Category: housing

MIL-OSI: Capital City Bank Group, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2025 Results

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Capital City Bank Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCBG) today reported net income attributable to common shareowners of $15.0 million, or $0.88 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2025 compared to $16.9 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2025, and $14.2 million, or $0.83 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2024.

QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS (2^ndQuarter 2025 versus 1^stQuarter 2025)

Income Statement

Tax-equivalent net interest income totaled $43.2 million compared to $41.6 million for the first quarter of 2025
- Net interest margin increased eight basis points to 4.30% (earning asset yield increased by six basis points and cost of funds decreased two basis points to 82 basis points)
Provision for credit losses decreased by $0.1 million to $0.6 million for the second quarter – net loan charge-offs were comparable to the first quarter of 2025 at nine basis points (annualized) of average loans – allowance coverage ratio increased to 1.13% at June 30, 2025
Noninterest income increased by $0.1 million, or 0.5%, reflecting higher deposit and bankcard fees as well as mortgage fees partially offset by lower wealth management fees
Noninterest expense increased by $3.8 million, or 9.9%, primarily due to a $3.9 million net gain from the sale of our operations center building (reflected in other expense) in the first quarter of 2025

Balance Sheet

Loan balances decreased by $13.3 million, or 0.5% (average), and decreased by $29.3 million, or 1.1% (end of period)
Deposit balances increased by $15.2 million, or 0.4% (average), and decreased by $79.0 million, or 2.1% (end of period) due to the seasonal decrease in our public fund balances
- Noninterest bearing deposits averaged 36.5% of total deposits for the second quarter and 36.2% for the year
Tangible book value per diluted share (non-GAAP financial measure) increased by $0.78, or 3.2%

“Capital City delivered another strong quarter, highlighted by sustained revenue growth and continued credit strength,” said William G. Smith, Jr, Capital City Bank Group Chairman and CEO. “Our second quarter results reflect a 3.9% increase in net interest income and an 8 basis point expansion in the net interest margin to 4.30%. Tangible book value per share increased by 3.2%, and we further strengthened our capital position, with our tangible capital ratio increasing to 10.1%. We remain focused on executing strategies that drive consistent, profitable growth, supported by a fortress balance sheet that provides resilience and strategic flexibility.”

Discussion of Operating Results

Net Interest Income/Net Interest Margin

Tax-equivalent net interest income for the second quarter of 2025 totaled $43.2 million compared to $41.6 million for the first quarter of 2025 and $39.3 million for the second quarter of 2024. Compared to the first quarter of 2025, the increase was driven by a $0.9 million increase in investment securities income and a $0.4 million increase in overnight funds income. One additional calendar day in the second quarter of 2025 contributed to the increase. Compared to the second quarter of 2024, the increase was primarily due to a $2.7 million increase in investment securities income and a $1.2 million decrease in deposit interest expense. New investment purchases at higher yields drove the increase in investment securities income for both prior period comparisons. Further, the decrease in deposit interest expense from the prior year period reflected the gradual decrease in our deposit rates, as short term rates began declining in the second half of 2024.

For the first six months of 2025, tax-equivalent net interest income totaled $84.8 million compared to $77.8 million for the same period of 2024 with the increase primarily attributable to a $4.2 million increase in investment securities income, a $1.9 million increase in overnight funds income, and a $1.4 million decrease in deposit interest expense. New investment purchases at higher yields drove the increase in investment securities income. Higher average deposit balances contributed to the increase in overnight funds income. The decrease in deposit interest expense reflected the aforementioned decrease in our deposit rates.

Our net interest margin for the second quarter of 2025 was 4.30%, an increase of eight basis points over the first quarter of 2025 and an increase of 28 basis points over the second quarter of 2024. For the month of June 2025, our net interest margin was 4.36%. For the first six months of 2025, our net interest margin increased by 25 basis points to 4.26% compared to the same period of 2024. The increase in net interest margin over all prior periods reflected a higher yield in the investment portfolio driven by new purchases at higher yields. Lower deposit cost also contributed to the improvement over both prior year periods. For the second quarter of 2025, our cost of funds was 82 basis points, a decrease of two basis points from the first quarter of 2025 and a 15-basis point decrease from the second quarter of 2024. Our cost of deposits (including noninterest bearing accounts) was 81 basis points, 82 basis points, and 95 basis points, respectively, for the same periods.

Provision for Credit Losses

We recorded a provision expense for credit losses of $0.6 million for the second quarter of 2025 compared to $0.8 million for the first quarter of 2025 and $1.2 million for the second quarter of 2024. For the first six months of 2025, we recorded a provision expense for credit losses of $1.4 million compared to $2.1 million for the first six months of 2024. Activity within the components of the provision (loans held for investment (“HFI”) and unfunded loan commitments) for each reported period is provided in the table on page 14. We discuss the various factors that impacted our provision expense for Loans HFI in further detail below under the heading Allowance for Credit Losses.

Noninterest Income and Noninterest Expense

Noninterest income for the second quarter of 2025 totaled $20.0 million compared to $19.9 million for the first quarter of 2025 and $19.6 million for the second quarter of 2024. The $0.1 million, or 0.5%, increase over the first quarter of 2025 was primarily due to a $0.4 million increase in mortgage banking revenues and a $0.3 million increase in deposit fees, partially offset by a $0.6 million decrease in wealth management fees. The increase in mortgage revenues was driven by an increase in production volume. Fee adjustments made late in the second quarter of 2025 led to the increase in deposit fees. The decrease in wealth management fees was attributable to a decrease in insurance commission revenue. Compared to the second quarter of 2024, the $0.4 million, or 2.1%, increase was primarily due to a $0.8 million increase in wealth management fees, partially offset by a $0.2 million decrease in mortgage banking revenues and a $0.1 million decrease in other income. The increase in wealth management fees reflected a $0.5 million increase in trust fees and a $0.4 million increase in retail brokerage fees, partially offset by a $0.1 million decrease in insurance commission revenue. A combination of new business, higher account valuations, and fee increases implemented in early 2025 drove the improvement in trust and retail brokerage fees.

For the first six months of 2025, noninterest income totaled $39.9 million compared to $37.7 million for the same period of 2024, primarily attributable to a $1.8 million increase in wealth management fees and a $0.7 million increase in mortgage banking revenues that was partially offset by a $0.2 million decrease in deposit fees. The increase in wealth management fees reflected increases in retail brokerage fees of $1.0 million, trust fees of $0.7 million, and insurance commission revenue of $0.1 million. The increases in retail brokerage and trust fees were attributable to a combination of new business, higher account valuations, and fee increases implemented in early 2025. The increase in mortgage banking revenues was due to a higher gain on sale margin.

Noninterest expense for the second quarter of 2025 totaled $42.5 million compared to $38.7 million for the first quarter of 2025 and $40.4 million for the second quarter of 2024. The $3.8 million, or 9.9%, increase over the first quarter of 2025, reflected a $3.3 million increase in other expense, a $0.3 million increase in occupancy expense, and a $0.2 million increase in compensation expense. The increase in other expense was driven by a $4.5 million increase in other real estate expense which reflected lower gains from the sale of banking facilities, primarily the sale of our operations center building in the first quarter of 2025, partially offset by a $0.5 million decrease in charitable contribution expense and a $0.6 million decrease in miscellaneous expense. The slight increase in occupancy expense was due to higher software maintenance agreement expense and maintenance/repairs for buildings and furniture/fixtures. The slight increase in compensation expense reflected a $0.1 million increase in salary expense and a $0.1 million increase in associate benefit expense. Compared to the second quarter of 2024, the $2.1 million, or 5.2%, increase was primarily due to a $2.1 million increase in compensation expense which reflected a $1.3 million increase in salary expense and a $0.8 million increase in associate benefit expense. The increase in salary expense was primarily due to increases in incentive plan expense of $0.9 million and base salaries of $0.4 million (merit based). The increase in associate benefit expense was attributable to a $0.6 million increase in associate insurance expense and a $0.2 million increase in stock compensation expense.

For the first six months of 2025, noninterest expense totaled $81.2 million compared to $80.6 million for the same period of 2024 with the $0.6 million, or 0.8%, increase due to a $3.9 million increase in compensation expense that was partially offset by a $3.2 million decrease in other expense and a $0.1 million decrease in occupancy expense. The increase in compensation was due to a $2.5 million increase in salary expense and a $1.4 million increase in associate benefit expense. The increase in salary expense was primarily due to increases in incentive plan expense of $1.2 million, base salaries of $0.9 million (merit based), and commissions of $0.7 million (retail brokerage and mortgage). The increase in associate benefit expense was attributable to a higher cost for associate insurance. The decrease in other expense was primarily due to a $4.5 million decrease in other real estate expense due to lower gains from the sale of banking facilities, and a $1.0 million decrease in miscellaneous expense (non-service component of pension expense), partially offset by increases in processing expense of $1.1 million (outsource of core processing system), charitable contribution expense of $0.7 million, and professional fees of $0.5 million.

Income Taxes

We realized income tax expense of $5.0 million (effective rate of 24.9%) for the second quarter of 2025 compared to $5.1 million (effective rate of 23.3%) for the first quarter of 2025 and $3.2 million (effective rate of 18.5%) for the second quarter of 2024. For the first six months of 2025, we realized income tax expense of $10.1 million (effective rate of 24.1%) compared to $6.7 million (effective rate of 20.6%) for the same period of 2024. A lower level of tax benefit accrued from a solar tax credit equity fund drove the increase in our effective tax rate for all prior period comparisons. Absent discrete items or new tax credit investments, we expect our annual effective tax rate to approximate 24% for 2025.

Discussion of Financial Condition

Earning Assets

Average earning assets totaled $4.032 billion for the second quarter of 2025, an increase of $38.1 million, or 1.0%, over the first quarter of 2025, and an increase of $110.1 million, or 2.8%, over the fourth quarter of 2024. The increase over both prior periods was driven by higher average deposit balances (see below – Deposits). Compared to the first quarter of 2025, the change in the earning asset mix reflected a $27.8 million increase in overnight funds and a $25.7 million increase in investment securities that was partially offset by a $13.3 million decrease in loans HFI and a $2.1 million decrease in loans held for sale (“HFS”). Compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, the change in the earning asset mix reflected a $92.8 million increase in investment securities and a $50.5 million increase in overnight funds sold partially offset by a $24.8 million decrease in loans HFI and a $8.4 million decrease in loans HFS.

Average loans HFI decreased by $13.3 million, or 0.5%, from the first quarter of 2025 and decreased by $24.8 million, or 0.9%, from the fourth quarter of 2024. Compared to the first quarter of 2025, the decrease was due to decreases in construction loans of $24.6 million, consumer loans (primarily indirect auto) of $1.9 million, and commercial loans of $3.4 million, partially offset by increases to residential real estate loans of $10.2 million, commercial real estate loans of $2.1 million, and home equity loans of $4.1 million. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, the decline was primarily attributable to decreases in construction loans of $33.2 million, commercial loans of $9.2 million, and consumer loans (primarily indirect auto) of $4.0 million, partially offset by increases in home equity loans of $10.8 million, residential real estate loans of $9.9 million, and commercial real estate loans of $1.9 million.

Loans HFI at June 30, 2025 decreased by $29.3 million, or 1.1%, from March 31, 2025 and decreased by $20.1 million, or 0.8%, from December 31, 2024. Compared to the first quarter of 2025, the decline was primarily due to decreases in construction loans of $18.2 million, consumer loans (primarily indirect auto) of $8.7 million, commercial loans of $4.4 million, and commercial real estate loans of $4.4 million, partially offset by increases in residential real estate loans of $5.8 million and home equity loans of $2.2 million. Compared to December 31, 2024, the decrease was primarily attributable to decreases in construction loans of $45.9 million, commercial loans of $9.2 million, and consumer loans (primarily indirect auto) of $2.0 million, partially offset by increases in commercial real estate loans of $23.4 million, residential real estate loans of $17.9 million, and home equity loans of $8.1 million.

Allowance for Credit Losses

At June 30, 2025, the allowance for credit losses for loans HFI totaled $29.9 million compared to $29.7 million at March 31, 2025 and $29.3 million at December 31, 2024. Activity within the allowance is provided on Page 14. The slight increase in the allowance over March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 was primarily attributable to qualitative factor adjustments that were partially offset by lower loan balances. Net loan charge-offs for both the second quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2025 were comparable at nine basis points of average loans. At June 30, 2025, the allowance represented 1.13% of loans HFI compared to 1.12% at March 31, 2025, and 1.10% at December 31, 2024.

Credit Quality

Nonperforming assets (nonaccrual loans and other real estate) totaled $6.6 million at June 30, 2025 compared to $4.4 million at March 31, 2025 and $6.7 million at December 31, 2024. At June 30, 2025, nonperforming assets as a percentage of total assets was 0.15%, compared to 0.10% at March 31, 2025 and 0.15% at December 31, 2024. Nonaccrual loans totaled $6.4 million at June 30, 2025, a $2.2 million increase over March 31, 2025 and a $0.1 million increase over December 31, 2024 with the increase over the first quarter of 2025 primarily attributable to two home equity loans totaling $1.8 million. Classified loans totaled $28.6 million at June 30, 2025, a $9.4 million increase over March 31, 2025 and a $8.7 million increase over December 31, 2024. The increase over the prior periods was primarily due to the downgrade of four residential real estate loans totaling $4.2 million and two commercial real estate loans totaling $4.3 million.

Deposits

Average total deposits were $3.681 billion for the second quarter of 2025, an increase of $15.2 million, or 0.4%, over the first quarter of 2025 and an increase of $80.3 million, or 2.2%, over the fourth quarter of 2024. Compared to the first quarter of 2025, the increase was attributable to higher core deposit balances (primarily noninterest bearing checking and money market), partially offset by a decline in public funds balances (primarily NOW accounts) due to the seasonal reduction in those balances. The increase over the fourth quarter of 2024 reflected strong growth in core deposit balances and a seasonal increase in public funds balances (primarily NOW) which are received/deposited by those clients starting in December and peak on average in the first quarter.

At June 30, 2025, total deposits were $3.705 billion, a decrease of $79.0 million, or 2.1%, from March 31, 2025, and an increase of $32.9 million, or 0.9%, over December 31, 2024. The decrease from March 31, 2025 was primarily due to a seasonal decline in public funds balances, (primarily money market and noninterest bearing). The increase over December 31, 2024 reflected higher core deposit balances, primarily noninterest bearing accounts. Public funds totaled $596.6 million at June 30, 2025, $648.0 million at March 31, 2025, and $660.9 million at December 31, 2024.

Liquidity

We maintained an average net overnight funds (i.e., deposits with banks plus FED funds sold less FED funds purchased) sold position of $348.8 million in the second quarter of 2025 compared to $320.9 million in the first quarter of 2025 and $298.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Compared to both prior periods, the increase reflected higher average deposits and lower average loans.

At June 30, 2025, we had the ability to generate approximately $1.603 billion (excludes overnight funds position of $395 million) in additional liquidity through various sources including various federal funds purchased lines, Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings, the Federal Reserve Discount Window, and brokered deposits.

We also view our investment portfolio as a liquidity source, as we have the option to pledge securities in our portfolio as collateral for borrowings or deposits and/or to sell selected securities in our portfolio. Our portfolio consists of debt issued by the U.S. Treasury, U.S. governmental agencies, municipal governments, and corporate entities. At June 30, 2025, the weighted-average maturity and duration of our portfolio were 2.66 years and 2.14 years, respectively, and the available-for-sale portfolio had a net unrealized after-tax loss of $13.4 million.

Capital

Shareowners’ equity was $526.4 million at June 30, 2025 compared to $512.6 million at March 31, 2025 and $495.3 million at December 31, 2024. For the first six months of 2025, shareowners’ equity was positively impacted by net income attributable to shareowners of $31.9 million, a net $5.5 million decrease in the accumulated other comprehensive loss, the issuance of common stock of $2.8 million, and stock compensation accretion of $0.9 million. The net favorable change in accumulated other comprehensive loss reflected a $6.4 million decrease in the investment securities loss that was partially offset by a $0.9 million decrease in the fair value of the interest rate swap related to subordinated debt. Shareowners’ equity was reduced by common stock dividends of $8.2 million ($0.48 per share) and net adjustments totaling $1.8 million related to transactions under our stock compensation plans.

At June 30, 2025, our total risk-based capital ratio was 19.60% compared to 19.20% at March 31, 2025 and 18.64% at December 31, 2024. Our common equity tier 1 capital ratio was 16.81%, 16.08%, and 15.54%, respectively, on these dates. Our leverage ratio was 11.14%, 11.17%, and 11.05%, respectively, on these dates. At June 30, 2025, all our regulatory capital ratios exceeded the thresholds to be designated as “well-capitalized” under the Basel III capital standards. Further, our tangible common equity ratio (non-GAAP financial measure) was 10.09% at June 30, 2025 compared to 9.61% and 9.51% at March 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively. If the unrealized loss for held-to-maturity securities of $9.9 million (after-tax) was recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, our adjusted tangible capital ratio would be 9.86%.

About Capital City Bank Group, Inc.

Capital City Bank Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCBG) is one of the largest publicly traded financial holding companies headquartered in Florida and has approximately $4.4 billion in assets. We provide a full range of banking services, including traditional deposit and credit services, mortgage banking, asset management, trust, merchant services, bankcards, securities brokerage services, and financial advisory services, including the sale of life insurance, risk management and asset protection services. Our bank subsidiary, Capital City Bank, was founded in 1895 and now has 62 banking offices and 107 ATMs/ITMs in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. For more information about Capital City Bank Group, Inc., visit https://www.ccbg.com/.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Forward-looking statements in this Press Release are based on current plans and expectations that are subject to uncertainties and risks, which could cause our future results to differ materially. The words “may,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “target,” “vision,” “goal,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The following factors, among others, could cause our actual results to differ: the effects of and changes in trade and monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board; inflation, interest rate, market and monetary fluctuations; local, regional, national, and international economic conditions and the impact they may have on us and our clients and our assessment of that impact; the costs and effects of legal and regulatory developments, the outcomes of legal proceedings or regulatory or other governmental inquiries, the results of regulatory examinations or reviews and the ability to obtain required regulatory approvals; the effect of changes in laws and regulations (including laws and regulations concerning taxes, banking, securities, and insurance) and their application with which we and our subsidiaries must comply; the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, as well as other accounting standard setters; the accuracy of our financial statement estimates and assumptions; changes in the financial performance and/or condition of our borrowers; changes in the mix of loan geographies, sectors and types or the level of non-performing assets and charge-offs; changes in estimates of future credit loss reserve requirements based upon the periodic review thereof under relevant regulatory and accounting requirements; changes in our liquidity position; the timely development and acceptance of new products and services and perceived overall value of these products and services by users; changes in consumer spending, borrowing, and saving habits; greater than expected costs or difficulties related to the integration of new products and lines of business; technological changes; the costs and effects of cyber incidents or other failures, interruptions, or security breaches of our systems or those of our customers or third-party providers; acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses; impairment of our goodwill or other intangible assets; changes in the reliability of our vendors, internal control systems, or information systems; our ability to increase market share and control expenses; our ability to attract and retain qualified employees; changes in our organization, compensation, and benefit plans; the soundness of other financial institutions; volatility and disruption in national and international financial and commodity markets; changes in the competitive environment in our markets and among banking organizations and other financial service providers; government intervention in the U.S. financial system; the effects of natural disasters (including hurricanes), widespread health emergencies (including pandemics), military conflict, terrorism, civil unrest, climate change or other geopolitical events; our ability to declare and pay dividends; structural changes in the markets for origination, sale and servicing of residential mortgages; any inability to implement and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and/or disclosure control; negative publicity and the impact on our reputation; and the limited trading activity and concentration of ownership of our common stock. Additional factors can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and our other filings with the SEC, which are available at the SEC’s internet site (https://www.sec.gov). Forward-looking statements in this Press Release speak only as of the date of the Press Release, and we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements or the reasons why actual results could differ, except as may be required by law.

For Information Contact:
Jep Larkin
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
850.402.8450

USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
Unaudited

We present a tangible common equity ratio and a tangible book value per diluted share that removes the effect of goodwill and other intangibles resulting from merger and acquisition activity. We believe these measures are useful to investors because they allow investors to more easily compare our capital adequacy to other companies in the industry. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered alternatives to GAAP-basis financial statements and other bank holding companies may define or calculate these non-GAAP measures or similar measures differently.

The GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliations are provided below.

(Dollars in Thousands, except per share data)		Jun 30, 2025		Mar 31, 2025		Dec 31, 2024		Sep 30, 2024	Jun 30, 2024
Shareowners’ Equity (GAAP)		$	526,423	$	512,575	$	495,317	476,499	$	460,999
Less: Goodwill and Other Intangibles (GAAP)			92,693		92,733		92,773	92,813		92,853
Tangible Shareowners’ Equity (non-GAAP)	A		433,730		419,842		402,544	383,686		368,146
Total Assets (GAAP)			4,391,753		4,461,233		4,324,932	4,225,316		4,225,695
Less: Goodwill and Other Intangibles (GAAP)			92,693		92,733		92,773	92,813		92,853
Tangible Assets (non-GAAP)	B	$	4,299,060	$	4,368,500	$	4,232,159	4,132,503	$	4,132,842
Tangible Common Equity Ratio (non-GAAP)	A/B		10.09%		9.61%		9.51%	9.28%		8.91%
Actual Diluted Shares Outstanding (GAAP)	C		17,097,986		17,072,330		17,018,122	16,980,686		16,970,228
Tangible Book Value per Diluted Share (non-GAAP)	A/C	$	25.37	$	24.59	$	23.65	22.60	$	21.69

CAPITAL CITY BANK GROUP, INC.
EARNINGS HIGHLIGHTS
*Unaudited*

		Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)		Jun 30, 2025		Mar 31, 2025		Jun 30, 2024		Jun 30, 2025		Jun 30, 2024
EARNINGS
Net Income Attributable to Common Shareowners	$	15,044	$	16,858	$	14,150	$	31,902	$	26,707
Diluted Net Income Per Share	$	0.88	$	0.99	$	0.83	$	1.87	$	1.57
PERFORMANCE
Return on Average Assets (annualized)		1.38	%	1.58	%	1.33	%	1.48	%	1.27	%
Return on Average Equity (annualized)		11.44		13.32		12.23		12.36		11.66
Net Interest Margin		4.30		4.22		4.02		4.26		4.01
Noninterest Income as % of Operating Revenue		31.67		32.39		33.30		32.03		32.69
Efficiency Ratio		67.26	%	62.93	%	68.61	%	65.13	%	69.81	%
CAPITAL ADEQUACY
Tier 1 Capital		18.38	%	18.01	%	16.31	%	18.38	%	16.31	%
Total Capital		19.60		19.20		17.50		19.60		17.50
Leverage		11.14		11.17		10.51		11.14		10.51
Common Equity Tier 1		16.81		16.08		14.44		16.81		14.44
Tangible Common Equity⁽¹⁾		10.09		9.61		8.91		10.09		8.91
Equity to Assets		11.99	%	11.49	%	10.91	%	11.99	%	10.91	%
ASSET QUALITY
Allowance as % of Non-Performing Loans		463.01	%	692.10	%	529.79	%	463.01	%	529.79	%
Allowance as a % of Loans HFI		1.13		1.12		1.09		1.13		1.09
Net Charge-Offs as % of Average Loans HFI		0.09		0.09		0.18		0.09		0.20
Nonperforming Assets as % of Loans HFI and OREO		0.25		0.17		0.23		0.25		0.23
Nonperforming Assets as % of Total Assets		0.15	%	0.10	%	0.15	%	0.15	%	0.15	%
STOCK PERFORMANCE
High	$	39.82	$	38.27	$	28.58	$	39.82	$	31.34
Low		32.38		33.00		25.45		32.38		25.45
Close	$	39.35	$	35.96	$	28.44	$	39.35	$	28.44
Average Daily Trading Volume		27,397		24,486		29,861		25,988		30,433

⁽¹⁾Tangible common equity ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure. For additional information, including a reconciliation to GAAP, refer to Page 10.

CAPITAL CITY BANK GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
*Unaudited*

	2025							2024
(Dollars in thousands)	Second Quarter				First Quarter			Fourth Quarter			Third Quarter			Second Quarter
ASSETS
Cash and Due From Banks	$	78,485		$	78,521		$	70,543		$	83,431		$	75,304
Funds Sold and Interest Bearing Deposits		394,917			446,042			321,311			261,779			272,675
Total Cash and Cash Equivalents		473,402			524,563			391,854			345,210			347,979

Investment Securities Available for Sale		533,457			461,224			403,345			336,187			310,941
Investment Securities Held to Maturity		462,599			517,176			567,155			561,480			582,984
Other Equity Securities		3,242			2,315			2,399			6,976			2,537
Total Investment Securities		999,298			980,715			972,899			904,643			896,462

Loans Held for Sale (“HFS”):		19,181			21,441			28,672			31,251			24,022

Loans Held for Investment (“HFI”):
Commercial, Financial, & Agricultural		180,008			184,393			189,208			194,625			204,990
Real Estate – Construction		174,115			192,282			219,994			218,899			200,754
Real Estate – Commercial		802,504			806,942			779,095			819,955			823,122
Real Estate – Residential		1,046,368			1,040,594			1,028,498			1,023,485			1,012,541
Real Estate – Home Equity		228,201			225,987			220,064			210,988			211,126
Consumer		197,483			206,191			199,479			213,305			234,212
Other Loans		1,552			3,227			14,006			461			2,286
Overdrafts		1,259			1,154			1,206			1,378			1,192
Total Loans Held for Investment		2,631,490			2,660,770			2,651,550			2,683,096			2,690,223
Allowance for Credit Losses		(29,862	)		(29,734	)		(29,251	)		(29,836	)		(29,219	)
Loans Held for Investment, Net		2,601,628			2,631,036			2,622,299			2,653,260			2,661,004

Premises and Equipment, Net		79,906			80,043			81,952			81,876			81,414
Goodwill and Other Intangibles		92,693			92,733			92,773			92,813			92,853
Other Real Estate Owned		132			132			367			650			650
Other Assets		125,513			130,570			134,116			115,613			121,311
Total Other Assets		298,244			303,478			309,208			290,952			296,228
Total Assets	$	4,391,753		$	4,461,233		$	4,324,932		$	4,225,316		$	4,225,695
LIABILITIES
Deposits:
Noninterest Bearing Deposits	$	1,332,080		$	1,363,739		$	1,306,254		$	1,330,715		$	1,343,606
NOW Accounts		1,284,137			1,292,654			1,285,281			1,174,585			1,177,180
Money Market Accounts		408,666			445,999			404,396			401,272			413,594
Savings Accounts		504,331			511,265			506,766			507,604			514,560
Certificates of Deposit		175,639			170,233			169,280			164,901			159,624
Total Deposits		3,704,853			3,783,890			3,671,977			3,579,077			3,608,564

Repurchase Agreements		21,800			22,799			26,240			29,339			22,463
Other Short-Term Borrowings		12,741			14,401			2,064			7,929			3,307
Subordinated Notes Payable		42,582			52,887			52,887			52,887			52,887
Other Long-Term Borrowings		680			794			794			794			1,009
Other Liabilities		82,674			73,887			75,653			71,974			69,987
Total Liabilities		3,865,330			3,948,658			3,829,615			3,742,000			3,758,217

Temporary Equity		–			–			–			6,817			6,479
SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY
Common Stock		171			171			170			169			169
Additional Paid-In Capital		39,527			38,576			37,684			36,070			35,547
Retained Earnings		487,665			476,715			463,949			454,342			445,959
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net of Tax		(940	)		(2,887	)		(6,486	)		(14,082	)		(20,676	)
Total Shareowners’ Equity		526,423			512,575			495,317			476,499			460,999
Total Liabilities, Temporary Equity and Shareowners’ Equity	$	4,391,753		$	4,461,233		$	4,324,932		$	4,225,316		$	4,225,695
OTHER BALANCE SHEET DATA
Earning Assets	$	4,044,886		$	4,108,969		$	3,974,431		$	3,880,769		$	3,883,382
Interest Bearing Liabilities		2,450,576			2,511,032			2,447,708			2,339,311			2,344,624
Book Value Per Diluted Share	$	30.79		$	30.02		$	29.11		$	28.06		$	27.17
Tangible Book Value Per Diluted Share⁽¹⁾		25.37			24.59			23.65			22.60			21.69
Actual Basic Shares Outstanding		17,066			17,055			16,975			16,944			16,942
Actual Diluted Shares Outstanding		17,098			17,072			17,018			16,981			16,970
⁽¹⁾Tangible book value per diluted share is a non-GAAP financial measure. For additional information, including a reconciliation to GAAP, refer to Page 10.

