthen this really important relationship.

    I think around a third of our exports go to China. So, it is a really crucial part of our prosperity and a big focus of our diplomacy. That’s why the Prime Minister is there for this trip this week.

    We’ve worked really hard to stabilise this relationship. We’ve worked through issues in a calm and consistent way without compromising what’s important to us. We’ve raised issues and complexities when it’s been important that we do that. But overall, our efforts to stabilise the relationship and how to strengthen that relationship in the interests of our people and their economy, there couldn’t be a more important time to do that.

    That’s why it’s so good that Prime Minister Albanese is engaging with leaders in China, businesses in China, to try to maximise these opportunities that are so central to the relationship.

    Gilbert:

    When – you spoke about the economic importance, and it is vital – I was looking through the numbers over the weekend and the amount that iron ore itself to China provides our budget bottom line is massive. It’s actually one‑fifth of our total exports is iron ore, that commodity and that market, China. Is it too risky to have so much relying on that one market and that one commodity?

    Chalmers:

    Look, it’s a really important part of the trading relationship. No doubt about it. It’s a very good earner for Australia. We’re very supportive of the industry and its efforts to create that prosperity with that trade with China.

    But it’s not the only part of the story. As Cameron rightly identified in his cross a moment ago, there are a number of elements to this economic relationship. Whether it be tourism, whether it be mining and resources.

    There are a whole range of industries where a more prosperous, a more productive, constructive relationship will bear fruit for a whole range of our industries. Not just mining, as important as that is.

    Gilbert:

    With tourism, you touched on it, the Prime Minister’s going to be overseeing the launch of that next phase of a big campaign trying to get more tourists here from China. They spend more, apparently than other comparable visitors from other nations. So, obviously lucrative to tourism in the state where you are, Tassie, and beyond. Tell me, do you think that we can get those numbers back to where they were pre‑COVID?

    Chalmers:

    It’s certainly our objective to make the most out of our wonderful tourism industry.

    I’m coming to you from Tasmania today and Tasmania’s tourism industry is world‑class. As is the industry, the tourism industry, right around Australia – my home state of Queensland, every part of our country has a good story to tell the world when it comes to attracting tourists. It’s a very important earner for our economy. It’s a very important employer. And I think it’s a terrific thing that the Prime Minister has made this an important part of the discussions that he is having in China.

    We want tourists here, we want them spending money in our economy. We want that to employ more Australians in good, well‑paid jobs. And that’s why it’s a central focus of his trip.

    Gilbert:

    You’re heading to the G20 in South Africa later this week. How crucial are those multilateral forums, those groups, now, in a very uncertain world, the world of tariffs from the United States and Donald Trump? Do you see it as even more important to try and build the ties in settings like the G20?

    Chalmers:

    More important than ever. Australia is a big believer in multinational forums and a big beneficiary of the contribution that we can make there. The global economic environment, the uncertainty, the volatility, the unpredictability in the global environment I think will be the primary influence that will shape and constrain the government’s choices in this second term.

    We are trying to navigate together a world where conflict and tension and unpredictability and volatility are the norm rather than the exception. And so, we come at this challenge of international engagement in that light.

    I’ll be at the G20 speaking with my economic ministerial counterparts in South Africa in the second half of this week. I’ll be having bilateral conversations as well as the multilateral opportunity, but discussions with my counterparts from Indonesia, from Japan, from Canada, the UK and Germany and others. Because we recognise as Australians that when the world is more fragmented, we need more, not less, engagement. And that’s what drives our efforts and motivates our efforts, whether it be at the G20, whether it’s looking for more diverse and reliable markets around the world and around the region, that’s our motivation.

    Gilbert:

    And so, on that issue of diversifying the markets, I want to pick up on that because it was a focus of the government, certainly a few years ago, when we hit the rocky period with China. Is it still a main focus for the government? I remember, again, the Prime Minister, his big visit initially and the message was all about Indonesia. Is that still on the table?

    Chalmers:

    Well, first of all, I’ll be meeting with my Indonesian counterpart. I hope to have actually a specific way to announce later in the week that we can advance that really important economic relationship, speaking with my colleague Sri Mulyani.

    But more broadly, if you think about the fragmentation in the world, you think about the uncertainty, unpredictability and volatility which defines the times in the global economy. Our strategy is more engagement, more diverse markets, and more resilience in our own economy as well. Those are the principles which drove our response to the tariff announcement out of D.C., but also which drive our trade and investment and foreign policy as well, and you’ll see that in the Prime Minister’s engagement this week.

    We believe that more diverse markets are good for Australia. In a world of more fragmentation, we need more engagement and more resilience. That’s why I’m off to the G20 to talk with my counterparts. It’s why the Prime Minister is in China talking to his counterparts, because Australia is a big beneficiary of free and fair and open markets. We’re a big believer in those things and we will advocate that cause wherever and whenever we can.

    Gilbert:

    And you sort of gave us a little bit of a hint that you’ll be announcing something with the Indonesian counterpart. Can you give us any more of a sneak peek as to what that might be to strengthen ties with Jakarta?

    Chalmers:

    There’ll be a number of elements to that discussion. Obviously, critical minerals will be part of it, 2‑way trade. But I’m particularly interested in speaking speaking with my counterpart, Sri Mulyani, about the flow of capital between our countries. This has been a difficult challenge to approach over the years, but we think there’s a good opportunity there which could benefit both sides, be of mutual benefit to Australia and Indonesia. I look forward to advancing those discussions with her and ideally, hopefully, making an announcement later in the week.

    Gilbert:

    Can you understand, if we return our focus now to domestic issues, specifically the decision by the RBA. Can you understand why many mortgage holders, many Australians, were disappointed with that?

    Chalmers:

    I can, and I made that point on the day. I don’t think it’s especially controversial to point out that the decision which came on Tuesday would have come as a disappointment to millions of Australians who were hoping for more rate relief from the Reserve Bank. And it came as a surprise to most economists and certainly the market which follows these sorts of decisions closely.

    But the Governor of the Reserve Bank made it really clear that the decision taken on Tuesday was a matter of timing, not a matter of direction. The direction of travel when it comes to inflation and interest rates is already quite clear. The Governor made that even clearer on Tuesday. We’ve already had 2 interest rate cuts in the last 5 months. That’s because of the progress we’ve made together on inflation. That’s already providing some relief to millions of people with a mortgage.

    But of course, people are looking for more rate relief where they can get it. The Governor of the Reserve Bank has made it clear that that will come at some point, but that she and her board would like more information before they make that decision to cut rates for the third time this year.

    Gilbert:

    So, do you think mortgage holders should be reassured by that message that we’re, as she put it, on an easing path?

    Chalmers:

    I think people will watch closely what the Governor of the Reserve Bank says. I think it’s a good thing that the Governor runs through the reasons for each decision, makes herself available. I’m very supportive of that, very grateful to her for doing that. And she has talked through the reasons. She’s made it clear about the direction of travel in interest rates. I think people can take some comfort from that.

    But rates have already gone down a couple of times, there’s cost of living rolling out in our community, we’ve made very substantial and now sustained progress in the fight against inflation. And I think the Governor’s approach to cutting rates already a couple of times this year and saying that there are likely to be more interest rate cuts on the way, I think that reflects that progress that we’ve made.

    Gilbert:

    On the reform roundtable, it’s coming up not that far away now, next month. I wonder, initially it was called a productivity reform roundtable, then you broadened it out to an Economic Reform Roundtable. Are you having to drag some of your senior colleagues to the table when it comes to serious reform?

    Chalmers:

    A couple of things about that. I mean, I don’t mind what you call it. I think the productivity challenge is central to our economic reform efforts. It already is, but we’re looking to build consensus on the next steps in that agenda. And so, I think productivity and economic reform are inseparable.

    I said at the Press Club, and the Prime Minister said at the Press Club, that this is all about building consensus, building on the progress that we’ve made, building on our substantial agenda. Productivity will be the major focus, but it won’t be the only focus.

    I’ve spent a fair bit of time in the last couple of weeks finalising the agenda, trying to work out how we issue the next set of invitations. It’s been difficult, frankly, because there’s been so much interest from my ministerial colleagues, from business leaders and union leaders and community leaders and others. That’s a very good thing. That’s a very welcome thing. And so, we’re almost ready to issue the next set of invitations beyond the 10 or 11 that we issued already.

    I can tell you today, Kieran, that the agenda will be 3 days. The first day will be resilience, the second day, productivity, the third day, budget sustainability. Those are the 3 priorities that I indicated at the Press Club when I fleshed out our thinking when it comes to this particular roundtable.

    Gilbert:

    And on that final one, the budget sustainability, I know you’ve got young kids, as I do. Is it a focus, is it on your mind when you think about budget sustainability? You don’t want to leave a legacy of mounting and piling debt for the next generation?

