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Category: Europe

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Meets the Olympic Spirit: Dreaming of a New Future Through Technology and Sport With the IOC

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung Electronics’ global flagship corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, took the spotlight at a global gathering of changemakers hosted by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Lausanne, Switzerland — where innovation, sport and social impact converged.
     
    From June 3 to 5, as a Worldwide Mobile and Computing Equipment Partner of Olympic & Paralympic, Samsung participated in the first Olympism365 Summit: Sport For A Better World at the IOC headquarters to showcase its Solve for Tomorrow vision of empowering youth through education and technology — highlighting stories from around the world that demonstrate how the program is helping young people tackle real-world challenges in their communities.
     
    Over three days, the event brought together more than 250 representatives from 100 organizations — across the Olympic Movement, United Nations agencies, development and financing institutions, civil society, for-purpose business, safe sport community and IOC Young Leaders working together — to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through sport.
     
    ▲ IOC President Thomas Bach delivers a keynote at the IOC Youth Summit.
     
    Held as part of the Olympism365 Summit, the IOC Youth Summit provided a platform for IOC Young Leaders to contribute their perspectives, collaborate on innovative solutions and help shape the future of sport for development — offering a vital contribution to the Olympism365 strategy focused on building a better world through sport.
     
    During the summit, Ramneek Kaur Ahluwalia, the 2022 winner of the United Kingdom’s Solve for Tomorrow program, spoke about how the experience shaped her personal growth.
     
    “What started off as a challenging lived experience of being isolated, vulnerable and stereotyped when using a white cane, quickly fueled the evolution of award-winning MyVision,” she said. “Thanks to the amazing Samsung Solve for Tomorrow mentors who helped me utilize the design thinking process and technical expertise to create a truly life-changing device.”
     
    She shared her journey developing MyVision, a smart assistive device designed to help people with congenital visual impairments. Drawing from her own experience with visual impairment, Ramneek described how Solve for Tomorrow helped her to grow — and outlined her ongoing efforts to expand her dream realized through Solve for Tomorrow into broader educational and career opportunities for others with similar challenges.
     
    ▲ Ramneek Kaur Ahluwalia shares her journey with IOC Young Leaders.
     
    The event also provided opportunities to engage with IOC officials and other Young Leaders from around the world. Ramneek met with Sherief Kholeif, a United Kingdom-based IOC Young Leader, to discuss sports programs for marginalized youth in Scotland and exchanged ideas with participants on the social impact of combining sport and technology.
     
    Building on its participation in the Olympism365 Summit and the IOC Youth Summit, Samsung plans to strengthen its collaboration with the IOC by designating “Social Change Through Sport & Technology” as one of the global themes for Solve for Tomorrow 2025. In doing so, the company will continue to support young people worldwide in developing creative, practical ideas to drive positive change in their communities.
     
    “It was a pleasure to meet Ramneek, one of Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow ambassadors at the IOC Youth Summit,” said Kholeif. “Her innovative and thoughtful ideas are inspiring. It is encouraging to see Samsung paving the way for young students around the world who believe in creating a more accessible and inclusive future through innovation. I hope the Solve for Tomorrow program continues to create meaningful opportunities for my fellow Young Leaders, and that together we can make a difference by combining technology and sport.”
     
    ▲ (From left) Sherief Kholeif and Ramneek Kaur Ahluwalia
     
    Notably, the “Social Change Through Sport & Technology” theme was selected through a public vote held during the Olympic Games in Paris last year. The theme reflects growing global concerns around sustainability and sport, encouraging young people to develop innovative solutions that demonstrate the positive social and environmental impact of sport.
     
    ▲ Ramneek Kaur Ahluwalia joins IOC Young Leaders for a group photo.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • Key targets and capabilities: a look at Iran’s nuclear facilities amid Israeli strikes

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Israel said early on Friday it had struck Iranian nuclear targets to block Tehran from developing atomic weapons, and Iranian media and witnesses reported explosions including at the country’s main uranium enrichment facility. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes are aimed at hurting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile factories and military capabilities.

    Below are some of Iran’s main nuclear facilities.

    WHERE ARE IRAN’S NUCLEAR FACILITIES?

    Iran’s nuclear programme is spread over many locations. While the threat of Israeli airstrikes has loomed for decades, only some of the sites have been built underground.

    DOES IRAN HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPONS PROGRAMME?

    The United States and the U.N. nuclear watchdog believe Iran had a coordinated, secret nuclear weapons programme that it halted in 2003. The Islamic Republic denies ever having had one or planning to have one.

    Iran agreed to restrictions on its nuclear activities in exchange for relief from international sanctions under a 2015 deal with world powers. That pact fell apart after Trump – then serving his first term as president – pulled the United States out of it in 2018 and Iran started abandoning the restrictions in the following year.

    IS IRAN INCREASING ITS URANIUM ENRICHMENT?

    Yes. Iran has been expanding its uranium enrichment programme ever since the pact broke down, reducing the so-called “breakout time” it would need to produce enough weapons-grade uranium for a nuclear bomb to days or little more than a week from at least a year under the 2015 deal.

    Actually making a bomb with that material would take longer. How long is less clear and is the subject of debate.

    Iran is now enriching uranium to up to 60% fissile purity, close to the 90% of weapons-grade, at two sites, and in theory it has enough material enriched to that level, if enriched further, for six bombs, according to a yardstick of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the U.N. watchdog.

    NATANZ

    Netanyahu said on Friday that Israel had targetted Natanz as part of its attack.

    A complex at the heart of Iran’s enrichment programme on a plain abutting mountains outside the Shi’ite Muslim holy city of Qom, south of Tehran. Natanz houses facilities including two enrichment plants: the vast, underground Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) and the above-ground Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP).

    An exiled Iranian opposition group revealed in 2002 that Iran was secretly building Natanz, igniting a diplomatic standoff between the West and Iran over its nuclear intentions that continues today.

    The FEP was built for enrichment on a commercial scale, able to house 50,000 centrifuges. Around 16,000 centrifuges are currently installed there, roughly 13,000 of which are in operation, refining uranium to up to 5% purity.

    Diplomats with knowledge of Natanz describe the FEP as being about three floors below ground. There has long been debate about how much damage Israeli airstrikes could do to it.

    Damage has been done to centrifuges at the FEP by other means, including an explosion and power cut in April 2021 that Iran said was an attack by Israel.

    The above-ground PFEP houses only hundreds of centrifuges but Iran is enriching to up to 60% purity there.

    FORDOW

    On the opposite side of Qom, Fordow is an enrichment site dug into a mountain and therefore probably better protected from potential bombardment than the FEP.

    The 2015 deal with major powers did not allow Iran to enrich at Fordow at all. It now has around 2,000 centrifuges operating there, most of them advanced IR-6 machines, of which up to 350 are enriching to up to 60%.

    The United States, Britain and France announced in 2009 that Iran had been secretly building Fordow for years and had failed to inform the IAEA. U.S. President Barack Obama said then: “The size and configuration of this facility is inconsistent with a peaceful programme.”

    ISFAHAN

    Iran has a large nuclear technology centre on the outskirts of Isfahan, its second largest city.

    It includes the Fuel Plate Fabrication Plant (FPFP) and the uranium conversion facility (UCF) that can process uranium into the uranium hexafluoride that is fed into centrifuges.

    Iran also stores enriched uranium at Isfahan, diplomats say.

    There is equipment at Isfahan to make uranium metal, a process that is particularly proliferation-sensitive since it can be used to devise the core of a nuclear bomb.

    The IAEA has said there are machines for making centrifuge parts at Isfahan, describing it in 2022 as a “new location”.

    KHONDAB

    Iran has a partially built heavy-water research reactor originally called Arak and now Khondab. Heavy-water reactors pose a nuclear proliferation risk because they can easily produce plutonium which, like enriched uranium, can be used to make the core of an atom bomb.

    Under the 2015 deal, construction was halted, the reactor’s core was removed and filled with concrete to make it unusable. The reactor was to be redesigned “to minimise the production of plutonium and not to produce weapon-grade plutonium in normal operation”. Iran has informed the IAEA that it plans to start operating the reactor in 2026.

    TEHRAN RESEARCH CENTRE

    Iran’s nuclear research facilities in Tehran include a research reactor.

    BUSHEHR

    Iran’s only operating nuclear power plant, on the Gulf coast, uses Russian fuel that Russia then takes back when it is spent, reducing the proliferation risk.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-Evening Report: Why did Israel defy Trump – and risk a major war – by striking Iran now? And what happens next?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University; and Vice Chancellor’s Strategic Fellow, Victoria University

    Alarmed by an intelligence assessment that Iran will be able to produce nuclear weapons within months if not weeks, Israel has launched a massive air campaign aiming to destroy the country’s nuclear program.

    Israel’s air strikes hit Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz, as well as its air defences and long-range missile facilities.

    Among the dead are Hossein Salami, the chief of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards Corps; Mohammad Bagheri, the commander-in-chief of the military; and two prominent nuclear scientists.

    Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has promised “severe punishment” in response. Iran could potentially target Israel’s own nuclear sites and US bases across the Persian Gulf. Israel claimed Iran launched 100 drones towards it just hours after the attack.

    The Middle East is yet again on the precipice of a potentially devastating war with serious regional and global implications.

    Stalled nuclear talks

    The Israeli operations come against the backdrop of a series of inconclusive nuclear talks between the United States and Iran. These negotiations began in mid-April at President Donald Trump’s request and aimed to reach a deal within months.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposed the talks, pressing for military action instead as the best option to halt Iran’s nuclear program.

    The diplomatic efforts had stalled in recent weeks over Trump’s demand that Iran agree to a zero-uranium enrichment posture and destroy its stockpile of some 400 kilograms of enriched uranium at a 60% purity level. This could be rapidly enriched further to weapons-grade level.

    Tehran refused to oblige, calling it a “non-negotiable”.

    Netanyahu has long pledged to eliminate what he has called the Iranian “octopus” – the regime’s vast network of regional affiliates, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the regime of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, and the Houthi militants in Yemen.

    Following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7 2023, Israel’s military has considerably degraded these Iranian affiliates, one by one. Now, Netanyahu has now gone for beheading the octopus.

    Trump keeping his distance

    Netanyahu has in the past urged Washington to join him in a military operation against Iran. However, successive US leaders have not found it desirable to ignite or be involved in another Middle East war, especially after the debacle in Iraq and its failed Afghanistan intervention.