CAPITAL CITY BANK GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
*Unaudited*

		2025				2024							Six Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)		Second Quarter		First Quarter		Fourth Quarter			Third Quarter		Second Quarter		2025		2024
INTEREST INCOME
Loans, including Fees	$	40,872	$	40,478	$	41,453		$	41,659	$	41,138	$	81,350	$	81,821
Investment Securities		6,678		5,808		4,694			4,155		4,004		12,486		8,248
Federal Funds Sold and Interest Bearing Deposits		3,909		3,496		3,596			3,514		3,624		7,405		5,517
Total Interest Income		51,459		49,782		49,743			49,328		48,766		101,241		95,586
INTEREST EXPENSE
Deposits		7,405		7,383		7,766			8,223		8,579		14,788		16,173
Repurchase Agreements		156		164		199			221		217		320		418
Other Short-Term Borrowings		179		117		83			52		68		296		107
Subordinated Notes Payable		530		560		581			610		630		1,090		1,258
Other Long-Term Borrowings		5		11		11			11		3		16		6
Total Interest Expense		8,275		8,235		8,640			9,117		9,497		16,510		17,962
Net Interest Income		43,184		41,547		41,103			40,211		39,269		84,731		77,624
Provision for Credit Losses		620		768		701			1,206		1,204		1,388		2,124
Net Interest Income after Provision for Credit Losses		42,564		40,779		40,402			39,005		38,065		83,343		75,500
NONINTEREST INCOME
Deposit Fees		5,320		5,061		5,207			5,512		5,377		10,381		10,627
Bank Card Fees		3,774		3,514		3,697			3,624		3,766		7,288		7,386
Wealth Management Fees		5,206		5,763		5,222			4,770		4,439		10,969		9,121
Mortgage Banking Revenues		4,190		3,820		3,118			3,966		4,381		8,010		7,259
Other		1,524		1,749		1,516			1,641		1,643		3,273		3,310
Total Noninterest Income		20,014		19,907		18,760			19,513		19,606		39,921		37,703
NONINTEREST EXPENSE
Compensation		26,490		26,248		26,108			25,800		24,406		52,738		48,813
Occupancy, Net		7,071		6,793		6,893			7,098		6,997		13,864		13,991
Other		8,977		5,660		8,781			10,023		9,038		14,637		17,808
Total Noninterest Expense		42,538		38,701		41,782			42,921		40,441		81,239		80,612
OPERATING PROFIT		20,040		21,985		17,380			15,597		17,230		42,025		32,591
Income Tax Expense		4,996		5,127		4,219			2,980		3,189		10,123		6,725
Net Income		15,044		16,858		13,161			12,617		14,041		31,902		25,866
Pre-Tax (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		–		–		(71	)		501		109		–		841
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREOWNERS	$	15,044	$	16,858	$	13,090		$	13,118	$	14,150	$	31,902	$	26,707
PER COMMON SHARE
Basic Net Income	$	0.88	$	0.99	$	0.77		$	0.77	$	0.84	$	1.87	$	1.58
Diluted Net Income		0.88		0.99		0.77			0.77		0.83		1.87		1.57
Cash Dividend	$	0.24	$	0.24	$	0.23		$	0.23	$	0.21	$	0.48	$	0.42
AVERAGE SHARES
Basic		17,056		17,027		16,946			16,943		16,931		17,042		16,941
Diluted		17,088		17,044		16,990			16,979		16,960		17,067		16,964

CAPITAL CITY BANK GROUP, INC.
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES (“ACL”)
AND CREDIT QUALITY
*Unaudited*

		2025						2024									Six Months Ended June 30,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)		Second Quarter			First Quarter			Fourth Quarter			Third Quarter			Second Quarter			2025			2024
ACL – HELD FOR INVESTMENT LOANS
Balance at Beginning of Period	$	29,734		$	29,251		$	29,836		$	29,219		$	29,329		$	29,251		$	29,941
Transfer from Other (Assets) Liabilities		–			–			–			–			–			–			(50	)
Provision for Credit Losses		718			1,083			1,085			1,879			1,129			1,801			2,061
Net Charge-Offs (Recoveries)		590			600			1,670			1,262			1,239			1,190			2,733
Balance at End of Period	$	29,862		$	29,734		$	29,251		$	29,836		$	29,219		$	29,862		$	29,219
As a % of Loans HFI		1.13	%		1.12	%		1.10	%		1.11	%		1.09	%		1.13	%		1.09	%
As a % of Nonperforming Loans		463.01	%		692.10	%		464.14	%		452.64	%		529.79	%		463.01	%		529.79	%
ACL – UNFUNDED COMMITMENTS
Balance at Beginning of Period		1,832		$	2,155		$	2,522		$	3,139		$	3,121		$	2,155		$	3,191
Provision for Credit Losses		(94	)		(323	)		(367	)		(617	)		18			(417	)		(52	)
Balance at End of Period⁽¹⁾		1,738			1,832			2,155			2,522			3,139			1,738			3,139
ACL – DEBT SECURITIES
Provision for Credit Losses	$	(4	)	$	8		$	(17	)	$	(56	)	$	57		$	4		$	115
CHARGE-OFFS
Commercial, Financial and Agricultural	$	74		$	168		$	499		$	331		$	400		$	242		$	682
Real Estate – Construction		–			–			47			–			–			–			–
Real Estate – Commercial		–			–			–			3			–			–			–
Real Estate – Residential		49			8			44			–			–			57			17
Real Estate – Home Equity		24			–			33			23			–			24			76
Consumer		914			865			1,307			1,315			1,061			1,779			2,611
Overdrafts		437			570			574			611			571			1,007			1,209
Total Charge-Offs	$	1,498		$	1,611		$	2,504		$	2,283		$	2,032		$	3,109		$	4,595
RECOVERIES
Commercial, Financial and Agricultural	$	117		$	75		$	103		$	176		$	59		$	192		$	100
Real Estate – Construction		–			–			3			–			–			–			–
Real Estate – Commercial		6			3			33			5			19			9			223
Real Estate – Residential		65			119			28			88			23			184			60
Real Estate – Home Equity		42			9			17			59			37			51			61
Consumer		456			481			352			405			313			937			723
Overdrafts		222			324			298			288			342			546			695
Total Recoveries	$	908		$	1,011		$	834		$	1,021		$	793		$	1,919		$	1,862
NET CHARGE-OFFS (RECOVERIES)	$	590		$	600		$	1,670		$	1,262		$	1,239		$	1,190		$	2,733
Net Charge-Offs as a % of Average Loans HFI⁽²⁾		0.09	%		0.09	%		0.25	%		0.19	%		0.18	%		0.09	%		0.20	%
CREDIT QUALITY
Nonaccruing Loans	$	6,449		$	4,296		$	6,302		$	6,592		$	5,515
Other Real Estate Owned		132			132			367			650			650
Total Nonperforming Assets (“NPAs”)	$	6,581		$	4,428		$	6,669		$	7,242		$	6,165

Past Due Loans 30-89 Days	$	4,523		$	3,735		$	4,311		$	9,388		$	5,672
Classified Loans		28,623			19,194			19,896			25,501			25,566

Nonperforming Loans as a % of Loans HFI		0.25	%		0.16	%		0.24	%		0.25	%		0.21	%
NPAs as a % of Loans HFI and Other Real Estate		0.25	%		0.17	%		0.25	%		0.27	%		0.23	%
NPAs as a % of Total Assets		0.15	%		0.10	%		0.15	%		0.17	%		0.15	%

⁽¹⁾Recorded in other liabilities
⁽²⁾Annualized

CAPITAL CITY BANK GROUP, INC.
AVERAGE BALANCE AND INTEREST RATES
*Unaudited*

		Second Quarter 2025							First Quarter 2025							Fourth Quarter 2024							Third Quarter 2024							Second Quarter 2024							June 2025 YTD							June 2024 YTD
(Dollars in thousands)		Average Balance			Interest	Average Rate			Average Balance			Interest	Average Rate			Average Balance			Interest	Average Rate			Average Balance			Interest	Average Rate			Average Balance			Interest	Average Rate			Average Balance			Interest	Average Rate			Average Balance			Interest	Average Rate
ASSETS:
Loans Held for Sale	$	22,668		$	475	8.40	%	$	24,726		$	490	8.04	%	$	31,047		$	976	7.89	%	$	24,570			720	7.49	%	$	26,281		$	517	5.26	%	$	23,692		$	965	8.21	%	$	26,797		$	1,080	5.62	%
Loans Held for Investment⁽¹⁾		2,652,572			40,436	6.11			2,665,910			40,029	6.09			2,677,396			40,521	6.07			2,693,533			40,985	6.09			2,726,748			40,683	6.03			2,659,204			80,465	6.10			2,727,688			80,879	5.99

Investment Securities
Taxable Investment Securities		1,006,514			6,666	2.65			981,485			5,802	2.38			914,353			4,688	2.04			907,610			4,148	1.82			918,989			3,998	1.74			994,068			12,468	2.52			935,658			8,237	1.76
Tax-Exempt Investment Securities⁽¹⁾		1,467			17	4.50			845			9	4.32			849			9	4.31			846			10	4.33			843			9	4.36			1,158			26	4.43			850			18	4.35

Total Investment Securities		1,007,981			6,683	2.65			982,330			5,811	2.38			915,202			4,697	2.04			908,456			4,158	1.82			919,832			4,007	1.74			995,226			12,494	2.52			936,508			8,255	1.76

Federal Funds Sold and Interest Bearing Deposits		348,787			3,909	4.49			320,948			3,496	4.42			298,255			3,596	4.80			256,855			3,514	5.44			262,419			3,624	5.56			334,944			7,405	4.46			201,454			5,517	5.51

Total Earning Assets		4,032,008		$	51,503	5.12	%		3,993,914		$	49,826	5.06	%		3,921,900		$	49,790	5.05	%		3,883,414		$	49,377	5.06	%		3,935,280		$	48,831	4.99	%		4,013,066		$	101,329	5.09	%		3,892,447		$	95,731	4.94	%

Cash and Due From Banks		65,761							73,467							73,992							70,994							74,803							69,593							75,283
Allowance for Credit Losses		(30,492	)						(30,008	)						(30,107	)						(29,905	)						(29,564	)						(30,251	)						(29,797	)
Other Assets		302,984							297,660							293,884							291,359							291,669							300,336							293,473

Total Assets	$	4,370,261						$	4,335,033						$	4,259,669						$	4,215,862						$	4,272,188						$	4,352,744						$	4,231,406

LIABILITIES:
Noninterest Bearing Deposits	$	1,342,304						$	1,317,425						$	1,323,556						$	1,332,305						$	1,346,546						$	1,329,933						$	1,345,367
NOW Accounts		1,225,697		$	3,750	1.23	%		1,249,955		$	3,854	1.25	%		1,182,073		$	3,826	1.29	%		1,145,544		$	4,087	1.42	%		1,207,643		$	4,425	1.47	%		1,237,759		$	7,604	1.24	%		1,204,337		$	8,922	1.49	%
Money Market Accounts		431,774			2,340	2.17			420,059			2,187	2.11			422,615			2,526	2.38			418,625			2,694	2.56			407,387			2,752	2.72			425,949			4,527	2.14			380,489			4,737	2.50
Savings Accounts		507,950			174	0.14			507,676			176	0.14			504,859			179	0.14			512,098			180	0.14			519,374			176	0.14			507,813			350	0.14			529,374			364	0.14
Time Deposits		172,982			1,141	2.65			170,367			1,166	2.78			167,321			1,235	2.94			163,462			1,262	3.07			160,078			1,226	3.08			171,682			2,307	2.71			149,203			2,150	2.90
Total Interest Bearing Deposits		2,338,403			7,405	1.27			2,348,057			7,383	1.28			2,276,868			7,766	1.36			2,239,729			8,223	1.46			2,294,482			8,579	1.50			2,343,203			14,788	1.27			2,263,403			16,173	1.44
Total Deposits		3,680,707			7,405	0.81			3,665,482			7,383	0.82			3,600,424			7,766	0.86			3,572,034			8,223	0.92			3,641,028			8,579	0.95			3,673,136			14,788	0.81			3,608,770			16,173	0.90
Repurchase Agreements		22,557			156	2.78			29,821			164	2.23			28,018			199	2.82			27,126			221	3.24			26,999			217	3.24			26,169			320	2.47			26,362			418	3.19
Other Short-Term Borrowings		10,503			179	6.82			7,437			117	6.39			6,510			83	5.06			2,673			52	7.63			6,592			68	4.16			8,978			296	6.64			5,176			107	4.16
Subordinated Notes Payable		51,981			530	4.03			52,887			560	4.23			52,887			581	4.30			52,887			610	4.52			52,887			630	4.71			52,432			1,090	4.13			52,887			1,258	4.70
Other Long-Term Borrowings		792			5	2.41			794			11	5.68			794			11	5.57			795			11	5.55			258			3	4.31			793			16	4.04			270			6	4.56
Total Interest Bearing Liabilities		2,424,236		$	8,275	1.37	%		2,438,996		$	8,235	1.37	%		2,365,077		$	8,640	1.45	%		2,323,210		$	9,117	1.56	%		2,381,218		$	9,497	1.60	%		2,431,575		$	16,510	1.37	%		2,348,098		$	17,962	1.54	%

Other Liabilities		76,138							65,211							73,130							73,767							72,634							70,705							70,464

Total Liabilities		3,842,678							3,821,632							3,761,763							3,729,282							3,800,398							3,832,213							3,763,929
Temporary Equity		–							–							6,763							6,443							6,493							–							6,821

SHAREOWNERS’ EQUITY:		527,583							513,401							491,143							480,137							465,297							520,531							460,656

Total Liabilities, Temporary Equity and Shareowners’ Equity	$	4,370,261						$	4,335,033						$	4,259,669						$	4,215,862						$	4,272,188						$	4,352,744						$	4,231,406

Interest Rate Spread				$	43,228	3.75	%				$	41,591	3.69	%				$	41,150	3.59	%				$	40,260	3.49	%				$	39,334	3.38	%				$	84,819	3.72	%				$	77,769	3.40	%

Interest Income and Rate Earned⁽¹⁾					51,503	5.12						49,826	5.06						49,790	5.05						49,377	5.06						48,831	4.99						101,329	5.09						95,731	4.94
Interest Expense and Rate Paid⁽²⁾					8,275	0.82						8,235	0.84						8,640	0.88						9,117	0.93						9,497	0.97						16,510	0.83						17,962	0.93

Net Interest Margin				$	43,228	4.30	%				$	41,591	4.22	%				$	41,150	4.17	%				$	40,260	4.12	%				$	39,334	4.02	%				$	84,819	4.26	%				$	77,769	4.01	%

⁽¹⁾Interest and average rates are calculated on a tax-equivalent basis using a 21% Federal tax rate.
⁽²⁾Rate calculated based on average earning assets.

The MIL Network –

July 22, 2025

Trump’s Golden Dome looks for alternatives to Musk’s SpaceX

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The Trump administration is expanding its search for partners to build the Golden Dome missile defense system, courting Amazon.com’s Project Kuiper and big defense contractors as tensions with Elon Musk threaten SpaceX’s dominance in the program, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

The shift marks a strategic pivot away from reliance on Musk’s SpaceX, whose Starlink and Starshield satellite networks have become central to U.S. military communications.

It comes amid a deteriorating relationship between Trump and Musk, which culminated in a public falling-out on June 5. Even before the spat, officials at the Pentagon and White House had begun exploring alternatives to SpaceX, wary of over-reliance on a single partner for huge portions of the ambitious, $175 billion space-based defense shield, two of the sources said.

Musk and SpaceX did not respond to requests for comment. After Reuters reported initially that SpaceX was a frontrunner to build parts of Golden Dome, Musk said on X that the company had “not tried to bid for any contract in this regard. Our strong preference would be to stay focused on taking humanity to Mars.”

Due to its size, track record of launching more than 9,000 of its own Starlink satellites, and experience in government procurement, SpaceX still has the inside track to assist with major portions of the Golden Dome, especially launch contracts, sources say.

Project Kuiper, which has launched just 78 of a planned constellation of 3,000 low-earth orbit satellites, has been approached by the Pentagon to join the effort, signaling the administration’s openness to integrating commercial tech firms into national defense infrastructure and going beyond traditional defense players.

Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s executive chairman, told Reuters in January that Kuiper would be “primarily commercial,” but acknowledged “there will be defense uses for these [low-earth orbit] constellations, no doubt.”

A spokesperson for Project Kuiper declined to comment for this story. The Pentagon declined to comment. The White House did not respond to requests for comment.

Golden Dome’s ambitions mirror those of Israel’s Iron Dome – a homeland missile defense shield – but a larger, more complex layered defense system requires a vast network of orbiting satellites covering more territory.

In the search for more vendors for the satellite layers of Golden Dome, “Kuiper is a big one,” a U.S. official said.

While SpaceX remains a frontrunner due to its unmatched launch capabilities, its share of the program could shrink, two of the people said. Officials have reached out to new entrants like rocket companies Stoke Space and Rocket Lab RKLB.O are gaining traction and will be able to bid on individual launches as the program matures, according to the U.S. official.

Later in the development of Golden Dome “each individual launch is going to get bid, and we have to actually give bids to other people,” besides SpaceX, the official said.

NEED FOR SATELLITES

There is an urgent need for more satellite production. Last year Congress gave Space Force a $13 billion mandate – up from $900 million – to buy satellite-based communication services in what was widely seen as one of many efforts to stimulate private sector satellite production.

Amazon’s Project Kuiper, a $10 billion initiative led by former Starlink managers dismissed by Musk for slow progress, Reuters has reported, has lagged behind SpaceX in deployment. But its potential defense applications – such as communications that could aid missile tracking – have drawn renewed interest as the administration prepares to allocate the first $25 billion tranche of funding authorized under Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill.

Traditional defense giants Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and L3Harris are also in talks to support Golden Dome. L3Harris CFO Kenneth Bedingfield told Reuters in an interview the company has seen a surge in interest in its missile warning and tracking technologies, which are expected to play a key role in the system.

Northrop, meanwhile, is pursuing several efforts including a space-based interceptor, a component that would enable missile strikes from orbit, Robert Flemming, the head of the company’s space business, told Reuters in an interview.

“Lockheed Martin is ready to support Golden Dome for America as a proven mission partner,” Robert Lightfoot, president of Lockheed Martin Space, said in a statement.

Golden Dome’s initial outreach this spring invited smaller, newer Silicon Valley firms seen as nimbler, more sophisticated and potentially less expensive alternatives to the big defense firms to the table – but that was before the Musk-Trump feud upended that calculus.

Several with close ties to Trump aside from SpaceX, including Palantir and Anduril – were considered early frontrunners to win big pieces of the $175 billion project.

But the Musk-Trump feud has reshaped the competitive landscape. Musk recently launched the “America Party,” a tech-centric, centrist political movement aimed at defeating Republicans who backed Trump’s tax-and-spend agenda.

RAPID TIMEFRAME

Trump launched the Golden Dome initiative just a week into his second term, pushing for rapid deployment. Space Force General Michael Guetlein, confirmed by the Senate on July 17, is set to lead the program with sweeping authority.

Under a previously unreported directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Guetlein has 30 days from confirmation to build a team, 60 days to deliver an initial system design, and 120 days to present a full implementation plan, including satellite and ground station details, two people briefed on the memo said.

The inclusion of commercial platforms like Kuiper raises security concerns. Its satellites would need to be hardened against cyberattacks and electronic warfare, a challenge that has plagued even SpaceX’s Starlink network. In May 2024, Elon Musk said SpaceX was spending “significant resources combating Russian jamming efforts. This is a tough problem.”

Beyond the technical and political challenges, Golden Dome could reshape global security dynamics. A fully operational space-based missile shield may prompt adversaries to develop new offensive capabilities or accelerate the militarization of space.

(Reuters)

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Defense News in Brief: AFMAO embodies ‘No Airman left behind’ – Operation Colony Glacier 2025

Source: United States Airforce

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AFNS) —

Forty miles from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, and accessible only by helicopter, U.S. Air Force Capt. Travis Lockwood stands on Colony Glacier. Before him lies a wide, unforgiving landscape scattered with debris from a long-ago tragedy that has become a mission of recovery and reunion, 73 years later.

Colony Glacier is a large glacier that is home to the debris of a C-124 Globemaster that crashed into the side of Mount Gannett. Originally taking off from McChord Air Force Base, Washington, Nov. 22, 1952, en route to Elmendorf AFB, the aircraft never made it to its destination. The accident took the lives of 52 passengers and crew members. As of June 2025, 49 of 52 passengers have been identified. The recovery mission has taken place annually since 2012, when the contents of the crash were discovered.

Lockwood, who is the Operation Colony Glacier ground forces commander and recovery team lead, as well as an Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations mortuary affairs deputy chief, travels from Dover AFB, Delaware, twice a summer for both phases of the operation, spending multiple weeks upon the blue ice, searching for key pieces of human remains, personal effects and identifiable information from the fallen aircraft passengers.

Working with a team of joint partners including Armed Forces Medical Examiner System personnel, the Alaska Army National Guard, and JB Elmendorf-Richardson volunteers, Lockwood is able to bring pieces of bones, soft tissue, clothing articles, fully intact ID cards and large parts of the now retired C-124 back to Dover AFB where they will be sent to AFMES.

Lockwood describes a day on the ice as rewarding, despite being physically challenging. Safety is one of Lockwood’s priorities as the team lead.

“The glacier is hard-packed ice covered in loose rock. Everything from gravel to large boulders. It’s not flat; there are steep inclines, crevasses, and hidden obstacles everywhere,” Lockwood explains, eyes scanning his cold surroundings, hearing the constant sound of rushing water pouring from the melting surfaces.

“Temperature-wise, it ranges from the low 40s to mid-30s, with a lot of wind. And the glacier is constantly changing, it is melting, shifting, moving, so every day we reassess the area we’re working in.”

The team, usually consisting of about seven crew members, begins their day with a 20-minute flight on an Alaska Army National Guard UH-60L Black Hawk, where skilled Army pilots are able to land the aircraft on small, uneven surfaces upon the ice for a brief, hot unloading. The recovery team is highly trained and carries a days worth of gear, with them preparing for the mission by attending mountaineering school in order to be able to navigate the rough terrain and have the ability to reach deeply into the glacial crevasses.

Every day is a new day on Colony, due to the landscape constantly melting and revealing more debris underneath. The team moves miles down the glacier every year. Lockwood explains that oftentimes the surfaces are unrecognizable, so it is important they discover as much as they can because nothing will be in the same place tomorrow. The operation is split into two phases each summer, in order to let new parts of the landscape melt down to expose more content to search through. Weather conditions on the glacier are monitored by the 3rd Wing, JB Elmendorf-Richardson, who provide an on-site weather team.

Despite the challenging daily challenges on the glacier, the team is able to stay focused on the mission due to strong team bonds that can only truly be felt by those who have touched the ice and mission, according to Lockwood.

“There’s a unique bond out here, one that only those who’ve been on this mission understand,” he explains. “You can’t explain what it’s like until you’re standing on the ice, finding human remains and personal effects. That experience creates a deep, unspoken connection among the team. We’re united by the mission and by our commitment to each other.”

Returning personal effects to family members is one of the largest goals of Operation Colony Glacier. AFMAO and AFMES members recently were able to meet with children, cousins, nieces and nephews and friends of the fallen service members at an event in Dover. Families sharing memories of the fallen members highlighted the impact of the mission, and how their hard work to bring home and identify every member does not go unnoticed.

Finding personal effects such as wallets, clothing, and safety equipment can be emotionally painful.

Lockwood highlights one of the more emotional recoveries he made, a wallet belonging to a passenger and a father’s belongings.

“Last year, we found a couple of wallets, one of which had contents like business cards and money. One wallet had a printed paper that said ‘mom’s sizes’ — her dress and shoe sizes. It was November, so maybe he was planning to buy her a Christmas present,” explains Lockwood. “I also found a family photo, and behind it, folded up, was a birth certificate for a daughter who was two months old. This individual had a brand new baby and was carrying her birth certificate at the time of the crash … that really puts a personal touch on things and makes (the mission) emotional, knowing these people left families behind and lost their lives coming up here.”

During phase one of 2025, the team was able to find another completely intact wallet that included a fully preserved ID card, photos, mess hall pass, taxi receipt and TDY orders.

With the personal effects and human remains that are found by the on-ice team, AFMES is able to do DNA processing, fingerprint examination and other identification processes.

A key team member in this process is an Operation Colony Glacier veteran, Carlos Colon. Colon is an AFMES medicolegal death investigator and the operations subject matter expert. Colon has returned to the glacier every year for eight years, consistently bringing back and selecting the best viable specimens, submitting them to the DNA lab for processing, with identification usually happening within a year. On the ice, Colon organizes and numbers the samples, helping the team identify what would be suitable specimen to send back. Every day, he visits the morgue on JB Elmendorf-Richardson and oversees the process of storing the remains before they are brought to Dover AFB.

Colon, originally from Puerto Rico, served in the U.S. Army as a mortuary affairs specialist, where he would discover and process remains, helping to send them to Dover AFB. He became interested in AFMES and the medical side of the process after witnessing a pathologist, photographer and investigator in Iraq, leading him to pursue a career in forensic investigation.

Combining his army and civilian experience, Colon has made many impacts to families and to fallen service members, helping them with dignity, honor and respect. Carlos highlights the importance of the mission, emphasizing the promise to bring service members back to their families.

“We won’t leave you behind. For me, it’s a cool reminder, especially for the guys in combat arms, infantry, or combat engineers, that the DoD really does this. Having them participate is special. A lot of them say, ‘Wow, I can’t believe we’re still doing this after all these years.’ That’s my favorite part. I’ve seen a lot of deaths in my career, so I also find it rewarding to create an environment where it’s easier for people to process what’s happening, so they’re not as affected.”

Colon explains that what keeps him motivated on the ice is how determined everyone is to make all 52 identifications. He shares that one of his favorite memories was when a fellow team member brought a speaker to the glacier, playing music from the 1950s that would have been popular in the time of the crash while they searched.

“I wish people knew many people are involved in this mission,” Colon says. “How many organizations, how many individuals and how invested everybody is to see it through.”

At the end of the mission each year, AFMAO organizes a dignified departure for the remains before transporting the remains to Dover AFB. The long, demanding days, unwavering motivation and commitment to service from all team members and units make this accomplishment possible.

Colony Glacier is a one-of-a-kind mission that is authentically able to represent the Air Force’s commitment to never leaving an Airman behind.

“We will never leave somebody behind. We’ve made a commitment to the fallen and their families that we will bring them home,” Lockwood said. “The lengths we go to do that are very special … we will care for your Airmen, your Soldiers, your Marines. From the time they join until the time they leave, or until they are brought home. They are not forgotten.”

MIL Security OSI –

July 22, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: View from The Hill: How much can Jim Chalmers get out of the economic reform roundtable?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

We’re now less than a month away from the start of the Albanese government’s “economic reform” (aka “productivity”) roundtable, but it has become quite hard to get a fix on exactly what this gathering will amount to.

The guest list for the August 19-21 summit is obviously tight, given the government decided it wanted the meeting to fit into the cabinet room (so avoiding a more extensive “talkfest”).

But excluding the states and territories from a meeting that discusses deregulation and taxation means major players in these policy areas are not in the room (the NSW treasurer, Daniel Mookhey, chair of the board of treasurers, is the only state government representative invited). Treasurer Jim Chalmers says he will meet state treasurers beforehand, but that doesn’t quite cover their omission.

The government has flagged that industrial relations isn’t on the table, although the unions will be at that table. Yet IR is a major issue in productivity, so that excludes a central area from discussion. The unions are being given a level of protection other players potentially do not have.

Tax reform is a central topic at the roundtable, the themes of which are productivity, budget sustainability and economic resilience. But the scope of what is up for serious consideration is limited.

The government is not willing to consider changing the GST, even if it is not formally ruling out it being canvassed.

When it was put to him that he opposed altering the GST, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told the ABC this week what he would not do was “go to an election and secure a majority because our government concentrated on cost-of-living measures in our first term […] and immediately we get elected and we say, we’re going to put up the price of everything that you buy.

