NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-Evening Report: Asia Pacific Report editor honoured for contribution to Pacific journalism

    Pacific Media Watch

    Asia Pacific Report editor David Robie was honoured with Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) at the weekend by the Governor-General, Dame Cindy Kiro, in an investiture ceremony at Government House Tāmaki Makaurau.

    He was one of eight recipients for various honours, which included Joycelyn Armstrong, who was presented with Companion of the King’s Service Order (KSO) for services to interfaith communities.

    Dr Robie’s award, which came in the King’s Birthday Honours in 2024 but was presented on Saturday, was for “services to journalism and Asia-Pacific media education”.

    His citation reads:

    Dr David Robie has contributed to journalism in New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region for more than 50 years.

    Dr Robie began his career with The Dominion in 1965 and worked as an international journalist and correspondent for agencies from Johannesburg to Paris. He has won several journalism awards, including the 1985 Media Peace Prize for his coverage of the Rainbow Warrior bombing.

    He was Head of Journalism at the University of Papua New Guinea from 1993 to 1997 and the University of the South Pacific in Suva from 1998 to 2002. He founded the Pacific Media Centre in 2007 while professor of journalism and communications at Auckland University of Technology.

    He developed four award-winning community publications as student training outlets. He pioneered special internships for Pacific students in partnership with media and the University of the South Pacific. He has organised scholarships with the Asia New Zealand Foundation for student journalists to China, Indonesia and the Philippines.

    He was founding editor of Pacific Journalism Review journal in 1994 and in 1996 he established the Pacific Media Watch, working as convenor with students to campaign for media freedom in the Pacific.

    He has authored 10 books on Asia-Pacific media and politics. Dr Robie co-founded and is deputy chair of the Asia Pacific Media Network/Te Koakoa NGO.


    The investiture ceremony on 24 May 2025.      Video: Office of the Governor-General  

    In an interview with Global Voices last year, Dr Robie praised the support from colleagues and students and said:

    “There should be more international reporting about the “hidden stories” of the Pacific such as the unresolved decolonisation issues — Kanaky New Caledonia, “French” Polynesia (Mā’ohi Nui), both from France; and West Papua from Indonesia.

    “West Papua, in particular, is virtually ignored by Western media in spite of the ongoing serious human rights violations. This is unconscionable.”

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The government has expanded the areas of activity for using the funds of the universal service reserve.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Resolution of May 23, 2025 No. 715

    Document

    Resolution of May 23, 2025 No. 715

    The funds of the universal service reserve, which is formed in the federal budget by means of deductions from part of the revenue by communication operators, can be used to create fiber-optic communication lines to individual settlements. The decree changing the rules for using the funds of the universal service reserve has been signed.

    The list of populated areas where it is planned to create fiber-optic lines will be determined by the Government in the near future.

    In addition, the Universal Service Reserve funds can be used to facilitate the development and implementation of advanced communications technologies and the improvement of equipment required for this purpose.

    The rules for using the universal service reserve funds were approved by the Government in 2005. Currently, these funds are used to provide universal communication services and maintain a database of transferred subscriber numbers.

    The signed resolution is necessary for the implementation of new provisions of the federal laws “On Advertising” and “On Communications”. The relevant amendments to them were adopted in December 2024.

    The signed document introduces changes toGovernment Resolution of April 21, 2005 No. 243.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Taiwan sets up think tank to promote peaceful reunification of motherland

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    TAIPEI, May 26 (Xinhua) — A new think tank, Sanhe, launched in Taiwan on Sunday to promote peaceful reunification of the motherland and dispel myths about cross-Straits relations in the region.

    According to its founders, the Sanhe Think Tank will focus on promoting rapprochement between people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait and expanding peaceful exchanges and cooperation.

    The initiative to establish the center was put forward by the New Taiwan Party (NTP), with the participation of the Taiwan Labor Party and other political factions on the island, as well as young people from various walks of life.

    At the first seminar of the new center, NPT Chairman Wu Chengdian emphasized that in the 32 years of the party’s existence, its mission has remained unchanged – striving for the peaceful reunification of the motherland.

    “The Sanhe Think Tank will become a legal platform for Taiwanese people to openly express their desire for national reunification,” Wu Chengdian said.

    At the event, the center released its first white paper on strategic thinking on cross-strait relations. The four-chapter document explores ways to overcome the restrictions imposed by the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and “codes” for peace across the Taiwan Strait.

    “This is just the beginning,” said NPT Vice Chairman Li Shengfeng, expressing hope that the seminar will become a permanent platform for pooling collective wisdom for the sake of Taiwan’s future and the cause of peaceful reunification. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: ATO announces additional support for new small business owners

    Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

    The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has announced it is providing additional support for new small business owners to ensure they understand and comply with their tax, super and registry obligations from the start.

    The ATO’s campaign, coined ‘ready for business’, highlights that opening and running a small business is ‘serious business’. Approximately 50% of businesses fail in the first 3 yearsExternal Link, often because they don’t get their ATO obligations right when starting their small business journey.

    In the coming months, Australian business number (ABN) holders will receive a series of emails from the ATO which include tips on ABN obligations, business structures, registering for goods and services tax (GST) and understanding employer responsibilities.

    The ATO knows while most small businesses try to do the right thing and comply with their ATO obligations there are some making genuine mistakes and others deliberately not complying.

    Don’t get caught out by GST

    GST registration and payment is an ongoing area of concern for the ATO. The ATO estimates that the community is missing out on almost $8 billion in GST each year that hasn’t been collected due to non-compliance. Small businesses failing to comply with GST obligations contribute significantly to this gap.

    Not every small business needs to be registered for GST, but when their GST turnover is $75,000 or more or when they provide taxi, limousine or ride-sourcing services they must register and collect GST and then pay this to the ATO.

    Small businesses who don’t understand their GST obligations can often be caught out when it comes time to pay.

    ATO Deputy Commissioner Will Day encouraged small businesses to set aside GST, as well as pay as you go (PAYG) withholding and super if they have employer obligations.

    ‘Don’t be tempted to dip into GST, PAYG withholding or super to manage your cash flow – set up separate bank accounts for these funds so you’re always prepared when it’s time to pay’, Mr Day said.

    In early 2025, the ATO wrote to ride-sourcing operators and taxi drivers announcing it was focussed on those operating outside the system. This action resulted in over 3,000 new GST registrations.

    ‘Ride-sourcing operators and taxi drivers who deliberately operate outside the system will face consequences’, Mr Day said.

    Side hustles in the spotlight

    Over 700,000 taxpayers are supplementing their income with ‘side hustles’ including ‘gig’ or sharing economy activities. If your hobby has turned into a profit-making business, you are responsible for certain tax, super and registry obligations.

    ‘Generally, a business involves continuous and repeated activities aimed at making a profit. Visit ato.gov.au/areyouinbusiness to learn more about whether your activities qualify as a business and understand your obligations,’ Mr Day said.

    Plan ahead with PAYG instalments

    The ATO is also encouraging new small businesses to plan ahead to avoid a large tax bill when they lodge their first tax return.

    To prevent this, new small business owners can voluntarily enter and prepay their estimated tax liability through PAYG instalments as soon as they start their business.

    Quotes attributable to Deputy Commissioner Will Day:

    ‘Our goal is to provide small businesses with guidance, tools and tips so new business owners can focus on growing their business with confidence’.

    ‘Small businesses are vital participants in the tax and super system. As stewards for small businesses, our role in making it easy for small business owners to get their tax and super right is more important than ever.’

    ‘We know that successful small business owners understand their tax, super and registry obligations and we are committed to helping them do so. We also know that small businesses who engage a registered tax professional are more likely to stay on top of their tax and super obligations’.

    ‘Through transparent communication, including the support we have available for small businesses, small business owners are better equipped to keep up with their obligations and stay on top of their tax payments. After all, small business is serious business.’

    ‘The ATO’s role is to collect the correct amount of tax so the government can deliver services for the Australian community’.

    Notes to journalists

    • Deputy Commissioner Will Day’s speech to the Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) National Congress 2024 launched ‘Getting it right’, an ongoing quarterly campaign which aims to support small businesses by sharing the ATO’s areas of focus. Deputy Commissioner Will Day’s speech announced the quarter 2 focus areas and the quarter 3 focus areas were announced in the ATO shifts non-compliant small businesses to monthly GST media release.
    • Ensuring new small business owners get their ATO obligations right is the next ‘cab off the rank’ for the ATO’s ongoing ‘Getting it right’ campaign. The ATO will continue to announce new focus areas quarterly.
    • Deputy Commissioner Will Day is available for interviews on request.
    • A high-resolution headshot of Deputy Commissioner Will DayThis link will download a file is available for download from our media centre.
    • ATO stock footage and images are available for use in news bulletins from our media centre.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The Academic Council discussed cooperation with Slavic universities and the life of the Student City

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

    Last Friday, the regular meeting of the SPbPU Academic Council took place. Its participants discussed the interaction of the Polytechnic University with Slavic universities, the work of the Student City, held elections of directors of some institutes and higher schools, and voted for the nomination of several university employees for academic titles.

    Before the meeting, members of the Academic Council congratulated the rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudskoy on the presentation to him, as a co-author of the book “Putin in the Mirror of Time. Milestones of the Biography and Chronicles of the Era”, Letter of thanks from the President of Russia. Then they moved on to the ceremonial part, where many more Polytechnicians and university partners were awarded congratulations and applause.

    For his great contribution to the formation and replenishment of the SPbPU endowment fund and strengthening the positive image of the university, the “For Merit” badge of distinction was awarded to Deputy Head of the Corporate Network Department – Senior Vice President of VTB Bank, Polytechnic University graduate Yuri Levchenko.

    The Chief of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia for the Leningrad Region, Lieutenant General of the Internal Service Evgeny Deineka, was also awarded the “For Merit” badge.

    The presentation of candidate of science diplomas at the Polytechnic University also takes place in a solemn atmosphere. Members of the Academic Council congratulated their colleagues on receiving their academic degrees: Nikita Zibarev, an assistant at the Higher School of Biotechnology and Food Production, became a candidate of technical sciences, Tatyana Kudryashova, a senior lecturer at the Higher School of Biotechnology and Food Production, became a candidate of biological sciences, and Suzanne Niemb Bekoume, a young scientist from Cameroon, became a candidate of economic sciences.