    Despite his strong commitment to Israel’s security and regional supremacy, Trump has been keen to follow this US posture, for two important reasons.

    He has not forgotten Netanyahu’s warm congratulations to Joe Biden when he defeated Trump in the 2020 US presidential election.

    Nor has Trump been keen to be too closely aligned with Netanyahu at the expense of his lucrative relations with oil-rich Arab states. He recently visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on a trip to the Middle East, while bypassing Israel.

    Indeed, this week, Trump had warned Netanyahu not to do anything that could undermine the US nuclear talks with Iran. He has been keen to secure a deal to boost his self-declared reputation as a peace broker, despite not having done very well so far on this front.

    But as the nuclear talks seemed to be reaching a dead end, Netanyahu decided now was the moment to act.

    The Trump administration has distanced itself from the attack, saying it had no involvement. It remains to be seen whether the US will now get involved to defend Israel if and when Iran retaliates.

    What a wider war could mean

    Israel has shown it has the capacity to unleash overwhelming firepower, causing serious damage to Iran’s nuclear and military facilities and infrastructure. But the Iranian Islamic regime also has the capability to retaliate, with all the means at its disposal.

    Despite the fact the Iranian leadership faces serious domestic issues on political, social and economic fronts, it still has the ability to target Israeli and US assets in the region with advanced missiles and drones.

    It also has the capability to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20–25% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments flow. Importantly, Iran has strategic partnerships with both Russia and China, as well.

    Depending on the nature and scope of the Iranian response, the current conflict could easily develop into an uncontrollable regional war, with none of the parties emerging as victor. A major conflict could not only further destabilise what is already a volatile Middle East, but also upend the fragile global geopolitical and economic landscape.

    The Middle East cannot afford another war. Trump had good reasons to restrain Netanyahu’s government while the nuclear negotiations were taking place to see if he could hammer out a deal.

    Whether this deal can be salvaged amid the chaos is unclear. The next round of negotiations was due to be held on Sunday in Oman, but Iran said it would not attend and all talks were off until further notice.

    Iran and the US, under Barack Obama, had agreed a nuclear deal before – the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Although Netanyahu branded it “the worst deal of the century”, it appeared to be holding until Trump, urged by Netanyahu, unilaterally withdrew from it in 2018.

    Now, Netanyahu has taken the military approach to thwart Iran’s nuclear program. And the region – and rest of the world – will have to wait and see if another war can be averted before it’s too late.

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

    – ref. Why did Israel defy Trump – and risk a major war – by striking Iran now? And what happens next? – https://theconversation.com/why-did-israel-defy-trump-and-risk-a-major-war-by-striking-iran-now-and-what-happens-next-258917

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo Opens in Changsha

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    CHANGSHA, June 13 (Xinhua) — The 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo opened Thursday in Changsha, capital of central China’s Hunan Province, demonstrating China’s commitment to strengthening ties with Africa, the continent with the largest number of developing countries.

    The four-day event, with the main theme “China and Africa: Together for Modernization,” will bring together about 4,700 Chinese and African enterprises and attract more than 30,000 participants. According to the organizers, the value of pre-agreed cooperation projects exceeds US$11 billion.

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the opening ceremony on Thursday and expressed confidence that the expo would create more opportunities for China-Africa cooperation and bring more results.

    “No matter how the international situation changes, China will always stand firmly with Africa, provide strong support for the continent’s modernization, and be a true friend and sincere brother in Africa’s development,” said Wang, who is also a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee.

    Realizing modernization is the common aspiration of the more than 2.8 billion people in China and Africa and a key theme of the China-Africa community with a shared future, he said.

    Wang Yi assured that China will continue to exchange governance experience with African countries and strengthen the synergy of the two sides’ development strategies. He promised that China will continue its efforts to expand opening up to Africa.

    China will also deepen practical cooperation to promote Africa’s industrialization and digital transformation, Wang added.

    The opening ceremony of the EXPO was also attended by Ugandan Prime Minister Robin Nabbanja, Liberian Vice President Jeremiah Kuhn and Kenyan Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi.

    In her speech, R. Nabbanja said that in the face of global challenges such as climate change, supply chain disruptions and rising protectionism, true modernization must be built on partnerships characterized by mutual respect, win-win cooperation and inclusive development.

    She called for far-sighted, sustainable and inclusive China-Africa cooperation, especially in trade and investment.

    M. Mudavadi also spoke at the opening ceremony of the event, saying that Kenya welcomes increased Chinese investment in infrastructure, especially in energy, transport and industrial parks, and supports strengthening cooperation between the two sides in the areas of technology transfer, innovation, etc.

    The current Expo features specialized zones dedicated to smart mining technologies, clean energy, modern agricultural machinery and construction equipment. For the first time, the Expo will feature specialized expositions dedicated to famous Chinese-African cooperation brands, high-quality African products, Chinese-African tourism and Chinese-African cooperation in traditional Chinese medicine.

    The Expo will feature 30 economic and trade events covering China-Africa cooperation in various fields. Two key documents on China-Africa economic ties will also be released during the event.

    As of the end of 2024, China had been Africa’s largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years, and bilateral trade growth continued to gain momentum in 2025. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Moscow Seasons in Beijing festival has opened in the capital of China

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) — The Moscow Seasons in Beijing festival opened on Thursday at the Wangfujing pedestrian street in the center of the Chinese capital in the context of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of sister city relations between Beijing and Moscow.

    “On the instructions of Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, we are opening this wonderful project “Moscow Seasons in Beijing”. Moscow has already celebrated the Chinese New Year twice, and this wonderful, bright event brings joy to every resident and guest of the Russian capital. I hope that we will be able to please and surprise every visitor to this beautiful central street of Beijing,” said First Deputy Head of the Moscow Mayor and Government Office, Chairman of the Moscow City Tourism Committee Evgeny Kozlov.

    “The project that is starting today, which is a striking example of dialogue between cultures and civilizations, continues the good tradition of cultural exchanges between the main cities of our countries that has developed in recent years,” noted the Minister-Counselor of the Russian Embassy in China, Sergei Kramintsev.

    According to him, during the festival, which took place in Moscow in connection with the celebration of the Chinese New Year according to the lunar calendar, master classes in calligraphy and the creation of paper dragons, as well as drum shows and tea ceremonies, attracted great interest from more than one and a half million visitors.

    The Moscow Seasons in Beijing festival will undoubtedly become one of the most memorable events of the program of the cross years of culture of Russia and China. In thematic pavilions, one can get acquainted with the tourist potential of our country, take part in creative master classes, visit a fair of Moscow souvenirs and try dishes of traditional Russian cuisine. Meanwhile, a rich concert program is planned, from classical music to jazz, said S. Kramintsev.

    Guo Huigang, director of the Beijing Municipal Culture and Tourism Bureau, said that Beijing and Moscow have recently jointly organized a series of events to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their sister city relationship, stressing that with the continuous development of sister city relations, Moscow has become one of Beijing’s closest sister cities on an international scale.

    He also noted that culture and tourism are important areas of cooperation between both countries and both cities. As it became known, China ranks first among foreign countries in the number of tourists coming to the Russian capital. In 2024 alone, Moscow was visited by more than 420 thousand guests from China.

    According to the Beijing City Administration of Culture and Tourism, Beijing received 293,000 tourists from Russia last year, and over 175,000 Russian tourists visited the Chinese capital in the first five months of this year. Among foreign travelers who visited Beijing during the same period, Russians ranked first.

    The festival, organized by the Moscow government with the support of the Beijing People’s Government, is one of the largest in a series of events within the framework of the China-Russia Cross Years of Culture 2024-2025. It will last until Sunday. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China-Kazakhstan International Center for Border Cooperation “Khorgos” received almost 3.9 million people in January-May 2025

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) — The flow of visitors to the China-Kazakhstan International Boundary Cooperation Center (ICBC) “Khorgos”, located in the city of the same name in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, increased by 87.2 percent year on year to 3.893 million people in the first five months of 2025, according to data from the Khorgos border checkpoint.

    The Khorgos ICBC has thousands of types of goods from Central Asia and Europe. Thanks to the preferential policy, tourists can easily make purchases from all over the world here.

    Let us recall that 2024 was the Year of Kazakhstan Tourism in China, and 2025 was declared the Year of China Tourism in Kazakhstan. In the context of the synergistic effect of holding relevant events and mutual visa-free regime, Khorgos has become the main choice for cross-border travel.

    As Xinjiang’s peak tourist season approaches, Khorgos ICBC is expected to welcome a record number of visitors. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why did Israel defy Trump – and risk a major war – by striking Iran now? And what happens next?

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Amin Saikal, Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies, Australian National University; and Vice Chancellor’s Strategic Fellow, Victoria University

    Alarmed by an intelligence assessment that Iran will be able to produce nuclear weapons within months if not weeks, Israel has launched a massive air campaign aiming to destroy the country’s nuclear program.

    Israel’s air strikes hit Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility at Natanz, as well as its air defences and long-range missile facilities.

    Among the dead are Hossein Salami, the chief of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guards Corps; Mohammad Bagheri, the commander-in-chief of the military; and two prominent nuclear scientists.

    Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has promised “severe punishment” in response. Iran could potentially target Israel’s own nuclear sites and US bases across the Persian Gulf. Israel claimed Iran launched 100 drones towards it just hours after the attack.

    The Middle East is yet again on the precipice of a potentially devastating war with serious regional and global implications.

    Stalled nuclear talks

    The Israeli operations come against the backdrop of a series of inconclusive nuclear talks between the United States and Iran. These negotiations began in mid-April at President Donald Trump’s request and aimed to reach a deal within months.

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposed the talks, pressing for military action instead as the best option to halt Iran’s nuclear program.

    The diplomatic efforts had stalled in recent weeks over Trump’s demand that Iran agree to a zero-uranium enrichment posture and destroy its stockpile of some 400 kilograms of enriched uranium at a 60% purity level. This could be rapidly enriched further to weapons-grade level.

    Tehran refused to oblige, calling it a “non-negotiable”.

    Netanyahu has long pledged to eliminate what he has called the Iranian “octopus” – the regime’s vast network of regional affiliates, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the regime of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, and the Houthi militants in Yemen.

    Following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7 2023, Israel’s military has considerably degraded these Iranian affiliates, one by one. Now, Netanyahu has now gone for beheading the octopus.

