NewzIntel.com

Category: Politics

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Development Asia: Enhancing the Enabling Environment for SMEs in the Lao PDR

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    The government should streamline business formalization and reduce entry costs for SMEs. To achieve this, the government should fully digitize the business registration process and ensure platforms are user-friendly and accessible to enterprises of all sizes. Registration procedures should be consolidated into a single step across all provinces, including for enterprises subject to additional regulatory oversight under the “control list.” In parallel, eliminating registered capital requirements and simplifying the fee structure, based on enterprise type rather than location or sector. would further lower barriers to entry and incentivize compliance.

    Simplifying the tax system will reduce burdens and encourage formal participation. Abolishing the renewal requirement for tax TINs would eliminate an unnecessary administrative burden and reduce opportunities for informal payments. Tax reporting procedures, particularly for micro and small enterprises, should be simplified and adapted to reflect firms’ varying accounting capacities. The expansion of online tax filing systems and electronic bank transfer mechanisms would improve compliance and reduce transaction costs. Additionally, linking tax compliance to access to credit by using tax history as a basis for creditworthiness can incentivize more accurate income reporting and formal participation in the financial system.

    Modernizing institutions and scaling up e-governance will improve regulatory transparency. To reduce discretionary enforcement and promote a predictable regulatory environment, the government should expand e-government platforms for approvals, licensing, and compliance reporting. Standardized digital procedures will enhance predictability and reduce reliance on informal networks. Ensuring the consistent application of national policies across provinces is essential to providing a level playing field for businesses and increasing confidence in public institutions.

    Investments in infrastructure and skills are essential to strengthen the enabling environment. Improving the SME operating environment requires sustained investment in reliable electricity, roads, and telecommunications—especially in underserved or high-potential regions. Regulatory enforcement mechanisms should be used to ensure the quality and maintenance of infrastructure assets, such as enforcing vehicle weight limits to preserve roads. At the same time, labor market competitiveness should be addressed through wage policy reform and improved retention strategies, including vocational and on-the-job training programs that align more closely with private sector needs.

    Targeted support for women entrepreneurs can unlock inclusive business growth. To increase women’s participation in the formal economy, it is important to recognize the impact of unpaid care responsibilities and promote family-friendly workplace policies. Introducing tax concessions for childcare expenses and expanding mobile-enabled platforms would enhance access to services and information for women entrepreneurs. Targeted training programs, combined with improved access to digital trade platforms, will help address gender-specific barriers in trade, formalization, and enterprise growth.

    [1] The ProFIT survey is a collaborative effort between the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Asia Foundation, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of the Government of Australia, and the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI).

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Pacific leaders demand respectful involvement in memorial for unmarked graves

    By Mary Afemata, of PMN News and RNZ Pacific

    Porirua City Council is set to create a memorial for more than 1800 former patients of the local hospital buried in unmarked graves. But Pacific leaders are asking to be “meaningfully involved” in the process, including incorporating prayer, language, and ceremonial practices.

    More than 50 people gathered at Porirua Cemetery last month after the council’s plans became public, many of whom are descendants of those buried without headstones.

    Cemeteries Manager Daniel Chrisp said it was encouraging to see families engaging with the project.

    Chrisp’s team has placed 99 pegs to mark the graves of families who have come forward so far. One attendee told him that it was deeply moving to photograph the site where two relatives were buried.

    “It’s fantastic that we’ve got to this point, having the descendants of those in unmarked graves encouraged to be involved,” he said.

    “These plots represent mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, children and other relatives, so it’s important to a lot of people.”

    The Porirua Lunatic Asylum, which later became Porirua Hospital, operated from 1887 until the 1990s. At its peak in the 1960s, it was one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest hospitals, housing more than 2000 patients and staff.

    As part of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, the government has established a national fund for headstones for unmarked graves.

    Porirua City Council has applied for $200,000 to install a memorial that will list every known name.

    Some pegs that mark the resting places of former patients buried in unmarked graves at Porirua Cemetery. Image: Porirua Council/RNZ/LDR

    Criticism over lack of Pacific consultation
     Some Pacific community leaders say they were never consulted, despite Pacific people among the deceased.

    Porirua Cook Islands Association chairperson Teurukura Tia Kekena said this was the first she had heard of the project, and she was concerned Pacific communities had not been included in conversations so far.

    “If there was any unmarked grave and the Porirua City Council is aware of the names, I would have thought they would have contacted the ethnic groups these people belonged to,” she said.

    “From a Cook Islands point of view, we need to acknowledge these people. They need to be fully acknowledged.”

    Kekena learned about the project only after being contacted by a reporter, despite the council’s ongoing efforts to identify names and place markers for families who have come forward.

    The council’s application for funding is part of its response to the Royal Commission of Inquiry.

    A photograph shows Porirua Hospital in the early 1900s. Image: Porirua City Council/LDR

    Kekena said it was important how the council managed the memorial, adding that it mattered deeply for Cook Islands families and the wider Pacific community, especially those with relatives buried at the site.

    Reflect Pacific values
    She believed that a proper memorial should reflect Pacific values, particularly the importance of faith, family, and cultural protocol.

    “It’s huge. It’s connecting us to these people,” she said. “Just thinking about it is getting me emotional.

    “Like I said, the Pākehā way of acknowledging is totally different from our way. When we acknowledge, when we go for an unveiling, it’s about family. It’s about family. It’s about family honouring the person that had passed.

    “And we do it in a way that we have a service at the graveside with the orometua [minister] present. Yeah, unveil the stone by the family, by the immediate family, if there were any here at that time.”

    She also underscored the connection between remembering the deceased and healing intergenerational trauma, particularly given the site’s history with mental health.

    Healing the trauma
    “It helps a lot. It’s a way of healing the trauma. I don’t know how these people came to be buried in an unmarked grave, but to me, it’s like they were just put there and forgotten about.

    “I wouldn’t like to have my family buried in a place and be forgotten.”

    Kekena urged the council to work closely with the Cook Islands community moving forward and said she would bring the matter back to her association to raise awareness and check possible connections between local families and the names identified.

    Yvonne Underhill‑Sem, a Cook Islands community leader and professor of Pacific Studies at the University of Auckland, said the memorial had emotional significance, noting her personal connection to Whenua Tapu as a Porirua native.

    “In terms of our Pacific understandings of ancestry, everybody who passes away is still part of our whānau. The fact that we don’t know who they are is unsettling,” she said.

    “It would be a real relief to the families involved and to the generations that follow to have those graves named.”

    Council reponse
     A Porirua City Council spokesperson said they had been actively sharing the list of names with the public and encouraged all communities — including Pacific groups, genealogists, and local iwi — to help spread the word.

    So far, 99 families have come forward.

    “We would encourage any networks such as Pacific, genealogists and local iwi to share the list around for members of the public to get in touch,” the spokesperson said.

    The list of names is available on the council’s website and includes both a downloadable file and a searchable online tool here.

    Porirua councillors Izzy Ford and Moze Galo say the memorial must reflect Pacific values. Image: Porirua Council/RNZ/LDR

    Porirua councillors Izzy Ford and Moze Galo, two of the three Pacific members on the council, said Pacific families must be central to the memorial process. Ford said burial sites carried deep cultural weight for Pacific communities.

    “We know that burial sites are more than just places of rest, they are sacred spaces that hold our stories, our ancestry and dignity — they are our connection to those who came before us.”

    She said public notices and websites were not enough.

    “If we are serious about finding the families of those buried in unmarked graves here in Porirua, we have to go beyond public notices and websites.”

    Funding limited
    Ford said government funding would be limited, and the council must work with trusted Pacific networks to reach families.

    “It means partnering with groups who carry trust in our community . . . Pacific churches, elders, and organisations, communicating in our languages through Pacific radio, social media, community events, churches, and health providers.”

    Galo agreed and said the memorial must reflect Pacific values in both design and feeling.

    “It should feel warm, colourful, spiritual, and welcoming. Include Pacific designs, carvings, and symbols . . .  there should be room for prayer, music, and quiet reflection,” he said.

    “Being seen and heard brings healing, honour, and helps restore our connection to our ancestors. It reminds our families that we belong, that our history matters, and that our voice is valued in this space.”

    Galo said the work must continue beyond the unveiling.

    “Community involvement shouldn’t stop after the memorial is built, we should have a role in how it’s maintained and used in the future.

    “These were real people, with families, love, and lives that mattered. Some were buried without names, without ceremony, and that left a deep pain. Honouring them now is a step toward healing, and a way of saying, you were never forgotten.”

    Members of the public who recognise a family name on the list are encouraged to get in touch by emailing cemeteries@poriruacity.govt.nz.

    LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. Asia Pacific Report is a partner in the project.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • India’s GDP to grow at 6.5% in FY26; inflation expected to average 4%: Crisil

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    India’s gross domestic product (GDP) is projected to grow at 6.5% in the current fiscal year (FY26), driven by improving domestic consumption and other positive indicators, according to a report released by Crisil on Monday.

    The Crisil Intelligence near-term outlook highlighted global uncertainty stemming from US tariff actions as the primary risk to India’s growth. However, it noted that the economy is likely to be supported by an above-normal monsoon, income tax relief, and the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) rate cuts.

    GDP growth accelerated to 7.4% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of FY25, up from 6.4% in the previous quarter. Overall, GDP grew by 6.5% in FY25.

    The report also pointed to a significant decline in inflation, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation falling to 2.1% in June – its lowest in 77 months – driven by negative food inflation.

    “Given the current inflation trajectory, an above-normal monsoon forecast, and expectations of soft global oil and commodity prices, we project average CPI inflation to ease to 4% this fiscal, down from 4.6% last fiscal,” the report stated.

    Crisil also anticipates one more repo rate cut by the RBI this fiscal, followed by a pause.

    “The MPC cut the policy rate by 100 basis points between February and June 2025. Its shift in stance from accommodative to neutral in June reflects the front-loading of rate cuts and a data-dependent approach going forward,” it said. The 100 bps Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) cut will be implemented in four tranches between September and November 2025.

    On the fiscal front, the Union Budget has targeted a reduction in the central government’s fiscal deficit to 4.4% of GDP this fiscal, down from 4.8% in FY25.

    Gross market borrowing is estimated at ₹14.8 lakh crore for this fiscal – 5.8% higher year-on-year – with 54% of the budgeted borrowing planned for the first half of the fiscal, the report added.

    As of May, the fiscal deficit stood at 0.8% of the full-year budget target, significantly lower than the 3.1% recorded in the same period last fiscal. This was attributed to higher revenue receipts and lower revenue expenditure.

    The report further projects India’s current account deficit (CAD) to average 1.3% of GDP in FY26, compared to 0.6% in the previous fiscal year.

    (IANS)

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: AMCEN: Greenpeace Africa welcomes unified stance but cautions against false climate solutions

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    Nairobi, Kenya – As the 20th African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) concludes today in Nairobi, Greenpeace Africa acknowledges the collective resolve to address the continent’s most pressing environmental challenges in the Tripoli Declaration while calling on African environment ministers to strengthen their commitments on critical environmental issues.

    Key wins

    Ministers have pledged support for a robust Global Plastics Treaty that tackles pollution across the entire lifecycle, emphasised the need for accessible climate finance to build resilience, and committed to protecting vital ecosystems such as wetlands, through enhanced governance and direct support for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs). Greenpeace Africa particularly applauds the declaration’s focus on circular economy principles and sustainable chemicals management, which echo the continent’s growing momentum toward reducing plastic production and ensuring polluters bear the cost of environmental damage.

    Missed opportunities

    However, the declaration falls short in holding polluters accountable for climate damages and inadequately addresses the crucial role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in forest protection, lacking specific funding mechanisms, legal recognition, or meaningful decision-making inclusion.

    Esther Syombua, Regional Coordinator at Greenpeace Africa, said:

    “While the declaration calls for enhanced governance and finance, it avoids direct corporate accountability measures like polluter-pays principles, fossil fuel company taxation, or mandatory compensation schemes – effectively letting polluting corporations off the hook while placing the burden on African governments.”

