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Category: India

  • EAM Jaishankar slams terrorism at SCO meet, cites Pahalgam attack as example

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Tuesday stressed the importance of taking an uncompromising stance against terrorism, citing the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack in India, which was condemned by the UN Security Council.

    The Minister was speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin.

    He highlighted three evils – terrorism, separatism and extremism, which often occur together, in his post on X. He said, “Recently, we in India witnessed a graphic example in the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025. It was deliberately conducted to undermine the tourism economy of Jammu and Kashmir while sowing a religious divide. The UN Security Council, of which some of us are currently members, issued a statement that condemned it in the strongest terms and ‘underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice’. We have since done exactly that and will continue doing so. It is imperative that the SCO, to remain true to its founding objectives, take an uncompromising position on this challenge.”

    He highlighted India’s commitment to holding perpetrators accountable and bringing them to justice.

    Jaishankar emphasised the need for SCO member states to work together to stabilise the global order, mitigate risks, and address longstanding challenges that threaten collective interests amid rising conflicts, competition, and economic instability.

    “In the last few years, we have seen more conflicts, competition and coercion. Economic instability is also visibly on the rise. The challenge before us is to stabilise the global order, de-risk various dimensions and, through it all, address longstanding challenges that threaten our collective interests,” the EAM posted on X.

    Jaishankar underscored the need for cooperation within the SCO to be based on mutual respect, sovereign equality, and adherence to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states. He also mentioned India’s initiatives in areas like startup innovation, traditional medicine, and digital public infrastructure.

    “India has taken several initiatives in the SCO in domains ranging from startup and innovation to traditional medicine and digital public infrastructure. We will continue to positively approach new ideas and proposals that are genuinely for our collective good. It is essential that such cooperation is based on mutual respect, sovereign equality and in accordance with the territorial integrity and sovereignty of member states,” said Jaishankar.

    Jaishankar emphasised the importance of addressing current issues, such as the lack of assured transit within the SCO space, to deepen collaboration and promote economic cooperation. He also highlighted the potential of the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to boost regional connectivity.

    “Deepening collaboration within the SCO naturally requires more trade, investment and exchanges. For that to move to the next level, it is imperative that we address some current issues. One of them is the lack of assured transit within the SCO space. Its absence undermines the seriousness of advocating cooperation in economic areas. Another is to ensure the promotion of the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC). We are confident that it will continue to gather momentum,” he added.

    Jaishankar stressed the need for the international community, particularly SCO members, to provide development assistance to Afghanistan, while ensuring regional stability and concern for the well-being of the Afghan people.

    “Afghanistan has been long on the SCO agenda. The compulsions of regional stability are buttressed by our longstanding concern for the well-being of the Afghan people. The international community, particularly SCO members, must therefore step up with development assistance. India, for its part, will certainly do so,” added Jaishankar.

    He noted the emergence of effective groupings like the SCO in a multipolar world and emphasised the importance of coming together on a shared agenda to contribute to shaping world affairs.

    “The world is today moving towards greater multipolarity. This is not just in terms of redistribution of national capacities, but also the emergence of effective groupings like SCO. Our ability to contribute to the shaping of world affairs will naturally depend on how well we come together on a shared agenda. That means taking everybody on board,” said Jaishankar.

    EAM Jaishankar held several high-level interactions on the sidelines of the SCO Foreign Ministers’ meeting.

    He met his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Tuesday.

    In a post on X, Russia’s Foreign Ministry shared, “Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Minister of External Affairs of India @DrSJaishankar hold a meeting on the sidelines of the #SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting.”

    He also met Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Tianjin, China.

    Jaishankar shared the update on X. He wrote, “Good to catch up with FM @araghchi of Iran, this time on the sidelines of the SCO Foreign Ministers Meeting in Tianjin.”

    Jaishankar is on an official visit to China to attend the SCO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting. He arrived in Beijing after concluding his trip to Singapore. This is also his first visit to China since the Galwan Valley clash in 2020, which severely strained ties between the two countries.

    Earlier in the day, Jaishankar, along with other SCO foreign ministers, met Chinese President Xi Jinping.

    His visit comes shortly after recent visits to China by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, both of whom attended SCO-related engagements in June.

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is also expected to visit India next month to meet NSA Ajit Doval. The meeting will be part of the Special Representatives (SR) dialogue mechanism, aimed at resolving the long-standing boundary dispute between the two countries. (ANI)

  • India reiterates call for accountability for crimes against UN peacekeepers

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India on Tuesday co-chaired a high-level meeting at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, reaffirming its push for justice for peacekeepers facing violence in conflict zones.

    Addressing the meeting of the Group of Friends for Accountability for Crimes Against Peacekeepers, Parvathaneni Harish, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN, underlined the need for stronger protection mechanisms and swift action against perpetrators targeting UN personnel.

    “Glad to be part of the Group of Friends for Accountability of Crimes against Peacekeepers that met today to take forward the landmark Security Council Resolution 2589 (2021) that was championed by India. We remain committed to the pursuit of justice for peacekeepers,” Harish said in a post on X.

    Harish stressed that UN peacekeepers continue to work in dangerous environments, yet crimes against them often go unpunished. “This lack of accountability severely undermines international peace efforts by giving assailants more confidence,” he said.

    Calling accountability a “strategic necessity”, Harish said, “Ensuring responsibility for crimes against UN personnel is essential to the integrity and effectiveness of international peacekeeping efforts. Justice directly improves peacekeepers’ safety, allowing them to carry out their missions. It is our collective duty to uphold this commitment.”

    The Group of Friends for Accountability for Crimes Against Peacekeepers was launched in December 2022 during India’s presidency of the UN Security Council, building on Resolution 2589. According to UN data, more than 1,000 peacekeepers have been killed in hostile acts since 1948.

    At the meeting, member states reiterated the need to tackle impunity for attacks on peacekeepers, stressing that accountability underpins the credibility and future of UN peace operations worldwide.

    India, one of the largest troop-contributing countries to UN missions, has deployed over 300,000 peacekeepers in the last seven decades. So far, 182 Indian peacekeepers have lost their lives while serving under the UN flag.

    IANS

  • Flag football to make primetime Olympic debut at LA28

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Flag football will take center stage during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, after organizers confirmed the sport’s medal matches will be held in primetime slots in its first-ever Olympic appearance.

    The International Federation of American Football (IFAF), in partnership with the National Football League (NFL), announced on Monday that the men’s and women’s medal games are scheduled for Friday evening, July 21, and Saturday afternoon, July 22, at BMO Stadium near downtown Los Angeles.

    The announcement comes as senior IFAF and NFL delegations visit Los Angeles for the first official meetings with Games organizers, marking exactly three years to the day before the LA28 Opening Ceremony.

    “Flag football will definitely be a hot ticket at the Games,” IFAF President Pierre Trochet told Reuters on Monday.

    “We’re going to be at a great stadium right in the heart of the city and we’re going to have fantastic players on the field with NFL players available.”

    Flag football is a non-contact variation of American football in which players wear flags attached to their waists. Instead of tackling, defensive players must remove a flag from the ball carrier to end a play. The sport is played on a smaller field with fewer players per side.

    The inclusion of flag football in LA28 follows a vote by NFL owners allowing NFL players to participate in the Olympic competition.

    Trochet said the primetime scheduling was a clear statement of a shared ambition to ensure flag football contributes a “defining element” of LA28’s success.

    Organizers hope to capture the excitement of “Friday Night Lights,” a cherished American tradition, and generate iconic moments for the sport’s Olympic launch.

    “We could not dream of a better setup to start our debut in the Olympic movement and Olympic journey,” he said.

    The IFAF delegation, including managing director Andy Fuller and senior NFL executives, is set to tour Exposition Park and other venues over a three-day visit.

    The group will also meet with key LA28 organizing committee members and attend the launch of a new NFL flag football brand campaign, which features Olympic gymnastics champion Jordan Chiles and flag football athletes from Australia and the U.S.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Well done to Course 81

    Source: New South Wales – News

    Today’s 25 graduates from the South Australia Police (SAPOL) Academy all bring something unique to the table, from experience in competitive boxing, and retail management to truck logistics and swim coaching.

    Course 81 members include 13 men and 12 women, who range in age from 19 to 46.

    The new police officers bring diverse skills from a variety of employment backgrounds, including in security, education, hospitality, retail, corrections, the Navy, pharmaceutical and disability sectors, and as a flight attendant, truck driver, gymnastics coach, Department for Child Protection worker and Police Security Officer.

    Some have journeyed from overseas and interstate, including from Switzerland, India, Sydney, Victoria and Tasmania.

    Probationary Constable Bagus has an Indonesian/Australian background and lived in Bali for five years before moving to Adelaide in 2017.

    Prior to joining SAPOL, he worked as a barista and competed in amateur boxing.

    “Competing in boxing helped me to have better situational awareness. In boxing matches, I constantly had to read the opponent’s body language and stay alert,” Bagus said.

    “This translates well to policing, especially for dynamic or unpredictable situations. Competing in boxing also gave me the ability to stay calm and keep composure in high-stress situations.”

    Fellow graduate, and single mother Sarah previously worked in retail, aquaculture, hospitality and truck logistics, and was most recently a lead cook at her local country hospital/aged care facility.

    “I am a single mother to one, and love country life, 4×4 driving, opal mining, bush hiking, but most of all spending quality time with my son riding horses, playing backyard cricket and football,” she said.

    “Being a single parent has taught me to be resilient, adaptable, understanding, patient, kind, forgiving and assertive – all qualities that a police officer requires.”

    Similarly, Lauren has developed impressive time management skills to reach graduation day while also being a mother.

    “Prior to joining SAPOL, I lived for two years in North Carolina, United States, where I was a waterfront director and lifeguard, and then I moved to Finland for a year before coming back to Australia to have my daughter,” she said.

    “Before becoming a police officer, I was a mum to my one-year-old and worked causally in retail and swim coaching.”

    Bradley worked in retail for 7.5 years, managing teams in different departments while also playing cricket, football, golf, and the guitar.

    “I felt like working in a team environment helped me throughout the academy, through interactions with course mates,” he said.

    “The customer-service aspect will be important for how I interact when on the road and dealing with various types of people.”

    Eventually, Bagus would like to work in SAPOL’s Security Response Section (SRS) and later Special Tasks and Rescue (STAR), while Sarah hopes her career will lead to theDog Operations Unit. Lauren has her sights set on working in the Major Crime Investigations Branch or Child and Family Violence Investigation Section, while Bradley aims to work anywhere in Forensic Services.

    All four graduates encouraged anyone interested in a SAPOL career to “take the leap” and prepare early for what is expected.

    Course 81 members will be stationed to metropolitan and regional postings, including Port Augusta, Port Pirie, Mount Gambier, Port Lincoln, Whyalla, and Berri.

    SAPOL is currently recruiting and is keen to hear from people interested in an inspiring career with unmatched experiences and rewards.

    If you’re looking for job security, career progression pathways and a chance to make a real difference in local communities visit Achievemore – Join Us (police.sa.gov.au)

    Sarah, Lauren, Bagus, and Bradley are among 25 new police officers to graduate today from the South Australia Police Academy.

    MIL OSI News –

  • Trump sets 19% tariff on Indonesia goods in latest deal, EU readies retaliation

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President Donald Trump on Tuesday said the U.S. would impose a 19% tariff on goods from Indonesia under a new agreement with the Southeast Asian country and more deals were coming, while offering fresh details on planned duties on pharmaceuticals.

    Trump announced the pact with Indonesia, a relatively minor U.S. trading partner, as he continued to press for what he views as better terms with trading partners and ways to shrink a huge U.S. trade deficit. Letters setting tariff rates for dozens of smaller countries were also coming soon, he said on Tuesday.

    The deal with Indonesia is among the handful struck so far by the Trump administration ahead of an August 1 deadline when duties on most U.S. imports are due to rise again. The accord came as the top U.S. trading partner – the European Union – readied retaliatory measures should talks with Washington fail.

    As that deadline approached, negotiations were under way with other nations eager to avoid more U.S. levies beyond a baseline 10% on most goods that has been in place since April.

    Trump’s roll-out of the policies has often been chaotic. His moves have upended decades of negotiated reductions in global trade barriers, unsettling international financial markets and threatening a new wave of inflation.

    Based on Trump tariff announcements through Sunday, Yale Budget Lab estimated the U.S. effective average tariff rates will rise to 20.6% from between 2% and 3% before Trump’s return to the White House in January. Consumption shifts would bring the rate down to 19.7%, but it’s still the highest since 1933.

    Trump outlined an Indonesia deal similar to a preliminary pact struck recently with Vietnam, with a flat tariff on exports to the U.S. roughly double the current 10% and no levies on U.S. exports going there. It also included a penalty rate for so-called transhipments of goods from China via Indonesia and a commitment to buy some U.S. goods.

    “They are going to pay 19% and we are going to pay nothing … we will have full access into Indonesia, and we have a couple of those deals that are going to be announced,” Trump said outside the Oval Office. Trump later said on his Truth Social platform that Indonesia had agreed to buy $15 billion of U.S. energy products, $4.5 billion of American farm products and 50 Boeing BA.N jets, though no time frame was specified.

    He told reporters the deal with Vietnam was “pretty well set” but said it was not necessary to release details.

