Category: KB

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Sudan National Day

    Source: APO


    .

    On behalf of the Government of the United States of America, I extend best wishes as the people of South Sudan mark their country’s independence day on July 9.  

    We reaffirm the friendship between the people of our two countries, which began decades before South Sudan’s independence in 2011.  We look forward to continuing to work together to ensure a more peaceful and prosperous future that benefits the people of both our countries.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Department of State, United States of America.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Africa: Emerging Hubs for Mineral Processing, Value-Added Production

    Source: APO


    .

    Mineral-rich African countries are accelerating the rollout of refineries and processing facilities to strengthen local beneficiation, reduce raw material exports and retain more mineral value within national economies.

    Amid this wave of value-added industrialization, the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) – Africa’s premier gathering for mining stakeholders – will highlight the continent’s downstream mining sector and connect African stakeholders with global investors to unlock new opportunities. Under the theme From Extraction to Beneficiation: Unlocking Africa’s Mineral Wealth, the event will showcase Africa’s commitment to transforming its mineral sector from extraction to industrialization.

    Democratic Republic of the Congo

    In June 2025, mining firm Buenassa signed an agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government to develop the country’s first integrated copper and cobalt refinery. Under the agreement, the DRC government will hold a 10% golden-share in the project. Backed by a $3.5 million grant awarded in 2024, the refinery is expected to commence operations in 2027, with a projected annual output of 30,000 tons of copper cathode and 5,000 tons of cobalt sulfate.

    Mali

    In Mali – Africa’s second-largest gold producer – construction began in June 2025 on a new gold refinery in Senou, near Bamako. The project – a collaboration between Mali’s government, Russia’s Yadran Group and a Swiss investor – aims to process up to 200 tons of gold annually. The refinery will enhance regional gold processing, reduce smuggling and increase national revenue from value-added gold exports. The Ministerial Forum to be held at AMW will spotlight national policies and incentives accelerating beneficiation across the continent.

    Angola

    Meanwhile, Angola reached a 70% completion milestone on its first gold refinery in Luanda. The $5 million facility, expected to be operational by the end of 2025, will produce 50 kgs of gold per day. Part of the country’s 2023 – 2027 Sectoral Development Plan, the project reflects Angola’s strategic effort to diversify beyond oil, stimulate job creation and expand value-added exports. AMW’s Invest in Angola session will showcase opportunities within Angola’s growing mining and refining value chain.

    Zambia

    In Zambia, Canada’s Jubilee Metals is expanding its Sable Copper Refinery by adding a second tank-house to boost monthly processing capacity to between 500 and 550 tons. The upgrade supports Zambia’s broader goal of reaching 3.1 million tons in annual copper output by 2031 while shifting toward value-added production. The project is set to be completed by Q1 2026. AMW will feature this and similar initiatives during a dedicated panel titled Elevating Africa’s Mineral Wealth: Case Studies in Local Beneficiation – Value Addition and Industrialization.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

    About African Mining Week (AMW):
    AMW, as the premier platform where Africa’s mining sector opportunities and value addition efforts are discussed and optimized, will showcase these and many more projects driving the region’s beneficiation agenda.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Zimbabwe undertakes second Joint External Evaluation to strengthen National Health Security

    Source: APO


    .

    From 29 June to 4 July 2025, Zimbabwe conducted its second Joint External Evaluation (JEE) to assess the country’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats under the International Health Regulations (2005). The JEE, coordinated by the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) with support from WHO and partners, marks a critical milestone in strengthening Zimbabwe’s public health emergency preparedness and response systems.

    The JEE is a voluntary, collaborative process used globally to assess a country’s readiness to manage infectious disease outbreaks and other health emergencies. It is conducted every five years, with the country’s first evaluation completed in 2018.

    “The JEE gives us a structured opportunity to check how ready we are to detect and respond to public health threats and we thank all the partners who have made this possible,” said Dr Wenceslaus Nyamayaro, MoHCC Acting Chief Director, Public Health. 

    The internal self-assessment, the first phase of the JEE, was completed in July 2025 with over 100 participants from across sectors including health, environment, veterinary services, defense, disaster management, civil society, and development partners including WHO, UNICEF, FAO, Africa CDC and others. This participatory process assessed 19 technical areas ranging from biosafety and surveillance to legislation and points of entry.

    Key areas that emerged as requiring urgent attention include outdated or poorly implemented legal instruments, coupled with limited availability of legal support at subnational levels. Gender equity in emergencies remains a concern, with notable gaps in funding for gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response, as well as low representation of women in emergency preparedness and decision-making processes. Funding for emergency response activities was also highlighted as inadequate.  Surveillance systems for foodborne illnesses and healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are still fragmented, highlighting the need for stronger cross-sector coordination. Coordination between the human, animal and environmental health sectors is still weak, showing the need to improve how these groups work together. Biosafety and biosecurity capacities also require strengthening, particularly in terms of laboratory infrastructure and staff training. Additionally, readiness at points of entry remains limited, with gaps in the ability to detect and respond to public health threats at borders and airports.

    Zimbabwe also assessed its progress in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR), a growing global threat. While the country has developed a robust One Health AMR National Action Plan and established 14 multisectoral surveillance sites, challenges remain in laboratory capacity, integration of data systems and containment of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs).

    The next phase of the JEE will involve an external validation mission scheduled for 6–13 September 2025. A team of international subject matter experts, coordinated by WHO’s Regional Office for Africa, will work with technical teams in Zimbabwe to validate scores, review documentation and conduct site visits to key health facilities including laboratories and points of entry. Following the mission, Zimbabwe will develop or update its National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS). This plan will consolidate findings from the JEE, past outbreak reviews, and risk assessments to guide future investments and reforms in public health preparedness.

    “The evaluation is about continuous improvement. It reflects Zimbabwe’s commitment to protect the health of its people through stronger systems, better data, and broader collaboration,” said Dr. Desta Tiruneh, WHO Representative to Zimbabwe.

    The evaluation was made possible with funding from the Health Resilience Fund (HRF) through WHO, with additional support mobilized by MoHCC from Africa CDC and UNICEF. 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of WHO Regional Office for Africa.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Banking: ICC and WCO release trade facilitation recommendations for enhanced integrity at borders

    Source: International Chamber of Commerce

    Headline: ICC and WCO release trade facilitation recommendations for enhanced integrity at borders

    US$1.2 to US$1.5 trillion. That’s the staggering annual cost of bribery alone – equal to roughly 2% of annual global GDP. But bribery represents just one facet of corruption’s devastating impact. The true cost runs far deeper, undermining the very foundations of fair trade and economic growth by eroding institutional trust, distorting competition, and creating artificial barriers that stifle opportunity for businesses worldwide. Corruption thrives precisely where trade facilitation is most needed: in complex, opaque environments where procedures span multiple government agencies and discretionary decision-making creates opportunities for abuse. Micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and women-owned businesses are particularly vulnerable in these settings, as they often lack the resources to navigate burdensome procedures or absorb the added costs of informal payments.

    However, trade facilitation – the simplification and harmonisation of international trade procedures – can be a powerful lever for combatting corruption, according to a new joint paper from the World Customs Organization (WCO) and International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

    How does trade facilitation limit corrupt practices?

    By reducing complexity and increasing transparency, trade facilitation limits opportunities for illicit practices. When properly implemented, these measures create an environment where corruption becomes both harder to carry out and easier to detect.

    Digitalising border processes to reduce human intervention and establishing clear and transparent regulatory frameworks that limit discretionary decision-making are concrete trade facilitation measures that strengthen integrity. Public-private partnerships play an essential role by promoting collective action and reinforcing the implementation of integrity-focused reforms.

    These efforts must be grounded in the World Trade Organiztion (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement and the WCO Revised Kyoto Convention, which provide a critical foundation for strengthening integrity, promoting transparency, limiting discretion, and supporting more predictable and rules-based border procedures.

    However, border practices in many countries remain in urgent need of trade facilitation reforms . Take export licensing, for example: in some cases, companies must visit multiple government offices to have paper documents stamped – a time-consuming and costly process. When officials arbitrarily demand additional documentation, it creates fertile ground for corruption, where officials can demand facilitation payments while businesses feel pressured to comply simply to expedite processes.

    While trade facilitation serves as a powerful anti-corruption tool, it is not without risks and limitations. These measures can face challenges including data manipulation in digitalised systems, cybersecurity threats, internal corruption risks, and resistance to technological adoption. To address these vulnerabilities, both Customs authorities and businesses must implement comprehensive approaches that include robust governance structures, regular audits, cybersecurity protections, and training programs. Public-private partnerships through National Trade Facilitation Committees and chambers of commerce are essential for building trust and creating effective enforcement strategies that address both the supply and demand sides of corruption.

    Trade facilitation in action

    Forward-thinking companies are adopting practices aligned with tra principles as anti-corruption tools. Some firms require their business units to take practical steps to reduce the risk of solicitation, including through digitalising sensitive transactions and engaging legal support when attending meetings with parties that present a higher risk of solicitation.

    Other businesses mandate the use of electronic communications or e-government solutions in areas such as licensing, procurement and taxes to reduce face-to-face interactions with public officials and minimise connected risks of bribe solicitation.

    Similarly, some countries that embrace digitalisation have seen remarkable outcomes. For example, in Guatemala a project supported by the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation digitalised ship arrival and departures procedures through the National Single Window (VUMAR), reducing processing times by 85% and eliminating the need for multiple in-person visits. This reform made all these transactions traceable and verifiable, demonstrating how digital trade facilitation can reduce opportunities for corruption by replacing paper-based processes with more transparent and accountable procedures.

    Actionable recommendations for Customs and business

    Customs 

    • Digitalise  
    • Enhance legal safeguards  
    • Raise awareness 
    • Address small facilitation payments 
    • Publish on a publicly available website  
    • Foster a transparent zero-tolerance culture 
    • Establish robust feedback mechanisms 
    • Increase cross-border collaboration  
    • Monitor and evaluate

    Business 

    • Advocate  
    • Participate in integrity awareness  
    • Apply a risk-based approach  
    • Automate processes  
    • Develop compliance programmes and controls  
    • Prohibit and discourage the use of small facilitation payments 
    • Monitor and evaluate  
    • Foster a transparent zero tolerance for corruption culture 

    MIL OSI Global Banks

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UN Human Rights Council 59: UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Central African Republic

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    News story

    UN Human Rights Council 59: UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on Central African Republic

    UK Statement for the Interactive Dialogue on the Oral Update of the Independent Expert on Central African Republic (CAR). This statement was delivered on 4 July 2025 during the 59th session of the HRC in Geneva.

    Thank you, Mr Vice President,

    We thank the Independent Expert for his update and welcome the Central African Republic’s continued cooperation with his mandate.

    As the Central African Republic continues to strengthen its human rights framework, we welcome the appointment of 11 new commissioners of the Truth, Justice, Reparation and Reconciliation Commission. And we  encourage a timely resumption of the Commission’s activities.

    However, we remain alarmed that reports of human rights violations and abuses continue to increase across the country. We reiterate our call for the Central African Republic to initiate court proceedings to hold to account members of armed groups accused of human rights violations and abuses.

    Mr Vice President, holding credible and secure local elections is a crucial step to strengthen local governance ahead of presidential and legislative elections next year. The UK strongly encourages CAR to protect civil and political human rights throughout the electoral period. This is an important opportunity for CAR to demonstrate their commitment to democracy.

    Mr Agbetse, following the recent postponement of local elections, how can this council support the timely and inclusive delivery of elections for the people of CAR?

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Meeting with Bishops of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church at Palazzo Chigi

    Source: Government of Italy (English)

    Undersecretary of State to the Presidency of the Council of Ministers Alfredo Mantovano chaired a meeting at Palazzo Chigi this evening between the Italian Government and a delegation from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, led by the Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halyč, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk.

    The meeting was also attended by: the Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli; the Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin; the Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci; the Italian Ambassador to the Holy See, Francesco Di Nitto; the President of Triennale Milano, Stefano Boeri; the President of the MAXXI Foundation – National Museum of 21st Century Art, Emanuela Bruni; and, the President of the Bambino Gesù Foundation and Paediatric Hospital, Tiziano Onesti.

    The meeting came just a few hours before the start of the 2025 Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC2025), which will be held in Rome tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, 10-11 July, and will be opened with addresses by the President of the Council of Ministers, Giorgia Meloni, and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky. In this regard, Undersecretary of State Mantovano thanked Archbishop Shevchuk “for having accepted the invitation for a discussion on the very eve of an international event dedicated to the reconstruction of war-torn Ukraine”.

    The meeting reaffirmed the key role played by the Greek Catholic Church in providing the population with spiritual and social support over more than 40 months of conflict. “During these years – underlined Undersecretary of State Mantovano – you have demonstrated that you are a vibrant and united Church and community, able to respond as one, together with the other Christian Churches, to the suffering of your people”.
    There was a significant focus on the prospects for reconstruction and the role local communities and religious institutions can play in the country’s regeneration. “We are convinced – added Undersecretary of State Mantovano – that the ‘local dimension’ will be one of the pillars of Ukraine’s economic recovery. You too are among the representatives of local areas, demonstrating the crucial contribution believers can make in any context”.

    Today’s meeting forms part of a broader cultural and social collaboration programme promoted by the Italian Government which, already since September 2023, has involved institutions such as Triennale Milano and MAXXI in initiatives dedicated to the restoration of war-damaged heritage, including the Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, and in training projects in the fields of cultural heritage conservation and management.
    At the end of the meeting, Undersecretary of State Mantovano presented His Beatitude Shevchuk with the bronze medal minted in 2024 by the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato [State Printing Works and Mint] to celebrate Ukraine’s resistance and support the ‘Unbroken Kids’ rehabilitation centre at the Saint Nicholas Children’s Hospital in Lviv.

    [Courtesy translation]

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man charged in connection with Chingford murder

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives have charged a man in connection with the murder of Tyler Hayward who was stabbed to death in Chingford.

    Peshman Ahmedi, 22 (09.04.03), of no fixed address, was arrested at the Port of Dover on Tuesday, 8 July following a large police operation in Kent.

    He was subsequently charged with murder on Thursday, 10 July. He will appear in custody at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 10 July.

    A murder investigation was launched after officers were called to reports of a stabbing in Chingford Mount Road at 21:14hrs on Sunday, 6 July.

    Met officers responded with paramedics and Tyler, 26, was found with a stab wound. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he sadly died at the scene.

    His next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Man charged in connection with Chingford murder

    Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

    Detectives have charged a man in connection with the murder of Tyler Hayward who was stabbed to death in Chingford.

    Peshman Ahmedi, 22 (09.04.03), of no fixed address, was arrested at the Port of Dover on Tuesday, 8 July following a large police operation in Kent.

    He was subsequently charged with murder on Thursday, 10 July. He will appear in custody at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 10 July.

    A murder investigation was launched after officers were called to reports of a stabbing in Chingford Mount Road at 21:14hrs on Sunday, 6 July.

    Met officers responded with paramedics and Tyler, 26, was found with a stab wound. Despite the efforts of emergency services, he sadly died at the scene.

    His next-of-kin have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers.