    Greenpeace Africa is, however, concerned about the declaration’s implicit support for false solutions such as carbon credit schemes, which risk undermining genuine climate action. 

    Hellen Kahaso Dena, Pan-Africa Plastic Project Lead at Greenpeace Africa, said

    “Carbon credits  and other false solutions like waste-to-energy incineration often serve as greenwashing tactics by polluters, diverting attention from genuine emission reductions and perpetuating harmful practices like open burning hat disproportionately affect vulnerable African communities.  We urge ministers to prioritise proven strategies, including production caps on plastics, enforceable polluter-pays mechanisms, and direct financing for IPLCs to safeguard forests and biodiversity.”

    The outcomes of AMCEN 20 will directly inform Africa’s positions at upcoming international forums, including INC 5.2 on plastics, COP30 on climate, and UNEA 7. Greenpeace Africa calls on African governments to build on this momentum by implementing the Tripoli Declaration with concrete, time-bound actions that centre equity, community rights, and ecological integrity.

    Greenpeace Africa remains committed to working with African governments and civil society partners to advance environmental protection and climate justice across the continent.

    ENDS

    Media Contact:

    Ferdinand Omondi, Communication and Story Manager, Greenpeace Africa, Email: [email protected], Cell: +254 722 505 233. 

    Greenpeace Africa Press Desk: [email protected]

    Note to Editors:

    About AMCEN at 40:

    AMCEN was established in 1985 in Cairo to coordinate Africa’s environmental policies. The July 18 high-level segment in Nairobi marked four decades of pan-African environmental diplomacy.

    Why “Tripoli Declaration” in Nairobi:

    The declaration is named after Tripoli, Libya—the original host of AMCEN 2025. Due to logistical constraints, the conference relocated to Nairobi, but the declaration retains Tripoli’s name to honour Libya’s initial leadership role.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Japan’s Ruling Coalition May Lose Upper House Majority – NHK

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    TOKYO, July 21 (Xinhua) — The coalition led by Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) may lose its majority in the House of Councillors (upper house of parliament) in Sunday’s elections, public broadcaster NHK reported.

    According to NHK, the LDP-Komeito coalition will not be able to secure the 125 seats needed to maintain a majority.

    The House of Councillors consists of 248 members. The term of office of statesmen is 6 years. Every three years, half of the composition of the House is renewed.

    The main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is expected to increase its seat count, while the Democratic Party for the People (DPPP) and the Sanseito Party are also expected to make significant gains, NHK forecasts. –0–

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

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Iranian FM warns EU3 countries against renewing sanctions

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    TEHRAN, July 21 (Xinhua) — Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Sunday warned that Britain, France and Germany (the EU3 countries) should not undermine the credibility of the UN Security Council by triggering a “sanctions snapback mechanism” against Tehran.

    A. Araghchi, in a post on the X social network, said these countries do not have the “legal, political and moral authority” to invoke the provisions of the 2015 nuclear deal or UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which allow for the reimposition of international sanctions if Iran is found to be in non-compliance with the agreement.

    He noted that after the US withdrawal from the nuclear agreement /Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action/ in 2018, Iran exhausted dispute resolution mechanisms before taking steps to correct the situation, and the EU3 countries failed to fulfill their obligations and even supported the US “maximum pressure” policy.

    “The EU3 countries must refrain from any actions that will only deepen differences in the Security Council or have serious negative consequences for its work,” Araghchi said, noting that Iran is ready for “meaningful diplomacy,” but will resist hostile measures.

    Earlier in the day, media reported that Iran and the six international mediators had agreed to resume talks on Tehran’s nuclear program.

    The semi-official Tasnim news agency cited an “informed source” as saying that Iran and the six were holding consultations on the date and venue of the talks. The upcoming talks are expected to be held at the deputy foreign minister level. –0–

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

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Breaking: Japan’s PM vows to stay in office after election defeat

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    TOKYO, July 21 (Xinhua) — Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba vowed on Monday to remain in office despite a major defeat in the House of Councillors election where the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner failed to secure a majority. -0-

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Japanese PM vows to stay in office after election setback

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

    Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Monday vowed to stay in office despite a significant electoral setback in the House of Councillors election, where the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and its coalition partner failed to secure a majority.

    Speaking at a press conference on Monday afternoon, Ishiba acknowledged the disappointing results and expressed a strong sense of responsibility.

    “What is most important right now is to avoid causing stagnation in national politics,” he said, vowing efforts to fulfill the responsibilities as the leading party.

    His remarks came amid growing public dissatisfaction over rising living costs and policy missteps, which analysts say contributed to the poor performance of the ruling bloc.

    According to the final vote count completed in the early hours of Monday, the LDP secured only 39 seats of the 125 contested seats in the upper house election, while Komeito took eight, below their combined target of 50.

    Even with their existing non-contested seats of 75, they now held fewer than the 125 seats needed for a majority in the 248-member upper chamber.

    Despite the setback, Ishiba emphasized the need for stability and continuity in government, and formally declared his intention to continue serving as prime minister. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • PM Modi shares article commending progress in Meghalaya

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday shared an article highlighting progress made by the state of Meghalaya.

    In response to an article shared by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, PM Modi said on X, “Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlights Meghalaya’s remarkable transformation driven by tourism, youth empowerment, women-led SHGs, initiatives like the PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana, the Vibrant Village Programme and more. With strong government support and vibrant community spirit, the state stands as a blueprint for a resilient and self-reliant India.”

    In her article, FM Sitharaman highlighted Meghalaya’s remarkable progress across infrastructure, youth empowerment, agriculture, and cultural preservation – from smooth highways connecting Guwahati to Shillong, to the scenic Umiam Lake being developed as a world-class tourism hub under the SASCI scheme.

    FM Sitharaman said that her visits to local Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) revealed a dynamic entrepreneurial spirit, with Meghalaya’s farmers and women leaders turning into business owners. The export of pineapples to Dubai and the cultivation of shitake mushrooms with Japanese collaboration are just a few indicators of agricultural innovation.

    She added that the heritage conservation is also thriving in Meghalaya. In the village of Siej, community members are preserving the iconic living root bridges, with efforts underway for UNESCO World Heritage recognition. Her journey culminated in Sohbar and Cherrapunji (Sohra), where vibrant border villages and institutions like the Ramakrishna Ashram embody a blend of tradition, service, and self-reliance.

    The visit reaffirmed Meghalaya’s position as a beacon of inclusive development, where community spirit and government initiatives together are building a confident, sustainable, and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

  • VP & Chairman Rajya Sabha calls for bonhomie among the political parties

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (2)

    lign=”center”>Suggestions for improvement is not condemnation or criticism, parties must engage in constructive politics, appeals VP
    Politics is not confrontation; I cannot visualise a political party being against the concept of Bharat-VP
    Have mutual respect, don’t trade unbecoming language on television, avoid personal attacks, urges VP
    Isn’t it tiring to the ears? Our ears are fed up, aren’t they? —VP on bitterness on TV debates
    We can have differences of opinion, we can have disagreements but how can we have bitterness in our hearts? -VP
    Hope for meaningful and serious deliberations in upcoming session, says VP

    Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar today calling for bonhomie and mutual respect amongst the political parties stated, “I appeal to everyone in the political spectrum — please have mutual respect. Please don’t trade unbecoming language on television or otherwise against the leadership of one party or the other. This culture is not our civilizational essence. We have to be careful with our language…..Avoid personal attacks. I appeal to politicians. Time for us to stop calling politicians names. It does no good to our culture when, in various political parties, people take on senior people of other political parties and call them names.

    We must have an absolute sense of decorum, mutual respect — and that is the demand of our culture. We otherwise cannot have unity in our thought process…..Trust me, if political dialogue takes place at a higher level if leaders mingle more frequently. They have greater discourse among themselves. They exchange ideas at an individual level — interest of the nation will be served……. Why should we fight amongst ourselves? Let us not look for enemies within. Every Indian political party and every parliamentarian, to my knowledge, is a nationalist at the end of the day. He believes in the nation. He believes in the progress of the nation…….Democracy is never of a kind where the same party will ever come to power. We have seen in our lifetime, the change takes place at state level, at panchayat level, at municipal level, that’s a democratic process. But one thing is for sure, there has to be continuity of development, continuity of our civilisational ethos, and that comes only from one aspect. We must respect democratic culture.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1946933500747354215

    “A thriving democracy, friends, cannot afford an atmosphere of constant acrimony…..Your mind must be disturbed when you find political acrimony, when you find political atmosphere in a different direction. I urge everyone in the country that political temperature must be brought down. Politics is not confrontation, politics can never be unidirectional. There will be different political thought processes but politics means achieving the same object but somehow in different ways. I strongly believe no person in this country will think against the nation. I cannot visualise a political party being against the concept of Bharat. They may have different ways, different thinking; but they must learn to discuss with each other, have dialogue with each other. Confrontation is not a way out. When we fight amongst ourselves, even in the political arena, we are strengthening our enemy. We are giving them enough material to divide us. Therefore, young minds are a great pressure group. You have very strong power. Your thought process will control the politician, your parliamentarian, your legislator, your corporator. Think of the nation. Think of the development”, he added.

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1946931973399990494

    Addressing the inaugural programme for the eighth batch of participants of the Rajya Sabha Internship Programme (RSIP) at the Vice-President’s Enclave today, Shri Dhankhar underlined, “ Let us not have politics when there is national interest, let us not have politics over development, let us not have politics when it comes to the growth of the nation. Let us not have politics when it is an issue of national security, national concern and that can happen because India has to stand proud amongst the comity of nations. We are well regarded in the world. The very idea that Bharat can be controlled from outside goes against our claim. We are a nation, a sovereign nation. Why should our political agenda be set by forces that are inimical to Bharat? Why should our agenda be even influenced by our enemies?”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1946927630928007516

    Drawing attention towards the bitterness among the political parties being reflected on  television debates he stated, “ Every political party has matured leadership. Every political party, big or small, has commitment towards national development and therefore duty of the youth to ensure this mindset. This thought process must come in social media and once you will find our television debates soothing, positive, appealing, just imagine how much change can come — just take a moment to observe. What do we usually see? What do we hear? Isn’t it tiring to the ears? Our ears are fed up, aren’t they? Brother, why is it like this? We come from a great culture. There is a foundation to our ideology. We can have differences of opinion — we can have disagreements — but how can we have bitterness in our hearts? We are Indians. What does our culture teach us? Anantavad — the belief in endless dialogue. What does Anantavad mean? It means discussion and debate. What does discussion and debate mean? It means expression. And expression means — speak your thoughts freely, but do not become so convinced of your own opinion that you believe it to be the final and absolute truth. Don’t assume that no one else can possibly have a different point of view than yours.”

    https://twitter.com/VPIndia/status/1946932657591562485

    Highlighting the need for meaningful discussions in the upcoming monsoon session of the Parliament, Shri Dhankhar said, “ We must be resilient. We must believe in our point of view. But we must also have respect for the other point of view. If we believe in our point of view and think, “I am the only one who is right, and everyone else is wrong” — that is not democracy. That is not our culture. That is ego. That is arrogance. We must control our ego. We must control our arrogance. We must try to understand why the other person holds a different point of view — that is our culture. What has India historically been known for? Discourse, dialogue, debate, deliberation. These days, we do not see all this happening in Parliament. I assume the upcoming session will be an important one. I have every hope that there will be meaningful discussions and serious deliberations that will take Bharat to greater heights. It is not that everything is perfect. We will never live in times where everything is perfect. There will always be some shortcomings in certain areas at any given time. And there is always room for improvement. If someone gives a suggestion to improve something, it is not condemnation. It is not a criticism. It is only a suggestion for further development. Therefore, I appeal to political parties to engage in constructive politics. And when I say this, I appeal to all parties — those on the treasury benches, the ruling party, and the opposition parties.”