    Chalmers:

    Absolutely. We try to apply an intergenerational lens to all of our considerations in my portfolio, whether it’s budget sustainability, indeed. The productivity challenge is all about lifting living standards and sustainably lifting wages over time so people can earn more and keep more of what they earn and provide for their loved ones. And we see that in intergenerational terms.

    That is a big motivation for what we are putting together for the discussions in August. It will be a big influence on the work we do in July as well, whether it’s our international engagement, the work that I’m doing with states and the regulators, the work that I’m doing with peak organisations.

    I’ve already had good, long discussions with leaders of the business community and the union movement and others. Because we don’t want to waste this opportunity to build consensus around the next steps. And tax will be part of the discussion, productivity will be part of the discussion, you can imagine a big focus on AI and technology, attracting capital and investment, quickening approvals, better regulation, an emphasis on people and skills. These are the sorts of things that people should expect will be central at the roundtable in August.

    Gilbert:

    And finally, you’re at the Tasmanian Labor launch ahead of the election this weekend. There’s a big focus on the economy, on that stadium, but I know there’s a minerals processor, Nyrstar, that needs some federal support as well. Is it important to you to keep a sovereign minerals processing capacity in Australia, particularly there in Tasmania where you are today?

    Chalmers:

    Absolutely. You know, we’re in discussions with the company and also with the governments. It actually involves, these discussions, 3 governments: South Australia, Tasmania and the Commonwealth.

    As the Prime Minister said earlier in the week, I think it’s clear and obvious that we’re in those discussions, we’re trying to come to a good outcome here. And our support for this industry is illustrated by the fact we’ve already got $70 million jointly on the table for Nyrstar.

    We’ve got a $2 billion aluminium fund which is all about the future of smelters. And so, we come to the table in good faith. We do want to see a good outcome. We’re obviously aware of the issues there and we’re in discussions with the relevant government.

    But the reason I’m here in Tasmania today, Kieran, is because this election here in Tasmania has been made necessary by the economic mismanagement of the Rockliff Liberal government here and by the absolute disaster which is the Spirit of Tasmania program, the infrastructure program there.

    So, the election here in Tasmania is a pretty simple choice: 4 more years of farce and failure and economic mismanagement from a Liberal government stumbling from one stuff up to another, or a fresh start under Dean Winter and Tasmanian Labor.

    I know Dean Winter. I think he has all the ingredients to be a wonderful Premier. And I’m really proud to be in Devonport, Tasmania, to support him today and to help him with the formalities of launching the campaign. I encourage every Tasmanian to vote Labor at this election.

    Gilbert:

    Treasurer, thank you for your time. Thanks for joining us this Sunday, ahead of that election next week.

    Chalmers:

    Appreciate it, Kieran. All the best.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: A project-analytical session of the Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies was held at NSU

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    A two-day project-analytical session was held at Novosibirsk State University Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies NSU. It was attended by the heads of the IMMT NSU, including curators of educational programs, as well as representatives of other leading medical universities of our country – Sechenov University and the Siberian State Medical University (SSMU). The goal of the event was to determine the main directions of the transformation of medical education at NSU taking into account modern trends.

    — We discussed how the structure of medical education should be changed so that it corresponds to strategic changes in higher education as a whole. First of all, this is a trend towards personalization, when each student has their own development trajectory; the second important point is to provide the maximum possible number of practical skills that are in demand in practical activities and the pharmaceutical industry, so that students already during their studies know how to work in the future. For example, they have skills in working with modern systems that are used in healthcare, such as electronic document management, technologies based on artificial intelligence. Another point: curricula should be flexible, constantly updated, updated and developed, this will allow students to understand modern methods of treatment, therapy, diagnostics. At the same time, it is important to find a balance between classical education, fundamental knowledge and special subjects that are aimed specifically at training doctors. After all, the specificity of the university is that we train not just doctors, but medical researchers, said Mikhail Khvostov, acting dean of the faculty of medical cybernetics and pharmacy at the Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies of NSU.

    The session included a plenary part, when nine experts made presentations. First, the university team presented key information about the current status of medical education at NSU. Yulia Samoylova, professor, director of the IMMT NSU, told about the history of the emergence of medical care at the university, gave an overview of what is happening now, focused on what scientific, technological and educational projects the Institute is engaged in and what are the prospects for the future. Then the heads of the areas of “Medical Care”, “Medical Cybernetics” and “Psychology” spoke about their programs. The speech of Dmitry Kudlai, director of innovative development programs at NSU, was devoted to the use of artificial intelligence in education in general and in industrial pharmacy in particular. Irina Sergeeva, director of the Center for Postgraduate Medical Education at NSU, spoke about the features of residency programs.

    The presentations by external experts – Victoria Kovalevskaya, a representative of Sechenov University, and Inessa Yakimovich, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Siberian State Medical University – were devoted to new models of medical education. Then there was work in small groups, when the participants had to define the key elements of the future model of medical education at NSU.

    Among the main areas for development identified as a result of the session are the introduction of individual trajectories in medical education; training students and teachers to use modern information systems, artificial intelligence, both in education and in medicine.

    — The response to modern trends in the industry was the launch of a new educational program at our Institute — medical cybernetics. This is a science that is developing at the intersection of biology, medicine and information technology. We are currently in the midst of an admissions campaign; and we see that the direction is in demand, there is great interest in it. Thus, we made the right choice by introducing a new direction, and this is important, since cybernetics should contribute to the introduction of digitalization of healthcare and help doctors make better diagnoses and treat people more effectively, which is one of the priorities in the modern world, — emphasized Yulia Samoylova, Director of the IMMT NSU.

    The project-analytical session held at NSU is an introductory one and opens a series of events that will be aimed at modernizing medical education and developing a unified strategy for its development in the near future, including taking into account the infrastructure of the new campus and involving the entire university staff in the work.

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 14, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 14, 2025.

    Washington’s war demands – Australia risks being dragged into a conflict with China over Taiwan
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Blaxland, Professor, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University Andy. LIU/Shutterstock The United States can count on Australia as one of its closest allies. Dating back to the shared experiences in the second world war and the ANZUS Treaty signed in 1951, Australia has steadfastly

    Women played key roles in Syria’s revolution. Now they’ve been pushed to the margins
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kinda Alsamara, Lecturer in the School of Languages and Cultures, The University of Queensland The end of the oppressive Assad regime in Syria in late 2024 has been broadly welcomed on the global stage – underscored by the fact the United States and European Union have now

    Music is at the forefront of AI disruption, but NZ artists still have few protections
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dave Carter, Associate Professor, School of Music and Screen Arts, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Getty Images Was the recent Velvet Sundown phenomenon a great music and media hoax, a sign of things to come, or just another example of what’s already happening ? In

    Cycling can be 4 times more efficient than walking. A biomechanics expert explains why
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Blazevich, Professor of Biomechanics, Edith Cowan University You’re standing at your front door, facing a five kilometre commute to work. But you don’t have your car, and there’s no bus route. You can walk for an hour – or jump on your bicycle and arrive in

    ‘You become a target’: research shows why many people who experience racism don’t report it
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mario Peucker, Associate Professor and Principal Research Fellow, Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University The way racism manifests itself may have changed over time, but it remains a persistent problem in Australia. The 2024 Reconciliation Barometer found a significant increase in racism against First

    Even a day off alcohol makes a difference – our timeline maps the health benefits when you stop drinking
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole Lee, Adjunct Professor at the National Drug Research Institute (Melbourne based), Curtin University d3sign/Getty Alcohol has many negative effects on our health, some of which may surprise you. These include short-term impacts such as waking up with a pounding head or anxiety, to long-term effects including

    What’s happened to Australia’s green hydrogen dream? Here are 5 reasons the industry has floundered
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Reeve, Program Director, Energy and Climate Change, Grattan Institute An official from German energy supplier Eon with Fortescue founder Andrew Forrest after inking a deal in 2022 to supply green hydrogen from Australia to Germany. Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty Images As the world looks for

    Soaring house prices may be locking people into marriages, new research shows
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Whelan, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Sydney GAS-photo/Shutterstock House prices continued to rise across Australia in June, recent data shows. Nationally, prices have risen about 38% in the past five years. Higher housing prices are simply one contributor, albeit a very important one, to the

    Can’t work out without music? Neither could the ancient Greeks and Romans
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Konstantine Panegyres, Lecturer in Classics and Ancient History, The University of Western Australia Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA These days when you see people exercising, they’re usually also listening to music, whether they’re at the gym, or out jogging on the street. It makes sense, as studies have

    The Bradbury Group features Palestinian journalist Yousef Aljamal, Middle East report and political panel
    Asia Pacific Report In the new weekly political podcast, The Bradbury Group, last night presenter Martyn Bradbury talked with visiting Palestinian journalist Dr Yousef Aljamal. They assess the current situation in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza and what New Zealand should be doing. As Bradbury, publisher of The Daily Blog, notes, “Fourth Estate public broadcasting

    Author David Robie tells of outrage over sinking of the Rainbow Warrior 40 years ago
    RNZ News Nights Tomorrow marks 40 years since the bombing and sinking of the Rainbow Warrior — a moment that changed the course of New Zealand’s history and reshaped how we saw ourselves on the world stage. Two French agents planted two explosives on the ship, then just before midnight, explosions ripped through the hull

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for July 14, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on July 14, 2025.