    Director of the Higher School of Design and Architecture, Doctor of Architecture Margarita Perkova became a corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences (RAASN).

    The Association of Museums of Universities of St. Petersburg awarded the director of the SPbPU History Museum, Valery Klimov, with a diploma “For the Honor and Dignity of the Profession.”

    It’s time to celebrate the athletes’ achievements. Students Anastasia Dmitrieva and Elizaveta Shevchenko took first place in the Russian and St. Petersburg championships in sports aerobics.

    The Polytechnic women’s basketball team, which took 2nd place in the All-Russian student competition “ASB League Belov Cup”, was represented by Karina Kambulatova, Yulia Ragozina, Kristina Krivich, Ksenia Litvin and assistant of the Department of Physical Training and Sports Victoria Shipovskaya.

    The Academic Council did not forget about the successes of the university’s creative teams. The SPbPU Chamber Choir received the Grand Prix open competition of student choirs of Russia “Blagovest”. At the Academic Council, the winners were represented by a 2nd-year student of the Institute of Biological Sciences and Biology Olesya Shkorubskaya. Youth choir “Polyhymnia” became the best among fifty participants All-Russian choral competition “Raduga”. And the pop-symphony orchestra Ingenium took 1st place at the festival “Student Spring”— the most significant creative competition of universities in the North-West.

    For the first time, the Academic Council not only congratulated the winners, but also saw fragments of their performances on the big screen, which was especially inspiring and set the mood for positivity.

    On the agenda, Dmitry Arsenyev, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at SPbPU, presented a report entitled “On the coordination of activities and support for development programs of Russian-national (Slavic) universities.”

    The Slavic Universities project is one of the largest international projects of SPbPU. It is aimed at creating an international community of leading universities promoting Russian education, science and culture in the CIS countries. Its key goal is to form an educational outpost uniting universities of Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and other countries through the introduction of the best Russian practices, deep transformation of educational processes and strengthening of scientific research potential.

    Significant results were achieved during the period from 2021 to 2025: 14 network educational programs and 16 academic mobility programs were launched, involving more than 200 students. Through joint efforts, 18 conferences were held, over 170 scientific papers were published, and more than 500 employees of Slavic universities were trained in advanced training programs. Key initiatives include the creation of an intelligent robotics laboratory at the Belarusian-Russian University, the implementation of the Moodle cloud platform at the Kyrgyz-Russian University, and major events such as the Slavic Horizon Summit (2023) and the International School of Astrophysics at the Byurakan Observatory.

    However, the project faces challenges: legal restrictions due to the status of foreign legal entities, differences in legislation and mentalities, as well as difficulties with migration policy. These barriers require an individual approach to each university and additional resources.

    Large-scale initiatives are planned for 2025–2026: development and implementation of joint and network educational programs, including expert and consulting support for organizing a distance learning system in Slavic universities; creation of a Student Project Bureau at KRSU; mutual academic mobility of students and postgraduates between partner universities; attraction of leading research and teaching staff from Slavic universities to exchange experience; development of comprehensive plans for the development of the scientific base of KRSU with a focus on projects for industrial partners (LLC Alliance Altyn and GC Geoscan); opening of dissertation councils; expert support for the modernization of the information and library complex of KRSU; as well as the formation of a unified youth policy in Slavic universities through the involvement of students in scientific, educational and cultural initiatives. Particular attention will be paid to the dialogue with the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia.

    Slavic universities are a systemic effort to overcome borders, where students from different countries not only study, but also create projects that solve real problems. We see how joint work launches a chain reaction of ideas. Our focus is not on formal indicators, but on creating a unified scientific ecosystem, – emphasized Dmitry Arsenyev.

    The Academic Council of SPbPU noted the importance of the project for promoting technical education of SPbPU abroad, recognized the work done by the project office as satisfactory, and also approved the work plan for the coming year.

    The second issue on the agenda was addressed by the Director of the Student City, Vyacheslav Olshevsky.

    The Polytechnic University campus consists of 21 dormitories, two hostels, three hotels and an administrative and economic block, which includes a production complex and furniture manufacturing.

    The number of people living in dormitories increases every year. According to the admissions targets for 2024, 70% of those admitted to the Polytechnic are from out of town. Currently, about 10 thousand students live in the dormitories of the Student City.

    The administration ensures that each resident is provided with the necessary set of furniture. Each dormitory has a study room for classes, and almost all dormitories have sports rooms. Dormitory repairs are carried out both by the Student City production complex and with the involvement of contractors.

    In 2025, together with the United Student Council of SPbPU, we held a significant event – forum of student councils of dormitories.

    Vyacheslav Olshevsky also spoke about the hotel complex, noting that it brings great benefit in accommodating those in need of accommodation: 95% of the hotels are occupied by students. Also, during the admission campaign, applicants and their parents can live there. There is a 60% discount on accommodation in the hotel complex for students.

    With all the advantages, there are also difficulties. Thus, in 2024, a resort tax was introduced in St. Petersburg (100 rubles). Fortunately, full-time students under 24 are considered a privileged category of citizens. But in 2025, a tourist tax was introduced in St. Petersburg for legal entities, and so far there are no benefits for accommodating students. This issue is currently being resolved at the level of the legislative and executive authorities of the city.

    Vyacheslav Olshevsky pleased us with the information that a food outlet will open in the Maximum Hotel any day now, and this is very good, since there are no cafes or shops near the hotel.

    The third issue on the agenda of the meeting was devoted to the election of directors of institutes and higher schools. According to the results of the vote, the post of director of the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications was retained by Alexander Korotkov, the post of director of the Institute of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism was retained by Valery Sushchenko, and Nikolay Ivanov became the director of the Physics and Mechanical Institute. Zeynab Bakhturidze became the director of the Higher School of International Relations of the State Institute of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism, Vladimir Mulyukha became the director of the Higher School of Artificial Intelligence Technologies of the Institute of Scientific Research, Maria Poltavtseva was elected director of the Higher School of Computer Technologies and Information Systems of the Institute of Scientific Research, Alexey Grachev became the director of the Higher School of Transport of the Institute of Medical and Electronic Technology, Margarita Perkova became the director of the Higher School of Design and Architecture of the Institute of Scientific Research, and M. V. Gumilyov became the director of the Higher School of Professional Judo Trainers named after A. S. Rakhlin – Mikhail Rakhlin, director of the Higher School of Electronics and Microsystem Engineering of the Institute of Electrical Engineering and Technology – Vera Loboda, director of the Higher Engineering and Physics School of the Institute of Electrical Engineering and Technology – Roman Burkovsky, director of the Higher School of Advanced Digital Technologies PISh “Digital Engineering” – Valery Leventsov, director of the Higher School of Fundamental Physics Research of the Physics and Mechanics Institute – Viktor Dubov, director of the Higher School of Applied Mathematics and Computational Physics of the Physics and Mechanics Institute – Maxim Frolov.

    The fourth issue was the presentation for the assignment of academic titles. From the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications, it was decided to present Sergei Ivanov (scientific specialty “Radiophysics”) and Ivan Rumyantsev (scientific specialty “Electronic component base of micro- and nanoelectronics, quantum devices”) to the title of associate professor.

    The Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport nominated for the title of associate professor: Alexander Bakhshiev (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning), Boris Spassky (Robots, Mechatronics and Robotic Systems), Vasily Teplukhin (Mechanical Science).

    The Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade nominated for the title of associate professor: Ksenia Kikkas (World Economy) and Angi Skhvediani (Mathematical, Statistical and Instrumental Methods in Economics).

    At the end of the meeting, SPbPU Academic Secretary Dmitry Karpov reported on monitoring the implementation of the Academic Council’s decisions.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Operation Sindoor outreach: Guyana backs India’s fight against terrorism

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Guyana’s Prime Minister Mark Anthony Phillips and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo on Monday extended strong support for India’s stance against terrorism during a meeting with an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in Berbice.

    The visit comes in the wake of India’s Operation Sindoor and the terror attack in Pahalgam. Both leaders condemned terrorism unequivocally, reaffirming Guyana’s long-standing ties with India.

    “There is a very good relationship between India and Guyana. Forty per cent of Guyana’s population is of Indian origin, and we share a relationship that spans over 150 years,” said Phillips. “Guyana condemns all acts of terrorism. We believe in peaceful coexistence and the observance of the rule of law.”

    He also welcomed Indian investments and stressed the importance of people-to-people contact in deepening bilateral ties.

    Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo echoed Phillips’ sentiments during his meeting with the delegation.

    “Guyana stands unequivocally with India. We are against terrorism in all its forms and believe perpetrators must be brought to justice,” Jagdeo said, adding that Guyana is keen to explore development collaborations with India in areas such as infrastructure, fintech, and agriculture.

    In a post on X, Shashi Tharoor noted that the delegation’s talks with Jagdeo extended beyond terrorism to encompass Guyana’s economic growth, development plans following the discovery of oil and gas, and the vast opportunities available to Indian companies.

    “Our conversation also spanned a range of topics relating to Guyana’s record-breaking 30% annual economic growth and development plans following the discovery of oil and gas. A large number of opportunities for Indian companies were mentioned, in sectors ranging from agriculture to telecoms, banking and highway development. Guyana is also experiencing labour shortages and would welcome Indian labour as well,” Tharoor wrote.

    BJP MP Tejasvi Surya, also part of the delegation, highlighted the strengthening economic engagement between India and Guyana, especially in infrastructure and energy sectors.

    “Many Indian companies are working in Guyana, employing thousands. We also met with representatives of many spiritual organisations like the Art Of Living, ISKCON and the Bramhakumaris. They serve as the spiritual and cultural anchor for the Indian community here,” Surya wrote on X.

    “Our delegation met with the Vice President of Guyana H.E. Bharrat Jagdeo and spoke to him on a wide range of issues, including India’s fight against terrorism. Mr. Jagdeo has served for 12 years as the President of Guyana and is one of the most respected leaders of the country. He was unequivocal in his condemnation of the Pahalgam attack and fully supported Operation Sindoor. VP also conveyed his keen interest in collaboration with India on key development projects in areas of infrastructure, energy, fin tech and agriculture. With Guyana finding new oil reserves and growing at a rapid pace of 30%, the opportunities for Indian businesses are immense,” he added.