  • MIL-OSI Russia: 14 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza – sources

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    GAZA, July 21 (Xinhua) — At least 14 Palestinians, including a civil defense worker, were killed Sunday in an Israeli airstrike on a college building west of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, Palestinian sources said.

    Israeli warplanes fired at least one missile at a building housing displaced people in the al-Mawasi area west of Khan Younis, witnesses said.

    Doctors told Xinhua that all the bodies found, as well as the wounded, were taken to hospitals.

    The airstrike killed civil defense officer Hani al-Dabour and wounded several members of his team, according to a local government statement. The government called on the international community to fulfill its obligations to “stop Israel’s crimes and ensure full protection for the work crews.”

    In a statement on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that the paratroopers’ brigade, under the command of the 36th Division, had completed its mission in the Khan Yunis area of the Gaza Strip.

    “During the operation, the troops eliminated the terrorists in hand-to-hand combat and in cooperation with the Israeli Air Force. They destroyed the terrorists’ infrastructure, including military installations, weapons and explosives depots,” the statement said.

    Israel resumed military operations in the Gaza Strip on March 18. Since then, at least 8,066 Palestinians have been killed and 28,939 wounded. The total number of deaths since October 2023 has reached 58,895, with 140,980 injured, the enclave’s health authorities said on Sunday. –0–

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

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    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: New clashes break out in Syria’s As-Suwayda province

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    DAMASCUS, July 21 (Xinhua) — Fierce clashes broke out between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes supporting the interim government in rural areas of southern Syria on Sunday, threatening a fragile ceasefire in the region, activists said.

    The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said large numbers of Bedouin reinforcements had gathered in the villages of Bustan, Dama and Najran, and there were signs of preparations to storm neighbouring Druze areas.

    Heavy fighting broke out in the towns of Arika and Umm al-Zeitoun, located along the Damascus-Suwayda highway, with Bedouins reportedly burning homes and looting property. The violence led to the closure of two key roads, further increasing tensions in the already volatile area.

    An expected prisoner exchange between the two sides was called off after mortar shells, believed to have been fired from Bedouin positions, landed near the planned transfer site.

    At least 1,120 people have been killed since fighting began on July 13, according to the observatory, including more than 100 civilians and dozens of government troops. For now, tensions remain high in the region and the ceasefire remains in jeopardy. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The government will provide additional funding for the project to create a comfortable urban environment in the Saratov region

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Order dated July 17, 2025 No. 1929-r

    Document

    Order dated July 17, 2025 No. 1929-r

    The government continues to assist regions in creating a comfortable urban environment. An additional 1 billion rubles will be allocated for bank protection and subsequent construction of the Volgograd Reservoir embankment in Saratov. An order to this effect has been signed.

    Financing from the Government’s reserve fund will speed up the pace of work. Thus, it is expected that by the end of 2025, the work of the second stage of coastal protection of the section from the first berth to the Zaton solarium will be fully completed, as well as 70% of the work of the third stage. Thus, the commissioning of the facility will be possible as early as September 2026, and not in 2027, as previously planned.

    The creation of a full-fledged coastal protection belt will allow the embankment built on it to be used as a new public and cultural center for the residents of Saratov.

    Federal funds are allocated to the Saratov Region on a co-financing basis. The work is being carried out within the framework of the federal project “Assistance to the development of infrastructure of the subjects of the Russian Federation (municipalities)”.

    The issues of embankment reconstruction were discussed during working visit of the Prime Minister to the Saratov Region in September 2021“We will definitely support a project that will help create a comfortable urban environment,” Mikhail Mishustin emphasized.

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Mikhail Mishustin inspected the automobile checkpoint across the state border Kani-Kurgan

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    The Prime Minister got acquainted with the progress of the border crossing reconstruction and visited the Kanikurgan customs and logistics terminal.

    Mikhail Mishustin inspected the automobile checkpoint across the state border of Kani-Kurgan. With the Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic Alexey Chekunkov, the Minister of Transport Andrey Nikitin, the Governor of the Amur Region Vasily Orlov and the Head of the Border Department of the FSB of Russia for the Amur Region Yevgeny Trukhanov

    Kani-Kurgan is one of the key border crossings on the Russian-Chinese border. On June 10, 2022, the official ceremony of opening the movement of freight transport through the border bridge crossing took place and the first trucks went through the Kani-Kurgan-Heihe checkpoint. The nature of the international traffic is freight and passenger.

    Currently, a temporary scheme of operation of the automobile checkpoint (ACP) with restrictions on infrastructure and throughput capacity has been implemented on the Russian side. The temporary scheme was created for the period until the completion of the creation of the permanent ACP Kani-Kurgan. At the same time, on the Chinese side, a permanent ACP with a throughput capacity of 1,100 vehicles per day operates.

    To launch the movement of freight transport in the conditions of the temporary scheme of work of the APP Kani-Kurgan, the service “Electronic queue for vehicles” was created. With the efforts of the attracted investor, at a distance of 4 km from the APP, an accumulation site for 250 trucks for registration and waiting for departure to the checkpoint was equipped. Own software for managing the process of formation of the queue of vehicles was developed and implemented.

    As of July 7, 2025, over 170 thousand vehicles have crossed the bridge during the entire period of operation. This year, the maximum level of traffic flow was recorded in May and amounted to 7943 vehicles, and the average daily figure was 265 vehicles per day.

    Packaging, tires, auto parts, equipment, building materials, clothing, electrical appliances, wheeled special equipment and cars are imported through the border bridge crossing. Soybean and sea buckthorn oil, legumes, lumber, veneer, cosmetics, raw materials for Chinese traditional medicine, and dry milk are exported.

    Since August 2023, transportation of dangerous goods has been open. Helium, liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are currently exported. In 2025, the export flow of transport with dangerous goods increased from 91 vehicles in January to 225 vehicles in June.

    In addition, a regular international passenger route between the cities of Blagoveshchensk and Heihe was opened via the bridge on December 10, 2024.

    Mikhail Mishustin during a working trip to the Far East in August 2020 inspected the new Blagoveshchensk-Heihe international road bridge and talked to the builders.

    The Kanikurgan customs and logistics terminal was put into operation in the fourth quarter of 2023. Total area – 180 thousand sq. m. Usable area of the temporary storage warehouse – 22 thousand sq. m. Capacity – simultaneous placement of at least 600 large-capacity vehicles.

    Drive

    Mikhail Mishustin inspected the new airport complex of the Blagoveshchensk International Airport (Ignatievo) named after N.N. Muravyov-Amursky

    The terminal provides comprehensive customs services for import and export cargo flows all year round, 24 hours a day. The complex includes 2 sites:

    — cargo clearance and customs control area. There is a temporary storage warehouse with an area of 3 thousand square meters. The premises provide a loading area for all types of vehicles, rack storage of cargo is organized, and a fleet of equipment has been purchased;

    — a cargo complex. It has 2 transshipment terminals, cold and dry warehouses, including a multi-temperature one.

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • PM Modi hails Operation Sindoor as ‘Vijay Utsav’, urges unified salute to armed forces in Parliament

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed Operation Sindoor as a “Vijay Utsav” (victory celebration) for the nation, describing it as a shining testament to the strength and precision of the Indian Armed Forces. Speaking to the media ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, the Prime Minister called for a united parliamentary tribute to the operation’s success, which he said would further encourage national defence capabilities and inspire citizens across the country.

    “This Monsoon Session is a ‘Vijay Utsav’,” PM Modi said. “The entire world has witnessed the strength of the Indian Armed Forces. The objective set for Operation Sindoor was achieved with 100 percent success. In just 22 minutes, our forces neutralised terrorists in their own hideouts.”

    The Prime Minister recounted how the operation had first been announced during an event in Bihar and praised the ‘Made in India’ defence initiative, stating that it is now drawing increasing global interest.

    “The ‘Made in India’ defence systems showcased during the operation reflect a new era of India’s military self-reliance. Whenever I interact with leaders of other countries, there is growing curiosity and appreciation for Indian-made weapons,” he noted.

    PM Modi expressed hope that Parliament will engage in meaningful discussion on Operation Sindoor during the ongoing session. He emphasized that a unified expression of national pride by lawmakers would not only bolster the morale of the armed forces but also foster innovation, manufacturing, and job creation in the defence sector.

    “When the House expresses its sentiments on this ‘Vijay Utsav’ with one voice, it will strengthen India’s defence resolve, encourage innovation, and create employment opportunities for the youth,” he said.

    Highlighting another moment of national pride, the Prime Minister also recalled the recent milestone of Indian astronaut Subhanshu Shukla aboard the International Space Station (ISS), where the Indian Tricolour was unfurled for the first time.

    “This session is a celebration of victory and pride. The image of our national flag on the ISS has filled every Indian with joy and pride. It has sparked a wave of enthusiasm among the youth toward science, technology, and innovation,” he said, calling it a historic chapter in India’s space journey.

    PM Modi also touched on the importance of the monsoon, calling it a symbol of “renewal and rejuvenation.” He noted that the current monsoon conditions are progressing positively and will benefit agriculture, farmers, and the broader rural economy.

    “The favourable monsoon is set to boost the agricultural sector, strengthen the farmers’ economy, and contribute to national growth,” he added.

    (With agencies inputs)

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Powerful water ombudsman to support customers with complaints

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Powerful water ombudsman to support customers with complaints

    Environment Secretary Steve Reed to establish consumer champion with legal powers as part of ‘root and branch’ reform

    Water customers will have more support than ever before when faced with leaking pipes, incorrect bills or water supply issues, Environment Secretary Steve Reed has announced today (Monday 21 July)

    It comes as the government is set to reestablish partnership between water companies, investors and communities to keep our waters clean.

    The government will create a water ombudsman with legal powers to protect customers in disputes with their water company. Customers will be able to use a single, free point of contact.  

    It will build on the Consumer Council for Water’s role, which is currently voluntary for water companies to follow. The changes will bring dispute resolution processes for water in line with other utilities – like energy – and are part of the government’s actions to put customers at the heart of water regulation.

    Steve Reed is expected to announce ‘root and branch’ reforms on Monday to
    clean up rivers, lakes and seas and make the water sector one of growth and opportunity that serves hard-working families and businesses, as part of our Plan for Change.

    He is expected to make assurances that government action will protect hardworking families from massive water bill hikes in future.

    In a speech following the report’s publication, Environment Secretary Steve Reed is expected to say:

    The water industry is broken. Our rivers, lakes and seas are polluted with record levels of sewage. Water pipes have been left to crumble into disrepair. Soaring water bills are straining family finances.

    Today’s final report from Sir Jon Cunliffe’s Independent Water Commission offers solutions to fix our broken regulatory system so the failures of the past can never happen again. 

    The government will introduce root and branch reform in the biggest overhaul of water regulation in a generation.

    We are establishing a new partnership where water companies, investors, communities and the government will work together to clean up our rivers, lakes and seas for good.

    The Secretary of State has pledged that the government will cut sewage pollution in half within five years, making our rivers the cleanest since records began.

    The government has already taken decisive action to clean up England’s waterways. 

    • Record investment: with £104 billion to upgrade crumbling pipes and build sewage treatment works across the country. 
    • Ringfence customers’ bills for upgrades: customer bills earmarked for investment must now be spent on new sewage pipes and treatment works – not spent on shareholder payments or bonuses. 
    • Reinvesting company fines into local projects: with over £100million being invested into local clean-up projects in communities. 
    • Largest budget for water regulation: the Environment Agency received a record £189 million to fund hundreds of enforcement officers to inspect and prosecute polluting water companies.
    • Polluter Pays: companies will now cover the cost of prosecutions and successful investigations into pollution incidents, enabling the regulator to hire more staff and pursue further enforcement activity. 
    • Banning wet wipes containing plastic in England: introducing legislation to reduce microplastics in our waters.
    • The Water (Special Measures) Act: banned unfair bonuses for ten polluting water bosses this year and threatened prison sentences for law-breaking executives.