    Washington’s war demands – Australia risks being dragged into a conflict with China over Taiwan
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Blaxland, Professor, Strategic and Defence Studies Centre, Australian National University Andy. LIU/Shutterstock The United States can count on Australia as one of its closest allies. Dating back to the shared experiences in the second world war and the ANZUS Treaty signed in 1951, Australia has steadfastly

    Women played key roles in Syria’s revolution. Now they’ve been pushed to the margins
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kinda Alsamara, Lecturer in the School of Languages and Cultures, The University of Queensland The end of the oppressive Assad regime in Syria in late 2024 has been broadly welcomed on the global stage – underscored by the fact the United States and European Union have now

    Music is at the forefront of AI disruption, but NZ artists still have few protections
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dave Carter, Associate Professor, School of Music and Screen Arts, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Getty Images Was the recent Velvet Sundown phenomenon a great music and media hoax, a sign of things to come, or just another example of what’s already happening ? In

    Cycling can be 4 times more efficient than walking. A biomechanics expert explains why
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Blazevich, Professor of Biomechanics, Edith Cowan University You’re standing at your front door, facing a five kilometre commute to work. But you don’t have your car, and there’s no bus route. You can walk for an hour – or jump on your bicycle and arrive in

    ‘You become a target’: research shows why many people who experience racism don’t report it
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mario Peucker, Associate Professor and Principal Research Fellow, Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University The way racism manifests itself may have changed over time, but it remains a persistent problem in Australia. The 2024 Reconciliation Barometer found a significant increase in racism against First

    Even a day off alcohol makes a difference – our timeline maps the health benefits when you stop drinking
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicole Lee, Adjunct Professor at the National Drug Research Institute (Melbourne based), Curtin University d3sign/Getty Alcohol has many negative effects on our health, some of which may surprise you. These include short-term impacts such as waking up with a pounding head or anxiety, to long-term effects including

    What’s happened to Australia’s green hydrogen dream? Here are 5 reasons the industry has floundered
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Reeve, Program Director, Energy and Climate Change, Grattan Institute An official from German energy supplier Eon with Fortescue founder Andrew Forrest after inking a deal in 2022 to supply green hydrogen from Australia to Germany. Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty Images As the world looks for

    Soaring house prices may be locking people into marriages, new research shows
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Whelan, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Sydney GAS-photo/Shutterstock House prices continued to rise across Australia in June, recent data shows. Nationally, prices have risen about 38% in the past five years. Higher housing prices are simply one contributor, albeit a very important one, to the

    Can’t work out without music? Neither could the ancient Greeks and Romans
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Konstantine Panegyres, Lecturer in Classics and Ancient History, The University of Western Australia Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA These days when you see people exercising, they’re usually also listening to music, whether they’re at the gym, or out jogging on the street. It makes sense, as studies have

    The Bradbury Group features Palestinian journalist Yousef Aljamal, Middle East report and political panel
    Asia Pacific Report In the new weekly political podcast, The Bradbury Group, last night presenter Martyn Bradbury talked with visiting Palestinian journalist Dr Yousef Aljamal. They assess the current situation in Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza and what New Zealand should be doing. As Bradbury, publisher of The Daily Blog, notes, “Fourth Estate public broadcasting

    Author David Robie tells of outrage over sinking of the Rainbow Warrior 40 years ago
    RNZ News Nights Tomorrow marks 40 years since the bombing and sinking of the Rainbow Warrior — a moment that changed the course of New Zealand’s history and reshaped how we saw ourselves on the world stage. Two French agents planted two explosives on the ship, then just before midnight, explosions ripped through the hull

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: M. Abbas called on Hamas to hand over weapons to the Palestinian National Authority

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    RAMALLAH, July 14 (Xinhua) — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday called on Hamas to hand over its weapons to the Palestinian National Authority.

    During his meeting with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair in the Jordanian capital Amman, Abbas said that “Hamas will not rule Gaza in the post-war era,” the official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported.

    He stressed that the only feasible solution for the Gaza Strip is a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Strip and allowing the State of Palestine to fulfill its obligations with Arab and international support.

    According to WAFA, the meeting discussed the latest situation in the Palestinian territories, as well as political and humanitarian developments related to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

    The Palestinian President stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages and prisoners and the unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

    During the meeting, M. Abbas condemned Israel’s unilateral measures, including the expansion of settlements in the West Bank and Jerusalem, and rejected any attempts to annex Palestinian territories, as well as repeated attacks on Islamic and Christian holy sites.

    He also called for the launch of a political process to implement the principle of “two states for two peoples” based on the resolutions of the international community and the Arab Peace Initiative, proposing to hold an international peace conference in New York to achieve this goal. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Equipment manufacturers driving trade growth

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

    A drone photo shows the shipbuilding site of the subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corp Ltd in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on March 20. [Photo/Xinhua]

    In early July, a shipyard along the Yangtze River in Jiangyin, East China’s Jiangsu province, was humming with the sounds of welding and hammering.

    In one berth, work on an oil tanker was nearing completion, while a hospital ship was undergoing a major retrofit. A little distance away, dry docks were operating at full throttle.

    CSSC Chengxi Shipyard Co, a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corp, saw its export value surge by more than 28 percent year-on-year in the first five months. With orders lined up through 2028 and a growing appetite for high-tech vessels, this shipyard is powering full steam ahead.

    “We are steering toward transformation,” said Yang Haibo, the shipyard’s assistant president. “Take the 41,800-ton self-unloading vessel we built last year; its value hit $96 million, triple that of a conventional bulk carrier. We just secured an overseas order to build a 44,000-ton self-discharger in May.”

    As global demand shifts, Yang said Chinese shipyards are embracing greener and smarter solutions to remain competitive, including ramping up investment in next-generation shipbuilding technologies.

    Much like China’s new energy vehicle, industrial robot and energy storage sectors, the shipbuilding industry exemplifies how domestic manufacturers are adopting innovation and green development to rise above the challenges posed by unilateralism and geoeconomic fragmentation.

    In the process, they are playing a vital role in supporting the country’s foreign trade and industrial upgrade.

    As a high value-added sector, the equipment manufacturing industry has become a key driver of China’s export restructuring.

    The country’s exports of equipment manufacturing products amounted to 6.22 trillion yuan ($853.3 billion) between January and May, up 9.2 percent year-on-year, accounting for 58.3 percent of the country’s total exports, data from the General Administration of Customs showed.

    Meanwhile, China’s exports of electric vehicles grew by 19 percent year-on-year, construction machinery by 10.7 percent, ships by 18.9 percent and industrial robots by an impressive 55.4 percent.

    Equipment manufacturing accounted for 73 percent of China’s export growth in the first five months, with the contribution rising to 76.9 percent in May alone, providing strong support for the steady growth of foreign trade, said Lyu Daliang, director-general of the administration’s department of statistics and analysis.

    The ongoing upgrade of China’s equipment manufacturing industry is not only fueling the growth of domestic manufacturers, but also delivering energy-efficient, high-tech and competitively priced products to its trading partners, said Chen Jianwei, a researcher at the University of International Business and Economics’ Academy of China Open Economy Studies in Beijing.

    This progress is accelerating the digital and green advancement of developed economies, while also supporting industrialization and urbanization in many developing and emerging markets, contributing to more balanced global development and long-term sustainability, said Chen.

    Among the key drivers of this momentum, industrial robots have rapidly become a standout export category. These multijoint robotic arms and other advanced robotic systems are widely used in sectors such as automotives, electronics, chemicals and consumer goods.

    As China’s production capabilities in this field continue to advance, a growing number of industrial robots are being exported to markets such as Thailand, Germany, the United States and the United Arab Emirates — underscoring the global appeal of the nation’s smart manufacturing solutions.

    At AgileX Robotics, a robotic arm manufacturer in Dongguan, Guangdong province, workers were busy packing robotic arms in late June. This batch of products, designed for data collection, plays a key role in the development and training of humanoid robots, and has gained strong traction in overseas markets.

    “We really can’t ship fast enough and demand is overwhelming. Our exports this year are expected to rise by 70 to 80 percent compared with 2024,” said Chen Peng, the company’s marketing director.