    Trump keeping his distance

    Netanyahu has in the past urged Washington to join him in a military operation against Iran. However, successive US leaders have not found it desirable to ignite or be involved in another Middle East war, especially after the debacle in Iraq and its failed Afghanistan intervention.

    Despite his strong commitment to Israel’s security and regional supremacy, Trump has been keen to follow this US posture, for two important reasons.

    He has not forgotten Netanyahu’s warm congratulations to Joe Biden when he defeated Trump in the 2020 US presidential election.

    Nor has Trump been keen to be too closely aligned with Netanyahu at the expense of his lucrative relations with oil-rich Arab states. He recently visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on a trip to the Middle East, while bypassing Israel.

    Indeed, this week, Trump had warned Netanyahu not to do anything that could undermine the US nuclear talks with Iran. He has been keen to secure a deal to boost his self-declared reputation as a peace broker, despite not having done very well so far on this front.

    But as the nuclear talks seemed to be reaching a dead end, Netanyahu decided now was the moment to act.

    The Trump administration has distanced itself from the attack, saying it had no involvement. It remains to be seen whether the US will now get involved to defend Israel if and when Iran retaliates.

    What a wider war could mean

    Israel has shown it has the capacity to unleash overwhelming firepower, causing serious damage to Iran’s nuclear and military facilities and infrastructure. But the Iranian Islamic regime also has the capability to retaliate, with all the means at its disposal.

    Despite the fact the Iranian leadership faces serious domestic issues on political, social and economic fronts, it still has the ability to target Israeli and US assets in the region with advanced missiles and drones.

    It also has the capability to close the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20–25% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments flow. Importantly, Iran has strategic partnerships with both Russia and China, as well.

    Depending on the nature and scope of the Iranian response, the current conflict could easily develop into an uncontrollable regional war, with none of the parties emerging as victor. A major conflict could not only further destabilise what is already a volatile Middle East, but also upend the fragile global geopolitical and economic landscape.

    The Middle East cannot afford another war. Trump had good reasons to restrain Netanyahu’s government while the nuclear negotiations were taking place to see if he could hammer out a deal.

    Whether this deal can be salvaged amid the chaos is unclear. The next round of negotiations was due to be held on Sunday in Oman, but Iran said it would not attend and all talks were off until further notice.

    Iran and the US, under Barack Obama, had agreed a nuclear deal before – the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Although Netanyahu branded it “the worst deal of the century”, it appeared to be holding until Trump, urged by Netanyahu, unilaterally withdrew from it in 2018.

    Now, Netanyahu has taken the military approach to thwart Iran’s nuclear program. And the region – and rest of the world – will have to wait and see if another war can be averted before it’s too late.

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

    – ref. Why did Israel defy Trump – and risk a major war – by striking Iran now? And what happens next? – https://theconversation.com/why-did-israel-defy-trump-and-risk-a-major-war-by-striking-iran-now-and-what-happens-next-258917

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Training Ethiopia’s next wave of freelancers to earn, grow and go global


    Download logo

    A digital training initiative is helping young Ethiopians turn freelancing into a viable career, opening up new opportunities for income, independence and access to global work.

    Ethiopia is emerging as a strong contender in the global freelance economy. With more than 200,000 science graduates each year, expanding internet access, and some of the most competitive labour costs in Africa, the country has the conditions to scale remote work. Supported by digital payment reforms and a national taskforce focused on freelancing, the country is working to turn its digital talent into a driver of economic growth.

    Until recently, however, few young people had access to structured support or training to help them enter the freelance market. That’s starting to change. A recent Digital Freelancing Training Programme trained 353 participants – 186 women and 167 men – in how to build sustainable careers as freelancers and access the global gig economy. The training covered everything from financial planning and personal branding to project management and securing online clients. The training was supported by the Netherlands Trust Fund V (NTF V) Ethiopia Tech project at the International Trade Centre (ITC).

    From employment to independence

    Nardos Seifu, a design and research strategist based in Addis Ababa, joined the programme after seeing a post on social media. Her work focuses on human-centred design, innovation, and facilitating learning experiences. She had long been interested in consulting but didn’t know how to position herself as a freelancer.

    ‘I had the skills, but I didn’t know how to offer them as a service,’ she said. ‘The training explained how freelancing works, including how to price your time, promote yourself, and manage your work professionally.’

    Since completing the course, she has formalized a tutoring side job and is applying for remote design consulting roles. She credits the financial planning sessions for helping her organise her income and time and is using platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook to grow her visibility.

    ‘I’ve always wanted to open a design studio that trains young people in design thinking. Now I feel like that’s possible.’

    Adapting to local realities

    The training was delivered online through weekly webinars, practical guides and interactive sessions. Internet access was a challenge for some participants, particularly outside Addis Ababa, so the team used multiple channels, including Telegram, SMS and email, to keep learners engaged.

    A key resource was the Become a Freelancer Checklist, a step-by-step guide to setting goals, building online profiles, and managing client work. Enquanhone also authored a companion eBook, Become an Online Freelancer, which covers everything from branding and pricing to productivity and digital tools.

    Turning lessons into action

    Participants were encouraged to apply what they learnt immediately. For Seifu, that meant tracking tutoring hours, setting a consistent hourly rate, and using scheduling tools to stay on top of her workload.

    ‘We were taught to treat freelancing like a business,’ she said. ‘That means knowing your value, being organised, and communicating clearly.’

    The programme also introduced tools for building an online presence. Nardos, previously hesitant about platforms like TikTok, is now using it to share insights and reach new audiences. ‘There are a lot of tools out there. The programme helped me figure out which ones matter and how to use them.’

    Following the training, many participants began applying their new skills immediately. A total of 148 entrepreneurs – including 63 women and 137 young people – have enhanced their ability to work as freelancers as a result of gaining practical tools to manage clients, projects and income streams. Of those trained, 87 participants (35 women and 81 youth) secured new jobs, demonstrating the programme’s early success in improving employability and access to income-generating opportunities.

    Growing a freelance community

    Participants came from diverse sectors – including marketing, development, and tech – and peer learning was a core part of the experience.

    ‘We were learning from each other,’ said Seifu. ‘We talked about our goals and shared what was working.’

    Still, Ethiopia’s freelance ecosystem is young. Seifu noted the lack of local networks or co-working spaces for freelancers. A Telegram group created through the programme helps alumni stay in touch and share opportunities, but participants see the need for more structured, long-term support.

    A model for future growth

    The early results are promising. Graduates are putting their new skills into practice and exploring new income streams. But to sustain progress, Ethiopia will need to invest in ongoing mentorship, stronger digital infrastructure and formal recognition of the freelance sector.

    ‘This training was a starting point,’ said Enquanhone. ‘Now we need to expand access, build networks and make freelancing a respected path to employment.’

    With the right support, Ethiopia’s freelancers could help shape the country’s digital economy and become a model for others across the continent.

    A model for future growth

    The early results are promising. Graduates are putting their new skills into practice and exploring new income streams. But to sustain progress, Ethiopia will need to invest in ongoing mentorship, stronger digital infrastructure and formal recognition of the freelance sector.

    ‘This training was a starting point,’ said Enquanhone. ‘Now we need to expand access, build networks and make freelancing a respected path to employment.’

    With the right support, Ethiopia’s freelancers could help shape the country’s digital economy and become a model for others across the continent.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Terranet’s rights issue oversubscribed

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, NEW ZEALAND, HONG KONG, JAPAN, SINGAPORE, SOUTH AFRICA, SOUTH KOREA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL OR WOULD REQUIRE REGISTRATION OR ANY OTHER MEASURES. PLEASE REFER TO IMPORTANT INFORMATION AT THE END OF THE PRESS RELEASE.

    Terranet AB (“Terranet” or the “Company”) has completed the rights issue of units, consisting of shares of series B and warrants of series TO9 B, which the Board of Directors decided on April 16, 2025, and was approved by the Annual General Meeting on May 23, 2025 (the ‘Rights Issue’). The outcome shows that 10,349,896 units were subscribed for with unit rights, corresponding to approximately 74.6 percent of the Rights Issue. In addition, the Company has received subscription applications for 4,704,934 units, corresponding to approximately 33.9 percent of the Rights Issue, for subscription without unit rights. In total, 15,054,830 units were subscribed for with unit rights and subscription applications, corresponding to approximately 108.5 percent of the Rights Issue. The Rights Issue is thus oversubscribed and will raise approximately SEK 15 million before issue costs. No underwriting commitments will be utilised.

    Outcome of the Rights Issue
    The subscription period in the Rights Issue ended on June 11, 2025. The outcome shows that 10,349,896 units were subscribed for with unit rights, corresponding to approximately 74.6 percent of the Rights Issue. Furthermore, the Company has received subscription applications to subscribe for 4,704,934 units without unit rights, corresponding to approximately 33.9 percent of the Rights Issue. Thus, 15,054,830 units were subscribed for with and without unit rights, corresponding to approximately 108.5 percent of the Rights Issue. The Rights Issue is thus oversubscribed, and no underwriting commitments will be utilised.

    Each unit in the Rights Issue consists of twelve (12) B-shares and three (3) warrants of series TO9 B. In total, 13,880,714 units will thus be allocated, corresponding to 166,568,568 newly issued B-shares and 41,642,142 warrants of series TO9 B.

    Through the Rights Issue, the Company will receive approximately SEK 15 million before issue costs. Upon full utilisation of all warrants of series TO9 B within the framework of the offered units, the Company may receive an additional maximum of approximately SEK 15.1 million.

    Comment from Lars Lindell, CEO
    “We are very pleased that so many shareholders have chosen to exercise their subscription rights and thereby shown their confidence in the company and its future development. Through the proceeds we receive from the issues, we will be able to take significant steps in both product and business development and lay the foundation for the commercialization of BlincVision.”

    Allocation of units subscribed without unit rights
    Allotment of units subscribed for without unit rights has been made in accordance with what is stated in the information memorandum published by the Company on May 26, 2025, in connection with the Rights Issue. Notice of such allotment will be announced separately through a settlement note. Nominee-registered shareholders will receive notification of allotment in accordance with instructions from the respective nominee.

    Shares and share capital
    Through the Rights Issue, and after registration of the Second Directed Issue announced by the Company through a press release on April 16, 2025, the number of shares in the Company will increase by 166,568,568 B-shares from 1,471,519,182 shares (1,084,463 A-shares and 1,470,434,719 B-shares) to 1,638,087,750 shares, and the share capital will increase by SEK 1,665,685.68, from SEK 14,715,191.82 to SEK 16,380,877.50. The dilution effect, after registration of the Second Directed Issue, amounts to 10.2 percent in the Rights Issue.