    We will work with the Welsh government to ensure reforms protect water customers across both England and Wales.

    Notes to editors: 

     Last October, the Environment Secretary asked the former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Sir Jon Cunliffe, to undertake the biggest review of the water sector since privatisation. The final report will be published on Monday 21 July. 

    An ombudsman to champion customers    

    • The current system for dealing with complaints lacks any teeth and too often leaves customers with nowhere to go. With no binding consumer watchdog, customers risk being left stranded.  

    • Water customers shouldn’t have to figure out who to contact and how to contact them if something has gone wrong – they should know exactly where to turn and be confident their problem will be listened to and resolved. 

    • The new measures will establish a new level playing field between customers and companies. This builds on our reforms to double automatic payments when water companies fail to deliver adequate standards of service and place customers at the heart of water company purpose.    

    • Following the Independent Water Commission’s final report, we will look at the CCW’s role as part of a reformed regulator. We’re clear there will be no additional ALB’s as part of our productive and agile state agenda.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Beatty’s Statement on Republican Package Clawing Back Public Media & Global Assistance Funding

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

    WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Tonight, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) issued the following statement after voting NO on the House-passed Republican rescissions package, which claws back billions in funding already approved by Congress for programs that help keep Americans safe at home and abroad.

    “Just weeks after Republicans shoveled trillions in tax breaks to billionaires, their unnecessary clawback of approved funding once again shows that Trump and House Republicans will always put their wealthy donors first and everyday Americans last.

    This reckless measure doesn’t make government more efficient or meaningfully reduce the deficit. It hurts Ohio families. It slashes funding for local public broadcasting, which Central Ohio families rely on for resources like PBS Kids programming, classroom resources, coverage of local news and high school sports, and emergency alerts that keep our communities safe. More than $13 million in annual federal funding supports these crucial services in Ohio alone, and losing this funding could force stations to scale back or shut down completely.

    Globally, the Republican clawback guts billions from programs that provide clean water and health care to millions and basic education to tens of millions of children in developing nations. Republicans are rubber-stamping President Trump and Elon Musk’s reckless DOGE demands, undermining American leadership and security abroad.

    House Democrats will keep working to meaningfully improve the lives of the American people.”

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: IDEX Biometrics ASA – Contemplated Fully Underwritten Private Placement – 21 July 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG, JAPAN OR THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OF ANY OF THE SECURITIES DESCRIBED HEREIN.

    Oslo, Norway, 21 July 2025

    IDEX Biometrics ASA (“IDEX” or the “Company”) has engaged Arctic Securities AS (the “Manager”) to advise on and effect a contemplated private placement in the Company of 9,090,909 new shares in the Company (the “Offer Shares”) raising gross proceeds of NOK 30 million (the “Private Placement”). The subscription price per Offer Share (the “Offer Price”) is NOK 3.30 per Offer Share.

    Altea AS, Pinchcliffe AS (closely associated company of the CEO and CFO, Anders Storbråten), Anders Storbråten, Charles Street International Ltd. (Robert Keith) and K-Konsult AS (closely associated company of the chairperson of the board of directors, Morten Opstad) (the “Underwriters”) have, subject to customary conditions, accepted to be allocated Offer Shares that are not applied for during the Application Period (as defined herein) for up to NOK 30,000,000 pursuant to an underwriting agreement entered into with the Company (the “UWA“). An underwriting fee equal to 5% of the underwriting commitment by each Underwriter will be payable by the Company to each of the Underwriters in the form of a total of 454,542 new shares in the Company (the “Underwriting Shares“), subject to the approval and issuance of the Underwriting Shares by the EGM (as defined herein).

    The net proceeds from the Private Placement will be used to Company’s commercialization efforts in line with the new business strategy announced in March 2025 as well as for general corporate purposes.

    The application period for the Private Placement will commence today, 21 July 2025 at 09:00 CEST and is expected to close no later than 21 July 2025 at 16:30 CEST (the “Application Period”). The Company, in consultation with the Manager, reserves the right to at any time and in its sole discretion resolve to close or extend the Application Period or to cancel the Private Placement in its entirety without further notice. If the Application Period is shortened or extended, any other dates referred to herein may be amended accordingly.

    The final number of Offer Shares will be determined at the end of the Application Period, and the final allocation will be made at the sole discretion of the Board after consulting with the Manager. The allocation will be based on criteria such as (but not limited to) timeliness of the application, relative order size, sector knowledge, investment history, perceived investor quality and investment horizon. The Board may, at its sole discretion, reject and/or reduce any applications. There is no guarantee that any applicant will be allocated Offer Shares. Notification of allotment and payment instructions is expected to be issued to the applicants on or about 22 July 2025 through a notification to be issued by the Manager.

    The Private Placement will be divided into two tranches: Tranche 1 (“Tranche 1”) will consist of up to 4,731,594 Offer Shares, which may be issues based on the current outstanding authorization to issue new shares given to the Company’s board of directors (“Board”) by the annual general meeting on 21 May 2025 (the “Authorization”) and Tranche 2 (“Tranche 2”) will consist of the number of Offer Shares that, together with the Tranche 1 shares, is necessary in order to raise gross proceeds of NOK 30 million. The issuance of Offer Shares in Tranche 2 remains subject to approval by an extraordinary general meeting, scheduled to be held on or about 14 August 2025 (the “EGM”). Applicants will receive a pro rata portion of shares from Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 based on their overall allocation in the Private Placement, with the exception of the Underwriters which has agreed that the new shares it is allocated in the Private Placement will all be allocated in Tranche 2.

    Tranche 1 will be settled with existing and unencumbered shares in the Company that are already listed on Oslo Børs, pursuant to a share lending agreement entered into between the Company, the Manager and an existing shareholder (the “Share Lending Agreement”). The Share Lending Agreement will be settled with new shares in the Company to be resolved issued by the Board pursuant to the Authorization. Settlement of the Private Placement is expected to take place on a delivery versus payment basis on or about 24 July 2025.

    The completion of Tranche 1 is subject to (i) approval by the Board under the Authorization and (ii) the Share Lending Agreement and the UWAs remaining in full force and effect (”Tranche 1 Conditions”). The completion of Tranche 2 is subject to (i) completion of Tranche 1, (ii) approval by the EGM and (iii) the Share Lending Agreement and the UWA remaining in full force and effect (”Tranche 2 Conditions”). Both the Tranche 1 Conditions and the Tranche 2 Conditions include the share capital increase pertaining to the issuance of the allocated Offer Shares under such tranche being validly registered with the Norwegian Register of Business Enterprises and the allocated Offer Shares being validly issued and registered in the Norwegian Central Securities Depository Euronext Securities Oslo (“VPS”), Completion of Tranche 1 is not conditional upon completion of Tranche 2, and acquisition of shares in Tranche 1 will remain final and binding and cannot be revoked or terminated by the respective applicants if Tranche 2 is not completed. The Board reserves the right to cancel, and/or modify the terms of the Private Placement, at any time and for any reason prior to delivery of the Offer Shares in Tranche 1, without or on short notice. The Applicant acknowledges that Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 of the Private Placement will be cancelled if the relevant conditions for such tranches (or issuance) are not fulfilled, and may be cancelled by the Board in its sole discretion for any other reason whatsoever prior to delivery of the Offer Shares in Tranche 1. Neither the Manager nor the Company will be liable for any losses if the Private Placement is cancelled or modified, irrespective of the reason for such cancellation or modification.

    The Private Placement will be directed towards Norwegian and international investors, subject to applicable exemptions from relevant registration, filing and prospectus requirements, and subject to other applicable selling restrictions. The minimum application and allocation amount has been set to the NOK equivalent of EUR 100,000. The Company may however, at its sole discretion, allocate amounts below EUR 100,000 to the extent exemptions from the prospectus requirements in accordance with applicable regulations, including the Norwegian Securities Trading Act and ancillary regulations, are available.

    The Board has considered the contemplated Private Placement in light of the equal treatment obligations under the Norwegian Securities Trading Act and Oslo Børs’ Circular no. 2/2014 and deems that the proposed Private Placement would be in compliance with these requirements. The Board holds the view that it will be in the common interest of the Company and its shareholders to raise equity through a private placement, in view of the current market conditions and the growth opportunities currently available to the Company. A private placement enables the Company to raise capital in an efficient manner, and the Private Placement is structured to ensure that a market-based subscription price is achieved. In order to limit the dilutive effect of the Private Placement and to facilitate equal treatment, the Board will consider carrying out a subsequent offering directed towards shareholders who did not participate in the Private Placement (see details below).

    The Subsequent Offering
    Subject to among other things (i) completion of the Private Placement, (ii) relevant corporate resolutions including approval by the Board and an extraordinary general meeting, (iii) the prevailing market price of IDEX’s shares being higher than the Offer Price, and (iv) approval of a prospectus by the Norwegian Financial Supervisory Authority, IDEX will consider whether to carry out a subsequent offering (the “Subsequent Offering”) of new shares in the Company. A Subsequent Offering will, if made, be directed towards existing shareholders in the Company as of 21 July 2025, as registered in IDEX’s register of shareholders with Euronext Securities Oslo, the central securities depositary in Norway (Nw. Verdipapirsentralen) (the “VPS”) two trading days thereafter, who (i) are not allocated Offer Shares in the Private Placement, and (ii) are not resident in a jurisdiction where such offering would be unlawful or would (other than Norway) require any prospectus, filing, registration or similar action (the “Eligible Shareholders”). The Eligible Shareholders are expected to be granted non-tradable allocation rights. If carried out, the subscription period in a Subsequent Offering is expected to commence shortly after publication of the Prospectus (if relevant), and the subscription price in the Subsequent Offering will be the same as the Offer Price in the Private Placement. IDEX will issue a separate stock exchange notice with further details on the Subsequent Offering if and when finally resolved.

    About IDEX Biometrics ASA
    IDEX Biometrics ASA (OSE: IDEX) is a global technology leader in fingerprint biometrics, offering authentication solutions across payments, access control, and digital identity. Our solutions bring convenience, security, peace of mind and seamless user experiences to the world. Built on patented and proprietary sensor technologies, integrated circuit designs, and software, our biometric solutions target card-based applications for payments and digital authentication. As an industry-enabler we partner with leading card manufacturers and technology companies to bring our solutions to market.

    This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to MAR article 17 and section 5 -12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange release was published by Kjell-Arne Besseberg, Chief Operating Officer, on 21 July 2025 at 07.30 CEST.

    Important information:
    This announcement is not and does not form a part of any offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to purchase, any securities of the Company. The distribution of this announcement and other information may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions. Copies of this announcement are not being made and may not be distributed or sent into any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful or would require registration or other measures. Persons into whose possession this announcement or such other information should come are required to inform themselves about and to observe any such restrictions.

    The securities referred to in this announcement have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and accordingly may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and in accordance with applicable U.S. state securities laws. The Company does not intend to register any part of the offering or its securities in the United States or to conduct a public offering of securities in the United States. Any sale in the United States of the securities mentioned in this announcement will be made solely to “qualified institutional buyers” as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

    In any EEA Member State, this communication is only addressed to and is only directed at qualified investors in that Member State within the meaning of the EU Prospectus Regulation, i.e., only to investors who can receive the offer without an approved prospectus in such EEA Member State. The expression “EU Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation 2017/1129 as amended together with any applicable implementing measures in any Member State.

    This communication is only being distributed to and is only directed at persons in the United Kingdom that are (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order”) or (ii) high net worth entities, and other persons to whom this announcement may lawfully be communicated, falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This communication must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this communication relates is available only for relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. Persons distributing this communication must satisfy themselves that it is lawful to do so.

    Matters discussed in this announcement may constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and may be identified by words such as “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “strategy”, “intends”, “estimate”, “will”, “may”, “continue”, “should” and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon various assumptions, many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions. Although the Company believes that these assumptions were reasonable when made, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other important factors which are difficult or impossible to predict and are beyond its control.