    The all-party delegation includes MPs from across the political spectrum: Shambhavi Chaudhary (Lok Janshakti Party), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Jharkhand Mukti Morcha), G M Harish Balayogi (Telugu Desam Party), Shashank Mani Tripathi, Bhubaneswar K Lata (BJP), Mallikarjun Devda (Shiv Sena), and Taranjit Singh Sandhu, former Indian Ambassador to the U.S.

    The MPs also engaged with the Indian diaspora in Guyana, who voiced strong support for India’s efforts to counter cross-border terrorism and commended the government’s response.

    (With inputs from agencies)

  • Dedicated myself to nation, says PM Modi in Gujarat after unveiling Rs 24,000 crore development projects

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for a series of development projects in Dahod, Gujarat, collectively valued at ₹24,000 crore.
     
    The projects include critical railway infrastructure and several initiatives under the Gujarat government’s broader development agenda.
     
    Among the key announcements, PM Modi flagged off the Vande Bharat Express connecting Veraval and Ahmedabad, as well as a new express train linking Valsad and Dahod—moves expected to significantly enhance regional rail connectivity.
     
    Reflecting on his journey in office, PM Modi recalled May 26, 2014—the day he first assumed the role of Prime Minister.
     
    “In these years, I have dedicated myself to the nation. Decades-old shackles have been broken. The country has taken decisions that were once unimaginable and unprecedented. We have progressed across every sector,” he said.
     
    Highlighting India’s push toward self-reliance, he said, “Today, 140 crore citizens are working tirelessly to make India a Viksit Bharat. The demand of the times is that everything essential to national progress be manufactured in India.”
     
    He added, “India is rapidly advancing in manufacturing—whether producing goods for domestic needs or exporting ‘Made in India’ products globally, this momentum is strong and consistent.”
     
    The Prime Minister also emphasized India’s technological advancements. “Today, India not only manufactures the necessary technology for rail and metro systems but also exports it. Our Dahod is living proof of this progress.”
     
    Referring to the newly inaugurated electric locomotive manufacturing facility in Dahod, PM Modi said, “Three years ago, I laid the foundation stone. Some mocked it, calling it an election stunt. But today, we see the first electric locomotive manufactured and ready.”
     
    Earlier, he inaugurated the Loco Manufacturing Shop–Rolling Stock Workshop and flagged off the first electric locomotive produced at the facility, marking a major milestone for Indian Railways.
     
    Built at an investment of ₹20,000 crore, the Dahod locomotive manufacturing unit is now operational, just three years after its foundation was laid in 2022. The facility is designed to produce 120 electric locomotives annually, scalable up to 150 units depending on future demand.
     
    Under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, Indian Railways plans to manufacture 1,200 electric locomotives at this facility over the next decade. Each 9,000-HP locomotive, aligned with the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives, will bear the tag ‘Manufactured in Dahod’. These high-powered engines can haul up to 4,600 tonnes of cargo and are intended for both domestic use and export.
     
    The Prime Minister will next travel to Bhuj to launch additional development projects worth over ₹53,400 crore. These include initiatives in Kandla Port, solar energy, power transmission, and road infrastructure.
     
    He will also unveil four drinking water supply schemes costing ₹181 crore, aimed at benefiting 4.62 lakh residents across 193 villages and one town in the Mahisagar and Dahod districts.
     
    PM Modi will also distribute cheques worth ₹3,300 crore to urban local bodies under the Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana.
     
    — IANS

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: FMA confirms fintech sandbox participants

    Source: Budget 2025 – Greenpeace braced for ‘scorched earth’ budget from Govt

    Media Release  
    MR No. 2025 – 12 

    The Financial Markets Authority (FMA) – Te Mana Tātai Hokohoko has announced the six fintech firms who will be testing their innovative products, services or business models in the FMA’s pilot regulatory sandbox.  

    The successful fintech firms are: 

    Fintech firm Details on their intentions
    ECDD Holdings Limited ECDD Holdings Limited (part of the exchange service Easy Crypto) intends to launch a yield bearing NZD-backed stablecoin and to generate revenue from interest earned on money held on trust in interest-bearing accounts.
    Emerge Group Limited Emerge is a digital banking alternative offering products like debit cards, current accounts, and in-app expense tracking. Customer funds are currently held in trust with a partner bank but Emerge aims to transition to higher yielding options such as government bonds. 
    Homeshare

    Homeshare offers investors the opportunity to own a fractional share of real estate, with each property divided into 1,000 equal shares. These shares are tokenised and can be bought and sold via an online platform.
    IndigiShare

    IndigiShare aims to improve access to capital for Māori entrepreneurs and small businesses. It seeks to offer Te Whare Manaaki (a koha loan platform), as a way to lower barriers to entry for indigenous businesses and enable community entrepreneurship.  
    Invest in Farming Co-op IIF (Invest in Farming) is an Australian-based cooperative that connects investors to farming by digitising ownership of livestock, aquaculture, horticulture, and agriculture. It allows investors to own a share of agricultural assets, where investment returns are unlocked on the sale of the stock or crop.
    Tandym Limited A group investment platform enabling people to form groups and build wealth together in a social and engaging way – while removing administrative burden.

    FMA Executive Director Strategy and Design Daniel Trinder says, “We offered this pilot sandbox to spur innovation for both startups and established licensed financial institutions. We received 24 applications to be part of the sandbox and went through a thorough review process to determine which of the firms would be chosen to be part of the pilot.” 

    The criteria used to determine the final six was: 

    • genuine innovation exists that is either unique or solves an existing issue, 
    • likely benefit to consumers,  
    • the product or service does not pose high risk of causing consumer harm, 
    • there is a demonstrated need to be in the sandbox, 
    • the firm is ready and has a product to test, and  
    • the management team have appropriate experience and skills to execute the sandbox testing plan. 

    “During the pilot they can test new products and services in a controlled environment, helping them to obtain a deeper understanding of supervisory expectations,” says Daniel. “The opportunity to adjust a product or service before full commercial launch may also help reduce costs for firms. 

    “We see clear benefits for the FMA too. By working closely with the firms during their time in the sandbox, we expect to gain greater insights into the benefits and risks of financial innovation and new technologies. Experiences gained through such a testing phase should allow us to react faster and more effectively to any potential regulatory and supervisory problems. It should also highlight gaps around investor and customer protection, allowing development of more appropriate and timely solutions.” 

    The FMA is committed to supporting financial services innovation and is grateful for the constructive work and support from FintechNZ throughout the process. 

    ENDS

    Background 

    You can read more about the launch of our regulatory sandbox pilot on our website

    FMA launches regulatory sandbox pilot

    Innovation

    Media contact 

    If you have any questions on this media release, please contact [email protected]  

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Israel’s new aid delivery system for Gaza is sparking outrage. Why is it so problematic?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Amra Lee, PhD candidate in Protection of Civilians, Australian National University

    Some 2.1 million Gazans are facing critical hunger levels, with many at risk of famine following Israel’s 11-week blockade on aid intended to pressure Hamas.

    According to the United Nations, 57 children have already died from malnutrition since the aid blockade began on March 2. A further 14,000 children under 5 years old are at risk of severe cases of malnutrition over the next year.

    Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu permitted a limited number of aid trucks into Gaza amid increasing pressure from allies who have drawn a line at images of starving children.

    However, Israel is controversially planning to transfer responsibility for distributing aid in Gaza through a new system that would sideline the UN and other aid agencies that have been working there for decades.

    UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres swiftly rejected Israel’s new aid distribution system in Gaza, saying it breaches international law and humanitarian principles.

    In a joint statement, two dozen countries, including the UK, many European Union member states, Australia, Canada and Japan, have supported the UN’s position on the new model. The signatories said it won’t deliver aid effectively at the scale required, and would link aid to political and military objectives.

    The UK, Canada and France have further threatened to take “concrete actions” to pressure Israel to cease its military offence and lift restrictions on aid.

    And in another blow to the credibility of the new system, the head of the newly established Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which will oversee the distribution of aid, resigned on Monday. He cited concerns over a lack of adherence to “humanitarian principles”.

    So, how will would this new aid delivery system work, and why is it so problematic?

    A military-led system with deep flaws

    Israel has relied on unsubstantiated claims of large-scale aid diversion by Hamas to justify taking control over aid delivery in Gaza. The UN and its humanitarian partners continue to refute such claims, publicly sharing details of their end-to-end monitoring systems.

    Yet, the new aid delivery initiative is vague on important details.

    Several reports have revealed the plan would establish four secure distribution sites for aid under Israeli military control in southern and central Gaza.

    Security would be provided by private military contractors, such as Safe Reach Solutions, run by a former CIA officer, while the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation would oversee the distribution of food.

    There is little clarity beyond this on who is behind the new system and who is funding it.

    The initiative has provoked strong reactions from the UN and the wider humanitarian aid system.

    Senior aid officials have underlined the fact the international aid system cannot support a military-led initiative that would breach international law and be incompatible with humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence.

    There are also concerns the four distribution hubs would require individuals to travel long distances to collect and carry heavy packages. This could leave female-headed households, people with disabilities, those who are ill and the elderly at greater risk of exclusion and exploitation.

    In addition, a leaked UN memo reportedly expressed concern over UN involvement in the initiative, saying the organisation could be “implicated in delivering a system that falls short of Israel’s legal responsibilities as an occupying power”.

    There are further concerns the UN could be implicated in atrocity crimes, including a risk of genocide through its participation in the system, setting a dangerous precedent for future crises.

    Tom Fletcher, the UN relief chief, has called the plan “a deliberate distraction” and “a fig leaf for further violence and displacement”.

    Other rights groups have condemned the mandatory collection of biometric data, including facial recognition scans, at the distribution sites. This would make aid conditional on compliance with surveillance. It would also expand Israel’s controversial use of facial recognition technology to track and monitor Palestinians throughout Gaza.

    And famine expert Alex de Waal claims Israel has “taken a page from the colonial war handbooks” in weaponising food aid in pursuit of military victory.

    He argues the planned quantities of food aid will be insufficient and lack the specialised feeding necessary for malnourished children, in addition to clean water and electricity.

    What has not been stated but can be implied from the strong resistance to the new system lacking humanitarian expertise: the lack of good faith on Israel’s part. The Israeli government continues to pursue an elusive military victory at the expense of the rules and norms intended to preserve humanity in war.

    Wider pattern of behaviour

    The UN’s rebuke of the plan should be interpreted through a wider pattern of Israeli government behaviour undermining the international aid system and its role in upholding respect for humanitarian principles.