    Chen said that orders from overseas research institutions, particularly in the artificial intelligence field, are growing the fastest. These clients often require rapid delivery due to time-sensitive needs.

    This growth is not merely the success of a single robot manufacturer. Rather, it reflects a broader trend in Dongguan.

    The city’s exports of industrial robots, including industrial robotic arms, handling and welding robots, and robots with other functions, exceeded 190 million yuan during the January-May period, representing a year-on-year increase of 116.4 percent, data from Huangpu Customs showed.

    From an industrial chain perspective, China’s industrial robot sector has seen significant advancements over the past decade, especially in core components such as reducers, servo motors, controllers and control units, said Lei Lei, deputy secretary-general of the robotics branch of the Beijing-based China Machinery Industry Federation.

    Lei said Chinese industrial robot manufacturers are evolving their export models as they expand globally. This shift is already playing out among many companies in the sector.

    Xu Hongchun, vice-president of Suzhou JiBOT Technology Co, a Suzhou, Jiangsu province-based manufacturer of collaborative robotic arms and mobile robot platforms, said the company has already shifted toward providing customized end-to-end solutions for overseas factories and warehouses.

    “Our material handling robots are primarily used in the new energy and electronic semiconductor sectors,” said Xu. “Currently, more than 70 percent of our exports in this category include solution-based packages.”

    The Chinese company achieves this by integrating data from various robots into a centralized control system. A smart dispatching platform enables real-time coordination, allowing multiple robots to operate efficiently across different zones and meet the specific needs of its foreign clients.

    While industrial robots and intelligent automation are shifting manufacturing and logistics, traditional heavy industries are also embracing innovation and seizing more market opportunities across the world.

    In sectors such as mining and construction, Chinese companies are combining durable engineering with localization strategies to meet the needs of emerging markets.

    Sany Heavy Equipment Co, a mining and construction machinery manufacturer based in Shenyang, Liaoning province, has been actively expanding its presence in the African market. Its wide-body dump trucks, electric-powered dumpers and engineering excavators are widely used in countries including South Africa, Ghana, Angola and Zambia.

    “Africa is rich in mineral resources and has significant demand for mining machinery. Our mining equipment is built to withstand harsh operating conditions and is well-suited for the complex terrains found in mining areas,” said Sun Bo, head of the company’s sales unit.

    Sun said that Sany Heavy Equipment Co’s mining dump trucks have significantly improved operational efficiency and earned high praise from clients in countries such as Eritrea and Mozambique in recent years.

    The company’s exports amounted to 1.44 billion yuan in the first half, while its exports to Africa surged 230 percent year-on-year to 330 million yuan, the latest data from Shenyang Customs showed.

    Experts said the continued rise of China’s equipment manufacturing exports reflects both industrial progress and the country’s deeper integration into global supply chains.

    Zhao Ping, head of the academy of the Beijing-based China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said that China is no longer just a source of affordable goods. It is increasingly a provider of complex, high-value equipment that meets the needs of developed and emerging markets alike.

    Zhao said that the combination of strong research and development capabilities, digitalized manufacturing processes and mature supply chains has enabled Chinese manufacturers to evolve from volume-driven to value-driven exports.

    “This transformation not only enhances China’s competitiveness, but also contributes to global industrial development and technological diffusion,” said Ji Xuehong, a professor at the School of Economics and Management at Beijing-based North China University of Technology.

    In the face of a complex and volatile external environment, China will steadfastly expand its high-standard opening-up and address the uncertainty of drastic changes in the external environment with the certainty of its own high-quality development, said Xiao Lu, deputy director-general of the department of foreign trade at the Ministry of Commerce.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: New Swedish support strengthens Ukraine’s IT expertise

    Source: Government of Sweden

    As part of Sweden’s support to the reconstruction of Ukraine, a new initiative is now being launched to further strengthen the country’s IT expertise. Through the support of almost SEK 10 million to Beetroot Academy, more than 2 000 professionals in Ukraine’s public administration, civil society and IT sector will be given more tools to meet the digital opportunities and challenges of the future with targeted educational initiatives.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Sweden gives SEK 8.2 billion to world’s poorest countries

    Source: Government of Sweden

    The Government has decided to contribute SEK 8.2 billion to the International Development Association (IDA), the World Bank’s fund for the world’s poorest countries. In doing so, Sweden is contributing to the record-breaking 21st replenishment of the fund, which will generate a total of USD 100 billion for reforms, investment and development in the world’s poorest countries.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Minister for Foreign Affairs to visit Bosnia and Herzegovina

    Source: Government of Sweden

    Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard will travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina on 10–11 July to attend a memorial ceremony marking the International Day of Reflection and Commemoration of the 1995 Genocide in Srebrenica. During the visit, Ms Malmer Stenergard will also meet with Bosnian representatives.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese FM meets Russian counterpart on SCO cooperation

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

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Beijing, capital of China, July 13, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Sunday in Beijing.

    Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, welcomed Lavrov to China to attend the Meeting of the Council of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States.

    China is willing to work with Russia and other member states to prepare for the Tianjin Summit, and promote the development of the SCO to a new level, Wang said.

    Noting that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, Wang said that both sides should also hold a series of commemorative activities for the 80th anniversary of the victory of World War II (WWII) and safeguard the correct historical narrative on WWII.

    Lavrov expressed willingness to work with China to deepen cooperation in various fields under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, and promote continuous new achievements in Russia-China relations.

    Russia will continue to fully support China in holding the rotating presidency of the SCO, enhance communication and collaboration within the framework of the SCO and others, and ensure the complete success of the Tianjin Summit, Lavrov said.

    The two sides also exchanged views on such issues as the Korean Peninsula, the Ukraine crisis and the Iranian nuclear issue. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Music is at the forefront of AI disruption, but NZ artists still have few protections

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dave Carter, Associate Professor, School of Music and Screen Arts, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University

    Getty Images

    Was the recent Velvet Sundown phenomenon a great music and media hoax, a sign of things to come, or just another example of what’s already happening ?

    In case you missed it, the breakout act was streamed hundreds of thousands of times before claims emerged the band and their music were products of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI).

    Despite the “band” insisting they were real, an “associate” later admitted it was indeed an “art hoax” marketing stunt. Much of the subsequent commentary was concerned with fairness – particularly that a “fake” band was succeeding at the expense of “real” artists.

    But Velvet Sundown is only the most recent example in a long history of computer generated and assisted music creation – going back to the 1950s when a chemistry professor named Lejaren Hiller debuted a musical composition written by a computer.

    By the 1980s, David Cope’s Experiments in Musical Intelligence created music so close to the style of Chopin and Bach it fooled classically trained musicians.

    Artist and composer Holly Herndon was highlighting a need for the ethical use and licensing of voice models and deepfakes several years before Grimes invited others to use AI-generated versions of her voice to make new music, and “Deepfake Drake” alarmed the major record labels.

    At the same time, music companies, including Warner, Capitol and rapper-producer Timbaland, have since inked record contracts for AI-generated work.

    GenAI-powered tools, such as those offered by Izotope, LANDR and Apple, have become commonplace in mixing and mastering since the late 2000s. Machine learning technology also underpins streaming recommendations.

    Creativity and copyright

    Despite this relatively long history of technology’s impact on music, it still tends to be framed as a future challenge. The New Zealand government’s Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, released this month, suggests we’re at a “pivotal moment” as the AI-powered future approaches.

    In June, a draft insight briefing from Manata Taonga/Ministry for Culture & Heritage explored “how digital technologies may transform the ways New Zealanders create, share and protect stories in 2040 and beyond”.

    It joins other recent publications by the Australasian Performing Rights Association and New Zealand’s Artificial Intelligence Researchers Association, which grapple with the future impacts of AI technologies.

    One of the main issues is the use of copyright material to train AI systems. Last year, two AI startups, including the one used by Velvet Sundown, were sued by Sony, Universal and Warner for using unlicensed recordings as part of their training data.

    It’s possible the models have been trained on recordings by local musicians without their permission, too. But without any requirement for tech firms to disclose their training data it can’t be confirmed.

    Even if we did know, the copyright implications for works created by AI in Aotearoa New Zealand aren’t clear. And it’s not possible for musicians to opt out in any meaningful way.

    This goes against the data governance model designed by Te Mana Raraunga/Māori Sovereignty Network. Māori writer members of music rights administrator APRA AMCOS have also raised concerns about potential cultural appropriation and misuse due to GenAI.

    Recent research suggesting GenAI work displaces human output in creative industries is particularly worrying for local musicians who already struggle for visibility. But it’s not an isolated phenomenon.

    In Australia, GenAI has reportedly been used to impersonate successful, emerging and dead artists. And French streaming service Deezer claims up to 20,000 tracks created by GenAI were being uploaded to its service daily.