    MIL Security OSI

  • MIL-Evening Report: The special envoy’s antisemitism plan is ambitious, but fails to reckon with the hardest questions

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matteo Vergani, Associate Professor, Deakin University

    On July 6, an arson attack targeted the East Melbourne Synagogue. It was the latest in a series of antisemitic incidents recorded across Australia since October 7 2023, when Hamas carried out a horrific terrorist attack, killing about 1,200 Israelis. These domestic incidents have escalated in both number and severity.

    Australia has not previously experienced antisemitism at this scale. In response, the Albanese government appointed Jillian Segal as the nation’s first special envoy for combating antisemitism, and commissioned a plan with recommendations to address the issue.

    The plan has now been released. Let’s unpack it.




    Read more:
    Envoy’s plan to fight antisemitism would put universities on notice over funding


    What does the plan say?

    The recommendations fall into three broad areas.

    1. Preventing violence and crime, including a proposed law enforcement framework to improve coordination between agencies, and new policies aimed at stopping dangerous individuals from entering Australia.

    2. Strengthening protections against hate speech, by regulating all forms of hate, including antisemitism, and increasing oversight of platform policies and algorithms.

    3. Promoting antisemitism-free media, education and cultural spaces, through journalist training, education programs, and conditions on public funding for organisations that promote or fail to address antisemitism.

    The government has said it will consider the recommendations.

    These measures are broadly reasonable and make practical sense. Some – such as those aimed at preventing violence and crime – are more straightforward to implement than others. It would also be logical to apply them to all forms of hate, not just antisemitism.

    But that needs to be done with caution. We don’t want to create an environment in which any criticism of a community or group is shut down by regulation.

    In a democracy, open and robust debate is essential. The challenge lies in the details: how we define hate, and where we draw the threshold for what counts as hate.

    The document ignores the elephant in the room: whether the plan could be used to silence legitimate criticism of Israel.

    The special envoy’s plan notes antisemitism has risen since October 7, but it does not fully explain the context. Israel’s military response in Gaza, which has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, has prompted a wave of global protest and criticism of Israel, including accusations of genocide.

    In this context, the line between antisemitism and criticism of Israel has become more difficult and contested than ever. Some people who attack Israel or Zionism may be expressing antisemitic views. Others may not. Distinguishing between the two is complex, but essential.




    Read more:
    When does anti-Zionism become antisemitism? A Jewish historian’s perspective


    Where criticism ends and antisemitism begins

    The envoy adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, which covers both direct attacks on Jewish identity and certain criticisms of Israel, such as comparisons with Nazi Germany.

    In my experience as a researcher working on online hate (including antisemitism), even members of the Jewish community adopting this definition often disagree on how to apply it.

    The threshold varies – for example when deciding whether an online post or a statement crosses the line into antisemitism.

    So where should we draw that line? It’s a crucial question. If the envoy’s recommendations are implemented, decisions about funding, visas, and even criminal charges could depend on it.

    There is, of course, broad agreement on some cases. Setting fire to a synagogue is clearly antisemitic – it targets a Jewish place of worship.

    Similarly, attacking a Jewish-owned business or damaging property in a Jewish neighbourhood suggests the target was chosen because it was Jewish.

    Some people – often those already harbouring anti-Jewish views – treat the entire Jewish community as if it represents the Netanyahu government or the Israel Defense Forces.

    This ignores the diversity of views within Jewish communities. That lack of nuance fuels antisemitism.

    Few would disagree that antisemitic acts include attacks on Jewish people or property carried out indiscriminately, or when anti-Israel protests attempt to hold the whole Jewish community collectively responsible for the actions of the Israeli government.

    But we also need to be realistic. We are unlikely to eliminate all forms of antisemitic hate or intimidation from public life. Hate can be expressed without breaching laws, and people can intimidate others while staying just within legal boundaries.

    Humour, sarcasm and coded language are often used to incite hatred without triggering any formal consequence. That kind of harm is much harder to prevent – and it may be something we have to learn to live with, while continuing to push back against it.

    Rebuilding trust

    In the long term, the only real solution is building mutual understanding. That’s why personal relationships matter.

    Knowing someone who is Jewish is one of the strongest antidotes to antisemitism. When you have a Jewish friend, you’re less likely to believe or spread the myths that circulate online and offline about what Jewish people think, believe or represent.

    The same applies to all forms of hate. Direct contact helps break down stereotypes across all communities.

    The problem is that the current context is pushing communities apart. Segregation and isolation are increasing. Before October 7, there was meaningful interfaith work happening – Jewish students visiting the Islamic Museum, Muslim students visiting the Holocaust Museum. That work has largely stopped.

    Now, people are retreating into fear, distrust and generalisations. All nuance is lost. The “other” becomes a single, threatening enemy.

    It will take time to rebuild that trust – and the longer the war continues, the harder it will be.

    Matteo Vergani receives funding from the Campbell Collaboration, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, the Department of Home Affairs.

    ref. The special envoy’s antisemitism plan is ambitious, but fails to reckon with the hardest questions – https://theconversation.com/the-special-envoys-antisemitism-plan-is-ambitious-but-fails-to-reckon-with-the-hardest-questions-260914

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-Evening Report: The special envoy’s antisemitism plan is ambitious, but fails to reckon with the hardest questions

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matteo Vergani, Associate Professor, Deakin University

    On July 6, an arson attack targeted the East Melbourne Synagogue. It was the latest in a series of antisemitic incidents recorded across Australia since October 7 2023, when Hamas carried out a horrific terrorist attack, killing about 1,200 Israelis. These domestic incidents have escalated in both number and severity.

    Australia has not previously experienced antisemitism at this scale. In response, the Albanese government appointed Jillian Segal as the nation’s first special envoy for combating antisemitism, and commissioned a plan with recommendations to address the issue.

    The plan has now been released. Let’s unpack it.




    Read more:
    Envoy’s plan to fight antisemitism would put universities on notice over funding


    What does the plan say?

    The recommendations fall into three broad areas.

    1. Preventing violence and crime, including a proposed law enforcement framework to improve coordination between agencies, and new policies aimed at stopping dangerous individuals from entering Australia.

    2. Strengthening protections against hate speech, by regulating all forms of hate, including antisemitism, and increasing oversight of platform policies and algorithms.

    3. Promoting antisemitism-free media, education and cultural spaces, through journalist training, education programs, and conditions on public funding for organisations that promote or fail to address antisemitism.

    The government has said it will consider the recommendations.

    These measures are broadly reasonable and make practical sense. Some – such as those aimed at preventing violence and crime – are more straightforward to implement than others. It would also be logical to apply them to all forms of hate, not just antisemitism.

    But that needs to be done with caution. We don’t want to create an environment in which any criticism of a community or group is shut down by regulation.

    In a democracy, open and robust debate is essential. The challenge lies in the details: how we define hate, and where we draw the threshold for what counts as hate.

    The document ignores the elephant in the room: whether the plan could be used to silence legitimate criticism of Israel.

    The special envoy’s plan notes antisemitism has risen since October 7, but it does not fully explain the context. Israel’s military response in Gaza, which has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, has prompted a wave of global protest and criticism of Israel, including accusations of genocide.

    In this context, the line between antisemitism and criticism of Israel has become more difficult and contested than ever. Some people who attack Israel or Zionism may be expressing antisemitic views. Others may not. Distinguishing between the two is complex, but essential.




    Read more:
    When does anti-Zionism become antisemitism? A Jewish historian’s perspective


    Where criticism ends and antisemitism begins

    The envoy adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism, which covers both direct attacks on Jewish identity and certain criticisms of Israel, such as comparisons with Nazi Germany.

    In my experience as a researcher working on online hate (including antisemitism), even members of the Jewish community adopting this definition often disagree on how to apply it.

    The threshold varies – for example when deciding whether an online post or a statement crosses the line into antisemitism.

    So where should we draw that line? It’s a crucial question. If the envoy’s recommendations are implemented, decisions about funding, visas, and even criminal charges could depend on it.

    There is, of course, broad agreement on some cases. Setting fire to a synagogue is clearly antisemitic – it targets a Jewish place of worship.

    Similarly, attacking a Jewish-owned business or damaging property in a Jewish neighbourhood suggests the target was chosen because it was Jewish.

    Some people – often those already harbouring anti-Jewish views – treat the entire Jewish community as if it represents the Netanyahu government or the Israel Defense Forces.

    This ignores the diversity of views within Jewish communities. That lack of nuance fuels antisemitism.

    Few would disagree that antisemitic acts include attacks on Jewish people or property carried out indiscriminately, or when anti-Israel protests attempt to hold the whole Jewish community collectively responsible for the actions of the Israeli government.

    But we also need to be realistic. We are unlikely to eliminate all forms of antisemitic hate or intimidation from public life. Hate can be expressed without breaching laws, and people can intimidate others while staying just within legal boundaries.

    Humour, sarcasm and coded language are often used to incite hatred without triggering any formal consequence. That kind of harm is much harder to prevent – and it may be something we have to learn to live with, while continuing to push back against it.

    Rebuilding trust

    In the long term, the only real solution is building mutual understanding. That’s why personal relationships matter.

    Knowing someone who is Jewish is one of the strongest antidotes to antisemitism. When you have a Jewish friend, you’re less likely to believe or spread the myths that circulate online and offline about what Jewish people think, believe or represent.

    The same applies to all forms of hate. Direct contact helps break down stereotypes across all communities.

    The problem is that the current context is pushing communities apart. Segregation and isolation are increasing. Before October 7, there was meaningful interfaith work happening – Jewish students visiting the Islamic Museum, Muslim students visiting the Holocaust Museum. That work has largely stopped.

    Now, people are retreating into fear, distrust and generalisations. All nuance is lost. The “other” becomes a single, threatening enemy.

    It will take time to rebuild that trust – and the longer the war continues, the harder it will be.

    Matteo Vergani receives funding from the Campbell Collaboration, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, the Department of Home Affairs.

    ref. The special envoy’s antisemitism plan is ambitious, but fails to reckon with the hardest questions – https://theconversation.com/the-special-envoys-antisemitism-plan-is-ambitious-but-fails-to-reckon-with-the-hardest-questions-260914

    MIL OSI AnalysisEveningReport.nz

  • MIL-OSI China: China’s landmark innovations during 14th Five-Year Plan period

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

    From its first domestically built aircraft carrier with electromagnetic catapults to the world’s second space station and a pioneering lunar far-side sample return, China has achieved a series of significant breakthroughs in innovation during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: £500m Government investment to boost growth and opportunity for underrepresented entrepreneurs

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Press release

    £500m Government investment to boost growth and opportunity for underrepresented entrepreneurs

    Underrepresented investors and fund managers will benefit from £500m of Government backing to help high potential new entrants build the track record they need.

    • £400 million package to back investment fund managers from underrepresented backgrounds and drive growth as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
    • Additional £50 million for female-led venture capital funds, doubling the British Business Bank’s commitment to £100 million and supporting the Invest in Women Taskforce.
    • New report reveals that angel investors are backing more all-female founding teams than all-male teams in the UK for the first time.

    Diverse or underrepresented investors and fund managers will benefit from £500m of Government backing to help high potential new entrants develop the track record they need to become the investors of the future.

    Targeted at women, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities and those from deprived backgrounds, there will be a new £400m package from the British Business Bank starting in 2026, which will operate across three pillars:

    • Back more diverse fund managers directly through the Bank’s Enterprise Capital Funds programme, the Bank’s scheme to support early-stage businesses with high growth potential.
    • Invest more in supporting micro-funds, funds with around £10-15m and the first step on the venture capital ladder for new investors
    • Back partners, such as venture capital funds, to invest smaller amounts in talented individuals to build a track record and to provide training, giving those without personal wealth or connections the opportunity to become investors.

    Research shows just 2p of every £1 invested in venture capital funding in the UK goes to female-founded businesses and only 13% of senior individuals on UK venture capital investment teams are women.

    The initiative announced today aims to reduce the significant gap in venture capital investment for underrepresented founders and investors. It will target at least 50% of investment going to female fund managers.

    By backing diverse and emerging fund managers, the initiative not only strengthens the UK’s venture capital ecosystem but also ensures that entrepreneurial ambition is no longer limited by background, gender, or geography. This targeted support will help build a more dynamic, inclusive economy that works for everyone.

    Unlocking the potential of underrepresented entrepreneurs and breaking down barriers to opportunity will help drive growth as part of the government’s Plan for Change.

    Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, said:

    This is exactly what our Plan for Change is about: breaking down barriers to opportunity and kickstarting the growth that creates jobs and puts money into people’s pockets across the UK.

    This £500 million investment will back diverse and emerging fund managers, making our economy stronger and more dynamic.

    Louis Taylor CBE, Chief Executive Officer, British Business Bank, said:

    To deliver the government’s growth mission it is critical that our most promising entrepreneurs can access the finance they need to grow their businesses, no matter who they are or what their background is. The UK equity market currently experiences a significant funding gap for diverse founders, negatively impacting their ability to start a business.

    This new £400m Investor Pathways Capital initiative will support diverse and emerging fund managers across the UK, in turn supporting talented entrepreneurs currently underserved by the UK equity market. It has the potential to unlock the UK’s full commercial potential and boost the UK economy.

    The initiative comes alongside an additional £50m investment into female-led funds to support the aims of the Invest in Women Taskforce, further expanding access to funding for female investors and entrepreneurs, taking the Bank’s total commitment to £100m.

    The news comes alongside the latest Investing in Women Code report out today, which tracks and promotes investment into women-led businesses. It finds that investing in female and ethnic minority-led businesses could add 13% to the value of the UK equity market, underscoring the importance of backing diverse founders. The Code was launched in 2019 in response to the Rose Review’s findings that a lack of funding was one of the most significant barriers to women seeking to effectively scale a business.

    There has also been promising progress for angel investment from Code signatories – those investing from their personal wealth – with all female investor teams and mixed-gender teams surpassing all male teams for the first time for investment received. Similarly, across all signatories, more female-only teams received funding than mixed-gender and all male teams.

    However, more progress is still needed for investment in women businesses to meet its potential, with the total value of investments going into female led teams much less than that of all-male (15% vs 37%), with the remainder going to mixed teams.

    Minister for Investment Baroness Gustafsson CBE said:

    Women entrepreneurs have so much to contribute to economic growth, so it is encouraging to see progress in this year’s Code, with more female-led teams receiving investment than male for the first time.

    Our Plan for Change is about boosting growth further and that’s why we’re taking action today to support high-potential female-led funds with an extra £50m of funding.

    The report will be launched in a parliamentary reception attended by the Chancellor this afternoon.

    Stakeholder quotes:

    Hannah Bernard OBE, Head of Barclays Business Bank and Co-Chair of the Invest in Women Taskforce, said:

    It’s heartening to see that once again IWC signatories are recognising the value of backing women-led businesses in the UK and are outperforming the broader market – proving that more diverse decision-making teams deliver better outcomes. We’re seeing real momentum in the number of women now shaping investment decisions, and the data shows this is directly linked to greater backing for female entrepreneurs.

    That’s why programmes like the BBB’s new Investor Pathway Capital programme are so important and will help even more women break into Venture Capital. This is a core principle of the Invest in Women Taskforce – when you change who holds the capital, you change who gets funded. 

    The Investing in Women Code plays a vital role in helping us track progress and drive meaningful change across the wider industry and we urge more LPs to sign up and recognise the proven value of backing women. The Invest in Women Taskforce looks forward to deepening its partnership with the IWC to accelerate momentum and unlock the full potential of female entrepreneurs across the UK.

    Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder, Small Business Britain, said:

    Our country’s 5.45 million small businesses represent huge opportunity to power the UK’s economy forward, but the truth is that it is not always a level-playing field out there for entrepreneurs for many intersectional reasons.

    So it is fantastic to see this new dedicated support package announced to help greater support flow towards under-represented entrepreneurial groups – like women, Disabled founders and those from ethnic minority backgrounds. We really applaud this effort and are keen to see the UK backing the rich diversity of British entrepreneurs as much as possible. It will undoubtedly bridge a big gap and has the potential to unlock tremendous growth and opportunity for us all.

    Jenny Tooth OBE, Executive Chair, UK Business Angels Association, said:

    We welcome today’s announcements from the British Business Bank. Backing underrepresented fund managers and doubling support for female-led VC funds are vital steps toward a more inclusive investment ecosystem.

    This year, we saw that angel groups made more investment deals in all-female teams (42%) than in either mixed-gender or all-male teams – a powerful sign of change. These new initiatives will help build on that momentum, and work alongside more angel-backed innovation across the UK.

    Check Warner MBE, Co-founder & Chair, Diversity VC, Co-Founding Partner, Ada Ventures, said:

    To ensure the British economy is truly firing on all cylinders, we must find and back entrepreneurial talent from the widest possible pool. But if we don’t have representation at the investor level, the true potential of exceptional founders who don’t fit traditional moulds will continue to go untapped.

    Building a more diverse cohort of emerging managers is a vital step en route to finding the best talent and driving outsized performance across a stronger tech ecosystem. At Ada Ventures, we’ve learnt from experience that a diverse investing team spots alpha founders that others miss.

    It’s therefore encouraging to see a really meaningful and thoughtful package of interventions being announced by the Government and the British Business Bank today. This will be a key catalyst as Britain strives to become the best place in the world to start, scale and exit a business. I fervently believe that this ambition can go hand-in-hand with an equitable, diverse funding landscape that backs talent from all demographics and walks of life.

    Shayan Chowdhury, Interim Managing Director at Newton Venture Program, said:

    The most effective and enduring way to broaden access to capital for entrepreneurs of every kind is to cultivate an investor talent pool that reflects the diverse nature of society. That means opening up networks to a wider range of people and giving them the opportunity to participate, and thrive, in the venture capital ecosystem.

    This £500m package is a huge step toward that. Allyship matters, but representation is what truly shifts outcomes, and building a more inclusive investor base is the most sustainable route to more equitable entrepreneurship.

    Background

    • The Fifth Investing in Women Code Annual Report can be found online here: Investing in Women Code reports – GOV.UK
    • The Code commits signatories to:
      • Adopt best practices to improve female entrepreneurs’ access to finance needed to start and grow successful businesses
      • Nominate a member of the senior leadership team responsible for supporting equality in all interactions with entrepreneurs
      • Provide annual funding data disaggregated by gender to DBT, based on agreed guidelines. Providing data and analysis helps to promote greater transparency across the industry, highlighting where measures are working and where further measures may be needed.
    • To become a signatory, further information and an online sign up form are available here: https://www.british-business-bank.co.uk/investing-in-women-code/

    About the British Business Bank

    The British Business Bank is the UK Government’s economic development bank. Established in November 2014, its mission is to drive sustainable growth and prosperity across the UK and to enable the transition to a net zero economy, by improving access to finance for smaller businesses. Its remit is to design, deliver and efficiently manage UK-wide smaller business access to finance programmes for the UK Government.

    The British Business Bank’s core programmes support over £17.4bn of finance to almost 64,000 smaller businesses.

    As well as increasing the supply and diversity of finance for UK smaller businesses through its programmes, the Bank works to raise awareness of finance options available to smaller businesses. The British Business Bank Finance Hub provides independent and impartial information to businesses about finance options, featuring short films, expert guides, checklists and articles from finance providers to help make their application a success.

    The British Business Bank is also responsible for administering the Government’s three Coronavirus loan schemes and its Future Fund, together responsible for delivering £80.4bn in finance to 1.67m businesses. These schemes are now closed to new applications.

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Summer school at the Polytechnic: 88 participants from different parts of Russia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The Polytechnic University held its eighth annual Summer School, an educational intensive for high school students that brought together talented children from all over the country. This year, 88 high school students from St. Petersburg and other regions of Russia who passed a competitive selection took part.

    The Summer School program included four areas that combined theory, practice, and excursions to leading enterprises. The students visited UEC-Klimov, the Petersburg Tractor Plant, the Institute of Linguistic Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, NIIEFA, the IT Contact company, and the Volkhov Hydroelectric Power Station. In the final, they defended solutions to cases provided by the organizers.

    On the Wings of Polytech track, the participants worked on optimizing the wing design. They created a model in KOMPAS-3D, conducted virtual tests in ANSYS, calculated the load and lift at different angles of attack. The final stage was 3D printing of the wing and its testing on a special stand. The guys presented the results in the form of an engineering report with the defense of the project. The teachers of the program were engineers of the Higher School of Power Engineering and the Scientific and Educational Center “Aircraft Engines and Power Plants” PISh CI Nikita Izbyakov, Andrey Shirokih and Anastasia Bodunova.

    Participants in the track “Energovaybe: how to tame the energy current and not burn out” successfully designed an efficient power supply system for a private home. They analyzed the needs of future residents and developed an optimal layout for electrical appliances, including sockets, switches, and lighting fixtures. To ensure reliable power supply, students calculated the parameters of the key elements of the system and prepared a detailed power distribution plan. The project took into account modern requirements for safety, energy efficiency, and ease of use.

    The students studied electric power engineering with maximum focus on practical applicability. Testing the operation of electrical appliances, conducting experiments on connecting light bulbs, the first modeling in a popular engineering application, developing their own power supply scheme – the participants of the Summer School had no time to get bored, – noted Maria Lyulina, senior lecturer of the Higher School of Electric Power Systems.

    In the track “Linguistics in the Digital Age: from Data Analysis to Artificial Intelligence”, schoolchildren analyzed excerpts from English textbooks for grades 7–11 to assess their complexity. Using special metrics and automatic text processing tools, they found out how the “from simple to complex” principle is observed in the school curriculum. The results will help textbook authors adjust the selection of materials, and teachers will be able to adapt complex texts for better understanding. The track was organized by teachers and staff of the Higher School of Linguistics and Pedagogy Alexander Dmitriev, Marina Kogan and Elena Krupnova.

    In the “How it works: mechanical engineering” program, schoolchildren successfully designed and calculated a single-stage gearbox, a key mechanism for industrial equipment. They performed energy-kinematic calculations, created a 3D model, and analyzed various production technologies, including traditional processing and 3D printing. The intensive course allowed future engineers to master modern methods of designing mechanical systems and understand the principles of choosing optimal production solutions.

    The summer school is a unique opportunity for schoolchildren to immerse themselves in student life and get acquainted with their future profession. Working in groups, together with interested and motivated children, allows them to delve deeper into various technologies of modern professions, – noted the director of the Center for Work with Applicants Artem Egupov.

    The best teams received additional points, which will be taken into account when entering SPbPU, as well as gifts.

    The most valuable thing for me was the acquired experience of teamwork and practical skills of working in KOMPAS-3D. The teachers presented the material in an accessible and exciting way, so it was really interesting. Thanks to the coordinated work, we were able to overcome all the difficulties and achieved an excellent result in the defense of the projects, – shared Leonid Svetlyakov.

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI: Bitwise strengthens European crypto research team with appointment of Max Shannon

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

     

     

    • Nomination reflects Bitwise’s continued commitment to research and education
    • Shannon has strong background in token analysis, data-driven research
    • Bitwise publishes a wide range of research seeking to facilitate investor access to rapidly growing digital finance asset class

    10 July 2025. London: Bitwise is pleased to announce the appointment of Max Shannon as Senior Research Associate within its European research team. The move reinforces Bitwise’s ongoing commitment to research and investor education, aimed at making crypto assets more widely accessible to the investment community and support its suite of German domiciled crypto exchange traded products (ETPs), which includes single asset strategies such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana, diversified crypto baskets, and index-based staking ETPs.

    Shannon brings a strong background in token analysis, crypto equities, and data-driven research, and will play a key role in expanding Bitwise’s thought leadership in crypto investing.

    Prior to joining Bitwise, Shannon served as a Crypto & Equity Research Analyst at CoinShares, where he specialized in liquid tokens and publicly listed crypto-related companies. His expertise in Python programming and his hands-on experience analyzing large financial datasets make him a strong fit for Bitwise’s data-centric research approach.

    In his new role, Shannon will report directly to Dr. André Dragosch, Head of Research, Europe at Bitwise, who said: Max’s dual strengths in granular token evaluation and quantitative data analysis align perfectly with our commitment to rigorous, research-first investment strategies. His appointment further strengthens our capabilities in altcoin research and underscores our dedication to delivering institutional-grade insights to our European clients and the investment community.”

    Shannon said: “I’m excited to join such a dynamic and innovative firm as Bitwise, and to work alongside a team of true crypto experts. Being part of a company that places research and investor education at the core of its mission is a unique opportunity for me, and I look forward to contributing to the continued expansion of that vision.”

    Bitwise made its debut on the European market on 18 June 2020, and its portfolio of products has expanded rapidly since then. Its products are designed to integrate seamlessly into traditional portfolios, offering exposure to crypto assets through regulated vehicles— without the operational risks of holding a physical wallet. Based on the country of residence and other applicable local requirements, some of the current offerings may be suitable to individual investors and available via leading brokerage platforms, with features such as physical redemption included as standard. Bitwise publishes regular freely available analysis on the latest developments in the crypto sector, including a weekly commentary, special reports and deep dives on specific topics. Examples are the weekly Crypto Market Compass, the monthly Bitcoin Macro Investor report and the Crypto Market Espresso, an ad-hoc publication focused on market-relevant crypto news and timely insights. Register here or follow our Linkedin newsletter if you’d like to be notified by email when new market commentary and research updates become available. All research is available on the insights section at bitwiseinvestments.eu.

    About Bitwise

    Bitwise is one of the world’s leading crypto specialist asset managers. Thousands of financial advisors, family offices, and institutional investors across the globe have partnered with us to understand and access the opportunities in crypto. Since 2017, Bitwise has established a track record of excellence, managing a broad suite of index and active solutions across ETPs, separately managed accounts, private funds, and hedge fund strategies – spanning both the U.S. and Europe.

    In Europe, for the past five years Bitwise (formerly ETC Group) has developed an extensive and innovative suite of crypto ETPs, including Europe’s most traded bitcoin ETP, or the first diversified Crypto Basket ETP replicating an MSCI digital assets index.

    This family of crypto ETPs is domiciled in Germany and issued under a base prospectus approved by BaFin. We exclusively partner with reputable entities from the traditional financial industry, ensuring that 100% of the assets are securely stored offline (cold storage) through regulated custodians.

    Our European products comprise a collection of carefully designed financial instruments that seamlessly integrate into any professional portfolio, providing comprehensive exposure to crypto as an asset class. Access is straightforward via major European stock exchanges, with primary listings on Xetra, the most liquid exchange for ETF trading in Europe. Retail investors benefit from easy access through numerous DIY/online brokers, coupled with our robust and secure physical ETP structure, which includes a redemption feature. For more information, visit http://www.bitwiseinvestments.eu

    Media contacts:

    JEA Associates
    John McLeod
    00 44 7886 920436
    john@jeaassociates.com

    Important information  
    The information contained in this press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, opinions are those of Bitwise and do not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy any financial products or cryptocurrencies. This press release is issued by Bitwise Europe GmbH (“BEU”), a limited company domiciled in Germany, for information only and in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. BEU gives no explicit or implicit assurance or guarantee regarding the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of this article or the opinions contained therein. It is advised not to rely on the fairness, accuracy, completeness, or correctness of this article or the opinions contained therein. Please note that certain products may not be available in all jurisdictions or may be offered exclusively to professional or qualified investors, as defined under applicable laws and regulations, including MiFID II (EU), the Financial Services and Markets Act (UK), and the Swiss Financial Services Act (FinSA). Investors should consult their legal or financial advisors for guidance before making any financial decision. For more details, please visit our website or contact us directly via europe@bitwiseinvesmtents.com

    Before investing in crypto Exchange Traded Products (“ETPs”), potential investors should consider the following:  
    Potential investors should seek independent advice and consider relevant information contained in the base prospectus and the final terms for the ETPs, especially the risk factors. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against a loss. ETPs issued by BEU are suitable only for persons experienced in investing in cryptocurrencies and risks of investing can be found in the prospectus and final terms available on www.bitwiseinvestments.eu. The invested capital is at risk, and losses up to the amount invested are possible. ETPs backed by cryptocurrencies are highly volatile assets and performance is unpredictable. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. The market price of ETPs will vary and they do not offer a fixed income or match precisely the performance of the underlying cryptocurrency.  Investing in ETPs involves numerous risks including general market risks relating to underlying, adverse price movements, currency, liquidity, operational, legal and regulatory risks. 

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Trilateral Meeting between Malaysia, Switzerland and the ASEAN Secretariat convenes in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Source: ASEAN

    A Trilateral Meeting between Malaysia, as the ASEAN Chair, Switzerland, and the ASEAN Secretariat was convened today in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Meeting was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, the Honourable Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan, and was attended by Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, Ignazio Cassis, and Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn. The Meeting discussed the ASEAN-Switzerland Sectoral Dialogue Partnership, including ongoing cooperation, and sought untapped opportunities for future collaboration.

    The post Trilateral Meeting between Malaysia, Switzerland and the ASEAN Secretariat convenes in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics

  • MIL-OSI Russia: White Nights Rally in Karelia: Team Extreme Climbs to Podium

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The sports and technical creativity club “Extreme” took part in the final of the Karelia Rally Cup – the legendary race “White Nights”, which took place in the Lakhdenpokhsky district of the Republic of Karelia. In the team standings, the polytechnicians were awarded bronze medals.

    The competition was held on roads that had never been used as race tracks before. The new tracks became a real test of strength for the pilots and equipment. The mechanics also had to face various difficulties: on narrow rocky special stages, which were washed away by rain on the second day, not all athletes managed to find a balance between speed and caution.

    Three Extreme crews reached the finish line. In the 2000N category, bronze medals were won by Andrey Zhukovsky and Konstantin Mukhamendrikov in a Ford Fiesta, despite the fact that the crew overcame the last special stages with serious problems.

    Getting there somehow is better than dropping out of the race, the crew members sum up briefly.

    IMMiT 2022 graduate Danil Kolpin and Valery Smirnov earned credit points in the 1600N category on a VAZ-2108. The Polytechnicians assembled the car on the basis of the KSTT from a bare body.

    On the first day, the brakes created problems, on the second day, the electrics and gearbox. On such roads, the power steering was sorely lacking. The development vector is clear, we will improve the car and next time we will drive much more effectively, – shared Danil Kolpin.

    Pavel Alekseev and IE student Mikhail Krasovitsky were one step away from winning medals in a Renault Logan in the Standard category, which is intended for cars without serious sports modifications.

    On the very first special stage, a couple of turns from the finish, we hit the fuel tank and tore off the fuel pump. We got to the service station on a rope and spent the rest of the first day searching for and fixing the problem. We started the second day in eighth place with a big time penalty, we didn’t finish any special stage lower than third place, but, alas, we couldn’t make up the rest of the penalty minutes. In the end, we were fourth. For a fully factory “Logan”, this is an excellent result, but we strive for the best, – said Mikhail Krasovitsky.