    These fundamental principles include respect for humanity, neutrality, impartiality and operational independence. As the joint statement by 24 nations on aid to Gaza this month said:

    Humanitarian principles matter for every conflict around the world and should be applied consistently in every war zone.

    International humanitarian law requires member states to respect – and ensure respect – for the rules of war. This includes taking all feasible measures to influence the parties engaged in a conflict to respect humanitarian law.

    Likewise, the Genocide Convention requires member states to take measures to prevent and punish genocide beyond their jurisdictions.

    As Fletcher, the UN relief chief, reminded the UN Security Council earlier this month, this hasn’t been done in past cases of large-scale violations of international human rights, such as in Srebrenica (in the former Yugoslavia) and Rwanda.

    He said reviews of the UN’s conduct in cases like these

    […] pointed to our collective failure to speak to the scale of violations while they were committed.

    While humanitarians are best placed to deliver aid, greater collective political action is what’s needed. Pressure now falls on all UN member states use their levers of influence to protect civilians and prevent the further weaponisation of aid at this critical time.

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

    – ref. Israel’s new aid delivery system for Gaza is sparking outrage. Why is it so problematic? – https://theconversation.com/israels-new-aid-delivery-system-for-gaza-is-sparking-outrage-why-is-it-so-problematic-257347

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Appointment of Cabinet Office Board Non-Executive Board Member

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Appointment of Cabinet Office Board Non-Executive Board Member

    New appointment to the Cabinet Office Board

    Lisa Tremble has been appointed as a Cabinet Office Non-Executive Board Member for a period of three years, concluding in April 2028.

    Lisa is currently the Chief People, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer, and a Member of the Management Committee at British Airways. Prior to that, she was a Group Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Director at Direct Line Group Plc and the Director of External Affairs at Mishcon de Reya LLP.

    The Cabinet Office Board provides strategic leadership for the department, comprising Cabinet Office ministers, senior executives, and non-executives from outside government. Its purpose is to advise on strategy, monitor performance, and assess significant risks.

    The Non-Executive Board Members are responsible for providing support and challenge to the department’s ministers and senior officials on the delivery of key policies and programmes.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Appointment of Cabinet Office Board Lead Non-Executive Board Member

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    News story

    Appointment of Cabinet Office Board Lead Non-Executive Board Member

    New appointment to the Cabinet Office Board

    John Fallon has been appointed as the new Cabinet Office Lead Non-Executive Board Member (NEBM) for a period of three years, concluding in April 2028.

    John is an executive and academic currently holding positions as a Professor of Practice and senior adviser at Northeastern University, an Executive Fellow at London Business School, and Chair of WarChild UK and Blackpool Pride of Place. He served as CEO from 2013 to 2020 at Pearson Plc. John has also held senior roles at PowerGen plc, Centro, and the House of Commons. 

    The Cabinet Office Board provides strategic leadership for the department, comprising Cabinet Office ministers, senior executives, and non-executives from outside government. Its purpose is to advise on strategy, monitor performance, and assess significant risks.

    The role of the Cabinet Office Lead NEBM is to provide strategic oversight and leadership for the department’s team of Non-Executives. The Lead NEBM supports ministers and officials by providing expert advice and challenge on delivery and performance. As well as their formal role on the Board and its sub-committees, the Lead NEBM also maintains close working relationships with the Permanent Secretary and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster to support the delivery of their priorities. 

    The Lead NEBM works with the department to ensure the NEBMs are assigned to work on issues where they will have the most impact and can best support the delivery of the department’s strategic priorities.

    Chief Operating Officer for the Civil Service and Permanent Secretary of the Cabinet Office, Cat Little said:

    Lead Non-Executive Board Members provide vital scrutiny and challenge to departmental boards, guiding our work and helping us deliver for people across the country.

    John Fallon will bring a wealth of experience in systems and transformation leadership within complex organisations. I look forward to working with him to deliver the Cabinet Office’s priorities.

    Updates to this page

    Published 26 May 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by SCST at Luxury Symposium 2025 (English only)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Speech by SCST at Luxury Symposium 2025 (English only) 
    Mr Alain Li (President of the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
     
    Good afternoon. It is truly my pleasure to be here at Luxury Symposium 2025, where leaders, experts and innovators from the global luxury industry gather together in the metropolitan city of Hong Kong to explore the future of luxury. And indeed, my activities today are intertwined. I met with the Hong Kong Retail Management Association just now, then I came to this Symposium, then I will go back for a meeting to prepare for our next peak of visitor arrival. This pretty much shows the importance of tourism and luxury spending and luxury sales on my radar screen.
     
    This year marks the 10th anniversary and this is the ninth edition of the Luxury Symposium series. Since its inception in 2016, the Symposium has established itself as a renowned platform for exploring the evolution of luxury and fostering meaningful dialogue. I’m most pleased to welcome distinguished speakers, world-class brands and passionate participants, many of you would be our old friends while some may have come our way for the first time. For this special milestone, the return of Luxury Symposium 2025 to Hong Kong is a firm testimony of Hong Kong’s unique position as Asia’s Events Capital, an international hub for arts and culture, and a shopper’s paradise.
     
    Hong Kong has a long and rich East-meets-West historical legacy. And with the strong support of the Central People’s Government, Hong Kong is striving to further develop this unique asset for the benefit of fostering deepened international cultural co-operation. Specifically, our role is the “super-connector” between our motherland and the rest of the world. 2025 has been nothing short of remarkable for Hong Kong’s cultural and creative scene. We have successfully hosted iconic international events like Art Basel and Art Central, which were warmly received by over 100 000 participants, including artists, galleries, art collectors and enthusiasts, and about 50 per cent of them were from outside of Hong Kong.
     
    Indeed, in the last couple of years, and indeed even right now, our M+ museum in West Kowloon and our Museum of Art have been staging exquisite exhibitions with modern and unique curation of Yayoi Kusama, I M Pei, Pablo Picasso, Renoir and Cézanne. These exhibitions are primarily in the area of visual arts, and an ability for Hong Kong people and our visitors to appreciate, and an instinct to achieve beauty and awe, is the fundamental driver for the creation and acquisition of sublime art pieces, many of which actually take the form of luxurious goods. Hong Kong has long been aware of the importance of, and actively fosters, the development of arts, culture and creative industries. Last year in November, we have introduced the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development. And “Develop Diverse Arts and Culture Industries with International Perspective” was one of the four strategic directions. I’m glad to see that Luxury Symposium 2025, by applying a unique perspective from global leaders of the industry, will generate innovative and inspirational ideas that benefit the long-term development of the luxury and relevant industries here in Hong Kong and globally.
     
    Apart from showcasing brilliant arts talent, we have also brought world-class fashion to our shores. An iconic example was the unforgettable Louis Vuitton’s Men’s Pre-fall fashion show in Hong Kong in end November 2023, which was the first ever runway show to stage against our iconic Victoria Harbour and the spectacular skyline along the Avenue of Stars. With the Government’s full facilitation, the event reached over 560 million views worldwide, showcasing Hong Kong’s unique allure to a global audience. Another one would be Chanel’s Cruise 2024/25 Show which creatively took place in the Hong Kong Design Institute in November 2024. The event not only successfully drew a big crowd of celebrities and fashion icons to Hong Kong, but also connected cinema lovers through film-related talks and happenings at Shaw Studios, taking note of the fact that cinema has always been at the heart of the brand. The event reaffirms the brand’s commitment to the city through celebrating the heritage and spirit of the collection, all the while paying tribute to the culture of Hong Kong.
     
    We certainly welcome more mega events, including luxurious brand events, with open arms and will be most happy to act as a strong facilitator. Of course, apart from government action, it takes joint efforts and collective wisdom from both local and international stakeholders, to cultivate an organic ecosystem for the development of arts, culture and creative industries on Hong Kong’s fertile soil. 
     
    Luxury should not just be about expensive art pieces or goods that are beyond the reach of ordinary people. Everyone needs and deserves a bit a luxury, be it peace of the mind, ample me-time, tranquil lifestyle, a super fine culinary experience, or just a bit of glitter once in a while. It is more about things in life that bring a joy so special or satisfying that it cannot be replaced by much else, so that one feels a desire to own it, to touch it and to come to it. It can mean different things to different people. And some of the things might be ultra expensive, but some are simply one of a kind, treasurable, without being overly costly. 
          
    The theme of this year’s Symposium is “Hong Kong Zoom in, Zoom out – The Asia edition”. Let us now zoom in a little bit and zoom out a little bit to see what Hong Kong has to offer. 
     
    Zooming in, Hong Kong is dedicated to advancing our infrastructure and enriching the content of our offering to drive new experiences and visitor engagement. The newly opened state-of-the-art Kai Tak Sports Park which hosted world-class events like Coldplay concerts and the Hong Kong International Rugby Sevens provide unforgettable excitement while fresh tourism initiatives announced last week like Hong Kong Industrial Brand Tourism, in-depth travel in Kowloon City and Old Town Central, rejuvenation of the Former Yau Ma Tei Police Station etc. There is no shortage of fun and nostalgia of Hong Kong’s cultural legacy.
     
    Zooming out, we are strengthening global connections by actively initiating, supporting or participating in platforms for arts and cultural exchange, to name a few, the Asia Cultural Co-operation Forum where cultural administrators exchange views of cultural policies, and the Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo newly launched in 2024 that brought together global arts institutions and practitioners for business partnerships and promotion of the industry all in one go. The Luxury Symposium is another precious piece in this puzzle – it is a platform for Hong Kong to connect with international peers, exchange ideas, gain experience, and explore opportunities for collaboration and innovation. These initiatives are introduced not only by the Government, but also the industries and various institutions.
     
    Ladies and gentlemen, rapid and vigorous changes have been taking place in our current world, and definitely to the luxury industry. It has come to my attention that a specific part on tackling talent challenges will be presented in our Symposium later today. Apart from talent, shifting market trends and customer preference, as well as technological advancement, all pose challenges to the luxury industry, particularly in this volatile age of geopolitical tension. Faced with evolving challenges of changing spending patterns and tourist behaviours every day, I always advocate an active approach to discover the opportunities that come with the challenges. At this year’s Luxury Symposium, we all have the privilege to learn about insightful thoughts on the future of luxury from leaders of the industry, academia and a wide range of related sectors with diversified backgrounds. When rivers of thought converge, civilisations bloom in shared moonlight, and the potential of the industry can then be fully unleashed. It is through collaboration, creativity, and shared wisdom that we can unlock one another’s potential as a vibrant, global industry.
     