    Regulation in the real world

    There has been increased scrutiny of streaming fraud, including a world-first criminal case brought last year against a musician who used bots to generate millions of streams for tracks created with GenAI.

    But on social media, musicians now compete for attention with a flood of “AI slop”, with no real prospect of platforms doing anything about it.

    More troublingly, New Zealand law has been described as “woefully inadequate” at combating deepfakes and non-consensual intimate imagery that can damage artists’ brands and livelihoods.

    The government’s AI strategy prioritises adoption, innovation and a light-touch approach over these creative and cultural implications. But there is growing consensus internationally that regulatory intervention is warranted.

    The European Union has enacted legislation requiring AI services to be transparent about what they have trained their models on, an important first step towards an AI licensing regime for recorded and musical works.

    An Australian senate committee has recommended whole-of-economy AI guardrails, including transparency requirements in line with the EU. Denmark has gone even further, with plans to give every citizen copyright of their own facial features, voice and body, including specific protections for performing artists.

    It’s nearly ten years since the music business was described as the “canary in a coalmine” for other industries and a bellwether of broader cultural and economic shifts. How we address the current challenges presented by AI in music will have far-reaching implications.

    Dave Carter is a writer member of APRA AMCOS. He has received funding and contributed to projects funded by Manatū Taongao Ministry for Culture and Heritage, NZ on Air and APRA AMCOS.

    Jesse Austin-Stewart has completed commissioned research for NZ On Air and participated in focus groups for Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage. He has received competitive funding from Creative New Zealand, NZ On Air, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture & Hertiage, and the NZ Music Commission. He is a writer member of APRA AMCOS and a member of the Composer’s Association of New Zealand and Recorded Music NZ

    Oli Wilson has previously completed research in partnership with or commissioned by APRA AMCOS, Toi Mai Workforce Development Council, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture & Heritage and the NZ Music Commission. He has also received funding, or contributed to projects that have benefited from funding from NZ on Air, the NZ Music Commission and Recorded Music New Zealand. He has provided services to The Chills, owns shares in TripTunz Limited, and is a writer member of APRA AMCOS.

    – ref. Music is at the forefront of AI disruption, but NZ artists still have few protections – https://theconversation.com/music-is-at-the-forefront-of-ai-disruption-but-nz-artists-still-have-few-protections-260299

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Trade win unlocks £250 million for British firms in Vietnam

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Trade win unlocks £250 million for British firms in Vietnam

    Trade win unlocks £250 million in exports for British pharmaceutical firms in Vietnam.

    Trade win unlocks £250 million in exports for British pharmaceutical firms in Vietnam

    • Major pharmaceutical trade barrier with Vietnam removed as bilateral trade increased by £1.2 billion in current prices to £8.1 billion in 2024 in boost to UK economy
    • Pharmaceutical sectors given boost making it faster and cheaper to sell UK medicines to Vietnam
    • Trade Strategy in action as UK continues to eye fast deals across the globe for key industries to create jobs and boost innovation as part of our Plan for Change

    British pharmaceutical companies are set to gain up to £250 million over the next five years as part of a Vietnamese law change that makes it easier to sell UK-made medicines to the country.

    The announcement comes ahead of the latest Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) today [14 July] co-chaired by Trade Minister Douglas Alexander and Vice Minister Nguyen Hoang Long.

    The meeting aims to deepen trade ties – which have risen to more than £8 billion – and remove barriers for UK businesses in key sectors like healthcare, finance, and clean energy – which will boost growth to deliver for working people as part of the Plan for Change.

    It follows the launch of the UK’s landmark Trade Strategy which aims to secure more nimble deals while promoting sectors like financial services and renewable energy which drive the most economic growth.

    Thanks to UK government efforts, Vietnam has changed its laws to streamline the registration of new medicines and vaccines, now recognising approvals from trusted international regulators such as the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

    It opens to the door to more commercial opportunities for UK companies who can avoid time-consuming paperwork and expensive legal processes if their products have been approved in the last five years by the MHRA, making it cheaper, quicker and easier to sell products to Vietnam.

    The JETCO will reflect the UK’s goal of deepening ties with fast-growing economies in Asia while supporting key sectors like life sciences, education, and green energy – core pillars of the UK’s Industrial Strategy.

    Renewable energy will be on today’s agenda as both countries pledge to work together to support the development of Vietnam’s renewable energy sector, particularly around offshore wind, with the industry in the UK forecast to support 100,000 jobs by 2030.

    Trade Minister Douglas Alexander said:

    Vietnam is today a dynamic, fast-growing economy.

    The removal of pharmaceutical barriers with one of our closest trading partners in Asia is a boost for the UK pharmaceutical industry and proof our Industrial and Trade Strategies are already delivering.

    The UK is committed to strengthening its relationship with Vietnam, which is witnessing rapid economic growth and fast becoming a major global manufacturing base for electronics, textiles, and renewable energy.

    Discussions will also celebrate the good news for our world-leading financial services sector as the government commits support for Vietnam to design its first International Finance Centre in Ho Chi Minh City which is expected to streamline regulations and encourage international investments, making it simpler for British firms to trade with Vietnam.

    The swift removal of pharmaceutical barriers and progress on financial and energy collaborations with Vietnam demonstrates the government is securing quick wins through nimble, targeted interventions and delivering on the key ambitions of the newly launched Trade Strategy.

    Miles Celic OBE, Chief Executive Officer, TheCityUK, said:

    There is great potential for British firms and other international investors in Vietnam; it is a rapidly growing market with increasing demand for sophisticated financial products. There are also mutual benefits to be gained through sharing expertise in areas such as green finance, innovation, and digital transformation.

     We’ve been working closely with the UK Government and British Embassy in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to help lay the groundwork for the development of an international financial and business centre in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang and are very supportive of the government’s commitment to support its creation and its contribution to Vietnam’s economic growth and net-zero agenda.

    Annex

    Notes on analysis

    The £250m over five-year figure is a mid-point of a range of £100m – £400m. The DBT methodology to value market access barriers can be found here:

    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/methodologies-for-valuing-market-access-barriers

    Sources:

    https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/renewable-technologies-future-job-estimates-methodology/job-estimates-for-wind-generation-by-2030-methodology-note

    2025-06-19 Vietnam – UK Trade and Investment Factsheet

    Updates to this page

    Published 14 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN forum to spotlight health, gender equality, oceans, in critical bid to meet development goals

    Source: United Nations 2

    The 2025 High-Level Political Forum, or HLPF, follows two recent successful UN conferences focused on vital development issues: one in June in Nice, France, dedicated to ocean protection, and another held in Sevilla, Spain, centred on boosting financing for sustainable initiatives.

    The Sevilla meeting ended with a strong call to action: to urgently address the massive $4 trillion annual shortfall in financing needed to achieve the SDGs. It also highlighted the pressing need for greater investment and deep reform of the global financial system.

    Held under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the forum will take place from 14 to 23 July at UN Headquarters in New York.

    Here are five key things to know about this year’s forum:

    1. It’s all about accelerating action

    The HLPF is the United Nations’ main platform for tracking global progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. It meets each year to review countries’ efforts, share solutions, and push for faster action to meet the 2030 targets

    The 2025 forum is convening under the theme:

    Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals leaving no one behind.

    This reflects a growing sense of urgency. With the 2030 deadline fast approaching, the forum will emphasise practical, data-driven strategies to close implementation gaps– particularly in the face of intersecting global crisis including climate change, inequality, and economic instability.

    © ILO/Fauzan Azhima

    The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are all interconnected, for instance progress on SDG 2 to end hunger is closely tied to advances in health and education.

    2. Five SDGs in the spotlight

    Each year, the HLPF conducts in-depth reviews of selected Goals. In 2025, the focus will be on:

    SDG 3: Good health and well-being

    SDG 5: Gender equality

    SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth

    SDG 14: Life below water

    SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals

    These Goals span a wide range of issues – from public health and gender equity to economic resilience and marine conservation.

    SDG 17, which is reviewed annually, highlights the importance of revitalising global partnerships and enhancing means of implementation – including financing, which nations committed to just last month in Sevilla.

    © UNICEF/Lasse Bak Mejlvang

    3. Countries will share their progress, voluntarily

    A hallmark of the HLPF is the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) – self-assessments by Member States on their progress toward the SDGs. In 2025, dozens of countries are expected to present their VNRs, offering insights into both achievements and persistent challenges.

    These reviews foster transparency, peer learning, and accountability. They also provide a platform for civil society and other stakeholders to engage directly with governments on development priorities.

    VNR Labs – interactive sessions focused on national reviews – create space for dialogue, innovation, and collaboration

    4. It’s not just governments

    While the HLPF is a UN intergovernmental platform, it brings together a diverse range of voices, including youth groups, local authorities, indigenous peoples, NGOs, academics, the private sector, and UN system agencies.