    It was a tough race for the Polytechnicians. In such conditions, it is important not to give up, to continue the fight to reach the finish. It is impossible to win if you do not reach the end. This is probably our main principle of the team, – commented the team leader, mechanic of the Department of Transport and Mechanization of SPbPU Sergey Korovay.

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News

  • MIL-OSI China: China willing to share military equipment achievements with friendly countries: defense ministry 2025-07-08 China has always taken a prudent, responsible approach to military exports and is willing to share the achievements of its equipment development with friendly countries, a Chinese defense spokesperson said on Tuesday.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      BEIJING, July 8 (Xinhua) — China has always taken a prudent, responsible approach to military exports and is willing to share the achievements of its equipment development with friendly countries, a Chinese defense spokesperson said on Tuesday.

      Jiang Bin, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks when commenting on recent reports that several countries are in discussions with China regarding weapon procurement plans that include China’s J-10 fighter jet.

      Jiang also stressed the country’s commitment to playing a constructive role in regional and global peace and stability. 

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    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI China: Han Kuang exercise is nothing but a bluffing and self-deceiving trick: Defense Spokesperson 2025-07-08 Whatever weapons the DPP authorities use, the overwhelming and irresistible trend of China’s national reunification will not be stopped, said Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, at a press briefing on Tuesday.

    Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense

      BEIJING, July 8 — Whatever weapons the DPP authorities use, the overwhelming and irresistible trend of China’s national reunification will not be stopped, said Senior Colonel Jiang Bin, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, at a press briefing on Tuesday. 

      Jiang made those remarks when asked to comment on the Han Kuang-41 live-troop exercise to be conducted by Taiwan’s military from July 9. It is learnt the exercise will focus on such subjects as the so-called “response to gray-zone harassment”, “joint anti-landing operations” and “resilient defense on the island”. Meanwhile, many US weapons will make their debut during the exercise. 

      The spokesperson slammed that Han Kuang exercise is nothing but a bluffing and self-deceiving trick played by the DPP authorities to hijack Taiwan compatriots on-board its “Taiwan Independence” war chariot, and the DPP authorities are harming Taiwan out of its selfish interests. 

      “We solemnly warn the DPP authorities that seeking ‘independence by force’ is a dead end. Whatever subjects they drill and whatever weapons they use, the PLA’s resolute countermeasures against ‘Taiwan Independence’ will not be deterred, nor will the overwhelming and irresistible trend of China’s national reunification be stopped.” Jiang stressed.

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    MIL OSI China News

  • MIL-OSI USA: SETAF-AF forensic team deploys expertise at sea, protects US and allied assets

    Source: United States Army

    1 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Samantha Beltran, left, Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center Army CID FXD latent print examiner, demonstrates fingerprint analysis techniques to French Forces in Djibouti personnel at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 12, 2025. The JTFAC analyzes evidence from the field, including DNA, fingerprints, firearms, and electronic media, to provide actionable intelligence in support of U.S., allied, and partner nation operations across Africa. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Hardy-Bannerman) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman) VIEW ORIGINAL
    2 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Natassha Robinson, Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center Army CID FXD latent print examiner, demonstrates fingerprint analysis techniques to Japanese Self-Defense Force members at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, June 19, 2025. The JTFAC collaborates with various partner forces across the U.S. Africa Command area of responsibility to support operations to enhance regional security and stability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Hardy-Bannerman) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Marcus Hardy-Bannerman) VIEW ORIGINAL
    3 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A sign for the Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center is displayed at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, May 5, 2025. The JTFAC is U.S. Africa Command’s sole provider of comprehensive forensic capabilities across the range of military operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Joseph Bartoszek) (Photo Credit: Senior Airman Joseph Bartoszek) VIEW ORIGINAL
    4 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Emily Rue, Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center, observes a color test to isolate the compound in the sample in Bizerte, Tunisia, April 28, 2025. African Lion 25 (AL25) is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve Photo By Lt. Col Dale D. Barnes.) (Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Dale Barnes) VIEW ORIGINAL
    5 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center and Tunisian Armed Forces use a variety of chemicals to retrieve serial numbers removed from equipment in Bizerte, Tunisia, April 28, 2025. African Lion 25 (AL25) is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Lt. Col. Dale D. Barnes.) (Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Dale Barnes) VIEW ORIGINAL
    6 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lauren Kraul, Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center, discusses methods to retrieve serial numbers removed from equipment with Tunisian Armed Forces in Bizerte, Tunisia, April 28, 2025. African Lion 25 (AL25) is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve Photo By Lt. Col Dale D. Barnes.) (Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Dale Barnes) VIEW ORIGINAL
    7 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center and Tunisian Armed Forces collaborate during exercise African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Bizerte, Tunisia, April 28, 2025. Fluorescent lighting is used to view fingerprints on items being tested. AL25 is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 40 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations—preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Lt. Col. Dale D. Barnes.) (Photo Credit: Lt. Col. Dale Barnes) VIEW ORIGINAL

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    U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF)

    VICENZA, Italy – When U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) identified a need to gather evidence, the U.S. Army’s Joint Theater Forensic Analysis Center (JTFAC) answered the call. Its forensic team launched into action at sea, turning expertise into real-world impact.

    At the request of the CENTCOM and AFRICOM, JTFAC personnel deployed to collect and analyze forensic evidence from a vessel carrying Iranian-supplied advanced conventional weapons. The seized cargo included ballistic missile components, anti-ship ballistic missile parts and a warhead, all bound for Houthi rebel forces in Yemen.

    The forensic evidence helped secure a June 5, 2025, federal conviction of the ship’s captain, Muhammad Pahlawan, a Pakistani national who worked closely with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, on six charges related to smuggling Iranian-made advanced conventional weaponry destined for the Houthis in Yemen, as well as threatening multiple witnesses.

    “The JTFAC forensic team conducted rapid sensitive site exploitation at expeditionary locations, including within the maritime environment,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Kyle Thomason, provost marshal for U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), which provides oversight to JTFAC operations.

    To meet the unique demands of a maritime environment, the team rapidly adapted its Fly Away Kit, a mobile forensic toolkit designed for land and sea missions. This self-contained toolkit enabled JTFAC scientists to conduct on-site analysis, including chemical trace detection, biometric collection, and confirmed and inventoried types of weapons and equipment aboard the vessel.

    The vessel’s initial interdiction resulted in the deaths of two Navy SEALs off the coast of Somalia in Jan. 2024, making international headlines at the time. However, the loss of service members was not in vain.

    The interdiction successfully prevented anti-ship ballistic missiles from targeting U.S. and partner-nation vessels. The type of weaponry found aboard the vessel was consistent with the weapon systems used by the Houthi rebel forces during the time of the charged conspiracy against merchant ships and U.S. military vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack in Israel.

    “The JTFAC services the Joint Interagency Intergovernmental Multinational community within AFRICOM,” said Thomason. “Their mission enables U.S. and partner nation forces to accomplish AFRICOM campaign objectives.”

    Along with AFRICOM and CENTCOM, U.S. European Command was also involved in this offshore mission, highlighting JTFAC’s reach across geographic boundaries and interagency lines.

    “We’re glad to have had the opportunity to fit into the seams of multiple commands to support this consequential operation,” added Thomason.

    The mission not only demonstrated the center’s technical capabilities, but also deepened collaboration between defense, justice and diplomatic agencies operating in the AFRICOM area of responsibility. It marked a significant milestone in JTFAC’s expanding role as a forensic enabler for both military and civilian partners.

    “The lab is internationally accredited, meaning its scientists can serve as expert witnesses in both the U.S. and abroad,” said Greg Sanson, the JTFAC liaison officer to SETAF-AF. “This comes in handy when either the U.S. or a partner nation wants to take legal action against subjects identified through our forensic analysis.”

    JTFAC’s recent support of African Lion exercises laid the groundwork for this success. During those multinational events, Forensic Exploitation Team (FXT) scientists provided hands-on training to host-nation forces in Tunisia and Morocco, covering topics such as latent fingerprint development, DNA analysis and post-blast evidence recovery.

    In addition, AFRICOM’s exercise Cutlass Express included 21 legal advisors from 12 countries converging in Victoria, Seychelles, Feb. 10-14, 2025. The multinational team discussed legal processes and examined possible scenarios that support search and seizure operations such as the type of mission which brought about this latest conviction.

    “These engagements not only enhance the forensic science capabilities of our partners across the African continent, but also reinforce our center’s readiness for real-world contingencies,” added U.S. Army Maj. Lucas Poon, the JTFAC director at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti.

    JTFAC’s capabilities stem from both military and civilian personnel, operating under the umbrella of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID). The Army CID’s Forensic Exploitation Division (FXD) staffs the majority of JTFAC positions. While the JTFAC is operationally controlled by SETAF-AF, a unique team from multiple U.S. Army commands enables this function.

    The FXD supports numerous annual partner nation engagements and deploys on six-month rotations as part of the JTFAC in Djibouti.

    “The lab’s ongoing mission provides multiple other benefits to partner nations, civilians and service members who operate in this area,” said Sanson. “Accurate forensic assessments lead to updated tactics, techniques and procedures, as well as revisions to protective equipment and policies to keep people safe now and into the future.”

    As threats grow more complex and transnational, JTFAC continues to prove that science, when deployed with precision, can be a decisive force for justice and security.

    About SETAF-AF

    U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) prepares Army forces, executes crisis response, enables strategic competition and strengthens partners to achieve U.S. Army Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command campaign objectives.

    Follow SETAF-AF on: Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn & DVIDS.

    MIL OSI USA News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Netherlands pledges €300 million for reconstruction and economic recovery of Ukraine

    Source: Government of the Netherlands

    On Thursday the Netherlands pledged €300 million for the reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine in 2025 and 2026. Minister of Foreign Affairs Caspar Veldkamp announced the support at the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Rome, in which he and Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof are participating. The URC is an annual international event dedicated to the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.

    The foreign minister also announced that €30 million of this sum will be earmarked to help Dutch businesses and organisations to set up projects that contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction and sustainable recovery through the Ukraine Partnership Facility (UPF) grant programme. Mr Veldkamp had already said that €52 million of the Dutch contribution would be spent on repairing Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and drinking water supplies in 2025.

    In addition, the Netherlands is donating €4 million for the construction of a new wing at the children’s hospital in Lviv, to be carried out in partnership with the Princess Máxima Center for paediatric oncology in Utrecht.

    These amounts are part of the funds that the government had already set aside for non-military support to Ukraine in 2025 and 2026. The support amounts to €252 million per year, which adds up to more than €500 million in total. The details of how the first €200 million would be spent had already been announced. Now the purpose of the remaining amounts has also been determined. 

    ‘Russia isn’t just trying to bring Ukraine’s armed forces to their knees, but for more than three years has also been attempting to destroy Ukraine’s society and economy through continuous attacks, for instance on energy infrastructure, water supplies and grain storage facilities, as well as houses and apartments. It is therefore important that the international community supports Ukraine not only with arms, but also with financial, economic and social assistance. Ukraine’s economy and society must be kept running because that will help the country in its struggle. It is, as it were, another front line. Our financial and economic support is also intended to help the recovery process run more smoothly and to keep the costs of reconstruction down,’ said Mr Veldkamp. 

    Ukraine Partnership Facility

    At the conference, Mr Veldkamp and Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Yulia Svyrydenko, will sign a cooperation agreement on the extension of the UPF grant programme established in 2023 to help Dutch businesses and organisations working on projects in the fields of agrofood, sustainable energy, healthcare, water and circular construction that will benefit Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction. The Netherlands and Ukraine will collaborate to ensure that the selected projects meet Ukraine’s needs to the greatest extent possible. 

    €20 million to boost Ukraine’s cyber resilience

    One of the topics discussed at the conference will be efforts to boost Ukraine’s cyber resilience. The Netherlands had already announced it was setting aside €10 million per year for 2025 and 2026 to assist Ukraine in this area. The cyber threat posed to Ukraine by Russia has never been greater, as cyber attacks are an integral part of Russia’s war effort. The funding may for example be used to increase the cyber resilience of critical sectors such as energy and transport.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Netherlands pledges €300 million for reconstruction and economic recovery of Ukraine

    Source: Government of the Netherlands

    On Thursday the Netherlands pledged €300 million for the reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine in 2025 and 2026. Minister of Foreign Affairs Caspar Veldkamp announced the support at the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Rome, in which he and Dutch prime minister Dick Schoof are participating. The URC is an annual international event dedicated to the recovery and reconstruction of Ukraine.

    The foreign minister also announced that €30 million of this sum will be earmarked to help Dutch businesses and organisations to set up projects that contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction and sustainable recovery through the Ukraine Partnership Facility (UPF) grant programme. Mr Veldkamp had already said that €52 million of the Dutch contribution would be spent on repairing Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and drinking water supplies in 2025.

    In addition, the Netherlands is donating €4 million for the construction of a new wing at the children’s hospital in Lviv, to be carried out in partnership with the Princess Máxima Center for paediatric oncology in Utrecht.

    These amounts are part of the funds that the government had already set aside for non-military support to Ukraine in 2025 and 2026. The support amounts to €252 million per year, which adds up to more than €500 million in total. The details of how the first €200 million would be spent had already been announced. Now the purpose of the remaining amounts has also been determined. 

    ‘Russia isn’t just trying to bring Ukraine’s armed forces to their knees, but for more than three years has also been attempting to destroy Ukraine’s society and economy through continuous attacks, for instance on energy infrastructure, water supplies and grain storage facilities, as well as houses and apartments. It is therefore important that the international community supports Ukraine not only with arms, but also with financial, economic and social assistance. Ukraine’s economy and society must be kept running because that will help the country in its struggle. It is, as it were, another front line. Our financial and economic support is also intended to help the recovery process run more smoothly and to keep the costs of reconstruction down,’ said Mr Veldkamp. 

    Ukraine Partnership Facility

    At the conference, Mr Veldkamp and Ukraine’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Yulia Svyrydenko, will sign a cooperation agreement on the extension of the UPF grant programme established in 2023 to help Dutch businesses and organisations working on projects in the fields of agrofood, sustainable energy, healthcare, water and circular construction that will benefit Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction. The Netherlands and Ukraine will collaborate to ensure that the selected projects meet Ukraine’s needs to the greatest extent possible. 

    €20 million to boost Ukraine’s cyber resilience

    One of the topics discussed at the conference will be efforts to boost Ukraine’s cyber resilience. The Netherlands had already announced it was setting aside €10 million per year for 2025 and 2026 to assist Ukraine in this area. The cyber threat posed to Ukraine by Russia has never been greater, as cyber attacks are an integral part of Russia’s war effort. The funding may for example be used to increase the cyber resilience of critical sectors such as energy and transport.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI: Secarna Pharmaceuticals and Vect-Horus Announce Research Collaboration to Advance Systemic Delivery of RNA-Targeted Therapeutics for CNS Disorders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • The partnership combines Secarna’s OligoCreator® technology with Vect-Horus’ VECTrans® platform to enable systemic delivery of oligonucleotide therapies across the blood-brain barrier
    • This collaboration marks a strategic step for both companies in expanding their presence in targeted delivery and CNS indications, uniting complementary expertise in RNA therapeutics and advanced delivery technologies
    • This strategic agreement unlocks new potential treatments for neurodegenerative and other CNS disorders and delivering solutions that truly impact patient lives

    Martinsried, Germany, and Marseille, France, July 10, 2025 – Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG, a company redefining the discovery and development of best-in-class oligonucleotide therapeutics, and Vect-Horus, an expert in the design and development of molecular vectors to facilitate targeted delivery of therapeutic molecules and imaging agents, today announced that the companies have entered into a strategic research collaboration to develop RNA-targeted therapeutics capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to address diseases of the central nervous system (CNS).