    Before I close, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Hong Kong for your unwavering dedication in organising the Luxury Symposium year after year. Your effort continues to strengthen the bond between Hong Kong and France while enriching cultural exchange on a global scale. My special thanks also go to the distinguished speakers, participating brands, collaborating organisations and amazing attendants like every one of you here and online. I wish Luxury Symposium 2025 a resounding success and all of you a fruitful journey of discovery, innovation and luxury in Hong Kong.
     
    Thank you.
    Issued at HKT 17:06

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai leads industrial listening tours to Taichung and mobilizes the government to help Businesses tackle U.S. Tariff Challenges.

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    President Lai Ching-Te led a delegation on April 11 to the Taichung Industrial Park under the Bureau of Industrial Parks(BIP) of the Ministry of Economic Affairs(MOEA) as part of the “Industry Listening Tour.” Accompanied by Secretary-General to the President Pan Men-An, Executive Yuan Secretary-General Kung Ming-Hsin, Minister of Economic Affairs Kuo Jyh-Huei, Export-Import Bank of the Republic of China Chairman Tai Teng-shan, and other MOEA officials, President Lai held in-depth discussions with central Taiwan enterprises leaders to understand firsthand the challenges and needs arising from recent changes to U.S. tariff policy.
    On April 10, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause and reduction of reciprocal tariffs to 10%. President Lai emphasized that this presents a crucial opportunity for Taiwan to engage in strategic negotiations and adjustments. He reassured the industry that the government would seize this opportunity and work side-by-side with enterprises to secure Taiwan’s best benefits. President Lai noted that Taiwan was among the first countries globally to respond with concrete actions, including launching industry consultations and proposing specific measures. These include pursuing tariff negotiations, increasing procurement and investment in the U.S., removing trade barriers, and combating country-of-origin misrepresentation. Addressing the impact of the reciprocal tariff, President Lai stated, “When the roots of the tree are stable, there’s no fear of the typhoon shaking its branches,” and outlined a new strategy: “rooted in Taiwan, expand global presence, strengthened ties with the U.S., and market worldwide.” He emphasized a dual transformation approach-smart and global-to enhance Taiwan’s industrial competitiveness.
    The MOEA explained that the government had launched an NT$88 billion support program for export supply chains in response to the U.S. tariff policy. The plan targets nine key areas and includes 20 measures such as enhanced export credit guarantees, enhanced SME financing, transformation R&D subsidies, and overseas market expansion, aimed at strengthening industry resilience and adaptability.
    During the session, company representatives actively shared insights and suggestions, covering topics such as international trade shows, logistics arrangements for U.S. shipments, financing needs, mechanisms to prevent origin fraud, and tax credit incentives for Taiwan-based operations. The President and officials responded directly and promptly to each concern, underscoring the government’s determination and responsiveness.
    President Lai concluded by noting that Taiwan is already included in the U.S.’s first list for tariff negotiations. He assured attendees that the government is fully prepared to engage in talks. This “listening tour,” he emphasized, is not only about hearing from the industry-it also marks the start of concrete government action, backed by targeted policies and resources to support businesses amid global change.

    Spokesman: Mr. Liu Chi-Chuan (Deputy Director General, BIP)
    Contact Number: 886-7-3613349, 0911363680
    Email: lcc12@bip.gov.tw

    Contact Person: Chi, Shih-Tsung (Director of Taichung Branch, BIP)
    Contact Number: 886-4-26581215, 0905287377
    Email: chist@bip.gov.tw

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • Guidelines issued to hospitals as Delhi govt closely monitors Covid cases: CM Rekha Gupta

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    With Delhi crossing the 100-mark in daily Covid-19 infections, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Monday assured the public that the government is closely monitoring the situation and has issued guidelines to all hospitals.
     
    Urging people not to panic, CM Gupta said, “Guidelines have been issued to all hospitals, and the government is closely monitoring the situation.”
     
    She further added that all state-run hospitals are equipped with the necessary facilities to manage the rise in cases.
     
    According to data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Delhi has reported 104 active Covid-19 cases.
     
    “We have analysed the scenario, and there is no cause for panic,” Gupta reiterated.
     
    Last week, the Delhi government issued a Covid-19 advisory, directing hospitals to ensure the availability of beds, oxygen, essential medicines, and vaccines.
     
    All health institutions have also been instructed to send positive Covid-19 samples for genome sequencing to Lok Nayak Hospital.
     
    “The hospitals must ensure preparedness in terms of the availability of beds, oxygen, antibiotics, other drugs, and vaccines. All equipment such as ventilators, BiPAP machines, oxygen concentrators, and PSA plants must be in functional condition,” the advisory stated.
     
    Health Minister Pankaj Singh said that the government is also verifying case details to determine whether the patients are Delhi residents or have a recent travel history.
     
    Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry reported 1,009 Covid-19 cases nationwide, with Kerala (430) and Maharashtra (209) recording the highest numbers. Seven deaths were also reported—four in Maharashtra, two in Kerala, and one in Karnataka.
     
    According to the latest data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), the recent spike in cases is being driven by NB.1.8.1 and LF.7—sub-lineages of the JN.1 Covid variant.
     
    INSACOG, a network of 64 laboratories under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, identified one case of NB.1.8.1 in Tamil Nadu in April and four cases of LF.7 in Gujarat in May.
     
    Both NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 are currently classified as Variants Under Monitoring (VUM) by the World Health Organization (WHO). A VUM indicates a SARS-CoV-2 variant that may require prioritized attention and further observation by public health authorities.
     
    —IANS

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Consultation on Industry Skills Boards’ coverage

    Source: Tertiary Education Commission

    Last updated 21 May 2025
    Last updated 21 May 2025

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    We consulted on a proposed model for the number and coverage groupings of Industry Skills Boards. The consultation has now closed.
    We consulted on a proposed model for the number and coverage groupings of Industry Skills Boards. The consultation has now closed.

    The Government is proposing to set up seven Industry Skills Boards (ISBs) that cover these broad areas:

    Automotive industries
    Construction industries
    Infrastructure industries
    Food and fibre industries
    Service industries
    Manufacturing and technology industries
    Social and community industries.

    As part of setting up Industry Skills Boards, some industries and sectors that are currently covered by a Workforce Development Council are proposed to be covered by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
    These proposals were covered in the Consultation Document ISB Coverage (PDF 426 KB).
    Frequently asked questions
    Consultation was open from Monday 28 April until 5.00pm, Tuesday 20 May.
    Thank you to the groups and individuals that made submissions. Your views will help inform final decisions by the government on the number and coverage of Industry Skills Boards. They will also inform the detailed coverage provisions in ISBs’ Orders in Council. These Orders will be consulted on later this year.
    New work-based learning model

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung offers up to 45% OFF with their #PreekendSpecial deals

    Source: Samsung

    Samsung South Africa is giving customers a reason to upgrade their tech and home essentials with an exciting three-day sale offering up to 45% OFF on a wide selection of premium Samsung products. The deals will run only on the Samsung Shop App from 23 to 25 May 2025.
     
    The Preekend Special shopping experience, which premiered on 22 May at 8pm live on the Samsung YouTube channel brought the deals first customers. The livestream combined the exclusive deals on Samsung products with live DJ sets, and offered a shopping experience unlike any other.
     
    The discounted products include some of Samsung’s most sought-after devices, including:
     

    Galaxy S25+
    Galaxy A26 5G
    Galaxy Tab S10FE WIFI
    Galaxy Buds 3 Pro
    Freestyle Projector 2nd Gen
    85″ QLED 4K Smart TV
    75″ Crystal UHD 4K Smart TV
    Q-Series Premium Soundbar
    BESPOKE AI Side by Side, 21.5” Family Hub screen, Plumbed, Black, 594L
    19kg AI Top Loader Washing Machine
    27″ Odyssey G55C QHD, 1ms MPRT, 165Hz Gaming Monitor
    27″ Odyssey 3D G90XF 4K 164Hz Gaming Monitor

     
    Consumers can enjoy unbeatable deals while shopping from the convenience of their mobile devices, with all purchases made securely through the Samsung Shop App.
     
    Why Shop on the Samsung Shop App?
     
    In addition to these limited-time offers, app users enjoy benefits such as:

    Free delivery on all orders
    Flexible payment options including Float, Mobicred, and PayJustNow
    Access to exclusive app-only deals and personalised offers

     
    Don’t Miss Out, download the Samsung Shop App.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Why Industry Leaders are Choosing African Mining Week 2025

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    CAPE TOWN, South Africa, May 26, 2025/APO Group/ —

    As global demand for critical minerals accelerates, Africa’s mineral-rich economies are stepping into a more prominent role – not only as exporters of raw materials, but as strategic partners in global supply chains. African Mining Week (AMW) 2025, taking place in Cape Town on October 1-3, is emerging as a key platform for policymakers, mining companies, financiers and service providers to connect, negotiate and shape the future of the continent’s mining sector.

    AMW 2025’s will prioritize high-level networking, dealmaking and investor matchmaking. At a time when governments are under pressure to present investable projects, this approach ensures that time on the ground translates into meaningful engagement and tangible progress.

    Targeted Engagement Drives Attendance

    AMW’s agenda is designed to support strategic engagement through exclusive country briefings, curated investor meetings and deal rooms that connect government and private sector actors directly. Its co-location with African Energy Week 2025: Invest in African Energies further enhances the event’s appeal, creating opportunities for cross-sector dialogue on infrastructure, energy access and mineral beneficiation.

    This targeted approach is attracting a wide range of public and private sector delegations. Among confirmed participants is the South Africa–DRC Chamber of Commerce, which will be supporting the participation of companies operating across two of Africa’s largest and most influential mining jurisdictions. South Africa’s mining industry continues to play a central role in global platinum group metals production and is seeing new interest in battery minerals and green hydrogen, with institutions like the Industrial Development Corporation set to participate in sessions on financing mining and industrialization projects across the continent. The DRC, meanwhile, remains critical to global cobalt and copper supply chains, with significant interest in expanding downstream processing.