    TRUMP: INDIA TALKS MOVING SAME WAY

    Indonesia’s total trade with the U.S. – totalling just under $40 billion in 2024 – does not rank in the top 15, but it has been growing. U.S. exports to Indonesia rose 3.7% last year, while imports from there were up 4.8%, leaving the U.S. with a goods trade deficit of nearly $18 billion.

    The top U.S. import categories from Indonesia, according to U.S. Census Bureau data from the International Trade Centre’s TradeMap tool, last year were palm oil, electronics equipment including data routers and switches, footwear, car tires, natural rubber and frozen shrimp.

    Susiwijono Moegiarso, a senior official with Indonesia’s Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, told Reuters in a text message: “We are preparing a joint statement between U.S. and Indonesia that will explain the size of reciprocal tariff for Indonesia including the tariff deal, non-tariff and commercial arrangements. We will inform (the public) soon.”

    Trump had threatened the country with a 32% tariff rate starting August 1 in a letter sent to its president last week. He sent similar letters to about two dozen trading partners this month, including Canada, Japan and Brazil, laying out tariff rates ranging from 20% to 50%, plus a 50% tariff on copper.

    Speaking in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Trump said he favored blanket tariffs over complicated negotiations, but his Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick were keen to land more trade agreements.

    Upon his arrival back in Washington, Trump told reporters that letters would be going out soon for many smaller countries, suggesting they would face a tariff of “a little over 10%.”

    He said his administration would also announce tariffs on pharmaceuticals imported into the United States, probably at the end of the month, starting with what he called a low tariff rate to give companies time to move manufacturing to the U.S. before imposing a “very high tariff” in a year or so.

    The August 1 deadline gives targeted countries time to negotiate about lower tariff rates. Some economists have also noted Trump’s pattern of backing off his tariff threats.

    Since launching his tariff policy, Trump has clinched only a few “framework” agreements, falling short of earlier promises to land “90 deals in 90 days.”

    So far, such deals have been reached with the United Kingdom and Vietnam, and an interim deal has been struck with China to forestall the steepest of Trump’s tariffs while negotiations continue between Washington and Beijing.

    Trump said talks with India were moving “along that same line,” saying the agreement would give U.S. firms access to the large Indian market.

    EU READIES RETALIATION

    The breakthrough with Indonesia came as the European Commission, which oversees trade for the EU, prepared to target 72 billion euros ($84.1 billion) worth of U.S. goods – from Boeing BA.N aircraft and bourbon whiskey to cars – for possible tariffs if trade talks with Washington fail.

    Trump has threatened a 30% tariff on imports from the EU from August 1, a level European officials say is unacceptable and would end normal trade between two of the world’s largest markets.

    The list, sent to EU member states and seen by Reuters on Tuesday, pre-dated Trump’s move over the weekend to ramp up pressure on the 27-nation bloc and responded instead to U.S. duties on cars and car parts and a 10% baseline tariff.

    The package also covers chemicals, medical devices, electrical and precision equipment as well as agriculture and food products – a range of fruits and vegetables, along with wine, beer and spirits – valued at 6.35 billion euros.

    (Reuters)

  • India offers help to restore Satyajit Ray’s ancestral home in Bangladesh

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Indian government has expressed regret over the reported demolition of the ancestral house of iconic filmmaker and writer Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, and has offered its support for its restoration.

    In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “We note with profound regret that the ancestral property of noted filmmaker and litterateur Satyajit Ray in Mymensingh, Bangladesh, belonging to his grandfather and eminent litterateur, Upendra Kishor Ray Chowdhury, is being demolished.”

    The ministry confirmed India’s willingness to work with Bangladesh to repair and reconstruct the site, which is presently owned by the Bangladesh government and reportedly in a state of disrepair.

    Highlighting its cultural significance, India urged Bangladesh to reconsider any plans to demolish the building. “Given the building’s landmark status, symbolising the Bangla cultural renaissance, it would be preferable to reconsider the demolition and examine options for its repair and reconstruction as a museum of literature and a symbol of the shared culture of India and Bangladesh,” the MEA added.

    Satyajit Ray, born in Kolkata on May 2, 1921, is regarded as one of India’s most influential filmmakers. His acclaimed works include The Apu Trilogy, Pather Panchali, Jalsaghar, Charulata, Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne, and Shatranj Ke Khiladi. Ray was also an accomplished screenwriter, essayist, illustrator, magazine editor, and composer.

    Throughout his illustrious career, he received numerous accolades, including 32 Indian National Film Awards, international honours at major film festivals, and an Academy Honorary Award in 1992. That same year, he was awarded India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna.

    (ANI)

  • ‘Severance,’ ‘The Penguin’ lead nominations for TV’s Emmy awards

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Psychological thriller “Severance” from Apple TV+ and HBO’s crime drama “The Penguin” stacked up the most nominations for Emmy Awards on Tuesday, outpacing “The Studio” and “The White Lotus” in the contest for television’s highest honors.

    “Severance” received a leading 27 nominations and was nominated for the top prize of best drama alongside Star Wars series “Andor,” “The Pitt,” “The White Lotus” and others.

    “The Penguin,” set in the DC Comics universe and starring Colin Farrell, earned 24 nominations and will compete for best limited series against Netflix NFLX.O hit “Adolescence,” among others.

    Hollywood satire “The Studio,” an Apple TV+ show featuring Seth Rogen as a nervous film executive, and HBO’s “The White Lotus,” about murder and misdeeds at a luxury resort in Thailand, received 23 each.

    “What the heck?!! We never thought this would happen,” Rogen said in a statement.

    Comedy nominees included defending champion “Hacks,” previous winner “The Bear,” “Nobody Wants This” and “Abbott Elementary.”

    The 23 nominations for “The Studio” tied the record for a comedy in a single season, set last year by Chicago restaurant tale “The Bear.”

    Winners of the Emmys will be announced at a red-carpet ceremony held in Los Angeles and broadcast live on CBS PARA.O on September 14. Comedian Nate Bargatze will host.

    The television industry is undergoing a contraction as media companies curtail the sky-high spending they shelled out to compete in the shift to streaming platforms led by Netflix.

    Longtime Emmy favorite HBO and the HBO Max streaming service topped all programmers with 142 nominations, a record for the network.

    Walt Disney DIS.N collected 137 nominations, including six for ABC’s “Abbott Elementary,” one of the few broadcast shows in the Emmy mix. “Andor,” on Disney+, received 14.

    Netflix garnered 120 nods and Apple scored 81, its highest total since launching its streaming service in 2019.

    “Severance” tells the story of office workers who undergo a procedure to make them forget their home life at work, and vice versa.

    “It’s distinctive in every way – in terms of its storytelling, in terms of style, in terms of its directing, its tone,” said Matt Cherniss, head of programming at Apple TV+.

    Star Adam Scott, a best actor nominee, said the cast had been unsure of how viewers would respond.

    “The fact that it’s resonated at all has been just such an incredible feeling,” Scott said. “We thought it was something that might be too weird.”

    WYLE, FORD IN THE RUNNING

    Noah Wyle received his first Emmy nomination since 1999 for his role as an emergency room doctor on “The Pitt.” Wyle was nominated five times for “ER” but never won.

    “I’m humbled and grateful,” Wyle said of the recognition for “The Pitt,” which received 13 total nominations.

    Harrison Ford, 83, earned his first Emmy nod, for playing a grumpy therapist on “Shrinking.”

    Ron Howard, the former “Happy Days” star turned Oscar-winning director, also landed his first acting nomination, a guest actor nod for playing himself on “The Studio.”

    “Who says nice guys finish last?!” Howard wrote on Instagram.

    He will compete with fellow director Martin Scorsese, another guest star on “The Studio.”

    Other notable acting nominees included Farrell and Cristin Milioti for “The Penguin,” “The Bear” actors Jeremy Allen White and Ayo Edebiri, Kathy Bates for “Matlock,” “Hacks” stars Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder, and Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey for “The Last of Us.”

    Eight “White Lotus” actors were recognized.

    “This is a bunch of cherries on the icing on the cake that was the gift of playing such a tortured and lonely human,” said Jason Isaacs, who portrayed a suicidal father facing financial ruin on the show.

    Beyonce also made the Emmys list. Her halftime performance during a National Football League game on Netflix was nominated for best live variety special.

    Missing from the field was Netflix’s popular Korean drama, “Squid Game,” while the final season of previous drama winner “The Handmaid’s Tale” received just one nod.

    Winners will be chosen by the roughly 26,000 performers, directors, producers and other members of the Television Academy.

    (Reuters)

  • US opens probe into University of Michigan’s foreign funding

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The U.S. Education Department said on Tuesday it opened a foreign funding investigation into the University of Michigan while alleging it found “inaccurate and incomplete disclosures” in a review of the university’s foreign reports.

    As part of the investigation, the department asked the university to share, within 30 days, tax records related to foreign funding, a list of foreign gifts, grants, and contracts with any foreign source, and other documents, the department said in a statement and in a letter to the university.

    The University of Michigan will cooperate fully with federal investigators and it takes its responsibility to comply with the law seriously, it said in a statement.

    “We strongly condemn any actions that seek to cause harm, threaten national security or undermine the university’s critical public mission,” the statement said.

    The Education Department said the university’s research laboratories were “vulnerable to sabotage,” citing charges brought by the U.S. Justice Department against two Chinese nationals allegedly involving a University of Michigan lab.

    In June, U.S. federal prosecutors accused two Chinese nationals of smuggling into the U.S. a dangerous biological pathogen that they said had the potential to be used as an agricultural “terrorism weapon”.

    Zunyong Liu, 34, a Chinese researcher, is alleged to have brought the pathogen into the U.S. while visiting his girlfriend, Yunqing Jian, 33, in July 2024, according to an FBI complaint.

    The complaint said he admitted to smuggling in a fungus so he could conduct research on it at a University of Michigan laboratory where his girlfriend worked. However, experts have raised doubt about the FBI’s claim that the crop fungus smuggled was a threat.

    In its statement, the Education Department said the university has received $375 million in foreign funding since 2020 and was late in reporting $86 million of that amount. U.S. law requires universities to report donations from foreign sources exceeding $250,000 in a year.

    President Donald Trump’s administration has launched a widely condemned crackdown against top U.S. universities over a range of issues including pro-Palestinian campus protests against Israel’s war in Gaza, transgender rights, climate initiatives and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.

    Similar foreign funding probes were opened earlier at Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of California, Berkeley.

    -Reuters

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Money Market Operations as on July 15, 2025

    Source: Reserve Bank of India
    (Amount in ₹ crore, Rate in Per cent)
      Volume
    (One Leg)    		 Weighted
    Average Rate    		 Range
    A. Overnight Segment (I+II+III+IV) 6,06,180.02 5.32 3.00-6.25
         I. Call Money 16,248.43 5.38 4.75-5.50
         II. Triparty Repo 3,95,077.45 5.30 5.15-5.36
         III. Market Repo 1,92,544.59 5.37 3.00-5.65
         IV. Repo in Corporate Bond 2,309.55 5.49 5.46-6.25
    B. Term Segment      
         I. Notice Money** 169.50 5.31 5.05-5.45
         II. Term Money@@ 627.00 – 5.25-5.70
         III. Triparty Repo 1,465.00 5.32 5.30-5.40
         IV. Market Repo 340.12 5.21 3.25-5.50
         V. Repo in Corporate Bond 0.00 – –
      Auction Date Tenor (Days) Maturity Date Amount Current Rate /
    Cut off Rate
    C. Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF), Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) & Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)
    I. Today’s Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo Tue, 15/07/2025 3 Fri, 18/07/2025 57,450.00 5.49
    3. MSF# Tue, 15/07/2025 1 Wed, 16/07/2025 869.00 5.75
    4. SDFΔ# Tue, 15/07/2025 1 Wed, 16/07/2025 97,432.00 5.25
    5. Net liquidity injected from today’s operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*       -1,54,013.00  
    II. Outstanding Operations
    1. Fixed Rate          
    2. Variable Rate&          
      (I) Main Operation          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo          
      (II) Fine Tuning Operations          
         (a) Repo          
         (b) Reverse Repo Fri, 11/07/2025 7 Fri, 18/07/2025 1,51,633.00 5.49
    3. MSF#          
    4. SDFΔ#          
    D. Standing Liquidity Facility (SLF) Availed from RBI$       5,880.78  
    E. Net liquidity injected from outstanding operations [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -1,45,752.22  
    F. Net liquidity injected (outstanding including today’s operations) [injection (+)/absorption (-)]*     -2,99,765.22  
    G. Cash Reserves Position of Scheduled Commercial Banks          
         (i) Cash balances with RBI as on July 15, 2025 9,94,173.57  
         (ii) Average daily cash reserve requirement for the fortnight ending July 25, 2025 9,63,288.00  
    H. Government of India Surplus Cash Balance Reckoned for Auction as on¥ July 15, 2025 0.00  
    I. Net durable liquidity [surplus (+)/deficit (-)] as on June 27, 2025 5,79,904.00  

    @ Based on Reserve Bank of India (RBI) / Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL).

    – Not Applicable / No Transaction.

    ** Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 2 to 14 days tenor.

    @@ Relates to uncollateralized transactions of 15 days to one year tenor.

    $ Includes refinance facilities extended by RBI.

    * Net liquidity is calculated as Repo+MSF+SLF-Reverse Repo-SDF.

    Ajit Prasad          
    Deputy General Manager
    (Communications)    

    Press Release: 2025-2026/720

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • Trump says Zelenskiy should not target Moscow

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy should not target Moscow and that Russian President Vladimir Putin should agree to a ceasefire deal by a 50-day deadline or sanctions will kick in.