“That is not something that’s tenable. That’s something which would have represented a breach of trust upon which we were elected on May 3rd.”

Rejecting an overhaul of the GST kyboshes, for better or worse, a major tax switch from our over-reliance on personal income tax to putting more of the tax burden on indirect tax. This is a change many tax experts advocate.

Despite the hype around the pre-roundtable discussion of broad tax reform, what appears likely to find favour with the government are tax changes affecting wealth (but excluding the family home) and the resources sector.

It remains unclear to what extent Chalmers will seek to define the outcome beforehand. That is: will he, after reviewing the submissions, go into the roundtable with a firm idea of what he wants to get out of it, and then see how much he can get over the “consensus” line?

Helpfully for everyone at the roundtable, the Productivity Commission is about to release a series of reports on various aspects of productivity, which will provide data and ideas.

These cover economic resilience, improving workforce skills and adaptability, harnessing digital technology, improving care delivery, and investing in the net zero transformation.

Meanwhile business, which felt it was made something of a patsy in the 2022 jobs and skills summit, with the government using that meeting to gain traction for what it already wanted to do, is being cautious this time.

Even before the formal announcement of the roundtable, it set up a group following the government’s nomination of productivity as a central priority for this term. The umbrella body’s first meeting was attended by more than 20 groups representing businesses of all sizes, universities and the investment community. This body is ongoing. It includes the Business Council of Australia, the Australian Industry Group, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Minerals Council of Australia and the Council of Small Business Organisations.

The umbrella body will put forward a suite of recommendations for the roundtable including on investment, innovation, reducing red tape, planning and approval processes, tax, education and employment.

We now have the full list of roundtable participants. It’s interesting for who’s there and who’s not. Ken Henry, of the seminal Henry taxation report – of which Chalmers has vivid memories from his days as a staffer of former treasurer Wayne Swan – will be present. Henry last week gave a strong presentation at the National Press Club about the pressing need for reform of the environment protection regime.

Also scoring an invitation is teal crossbencher Allegra Spender, who made tax reform one of her core issues last term. Spender is holding her own “tax reform roundtable” on Friday, with a who’s who of experts.

But left off the Treasurer’s invitation list list was the Minerals Council of Australia. This despite the fact that tax changes in the resources area seem a ripe area for discussion.

Michelle Grattan 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. View from The Hill: How much can Jim Chalmers get out of the economic reform roundtable? – https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-how-much-can-jim-chalmers-get-out-of-the-economic-reform-roundtable-261095

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Check your business rates agent’s name
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

News story

Check your business rates agent’s name

Make sure your business rates agent’s name in our system matches your contract.
If you want to use an agent to manage your business rates, you need to appoint them in our Check and Challenge service.

But if the agent’s name in our service does not match the name on your contract, you should be cautious. You should tell us by contacting agentstandards@voa.gov.uk.

You can also find out how long an agent has been using their current business name. You can get information about a company for free.

Some rogue agents may change their name often.

Our  VOA agent standards set out clear expectations for agents regarding: 

their behaviour  

their professional practice  

the service they provide to their customers  

We take breaches of our agent standards very seriously. We will always take action if we substantiate a breach of the standards. 

You should be cautious of any agent who:  

tries to pressure you to make a decision or sign a contract  

says they are acting on behalf of the VOA or forwards emails they claim are from the VOA  

demands large sums of money up front  

makes claims about ‘unclaimed credits’ or similar  

Remember – you don’t have to use an agent to manage your business rates.  

You can challenge your rateable value through our online service. This service is free to use.  

If you want an agent to manage your business rates, use our checklist to choose an agent. Don’t let an agent choose you. 

Using an agent who is a member of a professional body may provide extra reassurance as they will be subject to that body’s rules and regulations. The Institute of Revenues, Rating, Valuation, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Rating Surveyors’ Association have published joint standards that their members should follow.

We also have guidance on staying safe from scammers.  

We collect evidence of poor agent behaviour and practices in the course of our work. This evidence allows us to proactively address issues or concerns.  

If you are concerned about poor behaviour by agents, send any evidence to agentstandards@voa.gov.uk.

We cannot advise you on contractual issues you may have with any agent. You should contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service. They have a helpline you can call on 0808 223 1133, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

If you think a business has broken the law or acted unfairly, you can also report them to Trading Standards via Citizens Advice.

If you believe you are a victim of fraud, you can make a report to Action Fraud.

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MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 22, 2025

MIL-OSI New Zealand: Total greenhouse gas emissions rise 0.9 percent in the March 2025 quarter – Stats NZ media and information release: Greenhouse gas emissions (industry and household): March 2025 quarter

Total greenhouse gas emissions rise 0.9 percent in the March 2025 quarter – media release

22 July 2025

Seasonally adjusted greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by industries and households in New Zealand increased 0.9 percent in the March 2025 quarter compared with the December 2024 quarter, according to figures released by Stats NZ today.

“The increase of 176 kilotonnes during this quarter was mainly driven by a rise in industry emissions, particularly from the electricity, gas, water, and waste services industry,” environment statistics spokesperson Tehseen Islam said.

Over this quarter, industry emissions, excluding households, increased by 1.0 percent (177 kilotonnes). In comparison, gross domestic product (GDP) rose 0.8 percent over the same period.

In the same period, seasonally adjusted emissions from households fell 0.2 percent (5 kilotonnes).

Visit our website to read this news story and information release and to download CSV files:

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

July 22, 2025

MIL-OSI: Hut 8 Advances Capital Strategy with DIFC License
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

MIAMI, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Hut 8 Corp. (Nasdaq | TSX: HUT) (“Hut 8” or the “Company”), an energy infrastructure platform integrating power, digital infrastructure, and compute at scale to fuel next-generation, energy-intensive use cases such as Bitcoin mining and high-performance computing, today announced that its subsidiary, Hut 8 Investment Ltd, has secured a Commercial License in the Dubai International Financial Centre (“DIFC”). The license authorizes proprietary investments and certain non-financial commercial activity under the DIFC’s legal and regulatory framework, which is based on international standards and principles of common law.

The DIFC license represents a structural expansion of Hut 8’s capital strategy, enhancing the Company’s ability to deploy Bitcoin held in reserve into structured derivatives strategies. The license is expected to broaden access to institutional counterparties, reduce trading friction, and lower transaction costs. In fiscal year 2024, Hut 8 generated more than $20 million in net proceeds from covered call options premiums on Bitcoin held in reserve. Through its presence in the DIFC, Hut 8 expects to unlock multiple advantages that support continued expansion of its active treasury management program, including:
- Direct access to global derivatives markets: Enables Hut 8 to trade directly on institutional exchanges, reducing reliance on OTC intermediaries that historically introduced cost friction relative to spot pricing
- Broader access to institutional-grade products and counterparties: Unlocks a wider set of global liquidity providers and instruments, enhancing strategic optionality
- Greater flexibility in structured strategy design and execution: Allows Hut 8 to construct and manage advanced yield strategies that would more difficult to execute without a DIFC license
- Supportive regulatory environment within a common law framework: Dubai offers an established legal and regulatory foundation for institutional digital asset activity, supporting enhanced enforceability, compliance certainty, and jurisdictional alignment
“We believe that securing a DIFC license enhances our ability to drive outsized shareholder returns through our integrated capital strategy,” said Asher Genoot, CEO of Hut 8. “It allows us to execute directly on global derivatives markets, reduce trading costs, and access a broader range of institutional products. Within a regulatory environment that supports structured digital asset strategies, we believe we can manage Bitcoin held in reserve more efficiently, manage risk with greater precision, and optimize yield through disciplined, proactive management.”

About Hut 8

Hut 8 Corp. is an energy infrastructure platform integrating power, digital infrastructure, and compute at scale to fuel next-generation, energy-intensive use cases such as Bitcoin mining and high-performance computing. We take a power-first, innovation-driven approach to developing, commercializing, and operating the critical infrastructure that underpins the breakthrough technologies of today and tomorrow. Our platform spans 1,020 megawatts of energy capacity under management across 15 sites in the United States and Canada: five Bitcoin mining, hosting, and Managed Services sites in Alberta, New York, and Texas, five high performance computing data centers in British Columbia and Ontario, four power generation assets in Ontario, and one non-operational site in Alberta. For more information, visit www.hut8.com and follow us on X at @Hut8Corp.

About Dubai International Financial Centre

Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) is one of the world’s most advanced financial centres and a leading financial hub for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia (MEASA). With a 20-year track record of facilitating trade and investment flows across the MEASA region, the Centre connects these fast-growing markets with the economies of Asia, Europe, and the Americas through Dubai. DIFC is home to an internationally recognised, independent regulator and a proven judicial system with an English common law framework. The Centre’s vision is to drive the future of finance through cutting-edge technology, innovation, and partnerships. Today, it is the global future of finance and innovation hub offering one of the region’s most comprehensive AI, FinTech and venture capital environments, including cost-effective licensing solutions, fit-for-purpose regulation, innovative accelerator programmes, and funding for growth-stage start-ups. For further information, please visit our website: difc.ae or follow us on LinkedIn and X at @DIFC.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward–Looking Information

This press release includes “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian securities laws and United States securities laws, respectively (collectively, “forward-looking information”). All information, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release that address activities, events, or developments that Hut 8 expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including statements relating to the Company’s use of its DIFC license to expand its capital strategy, enhance the Company’s ability to deploy Bitcoin held in reserve, broaden access to institutional counterparties, reduce trading friction, lower transaction costs, and unlock other advantages to support the expansion of the Company’s active treasury management program; the impact of the DIFC’s regulatory framework; the ability of the Company to drive outsized shareholder returns; and other such matters is forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often identified by the words “may”, “would”, “could”, “should”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “allow”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “predict”, “can”, “might”, “potential”, “predict”, “is designed to”, “likely,” or similar expressions.

Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts, but instead represent management’s expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events based on certain material factors and assumptions at the time the statement was made. While considered reasonable by Hut 8 as of the date of this press release, such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, but not limited to, failure of critical systems; geopolitical, social, economic, and other events and circumstances; competition from current and future competitors; risks related to power requirements; cybersecurity threats and breaches; hazards and operational risks; changes in leasing arrangements; Internet-related disruptions; dependence on key personnel; having a limited operating history; attracting and retaining customers; entering into new offerings or lines of business; price fluctuations and rapidly changing technologies; construction of new data centers, data center expansions, or data center redevelopment; predicting facility requirements; strategic alliances or joint ventures; operating and expanding internationally; failing to grow hashrate; purchasing miners; relying on third-party mining pool service providers; uncertainty in the development and acceptance of the Bitcoin network; Bitcoin halving events; competition from other methods of investing in Bitcoin; concentration of Bitcoin holdings; hedging transactions; potential liquidity constraints; legal, regulatory, governmental, and technological uncertainties; physical risks related to climate change; involvement in legal proceedings; trading volatility; and other risks described from time to time in Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. In particular, see the Company’s recent and upcoming annual and quarterly reports and other continuous disclosure documents, which are available under the Company’s EDGAR profile at www.sec.gov and SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Hut 8 Corp. Investor Relations
Sue Ennis
ir@hut8.com

Hut 8 Corp. Public Relations
Gautier Lemyze-Young
media@hut8.com

The MIL Network –
July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI: Landlord Sentiment Shifts in 2025: Fewer Acquisitions, More Spending on Existing Properties

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — New survey results from RentRedi, the fastest-growing rental management software, including joint data from BiggerPockets, show a measurable shift in landlord priorities for 2025. Compared to late 2024, fewer landlords plan to expand their portfolios, while more are investing in property improvements and optimizing operations. RentRedi’s rental market survey examines notable shifts in trends relating to investment strategies, renovation spending, and business priorities over time.

As a follow-up to a survey that was conducted in November 2024, the same questions were posed to U.S. landlords between June 3-26, 2025, and responses were analyzed by region and landlord size. Over the past six months, the share of landlords planning to buy new properties dropped from 67% in November 2024 to 53% in June 2025—a 14-point decline. During the same period, the portion of landlords with no plans to change their portfolio rose by 11% from 32% to over 43%. Fewer than 1 in 25 landlords say they plan to sell a rental property this year.

Regionally, the West experienced the biggest shift in sentiment, with the number of landlords saying they have no plans to make portfolio changes rising from 39% to 53%, a 14-point increase. In contrast, the Northeast was the most acquisition-oriented region, with 57% of investors still planning to buy property in 2025, outpacing the national average.

Differences by landlord size also emerged. While all portfolio sizes saw a decline in buying plans, landlords with 20 or more units remain more active than their smaller counterparts. A little over 1 in 5 large landlords plan to both buy and sell property this year, compared to just 5% of small landlords. Nearly half of small landlords say they have no plans to change their portfolio, compared to 38% of large landlords.

Another major shift is visible in home improvement plans. As of June, 35% of landlords expect to spend more than $20,000 on property upgrades this year, up from 27% in November. Nearly 2 in 3 respondents anticipate spending over $5,000 in total. Landlords with large portfolios are leading the charge: nearly two-thirds expect to spend more than $20,000, up from 36% in November. Small landlords remained more conservative, with nearly half still budgeting under $5,000.

Regionally, the Midwest and West saw the most dramatic increases in high-dollar spending. In both regions, the share of landlords expecting to invest more than $20,000 rose by 10 points or more. At the same time, a June joint survey with BiggerPockets found that exactly half of landlords have paused some or all home improvement projects planned for 2025, suggesting a range of financial strategies and priorities depending on portfolio structure and resources.

A separate July survey from RentRedi and BiggerPockets explored the reasons behind declining acquisition plans. More than half of landlords cited property prices as the biggest barrier to buying, while nearly a quarter pointed to interest rates. Others said slow revenue growth or time commitment were their main challenges.

When asked what they hoped to achieve by using tools or resources in their rental business, more than one-third said increasing revenue was most important. Another one-third prioritized saving time and effort, followed by reducing costs and increasing property value.

“With tools like RentRedi, landlords are managing their properties more efficiently, even as they face evolving challenges,” said RentRedi Co-founder and CEO Ryan Barone. “From automation to mobile access to financial reporting, we’re focused on giving landlords the control and visibility they need to make smarter decisions—whether they’re expanding, renovating, or holding steady.”

Landlord motivations remained consistent across the board. Income generation continues to be the top reason for managing rental properties, selected by over 40% of respondents, followed by long-term investment and financial freedom. Larger landlords are more focused on income—more than half selected it as their primary goal, compared to about one-third who emphasized long-term investment and 16% who cited financial freedom, which is slightly below the 18% national average.

Diversification appears to be a low priority in 2025. About 40% of landlords said they do not plan to diversify their portfolios by property type or location, and another quarter are unsure. Slightly more than 1 in 3 landlords say they plan to diversify in any way this year.

This report is part of RentRedi’s ongoing initiative to surface real-world insights from landlords and property managers through data, direct surveys, and collaborations with trusted communities like BiggerPockets. For more data insight and survey result reports, visit RentRedi’s Rental Market Insights.

Survey Methodology

RentRedi landlords were surveyed between June 3-26, 2025. There were 1,623 respondents in total. Landlords were classified into U.S. regions by their primary business location as follows: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI); Midwest (IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI, VT); South (AL, AR, DC, DE, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV); and West (AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NM, NV, OR, UT, WA, WY). Landlords were also classified by real estate portfolio size as follows: small landlords (1-4 rental units); medium landlords (5-19 rental units); and large landlords (20+ rental units). Percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number, and therefore the values in each barchart may not equal 100%. Separately, BiggerPockets conducted its own surveys via YouTube in June and July 2025. The full survey results can be found here.

About RentRedi

RentRedi offers an award-winning, comprehensive rental property management platform that simplifies the renting process for landlords and renters by automating and streamlining processes. Investors can quickly grow their rental businesses by using RentRedi’s all-in-one web and mobile app for rent collection, market listings, tenant screening, lease signing, maintenance coordination, and accounting. Tenants enjoy the convenience and benefits of RentRedi’s easy-to-use mobile app that allows them to pay rent, set up auto-pay, build credit by reporting rent payments to all three major credit bureaus, prequalify and sign leases, and submit 24/7 maintenance requests.

Founded in 2016, RentRedi is VC-backed and a proven leader in the PropTech market. The company ranks No. 180 on the Inc. 5000 list and No. 13 on the Inc. 5000 Regionals list. It was also named an Inc. Power Partner in 2023 and 2024, and to Fast Company’s Next Big Things in Tech list in 2024, as well as HousingWire’s Tech100 list in 2025. To date, RentRedi has more than $28 billion in assets under management with nearly 200,000 landlords and tenants using its platform. The company partners with technology leaders such as Zillow, TransUnion, Experian, Equifax, Realtor.com, Lessen, Thumbtack, Plaid, and Stripe to create the best customer experience possible. For more information visit RentRedi.com.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1e1f54bc-0e48-44d2-ac3d-91e5bc17b910

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/caf18e40-7b6f-4476-813a-0e363f878e93

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8172cf42-500a-4823-9640-3a5dbf32fa91

The MIL Network –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Nepal: Failures over right to housing leaves marginalized groups facing forced evictions and homelessness – New Report

Source: Amnesty International –

The Nepalese government’s failure to establish a regulatory framework for the Right to Housing Act, coupled with local authorities’ blatant disregard for the law, has resulted in forced evictions that have left hundreds homeless, Amnesty International said in a new report.

The report, “’Nowhere to go’: Forced evictions in Nepal”, highlights the devastating impact on already marginalized communities, including Dalits and Indigenous Peoples, which are disproportionately affected by the forced evictions. It also reveals the authorities’ failure to uphold legal safeguards and address gaps in regulations needed to implement provisions in the Constitution and the 2018 Right to Housing Act that are aimed at preventing forced eviction.

“There is an ever-widening gap between the legal protections promised in Nepal’s constitution and the reality for marginalized communities in the country, who continue to live in fear of being evicted with no due process, no regard for their precarious circumstances and no hope of compensation to help rebuild their lives elsewhere,” said Nirajan Thapaliya, Director at Amnesty International Nepal.

“The authorities are failing in their legal duty to protect the rights of the landless, some of the most vulnerable in society.”

The report focuses on emblematic cases of forced evictions between 2020 and 2024 that took place across Nepal including in Kathmandu, Siraha, Sunsari, Jhapa and Kailali districts. Together they represent diverse regions and types of eviction. In some cases, evictions took place as a result of development projects in urban settings, in others forced evictions were carried out in conservation areas in community forests and national parks.

The authorities are failing in their legal duty to protect the rights of the landless, some of the most vulnerable in society.

Nirajan Thapaliya, Director at Amnesty International Nepal

Due process failures

In the cases documented, the authorities showed complete disregard for Nepal’s human rights obligations under national and international law. The cases highlight the failure of authorities to put in place human rights safeguards against forced evictions, including consultations with the affected communities to explore alternatives to eviction and provision of adequate notice for their removal.

On 23 June 2024, households living in the Purano Airport area in Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City, Kailali were forcibly evicted and their homes were demolished by bulldozers even though there was a process underway by the Land Issue Resolving Commission to confirm the status of the residents, an essential step towards guaranteeing security of tenure. Local authorities ignored the outcome of the verification process, including temporary certificates of land occupation that had been issued to residents by the Commission. They later admitted that nine of the 13 families evicted should not have been forced out, as they were entitled to special legal protection against homelessness.

“We have land possession documents, electricity bills, etc. — yet none of these safeguarded us from eviction,” said a member of one of the affected communities.

Other government failures include the failure to uphold specific protections for groups vulnerable to discrimination and marginalization, such as older people, children and persons with disabilities. In addition, authorities failed to follow procedures stipulated by the Lands Act relating to the identification and verification of landless Dalits and residents of informal settlements.

Moreover, authorities also failed to engage the affected communities in a process of genuine consultations prior to the evictions and provide them with adequate notice, requirements set forth both in Nepal’s Right to Housing Actand international human rights standards.

‘We have nowhere to go… How will we survive?’

Many residents described the dehumanizing way in which they were forced from their home without even being given a chance to gather their clothing, medicine, their children’s books or important legal identity documents.

“Our homes were bulldozed from all sides. Now, we have nowhere to go and nothing to eat. How will we survive?” said one of the victims of forced evictions in Bhajani Municipality, Kailali.

At least three eviction sites included some of the most vulnerable – older people, pregnant women, and newborns.

Bishnu Nepali*, a 23-year-old mother from Bhajani, said: “I just had a baby, and now we have no roof, no electricity, and no mosquito net. Living like this is unbearable.”

In Dhangadhi, a young woman who had just given birth said she had already been uprooted once before: “We didn’t come here out of greed. We were forced to move after a landslide destroyed our home. But the authorities treated us as if we have committed a crime just for seeking refuge in this land.”

The report highlights the severe emotional, physical, and psychological impact caused by forced evictions, loss of property, lack of access to food and water, loss of livelihood, lack of access to education.

Homelessness was apparent in all three of the eviction sites visited by Amnesty International. This is in clear violation of international law, which obligates states to protect all people from forced evictions regardless of land tenure status and to refrain from rendering individuals homeless.

Communities that were evicted in most of the cases documented in the report did not receive any compensation or where they did, it was wholly inadequate. When resettlement was offered, it was without prior consultation with the affected community and without due consideration for their needs, such as the size of the family or the provision of essential services.

Without urgent and coordinated action to implement the right to adequate housing and establish regulatory frameworks, the cycle of forced evictions and human rights violations will persist in Nepal.

Nirajan Thapaliya

Systemic gaps enabling forced evictions

Without the necessary regulatory framework to implement many of the provisions of the Right to Housing Act, legal protections are left largely ineffective. The failure to harmonize conflicting earlier legislation with more recent Nepali laws to protect fundamental rights has further undermined enforcement, while a lack of coordination and cooperation between federal and local governments has worsened the situation.

Oversight mechanisms have also been largely ineffective. For instance, the National Human Rights Commission has monitored some eviction incidents and issued recommendations for redress. However, its response has fallen short of the seriousness of these violations. With adequate resources, the Commission could play a stronger role by documenting systemic patterns of forced evictions and conducting independent investigations.

“The Nepali authorities must safeguard the right to adequate housing, end the practice of forced eviction and ensure due process when evictions are deemed necessary. Without urgent and coordinated action to implement the right to adequate housing and establish regulatory frameworks, the cycle of forced evictions and human rights violations will persist in Nepal,” said Nirajan Thapaliya.

*Names changed to protect identity

MIL OSI NGO –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Iran: Deliberate Israeli attack on Tehran’s Evin prison must be investigated as a war crime

Source: Amnesty International –

The Israeli military’s deliberate air strikes on Evin prison in Tehran on 23 June 2025 constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law and must be criminally investigated as war crimes, Amnesty International said today, following an in-depth investigation.

Verified video footage, satellite imagery and interviews with eyewitnesses, prisoners’ families and human rights defenders indicate that the Israeli military carried out multiple air strikes on Evin prison, killing and injuring scores of civilians and causing extensive damage and destruction in at least six locations across the prison complex. The attack took place during the working day, at a time when many parts of the prison were packed with civilians. Hours later, the Israeli military confirmed it had attacked the prison and senior Israeli officials boasted about it on social media. According to the Iranian authorities, at least 80 civilians – 79 men and women and a five-year-old boy – were killed.

Under international humanitarian law, a prison or place of detention is presumed a civilian object and there is no credible evidence in this case that Evin prison constituted a lawful military objective.

The evidence establishes reasonable grounds to believe that the Israeli military brazenly and deliberately attacked civilian buildings.

Erika Guevara Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns.

“The evidence establishes reasonable grounds to believe that the Israeli military brazenly and deliberately attacked civilian buildings. Directing attacks at civilian objects is strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law. Carrying out such attacks knowingly and deliberately constitutes a war crime,” said Erika Guevara Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns.

It is believed that Evin prison held around 1,500-2,000 prisoners at the time of the attack, including arbitrarily detained human rights defenders, protesters, political dissidents, members of persecuted religious minorities, and dual and foreign nationals frequently held for diplomatic leverage. At any given time, there were also hundreds of other civilians in the prison complex. The attack took place during prison visitation hours.

“The Israeli forces should have known that any air strikes against Evin prison could result in significant civilian harm. Prosecution authorities around the world must ensure that all those responsible for this deadly attack are brought to justice, including through use of the principle of universal jurisdiction. The Iranian authorities must also grant the International Criminal Court jurisdiction over all Rome Statute crimes committed on or perpetrated from its territory, said Erika Guevara Rosas.

An overview of Evin prison, with the exterior walled perimeter marked in orange. The six yellow circles highlight areas with the most significant destruction, indicating these were the locations where the munitions landed. The blasts and resulting damage extended beyond the six areas.

A map of Evin prison indicating building names or functions based on Amnesty International’s interviews with former prisoners.

Scores of civilians killed and injured

Between 11am to 12pm Tehran time on 23 June 2025, Israeli air strikes hit multiple locations over 500 metres apart inside Evin prison, destroying or damaging numerous buildings and other structures within the prison complex, as well as nearby residential buildings outside the complex.

Evin prison is located in a populated area with residential buildings to its east and south. A nearby resident described the scene following the attack to Amnesty International:

“I suddenly heard a terrible sound. I looked out of the window and realised that smoke and dust were rising from Evin prison. Both the sound of the explosion and the appearance of the dust and smoke were horrific… I had thought our home would be safe [as] we are near a prison… I couldn’t believe it.”

The authorities have so far named 57 civilians who were killed in the attack including five female social workers, 13 young men performing mandatory national service as prison guards or administrators, and 36 other prison staff – 30 men and six women – and the child of one of the social workers. After drawing public criticism for failing to disclose the identities of prisoners, their relatives and nearby residents killed, the authorities published a report on 14 July 2025 revealing two names: a nearby resident – Mehrangiz Imanpour – and a woman volunteering to help raise funds for debt prisoners – Hasti Mohammadi. Amnesty International had already verified the name of Mehrangiz Imanpour, as well as the names of one prisoner, Masoud Behbahani, a prisoner’s relative, Leila Jafarzadeh, and a passerby Aliasghar Pazouki, who were also killed.

Israeli officials’ self-incriminating admissions

Within hours of the attack, senior Israeli officials boasted about it on social media, framing it as a “targeted strike” against a “symbol of oppression for the Iranian people.”

Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, said on X that Israeli forces were attacking with “unprecedented force regime targets and government repression bodies in the heart of Tehran including…Evin prison.”

Minutes later, Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar posted on X: “We warned Iran time and again: stop targeting civilians! They continued, including this morning. Our response: [Long live freedom…].” Alongside this post was a video purporting to show CCTV footage of the prison gate being blown up. Analysis of the video by Amnesty International indicates the footage was digitally manipulated likely using an old photograph of the prison gate. The video was first posted on Persian-language Telegram channels, but Amnesty International could not trace its original source.

Later the same day, the Israeli military confirmed in a statement that they had carried out “a targeted strike” on “the notorious Evin Prison”. The statement appeared to justify the attack by saying that “enemies of the regime” were held and tortured there and alleging that “intelligence operations against the State of Israel, including counter espionage” were carried out in the prison. However, the interrogation of detainees accused of spying for Israel or the presence of intelligence officials within the prison compound would not render the penal facility itself a legitimate military objective under international humanitarian law.

Entrance gate and prosecution office in the south

Before and after false-colour, near infrared satellite imagery from 10 April 2025 and 30 June 2025 reveals the destruction in four distinct locations in the south and central parts of Evin prison where munitions likely landed (shown with yellow circles) and signs of burning (visible in near-infrared in dark black hues) in many areas, likely from vehicles that caught fire and spread to buildings in the area.

In the south of the prison, the main entrance gate, along with the adjoining wall and the visitor information building to the east of the gate were destroyed. The building to the west of the gate and the adjoining Shahid Moghaddas prosecution office were extensively damaged. Further inside the southern part of the prison, the car park and a building next to the Quarantine section were damaged.

An informed source told Amnesty International that a woman named Leila Jafarzadeh, 35, was killed while visiting the prosecution office to post bail to secure the release of her imprisoned husband.

The destruction of the entrance gate and its surroundings was captured in a verified video showing rescue workers carrying at least one injured person on a stretcher amid scenes of destruction and extensive rubble on the ground.

Footage published by state media and verified by Amnesty International also shows structural damage to the prosecution office’s walls and building framework, indicating that the force of the blast penetrated deep into the building.

Satellite imagery from 30 June 2025 reveals a location (shown with a yellow circle) where munitions likely landed. Ground images (right) geolocated to the north and south areas of the southern entrance gate show major destruction.