    Government Participation Signals Project Pipelines

    Several African governments are attending with the express purpose of promoting new investment opportunities. Chad’s Ministry of Petroleum and Energy is expected to highlight emerging opportunities in mining and infrastructure development as part of ongoing efforts to attract investment in its extractive sector. From Angola, national oil company Sonangol is participating as part of a broader push to diversify its portfolio beyond oil and gas. The Angolan government is prioritizing the development of its diamond, iron ore and battery mineral resources, and Sonangol’s involvement reflects the country’s intention to drive resource-linked industrial development.

    International participation is also strong. Organizations such as World Mining Investment and delegations from the Gulf, Europe and Asia are attending to assess African markets amid growing interest in diversifying supply chains and securing long-term access to key minerals.

    Aligning Investment with Industrial Development

    With global exploration spending in Africa projected to rise – particularly in copper, lithium and rare earth elements – many countries are not only positioning themselves as resource suppliers, but as hosts for beneficiation and value-added processing. Discussions at AMW will explore policy incentives, infrastructure corridors and cross-border industrial zones that can help support this ambition.

    As African governments seek to coordinate on regional value chains, improve regulatory coherence and share infrastructure, platforms like AMW play an important role in facilitating dialogue and action. By convening stakeholders across government, industry and finance, the event is helping to reshape how mining investment is pursued on the continent – shifting from transactional approaches to more strategic, collaborative models that align with Africa’s broader development goals.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Vitaly Lazutkin: “We need to build quickly, efficiently, and intellectually capaciously”

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Speech by Vitaly Lazutkin

    The Chairman of the Leningrad Region Construction Committee Vitaly Lazutkin addressed the students of SPbGASU. The event was organized by the Center for Student Entrepreneurship and Career of our university.

    Vitaly Vitalyevich emphasized the importance of professionalism in the construction industry: “The level of tasks to be solved by a government customer is significantly higher than in a commercial organization. We need to build quickly, efficiently, and intellectually capaciously.”

    He noted that working in government bodies opens up great opportunities for ambitious and responsible young professionals: “The Leningrad Region Construction Committee is a serious professional start and a fundamentally new outlook on the industry and profession.”

    Much attention was paid to the industry’s prospects and requirements for young personnel: “Today, the construction industry is growing rapidly and places high demands on specialists. Modern construction is a complex industry that will continue to develop.”

    Students learned about the possibilities of practical training and internships in the committee, career paths in the civil service, and salary levels. In addition, the topic of targeted training as an effective mechanism for training specialists for state needs was touched upon. Students were told about the possibility of concluding a targeted contract, its advantages, and future employment prospects.

    Director of the Center for Student Entrepreneurship and Career Ekaterina Abolina emphasized the importance of such events: “Meetings like these help students better navigate professional opportunities and take the first step toward an informed career choice.”

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • An ode to the fourth-largest economy of the world

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In May 2025, India stands as the fourth-largest economy in the world, surpassing Japan and trailing only the United States of America, China, and Germany.

    With a Gross Domestic Product of over four trillion dollars, the economic might of the nation is now evident to the world. In the last decade, India’s GDP has more than doubled. To put things in perspective, it took India more than 65 years to reach its first two trillion dollars, and only eleven years to add the next two.

    The economic upliftment of rural India has been integral to this leap. For decades, the countryside was plagued by issues of food, shelter, and clothing. However, in the last eleven years, these challenges have been addressed through precise and people-centric policymaking.

    While an array of welfare programmes tells a compelling story, the simplest policy moves have been most effective. For instance, the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana has ensured an additional quota of foodgrains for more than 80 crore people. Before the Narendra Modi government took office, surplus foodgrains in government coffers were under contention, yet the previous government was unwilling to distribute them to those in need.

    Beyond welfare, this has had a significant economic impact. People in villages now have more disposable income, which they are using to buy consumer durables, processed foods, and foods with higher nutritional value. Aspirations are changing, and the success of the Mudra Yojana is a testament to this shift. No longer a liability, rural India is now an asset for a rising nation.

    Urban pockets are evolving as well. With every trillion dollars added to the economy, consumer demand is transforming. Earlier this month, Lego, one of the world’s largest toymakers, opened its first store in India in Gurugram, Haryana. Apple, the world’s leading technology company, is now embedded in urban markets, increasing its manufacturing volume and value within India.

    But India’s manufacturing story is not just about Apple; it encompasses millions of young and old entrepreneurs shifting to local production, moving beyond the role of traders. Near the Haryana border, in Delhi’s North-West district, lies Bawana, an example of this significant shift. The Prime Minister’s larger message of ‘Make in India, Make for India, and Make for the World’ has resonated with entrepreneurs here, who are leading the change.

    The greatest supplement to India’s growth over the last decade has been infrastructure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shown an unprecedented commitment to infrastructure development, rivaling Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s.

    India’s infrastructure push over the last decade has been the most ambitious in any democracy in the past century. A simple litmus test is that every individual within a 50-kilometer radius can vouch for redevelopment and numerous greenfield infrastructure projects.

    These projects are empowering people in every state, enabling access to greater economic and employment opportunities. Projects like the Dedicated Freight Corridors, dormant under the previous government, are now instrumental in reducing export costs and enhancing the ease of doing business.

    In the northeastern part of the country, projects are opening new avenues for tourism and the regional economy. In the Himalayas, strategic infrastructure initiatives, from Arunachal Pradesh to Ladakh, are strengthening military capabilities.

    The government’s intent toward infrastructure is validated by its annual capital expenditure commitment. In recent years, the Centre has committed over Rs. 50 lakh crore to infrastructure development. This also serves as evidence of the government’s fiscal management, which has navigated the pandemic, the global supply chain crisis, and the Russia-Ukraine war. The focus has been on creating long-term assets to fuel economic growth.

    The dual impact of welfare and infrastructure is fostering a generation of job creators. These are citizens, born in the late 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, who are not seeking employment but creating it.

    This new generation is further empowered by the digitisation of the economy and the pan-India market it has opened. These include digital creators as well. Employing anywhere from two to two hundred professionals, these entrepreneurs are transforming the dynamics of the Indian job market.

    This is what makes India the largest free market in the world. Beyond geopolitical dynamics, the economic might of India’s market size cannot be underestimated. India’s market access alone can cripple foreign powers, as seen in 2020 when the government banned TikTok and in 2025 when it sent a stern message to Pakistan through Operation Sindoor. The world needs India more than India needs the world. That is the power of 140 crore people.

    India’s rise to the third-largest economy is certain and will occur before 2029. Then begins a long journey toward becoming one of the world’s most important economic centres, driven by its market and demography. If the last decade was about cementing the size of the economy, the next will witness sharp and steep progress in microeconomic fundamentals, from per capita income to changing expenditure dynamics.

    From being among the ‘Fragile Five’ in 2013, India has come a long way by 2025, ranking among the top five. The comeback has been remarkable, and the country retains the momentum to surge further ahead. In 2015, it was the story of an economy struggling to find its footing. In 2025, it is about an economy ready to rise like an albatross, and by 2035, the story will be of a ten-trillion-dollar economy, reclaiming its civilisational position in a brave new world.

    (Tushar Gupta is a Delhi-based journalist and a political commentator)

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: From finger pricks to freedom

    Source: PHARMAC

    Life was admin heavy

    “Life was just admin heavy. I was doing injections every day and testing my blood sugar at every meal, so I was ecstatic when I heard the news,” she says.

    “I think back to when I was 10, and my mum would wake me up two-to-three times every night to check my blood sugar. This technology will make a real difference for people with diabetes, especially children.”

    The process of funding CGMs alongside insulin pumps involved innovation, commercial processes, collaboration, and the input of the wider health and disability system.

    How we did it

    The process began in February 2023 when Pharmac gave notice of a future procurement opportunity to suppliers. In July 2023, Pharmac invited proposals from suppliers through a request for proposals. Pharmac then developed a proposal to fund CGMs alongside insulin pumps and insulin pump consumables and asked the public what they thought.

    “We received significant feedback. While most of the feedback supported our proposal, it was clear that we needed to do further work with clinicians, consumer groups, and suppliers, to better understand the options and the needs of people with diabetes. We knew how important it was to get this right,” says Pharmac Senior Therapeutic Group Manager, Conal Edwards. 

    People were central to our work

    In May 2024, Pharmac extended the funding timeline to ensure we had all the information needed to make the right decision.

    Throughout June and July, Pharmac staff met with a large range of people to discuss the feedback. This included the Pharmac Diabetes Advisory Committee, Diabetes NZ, the New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes, Health New Zealand, and other government agencies, as well as suppliers, and other interested parties.

    Pharmac hosted an online webinar for the first time, attended by over 700 people, to provide an update on the CGM work. This provided the community a chance to engage directly with Pharmac and have their questions and concerns addressed by Pharmac staff. 

    A decision is made

    In August, Pharmac staff presented the updated proposal, including the feedback and amendments made, to the Pharmac Board. The Board approved the proposal and from 1 October 2024, CGMs were funded and available to people with type 1 diabetes, alongside new arrangements for funded insulin pumps and consumables.

    Since then, more than 16,000 people with type 1 diabetes have been prescribed funded CGMs.

    “It really is a testament to all of the people with type 1 diabetes who saw these devices as life changing for their health care and were determined to work with Pharmac to see them funded,” Edwards says.

    Life changing

    For Georgie, having access to funded CGMs is ‘life changing’.

    “Understanding how to monitor my blood sugars, knowing how certain foods affected me, and when, and how much insulin I should be using has changed my life. Once upon a time you didn’t know how you were going until you felt it. This is better.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New work-based learning model

    Source: Tertiary Education Commission

    Last updated 21 May 2025
    Last updated 21 May 2025

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    The Minister for Vocational Education has announced the government’s decision to introduce an industry-led independent work-based learning model.
    The Minister for Vocational Education has announced the government’s decision to introduce an industry-led independent work-based learning model.

    The two key components of the independent model are:

    Work-based learning is able to be offered by any provider that meets the government’s quality and funding requirements: institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs), private training establishments (PTEs) and wānanga. Providers will manage all aspects of an apprenticeship or traineeship, including the pastoral care for learners.
    Industry Skills Boards will be established on 1 January 2026 to ensure the qualifications needed by employers across the country are available to all providers. 