    His comments came after The Financial Times, citing people briefed on discussions, reported on Tuesday that Trump had privately encouraged Ukraine to step up deep strikes on Russia.

    The newspaper said that Trump asked Zelenskiy whether he could strike Moscow if the U.S. provided long-range weapons.

    “No, he shouldn’t target Moscow,” Trump told reporters on the South Lawn of the White House when asked if Zelenskiy should attack the Russian capital.

    Trump on Monday announced a toughened stance against Russia for its three-year-old war in Ukraine, promising a fresh wave of missiles and other weaponry for Ukraine. He gave Moscow 50 days to reach a ceasefire or face sanctions.

    The announcement set off a scramble among European officials to figure out how to make Trump‘s plan work and ensure Ukraine gets the weapons it needs.

    Later on Tuesday, Trump told reporters that some of the Patriot missiles are already on their way to Ukraine.

    “They’re coming in from Germany,” he said.

    Trump said he had not yet spoken to Putin in the wake of his announcement, but said it might not take 50 days to make a deal.

    Asked earlier if he was now on the side of Ukraine, Trump said, “I am on nobody’s side,” and then declared he was on “humanity’s side” because “I want to stop the killing.”

    Trump defended the deadline he set for Russia to agree to a deal and head off tariffs and sanctions on countries that buy oil from Russia.

    He did not say whether any talks were planned to try to work out a deal with Russia.

    “At the end of the 50 days if we don’t have a deal, it’s going to be too bad,” he said.

    (Reuters)

  • AIDS program funding preserved ahead of US Senate vote on Trump cuts

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The U.S. Senate late on Tuesday advanced President Donald Trump’s request to slash billions in spending on foreign aid and public broadcasting previously approved by Congress, the latest test of Trump’s control over his fellow Republicans.

    However, PEPFAR, a global program to fight HIV/AIDS launched in 2003 by then-Republican President George W. Bush, is being exempted after objections from lawmakers in both parties, bringing the size of the package of cuts to $9 billion from $9.4 billion.

    Russell Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, told reporters after lunch with Republican senators that Trump could accept a change in the measure to exempt PEPFAR.

    “There is a substitute amendment that does not include the PEPFAR rescission and we’re fine with that,” Vought said.

    In initial votes on Tuesday, Republicans narrowly fended off solid Democratic opposition and cleared the bill over two procedural hurdles. Vice President JD Vance was needed to break a 50-50 tie in each of those tallies.

    Further votes were expected this week.

    Congress has until Friday to pass the rescissions package, originally a request to claw back $8.3 billion in foreign aid funding and $1.1 billion for public broadcasting. Otherwise, the request would expire and the White House will be required to adhere to spending plans passed by Congress.

    Three of the Senate’s 53 Republicans voted against moving the legislation closer to passage – Senators Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Susan Collins of Maine.

    “You don’t need to gut the entire Corporation for Public Broadcasting,” Senator Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska moderate, said in a Senate speech.

    She said the Trump administration also had not provided assurances that battles against diseases such as malaria and polio worldwide would be maintained, along with programs including family planning and pandemic prevention. But most of all, Murkowski said, Congress must assert its role in deciding how federal funds were spent.

    If the Senate passes the bill without the PEPFAR cuts, the measure must go back to the House of Representatives for a vote before it can be sent to the White House for Trump to sign into law. Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota, a Republican, said he expected the House would act quickly to pass the measure.

    The amounts at stake are extremely small in the context of the sprawling federal budget, which totaled $6.8 trillion in the fiscal year ended September 30. Yet the proposed cuts have raised the hackles of Democrats and a handful of Republicans who saw an attempt to erode Congress’s constitutionally mandated authority over spending.

    They also represent only a tiny portion of all of the funds approved by Congress that the Trump administration has held up as it has pursued sweeping cuts to the federal government, including slashing thousands of jobs.

    As of mid-June, Trump was blocking $425 billion in such funds, according to Democratic lawmakers tracking frozen funding.

    LIFESAVING PROGRAMS

    The foreign aid initiatives in Trump’s request for cuts included lifesaving support for women and children’s health and the fight against HIV/AIDS that have long had strong bipartisan support. PEPFAR is credited with saving 26 million lives.

    The package also cuts funds supporting public broadcasting, which can be the main source of news and emergency information in rural parts of the U.S. Senator Mike Rounds, a South Dakota Republican, was concerned about funding cuts to Native American radio stations, but said on Tuesday he would support the rescissions package after the administration promised to fund some tribal broadcasters separately.

    Democrats also have said the U.S. withdrawal of “soft power” efforts from the international stage, such as limited emergency assistance after an earthquake in Myanmar, strengthens global adversaries like Russia and China.

    “It still leaves an enormous vacuum that China and Russia will fill,” Senator Charles Schumer of New York, the chamber’s Democratic leader, said.

    Senator Susan Collins of Maine, who chairs the Appropriations Committee, had said she opposed Trump’s request to cut the PEPFAR funding. After the lunch meeting with Vought, she said she still wanted detailed information about the proposals.

    FUNDING POWER

    Standalone presidential rescissions packages have not passed in years, with lawmakers reluctant to cede their constitutionally mandated control of government spending. During Trump’s first term in 2018, Congress members rejected Trump’s request to revoke $15 billion in spending.

    Trump’s Republicans hold narrow majorities in the Senate and House. So far, they have shown little appetite for opposing his policies.

    The rescissions legislation passed the House by 214-212 last month. Four Republicans joined 208 Democrats in voting against it.

    These cuts would overturn bipartisan spending agreements most recently passed in a full-year stopgap funding bill in March. Democrats warn a partisan cut now could make it more difficult to negotiate government funding bills that must pass by September 30 to avoid a shutdown.

    Appropriations bills require 60 votes to move ahead in the Senate, but the rescissions package needs just 51, meaning Republicans can pass it without Democratic support.

    “We’re going to have to work our way through that issue,” Rounds said on Tuesday, adding he felt confident Trump’s budget office would follow funding guidelines to redirect dollars to tribal media stations.

    [REUTERS]

  • MIL-OSI Russia: NSU scientists create a new type of endoscopic system for diagnostics and destruction of cancer cells

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The results of the Russian Science Foundation mega-grant competition for fundamental scientific research and exploratory scientific research under the supervision of leading foreign scientists have been summed up. 230 projects from 127 scientific organizations from 35 subjects of the Russian Federation applied for RSF support. The projects submitted for the competition are being implemented under the supervision of leading scientists with citizenship from 40 countries, including China, India, Iran, Belarus, Kazakhstan, the USA, Italy, and France. According to the results of the examination, 14 projects were declared winners. For 5 years, they will receive from 20 to 50 million rubles annually. If necessary, it is envisaged to extend the grant support for another three years.

    Among the winners is the project of scientists from the Laboratory of Nonlinear Optics of Waveguide Systems of Novosibirsk State University “The Kerr Self-Cleaning Effect of Multimode Beams in Specialized Optical Fibers and Its Application for Biomedicine”. This laboratory was created in May 2017 as a result of the victory of the project “Spatio-temporal Nonlinear Optics of Multimode and Multi-Core Fiber Systems” in the fifth competition of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia for receiving grants from the Government of the Russian Federation for state support of scientific research conducted under the supervision of leading scientists. Its head is a recognized world expert in the theory of surface waves, as well as an expert in nonlinear effects in fiber-optic communication systems Stefan Wabnitz. His research activity for more than 30 years took place in leading academic and industrial institutions in Europe and the USA.

    — Our project is aimed at creating an innovative endoscopic device that combines optical biopsy and low-temperature plasma therapy technologies. Its goal is to develop a unified system that provides the ability to both diagnose and treat gastrointestinal diseases, including oncological diseases, in real time, which will eliminate the need for lengthy histopathology and increase the accuracy of examinations. This device will combine two functions at once — diagnostics (using machine learning) and therapy (laser/plasma), minimizing damage to healthy tissues, — said Denis Kharenko, senior researcher at the laboratory.

    In current medical practices, ex vivo histopathology is used for accurate cancer diagnostics, during which laboratory studies of living tissue transferred from the body to an artificial external environment are carried out. It involves taking tissue from the patient, which leads to delays in the start of therapy and requires complex laboratory procedures and practically does not allow observing the course of the disease in dynamics. NSU scientists propose to solve this problem by introducing in-vivo diagnostics, which allows examining the body without taking material using optical endoscopic methods. It is important that this diagnostic method will be associated with the possibility of therapeutic intervention, which will not only significantly increase the area under study and the volume of data obtained, but also accurately identify the affected area during repeated examination, minimizing time and economic costs, as well as the risks of errors associated with the analysis of samples outside the body.

    — The new type of endoscopic system we are creating, in addition to diagnostics, will be able to precisely affect tumor cells using temperature-controlled laser radiation and low-temperature plasma, causing their apoptosis without excessive heating — a process of programmed cell death, in which the cell self-destructs, disintegrating into individual fragments, which are then absorbed by other cells without causing negative consequences. This leads to minimal damage to healthy tissue. This feature will reduce side effects, avoid fibrosis and vascular damage, which is extremely important for improving the quality of life of patients. The project is a significant step forward in the field of “optical biopsy” and endoscopic therapy, — explained Denis Kharenko.

    One of the main scientific tasks of the scientists will be to optimize the process of diagnostics and treatment of cancer using a multimode optical fiber, which implements the Kerr self-cleaning effect, providing high resolution (up to 0.66 µm) and resistance to mechanical impacts during the propagation of laser radiation. The integration of multiphoton fluorescence and Raman scattering will further expand the diagnostic capabilities of the device, allowing for spectroscopic studies of tissues and the detection of biomarkers characteristic of different stages of the disease with microscopic accuracy. According to the project participants, this technology will make the device a universal tool for both diagnostics and subsequent treatment.

    The project involves several stages. First, the scientists will design and test multimode fibers and high-repetition-rate lasers for the endoscopic system. The next step will be to test the device on biological samples, including lab-created organoids and cancerous tissue.

    — We are confident that our experimental setup with the ability to precisely control low-temperature plasma will allow localized impact on the affected areas of organs and tissues, which will create the basis for the application of the technology in clinical practice. We intend to create a flexible and highly effective visualization and therapy system, which will subsequently become established as a standard in the field of diagnostics and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, including oncological diseases in the early stages, — said Denis Kharenko.

    Material prepared by: Elena Panfilo, NSU press service

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How a drone delivering medicine might just save your life

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Centaine Snoswell, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland

    Flystock/Shutterstock

    Drones can deliver pizza, and maybe one day your online shopping. So why not use them to deliver urgent medicines or other emergency health-care supplies?

    Trials in Australia and internationally have shown the enormous potential for drones to work with existing health services to deliver medicine, medical equipment, pathology samples, or provide surveillance in medical emergencies.

    Some emergency services are already using drones to deliver health care. Earlier this year, NSW Fire and Rescue used a drone to deliver essential medicine to someone stranded by floodwater while they were supported by phone. Follow the journey from launch to pick-up in the video below.

    Drones have enormous potential

    Drones are appealing because they can rapidly transport medical supplies, especially without traffic delays. They can quickly access places other forms of transport cannot, including remote or difficult-to-reach areas, such as cliffs. And when drones cannot land, they can use a parachute to safely drop their delivery. This means drones can deliver essential items, such as antivenom or defibrillators, before first responders reach the scene.

    Drones can also support medical efforts by providing birds-eye-view images and scans of sites before humans are sent in. This means it’s safer for first responders, such as ambulance crew, as they have a better idea of what to expect when they arrive in-person.

    Drones help find missing persons

    An Australian trial this year involved NSW Ambulance using drones for search and rescue in remote and hard-to-reach locations.

    Specially trained paramedics piloted the drones during the two-month trial. Drones had high-intensity search lights and used thermal imaging to help find missing persons. Video and audio capabilities allowed paramedics to communicate with the person once they were found, and to monitor them and the situation.

    This trial is a great example of how drones can be used to extend the capacity of first responders.

    Trials like this can also collect data about how well the drones work for different teams and circumstances. The more data we have about how drones can support first responders and medical staff, the better we can design services that include them.

    Drones send samples to the lab

    Darling Downs Health in Queensland has also been trialling drones. These transport pathology samples and pharmaceuticals between small rural hospitals in Nanango or Wondai, and the larger regional hospital in Kingaroy.

    This means pathology samples can be flown to the laboratory as soon as they are collected, instead of waiting for a courier. Patients can therefore be diagnosed and begin treatment earlier.

    The Mater Hospital in Brisbane is setting up a similar service to provide pathology services to the Moreton Bay islands. This service aims to avoid transporting pathology samples by ferry.

    Drones for beaches, hearts, or up mountains

    Surf Life Saving Queensland is running a regular drone patrol. Drones monitor shark activity and help co-ordinate responses, such as beach closures.

    Drones have been used in New South Wales to drop flotation devices to swimmers in danger.

    Swedish researchers have trialled using drones to deliver defibrillators to people who have called an ambulance and are suspected of being in cardiac arrest. A drone could deliver a defibrillator in 92% of suspected cardiac arrests. The delivery time was quicker than an ambulance 64% of the time.

    In mountainous regions of India, drones are used to deliver medications to remote health services as part of the Medicine from the Sky program.

    But there are limitations

    Despite drones’ potential to supplement existing health and emergency services, there are limitations.