    A rich programme of side events, exhibitions, and roundtable-discussions. This inclusive approach reflects the spirit of the 2030 Agenda, which recognises sustainable development is a universal, shared endeavour.

    UN Photo/Manuel Elías

    A wide view of the opening of the 2023 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), held in the General Assembly Hall.

    5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 The Final Countdown

    With only five years left to deliver on the 2030 Agenda, the 2025 HLPF marks a critical inflection point.

    It is more than a yearly check-in. This year’s session comes at a time when science, solidarity, and urgent action must converge. It will help set the tone for the next Sustainable Development Goals Summit in 2027, where world leaders will take stock of collective progress and determine the final push toward 2030.

    What happens now – at this two-thirds deadline moment – will shape whether the SDGs will realise a global promise or become a missed opportunity.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: What’s happened to Australia’s green hydrogen dream? Here are 5 reasons the industry has floundered

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alison Reeve, Program Director, Energy and Climate Change, Grattan Institute

    An official from German energy supplier Eon with Fortescue founder Andrew Forrest after inking a deal in 2022 to supply green hydrogen from Australia to Germany. Michael Kappeler/picture alliance via Getty Images

    As the world looks for ways to tackle climate change, Australia has invested heavily in green hydrogen.

    Green hydrogen is shaping as the best option to strip carbon emissions from some industrial processes, such as iron-making and ammonia production. But making the dream a reality in Australia is proving difficult.

    Two recent announcements are a case in point. This month, the Queensland government withdrew financial support for the Central Queensland Hydrogen Hub. It came weeks after energy company Fortescue cut 90 green hydrogen jobs in Queensland and Western Australia.

    I led the development of Australia’s National Hydrogen Strategy in 2019, in my previous job as a federal public servant. I also co-authored a Grattan Institute report on how hydrogen could help decarbonise the Australian economy. Here, I explain the main challenges to getting the industry off the ground.

    But first, what is green hydrogen?

    Hydrogen is the lightest and most abundant element in the universe. It’s usually found as a gas, or bonded to other elements.

    It’s used to make products such as fertilisers, explosives and plastics. In future, it may also be a zero-emissions replacement for fossil fuels in industries such as steel and chemicals manufacturing.

    Australia currently makes very low volumes of hydrogen using natural gas, which produces greenhouse gas emissions. We are well-placed to produce “green” or zero-emissions hydrogen, through a process powered by renewable energy which releases hydrogen from water.

    But creating a large green hydrogen industry won’t be easy. These are the main five challenges.

    1. The learning curve is steep

    About 15 facilities in Australia are currently producing green hydrogen, all at low volumes – between 8 kilograms and one tonne a day (see chart below).

    By contrast, most recently cancelled projects would have produced hundreds of tonnes of green hydrogen daily. The Central Queensland Hydrogen Hub, for example, would initially have produced about 200 tonnes a day, scaling up to 800 tonnes in the 2030s.

    The failure of these big projects shows Australia has much to learn about planning, building, commissioning and operating large green hydrogen facilities.

    The hydrogen projects currently operating in Australia are orders of magnitude smaller than those proposed.
    Grattan Insitute, CC BY-NC-SA

    2. Demand is limited

    Very little hydrogen is currently used in Australia – around 500,000 tonnes a year. This is less than 1% of national energy consumption.

    Most of this hydrogen is produced using natural gas, and is produced on site at existing industrial operations that require hydrogen, such as oil refiners and ammonia plants. Using hydrogen from a different source would require major – and costly – engineering changes at these facilities.

    So, how do new green hydrogen producers create demand for their product?

    The first option is to convince a company to spend money changing their operations to bring in green hydrogen from outside. This is not an easy prospect. The second is to find big new markets – which leads to the next challenge.

    3. The chicken-and-egg problem

    Renewable hydrogen isn’t a direct substitute for conventional fuels.

    You can’t burn hydrogen in your gas stovetop without changing the pipes in the house and the burners on the stove. Likewise, you can’t use hydrogen as a substitute for coal when making steel without changing the smelting process.

    This creates a chicken-and-egg problem. Green hydrogen proponents won’t invest in high-volume production unless there are large users to buy the product. But large users won’t invest in changing their processes unless they are assured of supply.

    4. Green hydrogen is expensive

    Green hydrogen is much more expensive than conventional hydrogen. And as yet, there’s little evidence buyers are willing pay more for it.

    So for green hydrogen to compete with conventional production, it needs government subsidies.

    The huge expense is largely due to the electricity used to make green hydrogen – prices of which are currently high.

    As renewable energy expands, electricity prices in Australia are expected to fall. But building more large-scale renewable generation in Australia is itself a difficult prospect.

    5. Economic and political turmoil

    Recent turmoil in global markets has made companies more cautious about investing outside their core business. And global inflation has helped drive up the cost of electricity needed to produce green hydrogen.

    Globally, governments have scrambled to keep national economies afloat, which has led to cuts in green hydrogen in several countries.

    In Australia, green hydrogen is still key to the Albanese government’s Future Made in Australia policy. And hydrogen has been a rare area of agreement between the two major parties, at both federal and state levels.

    But there are signs this is changing. The federal opposition last year fought the government’s hydrogen tax credits, and the withdrawal of support for the Central Queensland Hydrogen Hub came from the Queensland LNP government, which won office in October last year.

    What next?

    There is a long road ahead if green hydrogen is to help Australia reach its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

    So what have we learned so far?

    Many scrapped projects tried to implement a “hub” model – combining multiple users in one place, which was designed to make it more attractive to suppliers. But this was difficult to co-ordinate, and vulnerable to changing global conditions.

    The green hydrogen industry should focus on the most promising uses for its product. For example, if it could successfully make enough green hydrogen to supply ammonia production, it could build on this to eventually support a bigger industry, such as iron-making.

    It’s also time to rethink how subsidies are structured, to reflect the fact some sectors are better bets than others. At present, the federal government’s Hydrogen Headstart program and the hydrogen tax credit are agnostic as to how the hydrogen is used, which does little to help demand emerge in the right places.

    Finally, political unity must be renewed. Hydrogen projects require a lot of capital, and investors get nervous when an industry does not have bipartisan support.

    The hype around green hydrogen in Australia is fading. There are some reasons for hope – but success will require a lot of hard work.

    Since 2008, the Grattan Institute has been supported by government, corporations, and philanthropic gifts. A full list of supporters is published at www.grattan.edu.au.

    – ref. What’s happened to Australia’s green hydrogen dream? Here are 5 reasons the industry has floundered – https://theconversation.com/whats-happened-to-australias-green-hydrogen-dream-here-are-5-reasons-the-industry-has-floundered-260634

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: German Finance Minister Calls on EU to Stand Up to US if Tariff Talks Fail

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BERLIN, July 13 (Xinhua) — German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil said on Sunday that the European Union should take decisive action against the United States if tariff talks fail to ease the escalating global trade conflict, German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported.

    Klingbeil’s comments came in response to US President Donald Trump’s threat on Saturday to impose 30 percent tariffs on EU exports from August 1 after talks had so far failed to produce a deal.

    Calling for an end to escalating trade tensions, Germany’s finance minister said: “Trump’s tariffs only cause losses. They threaten the American economy just as they hurt businesses in Europe.”

    As reported by Suddeutsche Zeitung, L. Klingbeil emphasized that the European Union “does not need new threats or provocations,” but “an honest agreement.”

    He warned that Germany would not remain indifferent if the talks failed. “If a fair solution cannot be reached, we must take tough countermeasures to protect jobs and businesses in Europe,” the vice chancellor said, noting that preparations were already underway. “Our hand is still outstretched, but we will not give in to everything,” he added.

    L. Klingbeil also said that Germany is stepping up efforts to diversify its global trade relations.

    The United States is Germany’s largest export market. According to German government data, the country exported €161 billion ($188 billion) in goods to the U.S. in 2024, with a trade surplus of nearly €70 billion. –0–

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese and Russian Foreign Ministers Discuss Cooperation in SCO

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Beijing on Sunday.

    Wang Yi, also a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, welcomed S. Lavrov, who arrived in China to participate in the meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states.

    The head of the Chinese Foreign Ministry said that China hopes to work with Russia and other SCO members to properly prepare for the organization’s summit in Tianjin /Northern China/ and take the development of the SCO to a new level.

    Recalling that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Wang Yi stressed that both sides should also hold a series of commemorative events to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in World War II and uphold the correct historical interpretation of the war.

    S. Lavrov, for his part, expressed Russia’s readiness to work with China to deepen cooperation in various areas under the strategic leadership of the heads of the two states and to promote constant new achievements in Russian-Chinese relations.