    Industry Skills Boards will be statutory standard-setting bodies, with majority industry governance. They will be responsible for developing qualifications, endorsing programmes and moderating assessments over key industry sectors. They will also have a workforce analysis function for their sectors, and provide investment advice to the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC).
    The industry-led independent model was consulted on earlier this year, but has a modified transition phase, designed to give industry a greater role in the future of the work-based learning system. 
    To enable the transition to this new model, Te Pūkenga’s work-based learning divisions, including their existing apprentices and trainees, will transfer to an Industry Skills Board for up to two years.  It is expected that during this period industry-led private training enterprises will be established to take over delivery from the work-based learning divisions, and ITPs and wānanga will also establish new work-based learning programmes.
    Employers, apprentices and trainees will be able to continue to work with and enrol the same people they currently work with. Although there will be changes to the reporting lines for the work-based learning divisions in Te Pūkenga, courses and qualifications will continue to be delivered, and every effort will be made to ensure that training is not disrupted.
    See more on Minister Simmonds’ work-based learning announcement.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Maritime Union will fight threatened job losses on Aratere ferry

    Source: Maritime Union of New Zealand

    The Maritime Union of New Zealand has strongly condemned KiwiRail’s proposal for drastic job cuts on its Cook Strait ferry operations.

    KiwiRail this week announced it would remove the rail-enabled Aratere ferry from service in August 2025.

    KiwiRail has advised today it is seeking to cut 70 jobs for MUNZ members in the deck and catering departments on the Aratere.

    Further job losses are anticipated for officers and engineers who are members of other unions.

    Maritime Union of New Zealand Wellington Branch Secretary Fiona Mansell says crew are angry at the announcement.

    The Maritime Union would resist any job losses and would only accept voluntary redundancies.

    She says the proposal is a massive letdown for crew who had worked hard and delivered on the ageing KiwiRail ferry fleet, and who were paying for the failures of management and politicians.

    “This decision rips the heart out of our maritime workforce, leaving dedicated workers and their families facing an uncertain future. It’s a betrayal of the people who keep our country connected.”

    She says such a major loss of jobs would have a devastating impact on New Zealand’s maritime resilience and would be a significant blow to our seafaring workforce.

    Ms Mansell says no thought has been given to what KiwiRail will do when it requires more crew for its new vessels in the future.

    “New Zealand deserves a resilient, capable maritime sector, not one that is dismantled at the whim of short term thinking and cost-cutting. Our jobs, our skills, and our national supply chain depend on it.”

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Supporting Cook Islands with audit preparations

    Source: Maritime New Zealand

    Members of Maritime NZ’s Pacific Maritime Safety Programme (PMSP) were in the Cook Islands in April, supporting its maritime administration as it prepares for an audit by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

    As an IMO member, the Cook Islands is obliged to participate in the IMO Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS). This scheme provides member states with a comprehensive assessment of how effectively they administer and implement IMO conventions – for example, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.

    The preparation focusses on port, coastal and Flag State responsibilities.

    A collaborative approach by key partner agencies is paramount to ensuring those with delegated functions are meeting the standards required.

    The PMSP has been working with the Cook Islands Ministry of Transport to prepare for the audit – reviewing its documentation and where necessary, updating or creating new resources to meet IMO requirements.

    In addition to supporting Cook Islands Ministry of Transport in working through its maritime documentation, PMSP has also:

    • worked with Maritime NZ’s Investigations team to deliver a maritime casualty investigations course to 16 participants
    • supported the development of a revised Maritime Transport Strategy
    • conducted a “mock” internal audit to help identify where the gaps are in anticipation of the real thing in September.

    Cook Islands Ministry of Transport is working with agencies across and outside government to support their preparations.

    The PMSP is a New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade programme, funded through the International Development Cooperation programme and delivered by Maritime NZ.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Looking Back on King Willem-Alexander’s Visit to Expo 2025 Osaka

    Source: Government of the Netherlands

    News item | 26-05-2025 | 12:35

    On Wednesday, 21 May, and Thursday, 22 May, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands visited the World Expo in Osaka as part of his journey to Japan. Between 13 April and 13 October 2025, Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan is expected to welcome no less than 28 million visitors. The Netherlands has its own pavilion at the Expo, which has already received many thousands of guests in its first month. The King’s visit marked the highlight of the Netherlands’ National Day at the Expo. He was accompanied by Minister Klever for Foreign Trade and Development and Minister Beljaarts of Economic Affairs, who are in Japan for an economic working visit and a trade mission focusing on high tech and digitalization.

    Enlarge image
    King Willem-Alexander and Minister Klever arrive at the Netherlands pavilion on 21 May

    National Day Celebrations

    National Day at the Expo is a special occasion hosted by each participating country. On 21 May, it was the Netherlands’ turn, and the King traveled to Osaka for the event. After signing the guestbook and attending an official ceremony—featuring the Dutch national anthem and flag-raising—King Willem-Alexander delivered a welcome address. In his speech, he emphasized the long-standing relationship between Japan and the Netherlands. In addition to Expo, 2025 also marks 425 years of Dutch–Japanese relations.

    Dance and Design on Display

    To mark National Day, the King attended a dance performance in the National Day Hall on the Expo grounds. Dutch ensemble Introdans collaborated with the Japanese group LAND FES for the occasion. Choreographers Adriaan Luteijn and Dai Matsuoka are pioneers in inclusive dance, creating performances where professional dancers share the stage with dancers with disabilities. The King also visited the temporary exhibition Arts & Crafts on Common Ground, where Dutch designers and Japanese artisans collaborated to create works that fuse contemporary and traditional techniques.

    Strengthening Economic Ties

    As part of the economic mission, a roundtable was held at the Netherlands Pavilion with CEOs from Dutch and Japanese companies. The meeting was attended by the King and co-hosted by the Kansai Economic Federation and the Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers (VNO-NCW). The goal: to encourage economic cooperation between the Netherlands and the Kansai region in western Japan—particularly in the fields of natural sciences, healthcare, and chemistry.

    Enlarge image
    Architect Thomas Rau, Ries Straver of Tellart design studio and Minister Beljaarts, among others, posing in front of the Netherlands pavilion

    Circular Pavilion

    The King concluded the day with a visit to the rest of the Netherlands Pavilion. A day earlier (20 May), AND BV, the design and construction consortium behind the pavilion, reached an agreement with the Japanese multinational Pasona Group to purchase and repurpose the pavilion after the Expo. This was always the intention: the Dutch pavilion is a model of circular construction—each part is registered and can be dismantled and reused elsewhere without loss. The day also included visits to the Japanese and Czech pavilions.

    Enlarge image
    At the exhibition on 425 years of Japanese-Dutch exchange in Osaka Castle, Consul-General Marc Kuipers tells the King about the earliest history between our two countries

    425 Years of Shared History

    Throughout May, Osaka Castle is spotlighting the long-standing relationship between Japan and the Netherlands. The exhibition A New Dawn on Common Ground: 425 Years of Exchange between Japan and the Netherlands features objects dating back to the year 1600. That year, the Dutch ship De Liefde arrived in Japan, carrying the first Dutchmen to make contact with the country. This meeting eventually led to an exclusive trading relationship that lasted more than 200 years. On the second day of his visit, the King visited this exhibition, which was organized by the Dutch Consulate in Osaka and features items from both Dutch and Japanese collections.

    Enlarge image
    At Tekijuku, the old Dutch school of Osaka, the King was welcomed by Osaka University students

    The Legacy of Rangaku

    Later that day, 22 May, the royal delegation visited Tekijuku, one of the most important Dutch-language schools in Japan. Until well into the 19th century, Japanese students studied Dutch there to access Western books. The presence of the Dutch in Japan offered a rare window to the rest of the world. Through Rangaku (Dutch Studies), the latest knowledge in fields such as medicine was introduced to Japan. Today, Tekijuku is part of Osaka University, where last year a new medical cooperation agreement was signed between Japan and the Netherlands. The King also visited Nakanoshima Qross, a new hub for research into the future of healthcare.

    Enlarge image
    At the Pasona pavilion, King Willem-Alexander and Minister Klever were introduced to the latest technology is regenerative medicine

    Innovation and Future Collaboration

    In the afternoon, King Willem-Alexander and Minister Klever joined the economic mission on high tech and digitalization, led by Minister Beljaarts. Around 70 Dutch companies were introduced to approximately 170 Japanese guests. Multiple partnership agreements were signed to promote cooperation in areas such as semiconductors, quantum computing, and 6G telecommunications. The day concluded with an Innovation Parade, where 19 Dutch and Japanese organizations presented their work to the King.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Missions – 27-29 May: INTA Delegation to Washington, D.C. – 27-05-2025 – Committee on International Trade

    Source: European Parliament

    A delegation of eight Members of the Committee on International Trade (INTA) will travel to Washington, D.C. from 27 to 29 May 2025 to discuss political, trade and investment relations between the US and the EU.

    The delegation will be led by INTA Chair and standing rapporteur for EU-US trade relations, Bernd Lange.

    INTA Members are set to hold meetings with different departments of the US administration and with lawmakers. The meetings will also include US business organisations as well as major EU businesses active in the US. Members will also meet with US trade union representatives, consumer organisations, think tanks and academia.

    Members will hear from different interlocutors and stakeholders how the tariffs imposed by the US administration are being applied, how business is adapting to the tariffs and how can EU-US trade tensions be eased moving forward.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – New Israeli bill seeking to impose 80 % tax on foreign donations to NGOs – E-001979/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001979/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Chloé Ridel (S&D), Erik Marquardt (Verts/ALE), Barry Andrews (Renew), Estelle Ceulemans (S&D), Rima Hassan (The Left), Cecilia Strada (S&D), Alessandra Moretti (S&D), Mélissa Camara (Verts/ALE), Maria Walsh (PPE), Vladimir Prebilič (Verts/ALE), Marco Tarquinio (S&D), Mounir Satouri (Verts/ALE), Sandro Ruotolo (S&D), Leila Chaibi (The Left), João Oliveira (The Left), Francisco Assis (S&D), David Cormand (Verts/ALE), Nora Mebarek (S&D), Bruno Gonçalves (S&D), Thijs Reuten (S&D), Catarina Martins (The Left), Marit Maij (S&D), Annalisa Corrado (S&D), Pierre Jouvet (S&D), Matjaž Nemec (S&D), Nikos Papandreou (S&D), Tineke Strik (Verts/ALE), Pierfrancesco Maran (S&D), Irena Joveva (Renew), Javi López (S&D), Krzysztof Śmiszek (S&D), Alessandro Zan (S&D), Murielle Laurent (S&D), Damien Carême (The Left), Sandra Gómez López (S&D), Marta Temido (S&D), Leire Pajín (S&D), César Luena (S&D), Nela Riehl (Verts/ALE), Marc Botenga (The Left), Nicolás González Casares (S&D), Anna Strolenberg (Verts/ALE), Emma Rafowicz (S&D), Pasquale Tridico (The Left), Kai Tegethoff (Verts/ALE), Hilde Vautmans (Renew), Hana Jalloul Muro (S&D), Sérgio Gonçalves (S&D), Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (Renew)

    The Israeli Parliament has approved new legislation imposing an 80 % tax on foreign government funding to Israeli civil society organisations, while exempting government-supported organisations. This bill would effectively shut down many Israeli human rights groups and humanitarian NGOs carrying out crucial work, including in the occupied Palestinian territories (OPT), such as B’Tselem and Breaking the Silence.