Administrative building and quarantine section housing prisoners

Deeper inside the southern area of the prison, the administrative building and a smaller adjoining building which, according to a former prisoner, contained an office of the prison’s security force called the Protection Cohort, were significantly impacted, while several nearby structures were destroyed.

Satellite imagery from 30 June 2025 shows significant damage to part of the roof on the west side of the Protection Cohort building. Satellite imagery further shows that to the east of the building, an internal gate, perimeter wall and two small structures – likely guard posts – were all destroyed in the strike.

The two identified locations are consistent with the analysis of video footage and information received from two former prisoners of conscience Atena Daemi and Hossein Razagh.

Verified videos also depict destroyed windows, collapsed walls and extensive rubble on both the western and eastern sides of the administrative building. The first floor appears to be largely obliterated, with missing structural walls visible in multiple sections.

An image published by state media and verified by Amnesty International shows what appears to be a crater inside the west side of the administrative building showing the first floor collapsed downward.

According to a state media report on 6 July 2025, at least nine women, one man and a child were killed in the administrative building. Shargh Daily and Hammihan, two prominent newspapers in Iran, named three of the victims in reports published on 25 June and 1 July 2025, respectively. They included social worker Zahra Ebadi, 52, who was killed along with her five-year-old son, Mehrad Kheiri; and an administrative staff member, Hamid Ranjbari, 40.

Satellite imagery (left) from 30 June 2025 reveals two locations (shown with yellow circles) where munitions likely landed. Ground images (right) show extensive damage to the administrative building.

Analysis of a verified video footage also shows that the quarantine section housing newly admitted prisoners, located near the administrative building, also sustained damage.

Medical clinic, kitchen and sections housing prisoners in the central part

In the central part of the prison, the medical clinic, central kitchen, section 4 housing male prisoners, section 209 which consists of solitary confinement cells where female and male prisoners are detained by the Minister of Intelligence, and the women’s section were extensively damaged.

Satellite imagery shows significant damage to structures adjacent to the medical clinic, while verified videos reveal damage to the clinic from the blast and burning cars.

A verified video shows the outside of the medical clinic covered in black soot and black smoke billowing from the windows. Another video shows significant destruction inside, with shattered windows, beds and medical equipment overturned and extensive rubble.

Satellite imagery (left) from 30 June 2025 reveals two locations (shown with yellow circles) where munitions likely landed. Geolocated photos and videos (right) show that the vehicle entrance gate collapsed. The clinic’s interior was significantly damaged, with walls and windows blown out, while the exterior shows severe fire damage and smoke.

The verified video evidence supports accounts from human rights defenders Narges Mohammadi and Sepideh Gholian, both based in Iran, who told Amnesty International that multiple eyewitnesses in Evin prison described to them extensive damage to the medical clinic. Narges Mohammadi shared that male prisoners in section 4, which is opposite the medical clinic, informed her the prison’s ambulance was destroyed, an account supported by video showing nearby vehicles reduced to wreckage. She also said the prisoners told her they witnessed an individual with extensive burns on their body walking out of the medical clinic and collapsing on the ground.

Two prisoners – Abolfazl Ghodiani and Mehdi Mahmoudian – who survived the Evin prison attack and were transferred to Greater Tehran Penitentiary wrote in a letter from inside prison published online on 1 July 2025:

“Evin prison shook with several consecutive explosions. Two or three blasts occurred near Section 4 and when prisoners exited the section’s door, they saw the medical clinic burning… Prisoners recovered the bodies of around 15-20 people, including medical clinic personnel, prisoners, warehouse staff, guards and agents from beneath the rubble.”

Saeedeh Makarem, a doctor volunteering in Evin prison who was injured, including with burns, described in a series of posts on Instagram in July 2025 how prisoners helped her:

“They dragged me to the corner of the wall. I was half-conscious. They brought me water and a blanket, put a splint in my leg, wiped the blood from my face… They could have left, but they didn’t… They saved me.”

Political dissident Hossein Razagh also told Amnesty International that section 4 prisoners described to him how prisoners were thrown against the walls due to the force of the blast and sustained head and face injuries.

These testimonies are corroborated by a verified video showing extensive damage to the front parts of sections 4 and 209. External doors and windows of sections 4 and 209 appear to have been shattered, with parts of the roof structure collapsed and large piles of rubble visible in the road.Multiple vehicles are destroyed and burned out, with black smoke damage on the surrounding building walls, indicating some of the fire may have originated from the cars. Satellite imagery from 30 June 2025 shows the burned buildings and black scorch marks from the cars The blast also appears to have affected the roof of the prison kitchen and damaged its windows.

According to Amnesty International’s research, the blast also affected section 209 staff offices, trapping some agents and guards under the rubble. Authorities have provided no information about the fate and whereabouts of prisoners held in solitary confinement in section 209, raising concerns about possible deaths or injuries.

Image showing the road with Section 209 on one side (left) and the vehicle entrance gate on the opposite side (right).

Amnesty International confirmed through an informed source the name of a prisoner in section 4, Masoud Behbahani, aged 71, who was killed. He suffered a heart attack when the blast threw him onto a chair and several prisoners fell on him. According to the source, instead of transferring him to a hospital, authorities transferred him to Greater Tehran Penitentiary where he died two days later after a second heart attack.

Amnesty International also analysed an image taken from inside the Women’s section showing visible damage to the ceiling and electrical infrastructure.

Entrance gate, judicial complex, visitation building and sections housing prisoners in the North

Before and after false-colour, near infrared imagery from 10 April 2025 and 27 June 2025 reveals the destruction in two distinct locations where munitions likely landed in the northern part of Evin prison (shown with yellow circles): the internal security walls and road in front of sections 240 and 241 and the north entrance gate in front of the visitation building and Shaheed Kachouyee judicial complex.

In the northern part of the prison, as visible in satellite imagery and verified videos, the entrance gate and adjacent wall were destroyed; the front part of the building containing the Shahid Kachouyee judicial complex and visitation building were extensively damaged; and two internal walls near sections 240 and 241 housing prisoners were destroyed.

Verified video and photographs also show blast-related damage to nearby high-rise residential buildings and vehicles outside the northern area of Evin prison. One video captures dozens of distressed people in Ahmadpour Street, at least one of whom appears to be injured.

An informed source described to Amnesty International how a nearby resident, Mehrangiz Imanpour, a 61-year-old painter who lived in Ahmadpour Street, was killed on her way home.

Shargh Daily reported that another passerby, Ali Asghar Pazouki, 69, was killed in front of the judicial complex and visitation building.

State media published videos and photographs which show blast damage in this area.

Satellite imagery (left) from 30 June 2025 reveals a location (shown with a yellow circle) where munitions likely landed. Geolocated images and videos (right) show extensive damage to the exterior and interior of the visitation building with windows shattered and parts of the roof and facade collapsed.

Satellite imagery analysed by Amnesty International indicates that a road and two security walls deeper within the northern part of the prison, near a building containing sections 240 and 241, were also destroyed. These sections are known to contain hundreds of solitary confinement cells, but no images showing the condition of the building have emerged and the authorities have not released any information about the fate of prisoners held there.

Amnesty International received accounts from prisoners’ families indicating that section 8, near sections 240 and 241, was damaged. Human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh told Amnesty International that her arbitrarily imprisoned husband, human rights defender, Reza Khandan, and other prisoners, were injured when rubble was propelled into the courtyard.

Political dissident Mohammad Nourizad, who was in section 8, called his family while the air strikes were ongoing. A recording of his call was published online on 24 June:

“They are dropping bombs on us. Some people are injured, the windows have broken, and everyone has scattered… They just hit again. I don’t know, it seems intentional… but bombing a prison is incompatible with any logic or code of conduct…They [prison authorities] closed the doors on us and we have no news.”

International law and standards

Under international humanitarian law, direct attacks on civilians and civilian objects are prohibited. Attacks may only be directed at combatants and military objectives. Military objectives are limited to those objects which by their nature, location, purpose or use make an effective contribution to military action and whose partial or total destruction, capture or neutralization, in the circumstances ruling at the time, offers a definite military advantage.

Attacking forces have an obligation to do everything feasible to protect civilians including by distinguishing between military targets and civilian objects; verifying whether their intended target is a military objective and canceling an attack if there is doubt; choosing means and methods of attack that will avoid, or in any event, minimize civilian harm; and providing effective advance warning to civilians unless circumstances do not permit. Even when targeting a legitimate military objective, an attack must not be carried out which may cause civilian harm that would be disproportionate in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated. If distinguishing between civilian objects and military targets is not feasible, the attack must not proceed.

States responsible for violations of international humanitarian law are required to make full reparations for the loss or injury caused. The UN Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law enshrine the duty of states to provide effective remedies, including reparation to victims, including restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition.

Methodology

Amnesty International’s Evidence Lab analyzed satellite images from before and after the strikes and verified 22 videos and 59 photographs, which show extensive damage and destruction to six areas in the south, central, and northern parts of Evin prison complex.

Additionally, Amnesty International reviewed statements by Israeli and Iranian authorities and interviewed 23 people inside and outside Iran, including seven prisoners’ relatives; a nearby resident who witnessed the attack; two sources with information about two victims killed; two journalists; and 11 former prisoners including dissidents and human rights defenders who received information from prisoners, prisoners’ families, prison staff and emergency services attending the site. The organization also obtained from a source the recordings of four telephone calls between four prisoners and their families hours after the attack.

Amnesty International sent questions regarding the attack to the Israeli Minister of Defence on 3 July. At the time of publication, no response had been received.

Background

During the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran, at least 1,100 people were killed in Iran, including 132 women and 45 children, according to Iran’s Foundation for Martyrs and Veterans Affairs. At least 29 people, including women and children, were killed in Israel, according to the Israeli Health Ministry.

As part of Amnesty International’s ongoing investigations into violations of international humanitarian law and other human rights violations in the context of the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran, the organization will also publish findings relating to attacks by the Iranian authorities against Israel.

MIL OSI NGO –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Iran: Deliberate Israeli attack on Tehran’s Evin prison must be investigated as a war crime – new evidence

Source: Amnesty International –

Video footage, satellite imagery, and eyewitness accounts reveal extensive civilian casualties and destruction

According to Iranian authorities, at least 80 civilians – 79 men and women and a five-year-old boy – were killed

Israeli military quickly claimed responsibility for the attack – senior officials boasted about it online

‘The evidence establishes reasonable grounds to believe that the Israeli military brazenly and deliberately attacked civilian buildings’ – Erika Guevara Rosas

The Israeli military’s deliberate air strikes on Evin prison in Tehran on 23 June constitute a serious violation of international humanitarian law and must be criminally investigated as war crimes, Amnesty International said today following a detailed investigation.

Verified video footage, satellite imagery, and interviews with eyewitnesses, prisoners’ families and human rights defenders indicate that the Israeli military carried out multiple air strikes on Evin prison, killing and injuring scores of civilians and causing extensive damage and destruction in at least six locations across the prison complex.

The attack occurred during the working day and prison visiting hours, when many parts of Evin prison were packed with civilians. At the time, the prison reportedly held between 1,500 and 2,000 detainees, including arbitrarily detained human rights defenders, protesters, political dissidents, persecuted religious minorities, and dual or foreign nationals often used as diplomatic leverage. Hundreds of civilians were also present within the complex. Hours after the strike, the Israeli military confirmed the attack, with senior officials publicly boasting about it on social media. According to Iranian authorities, at least 80 civilians – 79 men and women and a five-year-old boy – were killed.

Under international humanitarian law, a prison or place of detention is presumed a civilian object and there is no credible evidence in this case that Evin prison constituted a lawful military objective.

Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty International’s Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns, said:

“The evidence establishes reasonable grounds to believe that the Israeli military brazenly and deliberately attacked civilian buildings. Directing attacks at civilian objects is strictly prohibited under international humanitarian law. Carrying out such attacks knowingly and deliberately constitutes a war crime.

“The Israeli forces should have known that any air strikes against Evin prison could result in significant civilian harm. Prosecution authorities around the world must ensure that all those responsible for this deadly attack are brought to justice, including through use of the principle of universal jurisdiction. The Iranian authorities must also grant the International Criminal Court jurisdiction over all Rome Statute crimes committed on or perpetrated from its territory.”

Scores of civilians killed and injured

Between 11am to 12pm Tehran time on 23 June, Israeli air strikes hit multiple locations over 500 metres apart inside Evin prison, destroying or damaging numerous buildings and other structures within the prison complex, as well as nearby residential buildings outside it.

An overview of Evin prison, with the exterior walled perimeter marked in orange. The six yellow circles highlight areas with the most significant destruction, indicating these were the locations where the munitions landed. The blasts and resulting damage extended beyond the six areas.

A map of Evin prison indicating building names or functions based on Amnesty’s interviews with former prisoners.

Evin prison is located in a populated area with residential buildings to its east and south. A nearby resident described the scene following the attack to Amnesty:

“I suddenly heard a terrible sound. I looked out of the window and realised that smoke and dust were rising from Evin prison. Both the sound of the explosion and the appearance of the dust and smoke were horrific… I had thought our home would be safe [as] we are near a prison… I couldn’t believe it.”

The authorities have so far named 57 civilians who were killed in the attack including five female social workers, 13 young men performing mandatory national service as prison guards or administrators, and 36 other prison staff – 30 men and six women – and the child of one of the social workers. After drawing public criticism for failing to disclose the identities of prisoners, their relatives and nearby residents who were killed, the authorities published a report on 14 July revealing two names: a nearby resident – Mehrangiz Imanpour – and a woman volunteering to help raise funds for debt prisoners – Hasti Mohammadi.

Amnesty had already verified the name of Mehrangiz Imanpour, as well as the names of one prisoner, Masoud Behbahani, a prisoner’s relative, Leila Jafarzadeh, and a passerby Aliasghar Pazouki, who were also killed.

Israeli officials’ self-incriminating admissions

Within hours of the attack, senior Israeli officials boasted about it on social media, framing it as a “targeted strike” against a “symbol of oppression for the Iranian people.”

Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, said on X that Israeli forces were attacking with “unprecedented force regime targets and government repression bodies in the heart of Tehran including…Evin prison”.

Minutes later, Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa’ar posted on X: “We warned Iran time and again: stop targeting civilians! They continued, including this morning. Our response: [Long live freedom…].” Alongside this post was a video purporting to show CCTV footage of the prison gate being blown up. Analysis of the video by Amnesty indicates the footage was digitally manipulated likely using an old photograph of the prison gate. The video was first posted on Persian-language Telegram channels, but Amnesty could not trace its original source.

Later the same day, the Israeli military confirmed in a statement that they had carried out “a targeted strike” on “the notorious Evin prison”. The statement appeared to justify the attack by saying that “enemies of the regime” were held and tortured there and alleging that “intelligence operations against the State of Israel, including counter espionage” were carried out in the prison. However, the interrogation of detainees accused of spying for Israel or the presence of intelligence officials within the prison compound would not render the penal facility itself a legitimate military objective under international humanitarian law.

Entrance gate and prosecution office in the south

In the south of the prison, the main entrance gate, along with the adjoining wall and the visitor information building to the east of the gate were destroyed. The building to the west of the gate and the adjoining Shahid Moghaddas prosecution office were extensively damaged. Further inside the southern part of the prison, the car park and a building next to the quarantine section were damaged.

Before and after: false-colour, near infrared satellite imagery from 10 April and 30 June reveal the destruction in four distinct locations in the south and central parts of Evin prison where munitions likely landed (shown with yellow circles) and signs of burning (visible in near-infrared in dark black hues) in many areas, likely from vehicles that caught fire and spread to buildings in the area.

An informed source told Amnesty that a woman named Leila Jafarzadeh, 35, was killed while visiting the prosecution office to post bail in order to secure the release of her imprisoned husband.

The destruction of the entrance gate and its surroundings was captured in a verified video showing rescue workers carrying at least one injured person on a stretcher amid scenes of destruction and extensive rubble on the ground.

Footage published by state media and verified by Amnesty also shows structural damage to the prosecution office’s walls and building framework, indicating that the force of the blast penetrated deep into the building.

Satellite imagery from 30 June reveals a location (shown with a yellow circle) where munitions likely landed. Ground images (right) geolocated to the north and south areas of the southern entrance gate show major destruction.

Administrative building and quarantine section housing prisoners

Deeper inside the southern area of the prison, the administrative building and a smaller adjoining building which, according to a former prisoner, contained an office of the prison’s security force called the Protection Cohort, were significantly impacted, while several nearby structures were destroyed.

Satellite imagery from 30 June shows significant damage to part of the roof on the west side of the Protection Cohort building. Satellite imagery further shows that to the east of the building, an internal gate, perimeter wall and two small structures – likely guard posts – were all destroyed in the strike.

The two identified locations are consistent with the analysis of video footage and information received from two former prisoners of conscience Atena Daemi and Hossein Razagh.

Verified videos also depict destroyed windows, collapsed walls and extensive rubble on both the western and eastern sides of the administrative building. The first floor appears to be largely obliterated, with missing structural walls visible in multiple sections.

An image published by state media and verified by Amnesty shows what appears to be a crater inside the west side of the administrative building showing the first floor collapsed downward.

According to a state media report on 6 July, at least nine women, one man and a child were killed in the administrative building. Shargh Daily and Hammihan, two prominent newspapers in Iran, named three of the victims in reports published on 25 June and 1 July, respectively. They included social worker Zahra Ebadi, 52, who was killed along with her five-year-old son, Mehrad Kheiri; and an administrative staff member, Hamid Ranjbari, 40.

Satellite imagery (left) from 30 June reveals two locations (shown with yellow circles) where munitions likely landed. Ground images (right) show extensive damage to the administrative building.

Analysis of a verified video footage also shows that the quarantine section housing newly admitted prisoners, located near the administrative building, also sustained damage.

Medical clinic, kitchen and sections housing prisoners in the central part

In the central part of the prison, the medical clinic, central kitchen, section 4 housing male prisoners, section 209 which consists of solitary confinement cells where female and male prisoners are detained by the Minister of Intelligence, and the women’s section were extensively damaged.

Satellite imagery shows significant damage to structures adjacent to the medical clinic, while verified videos reveal damage to the clinic from the blast and burning cars.

A verified video shows the outside of the medical clinic covered in black soot and black smoke billowing from the windows. Another video shows significant destruction inside, with shattered windows, beds and medical equipment overturned and extensive rubble.

Satellite imagery (left) from 30 June reveals two locations (shown with yellow circles) where munitions likely landed. Geolocated photos and videos (right) show that the vehicle entrance gate collapsed. The clinic’s interior was significantly damaged, with walls and windows blown out, while the exterior shows severe fire damage and smoke.

The verified video evidence supports accounts from human rights defenders Narges Mohammadi and Sepideh Gholian, both based in Iran, who told Amnesty that multiple eyewitnesses in Evin prison described to them extensive damage to the medical clinic.

Narges Mohammadi said that male prisoners in section 4, which is opposite the medical clinic, informed her the prison’s ambulance was destroyed, an account supported by video showing nearby vehicles reduced to wreckage. She also said the prisoners told her they witnessed an individual with extensive burns on their body walking out of the medical clinic and collapsing on the ground.

Two prisoners – Abolfazl Ghodiani and Mehdi Mahmoudian – who survived the Evin prison attack and were transferred to Greater Tehran Penitentiary wrote in a letter from inside prison, which was published online on 1 July:

“Evin prison shook with several consecutive explosions. Two or three blasts occurred near Section 4 and when prisoners exited the section’s door, they saw the medical clinic burning… Prisoners recovered the bodies of around 15-20 people, including medical clinic personnel, prisoners, warehouse staff, guards and agents from beneath the rubble.”

Saeedeh Makarem, a doctor volunteering in Evin prison who was injured, including with burns, described in a series of posts on Instagram in July how prisoners helped her:

“They dragged me to the corner of the wall. I was half-conscious. They brought me water and a blanket, put a splint in my leg, wiped the blood from my face… They could have left, but they didn’t… They saved me.”

Political dissident Hossein Razagh also told Amnesty that section 4 prisoners described to him how prisoners were thrown against the walls due to the force of the blast and sustained head and face injuries.

These testimonies are corroborated by a verified video showing extensive damage to the front parts of sections 4 and 209. External doors and windows of sections 4 and 209 appear to have been shattered, with parts of the roof structure collapsed and large piles of rubble visible in the road. Multiple vehicles are destroyed and burned out, with black smoke damage on the surrounding building walls, indicating some of the fire may have originated from the cars. Satellite imagery from 30 June shows the burned buildings and black scorch marks from the cars. The blast also appears to have affected the roof of the prison kitchen and damaged its windows.

According to Amnesty’s research, the blast also affected section 209 staff offices, trapping some agents and guards under the rubble. Authorities have provided no information about the fate and whereabouts of prisoners held in solitary confinement in section 209, raising concerns about possible deaths or injuries.

Image showing the road with Section 209 on one side (left) and the vehicle entrance gate on the opposite side (right).

Amnesty confirmed through an informed source the name of a prisoner in section 4, Masoud Behbahani, aged 71, who was killed. He suffered a heart attack when the blast threw him onto a chair and several prisoners fell on him. According to the source, instead of transferring him to a hospital, authorities transferred him to Greater Tehran Penitentiary where he died two days later after a second heart attack.

Amnesty also analysed an image taken from inside the women’s section showing visible damage to the ceiling and electrical infrastructure.

Entrance gate, judicial complex, visitors’ building and sections housing prisoners in the north

In the northern part of the prison, as visible in satellite imagery and verified videos, the entrance gate and adjacent wall were destroyed; the front part of the building containing the Shahid Kachouyee judicial complex and visitors’ building were extensively damaged; and two internal walls near sections 240 and 241 housing prisoners were destroyed.

Verified video and photographs also show blast-related damage to nearby high-rise residential buildings and vehicles outside the northern area of Evin prison. One video shows dozens of distressed people in Ahmadpour Street, at least one of whom appears to be injured.

Before and after false-colour, near infrared imagery from 10 April and 27 June reveals the destruction in two distinct locations where munitions likely landed in the northern part of Evin prison (shown with yellow circles): the internal security walls and road in front of sections 240 and 241 and the north entrance gate in front of the visitation building and Shaheed Kachouyee judicial complex.

An informed source described to Amnesty how a nearby resident, Mehrangiz Imanpour, a 61-year-old painter who lived in Ahmadpour Street, was killed on her way home.

Shargh Daily reported that another passerby, Ali Asghar Pazouki, 69, was killed in front of the judicial complex and visitors’ building. State media published videos and photographs which show blast damage in this area.

Satellite imagery (left) from 30 June reveals a location (shown with a yellow circle) where munitions likely landed. Geolocated images and videos (right) show extensive damage to the exterior and interior of the visitors’ building with windows shattered and parts of the roof and facade collapsed.

Satellite imagery analysed by Amnesty indicates that a road and two security walls deeper within the northern part of the prison, near a building containing sections 240 and 241, were also destroyed. These sections are known to contain hundreds of solitary confinement cells, but no images showing the condition of the building have emerged and the authorities have not released any information about the fate of prisoners held there.

Amnesty received accounts from prisoners’ families indicating that section 8, near sections 240 and 241, was damaged. Human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh told Amnesty that her arbitrarily imprisoned husband, human rights defender, Reza Khandan, and other prisoners, were injured when rubble was propelled into the courtyard.

Political dissident Mohammad Nourizad, who was in section 8, called his family while the air strikes were ongoing. A recording of his call was published online on 24 June:

“They are dropping bombs on us. Some people are injured, the windows have broken, and everyone has scattered… They just hit again. I don’t know, it seems intentional… but bombing a prison is incompatible with any logic or code of conduct…They [prison authorities] closed the doors on us and we have no news.”

International law and standards

Under international humanitarian law, direct attacks on civilians and civilian objects are prohibited. Attacks may only be directed at combatants and military objectives. Military objectives are limited to those objects which by their nature, location, purpose or use make an effective contribution to military action and whose partial or total destruction, capture or neutralisation, in the circumstances ruling at the time, offers a definite military advantage.

Attacking forces have an obligation to do everything feasible to protect civilians including by distinguishing between military targets and civilian objects; verifying whether their intended target is a military objective and cancelling an attack if there is doubt; choosing means and methods of attack that will avoid, or in any event, minimise civilian harm; and providing effective advance warning to civilians unless circumstances do not permit.

Even when targeting a legitimate military objective, an attack must not be carried out which may cause civilian harm that would be disproportionate in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage anticipated. If distinguishing between civilian objects and military targets is not feasible, the attack must not proceed.

Governments responsible for violations of international humanitarian law are required to make full reparations for the loss or injury caused. The UN Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law enshrine the duty of states to provide effective remedies, including reparation to victims, including restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition.

Evidence gathered

Amnesty’s Evidence Lab analysed satellite images from before and after the strikes and verified 22 videos and 59 photographs, which show extensive damage and destruction to six areas in the south, central, and northern parts of Evin prison complex.

Additionally, Amnesty reviewed statements by Israeli and Iranian authorities and interviewed 23 people inside and outside Iran, including seven prisoners’ relatives; a nearby resident who witnessed the attack; two sources with information about two victims killed; two journalists; and 11 former prisoners including dissidents and human rights defenders who received information from prisoners, prisoners’ families, prison staff and emergency services attending the site. Amnesty also obtained from a source the recordings of four telephone calls between four prisoners and their families hours after the attack.

Amnesty sent questions regarding the attack to the Israeli Minister of Defence on 3 July. At the time of publication, no response had been received.

As part of Amnesty’s ongoing investigations into violations of international humanitarian law and other human rights violations in the context of the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Iran, Amnesty will also publish findings relating to attacks by the Iranian authorities against Israel.

Urgent action

Take action to support hundreds of displaced prisoners from Tehran’s Evin Prison, who are currently being held in cruel and inhuman conditions. See Amnesty’s Urgent Action for how to help.

MIL OSI NGO –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Restoration of white-stone decor of the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Kozhevniki has begun

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Government – Government of Moscow –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Restoration of the white-stone decor adorning the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Kozhevniki has begun. The church, which has the status of a cultural heritage site of federal significance, is located at 2nd Kozhevnichesky Lane, Building 6.

“The Trinity Church in Kozhevniki is a striking example of Moscow Baroque. The entrances to the northern and southern facades are framed by carved white-stone portals with twisted columns. The history of the temple is closely connected with the famous Russian merchants Bakhrushins, who generously donated to its maintenance. Thanks to them, the interiors of the church received a rich decoration. Currently, the facades of this beautiful architectural monument are being restored. Specialists are carrying out work on repairing the brickwork and cleaning the white-stone details: Corinthian columns, cornices, arched pediments with bas-relief images, molded friezes, belts, inserts, angel heads. Also, restorers-sculptors have begun to restore the lost white-stone details on the facade of the bell tower,” said the head of the capital’s Department of Cultural Heritage.

Alexey Emelyanov.

The restoration of the architectural monument began in 2024. Specialists completed the gilding of the crosses, domes and dormer windows of the church, and also put the roof of the bell tower in order. Now the facades, as well as the brickwork in the bell tier, have already been cleared of late layers of plaster and paint. It is necessary to restore the wooden beams and the bell tier, cornices and window sills of the bell tower, as well as to manufacture and install window units.

All work is carried out on the basis of an agreed project, an issued permit and under the supervision of experts from the capital Department of Cultural Heritage.

The parish church on the territory of Kozhevennaya Sloboda already existed in the first half of the 17th century. Presumably, the author of the bell tower project was Ivan Zarudny, a famous architect, sculptor, painter and stone carver.

Subsequently, the church was repeatedly rebuilt. Thus, a refectory with two side chapels appeared between the bell tower and the quadrangle, and in the period from 1767 to 1772, the construction of the bell tower gallery was carried out. The Moscow fire of 1812 practically did not affect the church, it was slightly burned.

The bell tower, which previously visually complemented the development of the Kozhevnaya Sloboda, is decorated with stucco decoration typical of the mid-18th century Baroque: garlands, angel heads, volutes. At the base of the octagon there is a closed gallery.

The unique features of the Church of the Life-Giving Trinity are the roofs and domes with crosses from the 18th–19th centuries, as well as the interiors, the design of which includes stucco decoration of the walls and ceilings with figured panels, cartouches, consoles in the gallery and in the octagon of the bell tower with the chapel of Michael the Archangel.