    In the event that all attached warrants of series TO9 B are fully exercised for subscription of new B-shares in the Company, the number of shares in the Company will increase by an additional 83,729,677 B-shares, from 1,638,087,750 shares (1,084,463 A-shares and 1,637,003,287 B-shares) to 1,721,817,427 shares, and the share capital will increase by an additional SEK 837,296.770, from SEK 16,380,877.500 to SEK 17,218,174.270. The dilution effect, if all warrants of series TO9 B are exercised, amounts to 4.9 percent.

    Warrants of series TO9 B
    Each warrant of series TO9 B entitles the holder to subscribe for one (1) new B-share in the Company. One (1) warrant of series TO9 B entitles the holder to subscribe for one (1) B-share in the Company at a subscription price of SEK 0.18 (corresponding to 200 percent of the subscription price per B-share in the Directed Issues and the Rights Issue). Application for subscription of B-shares with the support of warrants of series TO9 B will take place during the period from December 1, 2025, up to and including December 15, 2025. The warrants are intended to be admitted to trading on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market.

    Paid subscribed units (“BTU”)
    Trading in BTU (paid subscribed units) will take place on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market until June 30, 2025, or until the conversion of BTUs into B shares and warrants of series TO9 B, which will take place after the Rights Issue has been registered with the Swedish Companies Registration Office. Registration with the Swedish Companies Registration Office is expected to take place during week 26, 2025.

    Compensation to underwriters
    In connection with the Rights Issue, two (2) external investors have provided underwriting commitments corresponding to 99.8 per cent of the Rights Issue. For underwriting commitments made, underwriting compensation of 12 percent of the underwritten amount is paid in the form of newly issued units. In total, a maximum of 1,661,774 new units may be issued as underwriting compensation to the underwriters.

    Advisers
    Mangold Fondkommission AB is the financial advisor to Terranet in connection with the Rights Issue. Eversheds Sutherland Advokatbyrå AB is the legal advisor to the Company in connection with the Rights Issue.

    For more information, please contact:
    Dan Wahrenberg, CFO
    E-mail: dan.wahrenberg@terranet.se

    This information is such that Terranet AB is required to make public in accordance with the EU’s Market Abuse Regulation (MAR). The information was made public by the Company’s contact person above on June 13, 2025, at 08:00 CET.

    About Terranet AB (publ) 

    Terranet’s goal is to save lives in urban traffic. The company develops innovative technical solutions for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Autonomous Vehicles (AV). Terranet’s anti-collision system BlincVision laser scans and detects road objects up to ten times faster than any other ADAS technology available today.
    The company is headquartered in Lund, with offices in Gothenburg and Stuttgart. Since 2017, Terranet has been listed on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market (Nasdaq: TERRNT-B).

    Follow our journey at: www.terranet.se

    Certified Adviser to Terranet is Mangold Fondkommission AB.

    Important information
    The release, announcement or distribution of this press release may, in certain jurisdictions, be subject to restrictions. The recipients of this press release in jurisdictions where this press release has been published or distributed shall inform themselves of and follow such restrictions. The recipient of this press release is responsible for using this press release, and the information contained herein, in accordance with applicable rules in each jurisdiction. This press release does not constitute an offer, or a solicitation of any offer, to buy or subscribe for any securities in Terranet in any jurisdiction, neither from Terranet nor anyone else.

    This press release does not constitute or form part of an offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities in the United States. The securities referred to herein may not be sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act. There is no intention to register any securities referred to herein in the United States or to make a public offering of the securities in the United States. The information in this press release may not be announced, published, copied, reproduced or distributed, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, within or into Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Switzerland, Singapore, South Africa, the United States or in any other jurisdiction where such announcement, publication or distribution of the information would not comply with applicable laws and regulations or where such actions are subject to legal restrictions or would require additional registration or other measures than what is required under Swedish law. Actions taken in violation of this instruction may constitute a crime against applicable securities laws and regulations.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI China: SCIO briefs media on promoting green development in Zhejiang

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

    SCIO briefs media on promoting green development in Zhejiang

    China SCIO | June 13, 2025

    The State Council Information Office (SCIO) organized a media trip to eastern China’s Zhejiang province from June 11 to 13, bringing together over 40 journalists – including foreign correspondents from the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Singapore, Indonesia, Turkey, South Korea, Japan and Brazil – to observe the progress of green development in the province.

    A press briefing was held Thursday in Zhejiang’s capital city Hangzhou, where Xu Wenguang, executive vice governor of Zhejiang province, briefed the media and answered questions.

    On June 12, 2025, the State Council Information Office (SCIO) holds a press briefing in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo by Luan Haijun/China SCIO]

    1   2   3   4   5   6   7   >  

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: LEADER JEFFRIES: “IF THEY CAN ATTACK A SITTING SENATOR, JUST IMAGINE WHAT THEY HAVE IN STORE FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE”

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

    Tonight, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MSNBC’s The Last Word with Lawrence O’Donnell to discuss the Trump administration’s unprecedented assault of Senator Alex Padilla:

    LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: Leading off our breaking news coverage tonight is House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Mr. Jeffries, thank you very much for joining us tonight. There is so much for you to consider for us. First of all, let’s begin with Governor Newsom and his big victory in court tonight. This decision that I’ve read by the judge just finds in the governor’s favor all the way through ordering the California National Guard back under the command of Gavin Newsom.

    LEADER JEFFRIES: It’s a big victory for the people of California, for the governor, for the rule of law and for democracy itself. Donald Trump had engaged in aggressive overreach. That was never a need for this deployment. Things were being managed by the LAPD, the California Highway Patrol, as well as local Los Angeles County sheriffs. We all object and reject any efforts to assault police officers, to be disruptive, to engage in unlawful and unruly behavior. That was not the issue here. The issue is, how do we make sure that we can continue to protect the peaceful assembly that is guaranteed by the United States Constitution as part of the right of every American to petition their government to try to get grievances redressed.

    LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: Judge Breyer, Charles Breyer, very carefully reviewed every single event that has happened there that could be called in any way close to violent, every single thing, every mango that was thrown, every bottle that was thrown, every fire in a dumpster that happened. The fires of those driverless cars that happened over the weekend. And he concluded that none of that was beyond the control of LAPD, and in fact, described exactly how local officials, local law enforcement, brought all of those situations under control relatively quickly, thereby proving just in terms of what actually has been happening in Los Angeles, that it was completely under control and no federal support was needed. So he has that finding, in addition to Donald Trump illegally ordered those troops to move into Los Angeles.

    LEADER JEFFRIES: It was an extremely meticulous decision, and this was all about political theater for Donald Trump. He doesn’t want the American people to lock in on the fact that he’s collapsing the economy. He’s failed to lower costs. The GOP Tax Scam is going to rip away healthcare for more than 16 million people, snatch food out of the mouths of children and seniors and veterans, all in service of giving their billionaire donors massive tax breaks. These are all deeply unpopular things. And so, Donald Trump wanted to create a massive distraction in this particular instance. If Donald Trump really believed that we were on the verge of insurrection, then he wouldn’t have attended a Broadway play last evening at the Kennedy Center. It would have been in the Situation Room. Instead, he was out on a night on the town. So this was a fraudulent thing that Donald Trump and his minions at the Department of Homeland Security had engaged in, and it’s now all been exposed in a meticulous decision by Judge Breyer.

    LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: I mean, you know, I said at the outset, when Donald Trump first sent the troops to Los Angeles, that this was specifically, specifically to try to get us to turn our cameras to Los Angeles and away from those senators walking down the halls in Washington who have not been able to come to an agreement on how to do the Trump budget bill in the Senate and to take the focus away from that bill. What are we going to find? What are voters going to find when they put their focus back on this bill and what this bill is trying to do to voters?

    LEADER JEFFRIES: You know, Brendan Boyle, the top Democrat in the House on the Budget Committee, has done a tremendous job of pointing out, one, this is the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, on top of the largest cut to nutritional assistance in American history, all in service of trying to bring about the largest set of tax breaks for billionaires in American history. It’s extraordinary. And they are going to increase the debt and the deficit by trillions of dollars, force our children and grandchildren to pay for it. And as a result of this one big ugly bill, hospitals will close, nursing homes will shut down, community based health clinics are not going to be able to operate. People are going to die because of the lack of being able to receive the medical service that they need. And so Trump is certainly trying to hide the ball from the American people. But this is a disgusting abomination. And the more the American people learn about the GOP Tax Scam, the worse it gets for them.

    LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: Senator Alex Padilla obviously became the news of the day in Washington when that video spread of him being attacked like that in a federal building, a completely secure federal building, that you have to go through metal detectors and have an appointment to get into. Here’s the United States Senator in a federal building being attacked by federal agents, with a Cabinet Secretary looking on, lying about California while that was happening. Where were you when you first saw that video and what was your reaction, maybe holding your phone in your hand looking at that video?

    LEADER JEFFRIES: It was disgusting when the news broke. I was on the Hill, we were preparing for a series of votes on the Floor of the House. And when you looked at the video, first of all, to know Senator Padilla, he is just a kind and decent person, a salt-of-the-earth type of individual. He has an extraordinary story, humble beginnings, eventually became an engineer at MIT, educated, and then walked away from what could have been a very lucrative career in order to serve his community and ultimately his state. And to see him assaulted in this fashion, manhandled, and then for the Secretary to lie about it, and the Department of Homeland Security, these people have zero credibility. And so the California Delegation, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, every single part of the House Democratic Caucus stands in solidarity with Senator Padilla. If they can attack a sitting Senator in his home state in this fashion, just imagine what they have in store for the American people. That’s why all of us should be concerned. All of us need to push back, and all of us need to stand up for the principle that in the United States of America, there are no kings.

    LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: Senator Padilla has insisted that this story is not about him, it’s what it means to the rest of us. It’s what it means about the people who the ICE agents and the federal agents are going after every day. Let’s listen to what Senator Padilla said when he came out of that federal building after being the– becoming the first United States Senator in history to be manhandled, pushed by federal agents, thrown to the ground and handcuffed for speaking. That has never happened before in American history. Let’s listen to what Senator Padilla said when he emerged from the federal building today.