    The partnership will combine Vect-Horus’ expertise and delivery technology platform, VECTrans®, a versatile delivery system focused on shuttling therapeutic or imaging payloads across biological barriers, with Secarna’s proprietary OligoCreator® oligonucleotide discovery platform. The combination of these two technologies will expand Secarna’s targeted delivery portfolio, offering a novel approach that could potentially transform the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

    “This partnership brings together two complementary platforms to address one of the most challenging aspects of CNS drug development – effective, targeted, and systemic delivery across the blood-brain barrier,” said Konstantin Petropoulos, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of Secarna Pharmaceuticals. “Our collaboration with Vect-Horus, whose VECTrans® technology has earned major recognition in the world, marks a significant step in our strategic expansion into targeted delivery in the context of CNS diseases, unlocking new possibilities for treating neurodegenerative and other CNS disorders and delivering solutions that truly impact patient lives.”

    “We are pleased to collaborate with Secarna Pharmaceuticals” said Alexandre Tokay, co-founder and CEO of Vect-Horus. “By combining our VECTrans® delivery platform with Secarna’s OligoCreator® technology, we aim to advance RNA-targeted therapies for CNS disorders. This research collaboration represents a unique opportunity to overcome the long-standing delivery challenges through the blood-brain barrier and bring forward innovative treatment options for patients who today have limited and ineffective treatment options”

    With over 20 years of expertise Vect-Horus’ VECTrans® platform uses engineered peptide and single-domain, heavy chain-only (VHH) antibody vectors to shuttle therapeutic or imaging payloads—ranging from small molecules and oligonucleotides to proteins—across biological barriers like the blood–brain barrier via receptor-mediated transport. This approach enables efficient targeting of specific cells or tissues (e.g., the CNS or tumors) while enhancing pharmacokinetics and minimizing off-target effects. VECTrans® has been validated in multiple preclinical animal models for a variety of diseases. In addition, the platform has one partnered program in the clinical stage targeting glioblastoma multiforme and pancreatic cancer.

    Secarna’s AI-empowered OligoCreator® platform unites multiple delivery solutions with safety and efficacy assessment tools to rapidly discover and refine highly effective and safe oligonucleotide therapies. This powerful integration enhances Secarna’s ability to address diseases once considered untreatable, reinforcing the platform’s critical role in driving the next generation of medical innovation.

    About Secarna Pharmaceuticals
    Secarna Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company redefining the discovery and development of best-in-class oligonucleotide therapeutics, offering hope to patients facing conditions that are beyond the reach of current approaches and modalities. With the Company’s proprietary AI-empowered OligoCreator® platform, which includes multiple delivery technologies, Secarna identifies and characterizes oligonucleotide therapeutics with unparalleled speed and excellent safety and efficacy. By delivering these novel therapeutics to the cells, organs, or tissues where they are needed, targeted oligonucleotide therapies have the potential to revolutionize treatments for a wide range of difficult-to-treat disorders. Secarna’s unique ‘OligoCreator®’ platform is leveraged to transform untreatable conditions into treatable ones, profoundly changing the future of medicine. www.secarna.com

    About Vect-Horus
    Vect-Horus designs and develops vectors that facilitate targeting and delivery of therapeutic or imaging agents to organs, including the brain, and to tumors. Founded in 2005, Vect-Horus is a spin-off of the Institute for Neurophysiopathology (INP, UMR7051, CNRS and Aix Marseille University), formerly headed by Dr Michel Khrestchatisky, co-founder of the company. Vect-Horus has 42 employees (most in R&D).
    To learn more about Vect-Horus, visit www.vect-horus.com.

    Contact
    Secarna Pharmaceuticals GmbH & Co. KG

    Konstantin Petropoulos, PhD, MBA
    Chief Executive Officer
    Phone: +49 (0)89 215 46 375
    info@secarna.com

       Secarna Pharmaceuticals

    Media Inquiries:

    For Secarna Pharmaceuticals
    MC Services AG

    Lydia Robinson-Garcia
    Phone: + 49 (0)170 7134018
    Email: secarna@mc-services.eu

    Contact
    Vect-Horus
    Emmanuelle Bettendorf
    BD & Alliance Management
    contact@vect-horus.com
    For Vect-Horus
    Cohesion Bureau

    Sophie Baumont
    sophie.baumont@cohesionbureau.com

    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI: Ryoko Pro Deep Dive: Why Is Ryoko Pro Wifi Router Gaining Global Recognition in 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York City, NY, July 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Let’s face it — these days, being offline isn’t just inconvenient. It’s borderline disabling.

    Whether you’re working remotely, trying to stream content during a long trip, or simply need to upload a file before a deadline, a poor internet connection can throw your whole day off balance. And public Wi-Fi? That’s a gamble — slow, crowded, and in most cases, not exactly secure.

    That’s where the Ryoko Pro Portable Wi-Fi comes in.

    Marketed as a lightweight, travel-friendly portable WiFi hotspot, Ryoko Pro is one of those gadgets you probably didn’t know you needed… until you find yourself stuck without a signal. 

    It’s been gaining traction among digital nomads, business travelers, and even casual users who just want a more reliable way to stay connected while on the move.

    But what exactly is it? How does it work? And is it worth the hype — or just another overpromised travel gadget?

    This article breaks it all down.

    We’ll cover everything from first impressions and setup, to user reviews, how it compares with regular portable Wi-Fi, and whether it’s actually a legit solution or just clever marketing. If you’re considering Ryoko Pro, or just looking for a way to avoid insecure public Wi-Fi, you’re in the right place.

    Let’s dive in.

    What Is Ryoko Pro?

    Ryoko Pro is a portable WiFi router designed to give you reliable, secure internet access wherever you are — without needing to hunt for public Wi-Fi or pay for expensive international data plans.

    At a glance, it looks like a compact travel gadget. But what it actually does is pretty clever: it connects to 4G LTE networks using built-in virtual SIM technology, and then broadcasts a private Wi-Fi signal that your devices — phones, laptops, tablets, etc. — can connect to, just like they would at home.

    That means you can browse, stream, upload, or jump on a Zoom call from just about anywhere, even if you’re miles away from a Starbucks or hotel hotspot.

    Now, it’s not some bulky mobile router meant for tech nerds. Ryoko Pro was clearly built with portability and simplicity in mind. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket or bag, and setup is basically plug-and-play. Press the power button, and it gets to work — no apps, no installations, no calling tech support.

    What makes it different from your phone’s hotspot or regular mobile routers?

    • For one, Ryoko Pro isn’t tied to a single carrier or SIM card. Instead, it uses virtual SIM tech to automatically connect to the strongest local mobile network in whatever country you’re in. That’s a huge plus for travelers.
    • It also offers a secure connection — a key advantage over open public Wi-Fi networks, which are notorious for being easy targets for hackers.
    • And unlike tethering from your phone, Ryoko Pro runs on its own battery — which means no battery drain on your mobile device and better performance overall.

    The device also ships with a pre-installed SIM card that comes loaded with a small amount of free data (usually around 500MB). After that, you can top up only when you need to, without being locked into a monthly subscription.

    To put it plainly: Ryoko Pro is a tool for staying connected in real time — without the drama.

    Whether you’re a remote worker, business traveler, or just someone who wants to stream Netflix at a cabin without relying on hotel Wi-Fi, this device was made to give you a steady internet connection anywhere you go.

    Of course, the big question is: does it actually deliver on those promises?

    We’ll get to that. But first — let’s talk about what you get in the box, and what the first-time setup experience looks like.

    Visit Official Website to Get More Information

    First Impressions: Unboxing the Ryoko Pro

    Unboxing a new gadget can tell you a lot — not just about the product, but about the company behind it. With Ryoko Pro, the experience seems to strike a balance between simplicity and function — no unnecessary extras, no gimmicks, just what you need to get online quickly.

    If you’ve ever unboxed a tech product and felt overwhelmed by wires, thick manuals, and pieces you didn’t expect to assemble — this isn’t that. Everything about Ryoko Pro’s packaging seems to be designed with the traveling user in mind: compact, lightweight, and straightforward.

    Here’s what typically comes in the box:

    • Ryoko Pro device – The main unit is smaller than most smartphones, with a curved, smooth finish and minimalist design. It fits neatly in your palm, pocket, or carry-on without bulking things up.
    • Pre-installed SIM card – A key feature that removes one of the biggest pain points of traditional mobile hotspots. You don’t have to fumble with SIM trays or worry about compatibility. The SIM is already in place and ready to go.
    • USB-C charging cable – Ryoko Pro uses a modern USB-C port, which is a nice touch. It charges faster than outdated micro-USB options, and most users likely already own a USB-C charger from other devices.
    • Quick-start guide – Clear, concise, and actually helpful. The setup steps are so minimal that some people may not even need to read it, but it’s there just in case.

    Some bundles may also include a magnetic charging dock, though that depends on where you buy it from or whether there’s a current promotion. If it’s included, that makes recharging even more convenient — just place the device on the dock and let it juice up, no cables required.

    A few things that stand out:

    • Simplicity: There’s no software to install. No mobile app to download. No need to pair it with a phone first. Just press the power button and it handles the rest.
    • Design: It doesn’t scream “tech gadget.” It’s discreet enough to use in public without drawing attention, which is something frequent travelers and digital nomads appreciate.
    • Ready out of the box: The pre-installed SIM card and built-in global compatibility mean you can literally open it, turn it on, and be online within a minute — no tech skills required.

    For anyone who’s ever struggled setting up a router, dealt with an unreliable tether, or scrambled to connect at an airport, that ease-of-use is a game-changer. And for business travelers or people with tight schedules, the ability to get online immediately — without asking for a Wi-Fi password or registering at some login screen — makes a real difference.

    To be clear, Ryoko Pro is not trying to impress with flashy packaging or dozens of accessories. Instead, it delivers functionality first. And that’s actually what gives off a good first impression — it feels like a tool, not a toy.

    How Does Ryoko Pro Work?

    At first glance, Ryoko Pro might look like just another compact tech gadget. But under the hood, it’s powered by some pretty thoughtful engineering — designed to eliminate the most common headaches travelers and remote workers face when trying to get online.

    Let’s break it down in plain English.

    It Starts With Virtual SIM Technology

    Unlike most mobile hotspots that require you to manually insert a SIM card and configure network settings, Ryoko Pro comes with virtual SIM (vSIM) technology built in.

    What does that mean?

    Basically, the device can digitally switch between multiple local network providers, depending on where you are. When you turn it on, Ryoko Pro searches for the strongest 4G LTE signal in your area, and connects to that automatically — no SIM swapping or physical configuration needed.

    You don’t have to be tied to one telecom provider, nor do you need to fumble with paperclip tools trying to pop open SIM trays in a foreign airport. Ryoko Pro handles all of that behind the scenes.

    Coverage in 75+ Countries

    Because of the way it’s set up, Ryoko Pro is able to work across more than 75 countries. Whether you’re hopping between cities in Europe, road-tripping through the U.S., or working remotely from Southeast Asia, the device connects to local networks to give you internet access almost instantly.

    And no — you don’t need a new plan or contract for each country. You just turn it on, let it scan, and you’re good to go.

    Creating a Secure Personal Wi-Fi Network

    Once connected to the local 4G LTE tower, Ryoko Pro starts broadcasting a private Wi-Fi signal — just like the router in your home.

    You can then connect your:

    • Smartphone
    • Laptop
    • Tablet
    • Smartwatch
    • Even IoT devices (like a Kindle, Chromecast, or portable gaming system)

    …up to 10 devices at once.

    This is a huge deal for people traveling as a group, or for business users who need to be logged in on multiple screens at once. And since it doesn’t rely on your phone’s hotspot feature, you save your mobile battery for more important things — like calls, navigation, or camera use.

    Built-In Security Features

    A standout part of how Ryoko Pro works is its attention to privacy and safety.

    When you connect to public Wi-Fi — say, at a hotel or café — you’re often on an open, unsecured network. That means your data (emails, logins, bank info) can be vulnerable to eavesdropping or interception.

    Ryoko Pro skips that risk entirely by providing a secure internet connection with:

    • Encryption to protect your browsing data
    • A built-in ad blocker to improve speed and filter out trackers
    • Anti-phishing tools that flag sketchy websites trying to mimic legit ones (like “paypall.com” instead of “paypal.com”)

    So even if you’re handling business documents, logging into sensitive accounts, or just streaming while sipping coffee at a rest stop, you’re doing it in a private digital bubble.

    All Without Wires or Setup

    Here’s where things really come together.

    • You don’t need to install software or apps
    • There’s no need to register accounts
    • There’s no complex login screen every time you power on

    Just hold the power button, wait a few seconds, and Ryoko Pro does everything else in the background. It connects to the local tower, creates a hotspot, and lets your devices jump on.

    If you’ve ever tried setting up a traditional mobile router or struggled with inconsistent tethering from your phone, this kind of plug-and-play experience is a major breath of fresh air.

    In short:
    Ryoko Pro works by quietly handling the complex stuff so you can just connect and go. Whether you’re planning a weekend escape or living the digital nomad life, the technology behind it is built to keep you online without slowing you down.

    Next, we’ll look at what specific features make Ryoko Pro stand out from the crowd.

    Visit Official Website to Get More Information

    Key Features of Ryoko Pro Portable Router

    If you’ve ever dealt with slow, unreliable Wi-Fi while traveling — or worse, been locked out of your work because a hotel router decided to have a bad day — then you already know how valuable a dependable portable hotspot can be.

    The Ryoko Pro isn’t just a convenience tool — it’s designed to address the most frustrating parts of staying online when you’re not at home. Below are the core features that set it apart from the typical alternatives.

    Automatic Network Switching with Virtual SIM

    One of Ryoko Pro’s standout features is its virtual SIM technology, which allows it to automatically connect to the strongest available mobile network in your location. Instead of being locked into one carrier, it scans for the best option and connects on the fly — no SIM card swaps, no manual setup.

    This is especially useful for international travelers, since it saves you the hassle (and cost) of buying new SIMs every time you cross a border.

    Global Coverage in 75+ Countries

    Ryoko Pro works across 75+ countries, offering strong, stable internet access whether you’re road-tripping in the U.S., visiting cities across Europe, or exploring remote locations.

    You don’t need to activate a new plan in each country. The built-in connectivity system handles that quietly in the background, giving you the freedom to just power it on and get connected.

    For digital nomads, freelancers, or even a business traveler hopping from meeting to meeting, this kind of seamless cross-border performance is a huge asset.

    Secure, Encrypted Wi-Fi on the Go

    One of the biggest risks with public networks is lack of security — hotel lobbies, cafés, airport lounges… all of them come with hidden dangers like snooping, malware, or phishing traps.