In the 18th – early 19th centuries, a large plot of land located near the church and belonging to it was almost completely built up: factory buildings were erected near the church, and in the 1930s, a school building. In 1935, the church was closed. In the following years, warehouses and residential premises were located here, and then workshops of the All-Union Production Scientific Restoration Plant of the USSR Ministry of Culture.

Get the latest news quicklyofficial telegram channel the city of Moscow.

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

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MIL OSI Russia News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Government announces implementation of elderly-friendly building design and launches Elderly-friendly Building accreditation scheme

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Government announces implementation of elderly-friendly building design and launches Elderly-friendly Building accreditation scheme
With an ageing population in Hong Kong and to encourage ageing in place, “The Chief Executive’s 2023 Policy Address” announced that the Deputy Financial Secretary would co-ordinate with relevant bureaux to put forward proposals to promote elderly-friendly building design. The Task Force announced in November last year a series of specific proposals for elderly-friendly building design and consulted the stakeholders. Stakeholders from the elderly, professional, developer and other sectors generally supported the proposals and provided valuable suggestions for refining the design proposals.

Having considered the views of the stakeholders, the Task Force has refined the proposals announced earlier after balancing various factors, including the needs of the elderly and other users, as well as the practical operational considerations in application by the market and the industry. The key requirements of the proposals to be implemented are as follows:

(1) promoting spatial accessibility to enhance the mobility of the elderly, e.g. provision of an automatic door at the main entrance of residential buildings, adopting wider common corridors and wider main doors of individual units, allowing the addition of lift towers to existing buildings, and using slip-resistant materials;
(2) encouraging the adoption of adaptive design in residential units to facilitate subsequent modifications, such as widening internal corridors and doors, using sliding doors for toilets, and installing grab rails/shower seats in bathrooms, etc;
(3) enhancing elderly well-being, e.g. providing fitness or other facilities for the elderly in recreational spaces, and providing shelters for resting facilities at communal outdoor spaces, etc; and
(4) facilitating the adoption of gerontechnology and Internet of Things, e.g. providing high-speed Internet access in home and public spaces, supporting the installation of smart card systems, motion sensors, etc.

???Please refer to the summary table at the Annex for the detailed proposals.Issued at HKT 18:34

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Customs detects money laundering case involving about $1.15 billion

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs detects money laundering case involving about $1.15 billion
Acting upon intelligence, Customs officers earlier targeted a 37-year-old local man and a 50-year-old non-local man and initiated a financial investigation. It was revealed that the duo smuggled cash out of Hong Kong, and conducted stablecoin and fiat currency transactions with a doubtful fund source at a frequent and fast pace, which was highly incommensurate with their background and financial status. They were suspected of participating in money laundering activities.

Following in-depth investigations, Customs officers this morning raided four residential premises and two companies and seized a batch of items suspected to be connected with the case, including mobile phones, tablets and bank cards. The two men, who claimed to be self-employed and unemployed respectively, were arrested for “dealing with property known or reasonably believed to represent proceeds of an indictable offence” (commonly known as money laundering) under the Organized and Serious Crimes Ordinance (OSCO).

An investigation is ongoing. The two arrested persons have been released on bail pending further investigation. The likelihood of further arrests is not ruled out.

Under OSCO, a person commits an offence if he or she deals with any property knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe that such property in whole or in part directly or indirectly represents any person’s proceeds of an indictable offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and imprisonment for 14 years while the crime proceeds are also subject to confiscation.

Members of the public may report any suspected money laundering activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hkIssued at HKT 18:40

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 22, 2025
India expected to clock 6.6 pc growth in FY26 despite uncertain global outlook

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

India is expected to expand close to its trend growth in FY26, supported by better consumption demand on recent monetary easing, income tax reductions, good monsoon rains, and the prospect of continued lower oil prices, according to a report on Tuesday.

The Standard Chartered global outlook report expects India to clock steady GDP growth of 6.6 per cent in FY26 compared to 6.5 per cent in FY25. While strong macro fundamentals provide the cushion, the bank also flags that India is not immune to tariff risk and the outcome of trade talks with the US and the EU will be key to growth prospects.

The confidence on India’s growth outlook comes even as the bank has lowered its 2025 global growth forecast slightly to 3.1 per cent from the 3.2 per cent earlier amid still-elevated trade policy uncertainty.

Anubhuti Sahay, Head of India Economic research, expects improvement in real purchasing power in FY26. However, she also said, “While urban demand is expected to stay supported on countercyclical measures, urban households may partially use the benefits from lower rates and tax cuts to deleverage and boost savings.”

“A combined fiscal deficit sustainably below 7 per cent of GDP is an important criterion for a rating upgrade, as highlighted by S&P when it upgraded India’s sovereign rating outlook to positive in 2024. FY26 will be the first year when combined fiscal deficit will be below 7 per cent of GDP. We also see a high probability of it staying below 7 per cent on a medium-term basis,” Sahay added.

Overall, globally, the report sees growing downside risks to the US economy in H2 (second half) 2025, after greater resilience than expected in H1 (first half). The inflationary impact of US tariffs is likely to constrain Fed monetary easing, with scope for one more 25bps rate cut in 2025, although there is a risk of a bigger 50 bps move at the September meeting.

China’s trend growth is likely to slow. While the worst of the US-China trade war appears to be over, with China’s dominance of rare-earths production proving to be an effective bargaining tool, China’s economy remains vulnerable to higher effective tariffs. Export growth, a key source of growth since COVID-19, could slow meaningfully by the end of 2025, the report added.

(IANS)

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Gondokoro equation of more people living on limited land creates tensions and calls for disarmament

Source: APO – Report:

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In Gondokoro, some 25 kilometers east of the capital Juba, locals are concerned. An influx of livestock herders has increased competition for already scarce resources, particularly land, leading to tensions among residents, internally displaced persons and the pastoralists.

“Farms and crops have been destroyed and some of our animals stolen. It is still not safe for us to return to our homes,” says Sarah Gelerino, who lives nearby, across the Nile, after having been displaced in 2022.

Lina Keji, a Gondokoro resident, adds that insecurity is not the only consequence of a larger local population.

“Our healthcare facilities have suffered from a shortage of medicines for months. Transporting a sick person to Juba, or to go there to buy medication, is very expensive, which means that walking is the only option for most of us,” she says.

Government efforts to make cattle keepers from elsewhere go home mean that Gondokoro is currently a somewhat less violent place than it was a couple of years ago, but some problems do persist.

Local cattle owner Achirin Mayar is blunt about it.

“In the past, we ran from lions. Now we flee from humans with guns. This must stop,” he says, referring to the proliferation of small arms that worries most people living here.

To prevent a breakdown of law and order, they believe the government should disarm all civilians, without exceptions. Community director John Gabriel Ladu would welcome that but thinks that more is needed.

“Local authorities must engage with the feuding parties to resolve their differences, otherwise we won’t have peace in the area,” he says.

According to Captain Zakariya, the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces have established checkpoints in strategic locations to better protect civilians.

“We would like community leaders and traditional chiefs to encourage displaced people to return home and start farming, and we are trying to make that safe.”

Despite existing tensions, Lauro Ohiyu, who serves with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and was part of the delegation that visited Gondokoro, is optimistic.

“We were encouraged to see local authorities’ consistent calls for people to return home. UNMISS and the UN family are committed to working with the State Government and partners to make this a safe place for everyone, not least for those who want to go back to where they used to live.”

– on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

MIL OSI Africa –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets cross-party Irish Oireachtas delegation

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Details
2025-07-22
President Lai meets official delegation from European Parliament’s Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield
On the morning of July 22, President Lai Ching-te met with an official delegation from the European Parliament’s Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield (EUDS). In remarks, President Lai thanked the committee for choosing to visit Taiwan for its first trip to Asia, demonstrating the close ties between Taiwan and Europe. President Lai emphasized that Taiwan, standing at the very frontline of the democratic world, is determined to protect democracy, peace, and prosperity worldwide. He expressed hope that we can share our experiences with Europe to foster even more resilient societies. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: Firstly, on behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend a warm welcome to your delegation, which marks another official visit from the European Parliament. The Special Committee on the EUDS aims to strengthen societal resilience and counter disinformation and hybrid threats. Having been constituted at the beginning of this year, the committee has chosen to visit Taiwan for its first trip to Asia, demonstrating the close ties between Taiwan and Europe and the unlimited possibilities for deepening cooperation on issues of concern. I am also delighted to see many old friends of Taiwan gathered here today. I deeply appreciate your longstanding support for Taiwan. Taiwan and the European Union enjoy close trade and economic relations and share the values of freedom and democracy. However, in recent years, we have both been subjected to information manipulation and infiltration by foreign forces that seek to interfere in democratic elections, foment division in our societies, and shake people’s faith in democracy. Taiwan not only faces an onslaught of disinformation, but also is the target of gray-zone aggression. That is why, after taking office, I established the Whole-of-Society Defense Resilience Committee at the Presidential Office, with myself as convener. The committee is a platform that integrates domestic affairs, national defense, foreign affairs, cybersecurity, and civil resources. It aims to strengthen the capability of Taiwan’s society to defend itself against new forms of threat, pinpoint external and internal vulnerabilities, and bolster overall resilience and security. The efforts that democracies make are not for opposing anyone else; they are for safeguarding the way of life that we cherish – just as Europe has endeavored to promote diversity and human rights. The Taiwanese people firmly believe that when our society is united and people trust one another, we will be able to withstand any form of authoritarian aggression. Taiwan stands at the very frontline of the democratic world. We are determined to protect democracy, peace, and prosperity worldwide. We also hope to share our experiences with Europe and deepen cooperation in such fields as cybersecurity, media literacy, and societal resilience. Thank you once again for visiting Taiwan. Your presence further strengthens the foundations of Taiwan-Europe relations. Let us continue to work together to uphold freedom and democracy and foster even more resilient societies. EUDS Special Committee Chair Nathalie Loiseau then delivered remarks, saying that the delegation has members from different countries, including France, Germany, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Belgium, and different political parties, but that they have in common their desire for stronger relations between the EU and Taiwan. Committee Chair Loiseau stated that the EU and Taiwan, having many things in common, should work more together. She noted that we have strong trade relations, strong investments on both sides, and strong cultural relations, while we are also facing very similar challenges and threats. She said that we are democracies living in a world where autocracies want to weaken and divide democracies. She added that we also face external information manipulation, cyberattacks, sabotage, attempts to capture elites, and every single gray-zone activity that aims to divide and weaken us. Committee Chair Loiseau pointed out another commonality, that we have never threatened our neighbors. She said that we want to live in peace and we care about our people; we want to defend ourselves, not to attack others. We are not being threatened because of what we do, she emphasized, but because of what we are; and thus there is no reason for not working more together to face these threats and attacks. Committee Chair Loiseau said that Taiwan has valuable experience and good practices in the area of societal resilience, and that they are interested in learning more about Taiwan’s whole-of-society approach. They in Europe are facing interference, she said, mainly from Russia, and they know that Russia inspires others. She added that they in the EU also have experience regulating social media in a way which combines freedom of expression and responsibility. In closing, the chair said that they are happy to have the opportunity to exchange views with President Lai and that the European Parliament will continue to strongly support relations between the EU and Taiwan. The delegation also included Members of the European Parliament Engin Eroglu, Tomáš Zdechovský, Michał Wawrykiewicz, Kathleen Van Brempt, and Markéta Gregorová.

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2025-07-17
President Lai meets President of Guatemalan Congress Nery Abilio Ramos y Ramos
On the morning of July 17, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Nery Abilio Ramos y Ramos, the president of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala. In remarks, President Lai thanked Congress President Ramos and the Guatemalan Congress for their support for Taiwan, and noted that official diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Guatemala go back more than 90 years. As important partners in the global democratic community, the president said, the two nations will continue moving forward together in joint defense of the values of democracy and freedom, and will cooperate to promote regional and global prosperity and development. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I recall that when Congress President Ramos visited Taiwan in July last year, he put forward many ideas about how our countries could promote bilateral cooperation and exchanges. Now, a year later, he is leading another cross-party delegation from the Guatemalan Congress on a visit, demonstrating support for Taiwan and continuing to help deepen our diplomatic ties. In addition to extending a sincere welcome to the distinguished delegation members who have traveled so far to be here, I would also like to express our concern and condolences for everyone in Guatemala affected by the earthquake that struck earlier this month. We hope that the recovery effort is going smoothly. Official diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Guatemala go back more than 90 years. In such fields as healthcare, agriculture, education, and women’s empowerment, we have continually strengthened our cooperation to benefit our peoples. Just last month, Guatemala’s President Bernardo Arévalo and the First Lady led a delegation on a state visit to Taiwan. President Arévalo and I signed a letter of intent for semiconductor cooperation, and also witnessed the signing of cooperation documents to establish a political consultation mechanism and continue to promote bilateral investment. This has laid an even sounder foundation for bilateral exchanges and cooperation, and will help enhance both countries’ international competitiveness. Taiwan is currently running a semiconductor vocational training program, helping Guatemala cultivate semiconductor talent and develop its tech industry, and demonstrating our determination to share experience with democratic partners. At the same time, we continue to assist Taiwanese businesses in their efforts to develop overseas markets with Guatemala as an important base, spurring industrial development in both countries and increasing economic and trade benefits. I want to thank Congress President Ramos and the Guatemalan Congress for their continued support for Taiwan’s international participation. Representing the Guatemalan Congress, Congress President Ramos has signed resolutions in support of Taiwan, and has also issued statements addressing China’s misinterpretation of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. Taiwan and Guatemala, as important partners in the global democratic community, will continue moving forward together in joint defense of the values of democracy and freedom, and will cooperate to promote regional and global prosperity and development. Congress President Ramos then delivered remarks, first noting that the members of the delegation are not only from different parties, but also represent different classes, cultures, professions, and departments, which shows that the diplomatic ties between Guatemala and the Republic of China (Taiwan) are based on firm friendships at all levels and in all fields. Noting that this was his second time to visit Taiwan and meet with President Lai, Congress President Ramos thanked the government of Taiwan for its warm hospitality. With the international situation growing more complex by the day, he said, Guatemala highly values its longstanding friendship and cooperative ties with Taiwan, and hopes that both sides can continue to deepen their cooperation in such areas as the economy, technology, education, agriculture, and culture, and work together to spur sustainable development in each of our countries. Congress President Ramos said that the way the Taiwan government looks after the well-being of its people is an excellent model for how other countries should promote national development and social well-being. Accordingly, he said, the Guatemalan Congress has stood for justice and, for a second time, adopted a resolution backing Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly. Regarding President Arévalo’s state visit to Taiwan the previous month, Congress President Ramos commented that this high-level interaction has undoubtedly strengthened the diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Guatemala and led to more opportunities for cooperation. Congress President Ramos emphasized that democracy, freedom, and human rights are universal values that bind Taiwan and Guatemala together, and that he is confident the two countries’ diplomatic ties will continue to grow deeper. In closing, on behalf of the Republic of Guatemala, Congress President Ramos presented President Lai with a Chinese translation of the resolution that the Guatemalan Congress proposed to the UN in support of Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, demonstrating the staunch bonds of friendship between the two countries. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Guatemala Ambassador Luis Raúl Estévez López.

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2025-07-08
President Lai meets delegation led by Foreign Minister Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste of Republic of Haiti
On the morning of July 8, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste of the Republic of Haiti and his wife. In remarks, President Lai noted that our two countries will soon mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations and that our exchanges have been fruitful in important areas such as public security, educational cooperation, and infrastructure. The president stated that Taiwan will continue to work together with Haiti to promote the development of medical and health care, food security, and construction that benefits people’s livelihoods. The president thanked Haiti for supporting Taiwan’s international participation and expressed hope that both countries will continue to support each other, deepen cooperation, and face various challenges together. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I am delighted to meet and exchange ideas with Minister Jean-Baptiste, his wife, and our distinguished guests. Minister Jean-Baptiste is the highest-ranking official from Haiti to visit Taiwan since former President Jovenel Moïse visited in 2018, demonstrating the importance that the Haitian government attaches to our bilateral diplomatic ties. On behalf of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I extend a sincere welcome. Next year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries. Our bilateral exchanges have been fruitful in important areas such as public security, educational cooperation, and infrastructure. Over the past few years, Haiti has faced challenges in such areas as food supply and healthcare. Taiwan will continue to work together with Haiti through various cooperative programs to promote the development of medical and health care, food security, and construction that benefits people’s livelihoods. I want to thank the government of Haiti and Minister Jean-Baptiste for speaking out in support of Taiwan on the international stage for many years. Minister Jean-Baptiste’s personal letter to the World Health Organization Secretariat in May this year and Minister of Public Health and Population Bertrand Sinal’s public statement during the World Health Assembly both affirmed Taiwan’s efforts and contributions to global public health and supported Taiwan’s international participation, for which we are very grateful. I hope that Taiwan and Haiti will continue to support each other and deepen cooperation. I believe that Minister Jean-Baptiste’s visit will open up more opportunities for cooperation for both countries, helping Taiwan and Haiti face various challenges together. In closing, I once again offer a sincere welcome to the delegation led by Minister Jean-Baptiste, and ask him to convey greetings from Taiwan to Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and the members of the Transitional Presidential Council. Minister Jean-Baptiste then delivered remarks, saying that he is extremely honored to visit Taiwan and reaffirm the solid and friendly cooperative relationship based on mutual respect between the Republic of Haiti and the Republic of China (Taiwan), which will soon mark its 70th anniversary. He also brought greetings to President Lai from Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council and Prime Minister Fils-Aimé. Minister Jean-Baptiste emphasized that over the past few decades, despite the great geographical distance and developmental and cultural differences between our two countries, we have nevertheless established a firm friendship and demonstrated to the world the progress resulting from the mutual assistance and cooperation between our peoples. Minister Jean-Baptiste pointed out that our two countries cooperate closely in agriculture, health, education, and community development and have achieved concrete results. Taiwan’s voice, he said, is thus essential for the people of Haiti. He noted that Taiwan also plays an important role in peace and innovation and actively participates in global cooperative efforts. Pointing out that the world is currently facing significant challenges and that Haiti is experiencing its most difficult period in history, Minister Jean-Baptiste said that at this time, Taiwan and Haiti need to unite, help each other, and jointly think about how to move forward and deepen bilateral relations to benefit the peoples of both countries. Minister Jean-Baptiste said that he is pleased that throughout our solid and friendly diplomatic relationship, both countries have demonstrated mutual trust, mutual respect, and the values we jointly defend. He then stated his belief that Haiti and Taiwan will together create a cooperation model and future that are sincere, friendly, and sustainable. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Francilien Victorin of the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Taiwan.

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2025-07-01
President Lai meets delegation from 2025 Taiwan International Ocean Forum
On the afternoon of July 1, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from the 2025 Taiwan International Ocean Forum (TIOF). In remarks, President Lai noted that the people of Taiwan will continue to work with democratic partners throughout the world in a maritime spirit of freedom and openness to contribute to ocean governance and jointly ensure maritime security. He expressed hope that their visit will help forge stronger friendships between Taiwan and international maritime partners, so that all can work together to spur shared maritime prosperity and sustainable development for the next generation. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I want to thank our guests for coming here to the Presidential Office. The 2025 TIOF will take place tomorrow and the day after, and I thank you all for making the long trip to Taiwan to attend the event and share your valuable insights and experiences. This year’s forum will focus on strategies for strengthening maritime security and pathways to achieving a sustainable blue economy. By attending this forum, our guests are highlighting their commitment to safeguarding the oceans, and beyond that, taking concrete action to demonstrate support for Taiwan. I once again offer deepest gratitude on behalf of the people of Taiwan. Taiwan holds a key position on the first island chain, is one of the world’s top 10 shipping nations, and accounts for close to 10 percent of global container shipping by volume. As such, Taiwan occupies a unique and important position in maritime strategy. For Taiwan, the ocean is more than just a basis for survival and development; it is also an important driver of national prosperity. In my inaugural address last year, I spoke of a threefold approach to further Taiwan’s development. One of these involves further developing our strengths as a maritime nation. Our government must actively help deepen our connections with the ocean, and must continue to promote green shipping, a sustainable fishing industry, marine renewable energy, and other forms of industrial transformation. It must also make use of marine technology and digital innovation to create a new paradigm that balances environmental, economic, and social inclusion concerns. This will help enhance Taiwan’s responsibilities and competitiveness as a maritime nation. Taiwan is surrounded by ocean, and our territorial waters are a natural protective barrier. However, continued gray-zone aggression from China creates serious threats and challenges to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Our government continues to invest resources to deal with increasingly complex maritime security issues. In addition to building coast guard patrol vessels, we must also step up efforts to build underwater, surface, and airborne unmanned vehicles and smart reconnaissance equipment, so as to demonstrate Taiwan’s determination to defend democracy and freedom and commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Oceans are Taiwan’s roots, and provide the channels by which we engage with the world. The people of Taiwan will continue to work with democratic partners throughout the world in a maritime spirit of freedom and openness to contribute to ocean governance and jointly ensure maritime security. The TIOF was first launched in 2020, and has now become an important platform for enhancement of cooperation between Taiwan and other countries. I hope that our distinguished guests will reap great benefits at this year’s forum, and further hope that this visit will help forge stronger friendships between Taiwan and international maritime partners, so that all can work together to spur shared maritime prosperity and sustainable development for the next generation. Chairman of The Washington Times Thomas McDevitt, a member of the delegation, then delivered remarks, noting first that July 4th, this Friday, is Independence Day in America. Independence is a sacred, powerful word which has great meaning in this part of the world, he said. Chairman McDevitt indicated that Taiwan has truly become a global beacon of democracy and a key partner for many nations. He then quoted President Lai’s 2024 inaugural address: “We will work together to combat disinformation, strengthen democratic resilience, address challenges, and allow Taiwan to become the MVP of the democratic world.” Chairman McDevitt went on to say that he appreciated the president’s speech with regard to his philosophical depth, sensitivity, and both moral and political clarity. He said that he was deeply moved by the speech, but within a few days of it, China responded with military activities and many threats. The chairman then emphasized that we are in a civilization crisis. Chairman McDevitt mentioned that President Lai has begun a series of 10 lectures, and remarked that they would help the world to understand the identity and the nature of Taiwan, as well as the situation we are in in the world. On behalf of all the delegation, Chairman McDevitt thanked the president for his leadership in dealing with these issues thoughtfully. Chairman McDevitt concluded with a line from the Old Testament which states that if the people have no vision, they will perish. He said that he believes Taiwan’s president has led the people of Taiwan, and the world, with a vision of how to navigate this great civilization crisis together. The delegation also included Members of the Japanese House of Representatives Kikawada Hitoshi, Aoyama Yamato, and Genma Kentaro, and Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom Gavin Williamson.

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2025-06-30
President Lai meets Minister of State at UK Department for Business and Trade Douglas Alexander
On the morning of June 30, President Lai Ching-te met with Douglas Alexander, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade of the United Kingdom. In remarks, President Lai thanked the UK government for its longstanding support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, demonstrating that Taiwan and the UK share similar goals. Noting that two years ago, Taiwan and the UK signed an enhanced trade partnership (ETP) arrangement, the president said that today Taiwan and the UK have signed three pillars under the ETP, which will help promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation. He expressed hope of the UK publicly supporting Taiwan’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) so that together we can create an economic and trade landscape in the Indo-Pacific characterized by shared prosperity and development. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: First, on behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend a warm welcome to Minister Alexander and wish a fruitful outcome for the 27th round of Taiwan-UK trade talks later today. Taiwan-UK relations have grown closer in recent years. We have not only continued to strengthen cooperation in such fields as offshore wind power, innovative technologies, and culture and education but also have established regular dialogue mechanisms in the critical areas of economics and trade, energy, and agriculture. The UK is currently Taiwan’s fourth-largest European trading partner, second-largest source of investment from Europe, and third-largest target for investment in Europe. Two years ago, Taiwan and the UK signed an ETP arrangement. This was particularly meaningful, as it was the first institutionalized economic and trade framework between Taiwan and a European country. Today, this arrangement is yielding further results. I am delighted that Taiwan and the UK have signed three pillars under the ETP covering investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero. This will help promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation and advance industrial development on both sides. I also want to thank the UK government for its longstanding support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. This month, the UK published its Strategic Defence Review 2025 and National Security Strategy 2025, which oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. These not only demonstrate that Taiwan and the UK share similar goals but also show that security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region are inseparable from those of the transatlantic regions. In addition, last November, the House of Commons passed a motion which made clear that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 neither established the sovereignty of the People’s Republic of China over Taiwan nor determined Taiwan’s status in the United Nations. The UK government also responded to the motion by publicly expressing for the first time its position on UNGA Resolution 2758, opposing any attempt to broaden the interpretation of the resolution to rewrite history. For this, on behalf of the people of Taiwan, I once again want to extend my deepest gratitude. Taiwan and the UK have the advantage of being highly complementary in the technology sector. In facing the restructuring of global supply chains and other international economic and trade developments, I believe that Taiwan and the UK are indispensable key partners for one another. I look forward to the UK publicly supporting Taiwan’s accession to the CPTPP so that together, we can create an economic and trade landscape in the Indo-Pacific characterized by shared prosperity and development. In closing, I wish Minister Alexander a pleasant and successful visit. And I hope he has the opportunity to visit Taiwan for personal travel in the future. Minister Alexander then delivered remarks, saying that it is a great personal honor to meet with everyone today to discuss further deepening the UK-Taiwan trade relationship and explore the many opportunities our two sides can pursue together. He mentioned that he traveled to Taiwan in 2022 when he was a private citizen, a visit he thoroughly enjoyed, so he is delighted to be back to see the strength of the UK-Taiwan relationship and the strengthening of that relationship. He said that relationship is built on mutual respect, democratic values, and a shared vision for open, resilient, and rules-based economic cooperation. As like-minded partners, he pointed out, our collaboration continues to grow across multiple sectors, and he is here today to further that momentum. Minister Alexander stated that on trade and investment, he is proud that this morning we signed the ETP Pillars on Investment, Digital Trade, Energy and Net Zero, which will provide a clear framework for our future cooperation and lay the foundation for expanded access and market-shaping engagement between our two economies. The minister said he believes that together with our annual trade talks, this partnership will help UK’s firms secure new commercial opportunities, improve regulatory alignment, and promote long-term investment in key growth areas, which in turn will also support Taiwan’s efforts to expand high-quality trade relationships with trusted partners. Minister Alexander said that President Lai’s promotion of the Five Trusted Industry Sectors and the UK’s recently published industrial and trade strategies are very well-aligned, as both cover clean energy and semiconductors as well as advanced manufacturing. He then provided an example, saying that both sides plan to invest in AI infrastructure and compute power-creating opportunities for great joint research in the future. By combining our strengths in these areas, he said, we can open the door to innovative collaboration and commercial success for both sides. He mentioned that yesterday he visited the Taiwan Space Agency, commenting that in sectors such as satellite technology, green energy, and cyber security, British expertise and trusted standards can provide meaningful solutions. Noting that President Lai spoke in his remarks of the broader challenge of peace and security in the region, Minister Alexander stated that the United Kingdom has, of course, also continued to affirm its commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, along with its G7 partners. The UK-Taiwan relationship is strategic, enduring, and growing, he stated, and they reaffirm and remain firm in their longstanding position and confident in their ability to work together to support both prosperity and resilience in both of our societies. Minister Alexander said that, as Taiwan looks to diversify capital and build global partnerships, they believe the UK represents a strong and ambitious investment destination, particularly for Taiwanese companies at the very forefront of robotics, clean tech, and advanced industry. He pointed out that the UK’s markets are stable, open, and aligned with Taiwan’s vision of a high-tech, sustainable future, adding that he looks forward to our discussion on how we can further deepen our cooperation across all of these areas and more. The delegation also included Martin Kent, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific at the UK Department for Business and Trade. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by British Office Taipei Representative Ruth Bradley-Jones.