    Their battery life and weight affects flight time. For instance, the NSW Ambulance trial reported the range of drones is 7 kilometres from base. So, it may be necessary to transport the drone closer to the area of need before it’s launched. This may reduce drones’ usefulness for rural and remote areas. There are also weight limits to what they can carry.

    Some drones may be limited to flying during the day. They may not be able to fly in poor weather conditions, reducing their effectiveness during natural disasters. Temperature and humidity can spoil pathology samples and some medications, which restricts what drones can be used for.

    Existing legislation may also limit where drones can operate.

    Is this the future?

    Many promising trials show drones can effectively help support health and emergency services.

    However, many of these trials have yet to released their final evaluations. So we still need evidence of whether drones improve health outcomes and are cost-effective. This would be essential if we were to routinely use drones to support health care and emergency services beyond these trials.

    The health-care sector would also benefit by learning from companies in other sectors that use drones. This would give the health sector insights into how and when to use drones safely, and how to scale up operations cost-effectively.

    The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. How a drone delivering medicine might just save your life – https://theconversation.com/how-a-drone-delivering-medicine-might-just-save-your-life-259904

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Members Connect 2025 Unfolds on a Global Stage in New York

    Source: Samsung

    On July 8 (local time), Samsung Electronics hosted Samsung Members Connect 2025 in New York City, welcoming over 70 Samsung Members Stars selected from 17 countries around the world.
     
    Samsung Members is a pre-loaded app and all related activities that provide access to a variety of Galaxy-related news, benefits and community activities. Within the app’s community, highly active users who consistently share high-quality content and engage with others are selected as Samsung Members Stars (hereinafter “Members”).
     
    At the July 2025 Samsung Members Connect, Members were among the first to get hands-on with the newly unveiled Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy Z Flip7 and the next evolution of Galaxy AI.
     
    Through a series of curated programs, they captured and shared their real-time experiences — offering authentic insights with their local communities. Teaming up with influencers from #TeamGalaxy, Members co-created content that showcased the energy and excitement of the moment.
     
    Their shared journey is now live on Samsung Newsroom. Let’s take a look.
     
     
    Orientation Kicks Off Connections Between Members
    The event commenced with a Members Orientation, where participants introduced their past activities within the Samsung Members community. Members overcame language and cultural differences, laying the groundwork for future collaboration.
     
    ▲ Samsung Members engaging and getting to know one another.
     
     
    A Broader Experience Unfolds at Galaxy Unpacked 2025
    One of the most anticipated highlights of the event was Galaxy Unpacked 2025, held in Brooklyn. Members attended in person, being among the very first to experience the Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy Z Flip7 and the latest AI innovations.
     
    The event showcased Samsung’s vision for multimodal Galaxy AI — technology that understands user intent, responds seamlessly and delivers truly personalized experiences. It marked another step forward in Galaxy AI’s evolution into a trusted companion in everyday life.
     
    ▲ Members attending and experiencing Galaxy Unpacked 2025 firsthand.
     
    ▲ Members in a hands-on session with the products at the Experience Zone after Galaxy Unpacked 2025.
     
    Samsung Members Stars Florencia Danloy (Argentina) said, “The Galaxy Z Fold7, which I first experienced in New York, featured a much slimmer and more refined professional design. I could immediately feel the difference the moment I held it in my hand.
     
    Following Galaxy Unpacked 2025, participants visited the Galaxy Experience Space, where they engaged in hands-on activities featuring AI-based multitasking and Google Gemini Live — presented in creative ways inspired by Korean culture.
     
    Sophia Hwang, EVP and Head of Retail team, Mobile eXperience (MX) Business at Samsung Electronics, said, “We hope you’ll take this opportunity to experience the innovation of our latest Galaxy products throughout the Galaxy Experience Space and share your insights with Samsung Members communities around the world.”
     
    ▲ Members exploring the Galaxy Experience Space.
     
    ▲ Group photo taken after EVP Sophia Hwang’s welcoming speech.
     
     
    Members and #TeamGalaxy Shape Stories Together
    The workshop brought Members and #TeamGalaxy together for a meaningful exchange of Galaxy knowledge and content creation insights. Drawing on their individual strengths, they collaborated on the next day’s group mission — discussing Galaxy’s new features, planning storylines and selecting key New York landmarks that would best capture their creative messages.
     
    ▲ Members and #TeamGalaxy planning their content shoot together.
     
     
    An ‘Epic Tour’ With the New Galaxy Devices in New York
    Set against the urban backdrop of New York City, the ‘Epic Tour’ offered Members a chance to creatively experience the Galaxy Z Fold7 and Galaxy Z Flip7.
     
    From creatively reinterpreting Broadway posters using AI to capturing unique moments at city landmarks with FlexCam, Members brought their ideas to life. Each team worked on concept planning, real-time filming and editing — culminating in compelling content co-produced with #TeamGalaxy.
     
    Samsung Members Stars Darshan Kiran Jaiswal (India) said, “The magic of Galaxy AI goes beyond editing — it truly feels like having a creative partner right in your pocket!”
     
    ▲ Members and #TeamGalaxy working together on their mission.
     
    At the Gala Night, Members enjoyed a meaningful evening set to live jazz and framed by the New York skyline. Members viewed creative group photos co-created with #TeamGalaxy during the Epic Tour mission. A live vote selected the best shot, adding a fun highlight to the evening.
     
    ▲ Sharing the group mission photos from the Epic Tour at Gala Night.
     
    Over four inspiring days, Samsung Members Connect 2025 gave Members a unique opportunity to dive deep into the Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy Z Flip7 and the next chapter of Galaxy AI. More than just a product showcase, it was a global platform for connection — strengthening the bond between Members and the brand.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI China: China to hold SCO Tianjin summit from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1

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

    Leaders from more than 20 countries and heads of 10 international organizations will attend the Tianjin summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and related events, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday.

    The SCO Tianjin summit will be held from August 31 to September 1, Wang said in Tianjin during a joint press meeting with SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev.

    On the same day, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, chaired SCO member states’ meeting of the council of the ministers of foreign affairs in Tianjin.

    Belarusian Foreign Minister Maksim Ryzhenkov, Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Murat Nurtleu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan Jeenbek Kulubaev, Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Uzbek Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov, SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev, and Director of the Executive Committee of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure Ularbek Sharsheev attended the meeting.

    Wang called on SCO member states to strive to build greater consensus on strengthening the organization in a manner that demonstrates a sense of responsibility towards history and the future. He proposed five suggestions on the organization’s development.

    He said that member states should stay true to the original aspiration and carry forward the Shanghai Spirit, consolidate the foundation of security, pursue mutual benefit and win-win results to drive the new engine of development, pursue friendship and good-neighborliness, and safeguard fairness and justice.

    Wang expressed appreciation for the support of member states for China’s role as the rotating chair, adding that the SCO is set to enter a new phase of high-quality development through member states’ joint efforts.

    The participating parties highly commended China’s outstanding work and positive outcomes as the rotating chair, and expressed their willingness to coordinate and collaborate with China to ensure the success of the Tianjin summit.

    All parties fully recognized the important role of the SCO in strengthening strategic mutual trust among member states, promoting regional development and prosperity, maintaining common security, and deepening the bonds between the peoples.

    In the face of turbulent international situations, all parties agreed that it is essential to further promote the Shanghai Spirit, strengthen solidarity and coordination, safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, fight against the “three evil forces” of terrorism, extremism, and separatism.

    They also agreed to enhance cooperation in various fields, promote dialogue among different civilizations, jointly uphold the authority of the United Nations, oppose unilateralism, and peacefully resolve hotspot issues through dialogue and negotiation, to make new contributions to world peace and development. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Rachel Reeves Mansion House 2025 speech

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

    Speech

    Rachel Reeves Mansion House 2025 speech

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves delivered her second Mansion House speech on the evening of Tuesday 15 July 2025.

    Lord Mayor, Governor, Ladies and Gentlemen.

    My thanks go to the City of London Corporation for hosting us here this evening…

    …and to the Lord Mayor for his address…

    …as well as to the Economic Secretary to the Treasury for all her hard work.

    It is a year since my party was elected to office…

    …and year since I was appointed as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

    Recently, on a visit to a primary school, a young girl asked me –

    “if you could have any job in the world, what would it be?”

    Given the events of the last few weeks, I suspect many of you would have sympathised if I had said –

     “anything but the Chancellor.”

    But I didn’t.

    Because I am proud to stand here tonight and address you for a second time at Mansion House…

    …as the Chancellor of Exchequer.

    This evening, I want to talk about the progress we have made over the past year:

    Restoring stability;

    Securing investment;

    And delivering reform.

    And I want to talk about the future:

    The economy that we are building;

    The opportunities that we are seizing;

    And the prosperity that we together are creating.

    In my Mais lecture last year, I talked about how a resilient economy must be built on security.

    And the importance of that security has been brought into sharp focus in recent months.

    As the world changes before our eyes, and global economies are becoming more uncertain.

    The job of a responsible government is not just to watch this change –  

    We must step up, not step back.

    We must build a dynamic economy on strong and secure foundations…

    …where success is not limited to a handful of sectors, a few people, or certain parts of the country…

    …but where the rewards of hard work are shared…

    …harnessing the contribution of every part of Britain.

    This is the foundation of an economy and a country that is more active and more confident…

    …where people and business look to the future and talk about hope…

    …talk about opportunity…

    …assured of their own capability, and of the ability of our country to boldly face the challenges ahead…

    …and certain in the prize when they succeed:

    Of higher wages and higher living standards;

    The renewal of Britain in every home and every high street.

    To put it simply: a Britain that is better off.

    The financial services sector is critical to my ambitions for our country.

    It is one of the largest and most successful sectors in the UK…

    …worth around 10% of total economic output…

    …and supporting 1.2 million jobs in clusters right around the UK:

    In Cardiff, and Belfast and Edinburgh where we have growing Fintechs;

    In Manchester, where BNY have their new Angel Square hub;

    And in London, the financial centre of the world.

    And financial services is also critical in people’s everyday lives:

    Whether that’s a couple looking to buy their first home;

    A budding entrepreneur wanting to start  their first business;

    Or people getting more out of the money they’re putting aside for the future.  

    And that’s what these plans, that I will set out tonight, will deliver.

    Growth must be built on a platform of economic stability.

    When we came into office…

    …it was our government, this government, that restored Britain’s reputation as a beacon of stability by putting the public finances back on a firm footing…

    …getting debt on a downward path, while investing prudently alongside business.

    That was – and still is – the right choice…

    …because there is nothing progressive – [political redaction] – about a government that simply spends more and more each year on debt interest, instead of on the priorities of ordinary working people.

    And fiscal stability is a choice that reflects economic reality.

    National debt remains at its highest level since the 1960s…

    …and globally, the cost of borrowing has increased in recent years.

    This is not the inheritance that I would have chosen…

    …but it is the reality.

    And that is why the Prime Minister, and I and this government are remain committed to our non-negotiable fiscal rules.

    The stability that we have restored is already delivering:

    Four cuts in interest rates by the Bank of England since the General Election, reducing the cost of mortgages and business lending;

    [political redaction]

    And investment is returning to our economy.

    At the Spending Review, I set out £120 billion of public investment over the next five years…

    …and last month, the Prime Minister confirmed that the UK has attracted £120 billion of private investment – in just the last 12 months.

    In a globally competitive market…

    …firms all over the world are choosing to invest in Britain…

    …as one of the best places to start up, to scale up and to list:

    The FTSE is at an all-time high, today, for the first time ever, breaking 9000 points;

    London is home to the deepest equity capital market in Europe;

    It is the third biggest venture capital market globally;

    And the London Stock Exchange is the most international in the world…

    …with the FTSE soon to include shares listed not just in sterling but also in dollars and in euros.

    Last year, to ensure the UK remains competitive, we made significant changes to the listing regime…

    …for example, relaxing dual class share rules to give founders flexibility to pursue their growth ambitions.

    The FCA have today published their final Prospectus Rules…

    …simplifying the listing and capital raising processes for firms of all sizes.

    And, as I committed to last year at Mansion House, we are delivering PISCES…

    …a brand-new type of stock exchange for private company share trading…

    …with the first trading events due to take place later this year.

    And I am announcing a new Listings Taskforce with the Office for Investment…

    …to attract the best businesses in the world to IPO here in London.

    But we must do more to ensure that British savers benefit from the success of growing British businesses.

    Last year at Mansion House, I set out an overhaul of our pensions system…

    …and the Pension Schemes Bill, led by my colleague the Pensions Minister, will be signed into law in the next few months.

    The creation of Defined Contribution and Local Government Pension Scheme megafunds…

    …will mean larger and more powerful pots of funding invested productively across the country.

    Pension funds, and this government, are united in our determination to deliver higher returns for savers and more investment in the economy.

    That is why, since last year, funds covering the majority of the Defined Contribution market have committed to the Mansion House Accord…

    …pledging to invest at least 10% of their main funds into private assets such as infrastructure and growth markets…

    … with at least half of that going into UK projects.

    And I would also like to congratulate the Lord Mayor on his employer pension pledge…

    I am delighted, Lord Mayor, to see businesses such as Tesco, First Group and Octopus making this commitment…

    …and like you Lord Mayor I look forward to seeing more companies joining up.

    The UK economy is enhanced by its outward-facing approach…

    …and this year we have built on that with our new trade deals:             

    A trade deal with the United States, where we were the first country to sign a deal so that British businesses are better protected against tariffs, and where we have worked with our G7 colleagues to avert new taxes.