    SENATOR PADILLA (VIDEO): I came to the press conference to hear what she had to say, to see if I could learn any new additional information. And at one point, I had a question. And let me emphasize, the right for people to peacefully protest and to stand up for their First Amendment rights, for our fundamental rights. I was there peacefully. At one point I had a question and so I began to ask a question. I was almost immediately forcibly removed from the room. I was forced to the ground and I was handcuffed. I was not arrested. I was not detained. I will say this, if this is how this administration responds to a Senator with a question, if this is how the Department of Homeland Security responds to a Senator with a question, you can only imagine what they’re doing to farmworkers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California and throughout the country. Pero una gran pregunta es esta: si esta es la reacción a un senador con una pregunta, imagínense lo que están haciendo con cocineros, jornaleros, campesinos y otros inmigrantes no violentos en la comunidad de Los Ángeles, en otras áreas de el estado de California y en el país.

    LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: Leader Jeffries that statement about imagine, just imagine what they’re doing to other people if this is what they do to the United States senators does seem to be the lesson of the day.

    LEADER JEFFRIES: It’s incredibly powerful words from Senator Padilla. I think it’s one of the reasons why there was such a visceral reaction on the Hill both because we know him to be such a good man and this is just an example of how out of control the Trump administration is at this point. We’ve seen an unprecedented assault on the economy, on healthcare, on Social Security and of course, on the rule of law, on the American way of life, on democracy itself. But that’s why it’s going to be important for all of us to continue to show up and speak up and stand up, push back aggressively against the Trump administration, their extremism against Donald Trump and his minions in Congress who are nothing more than a Reckless Rubber Stamp for his extreme agenda. And we’ll continue to do that in the Congress, in the courts, and in communities all across the country.

    LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: In any other presidency, I would expect you to be getting briefed very soon, if not already, about what has happened on Israel’s strike against Iran tonight. Have you been briefed in any way by the intelligence services about what is happening tonight?

    LEADER JEFFRIES: I have not received an extensive briefing. There was minimal outreach from the administration, but I do expect sooner rather than later that we will receive a more comprehensive briefing about the state of affairs and the situation that exists. I mean, one of the things that Donald Trump, of course, promised on day one of his presidency, in addition to lowering the cost of living that, of course, has not happened. He talked about ending the war in Ukraine. That hasn’t happened. Talked about restoring peace to the Middle East. That has not happened. And so the whole Trump presidency has been a complete failure characterized by chaos, cruelty and corruption. And, you know, I’m hopeful that cooler heads will prevail in the Middle East and the situation is de-escalated. We certainly believe that Iran should never be allowed to become nuclear capable. They are an enemy not just to Israel, but to the United States and to the free world. But we also want to see a reduction in hostilities.

    LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, thank you very much for joining us in our breaking news coverage tonight on this important night.

    LEADER JEFFRIES: Thank you, Lawrence.

    LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: Thank you.

    The full interview can be watched here.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • After Israel strikes Iran, airlines divert flights, airspace closed

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Airlines cleared out of the airspace over Israel, Iran and Iraq and Jordan on Friday after Israel launched attacks on targets in Iran, Flightradar24 data showed, with carriers scrambling to divert and cancel flights to keep passengers and crew safe.

    Proliferating conflict zones around the world are becoming an increasing burden on airline operations and profitability, and more of a safety concern.

    Six commercial aircraft have been shot down unintentionally and three nearly missed since 2001, according to aviation risk consultancy Osprey Flight Solutions.

    Israel on Friday said it targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

    Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport was closed until further notice, and Israel’s air defence units stood at high alert for possible retaliatory strikes from Iran.

    Israeli flag carrier El Al Airlines said it had suspended flights to and from Israel.

    Iranian airspace has been closed until further notice, according to state media and notices to pilots.

    As reports of strikes on Iran emerged, a number of commercial flights by airlines including Dubai’s Emirates, Lufthansa and Air India were flying over Iran.

    Air India, which overflies Iran for its Europe and North American flights, said several flights were being diverted or returned to their origin, including ones from New York, Vancouver, Chicago and London.

    Emirates and Lufthansa did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

    Iraq early on Friday closed its airspace and suspended all traffic at its airports, Iraqi state media reported.

    Eastern Iraq near the border with Iran contains one of the world’s busiest air corridors, with dozens of flights crossing between Europe and the Gulf, many on routes from Asia to Europe, at any one moment.

    Flights steadily diverted over Central Asia or Saudi Arabia, flight tracking data showed.

    Jordan, which sits between Israel and Iraq, closed its airspace several hours after the Israeli campaign began.

    “The situation is still emerging – operators should use a high degree of caution in the region at this time,” according to Safe Airspace, a website run by OPSGROUP, a membership-based organisation that shares flight risk information.

    Several flights due to land in Dubai were diverted early on Friday. An Emirates flight from Manchester to Dubai was diverted to Istanbul and a flydubai flight from Belgrade diverted to Yerevan, Armenia.

    Budget carrier flydubai said it had suspended flights to Amman, Beirut, Damascus, Iran and Israel and a number of other flights had been cancelled, rerouted or returned to their departure airports.

    Qatar Airways cancelled its two scheduled flights to Damascus on Friday, Flightradar24 data shows.

    The Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Middle East since October 2023 led to commercial aviation sharing the skies with short-notice barrages of drones and missiles across major flight paths – some of which were reportedly close enough to be seen by pilots and passengers.

    Airspace in the Middle East last year was crossed daily by 1,400 flights to and from Europe, Eurocontrol data show.

    Last year, planes were shot down by weaponry in Kazakhstan and in Sudan. These incidents followed the high-profile downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine in 2014 and of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 en route from Tehran in 2020.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China has fully implemented a system of voluntary blood donation.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) — China has fully implemented the voluntary blood donation system and taken a series of measures to safely provide blood in clinical settings, Gao Guangming, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said Thursday.

    China has expanded blood screening programs and improved testing technology, effectively preventing the transmission of highly infectious diseases through blood transfusions, he said at a press conference.

    According to Gao Guangming, China currently ranks first in the world in terms of overall blood safety.

    The country is strengthening its national blood emergency response system to enable targeted cross-regional distribution of blood resources to ensure adequate supplies in key areas and during peak periods, the official said.

    Gao Guangming further noted that in order to raise public awareness of blood donation, the NCRR, in partnership with China State Railway Corporation (CSRC), has posted motivational videos and posters on 260,000 screens at more than 3,000 railway stations and more than 4,200 high-speed trains across the country.

    At the same time, party and government bodies, universities, enterprises and state institutions are encouraged to participate in corporate voluntary blood donation and create an exemplary example for the formation of healthy social behavior, he added.

    Gao Guangming said at a press conference that there are about 11.4 blood donors for every 1,000 people in China. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China welcomes UNGA resolution on ceasefire in Gaza

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    UNITED NATIONS, June 13 (Xinhua) — China’s permanent representative to the United Nations Fu Cong welcomed the UN General Assembly resolution adopted on Thursday calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and access to large-scale humanitarian aid.

    According to Fu Tsung, this document reflects the call of the international community, is a powerful political signal and embodies solidarity and consensus among the vast majority of UN member states.

    The Chinese envoy expressed regret that the UN Security Council failed to adopt a similar resolution last week due to a US veto. He also called on Israel to stop its military operation in the Gaza Strip.

    “Israel continues to escalate its military offensive on Gaza, and every day a large number of innocent people are killed,” he said.

    An immediate and permanent ceasefire is the surest way to save lives and bring the hostages home. China calls on Israel to immediately stop all military operations in the enclave. The Chinese diplomat said the country, which wields considerable influence, should take an impartial and responsible stance and take effective and decisive action.

    He said China opposes the use of humanitarian aid as a weapon.

    The UN and humanitarian organizations have warned that Gazans are facing imminent large-scale famine. Meanwhile, huge amounts of food have accumulated in warehouses on Gaza’s borders and cannot be delivered to starving civilians, Fu Cong emphasized.

    “Such forced deprivation of people’s right to food is a violation of international law. It is cruel and unacceptable,” said China’s permanent representative to the UN.

    “China firmly opposes the use of humanitarian aid as a weapon and urges Israel to fulfill its obligations as an occupying power by immediately lifting the blockade on Gaza, fully restoring access to humanitarian supplies, and supporting the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations in carrying out their work.” –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Support for strategic planning and sustainable water resources management: meeting of the Tobol-Torgay Basin Council in Kostanay

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: Support for strategic planning and sustainable water resources management: meeting of the Tobol-Torgay Basin Council in Kostanay

    Support for strategic planning and sustainable water resources management: meeting of the Tobol-Torgay Basin Council in Kostanay | OSCE

    Skip navigation

    Navigation

    Navigation

    Home Newsroom News and press releases Support for strategic planning and sustainable water resources management: meeting of the Tobol-Torgay Basin Council in Kostanay

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI China: De Bruyne completes Napoli move after Man City exit

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

    Kevin De Bruyne has ended his 10-year spell at Manchester City and joined Napoli as a free agent, the Serie A club confirmed on Thursday.

    Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City (R) vies with Vitinha of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League football match in Paris, France, Jan. 22, 2025. (Photo by Glenn Gervot/Xinhua)

    De Bruyne arrived at Manchester City from German side Wolfsburg in the summer of 2015. Over 10 seasons, the Belgian midfielder helped the club win six Premier League titles, five League Cups, two FA Cups, and a UEFA Champions League trophy. He made 422 appearances for City, scoring 108 goals and providing 170 assists.

    The 33-year-old’s contract with City was set to expire this summer. Although he received lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer, he opted to stay in Europe to continue playing at a high competitive level.

    Napoli edged out Inter Milan to claim its fourth Serie A title in the 2024-25 season. At Napoli, De Bruyne will reunite with his Belgium national teammate Romelu Lukaku. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Shanghai to host FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Final from 2025-28

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

    Shanghai will host the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Final from 2025 to 2028, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) announced on Thursday.

    Yang Shuyu (L) of China competes during the women’s 3×3 basketball pool round match between China and Italy at the Aomi Urban Sports Park in Tokyo, Japan, July 25, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

    “Shanghai will create a festival-like atmosphere for the next four editions of the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Final. The city’s energetic atmosphere will provide a perfect backdrop for both players and fans, transforming the event into a true celebration of the world’s most thrilling urban team sport,” FIBA said in a statement.

    The 2025 edition is scheduled for September 13-14, with the exact location to be confirmed. Seven top teams from the regular season will join host nation China in competing for the title.