    Actual events may differ significantly from any anticipated development due to a number of factors, including without limitation, changes in investment levels and need for the Company’s services, changes in the general economic, political and market conditions in the markets in which the Company operate, the Company’s ability to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel, changes in the Company’s ability to engage in commercially acceptable acquisitions and strategic investments, and changes in laws and regulation and the potential impact of legal proceedings and actions. Such risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other important factors could cause actual events to differ materially from the expectations expressed or implied in this release by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not provide any guarantees that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements in this announcement are free from errors nor does it accept any responsibility for the future accuracy of the opinions expressed in this announcement or any obligation to update or revise the statements in this announcement to reflect subsequent events. You should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements in this document.

    The information, opinions and forward-looking statements contained in this announcement speak only as at its date, and are subject to change without notice. The Company does not undertake any obligation to review, update, confirm, or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that arise in relation to the content of this announcement.

    Neither the Manager nor any of their affiliates make any representation as to the accuracy or completeness of this announcement and none of them accepts any responsibility for the contents of this announcement or any matters referred to herein.

    This announcement is for information purposes only and is not to be relied upon in substitution for the exercise of independent judgment. It is not intended as investment advice and under no circumstances is it to be used or considered as an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a recommendation to buy or sell any securities in the Company. Neither the Manager nor any of their affiliates accept any liability arising from the use of this announcement. 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How are Australians adapting to climate change? Here are 729 ways

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tia Brullo, Research Fellow in Climate Change Adaptation, The University of Melbourne

    Australia’s climate is changing. To avoid catastrophic disruptions from successive supercharged disasters, society must adapt. But change takes time and it’s not always clear how much progress we’re making.

    We wanted to find out what Australia’s governments, industries and local groups are doing to adapt to climate change. Our work culminated in the Australian Adaptation Database, which captures more than 700 initiatives so far.

    Standout examples from this first national stocktake include Ramblers Reef in Victoria – an artificial reef of rocks and shells 500 metres offshore that has helped reduce coastal erosion. In Adelaide, urban cooling and greening projects are transforming the city and suburbs across 17 councils .

    Our project shows climate adaptation is happening in Australia, but there’s plenty of room for improvement. The more society can do now to prepare for change, the better off we’ll be in the long run.

    Urban greening is helping to cool the city of Adelaide.
    Ozitraveler, Shutterstock

    What does climate change adaptation in Australia look like?

    Australia is lagging behind many other nations when it comes to managing climate action. The federal government is yet to release its first national adaptation plan, while other countries are up to their third or fourth versions.

    Why track Australia’s progress in climate adaptation? First, it enables progress to be reported efficiently to governments and international bodies such as the United Nations.

    The database also helps people share knowledge. Anyone striving to improve their resilience to climate change can look to the database for ideas and inspiration.

    The data was mainly gathered from conversations we had with people in state and territory government departments, local government associations, not-for-profit organisations and private companies across Australia.

    On Wednesday, we will present the database at the opening of the national Climate Adaptation 2025 conference in Perth.

    The project shows the vast range of ways Australians are preparing for a warmer world. Examples include:

    Anyone can explore and search the database. It’s not an exhaustive record of all climate adaptation in Australia, but provides more detail than ever before. It’s constantly being updated as new examples are added.

    But the database is only as good as the information we feed into it, so we need everyone to contribute. All you need to do is hit the “submit an entry” button on the homepage to get started.

    Artificial reefs such as Ramblers Reef help slow erosion (ABC News)

    The role of government: local, state and federal

    Much work to date in climate adaptation has involved laying the foundations for practical actions.

    For example, South Australia’s Climate Ready Coasts program aims to improve planning for coastal hazards. This joint effort between state and local governments make sense, given both have a role to play, and it helps ensure adaptation actions are efficient and coordinated.

    At the federal level, the Australian government has focused on funding for national disasters such as the Future Drought Fund. Another example, the Infrastructure Betterment Fund, involves making roads, rail, bridges and other infrastructure more resilient to climate change.

    Australia is yet to release its first National Adaptation Plan. This document is expected to clarify the federal role in climate adaptation.

    The private sector

    The private sector is beginning to adapt to climate change. Examples include:

    Knowledge sharing and capacity building

    We also found extensive efforts to communicate and share information about adapting to change.

    Such activities include knowledge building for organisations and communities through workshops, training sessions and simulation games.

    Examples include Western Australia’s “being waterwise in the home” tips, and Hobart’s Sparking Conversations, Igniting Action Program for bushfire preparedness. These activities help lay the groundwork for practical action.

    Change is hard, but Australia is finally making some progress in climate adaptation.
    Markus Spiske, Unsplash., CC BY

    What’s next?

    Our research shows the policy and governance mechanisms to drive adaptation are largely in place. The knowledge and networks to support meaningful action are gradually being developed.

    But the next “heavy lifting” phase – putting plans into action – is yet to begin in earnest.

    There’s a clear need to channel funding to those best placed to deliver frontline projects and programs, especially local governments and community organisations.

    The Australian Local Government Association is calling for a A$400 million climate adaptation fund to support Australian councils to deliver place-based adaptation actions.

    Last year, the Australian Council of Social Services called for a $2 billion investment in a national housing retrofit program to make Australia’s 670,000 low-income houses cooler in summer to reduce illness and death from extreme temperatures. Neither of these calls has been answered.

    Let’s get moving

    This research is part of a three-year project exploring how to encourage and promote best practice in adapting to climate change across Australia.

    The next step is to measure progress around climate adaptation, which is difficult and rarely done – even though it’s required under the Paris Agreement.

    The good news is Australia has made a start, but there is much more to do to ensure the wellbeing of our country through a changing climate.

    Tia Brullo receives funding from the National Environmental Science Program Climate Systems Hub Project Number CS2.1

    Elissa Waters receives funding from the National Environmental Science Program Climate Systems Hub Project Number CS2.1 and Australian Climate Service.

    Jon Barnett receives funding from the National Environmental Science Program Climate Systems Hub Project Number CS2.1

    Sarah Boulter receives funding from the National Environmental Science Program Climate Systems Hub.

    – ref. How are Australians adapting to climate change? Here are 729 ways – https://theconversation.com/how-are-australians-adapting-to-climate-change-here-are-729-ways-256446

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Newspoll and Resolve give Labor big leads as parliament resumes after the election

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne

    With federal parliament to sit for the first time since the election on Tuesday, Newspoll gives Labor a 57–43 lead and Resolve a 56–44 lead. In Tasmania, Labor is a chance to gain a seat despite a 3% slide in their statewide vote.

    A national Newspoll gave Labor a 57–43 lead (55.2–44.8 to Labor at the May federal election). Fieldwork dates and the sample size were not reported, but it’s likely to have been taken July 14–18 from a sample of about 1,200.

    Primary votes were 36% Labor, 29% Coalition, 12% Greens, 8% One Nation and 15% for all Others. This is the lowest Coalition primary vote in Newspoll history that goes back to 1985, and about three points below the Coalition’s result at the election.

    Anthony Albanese’s net approval was net zero, a ten-point improvement for him since the final pre-election Newspoll, with 47% both satisfied and dissatisfied. Liberal leader Sussan Ley’s first rating was -7 net approval, with 42% dissatisfied and 35% satisfied. Albanese led Ley as better PM by 52–32.

    Here is the graph of Albanese’s net approval in Newspoll. While net zero is better than his negative ratings before the election, it’s a long way from his peak after winning the 2022 election.

    The lack of a massive surge in net approval for Albanese indicates that Labor’s landslide was more about voters’ dislike for alternatives than their liking of Labor. Peter Dutton and Donald Trump were both big factors in the election result. A DemosAU poll I covered on Saturday had voters opposed by 71–19 to a PM like Trump.

    Resolve poll

    A national Resolve poll for Nine newspapers, conducted with unknown fieldwork dates from a sample of 2,311, gave Labor a 56–44 lead by respondent preferences, from primary votes of 35% Labor, 29% Coalition, 12% Greens, 8% One Nation, 8% independents and 8% others.

    Albanese’s net approval was +3, with 45% giviing him a good rating and 42% a poor rating. In contrast to Newspoll, Sussan Ley’s first rating in Resolve was +9 (38% good, 29% poor). Albanese led Ley as preferred PM by 40–25.

    Asked whether the next year will get better or worse, 28% thought it would be personally better and the same share thought it would be worse. Asked this question on the national outlook, by 42–25 respondents expected it to get worse.

    By 33–32, respondents opposed the Liberal party having gender quotas, with Coalition voters opposed by 44–27. Men were opposed by 39–34, while women supported quotas by 30–27.

    Labor was thought best to handle economic management by 31–30 over the Liberals. On keeping the cost of living low, Labor led by 30–26. The last time Labor led on economic management in Resolve’s monthly polls was July 2023, and the last time they led on cost of living was October 2023.

    Tasmanian election updates

    Since my election night article, the count has advanced from 63% to 73% of enrolled voters, with all pre-poll votes now counted. These additional votes have not had major impacts on the results.

    Postals will be the largest number of outstanding votes still to be counted, but the Tasmanian Electoral Commission won’t begin the postal count until Thursday owing to legislative changes that require the TEC to ensure a postal voter hasn’t already voted by other means.

    Postals must be received by 10am on July 29 to be included. In Tasmania the Hare-Clark distribution of preferences is done by hand, and will begin after the postal receipt deadline. The TEC expects to have final results by August 2.

    Analyst Kevin Bonham has called 14 of the 35 seats for the Liberals, ten for Labor, five for the Greens and four for left-wing independents, leaving two undecided. In Lyons, the final seat is likely to be won by a Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate.

    In Bass, there’s a complex fight for the last seat between Labor, the Liberals and the Shooters. Labor may benefit from having two candidates in the race who have nearly equal votes, possibly enabling them to win three seats when they only deserve two based on party totals.

    If Labor wins the final Bass seat, they would gain a seat in an election where their statewide vote slid 3.1% to 25.9%.

    Adrian Beaumont 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. Newspoll and Resolve give Labor big leads as parliament resumes after the election – https://theconversation.com/newspoll-and-resolve-give-labor-big-leads-as-parliament-resumes-after-the-election-261538

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ghana: President Mahama flags off work on second phase of Blekusu sea defence project

    Source: APO – Report:

    .

    President John Dramani Mahama was in Agavedzi on Saturday for a groundbreaking ceremony for the second phase of the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project.

    The project, a significant initiative that will protect lives and livelihoods in the Ketu South Municipality of the Volta Region, was met with palpable joy and deep gratitude from the chiefs and people of the Some and Aflao Traditional Areas, who gathered to witness the realisation of a long-awaited development.

    The ceremony saw an emotional outpouring of appreciation, as community members sang praises and danced, celebrating the President’s commitment to addressing their decades-long struggle against severe tidal erosion.

    Upon completion in four years, the project, which will protect an 8-kilometre stretch of coastline, is set to bring immense relief to the communities of Blekusu, Agavedzi, Salakope, Amutsinu, and Adina.

    Messrs Amandi Holding Limited is the contractor and will deliver 37 groins, extensive dune restoration, reinforced embankments, and other critical shoreline defence structures.

    President Mahama stated that the project is a comprehensive one that will extend beyond mere coastal protection.

    “Aside from the coastal protection works, government has incorporated vital development projects to enhance the lives of the people in the affected area,” he noted.

    These integrated initiatives include a modern fish market, cold storage and processing facilities for fisherfolk, dedicated spaces for fish drying and smoking, a car park, and a lorry station. Additionally, public sanitation facilities and a comprehensive waste collection system will be provided.

    “The sea has taken a lot from this community. It has taken land, it has taken livelihoods, and it has taken our peace of mind. But today, I stand here to say no more will the sea consume our land”, the President said.

    “We are here to reclaim what has been lost, to rebuild stronger, to offer our children a future where they are not forced to flee their homes because of rising tidal waves.”