    I’m pleased to welcome US Securities and Exchange Commissioner Hester Peirce here tonight…

    …who is driving forward proposals for greater digital collaboration between our two financial centres. Thank you for being here.

    And a trade deal with the European Union, where our strategic partnership will slash red tape and reduce costs for business…

    …as well as providing a platform to further deepen our relationship in future.

    And I am pleased to welcome the European Union’s Financial Services Commissioner Maria Luis Albuquerque.

    Maria Luis, we met earlier today to discuss our continued cooperation on financial services, and I look forward to working more closely with you.

    And a trade deal with India, with whom our recent FTA agreement will give us the best trading relationship of any country in the world with India.

    And we have concluded the first Economic and Financial Dialogue with China in six years.

    And we are implementing the Berne Financial Services Agreement with Switzerland too.

    At the G20 in South Africa later this week I will continue the call I made at the IMF Spring meetings –

    …for countries to come together to tackle trade imbalances and drive growth…

    …underpinned by stronger multilateral institutions.

    I look forward to hearing more on this from the Governor in his address…

    …and I would like to congratulate him on his recent appointment as Chair of the Financial Stability Board…

    …a testament to both Andrew and this government’s commitment to international standards.

    Britain is open for business;

    Open for trade;

    Open for investment.

    And that’s why we must be willing to change how we do things to stay competitive in that global economy.

    We have ripped up the planning rules;

    We have swept away regulations;

    We have published our industrial strategy;

    And today we can go further, by announcing the Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy…

    …including my Leeds Reforms…

    …named after one of the UK’s great hubs for financial services…

    …and the city that I have been proud to represent as a Member of Parliament for fifteen years.

    These are the most wide-ranging package of reforms to financial services regulation in more than a decade.

    At Mansion House last year, I said we must regulate for growth and not just for risk…

    …and we are delivering on that commitment…

    …while continuing to protect financial stability…

    …so that the benefits of a thriving and growing financial services sector can be realised for people all over Britain.

    Let me set out the details of that package in four parts:

    First, I am rolling back regulation that has gone too far in seeking to eliminate risk;

    Second, I am delivering targeted changes in the areas where the UK already has particular strengths;

    Third, I am making changes to capital requirements to unlock more productive capital;

    And fourth, I am introducing measures to boost retail investment so that more savers can reap the benefits of UK economic success.

    I will begin with the biggest reforms.

    As I promised last year, I am delivering the most significant reform to the Financial Ombudsman Service since its inception…

    …including proposing to limit for ten years for claims.

    This will speed up the time it takes for consumers to get redress for their complaints…

    … returning it to its original purpose as a simple, impartial arbitration service…

    …and ensuring that it no longer acts as a quasi-regulator.

    And I welcome the announcement today, made by the Financial Ombudsman Service that will reduce the interest rate it applies before a decision from 8% to base rate plus 1%.

    I am introducing new targets for the FCA and PRA to cut times on authorisations and approvals…

    …and I have tasked the FCA with assessing the impact of the Consumer Duty and whether it unduly effects wholesale activity…

    …to ensure that regulators are really regulating for growth.

    And I am streamlining the Senior Managers and Certification Regime…

    …reducing the burdens it imposes on firms by 50%…

    …and slashing approval timelines…

    …so you can bring in talent to your business more quickly.

    My next set of reforms provide targeted regulatory support to the areas where the UK does already have a comparative advantage.

    For insurance – where Britain is the destination of choice for underwriting complex, specialised and high-value risk…

    …I am introducing a new competitive framework for captive insurance.

    For asset management – where the UK is the world’s second largest centre…

    …I am futureproofing the regulatory regime and will publish draft legislation in early 2026.

    For sustainable finance, I am determined to focus our efforts on policies that matter most to our world-leading sector and support investment in the transition…

    …so, after consultation and consideration, I have decided not to pursue a green taxonomy…

    …but instead work with regulators through the Transition Finance Council to capitalise on the £200 billion opportunity of the global transition to net zero.

    And for Fintech – where almost half of Europe’s Fintech’s are already based here in the UK…

    …the PRA and FCA are launching a scale-up unit to support innovative firms to grow in the UK, including in our world-leading payments system.

    And I will drive forward developments in blockchain technology…

    …including tokenised securities and stablecoins…

    …and an ambitious design for a new digital gilt instrument…

    …so that UK financial services can be at the forefront of digital asset innovation.

    And because I believe the UK is the best place in the world for financial services…

    …today I’ve announced the Office for Investment’s new concierge service.

    Launching by October this year, it will provide a tailored service to companies considering setting up and expanding in the UK…

    …and I am grateful to Chris Hayward from the City of London Corporation, for his work to drive this forward.

    Thank you Chris.

    Now, let me turn to the changes I am making to capital requirements…

    …to allow UK banks to do more lending and release more capital for investment into our infrastructure and into our businesses.

    First, I am supporting the Bank of England’s decision to raise the asset threshold for MREL requirements to between £25 and £40 billion.

    This will benefit the challenger banks and bring increased competition and innovation to the market…

    …and support those businesses to expand their footprint here in the UK.

    Second, I am confirming our approach to Basel 3.1…

    …implementing lower capital requirements for domestically focussed banks from January 2027…

    …while preserving flexibility on our approach for international banks to ensure the UK always remains competitive while aligning with international standards.

    Third, I have committed to meaningful reform of the UK’s ringfencing regime…

    …recognising that now is the time to go further in tackling inefficiency and boosting growth…

    …while retaining the aspects of the regime that support financial stability and protect consumer deposits.

    And fourth, following the new, growth focussed remit letter I sent in November…

    …I welcome the Financial Policy Committee’s announcement that it will review the overall level of bank capital needed for UK financial stability…

    …reporting back to me by the end of this year.

    The review will inform the work the Treasury is taking forward with the Bank…

    …to ensure the prudential framework strikes the optimal balance to deliver resilience, growth and competitiveness.

    And I welcome the recent changes the Financial Policy Committee has announced to the loan-to-income limit on mortgage lending…

    …which the PRA and FCA are implementing immediately…

    …that means tens of thousands more people could be able to get a mortgage in the next year alone…

    …with Nationwide already offering its ‘Helping Hand’ mortgage to more first time-buyers…

    …supporting alone an additional 10,000 each year.

    And my thanks to Dame Debbie Crosbie for her leadership.

    My final set of reforms are focussed on boosting savings investment.

    I recognise the potential for ISA reform to improve returns for savers…

    …and access capital for UK businesses.

    I have confirmed that Long-Term Asset Funds can be included in stocks and shares ISAs…

    …allowing long-term ISA investors to benefit from this innovative product.

    And I will continue to consider further changes to ISAs…

    …engaging widely in the coming months…

    …and recognising that despite the differing views on the right approach…

    …we are united in wanting better outcomes for both UK savers and for the UK economy.

    For too long, we have presented investment in too negative a light…

    …quick to warn people of the risks, without giving proper weight to the benefits…

    …and our tangled system of financial advice and guidance…

    …has meant people cannot get the right support to make decisions for themselves. 

    That is why we are working with the FCA to introduce a brand-new type of targeted support for consumers ahead of the new financial year.

    And I also welcome the campaign to promote the benefits of retail investment which will launch next April…

    …and the action to look at our current approach to risk warnings – and that will report back in January…

    …and I’m grateful to Chris Cummings of the Investment Association for spearheading both of those initiatives.

    Thank you very much Chris.

    Today, I have placed financial services at the heart of this government’s growth mission…

    …recognising that Britain cannot succeed and meet its growth ambitions…

    …without a financial sector that is fighting fit and thriving.

    The reforms I have set out this evening are the next chapter in how I intend to support this growth…

    …and I thank Gwyneth Nurse and her brilliant team at the Treasury for all of their hard work on this package.

    I knew that Gwyneth would get the biggest clap …

    I am also pleased to have been able to work in lockstep with our regulators…

    …and I want to extend my thanks both to Nikhil Rathi and Sam Woods for their innovation and the work they have done in response to my updated remit letters last year.

    Thank you Nikhil and thank you Sam.

    We have been bold in regulating for growth in financial services…

    …and I have been clear on the benefits that that will drive…

    …with a ripple effect felt right across all sectors of our economy…

    …putting pounds in the pockets of working people.

    Getting better deals on their mortgages…

    better returns on their savings

    and more jobs paying good wages across our country

    As I look ahead…

    …it is clear that we must do more.

    In too many areas, regulation still acts as a boot on the neck of businesses…

    …choking off the enterprise and innovation that is the lifeblood of economic growth.

    Regulators in other sectors must take up the call I make this evening…

    …not to bend to the temptation of excessive caution…

    …but to boldly regulate for growth…

    …in the service of prosperity for our whole country.

    I’m really proud of how far we have come in the last year as government and as a country.

    I know that the changes that we have made will reform and transform our economy and our country.

    And I know that you will waste no time in seizing the opportunities that lie ahead:

    To build a stronger economy;

    To deliver the renewal of Britain;

    And to make working people in all parts of Britain better off.

    Thank you very much.

    Updates to this page

    Published 15 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Justice Department Highlights DEA Drug Seizures for First Half of 2025, Successful Operations Over the Last Several Weeks

    Source: United States Attorneys General 11

    WASHINGTON — Today, Attorney General Pamela Bondi highlighted the great work of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to get illegal drugs off our streets and protect innocent Americans from addiction, overdose, and drug-related crime and violence. Since January 20, 2025, DEA has seized approximately 44 million fentanyl pills, 4,500 pounds of fentanyl powder, nearly 65,000 pounds of methamphetamine, more than 201,500 pounds of cocaine, and made over 2,105 fentanyl-related arrests.

    “Our DEA agents are doing historic work to keep our communities safe from deadly drugs like fentanyl and dismantle the cartels selling them,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “I want to remind all Americans to exercise extreme caution: a pill can kill.”

    “DEA is hitting the cartels where it hurts—with arrests, with seizures, and with relentless pressure. From meth labs in California to fentanyl pills disguised as pharmaceuticals seized at our border, these operations are saving American lives every single day,” said DEA Acting Administrator Robert Murphy. “We are not slowing down. We are dismantling these networks piece by piece—and we won’t stop until the last brick of their empire falls.”

    Over the last several weeks, DEA has conducted a number of successful operations across the United States including:

    • In Lexington County, South Carolina,  DEA, in coordination with its state and local partners, seized over 156 pounds of fentanyl and 44 pounds of methamphetamine, a firearm and arrested one trafficker.
    • In Gainesville, Georgia, DEA, and its state and local partners intercepted over 705 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a truckload of cucumbers and arrested two traffickers.
    • In Minneapolis, Minnesota, DEA and its federal and local partners seized 889 pounds of methamphetamine, one handgun and arrested three traffickers.
    • In Kern County, California, DEA and its local partners shut down a major methamphetamine conversion lab, seizing over 240 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, 151 gallons of liquid methamphetamine, and arrested five traffickers.
    • In Fresno, California, DEA and its federal, state and local partners seized 24 pounds of carfentanil disguised as real prescription pills— the largest single seizure to date of carfentanil in Northern California.
    • In Galveston, Texas, DEA, in close coordination with its federal partners at CBP, helped uncover over 1,700 pounds of methamphetamine—worth more than $15 million dollars—hidden inside a vehicle.
    • In Austin, Texas, DEA, in coordination with its FBI, state and local partners, seized 783 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside a refrigerated truck carrying blueberries.
    • In a single coordinated takedown spanning Indiana, Kentucky, and Arizona, DEA, working alongside its federal, state and local partners, DEA seized 59 illegal firearms, possessed by serious violent felons—along with 74 pounds of methamphetamine, 11 pounds of fentanyl, 11 pounds of cocaine, cash, and conducted 23 arrests.
    • In Miami, Florida, DEA in coordination with its FBI partners, seized over $10 million dollars in cryptocurrency, directly linked to the Sinaloa cartel.
    • In El Paso, Texas, DEA, with the assistance of its federal partners at HSI and U.S. Border Patrol, seized 115 pounds of methamphetamine from a drug-laden vehicle outfitted with a GPS tracker.
    • In Omaha, Nebraska, DEA and its local partners seized machinegun conversion devices, AR-style pistols and fentanyl pills in a raid that dismantled a multi-state poly-drug operation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Global demand for meat and dairy set to rise, but climate and nutrition gaps remain

    Source: United Nations 2

    However, persistent nutritional gaps and mounting environmental pressures reveal a complex path ahead, according to a new study by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) – an influential international policy forum.

    The Agricultural Outlook 2025-2034, released on Tuesday, projects a six per cent increase in global per capita consumption of animal-source foods by 2034 – beef, pork, poultry, fish, dairy and other animal products.  

    The trend is most pronounced in lower middle-income countries, where intake is expected to rise by 24 per cent, far outpacing the global average.  

    “These projections point to better nutrition for many people in developing countries,” said Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the FAO.

    OECD‑FAO

    Agricultural Outlook 2025‑2034

    Increased incomes, better diets – but not for all

    The surge in consumption in middle-income economies is attributed largely to rising disposable incomes, changing dietary preferences and urbanisation. In these countries, daily per capita intake of animal-sourced foods is projected to reach 364 kilocalories, surpassing the 300 kcal benchmark.