    “We are very excited that the vibrant metropolis of Shanghai will host the FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series Final for the next four years,” said FIBA 3×3 Managing Director Alex Sanchez. “A modern and innovative city with a fantastic track record in hosting major international sports events, Shanghai will be an amazing host for the world’s best 3×3 women’s basketball players.”

    The FIBA 3×3 Women’s Series was established in 2019 and is recognized as the premier global professional competition for women’s 3×3 basketball.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • NASA delays Axiom-4 mission to ISS amid Russian module air leak concerns

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    NASA indefinitely delayed a four-person crew’s mission to the International Space Station on Thursday over an escalating probe into air leaks aboard the orbiting laboratory’s Russian segment.

    The U.S. space agency said it was working with Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, to “understand a new pressure signature” detected by cosmonauts in the Zvezda Service Module, a more than 2-decade-old core compartment that for months has sprung small leaks.

    “Cosmonauts aboard the space station recently performed inspections of the pressurized module’s interior surfaces, sealed some additional areas of interest, and measured the current leak rate,” NASA said in a statement. “Following this effort, the segment now is holding pressure.”

    The agency did not immediately respond to questions on what the leak rate was.

    Small cracks on the ISS in recent years, particularly on the aging Russian segment, have contributed to the international partnership’s decision to retire the ISS by 2030.

    Leaks of air from the cracks have been minor and posed no immediate safety threats to the station‘s astronauts but are increasingly worrisome signs of aging that NASA and Roscosmos have been investigating, while having crew members patch the leaks with tape, glue and other solutions.

    Scheduled to be aboard the Axiom Mission 4 is Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot and one of four astronauts-in-training picked by the Indian Space Research Organization to fly on India’s own debut crewed mission, the Gaganyaan mission planned for 2027.

    Shukla, 39, will be the first astronaut to go to the ISS from India’s astronaut corps.

    -Reuters

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New report calculates NHS outdoor spaces save the NHS £82 million per year A report by researchers at the University of Aberdeen, commissioned by Public Health Scotland and SEFARI Gateway, calculates for the first time, the economic value of outdoor spaces in NHS Scotland sites.

    Source: University of Aberdeen

    A report by researchers at the University of Aberdeen, commissioned by Public Health Scotland and SEFARI Gateway, calculates for the first time, the economic value of outdoor spaces in NHS Scotland sites.
    Published today by SEFARI Gateway,this is the first study in the world to look at the value of outdoor green spaces within hospitals, health centres and GP surgeries used by staff, patients and their families, and the public for walking and relaxing.
    The team asked people about their visits and how they valued different types of outdoor spaces. They then followed Office for National Statistics guidelines and used bespoke economic analysis to calculate the value in monetary terms.
    The survey of 2,449 adults across all fourteen regional NHS Scotland health boards found that people spend roughly 87 million hours a year in NHS outdoor spaces.
    The health benefits from these visits is valued at around £82 million a year, which is what it would cost the NHS to provide the same benefits through healthcare services.
    The authors say that in addition to supporting physical and mental health, outdoor spaces at NHS Scotland sites ‘offer value simply by being pleasant and accessible places for people to enjoy.’ When this broader value is factored in, these spaces are estimated to be worth around £125 per adult each year at health centres, and £146 per adult each year at hospitals.
    The project was jointly funded and supported by the SEFARI Gateway (Scotland’s Centre of Expertise for Knowledge Exchange and Innovation) and Public Health Scotland and will contribute to the implementation of the NHS Scotland Climate Emergency and Sustainability Strategy building on previous research commissioned by Public Health Scotland and NatureScot.

    We believe these findings will be instrumental in shaping how NHS outdoor spaces are designed, maintained, and used across Scotland.” Dr Luis Loria-Rebolledo

    Charles Bestwick, Director of SEFARI Gateway said: “As well as providing significant health benefits to the public, the green spaces in the NHS estate can contribute to Net Zero targets as well as Scotland’s biodiversity strategy. The monetary value of the green spaces also helps provide information to the NHS when it comes to managing the NHS estate.”
    Dr Neil Chalmers, Health Economist at Public Health Scotland, said: “Half of NHS Scotland’s estates comprise of outdoor green spaces with park-like vegetation such as grass and trees. These areas are well frequented for walking and relaxing, with our research estimating that approximately half the population visited an NHS Scotland open space in the past year, leading to a total of 122 million estimated annual visits.
    “This has a real impact on the mental and physical health of those who visit these areas, as well as a positive knock-on effect on NHS services that can now be visualised in cost savings. This research underlines the importance of maintaining quality and accessible outdoor green spaces on the NHS estate in Scotland, so that everyone in society can continue to benefit from them.”
    Dr Luis Loria-Rebolledo, Research Fellow in the Health Economics Research Unit at the University of Aberdeen, who led the research added: “As the first study of its kind anywhere in the world, our research highlights the significant value of NHS Scotland’s open spaces, not only for their role in enhancing mental and physical health, but also in promoting social well-being and environmental sustainability.
    “These spaces are crucial for improving public health, offering people places to relax, recover, and exercise.
    “We believe these findings will be instrumental in shaping how NHS outdoor spaces are designed, maintained, and used across Scotland. Just as importantly, they offer valuable lessons that can be applied in healthcare settings around the world”

    Related Content

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Foreign Minister visit strengthens ties with Indonesia

    Source: New Zealand Government

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ visit to Indonesia today has secured tangible progress in New Zealand’s relationship with Southeast Asia’s most populous nation.

    “Indonesia is an indispensable partner for New Zealand,” Mr Peters says. 

    “Demonstrating our commitment to the relationship, this is our fourth visit to Indonesia in the past 18 months, including for President Prabowo’s inauguration. 

    “We are pleased to have made tangible, concrete progress today across the Indonesia relationship, which will deliver benefits for the New Zealand and Indonesian people.” 

    Mr Peters, alongside Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, announced in Jakarta today: 

    • the conclusion of a cooperation arrangement on halal products, which will facilitate halal food trade between New Zealand and Indonesia;
    • the signing of an enhanced education cooperation arrangement, to facilitate student and research exchanges;
    • an increase from 45 to 70 in the annual number of scholarships for Indonesian students to study in New Zealand; and
    • a port visit by HMNZS Te Kaha to Jakarta later this month.

    “By working more closely together, New Zealand and Indonesia are fostering mutual economic growth, deepening regional cooperation, and strengthening the connections between our people. 

    “The arrangement concluded today on halal is particularly noteworthy. Indonesia is recognising New Zealand’s domestic processes for certification of halal products. This will improve access for New Zealand meat and dairy into the world’s largest Muslim country.

    “We are also pleased that the new arrangement on education will spur closer student and research exchanges.”

    Mr Peters arrives back in New Zealand tomorrow, having completed a three-country tour of France (for the Pacific-France Summit and the UN Ocean Conference), Italy and Indonesia. 

    At the conclusion of their talks, Minister Peters and Sugiono released a joint statement.

    Media contact: John Tulloch +64 21 868 943

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • Oil soars more than 9% after Israel strikes Iran, rattling investors

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Oil prices surged more than 9% on Friday, hitting their highest in almost five months after Israel struck Iran, dramatically escalating tensions in the Middle East and raising worries about disrupted oil supplies.

    Brent crude futures LCOc1 jumped $6.29, or 9.07%, to $75.65 a barrel by 0315 GMT after hitting an intraday high of $78.50, the highest since January 27. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 was up $6.43, or 9.45%, at $74.47 a barrel after hitting a high of $77.62, the loftiest since January 21.

    Friday’s gains were the largest intraday moves for both contracts since 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine, causing energy prices to spike.

    Israel said it targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders on Friday at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

    “This has elevated geopolitical uncertainty significantly and requires the oil market to price in a larger risk premium for any potential supply disruptions,” ING analysts led by Warren Patterson said in a note.

    Several oil traders in Singapore said it was still too early to say if the strike will affect Middle East oil shipments as it will depend on how Iran retaliates and if the U.S. will intervene.

    “It’s too early to tell but I think the market is worried about shutting off of the Strait of Hormuz,” one of the traders said.

    MST Marquee senior energy analyst Saul Kavonic said the conflict would need to escalate to the point of Iranian retaliation on oil infrastructure in the region before oil supply is materially impacted.

    He added that Iran could hinder up to 20 million barrels per day of oil supply via attacks on infrastructure or limiting passage through the Strait of Hormuz, in an extreme scenario.

    Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel will receive “harsh punishment” following Friday’s attack that he said killed several military commanders.

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday called Israel’s strikes against Iran a “unilateral action” and said Washington was not involved while also urging Tehran not to target U.S. interests or personnel in the region.

    “Iran has announced an emergency and is preparing to retaliate, which raises the risk of not just disruptions but of contagion in other neighbouring oil producing nations too,” said Priyanka Sachdeva, senior market analyst at Phillip Nova.

    “Although Trump has shown reluctance to participate, U.S. involvement could further raise concerns.”

    In other markets, stocks dived in early Asian trade, led by a selloff in U.S. futures, while investors scurried to safe havens such as gold and the Swiss franc.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Israel Launches Preemptive Strike on Iran, Explosions Rock Tehran

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    TEHRAN/JERUSALEM, June 13 (Xinhua) — Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Friday that Israel launched a “preemptive strike” on Iran and declared a state of emergency throughout the country.

    The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that some Iranian military and nuclear facilities were hit.

    As reported by the Iranian state television channel IRIB, powerful explosions were heard in the capital Tehran on Friday morning. Their source has not yet been established.

    US Secretary of State Marco Rubio says US not involved in Israeli attack. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Joint Statement: By the Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Indonesia and New Zealand at the 12th Joint Ministerial Commission

    Source: New Zealand Government

    His Excellency Sugiono, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, and Rt Hon Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand, convened the 12th meeting of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) on 13th June 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia. 
    The Ministers welcomed meeting in person, underscoring the importance of regular consultations between themselves, Leaders and other Cabinet colleagues to strengthen the relationship in ways that deliver real benefits and advance shared values.
    The Ministers celebrated the cooperation between Indonesia and New Zealand under the Comprehensive Partnership agreed by Leaders in 2018, and the achievements under the 2025-2029 Plan of Action. 
    The Ministers committed to intensify cooperation across the seven pillars of the Comprehensive Partnership to strengthen bilateral ties and achieve the ambitious goals set out in the 2025-2029 Plan of Action.
     