    The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry assured that Russia will continue to fully support China’s rotating chairmanship of the SCO, strengthen communication and cooperation within the SCO and other organizations, and contribute to the successful holding of the summit in Tianjin.

    The sides also exchanged views on issues such as the situation on the Korean Peninsula, the Ukrainian crisis and the Iranian nuclear issue. –0–

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Pope Leo in Castel Gandolfo: Jesus makes us witnesses of His love in the depths of evil and suffering

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    VaticanMedia

    Castel Gandolfo (Agenzia Fides) – Today too, as in every age, humanity has to confront “the darkness of evil, suffering, poverty and the riddle of death.” And we can recognize and embrace the pain of the world not out of respect for abstract “duties of solidarity”, but if we experience being “healed and loved by Christ”. Only in this way we too can become “witnesses of his love and compassion in our world”. This was recalled today by Pope Leo XIV in the homily during the Eucharistic Liturgy he celebrated in the Pontifical Parish of Saint Thomas of Villanova in Castel Gandolfo, the town in the Castelli Romani area where he is spending a short holiday period.Pope Leo weaved his homily around the Parable of the Good Samaritan, recounted by Jesus in the passage from the Gospel according to Luke read during the Sunday Liturgy: the story of the wounded man lying on the roadside after being attacked by robbers, ignored by the priest and the Levite – who see him and pass by – and saved by the Samaritan, a foreigner considered a heretic, who instead “saw him and had compassion on him.”Retracing the Parable of Jesus, the Pontiff suggested the source from which the mystery of Christian compassion springs.”The Good Samaritan – Pope Leo emphasizes, ‘unlike the passers-by before him, looks at the wounded man. And “how we look at others is what counts, because it shows what is in our hearts: We can look and walk by, or we can look and be moved with compassion”.The first gaze that the parable of the Good Samaritan wants to speak to us about, the Pontiff continued, “is God’s way of seeing us, so that we in turn can learn how to see situations and people with his eyes, so full of love and compassion. The Good Samaritan is really a figure of Jesus, the eternal Son whom the Father sent into our history precisely because he regarded humanity with compassion and did not walk by”. For this reason, he “wanted to walk our same path and come down among us. In Jesus, the Good Samaritan, he came to heal our wounds and to pour out upon us the balm of his love and mercy”.And “If we realize deep down that Christ, the Good Samaritan, loves us and cares for us, we too will be moved to love in the same way and to become compassionate as he is. Once we are healed and loved by Christ, we too can become witnesses of his love and compassion in our world”.The the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Jericho, which is below sea level, travelled by the man attacked by robbers,—the Pontiff suggested—”is the road travelled by all those who descend into sin, suffering and poverty; it is the road travelled by all those weighed down by troubles or hurt by life. The road travelled by all who fall down, lose their bearings and hit rock bottom; and it is the road travelled by all those peoples that are stripped, robbed and pillaged, victims of tyrannical political systems, of an economy that forces them into poverty, and of wars that kill their dreams and their very lives”.”Sometimes, Pope Prevost continued, we are content at times merely to do our duty, or to regard as our neighbor only those who are part of our group, who think like us, who share our same nationality or religion; Jesus overturns this way of thinking by presenting us with a Samaritan, a foreigner or heretic, who acts as a neighbor to that wounded man. And he asks us to do the same.” He asks us to “look without walking by, halting the frantic pace of our lives, allowing the lives of others, whoever they may be, with their needs and troubles, to touch our heart. That is what makes us neighbors to one another, what generates true fraternity and breaks down walls and barriers. In the end, love prevails, and proves more powerful than evil and death”.After Mass, Pope Leo XIV walked to Piazza della Libertà for the Marian Angelus prayer, recited before a multitude of about two thousand people, crowded there since the morning. (GV) (Agenzia Fides, 13/7/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/EAST TIMOR – Young people happy to follow their vocation: the Major Seminary in Dili celebrates its first 25 years

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Dili (Agenzia Fides) – Young people happy to live their vocation by following Christ and serving the Church every day. This is the reality that is lived at the Saints Peter and Paul Major Seminary in Dili in East Timor, which recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of its foundation.The small South-East Asian country, where more than 90 percent of the population is Catholic, just under a year ago received a visit from Pope Francis, who met, among others, the seminarians in Dili.In 25 years, 989 men have studied and received formation at the Major Seminary, including diocesan and religious seminarians. Of these, 118 young men have been ordained priests.Today, 245 seminarians study in the structure. These days they were visited by Fr Alessandro Brandi, an official of the Pontifical Society of St. Peter the Apostle (POSPA), who concelebrated the Holy Mass for the 25th year of foundation in the square of the Major Seminary. The rite was presided over by Norberto do Amaral, Bishop of Maliana and President of the Episcopal Conference of East Timor. The Bishop of Baucau, Leandro Maria Alves, was also present.During the celebrations, in addition to moments of celebration, there were also meetings with seminarians from the other two structures present in Dili: the “St. John Mary Vianney” propaedeutic Seminary and the “Our Lady of Fatima” minor Seminary. To date, there are 106 young people in the former, and 195 in the latter.Father Alessandro had the opportunity to explain in detail the vocation and activities of the four Pontifical Mission Societies, focusing especially on the Pontifical Mission Societies, dwelling above all on POSPA and how funds are raised for subsidies that then reach the island to support the formation of seminarians.”Be happy seminarians, always maintain and nurture a good relationship with your formators. And vice versa,” was the official’s final recommendation. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 13/7/2025)
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  • MIL-OSI Russia: North Korea condemns joint exercises between US, Japan and South Korea

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    PYONGYANG, July 13 (Xinhua) — The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) condemned the joint military exercises between the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Sunday, calling the trilateral maneuvers “a major danger factor that increases the level of military tension on the Korean Peninsula and adjacent areas.”

    As reported by the Korean Central News Agency, citing a statement by the head of the Political Department of the DPRK Ministry of Defense, on July 11, the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea “held provocative trilateral joint air exercises, using various types of bombers, including the B-52H strategic bomber, in the skies over the Korean Peninsula and its environs.”

    The statement noted that the military alliances between the US and Japan and between the US and the ROK “have finally evolved into a nuclear-based trilateral military alliance,” and the trilateral military cooperation being promoted in all areas foreshadows “long-term instability and tension on the Korean Peninsula, which may lead to an unpredictable phase of military confrontation at any time.”

    The statement stressed that taking countermeasures against provocative military actions that threaten regional security, such as steps to strengthen the multilateral military alliance, is the DPRK’s sovereign right. –0–

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: President Meloni’s statement on tariff negotiations

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    13 Luglio 2025

    Once again today, the Government is in close contact with the European Commission and all the parties involved in the tariff negotiations. A trade war within the West would make us all weaker in the face of the global challenges we are addressing together. Europe has the economic and financial strength to uphold its interests and reach a fair and common-sense agreement. Italy will do its part, as always.

    [Courtesy translation]

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  • MIL-OSI Video: High-Level Political Forum 2025 – Opening | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

    The HLPF will be held from Monday, 14 July, to Wednesday, 23 July 2025, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council.

    Opening
    Unlocking means of implementation: Mobilizing financing and STI for the SDGs (Townhall meeting)

    -How can countries and stakeholders advance a coherent framework for financing the SDGs? 
    -What are the key outcomes from the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) which can be addressed in the short-term?
    -How can promising science and technology solutions for the SDGs be scaled up? 
    -What innovative examples were highlighted at the 10th Multi-Stakeholder Forum on STI for the SDGs?

    —

    The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) will be held from Monday, 14 July, to Wednesday, 23 July 2025, under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council. This includes the three-day ministerial segment of the forum from Monday, 21 July, to Wednesday, 23 July 2025, as part of the High-level Segment of ECOSOC.

    The theme of the HLPF will be “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind”

    Five Sustainable Development Goals would be the focus of HLPF 2025 

    SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being
    SDG 5 – Gender Equality
    SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
    SDG 14 – Life Below Water
    SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals

    The 2025 HLPF is expected to bring together ministerial and high-level representatives of governments, as well as a wide range of expertise and stakeholders, including heads of UN entities, academics and other experts, and representatives of major groups and other stakeholders. 

    37 countries will present a Voluntary National Reviews (VNR) at the 2025 HLPF: Angola, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Finland, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Malaysia, Malta, Micronesia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Seychelles, South Africa, Sudan, Suriname, Thailand.  

    Watch in 6 UN official languages: https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1f/k1fv876o81

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FEcMRkKdGw

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Monsoon rains and flash floods kill 104 in Pakistan

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    ISLAMABAD, July 13 (Xinhua) — At least 104 people were killed and over 200 injured in heavy rains and flash floods in Pakistan from June 26 to July 12, Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Sunday.