    At the same time, consumption in low-income countries will remain low – reaching just 143 kcal per day, less than half the amount deemed necessary for a healthy diet – highlighting stark inequalities in access to nutrient-rich diets and the challenges ahead to ensure everyone is food secure.

    Mr. Qu urged greater efforts to ensure people in the lowest-income countries also benefit from improved nutrition and food security.

    Production expanding but emissions rising

    To meet rising demand, global agricultural and fish production is projected to increase by 14 per cent over the next decade, largely driven by productivity gains in middle-income nations.

    Output of meat, dairy and eggs is expected to grow by 17 per cent, while total livestock inventories are projected to expand by seven per cent.

    However, these gains come at an environmental cost: direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from agriculture are set to rise by six per cent by 2034, despite improvements in emissions intensity.

    As production becomes more efficient, the emissions generated per unit of output will decline, but the overall footprint will still grow unless additional measures are taken.

    OECD‑FAO

    Agricultural Outlook 2025‑2034

    Other key findings

    • Cereal yields to grow 0.9 per cent annually, with harvested area expanding just 0.14 per cent per year – half the pace of the last decade
    • By 2034, 40 per cent of cereals will go directly to human consumption, 33 per cent to animal feed, and the rest to biofuels and industry
    • Biofuel demand set to rise 0.9 per cent annually, led by Brazil, India and Indonesia
    • Sub-Saharan Africa’s beef herd projected to grow 15 per cent, though productivity remains just one-tenth of North America’s
    • India and Southeast Asia will drive 39 per cent of global consumption growth by 2034; China’s share falling to 13 per cent from 32 per cent
    • High-income countries to see drop in per capita fats and sweeteners intake due to health trends and policy shifts

    A win-win: More nourishment, fewer emissions

    The report outlines a scenario in which nourishment improves for all, and agricultural emissions are reduced by as much as seven per cent below current levels by 2034.

    Achieving this dual outcome would require major investments to improve productivity, alongside widespread adoption of existing low-emission technologies such as precision farming, improved livestock feed and prioritising nutritional production.

    Future progress will depend on a blend of policy coordination, technological innovation and targeted investments – especially in countries where the gap between demand and nutritional value is stark.

    “We have the tools to end hunger and boost global food security,” said Mathias Cormann, Secretary-General of the OECD.

    “Well-coordinated policies are needed to keep global food markets open, while fostering long-term productivity improvements and sustainability in the agriculture sector.”

    Pivotal role for global trade

    The Outlook also reiterates the importance of trade, given that 22 per cent of all calories eaten will have crossed international borders by 2034.

    “International trade will remain indispensable to the global agri-food sector,” the report stressed.

    “Multilateral cooperation and a rules-based agricultural trade are essential to facilitating these trade flows, balancing food deficits and surpluses across countries, stabilising prices and enhancing food security, nutrition and environmental sustainability.”

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Aquarium Leads Monthlong Campaign Inspiring the Community to Refuse Single-Use Plastic

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Aquarium Leads Monthlong Campaign Inspiring the Community to Refuse Single-Use Plastic

    Aquarium Leads Monthlong Campaign Inspiring the Community to Refuse Single-Use Plastic
    jejohnson6

    FORT FISHER

    Gentle nudges, reminders and inspiration are all part of how the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) is enlisting the community to choose to refuse single-use plastic during Plastic Free July. Dedicating a month to sustainability can be just the jumpstart folks need to begin their green journey. From skipping the straw to refusing single-use plastic bags, the Aquarium is along for the ride. The Aquarium is a division of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources which oversees the state’s resources for the arts, history, libraries and nature.

    “By sharing ideas and inspiration, we hope that our community will discover there are some green ideas they can easily incorporate into their lives,” said Deyanira Romo Rossell, communications manager and green team member, NCAFF. “Whether you have already made strides toward refusing single-use plastic or are just beginning, there is something for you in our monthlong Plastic Free July campaign.”
    Greenspiration for Plastic Free July

    It’s all about choosing to refuse single-use plastic by being prepared with a greener alternative. Here are a few of the tips:

    • Refuse plastic cutlery. Opt for reusable utensils at parties, for lunch at work and even when picking up takeout.
    • Ditch disposable to-go cups and lids. Carry your own tumbler to load up on tea or coffee at your favorite cafe.
    • Avoid plastic produce bags. Bring your own produce bags to the grocery store, farmers market or produce stand and keep reusing them.
    • Get away from single-use plastic grocery bags. Keep reusable bags at the ready in your car, bike basket or any mode of transportation you use to get to the grocery store or farmers’ market.
    • Skip the Straw! Or find alternatives to plastic straws, including reusable stainless steel, glass, silicone or biodegradable/compostable made of bamboo, agave or wheat.  

    The Aquarium also walks the walk with composting bins for visitors on the food deck and in office areas for staff and volunteers. Everyone, from visitors to volunteers has access to the Aquarium water refill stations. The food vendor, SharkBites uses compostable cups, dinnerware and utensils for meals and drinks. The drink vending machines only dispense aluminum cans. The community is encouraged to follow along on NCAFF Facebook, Instagram, and Threads to find more clever tricks and clean ideas on how to live a greener life. Followers will find new greenspiration every day in July!

    About the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher  
    The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is just south of Kure Beach, a short drive from Wilmington on U.S. 421 and less than a mile from the Fort Fisher ferry terminal. The Aquarium is one of three Aquariums and a pier that make up the North Carolina Aquariums, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The mission of the Aquarium is to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments. The Aquarium features a 235-000-gallon sand tiger shark habitat, an albino alligator, a bald eagle, a loggerhead sea turtle habitat and two families of mischievous Asian small-clawed otters.

    Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission: $15 ages 13-61; $13 children ages 3-12; $14 seniors (62 and older) and military with valid identification; NC EBT card holders*: $3. Free admission for children 2 and younger and N.C. Aquarium Society members and N.C. Zoo members. *EBT rate is applicable to a maximum of four tickets.

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Jul 14, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Aquarium Leads Monthlong Campaign Inspiring the Community to Refuse Single-Use Plastic

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Aquarium Leads Monthlong Campaign Inspiring the Community to Refuse Single-Use Plastic

    Aquarium Leads Monthlong Campaign Inspiring the Community to Refuse Single-Use Plastic
    jejohnson6

    FORT FISHER

    Gentle nudges, reminders and inspiration are all part of how the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF) is enlisting the community to choose to refuse single-use plastic during Plastic Free July. Dedicating a month to sustainability can be just the jumpstart folks need to begin their green journey. From skipping the straw to refusing single-use plastic bags, the Aquarium is along for the ride. The Aquarium is a division of the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources which oversees the state’s resources for the arts, history, libraries and nature.

    “By sharing ideas and inspiration, we hope that our community will discover there are some green ideas they can easily incorporate into their lives,” said Deyanira Romo Rossell, communications manager and green team member, NCAFF. “Whether you have already made strides toward refusing single-use plastic or are just beginning, there is something for you in our monthlong Plastic Free July campaign.”
    Greenspiration for Plastic Free July

    It’s all about choosing to refuse single-use plastic by being prepared with a greener alternative. Here are a few of the tips:

    • Refuse plastic cutlery. Opt for reusable utensils at parties, for lunch at work and even when picking up takeout.
    • Ditch disposable to-go cups and lids. Carry your own tumbler to load up on tea or coffee at your favorite cafe.
    • Avoid plastic produce bags. Bring your own produce bags to the grocery store, farmers market or produce stand and keep reusing them.
    • Get away from single-use plastic grocery bags. Keep reusable bags at the ready in your car, bike basket or any mode of transportation you use to get to the grocery store or farmers’ market.
    • Skip the Straw! Or find alternatives to plastic straws, including reusable stainless steel, glass, silicone or biodegradable/compostable made of bamboo, agave or wheat.  

    The Aquarium also walks the walk with composting bins for visitors on the food deck and in office areas for staff and volunteers. Everyone, from visitors to volunteers has access to the Aquarium water refill stations. The food vendor, SharkBites uses compostable cups, dinnerware and utensils for meals and drinks. The drink vending machines only dispense aluminum cans. The community is encouraged to follow along on NCAFF Facebook, Instagram, and Threads to find more clever tricks and clean ideas on how to live a greener life. Followers will find new greenspiration every day in July!

    About the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher  
    The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is just south of Kure Beach, a short drive from Wilmington on U.S. 421 and less than a mile from the Fort Fisher ferry terminal. The Aquarium is one of three Aquariums and a pier that make up the North Carolina Aquariums, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The mission of the Aquarium is to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments. The Aquarium features a 235-000-gallon sand tiger shark habitat, an albino alligator, a bald eagle, a loggerhead sea turtle habitat and two families of mischievous Asian small-clawed otters.

    Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission: $15 ages 13-61; $13 children ages 3-12; $14 seniors (62 and older) and military with valid identification; NC EBT card holders*: $3. Free admission for children 2 and younger and N.C. Aquarium Society members and N.C. Zoo members. *EBT rate is applicable to a maximum of four tickets.

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Jul 14, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island to Celebrate Shark and Ray Awareness Day July 14

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island to Celebrate Shark and Ray Awareness Day July 14

    N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island to Celebrate Shark and Ray Awareness Day July 14
    jejohnson6

    As film lovers enjoy the 50th anniversary of Jaws, Steven Spielberg’s 1975 film about a frightful shark, the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island is celebrating Shark and Ray Awareness Day to inspire appreciation and conservation of these important ocean species. The Aquarium is part of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

    On Monday, July 14 the public is invited to join the Aquarium for special event activities to learn about sharks and rays and how to protect them. On this special day, visitors can become “Ocean Wanderers” and “Fin-fluencers” by participating in fun knowledge quest scavenger hunts throughout the Aquarium. Together with Aquarium educators, visitors can learn about shark migration and conservation, sharks that travel across the world, and sharks that call North Carolina home. Visitors who follow riddles to complete fact-finding scavenger hunts will receive a prize. Guests can play a Spot-A-Shark game and are encouraged to photograph a shark and share positive messages about sharks on social media. Shark and Ray Awareness Day activities are included with regular Aquarium admission.

    Hannah Catherman, education curator at the Aquarium said, “Educating the public about the importance of sharks and rays within the marine ecosystem is an integral part of our conservation messaging.  We are excited to bring the world of sharks and rays to the community and inspire future generations of ocean stewards!”

    In addition to special knowledge quests and crafts, the Aquarium will be offering regularly scheduled shark and ray-themed programming, including behind-the-scenes experiences at the Aquarium’s 285,000-gallon Graveyard of the Atlantic shark habitat, Shipwreck Stories, shark and stingray feedings, and sensory-friendly experiences with stingrays at the popular touch pools in the Sea Senses gallery. A daily calendar of events is available on the Aquarium website. Founded in 1976, the Aquarium is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026.

    Shark and Ray Awareness Day
    Monday, July 14, 2025
    10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
    N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island

    About the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island

    Located on the Outer Banks in Manteo, N.C., the N.C. Aquarium on Roanoke Island is part of N.C. Aquariums, which includes four attractions along North Carolina’s coast and is a division of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. The 63,000 square-foot facility on 16 acres overlooks the Croatan Sound and houses over 2,200 animals. Over 319,000 guests visit the Aquarium each year to see the 285,000-gallon “Graveyard of the Atlantic” shark and ocean habitat, visit the Sea Turtle Assistance and Rehabilitation (S.T.A.R.) Center, and learn why North Carolina’s waterways are so special. As an educational attraction, the mission of N.C. Aquariums is to inspire appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments. The Aquarium is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas. For more information, visit www.ncaquariums.com/roanoke-island

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Jul 14, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: North Carolina Zoo Mourns the Passing of Director Pat Simmons

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: North Carolina Zoo Mourns the Passing of Director Pat Simmons

    North Carolina Zoo Mourns the Passing of Director Pat Simmons
    jejohnson6

    It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of Pat Simmons, Director and CEO of the North Carolina Zoo on July 14, 2025. Simmons had courageously battled cancer for nearly five years.

    Pat Simmons was a highly respected zoo director within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Simmons had more than 41 years of experience leading AZA-accredited zoos: the Akron Zoo in Ohio from 1985 to 2014 and the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro from 2015 to 2025. She was Chairwoman of the Board of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2012, and was appointed to the Board of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) from 2015 to 2021.

    Simmons was nationally and internationally recognized in the zoo and aquarium industry, receiving numerous awards and appointments in support of wildlife conservation, sustainability, and women in leadership roles.

    Simmons was renowned as a visionary leader. She spearheaded Vision (2016) and Master Planning (2018 and 2024-2025) for the North Carolina Zoo. Out of these plans, Simmons established an upcoming decade of growth for the Zoo, starting with Asia. The 12.5-acre Asia region will open in June 2026, the first major expansion at the North Carolina Zoo since 1994. Australia, the next continent, is fully funded and slated to open in 2029. The replacement Aviary/Amazon (which is partially funded) completes this period of continent expansion at the North Carolina Zoo. These vibrant new habitats, which will feature some of the world’s most extraordinary animals and plants, will be cherished for generations to come.

    Cheryl Armstrong, the Executive Director of the North Carolina Zoo Society, remarked, “Pat laughed easily and often and extended her warmth toward everyone. The Zoo Society family will always remain grateful for the wisdom, caring, and friendship Pat Simmons shared with us. As much as we will miss her, we know the good she achieved during her lifetime will not stop now. The kindness, integrity, and moxie that Pat instilled in the people who knew her will survive long into the future to help make the world a better place for all its inhabitants.”