    Reviewing the implementation of the first year of the Plan of Action 2025-2029, and way forward 

    “Friends for Good” Ties

    The Ministers acknowledged intensive recent engagement between the two countries, including Minister Peters’ attendance at President Prabowo’s inauguration in October 2024, and meetings between our Prime Minister and President, and Foreign Ministers at APEC in November 2024, as well as increased engagements by senior officials. 
    Both Ministers agreed to further increase two-way dialogue and acknowledged the importance of face-to-face engagement, and regular hosting of key relationship architecture meetings, in maintaining our “Friends for Good” ties.
    The Ministers agreed to encourage relevant stakeholders to bolster bilateral relations and cooperation, including through bilateral defence talks and the annual Senior Officials Meeting on Trade and Investment Framework.
    Both Ministers also noted the significant potential for promoting Parliamentary and civil society exchanges to further strengthen bilateral and people-to-people ties.
    Enhancing Trade and Economic Partnerships to Advance Growth of Both Economies
    The Ministers highlighted the importance of enhancing mutual prosperity and strengthening trade and economic connections. Ministers recalled the goal in the Plan of Action to grow two-way trade to NZ$6 billion by the end of 2029.  They highlighted the need for New Zealand and Indonesia to increase mutual cooperation in the face of global economic uncertainty.
    Both Ministers highlighted the importance of resolving non-tariff trade barriers to ensure trade continuity and growth. Ministers welcomed agreement of the Cooperation Arrangement on Halal Standards.  The Arrangement will facilitate the convenience, security, safety and certainty of halal food traded between our countries. Ministers noted the intent for New Zealand and Indonesia to work together to further support the Indonesian national program of food resilience and the Nutritious Meal programme.

    The Ministers noted the positive trend of New Zealand’s investment in Indonesia, and agreed to continue efforts to encourage investment flows.
    Ministers welcomed the year-round direct flights between Auckland and Bali and committed to continue to work towards unlocking the full potential of enhanced air connectivity to facilitate increased people-to-people, business and trade flows.
    Both Ministers reconfirmed the importance of a rules-based, free and open trade environment, with the World Trade Organisation at its core, as critical for the regional and global economy. The Ministers welcomed the implementation of the upgraded ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Area (AANZFTA), which entered into force in April 2025, and ongoing cooperation under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
    The Ministers acknowledged the process of Indonesia’s accession to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as an important step to foster economic integration, accelerate economic reform, and support mutual prosperity. 
    Both Ministers reaffirmed their nations’ commitment to preventing illegal money laundering and other illegal financing activities to enhance financial integrity and transparency and to further promote economic growth and development.
     
    Renewable Energy and Environment Cooperation 
    The Ministers highlighted the importance of renewable energy, including geothermal cooperation, which has been a significant part of the relationship since the 1970s and welcomed the renewed Partnership Arrangement in renewable energy and energy conservation signed in September 2024. 
    Ministers announced a further NZ$15 million investment in Phase 2 of the New Zealand-Maluku Access to Renewable Energy Support (NZMATES 2.0) programme to continue to improve access to reliable, renewable electricity for remote and small islands while building local industry service capacity.
    The Ministers acknowledged strong collaboration between the Indonesia and New Zealand geothermal industries, including under the Pūngao Ngawha (Panas Bumi) Indonesia-New Zealand Partnership Programme (PINZ), that provides access to New Zealand’s world-renowned technical and training capabilities, with the aim of assisting Indonesia to further accelerate the development of its geothermal energy sector and broader energy transition.
    The Ministers emphasised their shared commitment to adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change under the Paris Agreement and expressed willingness to expand climate related and environmental cooperation through comprehensive climate change dialogue that includes both mitigation and adaptation strategies.
     

    Education, Tourism, Science, Technology and Innovation, and People-to-People Cooperation

    Ministers welcomed the significant increase in the annual allocation of tertiary scholarships under the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarship Programme (MNZSP), from 45 to 70, for Indonesia for this year and the next two years, reflecting their mutual dedication to deepening people-to-people connections, strengthening capacity in renewable energy and public governance, and developing disadvantaged regions. 
    The Ministers welcomed the Arrangement on Education Cooperation to refresh areas of cooperation, including increased education and higher education policy dialogues to enhance education system development and resilience.
    The Ministers underscored the importance of enhancing people-to-people connections, particularly in education and tourism, as a bedrock of strong bilateral ties. Both Ministers welcomed the exchange of cultural missions and promotions to serve this purpose.
    Ministers welcomed further exchanges of officials’ level visits to New Zealand focused on good governance, public sector performance and integrity and other sectors to advance bilateral relations.
    The Ministers encouraged closer cooperation between Indonesia and New Zealand in supporting research collaboration as highlighted in the Arrangement on Education Cooperation.
     
    Development Cooperation 
    Both Ministers welcomed the past year’s implementation progress under the Statement of Partnership (SoP) 2025-2029 signed in July 2024 and reviewed in May 2025. The SoP has strengthened and elevated both the development relationship and mutual commitment to focus on development cooperation and other strategic issues and is strongly aligned with Indonesia’s national priorities in two areas: climate and economic resilience; and inclusive human development.
     
    Defence, Security, Cyber and Maritime Cooperation

    Ministers acknowledged New Zealand and Indonesia’s long-standing defence relationship and committed to continuing to strengthen these ties, including through regular Defence Ministers’ meetings. They welcomed the upcoming visit to Jakarta by New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Te Kaha and the recent visit by the Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy.
    The Ministers announced new funding towards ongoing cooperation on security issues through continued support for the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC). The funding provided by New Zealand will enable the continued delivery of high-quality capacity building initiatives and collaboration between law enforcement agencies to combat transnational organised crime in the region. 
    The Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to the Bali Process and welcomed progress against the Adelaide Strategy for Cooperation, which sets out the priority areas of cooperation for the Bali Process Working Groups. This includes an upcoming Joint Tabletop Exercise co-hosted by New Zealand, Indonesia, Australia and Viet Nam, through the Working Group on Disruption of Criminal Networks Involved in People Smuggling and Trafficking in Persons from 23 to 26 June 2025. 
    The Ministers agreed to continue to implement the refreshed cooperation arrangement on counter-terrorism, and identify opportunities for dialogue on preventing violent extremism. 
    Ministers highlighted the importance of active participation by our militaries in training activities, annual defence talks and joint exercises, including Exercise Super Garuda Shield.
     

    Regional and Multilateral Agenda

    The Ministers emphasised ASEAN’s central role in the dynamic regional architecture and their shared commitment to ongoing dialogue and cooperation through ASEAN-led mechanisms and processes, particularly the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus).
    The Ministers welcomed the ASEAN-New Zealand Joint Statement on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific in 2023 to maintain regional stability and to serve as a framework to strengthen bilateral relations to advance economic relations and maritime governance under international law.
    The Ministers welcomed the implementation of the ASEAN-New Zealand Plan of Action (POA) (2021-2025) and its substantial progress achieved across the four themes outlined in the POA – Peace, Prosperity, People, and Planet. They further welcomed activity throughout 2025 to commemorate 50 years of dialogue relations between New Zealand and ASEAN, including preparations under way for a Commemorative Summit in Malaysia in October. Minister Sugiono confirmed Indonesia’s support for New Zealand’s proposal to elevate the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and noted the development of a new ASEAN-New Zealand Plan of Action (2026-2030) to guide future cooperation. 
    Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to maintaining and promoting security and stability in the South China Sea. Ministers underscored their strong support for freedom of navigation and overflight and unimpeded trade, and their unwavering support for the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Ministers emphasised the need for the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS. In this regard, Ministers recalled the 2016 ruling of the South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal, constituted under UNCLOS. They underscored the importance of further progress towards an effective and substantive Code of Conduct that is consistent with international law, including the 1982 UNCLOS.
    Ministers expressed concern about the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar.  Ministers called on stakeholders and parties in Myanmar, in particular the armed forces and security forces concerned, to immediately cease violence, including the targeting of civilians, and to engage in inclusive dialogue. Ministers emphasised the importance of a peaceful, stable and unified Myanmar, affirmed their strong support for ASEAN-led efforts in line with the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus and encouraged the international community to work together in a pragmatic and constructive way to support peace and stability in Myanmar.
    The Ministers expressed concern about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and reiterated their calls for all parties to cease all hostilities; release all remaining hostages; facilitate the rapid, safe, unimpeded, and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid; adhere to international humanitarian law; and protect aid workers to enable their lifesaving work. Ministers reaffirmed their support for the implementation of a two-state solution consistent with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions.
    Ministers exchanged views on the war against Ukraine and reiterated support for efforts to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.  In that context, Ministers continued to reaffirm their respect for sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity, and reiterated their call for compliance with the United Nations Charter and international law.
    The Ministers acknowledged the challenges to the multilateral system from shifting geopolitical dynamics, a tightly constrained financial environment and increasingly complex global risks. They reaffirmed their strong support for multilateralism and the international rules-based system, and acknowledged its important role in underpinning global stability, resilience and prosperity. The Ministers committed to collaborating on efforts to strengthen the multilateral system, increase inclusivity and transparency, and to safeguard and advance human rights, in order to support a system that is more responsive to today’s challenges. 

    Conclusion

    Ministers reviewed the implementation of the Plan of Action for 2025-2029 and discussed their common interest in advancing bilateral cooperation and delivering tangible outcomes.
    Both Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to utilise and advance the implementation of existing cooperation frameworks to deliver our shared interests. 
    Both Ministers were ready to explore more cooperation in the future to support both nations’ interests, as confirmation of their strong stance as Friends for Good.
    Minister Peters expressed his sincere gratitude to Minister Sugiono and the Indonesian Government for the warm welcome and hospitality accorded to him during the visit, and looked forward to hosting Minister Sugiono at the 13th JMC in New Zealand in 2026.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Donor stem cells from China given to patient in Kazakhstan for treatment purposes for the first time

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 13 (Xinhua) — A student from east China’s Anhui Province has become China’s first donor to have his stem cells transported to Kazakhstan to help a patient.

    According to the People’s Daily newspaper, the young man Xiaoding /name changed/ graduated from Anhui University of Technology and was registered with the China Bone Marrow Donation Program /CMDP/. In April this year, he was invited to the Red Cross Society of Huainan City, Anhui Province, due to the fact that he had undergone bone marrow typing. He was told that he would match the type of a patient in Kazakhstan.