    President Mahama added that the Blekusu Coastal Protection Project and other ongoing infrastructure developments reflect his government’s strong dedication to building a better Ghana.

    “This is not merely symbolic,” he asserted, “but a clear demonstration of what responsive leadership can do when it listens, when it cares, and when it acts.”

    Phase I of the project, covering 4.3 kilometres of coastal defence works, commenced in 2015 under the Presidency of Mahama to mitigate the serious threat of tidal erosion in Ketu South.

    While that phase offered significant relief, the President lamented, “Unfortunately, for nearly a decade after this, the second phase of the project stalled. Despite repeated appeals by residents, Members of Parliament, traditional authorities, and civil society, the project did not commence.”

    The President specifically referenced the devastating tidal waves that pounded the communities in 2017 and again in 2021, recalling the harrowing images.

    I can still picture the videos and photos showing the aftermath of these tidal waves,” he said, highlighting “the pain, the anxiety, the fear that was etched on the faces of our fellow citizens.”

    He reaffirmed the pledge he made earlier this year during his visit to the Volta Region, promising swift action.

    “And today, I am proud to say that this commitment is being fulfilled. Your cries have not been in vain. Your voices will no longer be ignored. Today is your day – a day of renewal and a day of reassurance.”

    President Mahama also announced progress on the West Africa Coastal Areas (WACA) Programme, designed to enhance coastal resilience across the sub-region.

    Currently awaiting approval, the WACA project is envisioned to extend coastal protection from where the Blekusu project ends, all the way to Aflao, securing Ghana’s vital 550-kilometre coastline, which supports countless livelihoods through fishing, trade, and tourism.

    – on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • Microsoft alerts businesses, governments to server software attack

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Microsoft has issued an alert about “active attacks” on server software used by government agencies and businesses to share documents within organizations, and recommended security updates that customers should apply immediately.

    The FBI said on Sunday it is aware of the attacks and is working closely with its federal and private-sector partners, but offered no other details.

    In an alert issued on Saturday, Microsoft said the vulnerabilities apply only to SharePoint servers used within organizations. It said that SharePoint Online in Microsoft 365, which is in the cloud, was not hit by the attacks.

    “We’ve been coordinating closely with CISA, DOD Cyber Defense Command and key cybersecurity partners globally throughout our response,” a Microsoft spokesperson said, adding that the company had issued security updates and urged customers to install them immediately.

    The Washington Post, which first reported the hacks, said unidentified actors in the past few days had exploited a flaw to launch an attack that targeted U.S. and international agencies and businesses.

    The hack is known as a “zero day” attack because it targeted a previously unknown vulnerability, the newspaper said, quoting experts. Tens of thousands of servers were at risk.

    In the alert, Microsoft said that a vulnerability “allows an authorized attacker to perform spoofing over a network.” It issued recommendations to stop the attackers from exploiting it.
    Microsoft has issued an alert about “active attacks” on server software used by government agencies and businesses to share documents within organizations, and recommended security updates that customers should apply immediately.

    The FBI said on Sunday it is aware of the attacks and is working closely with its federal and private-sector partners, but offered no other details.

    In an alert issued on Saturday, Microsoft said the vulnerabilities apply only to SharePoint servers used within organizations. It said that SharePoint Online in Microsoft 365, which is in the cloud, was not hit by the attacks.

    “We’ve been coordinating closely with CISA, DOD Cyber Defense Command and key cybersecurity partners globally throughout our response,” a Microsoft spokesperson said, adding that the company had issued security updates and urged customers to install them immediately.

    The Washington Post, which first reported the hacks, said unidentified actors in the past few days had exploited a flaw to launch an attack that targeted U.S. and international agencies and businesses.

    The hack is known as a “zero day” attack because it targeted a previously unknown vulnerability, the newspaper said, quoting experts. Tens of thousands of servers were at risk.

    In the alert, Microsoft said that a vulnerability “allows an authorized attacker to perform spoofing over a network.” It issued recommendations to stop the attackers from exploiting it.

    In a spoofing attack, an actor can manipulate financial markets or agencies by hiding the actor’s identity and appearing to be a trusted person, organization or website.

    Earlier, Microsoft said it is working on updates to 2016 and 2019 versions of SharePoint. If customers cannot enable recommended malware protection, they should disconnect their servers from the internet until a security update is available, it added.
    In a spoofing attack, an actor can manipulate financial markets or agencies by hiding the actor’s identity and appearing to be a trusted person, organization or website.

    Earlier, Microsoft said it is working on updates to 2016 and 2019 versions of SharePoint. If customers cannot enable recommended malware protection, they should disconnect their servers from the internet until a security update is available, it added.

  • Youth Spiritual Summit concludes in Varanasi with launch of Kashi Declaration for Drug-Free India

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Youth Spiritual Summit, held under the theme Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat, concluded on Sunday at the Rudraksh International Convention Centre in Varanasi with the formal adoption of the Kashi Declaration — a visionary roadmap to drive a nationwide youth-led movement against drug addiction

    Organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the summit brought together over 600 youth leaders from more than 120 spiritual and socio-cultural organisations, along with academicians, experts, and government representatives. The event was a moment in India’s pursuit of a drug-free society by 2047, uniting spiritual strength with youthful resolve.

    Over the course of four thematic plenary sessions, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the psychological and social impacts of substance abuse, the complexities of drug trafficking and supply chains, grassroots awareness strategies, and the critical role of spiritual and cultural institutions in prevention and rehabilitation. These deliberations culminated in the Kashi Declaration, which outlines a multi-dimensional and collaborative approach to drug de-addiction, rooted in India’s civilisational ethos and driven by youth leadership.

    Addressing the gathering, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, described the declaration as a collective Sankalp (resolve) arising from the reflections and dialogue of the summit. He emphasized that the document is not just a vision statement, but a shared commitment to national transformation.

    The Kashi Declaration calls for treating substance abuse as a complex public health and societal challenge. It recommends a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, integrating efforts from spiritual, educational, technological, and cultural domains. The declaration proposes the formation of a Joint National Committee for coordination among ministries, annual progress reporting mechanisms, and a national platform to connect individuals affected by substance abuse with support services.

    Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the unique role of spiritual organisations in this campaign, stating that Bharat’s spiritual legacy must now lead the charge in creating a drug-free generation. “Spiritual institutions will serve as the backbone of this Maha Abhiyan,” he said, urging collective action through community engagement.

    Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Shiv Pratap Shukla, also addressed the summit, invoking the cultural sanctity of Kashi. He described the ancient city as the “cradle of Sanatan Chetna,” where discipline and values guide personal and national progress. He warned that a nation where 65% of the population is youth cannot afford to succumb to addiction, stressing that only a liberated and conscious youth can build a strong future.

    The concluding session saw the participation of several prominent leaders, including Virendra Kumar, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment; Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism; Anil Rajbhar, Minister of State for Labour and Employment; Nityanand Rai, Minister of State for Home Affairs; and Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports.

    The summit also marked a key step forward in the MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat) framework. Going forward, MY Bharat volunteers and affiliated youth clubs will spearhead pledge campaigns, awareness drives, and grassroots outreach across the country. The Kashi Declaration will act as a guiding document, and its progress will be reviewed at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, ensuring accountability and long-term impact.

  • Youth Spiritual Summit concludes in Varanasi with launch of Kashi Declaration for Drug-Free India

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Youth Spiritual Summit, held under the theme Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat, concluded on Sunday at the Rudraksh International Convention Centre in Varanasi with the formal adoption of the Kashi Declaration — a visionary roadmap to drive a nationwide youth-led movement against drug addiction

    Organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the summit brought together over 600 youth leaders from more than 120 spiritual and socio-cultural organisations, along with academicians, experts, and government representatives. The event was a moment in India’s pursuit of a drug-free society by 2047, uniting spiritual strength with youthful resolve.

    Over the course of four thematic plenary sessions, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the psychological and social impacts of substance abuse, the complexities of drug trafficking and supply chains, grassroots awareness strategies, and the critical role of spiritual and cultural institutions in prevention and rehabilitation. These deliberations culminated in the Kashi Declaration, which outlines a multi-dimensional and collaborative approach to drug de-addiction, rooted in India’s civilisational ethos and driven by youth leadership.

    Addressing the gathering, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, described the declaration as a collective Sankalp (resolve) arising from the reflections and dialogue of the summit. He emphasized that the document is not just a vision statement, but a shared commitment to national transformation.

    The Kashi Declaration calls for treating substance abuse as a complex public health and societal challenge. It recommends a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, integrating efforts from spiritual, educational, technological, and cultural domains. The declaration proposes the formation of a Joint National Committee for coordination among ministries, annual progress reporting mechanisms, and a national platform to connect individuals affected by substance abuse with support services.

    Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the unique role of spiritual organisations in this campaign, stating that Bharat’s spiritual legacy must now lead the charge in creating a drug-free generation. “Spiritual institutions will serve as the backbone of this Maha Abhiyan,” he said, urging collective action through community engagement.

    Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Shiv Pratap Shukla, also addressed the summit, invoking the cultural sanctity of Kashi. He described the ancient city as the “cradle of Sanatan Chetna,” where discipline and values guide personal and national progress. He warned that a nation where 65% of the population is youth cannot afford to succumb to addiction, stressing that only a liberated and conscious youth can build a strong future.

    The concluding session saw the participation of several prominent leaders, including Virendra Kumar, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment; Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism; Anil Rajbhar, Minister of State for Labour and Employment; Nityanand Rai, Minister of State for Home Affairs; and Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports.

    The summit also marked a key step forward in the MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat) framework. Going forward, MY Bharat volunteers and affiliated youth clubs will spearhead pledge campaigns, awareness drives, and grassroots outreach across the country. The Kashi Declaration will act as a guiding document, and its progress will be reviewed at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, ensuring accountability and long-term impact.

  • Youth Spiritual Summit concludes in Varanasi with launch of Kashi Declaration for Drug-Free India

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Youth Spiritual Summit, held under the theme Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat, concluded on Sunday at the Rudraksh International Convention Centre in Varanasi with the formal adoption of the Kashi Declaration — a visionary roadmap to drive a nationwide youth-led movement against drug addiction

    Organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, the summit brought together over 600 youth leaders from more than 120 spiritual and socio-cultural organisations, along with academicians, experts, and government representatives. The event was a moment in India’s pursuit of a drug-free society by 2047, uniting spiritual strength with youthful resolve.

    Over the course of four thematic plenary sessions, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the psychological and social impacts of substance abuse, the complexities of drug trafficking and supply chains, grassroots awareness strategies, and the critical role of spiritual and cultural institutions in prevention and rehabilitation. These deliberations culminated in the Kashi Declaration, which outlines a multi-dimensional and collaborative approach to drug de-addiction, rooted in India’s civilisational ethos and driven by youth leadership.

    Addressing the gathering, Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, described the declaration as a collective Sankalp (resolve) arising from the reflections and dialogue of the summit. He emphasized that the document is not just a vision statement, but a shared commitment to national transformation.

    The Kashi Declaration calls for treating substance abuse as a complex public health and societal challenge. It recommends a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, integrating efforts from spiritual, educational, technological, and cultural domains. The declaration proposes the formation of a Joint National Committee for coordination among ministries, annual progress reporting mechanisms, and a national platform to connect individuals affected by substance abuse with support services.

    Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the unique role of spiritual organisations in this campaign, stating that Bharat’s spiritual legacy must now lead the charge in creating a drug-free generation. “Spiritual institutions will serve as the backbone of this Maha Abhiyan,” he said, urging collective action through community engagement.

    Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Shiv Pratap Shukla, also addressed the summit, invoking the cultural sanctity of Kashi. He described the ancient city as the “cradle of Sanatan Chetna,” where discipline and values guide personal and national progress. He warned that a nation where 65% of the population is youth cannot afford to succumb to addiction, stressing that only a liberated and conscious youth can build a strong future.