    Pat Simmons’ mission was to inspire people to be stewards of the natural world and protect the diversity of animals and plants. Towards this, Simmons prioritized the interconnections between humans, plants, and animals through modern habitat design, award-winning educational programming, and memorable guest experiences. Under Simmons’ leadership, the North Carolina Zoo’s lauded wildlife conservation program has flourished on a global scale. The North Carolina Zoo also took the top award for Sustainability from the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) in 2021. In 2024, the North Carolina Zoo became a certified Botanical Garden through Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BCGI), a longtime dream for the Zoo.

    “The North Carolina Zoo is internationally recognized as one of the very best—and that didn’t happen by accident. It is due in large part to the thoughtful and innovative leadership of Pat Simmons,” said N.C. Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. “To say she’s beloved at the Zoo and beyond is an understatement. On behalf of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, we extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends and thank her on behalf of our state.”

    To know Simmons was to love her. She was a force to be reckoned with, and she made a significant impact during her tenure at the North Carolina Zoo. Those who worked with Simmons described her as immensely funny, smart, and loved by many. She was a sought-after mentor and counselor, helping many find their true passion. Her legacy in the zoo community will carry on through those she touched throughout her lifetime.

    The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the North Carolina Zoo extend our sincere and deepest condolences to the Simmons Family. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all she knew throughout her life.

    About the North Carolina Zoo  
    At the North Carolina Zoo, we celebrate nature. As the world’s largest natural habitat Zoo, we inspire a lifelong curiosity about animals in the hundreds of thousands of people who visit our Zoo each year. Our dedicated team of experts provides exceptional, compassionate care for the more than 1,700 animals and 52,000 plants that call our Park home. We also lead efforts locally and globally to protect wildlife and wild places because we believe nature’s diversity is critical for our collective future. The North Carolina Zoo invites all of our guests to witness the majesty of the wild in the heart of North Carolina and welcomes everyone to join in our mission to protect nature’s diversity. Visit NCZoo.org to begin your life-changing journey.

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Jul 15, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: North Carolina Zoo Mourns the Passing of Director Pat Simmons

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: North Carolina Zoo Mourns the Passing of Director Pat Simmons

    North Carolina Zoo Mourns the Passing of Director Pat Simmons
    jejohnson6

    It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the passing of Pat Simmons, Director and CEO of the North Carolina Zoo on July 14, 2025. Simmons had courageously battled cancer for nearly five years.

    Pat Simmons was a highly respected zoo director within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Simmons had more than 41 years of experience leading AZA-accredited zoos: the Akron Zoo in Ohio from 1985 to 2014 and the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro from 2015 to 2025. She was Chairwoman of the Board of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2012, and was appointed to the Board of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) from 2015 to 2021.

    Simmons was nationally and internationally recognized in the zoo and aquarium industry, receiving numerous awards and appointments in support of wildlife conservation, sustainability, and women in leadership roles.

    Simmons was renowned as a visionary leader. She spearheaded Vision (2016) and Master Planning (2018 and 2024-2025) for the North Carolina Zoo. Out of these plans, Simmons established an upcoming decade of growth for the Zoo, starting with Asia. The 12.5-acre Asia region will open in June 2026, the first major expansion at the North Carolina Zoo since 1994. Australia, the next continent, is fully funded and slated to open in 2029. The replacement Aviary/Amazon (which is partially funded) completes this period of continent expansion at the North Carolina Zoo. These vibrant new habitats, which will feature some of the world’s most extraordinary animals and plants, will be cherished for generations to come.

    Cheryl Armstrong, the Executive Director of the North Carolina Zoo Society, remarked, “Pat laughed easily and often and extended her warmth toward everyone. The Zoo Society family will always remain grateful for the wisdom, caring, and friendship Pat Simmons shared with us. As much as we will miss her, we know the good she achieved during her lifetime will not stop now. The kindness, integrity, and moxie that Pat instilled in the people who knew her will survive long into the future to help make the world a better place for all its inhabitants.”

    Pat Simmons’ mission was to inspire people to be stewards of the natural world and protect the diversity of animals and plants. Towards this, Simmons prioritized the interconnections between humans, plants, and animals through modern habitat design, award-winning educational programming, and memorable guest experiences. Under Simmons’ leadership, the North Carolina Zoo’s lauded wildlife conservation program has flourished on a global scale. The North Carolina Zoo also took the top award for Sustainability from the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) in 2021. In 2024, the North Carolina Zoo became a certified Botanical Garden through Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BCGI), a longtime dream for the Zoo.

    “The North Carolina Zoo is internationally recognized as one of the very best—and that didn’t happen by accident. It is due in large part to the thoughtful and innovative leadership of Pat Simmons,” said N.C. Secretary of Natural and Cultural Resources Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell. “To say she’s beloved at the Zoo and beyond is an understatement. On behalf of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, we extend our deepest condolences to her family and friends and thank her on behalf of our state.”

    To know Simmons was to love her. She was a force to be reckoned with, and she made a significant impact during her tenure at the North Carolina Zoo. Those who worked with Simmons described her as immensely funny, smart, and loved by many. She was a sought-after mentor and counselor, helping many find their true passion. Her legacy in the zoo community will carry on through those she touched throughout her lifetime.

    The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and the North Carolina Zoo extend our sincere and deepest condolences to the Simmons Family. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and all she knew throughout her life.

    About the North Carolina Zoo  
    At the North Carolina Zoo, we celebrate nature. As the world’s largest natural habitat Zoo, we inspire a lifelong curiosity about animals in the hundreds of thousands of people who visit our Zoo each year. Our dedicated team of experts provides exceptional, compassionate care for the more than 1,700 animals and 52,000 plants that call our Park home. We also lead efforts locally and globally to protect wildlife and wild places because we believe nature’s diversity is critical for our collective future. The North Carolina Zoo invites all of our guests to witness the majesty of the wild in the heart of North Carolina and welcomes everyone to join in our mission to protect nature’s diversity. Visit NCZoo.org to begin your life-changing journey.

    About the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
    The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. Through its programs, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency.

    The department manages over 100 locations across the state, including 27 historic sites, seven history museums, two art museums, five science museums, four aquariums, 35 state parks, four recreation areas, dozens of state trails and natural areas, the North Carolina Zoo, the State Library, the State Archives, the N.C. Arts Council, the African American Heritage Commission, the American Indian Heritage Commission, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Office of State Archaeology, the Highway Historical Markers program, the N.C. Land and Water Fund, and the Natural Heritage Program. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.
    Jul 15, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Japan-Mauritius Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

    Source: APO


    .

    On July 15, commencing at 2:00 p.m. for approximately 35 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs, held a meeting with Hon. Dhananjay Ramful, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade, Republic of Mauritius.

    1. At the outset, Minister Iwaya stated that Mauritius, located at a strategic point in the Indian Ocean connecting Asia and Africa, is an important partner in promoting a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” based on the rule of law and that he would like to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries, taking advantage of the upcoming TICAD9 next month.
    2. In response, Minister Ramful expressed his gratitude for Japan’s cooperation in various fields. He also referred to the good relations between the two countries and expressed his hope for further strengthening of the bilateral relations, particularly in the economic field.
    3. The two ministers concurred to advance initiatives such as maritime security with a view to achieving peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, also in view of the promotion of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific” (FOIP). They also reaffirmed that they will work together in order to increase investment from Japanese companies to Mauritius, which serves as a gateway for investment in Africa.
    4. The two ministers also exchanged views on issues, including regional situation in East Asia such as their policies toward North Korea including on the nuclear and missile issues as well as the abductions issue, United Nations Security Council reform, and other issues and concurred to further strengthening cooperation in regional and international arena. Minister Ramful expressed his support for Japan’s efforts toward immediate resolution of the abduction issue.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fourth NASA-Enabled Private Flight to Space Station Completes Safely

    Source: NASA

    The NASA-supported fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4, completed its flight as part of the agency’s efforts to demonstrate demand and build operational knowledge for future commercial space stations.
    The four-person crew safely returned to Earth, splashing down off the coast of California at 5:31 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Teams aboard SpaceX recovery vessels retrieved the spacecraft and astronauts. 
    Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organization) astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, and ESA (European Space Agency) project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and Hungarian to Orbit (HUNOR) astronaut Tibor Kapu of Hungary, completed about two and a half weeks in space.
    The Axiom Mission 4 crew launched at 2:31 a.m. on June 25, on a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Approximately 28 hours later, Dragon docked to the space-facing port of the space station’s Harmony module. The astronauts undocked at 7:15 a.m. on July 14, to begin the trip home.
    The crew conducted microgravity research, educational outreach, and commercial activities. The spacecraft will return to Florida for inspection and processing at SpaceX’s refurbishing facilities. Throughout their mission, the astronauts conducted about 60 science experiments, and returned science, including NASA cargo, back to Earth.
    A collaboration between NASA and ISRO allowed Axiom Mission 4 to deliver on a commitment highlighted by President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to send the first ISRO astronaut to the station. The space agencies participated in five joint science investigations and two in-orbit science, technology, engineering, and mathematics demonstrations. NASA and ISRO have a long-standing relationship built on a shared vision to advance scientific knowledge and expand space collaboration.
    The private mission also carried the first astronauts from Poland and Hungary to stay aboard the space station.
    The International Space Station is a springboard for developing a low Earth orbit economy. NASA’s goal is to achieve a strong economy off the Earth where the agency can purchase services as one of many customers to meet its science and research objectives in microgravity. NASA’s commercial strategy for low Earth orbit provides the government with reliable and safe services at a lower cost, enabling the agency to focus on Artemis missions to the Moon in preparation for Mars while also continuing to use low Earth orbit as a training and proving ground for those deep space missions.
    Learn more about NASA’s commercial space strategy at:
    https://www.nasa.gov/commercial-space
    News Media Contacts:Claire O’Shea Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1100 claire.a.o’shea@nasa.gov
    Anna Schneider Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 anna.c.schneider@nasa.gov

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Merchandise trade posts strong growth in Q1 ahead of tariff hikes

    Source: WTO

    Headline: Merchandise trade posts strong growth in Q1 ahead of tariff hikes

    The new tariffs announced by the United States on 2 April at the start of the second quarter were widely anticipated, allowing importers to move purchases forward to avoid paying higher duties at a later date. Trade volume growth in the first quarter was above projections issued in the WTO’s Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report on 16 April, both for the Secretariat’s baseline forecast of 2.7% for 2025, which assumed a continuation of policies in place at the start of the year, and the adjusted forecast of ‑0.2% assuming policies in place on 16 April.
    Since then, a variety of trade agreements and trade measures have nudged the adjusted forecast up and down slightly, but as of mid-June merchandise trade growth for the year was still expected to be basically flat at 0.1%.
    Chart 1: World merchandise trade volume and value, 2019Q1-2025Q1Indices, 2019=100

    Sources: WTO and UNCTAD for merchandise trade volume, WTO for merchandise trade value.Note: Merchandise trade volume refers to the average of exports and imports, while merchandise trade value refers to exports in current US dollar terms.  SA indicates a seasonally-adjusted data series while NSA denotes non-seasonally-adjusted data.
    Meanwhile, the US dollar value of world merchandise trade — as measured by non-seasonally-adjusted exports — was up 4% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting strong growth in volume terms and declining prices (Chart 1). The value of trade in the first quarter was down compared to the previous quarter due to regular seasonal variation, but seasonally-adjusted figures continued to rise.
    There were significant disparities across regions in merchandise trade volume growth in the first quarter, especially on the import side (Chart 2). North America recorded the strongest quarter-on-quarter import growth of any region by far at 13.4%, followed by Africa at 5.1%, South and Central America and the Caribbean at 3.6%, the Middle East at 3.0%, Europe at 1.3%, and Asia at 1.1%. The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), including certain associate and former member states, was the only region to record a decline in the first quarter at -0.5%.  On the export side, the Middle East recorded the strongest quarter-on-quarter growth at 6.3%, followed by Asia at 5.6%, South America at 3.2%, Africa at 2.5%, Europe at 1.9% and North America at 1.8%. The CIS region also registered an export decline of -1.0% in the first quarter.
    Chart 2: Merchandise export and import volumes by region, 2019Q1 – 2025Q1Seasonally-adjusted indices, 2019=100

    a     Refers to South and Central America and the Caribbean.b     Refers to Commonwealth of Independent States, including certain associate and former member states.Source: WTO and UNCTAD estimates.
    Merchandise trade developments in value terms during the first quarter of 2025
    Chart 3 shows year-on-year growth in the US dollar value of world merchandise trade by broad product category in the first quarter.1 The strongest performance was in office and telecom equipment (+16% year-on-year), followed by chemicals (+12%) and clothing (+7%). Among the product categories shown, only automotive products (-4%), fuels and mining products (-4%; of which: fuels -7%) and iron and steel (-3%) decreased in value terms. While fuel prices changed little compared with the same quarter in the previous year, prices for metals and minerals (excluding gold & silver) were 8% higher.
    Chart 3: Year-on-year merchandise trade growth by product in the first quarter of 2025% change in US$ values