Details
2025-05-20
President Lai interviewed by Nippon Television and Yomiuri TV
In a recent interview on Nippon Television’s news zero program, President Lai Ching-te responded to questions from host Mr. Sakurai Sho and Yomiuri TV Shanghai Bureau Chief Watanabe Masayo on topics including reflections on his first year in office, cross-strait relations, China’s military threats, Taiwan-United States relations, and Taiwan-Japan relations. The interview was broadcast on the evening of May 19. During the interview, President Lai stated that China intends to change the world’s rules-based international order, and that if Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted. Therefore, he said, Taiwan will strengthen its national defense, prevent war by preparing for war, and achieve the goal of peace. The president also noted that Taiwan’s purpose for developing drones is based on national security and industrial needs, and that Taiwan hopes to collaborate with Japan. He then reiterated that China’s threats are an international problem, and expressed hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war. Following is the text of the questions and the president’s responses: Q: How do you feel as you are about to round out your first year in office? President Lai: When I was young, I was determined to practice medicine and save lives. When I left medicine to go into politics, I was determined to transform Taiwan. And when I was sworn in as president on May 20 last year, I was determined to strengthen the nation. Time flies, and it has already been a year. Although the process has been very challenging, I am deeply honored to be a part of it. I am also profoundly grateful to our citizens for allowing me the opportunity to give back to our country. The future will certainly be full of more challenges, but I will do everything I can to unite the people and continue strengthening the nation. That is how I am feeling now. Q: We are now coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and over this period, we have often heard that conflict between Taiwan and the mainland is imminent. Do you personally believe that a cross-strait conflict could happen? President Lai: The international community is very much aware that China intends to replace the US and change the world’s rules-based international order, and annexing Taiwan is just the first step. So, as China’s military power grows stronger, some members of the international community are naturally on edge about whether a cross-strait conflict will break out. The international community must certainly do everything in its power to avoid a conflict in the Taiwan Strait; there is too great a cost. Besides causing direct disasters to both Taiwan and China, the impact on the global economy would be even greater, with estimated losses of US$10 trillion from war alone – that is roughly 10 percent of the global GDP. Additionally, 20 percent of global shipping passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, so if a conflict breaks out in the strait, other countries including Japan and Korea would suffer a grave impact. For Japan and Korea, a quarter of external transit passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, and a third of the various energy resources and minerals shipped back from other countries pass through said areas. If Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted, and therefore conflict in the Taiwan Strait must be avoided. Such a conflict is indeed avoidable. I am very thankful to Prime Minister of Japan Ishiba Shigeru and former Prime Ministers Abe Shinzo, Suga Yoshihide, and Kishida Fumio, as well as US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, and the other G7 leaders, for continuing to emphasize at international venues that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are essential components for global security and prosperity. When everyone in the global democratic community works together, stacking up enough strength to make China’s objectives unattainable or to make the cost of invading Taiwan too high for it to bear, a conflict in the strait can naturally be avoided. Q: As you said, President Lai, maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is also very important for other countries. How can war be avoided? What sort of countermeasures is Taiwan prepared to take to prevent war? President Lai: As Mr. Sakurai mentioned earlier, we are coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. There are many lessons we can take from that war. First is that peace is priceless, and war has no winners. From the tragedies of WWII, there are lessons that humanity should learn. We must pursue peace, and not start wars blindly, as that would be a major disaster for humanity. In other words, we must be determined to safeguard peace. The second lesson is that we cannot be complacent toward authoritarian powers. If you give them an inch, they will take a mile. They will keep growing, and eventually, not only will peace be unattainable, but war will be inevitable. The third lesson is why WWII ended: It ended because different groups joined together in solidarity. Taiwan, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific region are all directly subjected to China’s threats, so we hope to be able to join together in cooperation. This is why we proposed the Four Pillars of Peace action plan. First, we will strengthen our national defense. Second, we will strengthen economic resilience. Third is standing shoulder to shoulder with the democratic community to demonstrate the strength of deterrence. Fourth is that as long as China treats Taiwan with parity and dignity, Taiwan is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperate with China, and seek peace and mutual prosperity. These four pillars can help us avoid war and achieve peace. That is to say, Taiwan hopes to achieve peace through strength, prevent war by preparing for war, keeping war from happening and pursuing the goal of peace. Q: Regarding drones, everyone knows that recently, Taiwan has been actively researching, developing, and introducing drones. Why do you need to actively research, develop, and introduce new drones at this time? President Lai: This is for two purposes. The first is to meet national security needs. The second is to meet industrial development needs. Because Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines are all part of the first island chain, and we are all democratic nations, we cannot be like an authoritarian country like China, which has an unlimited national defense budget. In this kind of situation, island nations such as Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines should leverage their own technologies to develop national defense methods that are asymmetric and utilize unmanned vehicles. In particular, from the Russo-Ukrainian War, we see that Ukraine has successfully utilized unmanned vehicles to protect itself and prevent Russia from unlimited invasion. In other words, the Russo-Ukrainian War has already proven the importance of drones. Therefore, the first purpose of developing drones is based on national security needs. Second, the world has already entered the era of smart technology. Whether generative, agentic, or physical, AI will continue to develop. In the future, cars and ships will also evolve into unmanned vehicles and unmanned boats, and there will be unmanned factories. Drones will even be able to assist with postal deliveries, or services like Uber, Uber Eats, and foodpanda, or agricultural irrigation and pesticide spraying. Therefore, in the future era of comprehensive smart technology, developing unmanned vehicles is a necessity. Taiwan, based on industrial needs, is actively planning the development of drones and unmanned vehicles. I would like to take this opportunity to express Taiwan’s hope to collaborate with Japan in the unmanned vehicle industry. Just as we do in the semiconductor industry, where Japan has raw materials, equipment, and technology, and Taiwan has wafer manufacturing, our two countries can cooperate. Japan is a technological power, and Taiwan also has significant technological strengths. If Taiwan and Japan work together, we will not only be able to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and security in the Indo-Pacific region, but it will also be very helpful for the industrial development of both countries. Q: The drones you just described probably include examples from the Russo-Ukrainian War. Taiwan and China are separated by the Taiwan Strait. Do our drones need to have cross-sea flight capabilities? President Lai: Taiwan does not intend to counterattack the mainland, and does not intend to invade any country. Taiwan’s drones are meant to protect our own nation and territory. Q: Former President Biden previously stated that US forces would assist Taiwan’s defense in the event of an attack. President Trump, however, has yet to clearly state that the US would help defend Taiwan. Do you think that in such an event, the US would help defend Taiwan? Or is Taiwan now trying to persuade the US? President Lai: Former President Biden and President Trump have answered questions from reporters. Although their responses were different, strong cooperation with Taiwan under the Biden administration has continued under the Trump administration; there has been no change. During President Trump’s first term, cooperation with Taiwan was broader and deeper compared to former President Barack Obama’s terms. After former President Biden took office, cooperation with Taiwan increased compared to President Trump’s first term. Now, during President Trump’s second term, cooperation with Taiwan is even greater than under former President Biden. Taiwan-US cooperation continues to grow stronger, and has not changed just because President Trump and former President Biden gave different responses to reporters. Furthermore, the Trump administration publicly stated that in the future, the US will shift its strategic focus from Europe to the Indo-Pacific. The US secretary of defense even publicly stated that the primary mission of the US is to prevent China from invading Taiwan, maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific, and thus maintain world peace. There is a saying in Taiwan that goes, “Help comes most to those who help themselves.” Before asking friends and allies for assistance in facing threats from China, Taiwan must first be determined and prepared to defend itself. This is Taiwan’s principle, and we are working in this direction, making all the necessary preparations to safeguard the nation. Q: I would like to ask you a question about Taiwan-Japan relations. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, you made an appeal to give Japan a great deal of assistance and care. In particular, you visited Sendai to offer condolences. Later, you also expressed condolences and concern after the earthquakes in Aomori and Kumamoto. What are your expectations for future Taiwan-Japan exchanges and development? President Lai: I come from Tainan, and my constituency is in Tainan. Tainan has very deep ties with Japan, and of course, Taiwan also has deep ties with Japan. However, among Taiwan’s 22 counties and cities, Tainan has the deepest relationship with Japan. I sincerely hope that both of you and your teams will have an opportunity to visit Tainan. I will introduce Tainan’s scenery, including architecture from the era of Japanese rule, Tainan’s cuisine, and unique aspects of Tainan society, and you can also see lifestyles and culture from the Showa era. The Wushantou Reservoir in Tainan was completed by engineer Mr. Hatta Yoichi from Kanazawa, Japan and the team he led to Tainan after he graduated from then-Tokyo Imperial University. It has nearly a century of history and is still in use today. This reservoir, along with the 16,000-km-long Chianan Canal, transformed the 150,000-hectare Chianan Plain into Taiwan’s premier rice-growing area. It was that foundation in agriculture that enabled Taiwan to develop industry and the technology sector of today. The reservoir continues to supply water to Tainan Science Park. It is used by residents of Tainan, the agricultural sector, and industry, and even the technology sector in Xinshi Industrial Park, as well as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Because of this, the people of Tainan are deeply grateful for Mr. Hatta and very friendly toward the people of Japan. A major earthquake, the largest in 50 years, struck Tainan on February 6, 2016, resulting in significant casualties. As mayor of Tainan at the time, I was extremely grateful to then-Prime Minister Abe, who sent five Japanese officials to the disaster site in Tainan the day after the earthquake. They were very thoughtful and asked what kind of assistance we needed from the Japanese government. They offered to provide help based on what we needed. I was deeply moved, as former Prime Minister Abe showed such care, going beyond the formality of just sending supplies that we may or may not have actually needed. Instead, the officials asked what we needed and then provided assistance based on those needs, which really moved me. Similarly, when the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 or the later Kumamoto earthquakes struck, the people of Tainan, under my leadership, naturally and dutifully expressed their support. Even earlier, when central Taiwan was hit by a major earthquake in 1999, Japan was the first country to deploy a rescue team to the disaster area. On February 6, 2018, after a major earthquake in Hualien, former Prime Minister Abe appeared in a video holding up a message of encouragement he had written in calligraphy saying “Remain strong, Taiwan.” All of Taiwan was deeply moved. Over the years, Taiwan and Japan have supported each other when earthquakes struck, and have forged bonds that are family-like, not just neighborly. This is truly valuable. In the future, I hope Taiwan and Japan can be like brothers, and that the peoples of Taiwan and Japan can treat one another like family. If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem; if Japan has a problem, then Taiwan has a problem. By caring for and helping each other, we can face various challenges and difficulties, and pursue a brighter future. Q: President Lai, you just used the phrase “If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” In the event that China attempts to invade Taiwan by force, what kind of response measures would you hope the US military and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take? President Lai: As I just mentioned, annexing Taiwan is only China’s first step. Its ultimate objective is to change the rules-based international order. That being the case, China’s threats are an international problem. So, I would very much hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war – prevention, after all, is more important than cure.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Greenpeace calls for drastic cut in plastic production as new report reveals millions at risk of toxic air pollution exposure
Source: Greenpeace Statement –

Amsterdam, The Netherlands – A new Greenpeace International report released today reveals that over 50 million people in 11 countries [1] are at risk of exposure to hazardous air pollution from plastic linked petrochemical production. The findings intensify pressure on negotiators at the Global Plastics Treaty talks in Geneva to secure a treaty that tackles the problem at its source: plastic production.

Graham Forbes, Global Plastics Campaign Lead for Greenpeace USA and Greenpeace Head of Delegation for the Global Plastics Treaty negotiation said: “What this report shows is that the plastics crisis is a public health emergency. The Global Plastics Treaty must deliver a 75% cut in plastic production by 2040 to reduce escalating threats to human and planetary health. People are being poisoned so fossil fuel and petrochemical companies can churn out more unnecessary plastic. Without a treaty that cuts production, the plastic crisis will only grow worse.”

The report, Every Breath You Take: Air Pollution Risks from Petrochemicals Production for the Plastics Supply Chain, shifts the lens to midstream level plastic production—to the petrochemical plants that produce precursors to plastic and expose frontline communities living near to these facilities who are potentially facing exposure to dangerous air pollutants.

During the production of feedstock, petrochemical facilities emit a suite of harmful airborne substances typically including Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and sulfur oxides (SOₓ) and particulate matter (PM). Studies report higher concentrations of these pollutants near petrochemical facilities, with proximity linked to increased illness—raising a serious cause for concern.

Key findings from the report include:
- Over 51 million people in the 11 countries studied live within 10 km of plastics-linked petrochemical facilities; 16 million live within 5 km. In every country studied, residential areas lie within 10 km of plastic-linked petrochemical plants.
- The United States has the highest number of people living at a distance that is linked to elevated risk—13 million, especially in Texas and Louisiana.
- One in four people in the Netherlands live at a distance that is linked to elevated risk of exposure to air pollution emissions, including toxic emissions, from petrochemical plants. It has the highest proportion of its population at risk with 4.5 million people or 25.6% of the entire population within the exposure zones assessed in the analysis. The country with the second highest proportion is Switzerland at 10.9% of the population.
- The pollution created by some petrochemical plants in the regions reviewed for the report is transboundary. Several plants are located in border zones, affecting communities in Austria, Poland, Singapore, Belgium, France and Germany.[2]
- In documented case studies, communities near petrochemical facilities suffer disproportionately from cancer, respiratory disease, and premature death. The UN has labeled some of these areas “sacrifice zones.”
The report also warns of industry plans to expand global plastic production through 2050, which would create more sacrifice zones, more waste exported to low-income countries, and more short-lived products driving the climate, health and waste crisis.

The global Greenpeace network is demanding that the Global Plastics Treaty must reduce plastic production by at least 75% by 2040 to protect people’s health, the climate and the environment. The next round of negotiations will happen on August 5 to 14, 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.

ENDS

Full report: Every Breath You Take: Air Pollution Risks from Petrochemicals Production for the Plastics Supply Chain

Photos and videos can be accessed in the Greenpeace Media Library.

Interactive maps of petrochemical production zones

Notes:

[1] The report, Every Breath You Take: Air Pollution Risks from Petrochemicals Production for the Plastics Supply Chain, identified the locations of petrochemical facilities linked to plastics in 11 countries: Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Canada, USA, Germany, United Kingdom, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. The countries were selected because of their significant petrochemical presence or association with major plastic-related concerns.

[2] The transboundary zones include populations in Austria and Poland (from German facilities), Singapore (from Malaysian facilities) Belgium and Germany (from Dutch facilities) France and Germany (from Swiss facilities).

Contacts:

Angelica Carballo Pago, Global Plastics Campaign Media Lead, Greenpeace USA, +63 917 1124492, [email protected]

Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0) 20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), [email protected]
MIL OSI NGO –
July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Long-stay tourism boom ignites ‘cool economy’ in highlands

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

A drone photo taken on July 18, 2025 shows a local Yizu Dage team performing during a parade show on the ancient street of Nanzhao in Weishan Yi and Hui Autonomous County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province. (Xinhua/Peng Yikai)

At his guesthouse in southwest China’s Kunming, Zhang Cheng wiped down the counter in preparation for the next wave of arrivals, as the country’s highland summer migration unfolded, a seasonal drift measured not in days but in months.

“Since summer began, we’ve had almost no vacancies,” he said. A steady stream of guests from the sweltering nearby regions of Sichuan and Chongqing is replacing the usual ebb and flow of tourists in this capital city of Yunnan Province.

As scorching heat blankets much of China, Yunnan and Guizhou provinces, with average summer temperatures of 15 to 21 degrees Celsius, are experiencing the explosive growth of “cool summer residencies.”

Yunnan alone hosted 2.8 million long-stay visitors in the first half of 2025, a surge of 45.4 percent year on year. These visitors stayed an average of 91 days, 11 days longer than the previous year.

In the province’s Qujing City, famed for its cooler summers, companies like Licheng Residential Leasing are transforming idle homes into managed residences. This summer, Licheng has provided over 100 beds and three meals daily through contracted residential homes in the city’s Niujie community, hosting over 200 guests so far.

Industry experts believe that traditional tourism often funnels spending into transportation and tickets, limiting local economic benefits, whereas tourism engaging local residents retains more spending within the community.

In Qujing, for example, dining accounts for 40 percent of long-stay visitors’ spending, vastly exceeding the 10 percent typical of short-stay tourists. The city welcomed 2 million long-stay visitors in last summer, peaking at 270,000 daily, generating 23.6 billion yuan (around 3.3 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue.

Leveraging its national forest park, Xishui County in Guizhou has developed 28 summer residence projects across six townships, now housing 36,000 households, mostly from other provinces. Since June, hotels and homestays have reported peak seasons.

Dai Bin, head of the China Tourism Academy, highlighted the shift of the tourism model “from simply leveraging cool climates to integrating culture, wellness and learning.” He cited the example of children joining forest rangers for plant identification in a nature science camp while parents learn local crafts, as well as one in Yunnan’s Dali that combines cool air with holistic healing through yoga in the forest.

Recognizing the potential, China’s National Development and Reform Commission issued guidelines in 2023 to boost summer tourism, urging better products and infrastructure.

According to Rao Xiangbi, deputy director of Yunnan’s culture and tourism department, long-stay visitors now flock not just from nearby Sichuan and Chongqing, but increasingly from Guangdong, Zhejiang, and even the northernmost Heilongjiang Province, with over 80 percent being young and middle-aged people.

Experts from the United Nations World Tourism Organization have noted that such climate-adaptive tourism is a growing necessity globally and is poised to become a defining future trend as climate change intensifies.

MIL OSI China News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: July results of the Bank Lending Survey in Germany | Demand continued to rise in all loan categories

Source: Deutsche Bundesbank

The German banks responding to the Bank Lending Survey (BLS) tightened their credit standards for loans to enterprises and loans to households in the second quarter of 2025. Increased credit risk and lower risk tolerance were the rationale behind the tightening.
The surveyed banks barely changed their credit terms and conditions for loans to enterprises and loans to households for house purchase. For consumer credit and other lending to households, they tightened credit terms and conditions on balance.
Loan demand continued to rise in all loan categories; the demand for loans to enterprises increased more strongly than in previous quarters.
The non-performing loans (NPL) ratio and other indicators of credit quality had a tightening impact on banks’ credit standards, terms and conditions in all loan categories under review.
Owing to climate-related risks and measures to cope with climate change, the past twelve months saw banks tighten their credit standards for “brown” firms and firms in transition. In the case of loans to households for house purchase, credit standards for loans for buildings with poor energy performance also became more restrictive.

The BLS covers three loan categories: loans to enterprises, loans to households for house purchase, and consumer credit and other lending to households. On balance, the surveyed banks tightened their credit standards (i.e. their internal guidelines or loan approval criteria) for loans to enterprises and loans to households. The net share of banks that tightened their standards stood at + 3 % for loans to enterprises (compared with + 3 % in the previous quarter). Credit standards for loans to enterprises were tightened only for small and medium-sized enterprises. The banks tightened credit standards for loans to households for house purchase by + 11 % in net terms (compared with − 7 % in the previous quarter) and for consumer credit and other lending to households by + 11 % in net terms (compared with 0 % in the previous quarter). Banks tightened their credit standards for all reported loan categories to a lesser extent than they had planned in the previous quarter.
The rationale given by the banks for the marginal tightening of credit standards for loans to enterprises was elevated credit risk owing to the gloomier economic situation and the economic outlook. The banks cited a decrease in their risk tolerance as the main reason for tightening their credit standards for loans to households. In addition, a decline in households’ creditworthiness had a restrictive impact on consumer credit and other lending. For the third quarter of 2025, banks are planning to ease their credit standards for loans to enterprises. As regards loans to households, they expect to tighten credit standards again if borrowers’ credit quality continues to deteriorate.

Changes in credit standards for loans to enterprises and contributing factors

On aggregate, banks made hardly any changes to their credit terms and conditions (i.e. the terms and conditions actually approved as laid down in the loan contract) for loans to enterprises and loans to households for house purchase. For consumer credit and other lending to households, they tightened credit terms and conditions on balance. The banks justified these adjustments primarily on the grounds of their reduced risk tolerance and an increase in credit risk.
The surveyed banks reported that demand for bank loans in Germany had risen on balance in all loan categories in the second quarter of 2025. The increase in demand exceeded the banks’ expectations from the previous quarter in all surveyed business areas. Demand for loans to enterprises rose more strongly than in previous quarters. The banks cited an increase in financing needs for fixed investment as well as for inventories and working capital as the reason. In both cases, this was the first time in a year that banks reported moderate growth in funding needs again. In addition, the general level of interest rates also contributed to the increase in demand. According to the surveyed banks, the renewed significant rise in demand for loans to households for house purchase was due mainly to households’ positive view of the outlook on the housing market and the lower level of interest rates. Banks put the rise in households’ demand for consumer credit and other lending down to improved consumer confidence and an increase in purchases of durable consumer goods. The loan rejection rate for loans to enterprises went up again, primarily for loan requests and applications from small and medium-sized enterprises. The rejection rate also increased for consumer credit and other lending to households, but remained unchanged for loans for house purchase. For the third quarter of 2025, banks are expecting to see demand increase further across all three loan categories. For loans to enterprises, banks are expecting positive impetus from domestic economic policy but at the same time a dampening impact from the global political situation.

Change in demand for loans to enterprises and contributing factors

The July survey round contained ad hoc questions on participating banks’ financing conditions and about the impact of NPLs and other indicators of credit quality on the institutions’ lending policies. It also contained a question on their credit standards, terms and conditions, and on demand for loans across the main economic sectors. In addition, for the third time, BLS banks were surveyed on the impact of climate change and climate-related measures on bank lending. They were asked to report on the impact for “green” firms (firms that do not contribute or contribute little to climate change), firms in transition (firms that contribute to climate change, which are making relevant progress in the transition), and “brown” firms (firms that contribute strongly to climate change, which have not yet started or have so far made only little progress in the transition). This question was expanded for the first time to include a question on the impact of climate change and climate-related measures in connection with loans to households for house purchase. Another ad hoc question assessed the impact of excess liquidity on bank lending.
Given the conditions in financial markets, German banks reported that their funding situation had improved slightly compared with the previous quarter.
In the second quarter of 2025, the NPL ratio (the stock of gross NPLs on the bank’s balance sheet as a percentage of the gross carrying amount of loans) and other indicators of credit quality, owing to their size, had a restrictive impact on credit standards, terms and conditions for loans to enterprises and loans to households. For the third quarter of 2025, the banks are expecting this credit quality-driven restrictive effect to continue. Credit standards for loans to enterprises were tightened most sharply over the past six months in the (commercial) real estate and manufacturing sectors. However, credit standards were also tightened for all other sectors surveyed, with the exception of services. For the next six months, banks are not expecting to make any noteworthy adjustments to credit standards in any of the economic sectors, the first time they have reported this for quite some time.
Climate-related risks and measures to cope with climate change have had a restrictive impact on credit standards for loans to enterprises over the past twelve months. The more the enterprises contributed to climate change, the greater that impact was. The effects of climate change had a restrictive impact on credit terms and conditions, especially those for loans to “brown” firms. The effect was expansionary, on the other hand, for loans to “green” firms. Over the next twelve months, banks expect climate change to ease their credit standards, terms and conditions for “green” firms. They are expecting climate change to have a further restrictive impact on their credit standards, terms and conditions for loans to other enterprises. At the same time, the effects of climate change, taken in isolation, stimulated loan demand from “green” firms and firms in transition. By contrast, climate change and climate policy had no impact on loan demand from “brown” firms. For the next twelve months, banks are expecting to see climate change stimulate demand for loans irrespective of firms’ classification.
In the case of loans to households for house purchase, credit standards for loans for buildings with poor energy performance were tightened. By contrast, for loans for buildings with high or reasonably good energy performance, climate-related risks and measures to cope with climate change had no notable impact on credit standards. Over the next twelve months, banks expect this adjustment of credit standards, which is dependent on buildings’ energy performance, to continue. At the same time, climate-related factors, especially investment in the energy performance of buildings, in isolation, stimulated demand for loans for buildings with high or reasonably good energy performance. By contrast, demand for loans for buildings with poor energy performance remained unaffected by climate-related factors. Over the next twelve months, banks expect rising demand for loans for buildings with high energy performance and declining loan demand for buildings with poor energy performance.
The banks do not see developments in excess liquidity held with the Eurosystem as having had any impact on bank lending over the past six months. By their account, that is unlikely to change in the next six months.
The Bank Lending Survey, which is conducted four times a year, took place between 13 June and 1 July 2025. In Germany, 33 banks took part in the survey, with a response rate of 100 %.

Changes in credit standards for loans to enterprises across main economic sectors

Changes in credit standards for loans to households for house purchases and contributing factors

Change in demand for loans to households for house purchase and contributing factors

Time series credit standards
Loans to enterprises
Loans to households for house purchase
Consumer credit and other lending to households

MIL OSI

MIL OSI Europe News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Special traffic and transport arrangements for football matches and training sessions at Kai Tak Sports Park and Hong Kong Stadium between July 24 and 31

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

The Transport Department (TD) today (July 22) said that, to facilitate the holding of football matches and training sessions on specific dates in designated venues between July 24 and 31, the following special traffic and transport arrangements will be implemented in the vicinity of the Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) and the Hong Kong Stadium (HKS) to provide convenience for spectators to travel to and from the venues:

Open training sessions

Prior to the matches, open training sessions of the football clubs will be held at the KTSP around the evening of July 24, 29 and 30 and the HKS on the evening of July 25.

As the dispersal time of the events will fall within the evening peak hours, the MTR will enhance the service headway of the Tuen Ma Line (TML) and the Island Line on respective days as needed to meet the passenger demand. The Police will implement temporary road closure and traffic diversion measures in the vicinity of the KTSP (depending on actual traffic and crowd conditions) and the HKS. Members of the public should heed advice from on-site police.

Football matches

Football matches will be held on the evening of July 26 and 31 at the KTSP. As the traffic in the vicinity is expected to be heavy, spectators should opt for public transport and avoid taking private cars (including cross-boundary private cars).

The TD has co-ordinated with local and cross-boundary public transport operators (PTOs) to strengthen their services during dispersal. The MTR will enhance the interval between trains of the TML. Franchised bus companies will provide a total of 11 special bus routes at the Sung Wong Toi Road Pick-up/Drop-off Area (PUDOA) to Lok Ma Chau (San Tin) Public Transport Interchange (PTI), the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port and Airport, and major districts across the territory.

In addition, the KTSP will arrange cross-boundary coach services during dispersal to facilitate travellers’ return to the Mainland via the Lok Ma Chau/Huanggang (LMC/HG) Port, the HZMB and the Shenzhen Bay Port. Passengers should purchase tickets in advance. On-site ticket sales will not be available during dispersal. They should refer to the operators’ website (Eternal East Bus: www.myeebus.com/eebusfans; CTG Bus: m.hkctgbus.com/#/layout/home) for the latest ticket information.

For taxi services, the Kai Tak Stadium Taxi PUDOA will be open for taxi pick-up and drop-off. The Sung Wong Toi Road PUDOA will be open for taxi drop-off only during admission (4pm to 7.30pm) and suspended from taxi pick-up/drop-off during dispersal. The expected waiting time will be longer amid an outflux of spectators and passengers’ patience is appreciated.

Spectators who plan to return to the Mainland on the same day after the matches should pay special attention that, if they use the Lo Wu Control Point, they should catch the last relevant MTR TML train departing from Sung Wong Toi Station at 10.59pm and Kai Tak Station at 11.01pm, followed by interchanging at Tai Wai Station on the East Rail Line (ERL) to Lo Wu Station. Travellers should plan their journeys ahead and arrive at the station platform in advance.

Travellers who opt for LMC/HG Port (operating 24 hours daily) may also take the ERL to Sheung Shui Station and then the KMB route No. 276B or N73, or take the special bus route No. SP12 directly at the Sung Wong Toi Road PUDOA to the Lok Ma Chau (San Tin) PTI, and transfer to the LMC-HG cross-boundary shuttle bus (Yellow Bus) for their journey to the Mainland.

For details of the special traffic and transport arrangements, members of the public may refer to the TD’s website (www.td.gov.hk), the “HKeMobility” mobile application or passenger notices issued by PTOs as well as the latest traffic news through radio and television broadcasts. Spectators at the KTSP are advised to heed the real-time information via the on-site broadcast and the “Easy Leave” platform (easyleave.police.gov.hk).

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK brings forward world’s first sanctions regime to smash the gangs responsible for irregular migration 
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

UK brings forward world’s first sanctions regime to smash the gangs responsible for irregular migration 

Anyone complicit in facilitating people smuggling to the UK will be at risk of having their assets frozen and being banned from travelling to Britain, under new powers announced by the Foreign Secretary today.
Anyone complicit in facilitating people smuggling to the UK could be sanctioned from tomorrow.  

Targets will have assets frozen, be shut off from the UK financial system and banned from travelling to the UK, under new regime targeting supply of money and material enabling irregular migration.

New sanctions are the latest tool in UK’s arsenal to secure Britain’s borders, reduce irregular migration and deliver on the Plan for Change.