    The concluding session saw the participation of several prominent leaders, including Virendra Kumar, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment; Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism; Anil Rajbhar, Minister of State for Labour and Employment; Nityanand Rai, Minister of State for Home Affairs; and Raksha Nikhil Khadse, Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports.

    The summit also marked a key step forward in the MY Bharat (Mera Yuva Bharat) framework. Going forward, MY Bharat volunteers and affiliated youth clubs will spearhead pledge campaigns, awareness drives, and grassroots outreach across the country. The Kashi Declaration will act as a guiding document, and its progress will be reviewed at the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue 2026, ensuring accountability and long-term impact.

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Roadmap to rebuild trust in water sector unveiled in major new report

    Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

    Press release

    Roadmap to rebuild trust in water sector unveiled in major new report

    Sir Jon Cunliffe publishes final recommendations

    A new integrated regulator for water, stronger consumer advocacy and 9 new regional water authorities to deliver on local priorities are among the final recommendations set out today (21 July) by the Independent Water Commission.

    Chaired by Sir Jon Cunliffe, the Commission sets out 88 recommendations in its report to the UK and Welsh governments to transform the sector.

    The report covers how the system is regulated, how to manage the competing demands on water, how water companies are governed and how critical water infrastructure is kept resilient both now and in the future.

    It follows just under nine months of extensive engagement, analysis and research, including the 50,000+ responses submitted to the Commission’s Call for Evidence.

    Key recommendations include:

    1. Single integrated water regulators. The report recommends a single water regulator in England and a single water regulator in Wales. In England this would replace Ofwat, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and water-environment related functions from the Environment Agency and Natural England. In Wales, Ofwat’s economic responsibilities would be integrated into Natural Resources Wales. Water is a complex sector responsible for the second-largest infrastructure programme in the UK. Water companies will spend £104 billion on investment and operation over the next 5 years. Climate change, population growth and economic development will put huge pressure on water systems over the coming decades. The current regulatory landscape is fragmented and overlapping and fully joined-up regulation is essential for the system to meet the demands of the future and ensure that private water companies act in the public as well as the private interest. A powerful, single regulator for water would simplify the system, reduce duplication, close regulatory gaps and ensure a much stronger “whole-firm” view of each company.* It would also improve investor confidence through a more stable regulatory regime. In making this recommendation, the Commission has looked closely at other regulatory models such as Ofcom.**

    2. Eight new regional water system planning authorities in England and one national authority in Wales. As part of a radical overhaul of water system planning, the report recommends devolving current planning responsibilities and transferring resources from the regulators to 9 new regional water authorities. These would be responsible for developing water investment plans that reflect local priorities and voices. They would streamline existing planning processes and be empowered to direct funding and ensure accountability from all sectors that impact water.  They would be independent and include representation from local councils, public health, environment, agriculture and consumers, among others.

    3. Greater consumer protection. The Commission sets out proposals to improve affordability and customer service. That includes upgrading the consumer body CCW into an Ombudsman for Water to give stronger protection to customers and a clearer route to resolving complaints. It then proposes transfer responsibility for consumer advocacy to Citizens Advice. The Commission also recommends the introduction of a national social tariff to provide consistent support for low-income customers who need support to pay their bills. This will help address the widely different levels of support currently in place, with caps on bills varying by £100s in different parts of the country.

    4. Stronger environmental regulation. The report recommends significant improvements to areas such as Operator Self-Monitoring through greater digitalisation, automation, third-party assurance and inspections. It proposes stronger regulation on abstraction, sludge, drinking water standards and water supply. After one of the driest springs on record, it recommends compulsory water metering, changes to wholesale tariffs for industrial users and greater water reuse and rainwater harvesting schemes. It also sets out where environmental legislation needs updating and why, including proposals for a new long-term and legally binding target for the water environment.

    5. Tighter oversight of water company ownership and governance. The Commission recommends new powers for the regulator to block changes in water company ownership – for example, where investors are not seen to be prioritising the long-term interests of the company and its customers – as well as potential new ‘public benefit’ clauses in water company licences. It recommends that the regulator set “minimum capital” requirements so that companies are less reliant on debt and more financially resilient. On investment, the report sets out proposals to improve investor confidence, including government direction to the regulator to support stability and predictability for long-term investors.  

    6. Public health reforms: The report covers legislative reforms to better manage public health risks in water, recognising the many people who swim, surf and enjoy other water-based activities. These include a) new public health objectives in water quality legislation b) senior public health representation on regional water planning authorities and c) legislative changes to address emerging pollutants such as PFAS, micropollutants and microplastics.

    7. Fundamental reset of economic regulation. More detail is set out on the Commission’s recommendation for a new ‘supervisory’ approach to economic regulation, supporting tailored decisions and earlier interventions in water company oversight. The report also makes recommendations on the Price Review process, including changes to ensure companies are investing in and maintaining assets and to help attract long-term, low-risk investment.

    8. Clear strategic direction. A new long-term National Water Strategy should be published by both the UK and Welsh governments. This should have a minimum horizon of 25 years, with interim milestones on a 5 and 10 year basis. It should be cross-sectoral, with a clear framework for managing the many demands on water. A set of ministerial priorities specifically for the water industry should also be issued to regulators every five years, replacing the current Strategic Policy Statement (SPS). A clear long-term strategy will help drive the right outcomes for consumers, growth and the environment and support long-term investment planning.

    9. Infrastructure & asset health reforms. The report sets out a marked step change in how water infrastructure is managed, monitored and delivered – essential for safeguarding the provision of water and wastewater management for future generations. That includes new requirements for companies to map and assess their assets and new resilience standards that are forward-looking and applied consistently across the industry.

    Sir Jon Cunliffe said:

    Restoring trust has been central to our work. Trust that bills are fair, that regulation is effective, that water companies will act in the public interest and that investors can get a fair return.

    Our recommendations to achieve this are significant. They include the management of the whole water system, regulation of the water industry, the governance and financial resilience of water companies and a stronger voice for local communities and water customers.

    In this report I have considered what is best for the long-term future of water.  This is a complex sector with a highly integrated system, responsible for the second-largest infrastructure programme in the UK.

    Resetting this sector and restoring pride in the future of our waterways matters to us all. In countless conversations in the last nine months I have been struck by the urgent need and passion for change. Doing this will require hard work, strong leadership and sustained commitment. But it can and must be done.

    I am grateful to all to all those who have contributed generously and constructively to our work with their time, expertise and challenge.

    The final report also shares recommendations on implementation, including which reforms can be delivered in the short-term and which require new primary legislation.

    As set out in the Terms of Reference, the Commission has operated independently of UK and Welsh Ministers.

    Sir Jon Cunliffe has been supported by an expert Advisory Group, with leading voices from areas including the environment, public health, consumers, economics and investment.

    Notes to editors

    • The full report is available here: Independent Water Commission final report
    • Sir Jon Cunliffe was appointed on 22 October 2024 to lead the Independent Water Commission. His Terms of Reference were published on gov.uk. 
    • The Commission launched an eight-week Call for Evidence on 27 February 2025. The Commission’s interim report was published on 3 June.
    • *The Commission has looked in detail at the challenges within the existing regulatory framework. The existing model of multiple regulators makes it difficult for the regulatory system to come to a clear, overall view of a water company’s performance and the challenges it faces. Enforcement action in some areas has been described as duplicative. Elsewhere, there are gaps in the oversight of asset health and monitoring water infrastructure delivery. There is an inherent complexity in the current system whereby the EA, NRW and the DWI set the requirements that determine much of water company costs, while Ofwat subsequently determines the revenues companies can receive from water bills to cover those costs. 
    • **Ofcom was established through combining five existing regulators into one. Further detail is covered in Chapter 4 of the final report. 
    • ***Social tariff variability: Evidence returned via the Commission’s Call for Evidence set out the differing levels of support a low-earner would receive under 2024/25 rates depending on where they lived. For example, a single parent with one child, working part-time and receiving Universal Credit with an income under £19,000 per year would have an annual water bill capped at £91.12 in Portsmouth, compared to £364 in Bradford.

    Updates to this page

    Published 21 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI: WISeKey and SEALSQ Confirm New Cross-Border Center of Excellence for the 4th Industrial Revolution Activated Between La Line and Gibraltar

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    WISeKey and SEALSQ Confirm New Cross-Border Center of Excellence for the 4th Industrial Revolution Activated Between La Line and Gibraltar

    Gibraltar/La Línea – July 21, 2025 – WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey” or “Company”) (SIX: WIHN, NASDAQ: WKEY), a leading global cybersecurity, blockchain, and IoT company, and its subsidiary, SEALSQ Corp (NASDAQ: LAES) (“SEALSQ”), a company that focuses on developing and selling Semiconductors, PKI, and Post-Quantum technology hardware and software products today announced that a transformative initiative launched several years ago to establish LLG4IRir.com a Cross-Border Deeptech Center of Excellence (the “Center”) for the 4th Industrial Revolution is now being formally activated, following the historic agreement between Spain and the United Kingdom on Gibraltar’s post-Brexit border status.

    Strategically located near Gibraltar Airport, this innovative Center will act as a shared technological and industrial hub bridging La Línea de la Concepción (Spain) and Gibraltar (UK). It aims to provide a collaborative platform for companies working in advanced technologies including Artificial Intelligence, Quantum Computing, the Internet of Things, AI, Space, Cybersecurity, and Semiconductors, aiming to position the region as a global epicenter of innovation.

    The recent UK–EU agreement facilitates the free and secure movement of people and goods across the border, unlocking opportunity for the Company to realize the full potential of this ambitious project and enabling seamless cooperation between the two jurisdictions.

    Meetings held with the Gibraltar government and the Mayor of La Línea have resulted in unanimous support for the project. The Center is recognized as a mutually beneficial opportunity: Gibraltar-based companies will gain access to European Union technology legislation and platforms, while Spanish businesses located at the Center will benefit from cooperation with Gibraltar and potential partnerships with African innovation ecosystems, reinforcing the region’s status as a tri-continental innovation gateway.

    First Milestone: Manufacturing Plant for Post-Quantum Communication Devices
    Under the LLG4IR.com cross-border framework, the first physical installation is planned to be a secure manufacturing facility in La Línea dedicated to producing post-quantum-ready communication devices. These devices are intended to form the foundation of a secure communications infrastructure designed to operate seamlessly with satellite constellations, providing quantum-resilient, end-to-end communications across industries.

    This facility is also expected to host the initial manufacturing operations for WISeSat.Space, WISeKey’s secure space communication platform. Production would begin as soon as the site becomes operational, establishing La Línea as a new hub for secure aerospace and telecommunications manufacturing.

    In parallel, SEALSQ has allocated a dedicated budget to develop its first post-quantum communication device manufacturing plant, confirming its commitment to secure, satellite-linked, next-generation technologies. This plant will produce devices that connect directly with WISeSat.Space’s satellite constellation, delivering resilient, quantum-secure data flows critical to sectors such as defense, logistics, healthcare, and energy.

    Additionally, WISeKey and SEALSQ have signed a memorandum of understanding with the regional port authority to implement Smart Container Technology, allowing maritime cargo containers, even in mid-sea transit, to connect directly with satellites. This will enable real-time, secure, blockchain-verifiable logistics tracking, bolstering supply chain transparency and resilience on a global scale.

    A Quantum Corridor for Europe’s Digital Sovereignty
    The Center is a vital node in the expanding Post-Quantum Corridor, a high-tech European network being developed by SEALSQ and WISeKey to enable secure, quantum-resilient infrastructure from chip to satellite. This strategic corridor connects key technology hubs including:

    •        La Línea de la Concepción
    •        Gibraltar
    •        Malaga Technology Park
    •        Murcia – home of the QUANTIX Semiconductor Center
    •        Aix-en-Provence – SEALSQ Semiconductor R&D Center and Operational Headquarters
    •        Grenoble – IC’ALPS Advanced Chip Development Lab
    •        Geneva – WISeKey and SEALSQ Global R&D and Cybersecurity Centers

    The Quantum Corridor will also integrate leading universities across the region to foster academic–industry collaboration and talent development. It will provide a dynamic environment for quantum, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity companies to work together, co-developing the secure, intelligent technologies of the future, from next-generation encryption to space-based AI systems and quantum processors.