    a Includes electrical machinery, non-electrical machinery and power generating equipment.Source: WTO for total merchandise exports, WTO Secretariat estimates for products.
    Africa had the strongest merchandise export growth of any region in value terms in the first quarter, up 9% year-on-year (Chart 4). The increase was led by gold, ores, cocoa, and copper, while fuel shipments declined. It was followed by Asia (up 5%, led by precious metals and machinery) and South and Central America (up 4%, with increases in precious metals, ores and coffee/tea, and declines in fuels, oil seeds, and cereals). Among WTO regions, only the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)2 saw its exports decline (-6%).
    Chart 4: Merchandise trade growth by regions in the first quarter of 2025% change in US$ values

    a  Refers to South and Central America and the Caribbean.b Refers to Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), including certain associate and former member states.Source: WTO.
    On the import side, strong year-on-year increases were observed in North America (+19%) and South America (+12%). Regarding North America, imports of machinery, precious metals and pharmaceuticals showed marked increases, while vehicle imports dropped slightly. South America saw particularly strong imports of machinery, articles of iron and steel, and vehicles, while imports of fuel fell. Asia’s first quarter merchandise imports increased the least amongst the regions (1%), apart from the 0.1% decline in the CIS region. Asia saw strong import growth for gold and iron ore while imports of vehicles fell. In line with the world trend, Asian imports of fuels also declined year-on-year, while imports of integrated circuits rose.
    Monthly merchandise trade developments
    Monthly merchandise trade statistics in value terms are available for many countries into the second quarter of 2025.  These data show evidence of import demand starting to slow after the first quarter surge. This is illustrated by Chart 5, which shows year-on-year growth in the US dollar value of merchandise exports and imports in 2025 for selected economies in the first quarter, plus partial data for the second quarter (April-May or the latest available month).
    For example, imports of the United States were up 25% in the first quarter but only 1% in the first two months of the second quarter.  For the year to date (Jan-May), US imports were up 15%.  On the export side, shipments from China were up 6% year-on-year in both Q1 and Q2, but other Asian economies saw export growth accelerate (e.g. India, down 4% year-on-year in Q1 but up 9% in April).
    These latest quarterly and monthly merchandise trade statistics and other data can be downloaded from the WTO’s online database at stats.wto.org.
    Chart 5: Merchandise export and import growth of selected economies, Jan.-May 2025year-on-year % change in US$ values

    a  April-June.b  April.Source: National customs statistics accessed through Trade Data Monitor (TDM).

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    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom announces new public outreach campaign with LA Rises and launch of new AI permitting tool

    Source: US State of California 2

    Jul 15, 2025

    What you need to know: The LA Rises public outreach campaign will connect and support Angelenos impacted by the Eaton and Palisades fires with resources for long-term recovery and rebuilding.

    LOS ANGELES – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom announced the launch of a new public outreach campaign with LA Rises that will connect and support impacted Angelenos with key resources and share stories of community efforts to recover and rebuild for the long-term in the aftermath of the Eaton and Palisades fires.

    As the Altadena and Palisades communities move from immediate recovery to long-term rebuilding, LA Rises is a central place where Angelenos can find resources, learn about the status of recovery and rebuilding across sectors, and get reliable information from government sources, community organizations, and neighborhood leaders who are working in partnership to support the recovery of their shared hometown.

    Through partnerships with trusted community leaders and voices—like community organizers, local media, and faith leaders—this campaign will reach residents where they are, with information that is clear, timely, and rooted in care. The campaign will also spotlight individuals and community groups driving recovery on the ground.

    “Recovery isn’t just about physical rebuilding—it’s about trust, belonging, and community. The LA Rises outreach campaign is more than a short-term recovery effort; it’s a movement to build a future that supports everyone who calls Los Angeles home.” 

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    AI permitting tool Archistar launches for early adopters

    Today also marks the beta launch of a new AI permitting tool made possible by a partnership between the state and philanthropic partners including LA Rises. The tool aims to fast track the approval process for rebuilding permits to help Angelenos get back into their homes following the Eaton and Palisades fires. The software, developed by Archistar, has the ability to check building designs for code compliance before submission and help property owners prevalidate plans, significantly reducing permit review timelines. 

    Residents who own a single-family home impacted by the Eaton Fire or the Palisades Fire are invited to sign up for the tool as an early adopter. Sign up here with Los Angeles city, and here with Los Angeles county.

    Looking ahead to long-term recovery

    In January, Governor Newsom announced the launch of LA Rises, a unified recovery initiative that brings together public and private sector leaders to support rebuilding efforts.   

    In addition to communications and community outreach facilitated by the public outreach campaign, LA Rises will support long-term rebuilding by funding efforts across key priorities, including small business support, rebuilding and resilience, and mental health services — with a focus on partnering with the private and philanthropic sectors to unlock additional capital and find new and innovative tools to help communities build back faster and stronger. In addition to partnering with Archistar to fund the AI permitting tool, the philanthropic arm of LA Rises has contributed to the LA County small business relief grants program to help impacted business owners get back on their feet. 

    In the coming months, the LA Rises public outreach campaign will highlight progress and share trusted information related to the top rebuilding priorities as outlined by the LA County Forward BluePrint for Recovery; Helping families and businesses access financial support to return home, fast-tracking permitting and rebuilding, and bringing back everyday services and public assets to make neighborhoods livable again.

    To learn more about the campaign, visit www.larises.org and follow @larisestogether on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    Jul 15, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Despite a concerted misinformation campaign driven by Republicans – from the President to state lawmakers – to create confusion around gas prices in California, prices actually remain lower now than they were one week ago, one month ago and one year…

    Jul 15, 2025

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom is advancing California’s efficiency strategy by connecting state agencies with tech executives to identify new opportunities for efficiency, engagement, and effectiveness throughout the state government to improve services…

    Jul 14, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed a tribal-state gaming compact with the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria.A copy of the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria compact can be found…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fact: Trump lied — again. California gas prices remain lower than a week ago, month ago, and a year ago

    Source: US State of California 2

    Jul 15, 2025

    SACRAMENTO – Despite a concerted misinformation campaign driven by Republicans – from the President to state lawmakers – to create confusion around gas prices in California, prices actually remain lower now than they were one week ago, one month ago and one year ago. 

    🤥 Trump’s bogus claim about California’s gas prices: “You’re at $6-$7 [a gallon]”

    As of Tuesday morning, AAA reported the statewide average price of a gallon of gasoline to be $4.51. This is four cents lower than a week ago, 14 cents lower than a month ago and 24 cents lower than a year ago. 

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    Jul 15, 2025

    News What you need to know: Governor Newsom is advancing California’s efficiency strategy by connecting state agencies with tech executives to identify new opportunities for efficiency, engagement, and effectiveness throughout the state government to improve services…

    Jul 14, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed a tribal-state gaming compact with the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria.A copy of the Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria compact can be found…

    Jul 14, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that he has signed the following bills:AB 78 by Assemblymember Phillip Chen (R-Yorba Linda) – Attorney’s fees: book accounts.AB 223 by Assemblymember Blanca Pacheco (D-Downey) – Jury selection: acknowledgment and…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Newsom advances government effectiveness and efficiency with new executive order, launches task force with tech industry leaders

    Source: US State of California 2

    Jul 15, 2025

    What you need to know: Governor Newsom is advancing California’s efficiency strategy by connecting state agencies with tech executives to identify new opportunities for efficiency, engagement, and effectiveness throughout the state government to improve services for Californians. 

    SACRAMENTO – Continuing his strategy to make California government more efficient, engaged, and effective, Governor Gavin Newsom today is announcing a new initiative — the California Breakthrough Project — which brings together innovators and leaders from the Golden State’s top tech companies to help guide this work.

    The group will work closely with leaders and front-line employees from state agencies to identify opportunities to further streamline and improve government operations, building on the Governor’s announcement earlier this year. In addition to this effort, the Governor signed an executive order today directing every state agency to implement efficiency measures and create new initiatives to help direct and engage the entire state workforce in these efforts.

    “The Golden State continues to lead in efficiency, strategically implementing technologies and practices that make Californians’ lives better. As the birthplace of modern tech, our state is uniquely positioned to bring the best and the brightest together to advance our work. We will not shy away from progress, but embrace it for the benefit of all Californians, including our state workforce.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Artificial intelligence is already changing the world, and California will play a pivotal role in defining that future. Home to Silicon Valley and the birthplace of the tech industry, California continues to dominate as the leader in AI. The state is home to 32 of the 50 top AI companies worldwide.

    California Breakthrough Project 

    Utilizing the best and the brightest of California’s tech industry, Governor Newsom today announced that he convened tech executives and innovators to kick off the California Breakthrough Project, a group that will help advise and advance government efficiency and collaboration. The group, which first met on June 6 at the Ripple headquarters, includes leaders from companies including AME Cloud Ventures, Anduril, Coinbase, Instacart, Moonpay, Scopely, Snap Inc., Asheesh Birla (Investor), Ron Conway (Founder, SV Angel), Chris Larsen (Executive Chair, Ripple), Jeff Lawson (Co-founder and former CEO, Twilio), Jen Pahlka (author of Recording America), and Jason Wheeler (former CFO of Tesla), and will:

    • Foster collaboration between state decision-makers and experts from tech, business, and innovation sectors.
    • Bring innovation and new ideas to identify and address systemic inefficiencies in government processes, services, and technology.
    • Generate new California challenge-based efforts to catalyze modern solutions within public services.
    • Maintain public transparency, labor and civil society consultation, and ethical safeguards throughout the innovation process.

    This project continues the Governor’s work to include the voices of experts in public policy and the management of AI. In May 2024, Governor Newsom co-hosted a GenAI summit with leaders across academia, industry, civil society, and government to discuss how the state can best use this transformative technology on behalf of Californians.

    Meeting at Ripple headquarters on June 6. (Photo credit: Governor’s Office)

    Leading in government efficiency 

    Governor Newsom has made efficiency a top priority since the start of his Administration. In 2019, the Governor established the Office of Data Innovation, a group of technology experts dedicated to supporting other state agencies, departments, and employees to utilize data, technology, and principles of human-centered design common in the private sector to improve the delivery of services to Californians. 

    Prioritizing efficiency and innovation — with appropriate safeguards protecting privacy, safety, and civil liberties — Governor Newsom has:

    • Overhauled and modernized the Department of Motor Vehicles to reduce wait times, expand online services, and improve customer service.
    • Implemented new cutting-edge technologies to fight wildfires, including cameras across the state and data modeling to predict where wildfires might occur, deployment of drones, and improved incident reporting.
    • Issued an executive order directing state agencies to implement GenAI into state government operations and help support the work of front-line employees.
    • Expedited the procurement process through an innovative Request for Innovative Ideas (RFI2), which allows state agencies to quickly test technology through safe and secure environments. Through this expedited process, California has already announced three important contracts, using GenAI to reduce highway congestion, improve traffic safety, and enhance customer service.
       

    Efficiency for the benefit of Californians

    Today, the Governor is issuing a new executive order to help further integrate efficiency, engagement, and effectiveness into state operations — working with the state workforce to create new tools to improve government work.  The order will help achieve Governor Newsom’s vision of transforming state government, by ending slow and complicated bureaucratic processes and moving to an efficient, collaborative, and more productive model that effectively delivers real outcomes and value for all Californians

    The order directs the state agencies to further modernize processes around hiring, procurement, contracts, and strive for faster and better public-facing service deliveries to Californians. To increase engagement with the state workforce, the Governor is announcing that the state will begin providing California’s innovative deliberative democracy platform, Engaged California, to help the state workforce generate new ideas to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and engagement across state agencies. Last, the order creates a new Innovative Fellows Program comprising state staff with a mission of collaborating to address unique statewide challenges through innovative ideas. 

    Leading in engagement

    Governor Newsom has implemented new technologies through the Office of Data and Innovation, including the groundbreaking Engaged California project. This first-in-the-nation digital democracy platform is currently being used as part of a pilot project to listen to those impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires. The pilot is entering its final recruitment phase this week after getting early ideas and feedback from Angelenos about what is most important during the rebuilding process

    Leading in innovation

    In August 2024, the state partnered with NVIDIA to launch a first-of-its-kind AI collaboration. The initiative, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom and NVIDIA founder & CEO Jensen Huang, aims to train students, educators and workers; support job creation and promote innovation; and use AI to solve challenges that can improve the lives of Californians

    Staying ahead of threats 

    Last year, Governor Newsom also signed a series of bills to crack down on sexually explicit deepfakes and require AI watermarking, protect performers’ digital likenesses, and combat deepfake election content. 

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  • MIL-OSI Security: Kenel Man Convicted by Federal Jury for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

    Source: US FBI

    ABERDEEN – United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced that Jesse Norman White Bull, age 45, of Kenel, South Dakota, was found guilty on July 10, 2025, of two counts of Sexual Abuse of a Minor following a three-day federal jury trial in Aberdeen, South Dakota.

    Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, a mandatory minimum of five years up to life of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered. 

    White Bull was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2024.

    At trial, the evidence established White Bull sexually abused a 13-year-old girl on multiple occasions between June 2023 and July 2023 at a residence in Kenel, a community within the  Standing Rock Sioux Indian Reservation.

    This matter was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office because the Major Crimes Act, a federal statute, mandates that certain violent crimes alleged to have occurred in Indian Country be prosecuted in Federal Court as opposed to State Court.

    This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the DOJ’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children, as well as identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

    This case was investigated by the FBI and the Bureau of Indian Affairs – Office of Justice Services.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Carl Thunem prosecuted the case.

    A presentence investigation report was ordered and a sentencing date of September 29, 2025, was set. White Bull was released on bond pending sentencing.

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