    Ryoko Pro eliminates that risk by creating a secure internet connection that’s yours alone. On top of encryption, it also includes:

    • A built-in ad blocker, which improves performance and protects against tracker-heavy sites
    • Anti-malware screening to prevent accidental downloads from shady domains
    • Phishing protection that helps block impersonator websites

    If you’re someone who handles sensitive data, logs into private work accounts, or just values online privacy, these are more than just bonus features — they’re essentials.

    Long-Lasting Battery Life (Up to 8 Hours)

    Battery anxiety is real, especially if you’re out and about for most of the day.

    Ryoko Pro is built with a long-lasting battery that gives you up to 8 hours of continuous use on a single charge. That’s enough to get through an entire workday, a long flight, or a full day of sightseeing without needing a wall outlet.

    And since it charges via USB-C, you don’t need to worry about carrying around a dedicated charger. It’s compatible with most modern charging cables — just plug in and power up.

    Connect Up to 10 Devices at Once

    Whether you’re a solo traveler with multiple gadgets or part of a group trying to stay connected, Ryoko Pro has you covered. It can support up to 10 connected devices simultaneously — phones, tablets, laptops, smartwatches — without killing the signal.

    This makes it a solid option for:

    • Families on vacation
    • Teams attending conferences
    • Creators uploading large files while livestreaming
    • Even just managing your own tech stack on the go

    No more fighting over who gets the hotspot. Everyone can stay online at the same time.

    Lightweight and Travel-Ready

    Physically, Ryoko Pro is about as travel-friendly as it gets. It’s compact, lightweight, and discreet — small enough to slide into a pocket or the side of a laptop bag without even noticing it’s there.

    There are no dangling wires, no antennas sticking out, and no extra parts to assemble. Just one device that’s ready to go whenever you are.

    For people who travel light or want fewer moving pieces to worry about, that’s a big win.

    No Subscriptions or Contracts

    This is something many people overlook when comparing portable Wi-Fi options. A lot of alternatives require monthly subscriptions, activation fees, or long-term contracts that limit your flexibility.

    With Ryoko Pro, there’s no forced subscription. It comes with a pre-installed SIM card and 500MB of data out of the box. After that, you top up when and how you choose — either through the manufacturer’s site or authorized providers.

    You’re not paying for what you don’t use, and there are no surprise roaming charges buried in a bill later on.

    In a nutshell, Ryoko Pro is built to solve real problems:

    ✔️ Crappy public Wi-Fi
    ✔️ SIM-swapping fatigue
    ✔️ Expensive roaming
    ✔️ Connection dropouts
    ✔️ Battery drain from tethering

    If you’ve dealt with any of those before, this kind of portable solution starts to make a lot of sense.

    Next up, we’ll zoom in on real-world use cases — how people are using Ryoko Pro in everyday situations, from camping trips to client calls.

    Real-Life Use Cases: Where Ryoko Pro Comes In Handy

    One of the best ways to understand the value of a device like Ryoko Pro is to look at the kinds of situations it’s designed for. It’s easy to rattle off features, but the real question is — how does it make life easier for actual people?

    Let’s walk through a few everyday scenarios where a portable hotspot like Ryoko Pro shines.

    Road Trips with Multiple Devices

    Imagine you’re on a long road trip. You’ve got your phone running navigation, your partner’s trying to stream music, the kids are watching YouTube in the backseat, and maybe you’re uploading some footage to your Google Drive.

    That’s a lot of connected devices, and most cars just aren’t equipped to handle that much bandwidth — if they offer any internet access at all.

    Ryoko Pro steps in as a central internet hub. You turn it on, toss it in the glove compartment, and everyone stays online. No signal drops, no burning through your phone’s data plan, and no arguments over whose device gets priority.

    International Travel Without Roaming Stress

    You land in a new country. Your phone greets you with a “Welcome to [insert random country]” text and a vague warning about international charges. Local SIM card stalls are confusing or closed, and the airport Wi-Fi requires a login you can’t translate.

    That’s where Ryoko Pro pays for itself.

    It boots up, finds the strongest local network, and gets you connected without you lifting a finger. Whether you’re in a taxi trying to pull up directions or waiting in a hotel lobby trying to confirm bookings, you’ve got real-time internet right out of the gate.

    No SIM switching. No roaming charges. Just seamless access.

    Camping, Hiking, and Remote Escapes

    Let’s say you’re out in nature — fishing by a lake, hiking into the woods, or just camping in an area with spotty signal. You’re not looking to doom-scroll Instagram, but maybe you do want to check the weather, answer a work email, or stream a game while sitting by the fire.

    Most portable routers would tap out here. But Ryoko Pro has been praised in reviews for maintaining a reliable connection even in areas where traditional mobile service is weak.

    In fact, some verified buyers mention using it to stream video content while off the grid, which says a lot about its stability and signal management.

    Working from Cafés or Public Spaces

    If you’ve ever tried to upload a file or join a Zoom call over crowded café Wi-Fi, you know the pain: slow speeds, laggy video, and random disconnections mid-sentence.

    Ryoko Pro gives you a private network to connect to — no bandwidth sharing with 50 other laptops, and no sketchy public Wi-Fi risks. Whether you’re handling sensitive files, attending a client meeting, or just sending out invoices, the secure internet connection it offers makes remote work feel a lot more like home.

    And because it supports up to 10 devices, you can connect your laptop, phone, and tablet — all without toggling between hotspots or juggling mobile data.

    Streaming or Gaming on the Go

    Not every use case is work-related. Sometimes you just want to watch a show or play a game while you’re stuck at the airport or riding shotgun on a long drive.

    Ryoko Pro has enough bandwidth to handle light gaming and HD streaming, assuming there’s decent 4G LTE coverage in the area. That makes it a solid choice for creators, gamers, or anyone who hates buffering screens.

    Business Travel Without IT Headaches

    Corporate travelers often have multiple devices, tight schedules, and a low tolerance for connectivity issues. Whether it’s checking into flights, joining conference calls, or uploading sales decks, they need to be online — period.

    Ryoko Pro offers that always-ready connection without depending on hotel Wi-Fi (which is often limited, unsecured, or just plain unreliable). With its long-lasting battery and ability to connect multiple devices, it makes sure you’re never one step behind just because of weak signal or a bad login portal.

    Bottom line?

    Ryoko Pro isn’t trying to replace your home broadband setup. It’s built for those moments when you’re not at home, but still need to be just as connected, productive, or entertained. Whether that means checking Slack from a train station, streaming football in the forest, or uploading a pitch deck from a Paris café — the use cases are endless.

    Visit Official Website to Get More Information

    Who Needs Ryoko Pro?

    Not every gadget is for everyone — but Ryoko Pro seems to hit a sweet spot for a very wide range of people. If you’ve ever found yourself stuck without a reliable internet connection — especially when it mattered most — then this device is probably speaking your language.

    Here’s a closer look at who Ryoko Pro is really made for:

    Frequent International Travelers

    Let’s start with the obvious one.

    If you travel across borders even a couple of times a year, you already know the SIM card circus: different providers, incompatible plans, confusing top-ups, and roaming fees that feel like they were made to punish you for leaving the country.

    Ryoko Pro is tailor-made for this crowd. With its virtual SIM technology and support for over 75 countries, it removes the friction from staying connected abroad. Whether you’re jetting across Europe or island-hopping in Southeast Asia, it automatically locks onto the best local network — no SIM tray tools, no guesswork.

    Perfect for:
    Tourists
    Business travelers
    Travel content creators

    Remote Workers & Digital Nomads

    Let’s be real: working remotely sounds like a dream — until the Wi-Fi drops mid-meeting or your file upload stalls at 82%.

    Whether you’re taking work calls from a beach café or sending off proposals from a shared workspace, Ryoko Pro offers a private, secure internet connection that doesn’t depend on the venue’s dodgy router.

    And if you’re the type juggling multiple gadgets — laptop, phone, tablet — Ryoko Pro’s ability to support up to 10 connected devices makes your workflow smoother, not more complicated.

    Perfect for:
    Freelancers
    Digital nomads
     Remote startup teams

    Campers, Hikers & Off-the-Grid Adventurers

    There’s something magical about unplugging from the noise of the world — until you actually need to plug back in for a moment.

    Maybe you need to check a weather report. Or confirm a campsite. Or upload a GoPro video from a trail. Most mobile hotspots fail the moment you’re out of cell-tower range.

    Ryoko Pro, thanks to its strong signal-seeking capabilities, performs better than expected in these fringe zones. Several users have noted how it maintained a reliable connection even in remote cabins, lakeside retreats, or mountainous areas.

    Perfect for:
    Hikers
    Campers
    Vanlifers

    Families Who Travel (or Just Juggle a Lot of Devices)

    Let’s say you’re on a family trip. The kids are streaming cartoons. You’re checking directions. Your partner’s uploading a few photos to social media. And suddenly… your phone’s tethered hotspot buckles under the weight of it all.

    Ryoko Pro supports up to ten devices at once, making it an easy solution for keeping everyone online without splitting bandwidth or running out of mobile data. And since it doesn’t rely on your phone’s battery, you don’t have to deal with the dreaded “Low Power Mode” warning mid-trip.

    Perfect for:
    Traveling families
    Parents with multiple screens to manage
     Households with lots of devices, even at home

    Business Professionals on the Move

    If your calendar’s filled with airport gates, client visits, and coffee-fueled presentations, then slow Wi-Fi isn’t just a nuisance — it’s a liability.

    Ryoko Pro is for people who can’t afford to gamble on café routers or hotel Wi-Fi that’s “included” but barely usable. You can show up at a client’s office, pull out your Ryoko Pro, and know that your video call, presentation, or file transfer won’t suddenly fail you.

    Its long-lasting battery (up to 8 hours per charge) means it’ll likely outlast your day. And its USB-C charging makes it easy to top up alongside your other devices.

    Perfect for:
    Sales reps
    Consultants
     Executives and project managers

    Anyone Who’s Tired of Risky Public Wi-Fi

    Public networks are often slow, crowded, and worse — unsecured. If you’ve ever typed in your bank login or emailed a work document over hotel Wi-Fi, you’ve probably exposed your data more than you realize.

    Ryoko Pro offers a safer alternative. With its private network, encryption, and ad-blocking features, it’s a more secure way to get online — especially when you’re dealing with confidential information.

    Perfect for:
    Privacy-conscious users
    Professionals handling sensitive files
    Anyone who just doesn’t trust “Free Wi-Fi” signs

    In short?

    If you depend on internet access — and let’s be honest, most of us do — Ryoko Pro solves a very real problem. It’s not a luxury; it’s a safety net for your connection. Whether you’re traveling, working remotely, or just sick of unreliable networks, this is the kind of tool that pays for itself the moment your regular options fail.

    Visit Official Website to Get More Information

    Is Ryoko Pro Legit, or Just Another Overhyped Gadget?

    Let’s be honest — the portable Wi-Fi space is full of bold claims and half-baked products. Every few months, a new “game-changing” device pops up promising global coverage, blazing fast speeds, and hassle-free setup. Most of them end up in junk drawers or collecting dust after one or two frustrating uses.

    So where does Ryoko Pro stand in all of this?

    If you’re wondering whether it’s legit or just another overhyped gadget, you’re not alone. It’s actually one of the most searched questions about the product — often worded as “Is Ryoko Pro a scam?” or “Can I trust this portable WiFi router?”

    Here’s what we know based on available research and user feedback:

    A Real, Shippable Product with Active Support

    Ryoko Pro is not some phantom gadget that disappears after you order. It’s a real, tangible product sold directly from the official manufacturer’s website, with a verifiable presence and customer support team.

    Most buyers report receiving the product within a reasonable delivery window, complete with packaging, the device, a pre-installed SIM card, a USB-C charger, and a quick-start manual. So we’re not talking about a vaporware situation here.

    Strong Customer Ratings (When Bought from the Official Source)

    On verified review platforms, Ryoko Pro consistently receives high ratings — often averaging 4.7 to 4.9 stars out of 5. Many users praise:

    • The ease of setup
    • Its lightweight design
    • The fact that it actually connects in areas where traditional service dips
    • And how it simplifies international travel or work on the go

    There are multiple reports from buyers who use it to stream video, manage remote work, or provide internet to several connected devices while traveling — without experiencing frequent signal loss or frustrating lag.

    Negative Reviews Are Usually Linked to Misunderstandings

    As with any tech product, there are some negative reviews floating around, but when you dig deeper, many of them boil down to:

    • Buying from third-party resellers, which may send outdated or counterfeit units
    • Expecting unlimited free data (Ryoko Pro gives you 500MB out of the box, but you do need to top up after that)
    • Or using it in complete signal dead zones where no device — no matter how advanced — would be able to connect

    These aren’t product defects so much as expectation mismatches.

    No Sketchy Subscriptions or Surprise Fees

    This is a common fear — especially for devices sold online. But Ryoko Pro keeps things relatively clean and upfront:

    • You’re not forced into a monthly plan
    • You can top up data only when needed
    • And you get clear, direct pricing on their official portal

    No hidden activation fees. No shady auto-renewals. No confusing mobile contracts.

    Backed by a 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

    To further support its legitimacy, Ryoko Pro comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee when purchased from the official site. If you get the device, try it out, and it’s not what you expected — you have the option to return it.

    This helps take the edge off for people sitting on the fence, especially if you’re skeptical from past online buying experiences.

    So… Is Ryoko Pro Legit?

    From everything we’ve seen: yes — it’s a legitimate product that does what it claims to do within reasonable expectations.

    It’s not a magic box that gives you free internet forever. And it’s not a replacement for full-home fiber connections. But for its intended use — giving you portable, secure, and fast Wi-Fi access wherever you are — it’s doing the job.

    Just make sure you buy it from the official source, read the fine print on data usage, and manage your expectations (no, it won’t beam internet to you from the top of Everest).

    Next up, we’ll see how Ryoko Pro actually compares to regular portable Wi-Fi routers — because while it’s legit, it’s not the only option out there.

    Visit Official Website to Get More Information

    Ryoko Pro vs. Regular Portable Wi-Fi Devices

    If you’ve been shopping around for a portable WiFi router, you’ve probably come across a bunch of similar-looking devices promising high-speed internet, multiple device support, and easy setup.

    So how does Ryoko Pro stack up against the average portable Wi-Fi device?

    Let’s break it down.

    Setup and Ease of Use

    Ryoko Pro:
    This is one of its strongest points. There’s no need to download an app, create an account, or follow a 12-step configuration guide. You simply press the power button, and within seconds, it starts broadcasting a Wi-Fi signal. The SIM card is already installed, so there’s zero fiddling with trays or settings. Even tech-averse users — think your parents or grandparents — could get this running without a call to customer support.

    Typical Portable Wi-Fi:
    Most other routers require a physical SIM card, manual APN setup, and sometimes even a computer-based configuration. You often need to register with a specific telecom provider, and some require monthly subscriptions before they even work. That’s fine if you’re tech-savvy, but not ideal if you just want something that works out of the box.

    ✔️ Edge: Ryoko Pro

    Global Coverage and Network Flexibility

    Ryoko Pro:
    Thanks to its virtual SIM technology, it can connect to over 75+ countries without requiring you to buy and switch SIM cards. It automatically scans for the best available network wherever you are and connects in seconds.