Anyone complicit in facilitating people smuggling to the UK will be at risk of having their assets frozen and being banned from travelling to Britain, under new powers announced by the Foreign Secretary today.

Tomorrow, the FCDO will impose the first wave of sanctions on gangs involved in people smuggling and driving irregular migration to the UK, as well as their enablers, such as financiers and companies involved in the sale of small boat equipment.  

The plans are a key example of the FCDO using innovative foreign policy approaches to deliver on the Plan for Change for the British people. The regime will be the world’s first dedicated to targeting people smuggling and organised immigration crime, with the exploitation of vulnerable people by criminals and their associated networks being one of the key drivers of irregular migration to the UK. Migrants who pay people-smugglers are also at a high risk of working in modern slavery conditions in the informal economy, being returned to their home country, or losing their lives at sea.  

Sanctions can disrupt the flow of money and materials – including freezing property, bank accounts and other assets – which allow organised criminal gangs to facilitate irregular migration to the UK. Sanctions are designed to reach individuals located anywhere in the world, who will be publicly named so that it is illegal for the UK financial system to engage with them.    

As part of the government’s Plan for Change and mission-led approach, the FCDO has been breaking down siloes by working closely with investigators at the National Crime Agency, Border Security Command, and other key partners to identify the most impactful targets, with the first sanctions planned for tomorrow. 

The first targets will cover a range of wrongdoing, from the supply of small boats being used on cross-Channel journeys, to the trade in fake passports, as well as middlemen facilitating payments through Hawala networks, to the gang leaders themselves. 

The regime will complement new powers for law enforcement being introduced in the Border, Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill, ensuring we have the widest toolkit available to smash the gangs.  Sanctions can be used to target organised immigration crime gangs and their enablers, wherever they are, including where traditional law enforcement and criminal justice approaches cannot reach. People smuggling and human trafficking are a challenge to global security, and the Government is working to strengthen our relationships with key partners, including the EU, to better secure the UK’s borders. 

Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said:  

For too long, criminal gangs have been lining their corrupt pockets and preying on the hopes of vulnerable people with impunity as they drive irregular migration to the UK. We will not accept this status quo.

It is our moral duty and a key part of our Plan for Change to do all we can to smash these gangs and secure Britain’s borders.

That’s why the UK has created the world’s first sanctions regime targeted at gangs involved in people smuggling and driving irregular migration, as well as their enablers. From tomorrow, those involved will face having their assets frozen, being shut off from the UK financial system and banned from travelling to the UK.

Today’s announcement reflects how the whole of government is working together on the single mission of securing Britain’s borders. The new regime complements work by the National Crime Agency and Border Security Command (BSC) to tackle organised immigration crime and tackle the causes of irregular migration to the UK in source and transit countries. The BSC has seen a budget boost of £280m per year by 2028 to fund new specialist investigators, new technology and cutting-edge surveillance equipment to disrupt and destroy criminal gangs.  

Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, said: 

The new sanctions regime marks a decisive step in our fight against the criminal gangs who profit from human misery. It will allow us to target the assets and operations of people-smugglers wherever they operate, cutting off their funding and dismantling their networks piece by piece.

Through the Border Security Command and key partners like the National Crime Agency, we are strengthening our ties with other nations to tackle this global problem.

Together, we are sending a clear message that there is no hiding place for those who exploit vulnerable people and put lives at risk for profit.

Today’s announcement is part of the FCDO’s three-pronged ‘disrupt, deter, return’ strategy to tackle irregular migration globally. In addition to disrupting organised immigration crime networks through sanctions, the FCDO works with source and transit countries to deter would-be migrants from making a dangerous journey in the first place, and works with the Home Office to negotiate the return of people who have no right to be here to their countries of origin, including criminals and failed asylum seekers. Since the election, over 35,000 people have been returned, up 13% on the same period in the year before.  

Media enquiries

Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

Telephone 020 7008 3100

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

Notes to editors            

Using the powers conferred by the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act (the Sanctions Act) the Government has laid secondary legislation before Parliament that introduces a new Global Irregular Migration and Trafficking in Persons sanctions regime. The Regulations will be debated by both Houses of Parliament when they return from the summer recess in line with the made affirmative procedure.    

Asset freeze  

An asset freeze prevents any UK citizen, or any business in the UK, from dealing with any funds or economic resources which are owned, held or controlled by the designated person. UK financial sanctions apply to all persons within the territory and territorial sea of the UK and to all UK persons, wherever they are in the world. It also prevents funds or economic resources being provided to or for the benefit of the designated person.  

Travel ban  

A travel ban means that the designated person must be refused leave to enter or to remain in the United Kingdom, providing the individual is an excluded person under section 8B of the Immigration Act 1971.  

Director disqualifications  

Where director disqualification sanctions apply, it will be an offence for a person designated for the purpose of those sanctions to act as a director of a company or to take part in the management, formation or promotion of a UK company.

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Published 22 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets official delegation from European Parliament’s Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield

Source: Republic of China Taiwan

Details
2025-07-17
President Lai meets President of Guatemalan Congress Nery Abilio Ramos y Ramos
On the morning of July 17, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Nery Abilio Ramos y Ramos, the president of the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala. In remarks, President Lai thanked Congress President Ramos and the Guatemalan Congress for their support for Taiwan, and noted that official diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Guatemala go back more than 90 years. As important partners in the global democratic community, the president said, the two nations will continue moving forward together in joint defense of the values of democracy and freedom, and will cooperate to promote regional and global prosperity and development. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I recall that when Congress President Ramos visited Taiwan in July last year, he put forward many ideas about how our countries could promote bilateral cooperation and exchanges. Now, a year later, he is leading another cross-party delegation from the Guatemalan Congress on a visit, demonstrating support for Taiwan and continuing to help deepen our diplomatic ties. In addition to extending a sincere welcome to the distinguished delegation members who have traveled so far to be here, I would also like to express our concern and condolences for everyone in Guatemala affected by the earthquake that struck earlier this month. We hope that the recovery effort is going smoothly. Official diplomatic relations between Taiwan and Guatemala go back more than 90 years. In such fields as healthcare, agriculture, education, and women’s empowerment, we have continually strengthened our cooperation to benefit our peoples. Just last month, Guatemala’s President Bernardo Arévalo and the First Lady led a delegation on a state visit to Taiwan. President Arévalo and I signed a letter of intent for semiconductor cooperation, and also witnessed the signing of cooperation documents to establish a political consultation mechanism and continue to promote bilateral investment. This has laid an even sounder foundation for bilateral exchanges and cooperation, and will help enhance both countries’ international competitiveness. Taiwan is currently running a semiconductor vocational training program, helping Guatemala cultivate semiconductor talent and develop its tech industry, and demonstrating our determination to share experience with democratic partners. At the same time, we continue to assist Taiwanese businesses in their efforts to develop overseas markets with Guatemala as an important base, spurring industrial development in both countries and increasing economic and trade benefits. I want to thank Congress President Ramos and the Guatemalan Congress for their continued support for Taiwan’s international participation. Representing the Guatemalan Congress, Congress President Ramos has signed resolutions in support of Taiwan, and has also issued statements addressing China’s misinterpretation of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758. Taiwan and Guatemala, as important partners in the global democratic community, will continue moving forward together in joint defense of the values of democracy and freedom, and will cooperate to promote regional and global prosperity and development. Congress President Ramos then delivered remarks, first noting that the members of the delegation are not only from different parties, but also represent different classes, cultures, professions, and departments, which shows that the diplomatic ties between Guatemala and the Republic of China (Taiwan) are based on firm friendships at all levels and in all fields. Noting that this was his second time to visit Taiwan and meet with President Lai, Congress President Ramos thanked the government of Taiwan for its warm hospitality. With the international situation growing more complex by the day, he said, Guatemala highly values its longstanding friendship and cooperative ties with Taiwan, and hopes that both sides can continue to deepen their cooperation in such areas as the economy, technology, education, agriculture, and culture, and work together to spur sustainable development in each of our countries. Congress President Ramos said that the way the Taiwan government looks after the well-being of its people is an excellent model for how other countries should promote national development and social well-being. Accordingly, he said, the Guatemalan Congress has stood for justice and, for a second time, adopted a resolution backing Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly. Regarding President Arévalo’s state visit to Taiwan the previous month, Congress President Ramos commented that this high-level interaction has undoubtedly strengthened the diplomatic ties between Taiwan and Guatemala and led to more opportunities for cooperation. Congress President Ramos emphasized that democracy, freedom, and human rights are universal values that bind Taiwan and Guatemala together, and that he is confident the two countries’ diplomatic ties will continue to grow deeper. In closing, on behalf of the Republic of Guatemala, Congress President Ramos presented President Lai with a Chinese translation of the resolution that the Guatemalan Congress proposed to the UN in support of Taiwan’s participation in international organizations, demonstrating the staunch bonds of friendship between the two countries. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Guatemala Ambassador Luis Raúl Estévez López.

Details
2025-07-08
President Lai meets delegation led by Foreign Minister Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste of Republic of Haiti
On the morning of July 8, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste of the Republic of Haiti and his wife. In remarks, President Lai noted that our two countries will soon mark the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations and that our exchanges have been fruitful in important areas such as public security, educational cooperation, and infrastructure. The president stated that Taiwan will continue to work together with Haiti to promote the development of medical and health care, food security, and construction that benefits people’s livelihoods. The president thanked Haiti for supporting Taiwan’s international participation and expressed hope that both countries will continue to support each other, deepen cooperation, and face various challenges together. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I am delighted to meet and exchange ideas with Minister Jean-Baptiste, his wife, and our distinguished guests. Minister Jean-Baptiste is the highest-ranking official from Haiti to visit Taiwan since former President Jovenel Moïse visited in 2018, demonstrating the importance that the Haitian government attaches to our bilateral diplomatic ties. On behalf of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I extend a sincere welcome. Next year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between our two countries. Our bilateral exchanges have been fruitful in important areas such as public security, educational cooperation, and infrastructure. Over the past few years, Haiti has faced challenges in such areas as food supply and healthcare. Taiwan will continue to work together with Haiti through various cooperative programs to promote the development of medical and health care, food security, and construction that benefits people’s livelihoods. I want to thank the government of Haiti and Minister Jean-Baptiste for speaking out in support of Taiwan on the international stage for many years. Minister Jean-Baptiste’s personal letter to the World Health Organization Secretariat in May this year and Minister of Public Health and Population Bertrand Sinal’s public statement during the World Health Assembly both affirmed Taiwan’s efforts and contributions to global public health and supported Taiwan’s international participation, for which we are very grateful. I hope that Taiwan and Haiti will continue to support each other and deepen cooperation. I believe that Minister Jean-Baptiste’s visit will open up more opportunities for cooperation for both countries, helping Taiwan and Haiti face various challenges together. In closing, I once again offer a sincere welcome to the delegation led by Minister Jean-Baptiste, and ask him to convey greetings from Taiwan to Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and the members of the Transitional Presidential Council. Minister Jean-Baptiste then delivered remarks, saying that he is extremely honored to visit Taiwan and reaffirm the solid and friendly cooperative relationship based on mutual respect between the Republic of Haiti and the Republic of China (Taiwan), which will soon mark its 70th anniversary. He also brought greetings to President Lai from Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council and Prime Minister Fils-Aimé. Minister Jean-Baptiste emphasized that over the past few decades, despite the great geographical distance and developmental and cultural differences between our two countries, we have nevertheless established a firm friendship and demonstrated to the world the progress resulting from the mutual assistance and cooperation between our peoples. Minister Jean-Baptiste pointed out that our two countries cooperate closely in agriculture, health, education, and community development and have achieved concrete results. Taiwan’s voice, he said, is thus essential for the people of Haiti. He noted that Taiwan also plays an important role in peace and innovation and actively participates in global cooperative efforts. Pointing out that the world is currently facing significant challenges and that Haiti is experiencing its most difficult period in history, Minister Jean-Baptiste said that at this time, Taiwan and Haiti need to unite, help each other, and jointly think about how to move forward and deepen bilateral relations to benefit the peoples of both countries. Minister Jean-Baptiste said that he is pleased that throughout our solid and friendly diplomatic relationship, both countries have demonstrated mutual trust, mutual respect, and the values we jointly defend. He then stated his belief that Haiti and Taiwan will together create a cooperation model and future that are sincere, friendly, and sustainable. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Francilien Victorin of the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Taiwan.

Details
2025-07-01
President Lai meets delegation from 2025 Taiwan International Ocean Forum
On the afternoon of July 1, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from the 2025 Taiwan International Ocean Forum (TIOF). In remarks, President Lai noted that the people of Taiwan will continue to work with democratic partners throughout the world in a maritime spirit of freedom and openness to contribute to ocean governance and jointly ensure maritime security. He expressed hope that their visit will help forge stronger friendships between Taiwan and international maritime partners, so that all can work together to spur shared maritime prosperity and sustainable development for the next generation. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: I want to thank our guests for coming here to the Presidential Office. The 2025 TIOF will take place tomorrow and the day after, and I thank you all for making the long trip to Taiwan to attend the event and share your valuable insights and experiences. This year’s forum will focus on strategies for strengthening maritime security and pathways to achieving a sustainable blue economy. By attending this forum, our guests are highlighting their commitment to safeguarding the oceans, and beyond that, taking concrete action to demonstrate support for Taiwan. I once again offer deepest gratitude on behalf of the people of Taiwan. Taiwan holds a key position on the first island chain, is one of the world’s top 10 shipping nations, and accounts for close to 10 percent of global container shipping by volume. As such, Taiwan occupies a unique and important position in maritime strategy. For Taiwan, the ocean is more than just a basis for survival and development; it is also an important driver of national prosperity. In my inaugural address last year, I spoke of a threefold approach to further Taiwan’s development. One of these involves further developing our strengths as a maritime nation. Our government must actively help deepen our connections with the ocean, and must continue to promote green shipping, a sustainable fishing industry, marine renewable energy, and other forms of industrial transformation. It must also make use of marine technology and digital innovation to create a new paradigm that balances environmental, economic, and social inclusion concerns. This will help enhance Taiwan’s responsibilities and competitiveness as a maritime nation. Taiwan is surrounded by ocean, and our territorial waters are a natural protective barrier. However, continued gray-zone aggression from China creates serious threats and challenges to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Our government continues to invest resources to deal with increasingly complex maritime security issues. In addition to building coast guard patrol vessels, we must also step up efforts to build underwater, surface, and airborne unmanned vehicles and smart reconnaissance equipment, so as to demonstrate Taiwan’s determination to defend democracy and freedom and commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. Oceans are Taiwan’s roots, and provide the channels by which we engage with the world. The people of Taiwan will continue to work with democratic partners throughout the world in a maritime spirit of freedom and openness to contribute to ocean governance and jointly ensure maritime security. The TIOF was first launched in 2020, and has now become an important platform for enhancement of cooperation between Taiwan and other countries. I hope that our distinguished guests will reap great benefits at this year’s forum, and further hope that this visit will help forge stronger friendships between Taiwan and international maritime partners, so that all can work together to spur shared maritime prosperity and sustainable development for the next generation. Chairman of The Washington Times Thomas McDevitt, a member of the delegation, then delivered remarks, noting first that July 4th, this Friday, is Independence Day in America. Independence is a sacred, powerful word which has great meaning in this part of the world, he said. Chairman McDevitt indicated that Taiwan has truly become a global beacon of democracy and a key partner for many nations. He then quoted President Lai’s 2024 inaugural address: “We will work together to combat disinformation, strengthen democratic resilience, address challenges, and allow Taiwan to become the MVP of the democratic world.” Chairman McDevitt went on to say that he appreciated the president’s speech with regard to his philosophical depth, sensitivity, and both moral and political clarity. He said that he was deeply moved by the speech, but within a few days of it, China responded with military activities and many threats. The chairman then emphasized that we are in a civilization crisis. Chairman McDevitt mentioned that President Lai has begun a series of 10 lectures, and remarked that they would help the world to understand the identity and the nature of Taiwan, as well as the situation we are in in the world. On behalf of all the delegation, Chairman McDevitt thanked the president for his leadership in dealing with these issues thoughtfully. Chairman McDevitt concluded with a line from the Old Testament which states that if the people have no vision, they will perish. He said that he believes Taiwan’s president has led the people of Taiwan, and the world, with a vision of how to navigate this great civilization crisis together. The delegation also included Members of the Japanese House of Representatives Kikawada Hitoshi, Aoyama Yamato, and Genma Kentaro, and Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom Gavin Williamson.

Details
2025-06-30
President Lai meets Minister of State at UK Department for Business and Trade Douglas Alexander
On the morning of June 30, President Lai Ching-te met with Douglas Alexander, Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade of the United Kingdom. In remarks, President Lai thanked the UK government for its longstanding support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, demonstrating that Taiwan and the UK share similar goals. Noting that two years ago, Taiwan and the UK signed an enhanced trade partnership (ETP) arrangement, the president said that today Taiwan and the UK have signed three pillars under the ETP, which will help promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation. He expressed hope of the UK publicly supporting Taiwan’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) so that together we can create an economic and trade landscape in the Indo-Pacific characterized by shared prosperity and development. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: First, on behalf of the people of Taiwan, I extend a warm welcome to Minister Alexander and wish a fruitful outcome for the 27th round of Taiwan-UK trade talks later today. Taiwan-UK relations have grown closer in recent years. We have not only continued to strengthen cooperation in such fields as offshore wind power, innovative technologies, and culture and education but also have established regular dialogue mechanisms in the critical areas of economics and trade, energy, and agriculture. The UK is currently Taiwan’s fourth-largest European trading partner, second-largest source of investment from Europe, and third-largest target for investment in Europe. Two years ago, Taiwan and the UK signed an ETP arrangement. This was particularly meaningful, as it was the first institutionalized economic and trade framework between Taiwan and a European country. Today, this arrangement is yielding further results. I am delighted that Taiwan and the UK have signed three pillars under the ETP covering investment, digital trade, and energy and net-zero. This will help promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation and advance industrial development on both sides. I also want to thank the UK government for its longstanding support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. This month, the UK published its Strategic Defence Review 2025 and National Security Strategy 2025, which oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo across the Taiwan Strait. These not only demonstrate that Taiwan and the UK share similar goals but also show that security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region are inseparable from those of the transatlantic regions. In addition, last November, the House of Commons passed a motion which made clear that United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) Resolution 2758 neither established the sovereignty of the People’s Republic of China over Taiwan nor determined Taiwan’s status in the United Nations. The UK government also responded to the motion by publicly expressing for the first time its position on UNGA Resolution 2758, opposing any attempt to broaden the interpretation of the resolution to rewrite history. For this, on behalf of the people of Taiwan, I once again want to extend my deepest gratitude. Taiwan and the UK have the advantage of being highly complementary in the technology sector. In facing the restructuring of global supply chains and other international economic and trade developments, I believe that Taiwan and the UK are indispensable key partners for one another. I look forward to the UK publicly supporting Taiwan’s accession to the CPTPP so that together, we can create an economic and trade landscape in the Indo-Pacific characterized by shared prosperity and development. In closing, I wish Minister Alexander a pleasant and successful visit. And I hope he has the opportunity to visit Taiwan for personal travel in the future. Minister Alexander then delivered remarks, saying that it is a great personal honor to meet with everyone today to discuss further deepening the UK-Taiwan trade relationship and explore the many opportunities our two sides can pursue together. He mentioned that he traveled to Taiwan in 2022 when he was a private citizen, a visit he thoroughly enjoyed, so he is delighted to be back to see the strength of the UK-Taiwan relationship and the strengthening of that relationship. He said that relationship is built on mutual respect, democratic values, and a shared vision for open, resilient, and rules-based economic cooperation. As like-minded partners, he pointed out, our collaboration continues to grow across multiple sectors, and he is here today to further that momentum. Minister Alexander stated that on trade and investment, he is proud that this morning we signed the ETP Pillars on Investment, Digital Trade, Energy and Net Zero, which will provide a clear framework for our future cooperation and lay the foundation for expanded access and market-shaping engagement between our two economies. The minister said he believes that together with our annual trade talks, this partnership will help UK’s firms secure new commercial opportunities, improve regulatory alignment, and promote long-term investment in key growth areas, which in turn will also support Taiwan’s efforts to expand high-quality trade relationships with trusted partners. Minister Alexander said that President Lai’s promotion of the Five Trusted Industry Sectors and the UK’s recently published industrial and trade strategies are very well-aligned, as both cover clean energy and semiconductors as well as advanced manufacturing. He then provided an example, saying that both sides plan to invest in AI infrastructure and compute power-creating opportunities for great joint research in the future. By combining our strengths in these areas, he said, we can open the door to innovative collaboration and commercial success for both sides. He mentioned that yesterday he visited the Taiwan Space Agency, commenting that in sectors such as satellite technology, green energy, and cyber security, British expertise and trusted standards can provide meaningful solutions. Noting that President Lai spoke in his remarks of the broader challenge of peace and security in the region, Minister Alexander stated that the United Kingdom has, of course, also continued to affirm its commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, along with its G7 partners. The UK-Taiwan relationship is strategic, enduring, and growing, he stated, and they reaffirm and remain firm in their longstanding position and confident in their ability to work together to support both prosperity and resilience in both of our societies. Minister Alexander said that, as Taiwan looks to diversify capital and build global partnerships, they believe the UK represents a strong and ambitious investment destination, particularly for Taiwanese companies at the very forefront of robotics, clean tech, and advanced industry. He pointed out that the UK’s markets are stable, open, and aligned with Taiwan’s vision of a high-tech, sustainable future, adding that he looks forward to our discussion on how we can further deepen our cooperation across all of these areas and more. The delegation also included Martin Kent, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific at the UK Department for Business and Trade. The delegation was accompanied to the Presidential Office by British Office Taipei Representative Ruth Bradley-Jones.

Details
2025-06-27
President Lai confers decoration on former Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Chairman Ohashi Mitsuo
On the morning of June 27, President Lai Ching-te conferred the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon upon former Chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Ohashi Mitsuo in recognition of his firm convictions and tireless efforts in promoting Taiwan-Japan exchanges. In remarks, President Lai stated that Chairman Ohashi cares for Taiwan like a family member, and expressed hope that Taiwan and Japan continue to deepen their partnership, bring about the early signing of an economic partnership agreement (EPA), and jointly build secure and stable non-red supply chains as we boost the resilience and competitiveness of our economies and jointly safeguard the values of freedom and democracy. A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows: Every meeting I have with Chairman Ohashi, with whom I have worked side by side for many years, is warm and friendly. I recall that when we met last year, Chairman Ohashi said that he often thinks about what Japan can do for Taiwan and what Taiwan can do for Japan, and that it is that mutual concern that makes us so close. This was a truly moving statement illustrating the relationship between Taiwan and Japan. Chairman Ohashi has also said numerous times that our bilateral relations may very well be the best in the entire world, and that in fact they may serve as a model to other countries. Indeed, Chairman Ohashi is himself an exemplary model for friendly relations between Taiwan and Japan. His spirit of always working tirelessly to promote Taiwan-Japan exchanges is truly admirable. Assuming the position of chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association in 2011, he served during the terms of former Presidents Ma Ying-jeou and Tsai Ing-wen, continuously making positive contributions to Taiwan-Japan relations. Over these past 14 years, Taiwan and Japan have signed over 50 major agreements, spanning the economy and trade, fisheries, and taxes, among other areas. In 2017, the Taiwan-Japan Relations Association and the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association underwent name changes, strengthening the essence and significance of Taiwan-Japan relations. These great achievements were all made possible thanks to the firm convictions and tireless efforts of Chairman Ohashi. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I am delighted to confer upon Chairman Ohashi the Order of Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon to express our deepest thanks for his outstanding contributions. Chairman Ohashi is not just a good friend of Taiwan, but someone who cares for Taiwan like a family member. When a major earthquake struck in 2016, he personally went to Tainan to assess the situation and meet with the city government. This outpouring of friendship and support across borders was deeply moving. As we look to the future, I hope that Taiwan and Japan can continue to deepen our partnership. In addition to bringing about the early signing of an EPA, I also hope that we can expand collaboration in key areas such as semiconductors, energy, and AI, continue building secure and stable non-red supply chains, and boost the resilience and competitiveness of our economies as well as peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. As Chairman Ohashi has said, the close bilateral relationship between Taiwan and Japan is one the world can be proud of. I would like to thank him once again for his contributions to deepening Taiwan-Japan ties. Taiwan will continue to forge ahead side by side with Japan, jointly safeguarding the values of freedom and democracy and mutually advancing prosperous development. I wish Chairman Ohashi good health, happiness, peace, and success in his future endeavors, and invite him to return to Taiwan often to visit old friends. Chairman Ohashi then delivered remarks, first thanking President Lai for his kind words. He stated that the Taiwan-Japan relationship is not only worthy of praise; it can also serve as a superb model in the world for bilateral relations that is worthy of study by other countries. He added that this is the result of the collective efforts of President Lai as well as many other individuals. Chairman Ohashi said that the current international situation is rather severe, with wars and conflicts occurring between many neighboring countries. He said that there is a growing trend of nuclear weapon proliferation, emphasizing that use of such weapons would cause significant harm between nations. He also pointed out that some countries even use nuclear weapons as a threat, leading to instability and impacting the global situation. Chairman Ohashi said that neither Taiwan nor Japan possesses nuclear weapons, which is something to be proud of. That is why, he said, we can declare that a world without nuclear weapons is a peaceful world. He also mentioned that during his tenure as chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association, he consistently upheld this principle in his work. Chairman Ohashi said that the mission of the World Federalist Movement (WFM) is to promote world peace. He said that the WFM has branches in countries worldwide, with the WFM of Japan being one of the most prominent, and that it also aspires to achieve the goal of world peace. Having served as chairman of the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association for 14 years, he said, he is now stepping down from this role and will serve as the chairman of the WFM of Japan, aiming to promote peace in countries around the world. Chairman Ohashi said that both Taiwan and Japan can take pride in our friendly bilateral relationship, emphasizing that if the good relationship between Japan and Taiwan could be offered as an example to countries around the world, there would be no more wars. He expressed his sincere hope that under President Lai’s leadership, Taiwan and Japan can work together to jointly promote world peace. Also in attendance at the ceremony was Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Katayama Kazuyuki.