    These NGOs have long been targeted by Israel’s right wing.  Almost all of them receive foreign funding, including from the EU and its Member States.

    This is unprecedented attack on Israeli civil society and democracy globally.

    • 1.How does the Commission intend to follow up on the recent announcement by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, with regard to an increase in financial support for Israeli human rights groups targeted by the NGO bill?
    • 2.In view of the serious human rights violations committed by the Israeli Government, will the Commission move forward with considering the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement?
    • 3.Does the Commission intend to take countermeasures against pressure groups defending the interests of the Israeli Government to the EU?

    Submitted: 16.5.2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Inquiry on DSA enforcement: TikTok’s algorithm and disinformation in Romania – P-001961/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-001961/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Dan Barna (Renew), Vlad Vasile-Voiculescu (Renew)

    A recent investigation by Global Witness has revealed concerning issues with TikTok’s algorithm ahead of the Romanian elections. The findings indicate that the platform disproportionately promoted far-right content to users, regardless of their initially balanced political interests. This raises questions about the spread of disinformation and the potential for algorithmic bias to impact democratic processes[1].

    The Digital Services Act (DSA) aims to create a safer and more transparent online environment, with specific obligations for very large online platforms (VLOPs) to mitigate systemic risks, including the dissemination of illegal content and disinformation, particularly during electoral periods. The DSA also emphasises the importance of algorithmic transparency and users’ rights to access diverse information.

    Given these circumstances, the provisions of the DSA and past investigations into TikTok, what specific measures are now being taken to further investigate and address the algorithmic amplification of potentially harmful or biased content on TikTok within the EU, especially in the context of the upcoming elections in Romania?

    Submitted: 15.5.2025

    • [1] https://globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/digital-threats/tiktok-algorithm-continues-to-push-multiple-times-more-far-right-content-to-users-ahead-of-romanian-election/.
    Last updated: 26 May 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Immediate impact of US funding cuts on civil society and LGBTI+ rights in the Western Balkans and Türkiye – E-001190/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    The work of civil society organisations (CSOs), including those defending the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, or queer (LGBTIQ) rights, provide an important contribution to partner countries’ reform efforts, including in view of their accession to the EU.

    Respect for human rights is an essential value upon which the EU is founded (Article 2 of the Treaty on EU). Also, judiciary and fundamental rights are at the heart of the EU accession negotiations[1].

    The Commission thus expects candidate countries to uphold these values, adopt and implement legislative reforms to that end. This notably includes ensuring that institutions promoting and protecting human rights and non-discrimination, such as equality bodies, are given the means to operate effectively.

    The Commission supports civil society and media freedom in the Western Balkans and Türkiye through the Instrument for Pre-accession, which for 2021-2027 earmarked circa EUR 470 million through dedicated programmes, namely the Civil Society Facility[2] and the Media Programme.

    CSOs in the region can also benefit from funding under the Thematic Programme on Human Rights and Democracy[3] under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument — Global Europe.

    These programmes provide essential support and contribute to countering the rhetoric in the region against human rights, democratic values, rule of law and free independent media.

    The Commission is actively monitoring the impact of the United States (U.S.) Agency for International Development’s withdrawal and broader international U.S. support, to identify critical needs in the region. The global scale of the challenge requires a collective response beyond the Commission.

    The Commission will continue to support the LGBTIQ community and human rights defenders, while reinforcing its political dialogue with enlargement partners .

    The Commission will renew its efforts to advance LGBTIQ equality, through the adoption of a new LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2026-2030.

    • [1] Revised enlargement methodology.
    • [2] https://enlargement.ec.europa.eu/enlargement-policy/policy-highlights/civil-society_en.
    • [3] https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/policies/peace-and-governance/human-rights_en.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • Operation Sindoor outreach: Indian delegation briefs South Korea’s leaders, think tanks

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by Janata Dal (United) MP Sanjay Jha on Monday met Yun Ho-jung, Chairperson of the Korea-India Parliamentary Friendship Group of the Korean National Assembly and think tanks and briefed them on Operation Sindoor, reiterating India’s firm zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.

    The delegation asserted India’s position of making no distinction between terrorists and the country supporting them and sought South Korea’s support for bringing terrorist organisations, perpetrators, and financiers of terrorism to justice.

    Yun reaffirmed South Korea’s strong stand against terrorism, saying that any act of terrorism is unacceptable and cannot be justified, and that there should be no loss of innocent lives due to the same.

    Meanwhile, the delegation also interacted with think tanks and lawmakers in Seoul, conveying India’s strong message of zero tolerance against terrorism.

    The Indian Embassy said in a post on X, “The delegation apprised them about the heinous terrorist attack in Pehalgam and the subsequent precise, measured, responsible, and non-escalatory response made by India. They further reiterated India’s firm zero-tolerance policy against terrorism and made no distinction between terrorists and the country supporting them. They also highlighted India’s ‘No First Use Policy’ and rejection of any nuclear blackmail. They conveyed our resolute stance to respond firmly to any act of terrorism”.

    The Embassy added that the participating South Korean think tanks condemned the terrorist attack and extended their solidarity with India, as well as its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism. They also discussed ways in which India, South Korea and the international community can work together to combat terrorism.

    During the interactions, Jha asserted that members from both the ruling and opposition parties from India arrived in South Korea to apprise about the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack as part of the Operation Sindoor global outreach campaign.

    “The seven delegations are sent by the Government of India across the world to apprise what happened in Kashmir on April 22, when 26 innocent tourists were gunned down by terrorists in front of their families, segregated on religious lines. All terrorists came from Pakistan, who were trained and financed there, it happened earlier in the 2008 Mumbai attack,” Jha said.

    BJP MP Aparajita Sarangi drew a parallel between South Korea’s tensions with North Korea and the kind of conflict India has experienced with Pakistan, highlighting the terrorist activities.

    “You are having the same kind of war with North Korea that we are having with Pakistan,” she said.

    “What happened should not have happened. I must say, and I don’t believe I’m exaggerating or overstepping, that Pakistan is a habitual offender when it comes to terrorist activities. Since its creation in 1947–48, there has been a continuous series of terrorist actions aimed at destabilising India. They have tried repeatedly, though they have not succeeded. Our Prime Minister has talked about a ‘new normal’ and we solicit your support in this entire war against terrorism,” said Sarangi.

    Additionally, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee stated that Operation Sindoor on May 7 was carried out in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack by Pak-trained terrorists.

    “Any support extended to Pakistan is effectively support for a terror organisation. Anyone endorsing or defending Pakistan’s actions is, in essence, backing terrorism. Why do I say this? I have compelling reasons. Take the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, for instance, an incident the world witnessed in horror. A total of 166 innocent people were killed by terrorists, including citizens from 26 different countries, not just India,” he said.

    “The prime accused, who was then arrested by the Indian law enforcement agencies, confessed that he was trained and raised in Pakistan. And when the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack was carried out, we expected Pakistan to do justice and bring the perpetrators to book. India waited patiently and eventually carried out the airstrikes on May 7 after waiting for 14 days. The airstrikes were carried out with such precision that India successfully destroyed nine terror infrastructures without endangering a single civilian life,” Banerjee added.

    The all-party delegation includes MPs from across the political spectrum: BJP MP Brij Lal, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member John Barittas, and senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid.

    It is a part of India’s global diplomatic outreach campaign to highlight the significance of Operation Sindoor and India’s continued fight against Pak-sponsored cross-border terrorism.

    (IANS)

  • PM Modi calls Operation Sindoor a reflection of India’s cultural values and national resolve

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing a massive gathering of women in Vadodara, paid tribute to the nation’s armed forces and lauded Operation Sindoor as a powerful reflection of India’s cultural values and emotional resolve in the face of terrorism.
     
    “Operation Sindoor was not just a military action, it was a reflection of India’s values and emotions,” said the Prime Minister, adding that the act of terrorism, where a father was killed in front of his children, had ignited deep anger across the nation.
     
    He emphasized that such attacks are not just assaults on individuals but direct challenges to all 140 crore Indians. In response, PM Modi said he gave full freedom to the Indian armed forces, who executed a historic operation that had not been seen in decades.
     
    “Nine major terror hubs across the border were identified and destroyed in just 22 minutes. Pakistan’s military tried to retaliate but was decisively defeated,” he said.
     
    Saluting the courage and dedication of the armed forces, PM Modi said, “I fulfilled my responsibility as the nation’s leader, and our jawans fulfilled theirs with unmatched bravery. I bow to their valour from this sacred land of Dahod.”
     
    The Prime Minister also underlined that the country born out of the partition has long pursued a hostile approach towards India, seeking to inflict harm through various means. In contrast, India, he said, remains focused on eradicating poverty, boosting the economy, and driving inclusive development.
     
    “A developed India can only be built when both our armed forces and our economy are strong. The government is committed to ensuring national security and economic growth go hand in hand,” he noted.
     
    The Prime Minister said it is a land of sacrifice and dedication. He spoke of Maharishi Dadhichi’s ultimate sacrifice on the banks of the Dudhimati River and how this region supported freedom fighter Tatya Tope in times of crisis. He also highlighted Mangarh Dham as a symbol of the sacrifices made by Govind Guru and hundreds of tribal warriors.
     
    PM Modi praised the people of Dahod for their resilience and commitment to progress. Referring to the newly inaugurated locomotive manufacturing plant, he said this is just a glimpse of the district’s potential.
     
    “I have full confidence in the hardworking people of Dahod. They will make the best use of the new facilities and transform Dahod into one of the most developed districts in India,” the Prime Minister said, concluding his address with heartfelt congratulations to the people of the region.