    Typical Portable Wi-Fi:
    You’re often locked into a single provider or need to swap SIMs manually when you switch regions. This means dealing with local data plans, unfamiliar providers, and inconsistent network quality across borders.

     ✔️ Edge: Ryoko Pro

    Security and Privacy

    Ryoko Pro:
    In addition to encrypted traffic, it comes with a built-in ad blocker, malware protection, and anti-phishing safeguards. For anyone working with sensitive data — or simply uncomfortable connecting to public Wi-Fi — that added layer of safety is a major plus.

    Typical Portable Wi-Fi:
    Most act as basic routers. They don’t offer any built-in security features, and you’re often on your own to install a VPN or other protection software. If you’re not already security-minded, this can be a weak point.

    ✔️ Edge: Ryoko Pro

    Battery Life and Portability

    Ryoko Pro:
    It runs for up to 8 hours on a single charge, depending on usage. That’s enough for a full day of work or travel without needing to recharge. It uses USB-C, which is a modern standard, and some bundles offer a magnetic dock for easy charging. It’s also compact and lightweight — no bigger than a deck of cards.

    Typical Portable Wi-Fi:
    Battery life ranges widely. Some cheap models only last 2–4 hours. Many still use outdated micro-USB ports, and bulkier models take up more bag space or need constant power from a wall outlet.

    ✔️ Edge: Ryoko Pro

    Performance and Signal Reliability

    Ryoko Pro:
    Based on customer feedback, Ryoko Pro is impressively consistent. It has been used successfully in rural cabins, lakeside getaways, and even forests. The ability to find the strongest nearby network, regardless of country, gives it an edge in low-signal or remote areas.

    Typical Portable Wi-Fi:
    Performance varies heavily by provider and hardware quality. Devices tied to one SIM or network often fail in remote areas where that network has weak coverage.

    ✔️Edge: Ryoko Pro

    Cost and Data Flexibility

    Ryoko Pro:
    No subscription is required. You get 500MB free out of the box, and after that, it’s pay-as-you-go. This gives you complete control over your spending — no surprise roaming fees or contracts.

    Typical Portable Wi-Fi:
    Many devices require a monthly subscription or force you into a plan before activation. Others might charge roaming fees that show up weeks after your trip. Some cheaper models have hidden costs, like forced plan renewals or poor-quality data plans.

    ✔️ Edge: Ryoko Pro

    User Experience

    From what we can tell across consumer feedback platforms, Ryoko Pro is designed with real users in mind. The plug-and-play simplicity, pre-installed SIM card, and reliable connection make it one of the few options that balances tech performance with actual everyday usability.

    Regular routers often feel like they were made for IT professionals — Ryoko Pro feels like it was made for you.

    Final Comparison Snapshot

    Feature Ryoko Pro Standard Wi-Fi Device
    Setup Time Under 2 minutes 10–30 minutes (often manual)
    SIM Required? No (vSIM tech) Yes (manual insertion)
    Coverage 75+ countries Limited, provider-specific
    Battery Life Up to 8 hours Varies widely (2–6 hrs)
    Max Devices 10 5–10
    Security Built-in ad + malware blocker Typically none
    Subscription Not required Often required
    Ease of Use Extremely simple Depends on brand/model

    Verdict?

    If you’re looking for a user-friendly, travel-ready, and secure portable hotspot, Ryoko Pro comes out ahead in almost every category that matters — especially for people who don’t want to deal with telecom headaches, complex setups, or fragile battery life.

    Up next, let’s talk about how to actually set up and use the Ryoko Pro — spoiler: it’s easier than brewing a cup of coffee.

    Visit Official Website to Get More Information

    How to Use Ryoko Pro (Setup + Instructions)

    Let’s be honest — most portable Wi-Fi devices feel like they were made by engineers for engineers. They promise fast internet but first require you to decode a setup guide that feels like it was translated by a robot.

    Ryoko Pro? Thankfully, that’s not the case.

    One of the most consistent pieces of feedback from users — across reviews, forums, and consumer reports — is how ridiculously easy it is to set up. Even if you’ve never touched a portable hotspot before, you’ll be up and running in under five minutes.

    Here’s what setup looks like, step by step:

    Step 1: Unbox and Charge It Up

    Inside the box, you’ll find:

    • The Ryoko Pro device
    • A USB-C charging cable
    • A pre-installed SIM card
    • A quick start guide

    Before you get started, it’s a good idea to fully charge the device. Plug it into any USB-C charger (your laptop charger or phone charger should work fine), and wait until the battery indicator hits full. Charging is quick, and once powered up, it offers up to 8 hours of reliable use on a single charge.

    Step 2: Power It On

    There’s a single power button on the device. Press and hold it for a few seconds. You’ll see the device light up and begin its boot-up sequence.

    This is where Ryoko Pro does something cool behind the scenes — it uses its virtual SIM technology to detect your location and automatically connect to the best available 4G LTE network.

    No manual configuration. No SIM tray. No “Insert SIM” errors. Just automatic network selection, every time.

    Step 3: Connect Your Devices

    Once the device is connected to a local mobile network, it begins broadcasting a private Wi-Fi signal — just like your home router.

    To connect:

    • Open Wi-Fi settings on your phone, tablet, laptop, or whatever device you’re using.
    • Look for the Ryoko network name (usually something like “RyokoPro_XXXX”).
    • Select it, and enter the password provided on the device screen or printed inside the box.
    • Boom — you’re online.

    Alternatively, if your phone supports it, you can simply scan the QR code shown on Ryoko Pro’s display. It will auto-connect your device to the Wi-Fi network without needing to type anything.

    Step 4: Use It Like You Would Any Wi-Fi Network

    Once connected, your device behaves exactly like it would on any regular network. That means you can:

    • Stream content
    • Make video calls
    • Send emails
    • Use cloud apps
    • Upload files
    • Scroll social media
    • Even connect multiple devices — up to 10 at the same time

    Whether you’re working, chilling, or doing a bit of both, you’ve now got a secure internet connection to power it all.

    Step 5: Top Up Data as Needed

    Ryoko Pro comes with 500MB of free data, preloaded into the device. It’s a nice starter amount — enough to test it out or get through a day of light usage.

    When you’re ready to top up, it’s as easy as:

    1. Visiting the official recharge portal (listed in the manual)
    2. Entering your device’s serial number or login details
    3. Purchasing data based on your usage — no contracts or forced subscriptions

    You can top up as needed, and rates are generally lower than international roaming or daily hotspot fees.

    Recharging the Battery

    When you’re running low on power, just plug it in using the included USB-C cable. If you opted for a bundle with the magnetic charging dock, even better — just set the device on the dock and let it charge, no cables needed.

    The battery lasts up to 8 hours per full charge, which is more than enough for a day of travel, remote work, or exploring.

    And That’s It — No Tech Skills Required

    No joke — that’s really all there is to it.

    There’s no app to install, no drivers to update, and no confusing interface to figure out. If you can power it on and type in a Wi-Fi password, you’re good to go.

    It’s a breath of fresh air in a product category that often assumes users are part-time network engineers.

    Privacy & Security: How Safe is Ryoko Pro Wi-Fi?

    If you’ve ever connected to hotel Wi-Fi and had that uneasy feeling about logging into your bank account — you’re not alone. These days, online privacy is just as important as having a stable internet connection. In fact, for a lot of people, it’s even more important.

    That’s why Ryoko Pro doesn’t just promise portability and performance — it also puts some real thought into how to protect your connection while you’re on the move.

    Let’s break down what makes it a more secure option than the average café or airport hotspot.

    Private Wi-Fi, Not Public Risk

    Most public Wi-Fi networks are open and shared, meaning anyone nearby can connect. That might sound convenient, but it’s also a breeding ground for problems:

    • Packet sniffing
    • Man-in-the-middle attacks
    • Fake “Free Wi-Fi” networks run by scammers
    • Data harvesting from unsecured logins

    When you connect to Ryoko Pro, you’re not joining a shared public network. You’re connecting to a private signal that’s being generated just for your devices. That immediately cuts out a huge portion of the risk that comes with public Wi-Fi.

    Encrypted Connection

    Ryoko Pro uses encrypted 4G LTE as its base layer — which is a significant upgrade from the wide-open traffic of your average café network.

    What does that mean in real life?

    • Your data (emails, passwords, messages, transactions) is scrambled in a way that makes it unreadable to outside observers.
    • Even if someone wanted to eavesdrop, they’d need to break through encryption protocols designed to resist that kind of attack.

    You might not notice it working, but the secure internet connection running in the background is one of the biggest benefits Ryoko Pro offers — especially if you’re working remotely or accessing sensitive accounts.

    Built-In Ad Blocker and Phishing Protection

    This is something you don’t see in a lot of portable hotspots: Ryoko Pro includes a built-in ad and tracker blocker, which does two things at once:

    1. It improves performance by cutting down on data-draining ads and pop-ups.
    2. It protects your browsing experience by reducing the number of malicious scripts and trackers trying to collect your information.

    It also has phishing protection — a feature that helps block fake websites designed to look like legitimate ones (think “paypaI.com” instead of “paypal.com”).

    These features won’t replace your antivirus or eliminate all risk, but they do add a strong first line of defense, especially if you’re traveling and can’t always control the networks you’re on.

    Safe for Families and Non-Tech Users

    Because the device is set up to automatically create a private, protected network, even less tech-savvy users benefit from improved security without having to know anything about VPNs, firewalls, or browser extensions.

    Parents using Ryoko Pro on road trips, or students connecting through it in libraries or airports, are still shielded from a lot of the nonsense that comes with public Wi-Fi — without even realizing it.

    A Better Option Than VPN-Only Setups

    A lot of travelers try to patch security holes using VPNs alone. VPNs are great — but they only protect traffic after you’re already connected to a network, and they don’t guard against:

    • Fake login portals
    • Malware-infected routers
    • Wi-Fi spoofing in public areas

    With Ryoko Pro, you’re cutting those risks out before they start — by avoiding public networks entirely and instead using a clean, dedicated hotspot that you own and control.

    Final Thought on Security (Ryoko Pro Reviews)

    Ryoko Pro isn’t just a way to get online — it’s a way to stay protected while you do it.

    It’s not military-grade security, and it’s not a replacement for common sense online (don’t click shady links, obviously), but it’s way ahead of the alternatives most people rely on when they travel:

    • Open hotel Wi-Fi
    • Random café networks
    • Mobile hotspots with no encryption
    • Tethering through overworked smartphones

    In today’s internet landscape, where tracking, hacking, and data leaks are way too common, having your own encrypted, ad-blocked, phishing-resistant Wi-Fi router in your pocket just makes sense.

    What Ryoko Pro Won’t Do (Setting Realistic Expectations)

    Let’s be real: no product is perfect, and Ryoko Pro isn’t some miracle device that beams gigabit internet into a mountaintop temple while you sip coffee and stream Netflix in 4K.

    It’s a portable WiFi router, not a magical satellite dish.

    So in the spirit of transparency, let’s talk about what Ryoko Pro won’t do — not because it’s a bad product, but because every tool has its limits, and the last thing you want is to buy something with the wrong expectations.

    It Won’t Work Where There’s Zero Mobile Signal

    This should go without saying, but if you’re in a place where no 4G LTE signal exists, Ryoko Pro can’t create internet out of thin air. It needs access to a mobile network — just like your phone does — to generate a Wi-Fi signal.

    If you’re trekking through dense mountains, remote islands, or deep rural zones without any cell towers nearby, don’t expect Ryoko Pro to perform miracles.

    It does well in low-signal areas, but not in no-signal zones.

    It’s Not a Replacement for Home Broadband

    Ryoko Pro is designed for portability, not power. It’s perfect for travel, remote work, road trips, or backup internet during outages. But it’s not built to replace your high-speed home fiber plan — and it’s not ideal for households streaming across five 4K TVs and downloading giant files all day.

    If you’re expecting gigabit speeds and unlimited data like your home ISP, this isn’t the right tool for that.

    It Doesn’t Come With Unlimited Free Data

    This one trips some people up: yes, Ryoko Pro comes with 500MB of data out of the box, which is enough to test the waters — check your email, send a few files, browse lightly.

    But after that, you’ll need to top up your data manually, and while the rates are reasonable, they’re not unlimited or “free forever.”

    If you’re a heavy data user (think gaming, uploading big video files daily, or constant video conferencing), you’ll go through that data quickly. Just something to factor into your budgeting.

    It Doesn’t Automatically Include a VPN

    Ryoko Pro offers solid baseline privacy protections — encrypted traffic, ad blocking, and anti-phishing tools. But it’s not a full cybersecurity suite, and it doesn’t include a VPN service out of the box.

    If you need extra layers of privacy, especially while dealing with sensitive data, you’ll want to pair it with a reliable VPN app on your devices. Think of Ryoko Pro as your secure connection gateway — it gives you a clean network to build on.

    It Won’t Fix Speed Issues in Congested Networks

    If you’re in a busy location where all networks are jammed — like a packed stadium or major event center — even Ryoko Pro will be limited by what the local 4G infrastructure can offer. It’ll still connect and likely be more stable than public Wi-Fi, but it’s not immune to network congestion.

    It’s good tech — not magic.

    It Won’t Be Worth It If You Rarely Leave Home

    This one’s simple: if you barely travel, don’t work remotely, and only connect to Wi-Fi at home or in the office, Ryoko Pro might be overkill.

    It’s built for mobility, not static day-to-day internet. If your lifestyle doesn’t require reliable internet on the go, you probably won’t get the full value out of it.

    So, Who Is Ryoko Pro Right For? (Ryoko Pro Reviews)

    If you need a secure internet connection while you’re traveling, working remotely, or navigating places where public Wi-Fi just isn’t cutting it, Ryoko Pro makes a lot of sense.

    But if you’re expecting it to replace a full-time ISP, give you unlimited data for free, or work in areas with no cell coverage at all — you’ll end up disappointed.

    Understanding these limits helps you see Ryoko Pro for what it actually is:
    ✅ A reliable, portable solution for when you’re away from home — not a one-size-fits-all answer to all internet problems.

    Pros and Cons of Ryoko Pro

    By this point, you’ve probably got a good sense of what Ryoko Pro offers. But sometimes it helps to lay things out clearly — the good, the not-so-good, and everything in between — especially if you’re still on the fence.

    Here’s a breakdown of the biggest advantages and the realistic drawbacks to help you decide if this device fits your lifestyle.

    Pros of Ryoko Pro

    Plug-and-Play Simplicity

    You don’t need to be a tech wizard. Setup takes under 2 minutes. Power it on, connect your devices, and go — no apps, no confusing settings, no headaches.

    Global Connectivity in 75+ Countries

    Thanks to its virtual SIM technology, Ryoko Pro works seamlessly across borders without the need for physical SIM cards or local providers.

    Secure Internet Connection

    You’re not at the mercy of public Wi-Fi. Ryoko Pro offers encrypted browsing, ad blocking, and phishing protection — ideal for anyone handling sensitive data or simply tired of risky hotel networks.

    Long-Lasting Battery

    With up to 8 hours on a single charge, it easily supports a full day of travel or remote work. And it charges via USB-C, so it’s compatible with most modern charging gear.

    Works in Low-Signal Areas

    Ryoko Pro has a good track record for finding usable 4G LTE connections even in rural areas, vacation homes, or places where your phone’s tethering tends to drop off.

    Connects Up to 10 Devices Simultaneously

    Perfect for solo travelers with lots of gear or families and teams who need to stay online together without juggling connections.