Details
2025-05-20
President Lai interviewed by Nippon Television and Yomiuri TV
In a recent interview on Nippon Television’s news zero program, President Lai Ching-te responded to questions from host Mr. Sakurai Sho and Yomiuri TV Shanghai Bureau Chief Watanabe Masayo on topics including reflections on his first year in office, cross-strait relations, China’s military threats, Taiwan-United States relations, and Taiwan-Japan relations. The interview was broadcast on the evening of May 19. During the interview, President Lai stated that China intends to change the world’s rules-based international order, and that if Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted. Therefore, he said, Taiwan will strengthen its national defense, prevent war by preparing for war, and achieve the goal of peace. The president also noted that Taiwan’s purpose for developing drones is based on national security and industrial needs, and that Taiwan hopes to collaborate with Japan. He then reiterated that China’s threats are an international problem, and expressed hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war. Following is the text of the questions and the president’s responses: Q: How do you feel as you are about to round out your first year in office? President Lai: When I was young, I was determined to practice medicine and save lives. When I left medicine to go into politics, I was determined to transform Taiwan. And when I was sworn in as president on May 20 last year, I was determined to strengthen the nation. Time flies, and it has already been a year. Although the process has been very challenging, I am deeply honored to be a part of it. I am also profoundly grateful to our citizens for allowing me the opportunity to give back to our country. The future will certainly be full of more challenges, but I will do everything I can to unite the people and continue strengthening the nation. That is how I am feeling now. Q: We are now coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, and over this period, we have often heard that conflict between Taiwan and the mainland is imminent. Do you personally believe that a cross-strait conflict could happen? President Lai: The international community is very much aware that China intends to replace the US and change the world’s rules-based international order, and annexing Taiwan is just the first step. So, as China’s military power grows stronger, some members of the international community are naturally on edge about whether a cross-strait conflict will break out. The international community must certainly do everything in its power to avoid a conflict in the Taiwan Strait; there is too great a cost. Besides causing direct disasters to both Taiwan and China, the impact on the global economy would be even greater, with estimated losses of US$10 trillion from war alone – that is roughly 10 percent of the global GDP. Additionally, 20 percent of global shipping passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, so if a conflict breaks out in the strait, other countries including Japan and Korea would suffer a grave impact. For Japan and Korea, a quarter of external transit passes through the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, and a third of the various energy resources and minerals shipped back from other countries pass through said areas. If Taiwan were invaded, global supply chains would be disrupted, and therefore conflict in the Taiwan Strait must be avoided. Such a conflict is indeed avoidable. I am very thankful to Prime Minister of Japan Ishiba Shigeru and former Prime Ministers Abe Shinzo, Suga Yoshihide, and Kishida Fumio, as well as US President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, and the other G7 leaders, for continuing to emphasize at international venues that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are essential components for global security and prosperity. When everyone in the global democratic community works together, stacking up enough strength to make China’s objectives unattainable or to make the cost of invading Taiwan too high for it to bear, a conflict in the strait can naturally be avoided. Q: As you said, President Lai, maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is also very important for other countries. How can war be avoided? What sort of countermeasures is Taiwan prepared to take to prevent war? President Lai: As Mr. Sakurai mentioned earlier, we are coming up on the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. There are many lessons we can take from that war. First is that peace is priceless, and war has no winners. From the tragedies of WWII, there are lessons that humanity should learn. We must pursue peace, and not start wars blindly, as that would be a major disaster for humanity. In other words, we must be determined to safeguard peace. The second lesson is that we cannot be complacent toward authoritarian powers. If you give them an inch, they will take a mile. They will keep growing, and eventually, not only will peace be unattainable, but war will be inevitable. The third lesson is why WWII ended: It ended because different groups joined together in solidarity. Taiwan, Japan, and the Indo-Pacific region are all directly subjected to China’s threats, so we hope to be able to join together in cooperation. This is why we proposed the Four Pillars of Peace action plan. First, we will strengthen our national defense. Second, we will strengthen economic resilience. Third is standing shoulder to shoulder with the democratic community to demonstrate the strength of deterrence. Fourth is that as long as China treats Taiwan with parity and dignity, Taiwan is willing to conduct exchanges and cooperate with China, and seek peace and mutual prosperity. These four pillars can help us avoid war and achieve peace. That is to say, Taiwan hopes to achieve peace through strength, prevent war by preparing for war, keeping war from happening and pursuing the goal of peace. Q: Regarding drones, everyone knows that recently, Taiwan has been actively researching, developing, and introducing drones. Why do you need to actively research, develop, and introduce new drones at this time? President Lai: This is for two purposes. The first is to meet national security needs. The second is to meet industrial development needs. Because Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines are all part of the first island chain, and we are all democratic nations, we cannot be like an authoritarian country like China, which has an unlimited national defense budget. In this kind of situation, island nations such as Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines should leverage their own technologies to develop national defense methods that are asymmetric and utilize unmanned vehicles. In particular, from the Russo-Ukrainian War, we see that Ukraine has successfully utilized unmanned vehicles to protect itself and prevent Russia from unlimited invasion. In other words, the Russo-Ukrainian War has already proven the importance of drones. Therefore, the first purpose of developing drones is based on national security needs. Second, the world has already entered the era of smart technology. Whether generative, agentic, or physical, AI will continue to develop. In the future, cars and ships will also evolve into unmanned vehicles and unmanned boats, and there will be unmanned factories. Drones will even be able to assist with postal deliveries, or services like Uber, Uber Eats, and foodpanda, or agricultural irrigation and pesticide spraying. Therefore, in the future era of comprehensive smart technology, developing unmanned vehicles is a necessity. Taiwan, based on industrial needs, is actively planning the development of drones and unmanned vehicles. I would like to take this opportunity to express Taiwan’s hope to collaborate with Japan in the unmanned vehicle industry. Just as we do in the semiconductor industry, where Japan has raw materials, equipment, and technology, and Taiwan has wafer manufacturing, our two countries can cooperate. Japan is a technological power, and Taiwan also has significant technological strengths. If Taiwan and Japan work together, we will not only be able to safeguard peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and security in the Indo-Pacific region, but it will also be very helpful for the industrial development of both countries. Q: The drones you just described probably include examples from the Russo-Ukrainian War. Taiwan and China are separated by the Taiwan Strait. Do our drones need to have cross-sea flight capabilities? President Lai: Taiwan does not intend to counterattack the mainland, and does not intend to invade any country. Taiwan’s drones are meant to protect our own nation and territory. Q: Former President Biden previously stated that US forces would assist Taiwan’s defense in the event of an attack. President Trump, however, has yet to clearly state that the US would help defend Taiwan. Do you think that in such an event, the US would help defend Taiwan? Or is Taiwan now trying to persuade the US? President Lai: Former President Biden and President Trump have answered questions from reporters. Although their responses were different, strong cooperation with Taiwan under the Biden administration has continued under the Trump administration; there has been no change. During President Trump’s first term, cooperation with Taiwan was broader and deeper compared to former President Barack Obama’s terms. After former President Biden took office, cooperation with Taiwan increased compared to President Trump’s first term. Now, during President Trump’s second term, cooperation with Taiwan is even greater than under former President Biden. Taiwan-US cooperation continues to grow stronger, and has not changed just because President Trump and former President Biden gave different responses to reporters. Furthermore, the Trump administration publicly stated that in the future, the US will shift its strategic focus from Europe to the Indo-Pacific. The US secretary of defense even publicly stated that the primary mission of the US is to prevent China from invading Taiwan, maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific, and thus maintain world peace. There is a saying in Taiwan that goes, “Help comes most to those who help themselves.” Before asking friends and allies for assistance in facing threats from China, Taiwan must first be determined and prepared to defend itself. This is Taiwan’s principle, and we are working in this direction, making all the necessary preparations to safeguard the nation. Q: I would like to ask you a question about Taiwan-Japan relations. After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, you made an appeal to give Japan a great deal of assistance and care. In particular, you visited Sendai to offer condolences. Later, you also expressed condolences and concern after the earthquakes in Aomori and Kumamoto. What are your expectations for future Taiwan-Japan exchanges and development? President Lai: I come from Tainan, and my constituency is in Tainan. Tainan has very deep ties with Japan, and of course, Taiwan also has deep ties with Japan. However, among Taiwan’s 22 counties and cities, Tainan has the deepest relationship with Japan. I sincerely hope that both of you and your teams will have an opportunity to visit Tainan. I will introduce Tainan’s scenery, including architecture from the era of Japanese rule, Tainan’s cuisine, and unique aspects of Tainan society, and you can also see lifestyles and culture from the Showa era. The Wushantou Reservoir in Tainan was completed by engineer Mr. Hatta Yoichi from Kanazawa, Japan and the team he led to Tainan after he graduated from then-Tokyo Imperial University. It has nearly a century of history and is still in use today. This reservoir, along with the 16,000-km-long Chianan Canal, transformed the 150,000-hectare Chianan Plain into Taiwan’s premier rice-growing area. It was that foundation in agriculture that enabled Taiwan to develop industry and the technology sector of today. The reservoir continues to supply water to Tainan Science Park. It is used by residents of Tainan, the agricultural sector, and industry, and even the technology sector in Xinshi Industrial Park, as well as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Because of this, the people of Tainan are deeply grateful for Mr. Hatta and very friendly toward the people of Japan. A major earthquake, the largest in 50 years, struck Tainan on February 6, 2016, resulting in significant casualties. As mayor of Tainan at the time, I was extremely grateful to then-Prime Minister Abe, who sent five Japanese officials to the disaster site in Tainan the day after the earthquake. They were very thoughtful and asked what kind of assistance we needed from the Japanese government. They offered to provide help based on what we needed. I was deeply moved, as former Prime Minister Abe showed such care, going beyond the formality of just sending supplies that we may or may not have actually needed. Instead, the officials asked what we needed and then provided assistance based on those needs, which really moved me. Similarly, when the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 or the later Kumamoto earthquakes struck, the people of Tainan, under my leadership, naturally and dutifully expressed their support. Even earlier, when central Taiwan was hit by a major earthquake in 1999, Japan was the first country to deploy a rescue team to the disaster area. On February 6, 2018, after a major earthquake in Hualien, former Prime Minister Abe appeared in a video holding up a message of encouragement he had written in calligraphy saying “Remain strong, Taiwan.” All of Taiwan was deeply moved. Over the years, Taiwan and Japan have supported each other when earthquakes struck, and have forged bonds that are family-like, not just neighborly. This is truly valuable. In the future, I hope Taiwan and Japan can be like brothers, and that the peoples of Taiwan and Japan can treat one another like family. If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem; if Japan has a problem, then Taiwan has a problem. By caring for and helping each other, we can face various challenges and difficulties, and pursue a brighter future. Q: President Lai, you just used the phrase “If Taiwan has a problem, then Japan has a problem.” In the event that China attempts to invade Taiwan by force, what kind of response measures would you hope the US military and Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take? President Lai: As I just mentioned, annexing Taiwan is only China’s first step. Its ultimate objective is to change the rules-based international order. That being the case, China’s threats are an international problem. So, I would very much hope to work together with the US, Japan, and others in the global democratic community to prevent China from starting a war – prevention, after all, is more important than cure.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: RrOBO: World first demonstrates the future of nuclear clean-up is in safe hands
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

News story

RrOBO: World first demonstrates the future of nuclear clean-up is in safe hands

A team of robotics specialists have achieved a world first by fitting and operating a robotic arm inside an active nuclear glovebox at Sellafield.
A world first demonstration of a robotic arm being operated inside a glovebox at Sellafield Ltd

A key challenge at Sellafield is how to safely clean up and dispose of hundreds of redundant nuclear gloveboxes built up over decades of pioneering nuclear work.

Some are up to 60 years old and in difficult to access places. They can still house contaminated pipework, cables, or sharp objects, and present a hazard to workers and the environment.

But a breakthrough demonstration project at the site has proven that a robotic arm can be safely retrofitted to a nuclear glovebox and help remove the risk to operators.

The Risk Reduction of Glovebox Operations (RrOBO) project is a partnership between Sellafield Ltd and AtkinsRéalis, in collaboration with Cavendish Nuclear and Taylor Kightley Engineering.

It’s what’s known as an Active Demonstrator Project, where Sellafield Ltd identifies key clean up challenges and then collaborates with suppliers to design, test, install and demonstrate potential technological solutions.

At its heart is the AtkinsRéalis Remote Glovebox Operations (ARGO) system that can be inserted into an existing glovebox and controlled remotely and safely by operators.

After months of design work and off-site testing, the system was deployed into 2 gloveboxes at Sellafield’s MOX Active Demonstration Facility.

While engineers operated the robotic system, operators provided critical interface support and feedback, ensuring learning was maximized to inform future developments.

As a result, they proved the robot could successfully carry out a complex series of precise glovebox tasks while maintaining full containment integrity.

This means it can now be deployed on other legacy gloveboxes at Sellafield to expand its range of uses and help accelerate decommissioning work across the site and other Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group sites.

Nicholas Clarke, Sellafield Ltd’s remediation technology and innovation lead said:

RrOBO has delivered outstanding results, completing months ahead of schedule and significantly under budget.

It demonstrates the viability of robotic glovebox operations and shows what we can achieve when we enable our teams to collaborate, think freely and innovate together.

And we’ve gained valuable insight into how this technology can be scaled up to support the wider Sellafield mission and help other nuclear sites across the UK and globally.

Robert Marwood, AtkinsRéalis’ head of robotics and technology, said:

Removing hands from gloveboxes is a key challenge for the nuclear industry and we’re proud to be helping to drive change and improve safety.

This collaboration is a great demonstration of how solutions from other industries can be integrated into the nuclear sector in a lean and agile manner.

By driving innovation, we can make nuclear operations safer and more efficient.

Kate Canning, head of research and development at the NDA, said:

RrOBO is a fantastic example of using robotic technologies to reduce risks, eliminate manual handling hazards and enhance efficiency.

The demonstrator project has shown the real potential of the technology to be transferred more widely across NDA group.

Further reading

Nuclear gloveboxes case study

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Published 22 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Summer of good initiatives

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

In the summer, the corridors of the Polytechnic University are empty, but the Dobro.Center “Harmony” continues to unite students, teachers, partners and all those who are not indifferent for good deeds.

The Polytechnic regularly collects humanitarian aid at the university headquarters

On June 15, Medical Worker’s Day, curators of military hospitals of St. Petersburg met. The event was organized by the “For Friends” community. Polytechnic was represented by the responsible curator of the military hospital 122 MSC Tatyana Nam and a volunteer of the university headquarters

On June 21, children from Mariupol arrived for summer vacation in Zelenogorsk. Volunteers of “Harmony”, who are part of the regional headquarters

On June 25, at the Family and Children Assistance Center of the Kalininsky District of St. Petersburg, SPbPU volunteers together with students of the Higher School of Linguistics and Pedagogy of the Humanitarian Institute held a training program with elements of art therapy for children aged 7-12. The event became part of the positive leisure camp “LetoVmeste”.

In addition, in June, a concert was held at Clinical Hospital No. 122 for military personnel dedicated to Russian Language Day. Kirill Grishin read poems by classic Russian poets. Maria Guner shared her original poems and fascinating stories about the classics of Russian culture and literature. Vera Ugai performed heartfelt songs about the Motherland, love, hope and dream. Tatyana Nam told stories about great polytechnicians. Konstantin Zakharov concluded the concert with songs to the guitar. According to tradition, volunteers visited the wards, presented gifts and treats to patients.

On June 26, the Polytechnicians performed vocal compositions at the General Surgery Clinic of the Kirov Military Medical Academy. The concert was supplemented by numbers by the soloist of the chapel Ilya Zavatsky and the string quartet of the Troitsky Cultural Center.

On June 27, a concert was held at the hospital of the North-West District Scientific and Clinical Center named after L. G. Sokolov featuring a female vocal quartet and theater and film actor Oleg Kharitonov. In conclusion, all those gathered sang the song “I love you, life!” Volunteers talked to patients and presented gifts. The servicemen asked to bring books if possible, and to organize “home tournaments” in backgammon and board games at the hospital.

Harmony has new challenges, big projects and inspiring stories ahead.

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

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MIL OSI Russia News –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Nuclear gloveboxes

Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Case study

Nuclear gloveboxes

Gloveboxes have been an intrinsic part of nuclear work since the birth of the UK industry. They’ve kept people safe and helped drive nuclear research and development for decades.

A nuclear glovebox

We have more than 700 gloveboxes at Sellafield, and they help tell the story of the pioneering past, present and future missions on our site.

What is a glovebox?

A nuclear glovebox is essentially a sealed container with built in gloves that allow operators to handle radioactive materials safely.

They vary in size, design and purpose but are commonly made up of a steel frame and panels made of metal or Perspex.

Nuclear gloveboxes on the Sellafield site

Long PVC gloves are built into the box so operators can safely handle nuclear materials without risking contamination. They may also wear additional lead-lined, heat resistant or cut resistant gloves depending on the type of work they are doing.

The atmosphere inside the box is controlled and ventilated, and materials are placed inside via an entry port to maintain containment.

A key part of our clean-up mission at Sellafield is the dismantling and disposal of redundant gloveboxes that were used for historic defence, research, reprocessing, and fuel fabrication operations.

Some are up to 60 years old and in difficult to access places. They can still house contaminated pipework, vessels, cables, valves, or sharp objects that aren’t always visible.

Removing, dismantling and disposing of redundant gloveboxes presents a unique decommissioning challenge but we’re making real progress and learning lessons that can help other nuclear sites.

Analytical Services

Our analytical services laboratories have provided a valuable service to the site for 70 years, with the first built to support defence and reprocessing operations in the 1950s.

Some contain redundant gloveboxes that take up space and pose a potential hazard to workers and the environment.

In September 2024 we successfully removed the first contaminated glovebox from of our oldest and most challenging labs.

A redundant glovebox in Sellafield’s analytical services laboratories

Operators wearing air-fed suits and respirators worked to safely disconnect and cut up the redundant glovebox before sorting it and packaging it for export to a modern waste store.

And in May 2025 we reduced the hazard further by successfully removing a second glovebox, with eleven more to go.

Glovebox work is also at the forefront of the breakthroughs we’re making in applying robotic solutions to nuclear problems.

Sellafield is a test bed for some of the most innovative nuclear technologies in the world and a hub of collaboration with industry, supply chains, and academia.

We’re continually exploring how we can use robots and AI to keep people safe, enhance the work they do, and speed up the delivery of our decommissioning mission.

RrOBO

The Risk-reduction Of glovebox Operations (RrOBO) project is a collaboration between Sellafield and AtkinsRealis with transformational potential for glovebox operations.

In 2023 we demonstrated that a Kinova robotic arm in a containment sleeve could be retrofitted to a glovebox and equipped with a range of tools and sensory equipment to aid operations.

RoOBO deployed in a redundant glovebox

Operators proved they could control the arm remotely to perform a range of tasks including material and equipment moves, swabbing, decontamination, and radiometric scans.

As a result, RrOBO was successfully deployed to decommission a redundant glovebox in Sellafield’s MOX Demonstration Facility in November 2024; the first active deployment of this technology anywhere in the world.

The UK nuclear industry requires thousands of new gloveboxes to support current and future missions in the decommissioning and defence sectors.

We’ll need a pipeline of skilled glovebox operators for many years to come, but it’s difficult work requiring high levels of dexterity and consistent standards.

To help meet this demand, Sellafield is playing a central role in training and equipping the next generation of glovebox operators.

The Glovebox Training Facility

The UK ARC programme is a partnership between the UK government and nuclear industry that works to ensure the UK has the skills it needs to manage special nuclear materials now and in the future.

In 2023 it opened the Glovebox Training Facility at Sellafield so learners from around the country can come together to develop their glovebox skills in a safe and controlled environment.

A glovebox operator being trained at The Glovebox Training Facility

This approach has significant benefits in reducing the need for on-plant training and providing a standardised approach across the sector, improving quality and reducing training time by months.

From April 2025, over 170 glovebox operators have been trained there, and in 2025 Sellafield Ltd took over responsibility for the Facility.

Sellafield has an important clean-up mission with a long future. We’re also the custodians of most of the UK’s nuclear waste and over 140 tonnes of civil separated plutonium – the largest stockpile in the world.

It’s a mission of national significance so we’re working with global experts to build the new generation of plants and facilities we’ll need to support the UK nuclear industry and keep the site safe for the next century.

And just as they did for the earliest nuclear pioneers, gloveboxes will continue to play a key role in keeping future nuclear workers safe.

The Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant (SRP)

SRP is one of the largest and most important construction projects on the Sellafield site today.

Once operational in the 2030s, it will receive and repackage plutonium to ensure it can be stored safely and securely for another 100 years.

In May 2025 the project achieved a major milestone when the roof of the main building was finally sealed, making it watertight and ready for internal fit-out.

The Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant (SRP) on the Sellafield site

The next phase of the project will include the installation of an array of glovebox systems, most of which will be automated and monitored remotely.

The gloveboxes are currently being manufactured and tested at an off-site facility and the first will be installed in 2026.

Updates to this page

Published 22 July 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Council officially adopts Local Development Plan, LDP 2032

Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

Council officially adopts Local Development Plan, LDP 2032

11 July 2025

Derry City and Strabane District Council has officially adopted the Local Development Plan 2032: Plan Strategy, following an extensive process involving widespread public and stakeholder engagement.

Each Council across N. Ireland was tasked with the delivery of a bespoke development plan for their area – in consultation with the local community and reflecting the vision, objectives, growth strategy and strategic policies for the council area. The LDP comprises of all the Planning policies for the City and District, as well as making sure there is enough land available for the area’s housing, employment and community needs, while protecting important landscape and environmental features.

Following the Independent Examination (IE) of the Derry City and Strabane District Council Local Development Plan 2032 – draft Plan Strategy, the Planning Appeal Commission’s (PAC) report and a Direction from the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) was issued on 17th December 2024 to Adopt the LDP Plan Strategy, with Modifications, under section 12(1)(b) of the Planning Act (NI) 2011.

After the Independent Examination, the PAC found the draft Plan Strategy to be sound, subject to the required amendments and Modifications. The Council considers the PAC report and the DfI Direction, to be a strong endorsement of the Council’s vision and policies in the Plan.

Welcoming the adoption, the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Ruairí McHugh, said: “This is a significant milestone for the future development and regeneration of the Derry City and Strabane District. The LDP is a major strategy that will provide a solid foundation for future development across our City and District. We now have a full suite of our own Planning policies that can accommodate all sorts of buildings and uses that are required, to make this City and District a thriving and prosperous place for everyone.

“We have major ambitions for the growth and development of Derry and Strabane in line with the priorities set out in our Strategic Growth Plan. The LDP provides a Planning framework that will guide and direct future growth ensuring that development here is responsible, sustainable and fully regulated for the benefit or all our citizens.”

The LDP 2032 Plan Strategy is available, together with the associated documents, at https://www.derrystrabane.com/subsites/ldp

The LDP documents are also available to view, by appointment, during normal opening hours, at:

• Council Offices, 98 Strand Road, Derry, BT48 7NN

• Council Offices, 47 Derry Road, Strabane, BT82 8DY

The Council has also commenced a public consultation, to 4^th September, on a series of Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) documents that will support the implementation of the LDP.

Derry City & Strabane District Council will now formally commence the preparation of the Local Development Plan (LDP) Local Policies Plan (LPP). The public is not required to take any further action or make any submissions at this time. This LPP will be undertaken in accordance with the Planning (LDP) Regulations (NI) 2015 and the Council’s published LDP Timetable and Statement of Community Involvement (Planning, SCI) (both documents are under review, available on the Council website).

The LDP 2032 Plan Strategy (PS) and associated documents can be supplied in alternative formats; any such requests or queries should be directed to the Local Development Plan Team at: [email protected] or in writing to Local Development Plan Team, Council Offices, 98 Strand Road, Derry, BT48 7NN.

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Labour Market training on Machinery

Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

Labour Market training on Machinery

16 July 2025

Tuesday 15^th July 2025

The Derry Strabane Labour Market Partnership (LMP) is pleased to announce the launch of its new Plant Academy, an innovative programme designed to equip local residents with the essential skills for working with plant and machinery. Set to begin on July 10, the Academy will be delivered by McKinney’s Safety Centre.

This initiative comes at a crucial time, as the Derry City and Strabane District Council area anticipates significant growth from incoming investments, including the Derry Strabane City Deal and other major construction and infrastructure developments. The Plant Academy will prepare participants for the new skills required to capitalise on these transformative opportunities.

Funded by the Department for Communities, Labour Market Partnerships are designed to create targeted employment action plans for Council areas, fostering collaboration to support people into employment.

Kevin O’Connor, Head of Business with Derry City and Strabane District Council, encouraging local participation in the Academy said: “This is a unique opportunity for our community to upskill and gain training that will directly assist them in securing upcoming jobs. Construction investment is a cornerstone for transformative progress in the Derry and Strabane region, from urban regeneration to sustainable housing projects, commercial ventures, and cutting-edge infrastructure. With significant growth anticipated in the construction sector, the need for skilled workers has never been greater. The Labour Market Partnership is working closely with local communities and statutory organisations to equip residents with the expertise required to seize current and upcoming employment opportunities.”

The Plant Academy specifically targets residents of the Derry City and Strabane District Council area, focusing on developing in-demand skills within the plant and construction sectors. Participants will gain valuable certifications in areas such as dump truck operation, telehandler use, and roller driving. These practical training opportunities are carefully tailored to align with current industry needs, offering the potential for long-term employment prospects.

Applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria to enrol. Those selected will access hands-on training designed to build foundational skills crucial for contributing to the region’s growing construction landscape. For further details about the Plant Academy or to inquire about eligibility, please contact Hazel at McKinney’s Safety Centre at [email protected].

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Enhances Mumbai Retail Presence with New Premium Experience Store in Andheri West

Source: Samsung

Samsung, India’s largest consumer electronics brand, has further solidified its premium retail presence with the opening of a new premium experience store at Lotus Trade Centre, Andheri West, Mumbai.

Spanning 1,600 sq. ft., this expansive store serves as a comprehensive destination for customers to explore Samsung’s latest innovations and its seamlessly connected ecosystem, all in one place.

Strategically located in one of Mumbai’s key retail and lifestyle hubs, the store features dedicated zones showcasing Samsung’s full range of Galaxy devices, including the latest smartphones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches, smart rings, and the advanced SmartThings ecosystem. With interactive displays and experiential zones, visitors can discover how Samsung technology enhances productivity, entertainment, wellness, and smart home automation for a truly connected lifestyle.

“At Samsung, we are dedicated to bringing innovation closer to our customers through inspiring retail experiences. The launch of our premium experience store in Andheri West, Mumbai, marks a significant milestone in our journey to expand our premium retail footprint and create holistic, all-in-one destinations for technology, engagement, and service,” said Sumit Walia, Vice President, Head of D2C Business & Corporate Marketing at Samsung India.

As part of Samsung’s flagship ‘Learn @ Samsung’ initiative, the store will host regular workshops focused on AI-powered photography, productivity, creativity, and doodling using Galaxy devices. These workshops aim to empower millennials and Gen Z consumers to maximize their device usage in everyday life. In addition, the store features a full-fledged service centre, ensuring customers receive prompt and reliable post-purchase support.

Through Samsung Store+, a digital interface within the store, customers can seamlessly browse products and arrange home delivery for their selected items. Furthermore, a dedicated service centre within the store ensures enhanced post-purchase support for customers.

To celebrate the launch, customers visiting the Andheri West experience store can enjoy exclusive Paytm First benefits, including:

Special travel and dining offers
Over 30 free subscriptions across leading OTT, music, wellness, and infotainment platforms
Exclusive discounts on over 40 brand gift cards and more than 25 top deals from premium brands
Buy-1-Get-1-Free buffet deals across over 100 premium restaurants nationwide

MIL OSI Economics –

July 22, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China’s consumer goods trade-in program helps boost demand

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

China’s consumer goods trade-in program has spurred purchases of more than 109 million home appliances so far this year, engaging more than 66 million consumers, as the country stepped up efforts to boost domestic demand.

The program has driven sales of more than 74 million digital devices and nearly 9.06 million electric bicycles, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday.

Previous statistics from the ministry showed that in the first five months of this year, the trade-in program generated 1.1 trillion yuan (about 153.93 billion U.S. dollars) in sales.

Boosted by the program, China’s retail sales of consumer goods, a major indicator of the country’s consumption strength, expanded 5 percent year on year in the first half of this year. The pace of growth is 0.4 percentage points faster than the growth recorded in the first quarter.

MIL OSI China News –

July 22, 2025

Category: housing

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Due process failures

‘We have nowhere to go… How will we survive?’

Systemic gaps enabling forced evictions

Scores of civilians killed and injured

Israeli officials’ self-incriminating admissions

Entrance gate and prosecution office in the south

Administrative building and quarantine section housing prisoners

Medical clinic, kitchen and sections housing prisoners in the central part

Entrance gate, judicial complex, visitation building and sections housing prisoners in the North

International law and standards

Methodology

Background

An overview of Evin prison, with the exterior walled perimeter marked in orange. The six yellow circles highlight areas with the most significant destruction, indicating these were the locations where the munitions landed. The blasts and resulting damage extended beyond the six areas.

A map of Evin prison indicating building names or functions based on Amnesty’s interviews with former prisoners.

Satellite imagery from 30 June reveals a location (shown with a yellow circle) where munitions likely landed. Ground images (right) geolocated to the north and south areas of the southern entrance gate show major destruction.

Satellite imagery (left) from 30 June reveals two locations (shown with yellow circles) where munitions likely landed. Ground images (right) show extensive damage to the administrative building.

Image showing the road with Section 209 on one side (left) and the vehicle entrance gate on the opposite side (right).

Satellite imagery (left) from 30 June reveals a location (shown with a yellow circle) where munitions likely landed. Geolocated images and videos (right) show extensive damage to the exterior and interior of the visitors’ building with windows shattered and parts of the roof and facade collapsed.

UK brings forward world’s first sanctions regime to smash the gangs responsible for irregular migration

Notes to editors

Asset freeze

Travel ban

Director disqualifications

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Updates to this page

RrOBO: World first demonstrates the future of nuclear clean-up is in safe hands

Further reading

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Updates to this page

Nuclear gloveboxes

What is a glovebox?

Analytical Services

RrOBO

The Glovebox Training Facility

The Sellafield Product and Residue Store Retreatment Plant (SRP)

Updates to this page

Council officially adopts Local Development Plan, LDP 2032

Labour Market training on Machinery

UK brings forward world’s first sanctions regime to smash the gangs responsible for irregular migration 

Notes to editors            

Asset freeze  

Travel ban  

Director disqualifications  