    According to the NDMA, six people have died and 15 were injured in rain-related accidents in the last 24 hours.

    The highest death toll, 39, was recorded in the eastern province of Punjab, followed by the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 31 deaths, the southern province of Sindh with 17 deaths and the southwestern province of Balochistan with 16 deaths.

    Authorities have issued warnings of further rainfall in the coming days and urged residents, especially in low-lying and vulnerable areas, to take precautions. Search and rescue operations are ongoing in the worst-hit regions. –0–

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: Justice and Home Affairs Council

    Source: European Union 2

    The Justice and Home Affairs Council develops cooperation and common policies on various cross-border issues, with the aim of building an EU-wide area of freedom, security and justice. It is made up of justice and home affairs ministers from all the EU member states.

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Update 303 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine

    Source: International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA

    The IAEA team at Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) reported hearing hundreds of rounds of small arms fire last night, the latest sign of military activity potentially threatening nuclear safety and security, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today.

    The large number of shots – repeatedly fired for about an hour from 10pm local time – was unusual, the team members reported.  

    Conducting a site walkdown this morning, they saw numerous small calibre casings lying scattered on the ground near reactor units 5 and 6. There was no sign of broken windows or other physical damage.

    The IAEA team at the ZNPP is seeking further information about the incident.

    “Such military activity at or near a major nuclear power plant is clearly unacceptable,” Director General Grossi said.  

    Saturday evening’s shooting came after a series of purported attacks and other incidents involving drones near the ZNPP and other nuclear facilities in Ukraine in recent months, including a report of a strike a few days ago in the city of Enerhodar, where most ZNPP staff live.  

    Director General Grossi reiterated his deep concern about the apparent increased use of drones near nuclear power plants since early this year, saying such weaponry posed a clear risk to nuclear safety and security.

    Any drone strike on a nuclear facility would violate the Seven Indispensable Pillars for nuclear safety and security during an armed conflict as well as the Five Principles to help ensure nuclear safety and security at the ZNPP, outlined by the Director General in March 2022 and May 2023, respectively.  

    “We are seeing a clear escalation in drone strikes during this war, also affecting Ukraine’s nuclear power plants and potentially putting them in further danger. As I have repeatedly stated, any military attack on a nuclear site – with or without drones – jeopardizes nuclear safety and must stop immediately,” Director General Grossi said.

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU to strengthen crisis readiness and healthy security

    Source: European Union 2

    The European Commission has put forward strategies to improve access to essential goods during crises, focused on stockpiling and medical countermeasures. The plans include establishing and expanding stockpiles in the EU as well as improving access to lifesaving medical tools in times of emergency.

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s rail investment up 5.5 pct in H1

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) — China’s railway construction progressed steadily in the first half of 2025, with fixed asset investment in the railway sector up 5.5 percent year on year, according to the China Railway Corporation (CRC).

    According to the KGZK, from January to June, investment in fixed assets reached 355.9 billion yuan (about 50 billion US dollars).

    The volume of investment remains high, the KGZhK emphasized, noting that railway investments cover a long production chain and a wide range of industries, being an important driver of growth.

    This year, railway projects across the country are making steady progress: 301 km of new lines have already been commissioned, and preparatory work is underway on new projects. –0–

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  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/PHILIPPINES – Online gambling is a “public health crisis that destroys society”: Bishops call for it to be declared illegal

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Freepik

    Manila (Agenzia Fides) – In the gambling addiction treatment centers run by Caritas, Catholic organizations, and communities in the Philippines, the number of cases of online gambling addiction is increasing, a trend fueled by the boom in betting apps on cell phones and mobile devices. The Philippine Church has described this as “a deepening crisis in the country” and is sounding the alarm about a social and cultural scourge that is destroying the lives of young people and entire families.The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp (Pagcor), the public concessionaire that operates gambling in the Philippines, announced that it recorded a net profit of 84.97 billion pesos in 2024. About half of this amount came from the “remarkable performance” of electronic games and electronic bingo.A 2023 Capstone-Intel survey found that online gambling participation in the country is high among both young and middle-aged people. According to the survey, 66 percent of young Filipinos between the ages of 18 and 24 gamble online, and 57 percent of respondents between the ages of 41 and 55 reported regular online gambling, averaging two to three times per week. Seven out of 10 respondents reported spending about 1,000 pesos per week (equivalent to twice a worker’s daily salary) on online betting, while about 20 percent bet up to 3,000 pesos.Meanwhile, in light of “alarming data,” two members of the European Parliament have submitted a motion calling for an investigation into online gambling, particularly with regard to illegal operators. The lawmakers introduced the resolution to Parliament on July 9, calling for an investigation into the social consequences of the phenomenon, ranging from financial losses and mental health problems to contact with criminal networks often run by illegal offshore gambling operators that facilitate crimes such as money laundering.Online gambling is widespread among both wealthy and low-income households, and even among the unemployed. “Low-income groups are particularly hard hit, and there is a risk of entrenching poverty. Meanwhile, online gambling has serious social impacts, including deteriorating mental health, family conflicts, and suicide attempts,” the lawmakers said. “Users often resort to loans and digital wallets to finance gambling, which contributes to the exacerbation of cycles of debt and increasing family conflict,” the resolution states.The bishops of the Philippines also recently addressed this issue in a message at the conclusion of their plenary assembly. They lament the phenomenon and point with concern to “the moral and social crisis caused by online gambling.” They call it “a new plague or virus that destroys individuals, families, and society” and causes an addiction that spreads “silently, like widespread slavery.” “We don’t realize it, but it’s rampant: many, including young people, are becoming addicted to online gambling,” the bishops said in their message.”It is clear,” the bishops continued, “that online gambling is no longer a simple pastime. It is a profound and widespread moral problem hidden under the guise of entertainment and technology.” It “is by no means innocent, but deliberately attractive, especially to young people and ordinary citizens. Online access is easy, winning is quick, and losing is just as quick.” What users don’t know, however, is that “this system was designed to draw people into the web of gambling addiction.”Gambling is nothing new in the Philippines, and there have always been legal and illegal forms of betting. However, thanks to digital technology, the phenomenon has changed its profile: thanks to smartphones, gambling has become accessible to everyone 24/7. One click on any online account or electronic wallet is enough to lose all the money deposited in an instant.”In gambling,” the bishops say, “conscience seems to be gradually being lost. We are conditioned to think that it is just normal entertainment or fun, or that there is nothing wrong with it.” Yet the Catechism of the Catholic Church is clear on this issue: ‘… Gambling becomes morally unacceptable when it deprives someone of what is necessary to provide for his needs and those of others’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2413).The bishops also lament the silence of the media, the government, and the business community: “Could it be because many of them profit from it?” they ask. Entrepreneurs in the world of communications have set up online gaming platforms that exceeded 154 billion pesos in revenue in 2024 alone, an increase of almost 165% over the previous year.The Church is concerned about those who have fallen into the gambling net and “live in shame, fear, and despair.” Many turn to church institutions for help, saying: “My salary always runs out…” “I lied to my family again…” “Our family is ruined because of gambling…” “I don’t know how to stop…”The bishops note: “It is no longer a problem for individuals. It is a public health crisis in our society, just like drugs, alcohol, and other types of addiction.” It destroys not only the individual but also their family.”In light of this phenomenon, “we cannot afford to remain silent, because the spread of gambling and addiction among many people is like a deadly plague or pandemic that destroys the lives of individuals, families, and society as a whole.”The bishops ask: “What will the future of the country look like if young people are easily attracted to online gambling because there are virtually no restrictions? What will happen if we say that young people need a good education and that citizens have jobs, but gambling is rampant?”The Church’s position is clear: “Taking advantage of the weakness of others just to make money is a sin. The spread of gambling, especially among young and poor people, is a major scandal. As a society—government, businesses, schools, and churches—we must not be blind, deaf, and mute to the harm it causes.”Therefore, the Bishops’ Conference calls on institutions to “declare any form of online gambling illegal and recognize that gambling addiction is a public health problem that should be addressed with appropriate education, legislation, and treatment.” Alternatively, the government is urged to introduce appropriate controls on online payment systems “so that they do not become easy access to online gambling sites, in order to protect our young people.”Parishes and all Catholic communities are urged “to help individuals and families affected by gambling and not to remain silent or passive.””We invite every conscientious person to consider the good of the nation, society, young people, and their souls. The Church is not against any form of entertainment or leisure activity. But when pleasure becomes slavery and entertainment becomes a cause of the destruction of life, we must cry out and warn,” the bishops said.”We want to remind everyone,” the bishops’ message concludes, “that we can escape slavery through honorable work, by continuing to walk the path of truth, goodness, justice, and, above all, the grace of God. Jesus did not come to judge, but to save.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 12/7/2025)
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