    No Subscriptions Required

    You only pay for data when you need it. No contracts, no hidden fees, and no forced monthly billing. Just pure pay-as-you-go control.

    Ultra-Portable

    It’s small, discreet, and weighs practically nothing. Fits easily into a pocket, purse, or laptop bag.

    Cons of Ryoko Pro

    Doesn’t Work in Signal Blackout Zones

    If you’re completely off-grid with no mobile coverage, the device won’t be able to connect — just like any 4G-based system.

    Not a Replacement for Home Broadband

    While great for travel and backup use, it’s not built for heavy-duty streaming or gaming across multiple devices in a home setting.

    Limited Starter Data

    The 500MB of included data is a nice bonus — but not much more than a trial. You’ll need to top up fairly soon if you plan to use it regularly.

    Doesn’t Include a Built-In VPN

    While it offers strong security basics, it doesn’t come with a VPN service, which some users may want for even greater online privacy.

    Not Available in Retail Stores

    To avoid counterfeit models and ensure warranty support, you’ll need to buy directly from the official website, which might be a hurdle for people used to in-store shopping.

    Final Takeaway

    Ryoko Pro gets the essentials right: it’s reliable, secure, and easy to use, especially for people who live a mobile lifestyle or want a dependable backup internet option.

    Its few limitations are more about understanding its intended purpose — it’s a travel-friendly tool, not a full-blown replacement for your home fiber line.

    If you fit the profile of someone who’s often on the move, works from different locations, or just values having a personal hotspot you can trust, Ryoko Pro is well worth considering.

    Ryoko Pro Price: Is It Worth the Investment?

    Let’s talk numbers. At the time of writing, Ryoko Pro is being offered with tiered pricing based on quantity:

    • 1 Device: $89
    • 2 Devices: $138
    • 3 Devices: $177
    • 4 Devices: $220

    All purchases include:

    • A pre-installed SIM card with 500MB free data
    • USB-C charging cable
    • Setup guide
    • 30-day money-back guarantee

    Compared to traditional roaming charges or travel SIM bundles, it’s actually a solid deal — especially since there are no subscriptions required. You top up data when you need it. No sneaky fees, no contracts. For most people, the upfront cost pays for itself after just one or two trips.

    And let’s be honest: for something that could spare you from bad hotel Wi-Fi or save the day during a business call in a remote location… it’s not a bad trade.

    Where to Buy Ryoko Pro

    This one’s simple: only buy from the official website.

    It’s the only way to:

    • Ensure you’re getting a genuine product
    • Access the latest firmware version
    • Claim the official warranty and support
    • Take advantage of exclusive bundle discounts

    You won’t find Ryoko Pro on Amazon or in major retail chains — and knockoffs do exist. If you’re going to invest, do it the right way.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: Is Ryoko Pro just for travelers?
    Not at all. It’s perfect for remote workers, students, campers, and even as a backup internet option at home.

    Q: Can I use it without a SIM card?
    It comes preloaded with a virtual SIM. No need to insert anything — just power it on and connect.

    Q: How do I top up data?
    You can purchase data plans directly online via the Ryoko dashboard — no third-party hassles.

    Q: Is the data unlimited?
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    Attachment

    The MIL Network

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU report shows positive developments in rule of law

    Source: European Union 2

    In its 2025 Rule of Law report, the Commission finds there is a positive way forward in many EU countries, where important reforms have been carried out in justice, anti-corruption, media freedom and institutional checks and balances. Some challenges remain, however, and further action is needed.

    MIL OSI Europe News

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Qatar Participates in OPCW Executive Council Session

    Source: Government of Qatar

    The Hague, July 09

    The State of Qatar participated in the109th session of the Executive Council of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), held in The Hague.

    The Qatari delegation was headed by HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and its Permanent Representative to the OPCW Dr. Mutlaq bin Majid Al Qahtani.

    In Qatar’s statement during the session, His Excellency noted that the meeting is taking place amid serious challenges to international peace and security, foremost among them the war waged by Israel on the Gaza Strip, which has resulted in severe humanitarian tragedies.

    His Excellency affirmed Qatar’s support for the request made by the State of Palestine, as a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention, for an immediate investigation into Israel’s use of prohibited substances during its military operations in Gaza.

    His Excellency stressed that such actions constitute a blatant violation of international law and relevant conventions and require accountability for the perpetrators.

    In this context, His Excellency condemned Israel’s repeated targeting of sites within Syrian territory, which hinders the work of OPCW missions and endangers the lives of its experts, especially as Syria continues its cooperation with the OPCW Technical Secretariat to identify sites containing chemical materials and develop destruction plans.

    HE the Ambassador praised the recent positive progress in cooperation between the Syrian Arab Republic and the OPCW Technical Secretariat, commending the vital role played by the organization in this regard and Qatar’s support for enhancing this cooperation, calling on the Executive Council to engage positively with this new reality and to take the necessary steps to restore Syria’s rights and privileges as an active member of the organization.

    His Excellency also reiterated Qatar’s position calling for the resolution of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis through dialogue and diplomatic means, and for the peaceful settlement of international disputes. 

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) urges immediate de-escalation in Tripoli

    Source: APO


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    Noting increased reports of continued military build-up in and around Tripoli, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) strongly urges all parties to refrain from using force, particularly in densely populated areas, and to avoid any actions or political rhetoric that could trigger escalation or lead to renewed clashes.  

    As reiterated in the Security Council press statement on 17 May, UNSMIL reminds all political and security actors of their obligation under international law to protect civilian lives and property and that those responsible for attacks against civilians will be held accountable. 

    The Mission continues its efforts to help de-escalate the situation and calls on all parties to engage in good faith towards this end.  UNSMIL urges the swift implementation of security arrangements developed by the Truce and Security and Military Arrangements Committees, which the Mission continues to support. Forces recently deployed in Tripoli must withdraw without delay.  

    Dialogue – not violence – remains the only viable path toward achieving lasting peace, stability in Tripoli and across Libya.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Committee on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Expresses Alarm Over Centralisation Risks of National State Enterprises Bill

    Source: APO


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    The Portfolio Committee on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation has expressed significant concerns regarding the centralisation of state-owned entities (SOEs) as outlined in the National State Enterprises Bill (B1-2024).

    During a meeting on Wednesday, the committee received a briefing from the National Treasury (NT) and the Financial Fiscal Commission (FFC) on the Bill, which aims to develop a strategic approach to enhancing the governance and operational efficiency of SOEs. National Treasury highlighted critical issues, particularly the proposed non-application of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) to the holding company and its subsidiaries, which could undermine transparency and accountability in financial management. NT cautioned that the centralisation model poses risks, such as increased political interference and the potential for state capture, emphasising the importance of ensuring that SOEs remain financially sustainable without undue reliance on public funds.

    In its presentation, the FFC stated that it does not support the Bill in its current form, noting that it fails to address longstanding governance concerns experienced over the past 30 years. The FFC recommended that the holding company be established within the National Treasury’s budget baseline, in accordance with Sections 213 and 216 of the Constitution.

    During the questioning phase, committee members raised significant concerns about the centralisation issues presented in the Bill. They argued that a centralised model could lead to a lack of transparency and accountability, making it more vulnerable to corruption and political interference. Members highlighted that consolidating oversight of SOEs under a single holding company might exacerbate existing vulnerabilities rather than mitigate them, potentially creating an environment where decision-making becomes opaque and less subject to scrutiny. Additionally, there were worries that centralisation could undermine the transformative goals for SOEs, distancing them from the necessary checks and balances that ensure equitable governance and public accountability.

    The committee members expressed a strong sentiment that the Bill, as it stands, does not adequately protect the interests of the public or ensure the effective functioning of SOEs. Members highlighted the importance of maintaining robust oversight mechanisms to prevent the erosion of accountability, particularly given the historical context of governance challenges within SOEs. Members voiced their commitment to ensuring that any legislative framework promotes transparency and fosters public trust, arguing that the proposed centralisation could lead to a concentration of power that is detrimental to democratic principles.

    While National Treasury did not explicitly call for the Bill to be withdrawn in its current form, it acknowledged the necessity for reworking the legislation. The committee flagged the risk that the holding company could be controlled by multinational corporations, raising concerns that Parliament might enact a law that leaves the state powerless in managing public funds effectively. Members articulated a shared apprehension that the proposed changes could inadvertently enable the very issues the Bill seeks to address, further complicating the governance landscape for SOEs.

    The committee also raised alarms about the fiscal risks associated with establishing the holding company, particularly the significant funding requirement of R615 million. Members expressed scepticism regarding the feasibility of the innovative funding mechanisms proposed. Furthermore, committee members indicated that the Department of Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (DPME) appears to be circumventing the public procurement process, suggesting that the DPME’s approach could remove SOEs from the public procurement environment altogether.

    In response to the FFC’s presentation, the committee welcomed their directness, contrasting it with the more diplomatic approach taken by National Treasury. Following a robust engagement among committee members regarding the next steps for the Bill, there was a prevailing view to pause its progress in light of the presentations received. The committee resolved to seek further guidance and legal advice, as there was overwhelming sentiment among members to halt the process, despite the Bill already being before the committee.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

    MIL OSI Africa

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Trilateral Meeting between Malaysia, Switzerland and the ASEAN Secretariat convenes in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Source: ASEAN

    A Trilateral Meeting between Malaysia, as the ASEAN Chair, Switzerland, and the ASEAN Secretariat was convened today in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Meeting was chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Malaysia, the Honourable Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad Bin Haji Hasan, and was attended by Federal Councillor and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland, Ignazio Cassis, and Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn. The Meeting discussed the ASEAN-Switzerland Sectoral Dialogue Partnership, including ongoing cooperation, and sought untapped opportunities for future collaboration.

    The post Trilateral Meeting between Malaysia, Switzerland and the ASEAN Secretariat convenes in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK and Japan sign investment partnership to drive economic growth

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    World news story

    UK and Japan sign investment partnership to drive economic growth

    New partnership paves way for increased UK investment into Japan, supporting Prime Minister Ishiba’s ambitious foreign investment targets.

    UK-Japan Investment MoC July 2025

    The UK and Japan yesterday signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) aimed at enabling increased UK investment into Japan, further strengthening the economic ties between the two nations.

    The agreement was signed at the British Embassy in Tokyo by Baroness Poppy Gustafsson of Chesterton CBE, UK Minister for Investment, and Mr. Seto Takakazu, State Minister of the Cabinet Office of Japan, who played an important role in compiling the ‘Program for Promotion of Foreign Direct Investment in Japan 2025’ last month.

    This strategic partnership establishes a formal framework for collaboration to accelerate UK investment into Japan, supporting Prime Minister Ishiba’s ambitious target of more than doubling Japan’s foreign direct investment stocks to JPY120 trillion (approximately £600 billion) in 2030.

     Minister for Investment Baroness Poppy Gustafsson CBE said:

    The UK and Japan share a deep and enduring partnership that is committed to mutual prosperity and growth. That’s why I’m delighted to sign this new partnership with Japan – capitalising on the major opportunities for UK businesses to bring their innovative offers to Japan and grow in the Japanese economy.

    Key growth sectors with strong potential for increased UK investment include clean energy, digital transformation, biotechnology and healthcare, alongside enabling sectors such as legal, professional and financial services.

    This aligns with the UK’s new Industrial Strategy, which sets out plans to transform the UK’s clean energy, digital and technologies, and life sciences sectors over the next decade – providing businesses with the stability and certainty to make long-term investment decisions in the UK.

    The MoC builds upon the foundation of the enhanced global strategic partnership outlined in the Hiroshima Accord of May 2023 and complements existing frameworks such as the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) and both nations’ membership of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

    To mark the occasion, the British Embassy in Tokyo has launched “Expand in Japan” – an initiative to champion and support UK investors seeking opportunities in the Japanese market. Companies can register their interest here.

    The signing comes as the Minister for Investment Poppy Gustafsson is in Tokyo to meet with key Japanese investors and government partners.

    It also follows the UK’s recent National Day celebration at Expo 2025 Osaka, where the UK Pavilion, themed “Come Build the Future,” has been showcasing Britain as a global hub of innovation.

    Nearly 1,000 Japanese companies have already established operations in the UK, with £87 billion in investment stock. This new agreement aims to strengthen reciprocal investment flows, supporting both nations’ economic growth and security objectives.

    Richard Lyle, President of the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan, said:

    We welcome this close partnership which enables UK companies to invest, innovate, and drive growth in Japan – this is a strong signal of Japan’s openness to high-quality investment. UK companies in Japan already create high-quality jobs across the country, develop deep partnerships, and offer world-leading products, services and solutions to multiple sectors in the market.

    We will continue to work with the UK and Japanese governments to enable further UK investment into Japan. As a membership organisation supporting British companies in the Japanese market, we look forward to seeing more companies doing business here.

    Martin Kent, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, said:

    This new partnership with the Japanese Government is about turning ambition into action – unlocking opportunities for UK businesses in key sectors aligned with our Industrial Strategy – and building mutual prosperity with Japan. I look forward to the collaboration, innovation, and growth that will emerge following today’s signing.

    Notes to Editors:

    • The UK-Japan relationship has been strengthened through multiple agreements including the 2023 Hiroshima Accord, a bilateral free trade agreement in 2020, UK’s accession to CPTPP in 2024, and the launch of the Economic 2+2 in 2025.
    • This agreement supports both the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy and Japan’s Program for Promotion of Foreign Direct Investment.
    • For further information, please contact: British Embassy Tokyo at media.tokyo@fcdo.gov.uk

    Updates to this page

    Published 10 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Day of Military Glory: Battle of Poltava

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Official website of the State –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    On July 10, our country celebrates the Day of the Russian army’s victory over the Swedes in the Battle of Poltava – one of the 20 days of military glory in the Russian holiday calendar.

    The Battle of Poltava became the decisive battle of the Northern War (1700-1721), in which the Russian Tsardom, which was in the period of reforms of Peter I, was confronted by the powerful Swedish Kingdom, led by the talented military leader Charles XII.

    Charles’s self-confidence played a cruel joke on him. Being in the minority, cut off from supplies, having lost his baggage train in the battle near the village of Lesnoy and having suffered serious losses in attempts to take Poltava by storm, the Swedish king decided on a general battle, hoping to defeat the Russian army, which was not yet well trained and equipped. Contrary to his expectations, the Russians had an overwhelming advantage in artillery and well-fortified positions.

    In the first stage of the battle, the Swedes managed to occupy two unfinished redoubts on the move, but they were no longer able to advance. Having withstood heavy artillery fire and mixed up their ranks, they moved into a decisive attack, which quickly turned into a bayonet fight. Two hours later, they were surrounded by the Russians from the flanks, panicked, and fled the battlefield.

    As a result, the Swedish corps was completely routed. About 9,000 people were killed, and 19,000, including all the generals, were captured. The Russians got the entire royal treasury, but Charles XII himself managed to escape to Turkey with a small detachment, where he continued to intrigue against Russia.

    Despite the fact that the Northern War lasted for another 12 long years after the Battle of Poltava, Sweden could no longer pose a significant threat to the Russians. At the end of the war, Russia retained the territories of Karelia, Livonia, Estonia, Ingria and free access to the Baltic Sea, opening up broad strategic and trade opportunities.

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

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    MIL OSI Russia News