    The process of collecting donor stem cells took place on Tuesday at the First Hospital of China University of Science and Technology (Hefei, Anhui Province). The procedure lasted about three hours, after which a package of hematopoietic stem cells from a young Chinese man was delivered to Kazakhstan.

    In a note sent with a similar package, Xiaoding writes: “The sunrise of each day brings new hope, and it is the gift of life. I wish you happiness on this end of the earth and look forward to the day when, having recovered, you will be able to travel freely across the vast steppes of Kazakhstan and set out on your long and wonderful life journey.” -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Hainan Province Prepares for Typhoon Wutip

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    HAIKOU, June 13 (Xinhua) — South China’s island province of Hainan is on high alert as Typhoon Wutip (Butterfly), the first typhoon of the year, is expected to make landfall in the province on Friday.

    Typhoon Wutip strengthened into a severe tropical storm at 8:00 p.m. Thursday, with its center about 95 km south of Sanya, packing maximum sustained winds of 10 points (25 meters per second) near the center, according to the local meteorological department.

    Heavy rainfall exceeding 100mm is expected in six towns and counties on the island over the next 24 hours, with warnings of heavy rain and flash floods also issued.

    Sanya City issued a Level 2 flood and typhoon alert at 6 p.m. Thursday. Local major reservoirs gradually opened their floodgates to release water, while water supply and sewage systems continued to operate normally.

    All kindergartens, schools, construction sites and tourist attractions in Sanya have been closed. Ships are banned from sailing and Fenghuang International Airport has suspended all flights from 10 p.m. on Thursday. High-speed rail service on Hainan has been suspended and is expected to resume on Saturday.

    The typhoon is moving northwest at 10-15 km/h and is gaining strength. It is expected to make landfall in the coastal area between the cities of Sanya and Dongfang on Friday morning and then hit Guangdong Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China on Saturday. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Enhancing disaster risk reduction capacity: OSCE promotes training on the use of interactive maps and digital safety passports in Kazakhstan

    Source: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe – OSCE

    Headline: Enhancing disaster risk reduction capacity: OSCE promotes training on the use of interactive maps and digital safety passports in Kazakhstan

    Enhancing disaster risk reduction capacity: OSCE promotes training on the use of interactive maps and digital safety passports in Kazakhstan | OSCE

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    Home Newsroom News and press releases Enhancing disaster risk reduction capacity: OSCE promotes training on the use of interactive maps and digital safety passports in Kazakhstan

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  • MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 13, 2025

    ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 13, 2025.

    As Antarctic sea ice shrinks, iconic emperor penguins are in more peril than we thought
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dana M Bergstrom, Honorary Senior Fellow in Ecology, University of Wollongong When winter comes to Antarctica, seals and Adélie penguins leave the freezing shores and head for the edge of the forming sea ice. But emperor penguins stay put. The existence of emperor penguins seems all but

    Bougainville legal dept looking towards sorcery violence policy
    RNZ Pacific The Department of Justice and Legal Services in Bougainville is aiming to craft a government policy to deal with violence related to sorcery accusations. The Post-Courier reports that a forum, which wrapped up on Wednesday, aimed to dissect the roots of sorcery/witchcraft beliefs and the severe violence stemming from accusations. An initial forum

    NZ has a vast sea territory but lags behind other nations in protecting the ocean
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Conrad Pilditch, Professor of Marine Sciences, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images For the past fortnight, the city of Nice in France has been the global epicentre of ocean science and politics. Last week’s One Ocean Science Congress ended with a unanimous call for action

    US Army’s image of power and flag-waving rings false to Gen Z weary of gun violence − and long-term recruitment numbers show it
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jacob Ware, Adjunct Professor of Domestic Terrorism, Georgetown University A recruit participates in the Army’s future soldier prep course at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C., on Sept. 25, 2024. AP Photo/Chris Carlson The U.S. Army will celebrate its 250th birthday on Saturday, June 14, 2025, with a

    It took more than a century, but women are taking charge of Australia’s economy – here’s why it matters
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Duygu Yengin, Associate Professor of Economics, University of Adelaide For the first time in its 124-year history, Treasury will be led by a woman. Jenny Wilkinson’s appointment is historic in its own right. Even more remarkable is the fact she joins Michele Bullock at the Reserve Bank

    With Trump undoing years of progress, can the US salvage its Pacific Islands strategy?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Tidwell, Director, Center for Australian, New Zealand and Pacific Studies, Georgetown University Donald Trump signs a proclamation expanding fishing rights in the Pacific Islands, April 17. Getty Images Since 2018, the United States has worked, albeit often haltingly, to regain its footing with Pacific Island countries.

    Workers need better tools and tech to boost productivity. Why aren’t companies stepping up to invest?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Head, Canberra School of Government, University of Canberra As Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers turn their attention to improving productivity growth across the economy, it will be interesting to see what the business community brings to a planned summit in August. Labour

    AI overviews have transformed Google search. Here’s how they work – and how to opt out
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By T.J. Thomson, Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication & Digital Media, RMIT University cosma/Shutterstock People turn to the internet to run billions of search queries each year. These range from keeping tabs on world events and celebrities to learning new words and getting DIY help. One of the

    ‘Like an underwater bushfire’: SA’s marine algal bloom is still killing almost everything in its path
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Erin Barrera, PhD Candidate, School of Public Health, University of Adelaide Paul Macdonald of Edithburgh Diving South Australian beaches have been awash with foamy, discoloured water and dead marine life for months. The problem hasn’t gone away; it has spread. Devastating scenes of death and destruction mobilised

    Sunday Too Far Away at 50: how a story about Aussie shearers launched a local film industry
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Walsh, Associate Professor, Screen and Media, Flinders University Released 50 years ago, Sunday Too Far Away deals episodically with a group of shearers led by Foley (Jack Thompson), and the events leading up to the national shearers’ strike of 1956. The shearers are a ragtag group

    Khartoum before the war: the public spaces that held the city together
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ibrahim Z. Bahreldin, Associate Professor of Urban & Environmental Design, University of Khartoum What makes a public space truly public? In Khartoum, before the current conflict engulfed Sudan, the answer was not always a park, a plaza or a promenade. The city’s streets, tea stalls (sitat al-shai),

    Politics with Michelle Grattan: Senator Tammy Tyrrell on wild days in Tasmania
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Tasmanian politics has been thrown into chaos after a Labor motion of no confidence forced Premier Jeremy Rockliff to either resign or call for a new election. The premier opted for the latter, with Tasmanians to vote on July 19,

    Chris Hedges: The last days of Gaza
    Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – The genocide is almost complete. When it is concluded it will have exposed the moral bankruptcy of Western civilisation, writes Chris Hedges. ANALYSIS: By Chris Hedges This is the end. The final blood-soaked chapter of the genocide. It will be over soon. Weeks. At most. Two

    Grattan on Friday: the galahs are chattering about ‘productivity’, but can Labor really get it moving?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Former prime minister Paul Keating famously used to say the resident galah in any pet shop was talking about micro-economic policy. These days, if you encounter a pet shop with a galah, she’ll be chattering about productivity. Productivity is currently

    Greenpeace activists aboard Rainbow Warrior disrupt Pacific industrial fishing operation
    By Emma Page Greenpeace activists on board the Greenpeace flagship Rainbow Warrior disrupted an industrial longlining fishing operation in the South Pacific, seizing almost 20 km of fishing gear and freeing nine sharks — including an endangered mako — near Australia and New Zealand. Crew retrieved the entire longline and more than 210 baited hooks

    View from The Hill: Is the US playing cat and mouse ahead of expected Albanese-Trump talks?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra For the first time in memory, an Australian prime minister is approaching a prospective meeting with a US president with a distinct feeling of wariness. Of course Anthony Albanese would deny it. But it’s undeniable the government is relieved that

    Caitlin Johnstone: Staring down the barrel of war with Iran once again
    Report by Dr David Robie – Café Pacific. – COMMENTARY: By Caitlin Johnstone Well it looks like the US is on the precipice of war with Iran again. US officials are telling the press that they anticipate a potential impending Israeli attack on Iran while the family members of US military personnel are being assisted

    Global outrage over Gaza has reinforced a ‘siege mentality’ in Israel – what are the implications for peace?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Eyal Mayroz, Senior Lecturer in Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Sydney After more than 20 months of devastating violence in Gaza, the right-wing Israeli government’s pursuit of two irreconcilable objectives — “destroying” Hamas and releasing Israeli hostages — has left the coastal strip in ruins. At

    The weight loss drug Mounjaro has been approved to treat sleep apnoea. How does it work?
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yaqoot Fatima, Professor of Sleep Health, University of the Sunshine Coast coldsnowstorm/Getty Images Last week, Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) approved the weight-loss drug Mounjaro to treat sleep apnoea, a condition in which breathing stops and starts repeatedly during sleep. The TGA has indicated Mounjaro can be

    Not all insecure work has to be a ‘bad job’: research shows job design can make a big difference
    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rose-Marie Stambe, Adjunct Research Fellow, social and economic marginalisation, The University of Queensland Matej Kastelic/Shutterstock Inflation has steadied and interest rates are finally coming down. But for many Australians, especially those in low-paid, insecure or precarious work, the cost-of-living crisis feels far from over. The federal government

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: Sculpture of Yuan Longping, father of hybrid rice, unveiled in Florence academy

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

    A sculpture of Yuan Longping, the renowned Chinese scientist known as the “father of hybrid rice,” was unveiled on Thursday at the Georgofili Academy in Florence, Italy. The work was created and donated by Wu Weishan, director of the National Art Museum of China.

    The donation marks the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Italy, highlighting the two countries’ cooperation in science and art.

    “Everyone in agricultural science knows Yuan Longping,” said Massimo Vincenzini, president of the Georgofili Academy. “He was an outstanding scientist who made a profound impact in the global fight against hunger.”

    Chinese Consul General in Florence Yin Qi said the event symbolized cross-cultural dialogue, coinciding with the first International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations.

    In a video message, sculptor Wu Weishan expressed hope that the artwork would inspire deeper exchanges between civilizations.

    Born in 1930, Yuan succeeded in cultivating the world’s first high-yield hybrid rice strain in 1973, which was later grown on a large scale in China and other countries to substantially raise output. He passed away at the age of 91.

    The sculpture will be permanently housed at the Georgofili Academy, one of the world’s oldest agricultural research institutions, founded in 1753. 

    MIL OSI China News –