    In the coming weeks, SEALSQ will engage a leading international consulting firm to develop a comprehensive business and technology integration plan for the Cross-Border Center. This strategic study will guide the implementation of the project, from infrastructure to ecosystem development. It will be aligned with existing studies already underway in Gibraltar focused on shared prosperity, helping to shape a unified master plan for the successful and coordinated execution of the initiative on both sides of the border.

    Public and Private Funding Synergies
    The project will benefit from grants and allocation of funding available for this type of strategic activity, particularly those supporting innovation, digital infrastructure, and cross-border cooperation. This public support will be complemented by investment from the private sector on a pari passu basis, ensuring a balanced and sustainable funding model that drives both economic development and technological leadership.

    “Think of the Center as an aircraft carrier for innovation,” said Carlos Moreira, CEO of WISeKey. “Companies can land, refuel with knowledge and infrastructure, and take off again stronger. Instead of each company reinventing the wheel, they plug into a common ecosystem, just like plugging into the electricity grid.”

    The LLG4IR.com Cross-Border Center of Excellence will serve as a launchpad for collaborative research, startup incubation, international joint ventures, and workforce training programs, aligned with the long-term strategies of the European Union, the United Kingdom, and key private-sector stakeholders.

    Further announcements regarding the Center’s commissioning, founding partners, and investment roadmap will follow in the coming weeks.

    About WISeKey
    WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions, and (v) SEALCOIN AG which focuses on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform.

    Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and people. For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its subsidiary companies, please visit www.wisekey.com.

    Disclaimer
    This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

    This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”), the FinSa’s predecessor legislation or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey.

    Press and Investor Contacts

    WISeKey International Holding Ltd
    Company Contact: Carlos Moreira
    Chairman & CEO
    Tel: +41 22 594 3000
    info@wisekey.com     		 WISeKey Investor Relations (US) 
    The Equity Group Inc.
    Lena Cati
    Tel: +1 212 836-9611
    lcati@theequitygroup.com

    The MIL Network –

  • Calm reported in Syria’s Sweida, Damascus says truce holding

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Residents reported calm in Syria’s Sweida on Sunday after the Islamist-led government announced that Bedouin fighters had withdrawn from the predominantly Druze city and a U.S. envoy signalled that a deal to end days of fighting was being implemented.

    With hundreds reported killed, the Sweida bloodshed is a major test for interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, prompting Israel to launch airstrikes against government forces last week as it declared support for the Druze.Fighting continued on Saturday despite a ceasefire call.

    Interior Minister Anas Khattab said on Sunday that internal security forces had managed to calm the situation and enforce the ceasefire, “paving the way for a prisoner exchange and the gradual return of stability throughout the governorate”.

    Reuters images showed interior ministry forces near the city, blocking the road in front of members of tribes congregated there. The Interior Ministry said late on Saturday that Bedouin fighters had left the city.

    U.S. envoy Tom Barrack said the sides had “navigated to a pause and cessation of hostilities”. “The next foundation stone on a path to inclusion, and lasting de-escalation, is a complete exchange of hostages and detainees, the logistics of which are in process,” he wrote on X.

    Kenan Azzam, a dentist, said there was an uneasy calm but the city’s residents were struggling with a lack of water and electricity. “The hospitals are a disaster and out of service, and there are still so many dead and wounded,” he said by phone.

    Another resident, Raed Khazaal, said aid was urgently needed. “Houses are destroyed … The smell of corpses is spread throughout the national hospital,” he said in a voice message to Reuters from Sweida.

    The Syrian state news agency said an aid convoy sent to the city by the government was refused entry while aid organised by the Syrian Red Crescent was let in. A source familiar with the situation said local factions in Sweida had turned back the government convoy.

    Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported on Sunday that Israel sent urgent medical aid to the Druze in Sweida and the step was coordinated with Washington and Syria. Spokespeople for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Foreign Ministry and the military did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

    The Druze are a small but influential minority in Syria, Israel and Lebanon who follow a religion that is an offshoot of a branch of Shi’ite Islam. Some hardline Sunnis deem their beliefs heretical.

    The fighting began a week ago with clashes between Bedouin and Druze fighters. Damascus sent troops to quell the fighting, but they were drawn into the violence and accused of widespread violations against the Druze.

    Residents of the predominantly Druze city said friends and neighbours were shot at close range in their homes or in the streets by Syrian troops, identified by their fatigues and insignia.

    Sharaa on Thursday promised to protect the rights of Druze and to hold to account those who committed violations against “our Druze people”.

    He has blamed the violence on “outlaw groups”.

    While Sharaa has won U.S. backing since meeting President Donald Trump in May, the violence has underscored the challenge he faces stitching back together a country shattered by 14 years of conflict, and added to pressures on its mosaic of sectarian and ethnic groups.

    COASTAL VIOLENCE

    After Israel bombed Syrian government forces in Sweida and hit the defence ministry in Damascus last week, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had established a policy demanding the demilitarisation of territory near the border, stretching from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights to the Druze Mountain, east of Sweida.

    He also said Israel would protect the Druze.

    The United States however said it did not support the Israeli strikes. On Friday, an Israeli official said Israel agreed to allow Syrian forces limited access to the Sweida area for two days.

    A Syrian security source told Reuters that internal security forces had taken up positions near Sweida, establishing checkpoints in western and eastern parts of the province where retreating tribal fighters had gathered.

    On Sunday, Sharaa received the report of an inquiry into violence in Syria’s coastal region in March, where Reuters reported in June that Syrian forces killed 1,500 members of the Alawite minority following attacks on security forces.

    The presidency said it would review the inquiry’s conclusions and ensure steps to “bring about justice” and prevent the recurrence of “such violations”. It called on the inquiry to hold a news conference on its findings – if appropriate – as soon as possible.

    The Syrian Network for Human Rights said on July 18 it had documented the deaths of at least 321 people in Sweida province since July 13. The preliminary toll included civilians, women, children, Bedouin fighters, members of local groups and members of the security forces, it said, and the dead included people killed in field executions by both sides.

    The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, another monitoring group, has reported a death toll of at least 940 people.

    Reuters could not independently verify the tolls.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Goods from Belarus were imported to Xinjiang for the first time through the border trade zone located at the Khorgos checkpoint.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 21 (Xinhua) — A batch of crystal goblets from Belarus cleared customs and entered the Horgos border trade zone in northwest China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on Saturday, becoming the first batch of goods imported from Belarus to Xinjiang under the trade regime in the zone, filling a gap in direct trade between the region and Belarus, according to the press service of the Horgos city government.

    These goods from Belarus weigh more than 3 tons and cost 340 thousand yuan (approximately 47.54 thousand US dollars) include 25 items, said a representative of the border trade zone at the Khorgos checkpoint, adding that the zone is focused on importing specific goods from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia and other countries to expand the range of imported products.

    According to the city’s Commerce Bureau, in the first six months of this year, more than 3,820 tons of goods were imported through the border trade zone located at Horgos Port, with the trade volume exceeding 42.9 million yuan, bringing in 429,200 yuan in revenue for local merchants.

    To date, there have been 60 Chinese and foreign trading shops registered in the zone, as well as more than 4,000 local traders on the Chinese side. -0-

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: In a world first, The Hague wants to arrest Taliban leaders over their treatment of women – what happens next?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yvonne Breitwieser-Faria, Lecturer in Criminal Law and International Law, Curtin University

    Earlier this month, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants against the Taliban leadership in Afghanistan.

    The court’s Pre-Trial Chamber II cited reasonable grounds for believing supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and chief justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani were guilty of “ordering, inducing or soliciting the crime against humanity of persecution on gender grounds.”

    The warrants – the first ever on charges of gender persecution – are being hailed as an “important vindication and acknowledgement of the rights of Afghan women and girls”.

    But will they improve the plight of women and girls in Afghanistan, given the Taliban does not recognise the court or its jurisdiction?

    The signs are not good with the Taliban denying the allegations and condemning the warrants as a “clear act of hostility [and an] insult to the beliefs of Muslims around the world”.

    Erased from public life

    Strict rules and prohibitions have been imposed on the Afghan people since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021.

    Women and girls have been singled out for even worse treatment by reason of their gender.

    According the warrants, the Taliban has

    severely deprived, through decrees and edicts, girls and women of the rights to education, privacy and family life and the freedoms of movement, expression, thought, conscience and religion.

    Women are banned from public places and girls from attending school once they turn 12.

    Zahra Nader is the editor-in-chief of newsroom Zan Times which investigates human rights violations in Afghanistan. She says Afghan women and girls are being silenced, restricted and stripped of their basic human rights.

    It is this discriminatory system of control of woman and girls in Afghanistan that is at the core of the court’s prosecution.

    The warrants also accuse the Taliban of persecuting

    other persons who don’t conform with the Taliban’s ideological expectations of gender, gender identity or expression; and on political grounds against persons perceived as ‘allies of girls and women.

    This is the first time an international tribunal or court has confirmed crimes against humanity involving LGBTQIA+ victims. This marks an important milestone in the protection of sexual minorities under international law.

    Crimes against humanity

    International law clearly spells put the offences which constitute crimes against humanity.

    The aim is to protect civilians from serious and widespread attacks on their fundamental rights. Different definitions of crimes against humanity have been included in the statutes of a handful of international tribunals and courts.

    The definition under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court is the most comprehensive. It includes severe deprivation of personal liberty, murder, enslavement, rape, torture, forced deportation or apartheid.

    Specifically, the Taliban leaders are accused under Article 7(1)(h) of the Rome Statute, which states:

    Persecution against any identifiable group or collectivity on political, racial, national, ethnic, cultural, religious, gender […] or other grounds that are universally recognised as impermissible under international law.

    Physical and direct violence is not necessary for persecution on “gender […] grounds” to be established. Systemic and institutionalised forms of harm, which can be the imposition of discriminatory societal norms, are sufficient.

    Women and girls are often disproportionately affected by Taliban policies and rules. But proving gender-based crimes have occurred is not enough. Discriminatory intent must also be established.

    The Taliban has been open about its religious beliefs and interpretations, suggesting a clear intention to persecute on the grounds of gender.

    Not just symbolic

    As with other cases, the court relies on the cooperation of states to execute and surrender those accused.

    The interim government in Kabul which was formed after the US-led invasion in 2001 became a party to the Rome Statute in 2003. Afghanistan remains legally obligated to prosecute perpetrators of these crimes – it must accept the Court’s jurisdiction in the matter.

    The Purple Saturdays Movement, an Afghan women-led protest group, is warning the arrest warrants must be more than just symbolic. Any failure to prosecute would likely result in an escalation of human rights violations:

    The Taliban has historically responded to international pressure not with reform, but by intensifying such repressive policies.

    Hopeful step

    It is important to note the strict policies and widespread abuses targeting women and girls in Afghanistan are ongoing, despite the intervention by the International Criminal Court.

    The court’s Office of the Prosecutor is stressing its commitment to pursuing “effective legal pathways” to bring the Taliban leadership to account. The Afghan Women’s Movement in Exile wants an independent international judicial committee established to monitor and accelerate the legal process.

    It is not yet clear if the warrants will actually lead to arrest and prosecution in The Hague. But we know this is possible. A prime example being the the arrest earlier this year of former Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte.

    At the very least, the arrests warrants are a hopeful step towards accountability for the Taliban and justice for the women and girls of Afghanistan.

    Yvonne Breitwieser-Faria 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. In a world first, The Hague wants to arrest Taliban leaders over their treatment of women – what happens next? – https://theconversation.com/in-a-world-first-the-hague-wants-to-arrest-taliban-leaders-over-their-treatment-of-women-what-happens-next-261008

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –