NewzIntel.com

Category: Russian Federation

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Shipping Restores in Qiongzhou Strait

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    HAIKOU, June 16 (Xinhua) — Shipping was resumed in the Qiongzhou Strait separating Hainan Island from the Chinese mainland on Sunday as the impact of Typhoon Wutip eased.

    HAIKOU, June 16 (Xinhua) — Shipping was resumed in the Qiongzhou Strait separating Hainan Island from the Chinese mainland on Sunday as the impact of Typhoon Wutip eased.

    HAIKOU, June 16 (Xinhua) — Shipping was resumed in the Qiongzhou Strait separating Hainan Island from the Chinese mainland on Sunday as the impact of Typhoon Wutip eased.

    HAIKOU, June 16 (Xinhua) — Shipping was resumed in the Qiongzhou Strait separating Hainan Island from the Chinese mainland on Sunday as the impact of Typhoon Wutip eased.

    HAIKOU, June 16 (Xinhua) — Shipping was resumed in the Qiongzhou Strait separating Hainan Island from the Chinese mainland on Sunday as the impact of Typhoon Wutip eased.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese-Uzbek joint archaeological team makes significant progress in excavations

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BEIJING, June 17 (Xinhua) — A Chinese-Uzbek joint archaeological team has made significant progress in excavations at the Chinartepa site in the upper reaches of the Surkhandarya River, uncovering numerous residential structures and unearthing a large number of cultural relics, CCTV reported on June 15, citing the Silk Road Joint Archaeological Research Center of Northwest China University (NWCU), northwest China’s Shaanxi Province.

    The Chinartepa settlement, located on the edge of the third terrace of the eastern bank of the upper reaches of the Surkhandarya River, occupies an area of 350 thousand square meters and consists of a central settlement and adjacent burials. During the current excavations in the key area of the settlement, multi-layered housing structures of different periods were uncovered, which is important for constructing the chronological sequence of the Kushan culture, rethinking the architectural forms of the Kushan period and clarifying the archaeological characteristics of this culture.

    Wang Jianxin, head of the Central Asian Archaeological Team of Northwest University of China and head of the Chinese-Uzbek joint archaeological team on the Chinese side, said that more than 30 dwellings located in at least 6 cultural layers were discovered at the site. Rich ruins including wall foundations, fireplaces, post holes were excavated, and numerous artifacts were recovered: painted clay figurines of people and animals, clay spindle whorls, stone millstones, coins and other items. The clear stratigraphy of the dwelling foundations makes it possible to clearly trace the processes of rebuilding, reconstruction and abandonment of houses in different periods.

    Currently, the archaeological team has strengthened and preserved the discovered foundations of the dwellings and is carrying out systematic work to restore the extracted cultural relics.

    From 2019 to the present, the Chinese-Uzbek joint archaeological team has conducted 7 archaeological surveys and excavations in the upper reaches of the Surkhandarya River, confirming the existence of a chain of equidistant Kushan settlements on the eastern bank of the river. Excavations at the Chinartepa settlement, which is the largest and best-preserved settlement of the Kushan period in the area, are ongoing. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Guinea-Bissau President Inaugurates China-Funded Highway

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    BISSAU, June 17 (Xinhua) — Guinea-Bissau President Oumarou Sisoko Embalo on Monday attended the opening ceremony of an 8.2-km expressway connecting the capital Bissau with its suburb of Safim.

    The highway was built by the Chinese company Longjian Road

    “This is a symbol of the strong friendship, solidarity and continuous cooperation between Guinea-Bissau and China,” said U.S. Embalo during the inauguration of the infrastructure.

    Chinese Ambassador to Bissau Yang Renhuo reaffirmed China’s readiness to continue supporting Guinea-Bissau in its development projects. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: New Zealand’s Foreign Policy Reset: Progress & Reflections

    Source: New Zealand Government

    [Keynote speech to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs (NZIIA) national conference, Takina Convention Centre, Wellington]

    Good afternoon.

    National Chair of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Dr James Kember, Executive Director Dr Hamish McDougall, members of the Diplomatic Corps, distinguished guests. 

    It is a pleasure to speak here today at the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs’ Annual Conference.

    The NZIIA contributes to, and facilitates, discussion and debate about New Zealand’s foreign policy, and we thank you for hosting us. 

    In May last year, it was the NZIIA that hosted us in Parliament for a speech that addressed the challenges we face in a more fractious world and outlined how the Coalition Government was bringing more energy, more urgency and a sharper focus to our foreign policy.

    Just over a year later, we thought we’d reflect on the Government’s Foreign Policy Reset, where progress has been made, and the foreign policy themes we have accentuated in the year since we last spoke to you.

    This is also the time for a clear-eyed appraisal of New Zealand’s strategic circumstances, and the sharply deteriorating international outlook, as evidenced by the protracted illegal war in Ukraine and in the catastrophic escalation of the conflict in the Middle East. 

    Twenty-five years ago, New Zealand enjoyed a world that was becoming more open, more democratic, and more free. Trade liberalisation was gathering pace. Effective multilateralism helped underpin a liberal- oriented international rules-based system.

    Turning to the world of today – and looking out to tomorrow – the changes are stark. Uncertainty is now pervasive across the globe. We face an international operating environment under serious strain, one that poses complex challenges while exposing structural weaknesses in that operating environment.

    While geography remains a constant, distance is no buffer. There is no opting out from the geopolitical realities we face. So, this is a timely reminder of what is at stake, and why our foreign policy matters for all New Zealanders. 

    Foreign policy can often be perceived as far removed from New Zealanders’ daily lives. But recognising how our foreign and trade policy underpins New Zealanders’ security and prosperity is crucial to the open and mature national conversation we must continue to have in our vibrant democracy.

    While operating for the most part quietly and in the background, our foreign and trade policy helps deliver outcomes that matter for all of us.

    From the export dollars our farmers and manufacturers earn in key markets and helping to remove barriers for our exporters.

    • To new international market opportunities being opened for our innovative services firms.
    • To the international rules that provide us with our Exclusive Economic Zone and its resources, preserve Antarctica as a zone of peace and science, and which govern behaviours in outer space and cyber space.
    • To the international security partnerships that enable us to tackle common threats, such as the flow of illegal drugs into our country, or terrorist threats.
    • To the standards that underpin everyday fundamentals we all rely on, whether international air and sea shipping, our telecommunication devices, or biosecurity measures.
    • And to the opportunities for young New Zealanders to travel and work overseas and return with new skills and experiences.

    So while foreign and trade policy may seem abstract, how we act in the world matters for New Zealanders every day.

    This fundamental link between how we advance our interests abroad, and our security and prosperity at home, is why the Coalition Government prioritises foreign policy as a crucial instrument to achieve both. That, after all, is how we maintain support from the taxpayers who underwrite our efforts.

    This demands being present, engaged, and explaining ourselves. There remains no substitute for in-person diplomacy, relationship building, and educating the public about the choices we face. 

    Now, our critics complain that we are leading a radical repositioning of our foreign policy. But only in one very narrow and important respect are they right. We have radically increased the tempo of our diplomacy, in recognition of our predecessors’ torpor, but also because of the sheer magnitude of the challenges we face. 

    Since being sworn into office in November 2023, we have visited 46 countries, several more than once, met with well over 100 Presidents, Prime Ministers, Deputy Prime Ministers and Foreign Ministers, and had over 400 political engagements. 

    Through this engagement we are better informed about the world around us, as are counterparts about New Zealand’s foreign policy perspectives and the values that underpin them.

    And we continue the important duty of communicating New Zealand’s foreign policy priorities to the public and explaining the nature of our changing strategic circumstances and the choices that flow from them.

    We push ourselves to work harder, and explain ourselves better, because New Zealand has understood these past 80 years, that as a small state geographically isolated from the great landmasses of Asia, Europe and the Americas, only through the conduct of a highly active foreign policy can we advance our national interests, defend our region, and make it more prosperous.

    Foreign Policy Reset: Progress

    Distinguished guests, in our speech to you last year we outlined the six priorities that form the Government’s foreign policy reset. Today’s speech is an opportunity to recap the ambition that Cabinet set out and highlight key areas of effort and progress.

    First, we are significantly increasing our focus and resources applied to South and Southeast Asia. 

    With 34 outward Prime Ministerial and Ministerial visits to the region since February 2024 – advancing new business and investment opportunities, while expanding defence and security cooperation, and upgrading a range of key relationships – we are investing in the wider region, commensurate with its strategic and economic significance.

    In 2025, we have upgraded our Viet Nam relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and we are working hard to similarly achieve upgrades in our ASEAN and Singapore relationships.

    It was a pleasure to again visit India last month, and to contribute to this important and growing relationship, including welcoming the negotiations underway towards a comprehensive free trade agreement.

    Complementing this investment in South and Southeast Asia, the Government also remains focused on the depth and breadth of our important relationships across North Asia. Our bilateral relationship with China is New Zealand’s largest trade relationship. It’s proven mutually beneficial and significant for both countries.  The relationship is supported by regular people exchange, including political dialogue, business, education and tourism links. And we are pleased that with the Prime Minister visiting China this week we will have completed reciprocal visits between our respective counterparts over the past two years.

    Our long-standing political connections enable frank and comprehensive discussions on areas of disagreement, including those that stem from our different histories and different systems. Indeed, it is a sign of healthy relationships that we can and do express disagreement on important issues. 

    Japan and Korea are two likeminded democracies in the Indo-Pacific, who view the region and the world in the same way we do and are increasingly central to achieving our interests.

    Second, we are renewing and reinvigorating meaningful engagement with traditional and likeminded partners. 

    Our circumstances underscore the importance of an even deeper strategic partnership with Australia as well as other partners with which we share a deep history and enduring interests.

    Consultations with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in Adelaide last month highlighted that New Zealand has no closer or more important partner that Australia, our one formal ally, with whom we share interests across the full expanse of regional and international issues.

    We have grown the important partnership with the United Kingdom, including advancing trade opportunities and reiterating our shared commitment to tackling international security challenges. 

    Similarly, enhanced engagement with the European Union and its member states is a significant focus for New Zealand.

    The change in the US Administration in January has inevitably generated changes in the priorities and direction of US foreign policy. But the significance of the US’ continued role in the security and stability in the Indo-Pacific and as an essential economic partner remains, and this continues to be the focus of our engagement, including during discussions with Secretary Rubio in Washington and Admiral Paparo, Commander of US INDOPACOM in Honolulu.

    Third, we are sustaining a deeper focus on the Pacific, working in collaboration with Pacific Leaders to protect and advance our interconnected security, economic, social and environmental interests.

    In a more complex global environment, coming together as a region is even more important.  Which is why Pacific regionalism sits at the core of our Pacific approach, with the Pacific Islands Forum at its centre. 

    We will always be members of the same Pacific family. A series of cross-party Parliamentary delegations into the region, alongside our exhaustive travel around Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia, have demonstrated that New Zealand’s commitment to the region spans the political spectrum and is foundational to who we are as a country.

    Our Pacific-focused International Development Cooperation programme – reshaped to achieve more impact by doing fewer, bigger, projects better – is helping to build climate and economic resilience, strengthen governance and security, and to lift heath, education and connectivity.

    Fourth, we are targeting our multilateral engagement on priority global and transboundary issues, working to defend and preserve core principles of international law that underpin our security and prosperity.

    Respect for the UN Charter principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the prohibition on the use of force is essential to avoid a return to a world where the exercise of hard power reigns supreme.

    Where these principles are flagrantly violated, such as in Russia’s continued illegal invasion of Ukraine, we must stand against such aggression and lend our efforts to achieving a just and sustainable peace.

    New Zealand’s response to the Israel-Hamas conflict is also grounded in upholding international law, including international humanitarian law.

    While the multilateral system has served us all well for many decades, it most certainly is not without flaws. We recognise that defending, strengthening, and modernising the rules-based system also means supporting reform of multilateral institutions. 

    We actively support efforts to make these institutions more responsive, efficient and effective to ensure they are focused on making a difference for our citizens, and we feel an urgency around necessary reform.   

    Fifth, we are supporting new groupings that advance and defend our interests and capabilities. 

    The relationship between the Indo-Pacific Four (IP4) countries – Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand – is an example of this new support. 

    Deeper political-level engagement between NATO and the IP4, begun by predecessor governments, has allowed us to raise the profile of shared strategic challenges in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific, and to drive enhanced cooperation on priority areas including cyber, artificial intelligence, and defence capability.

    This effort will be given further momentum next week, when the Prime Minister travels to The Hague for engagements with fellow IP4 partners and NATO countries, during the NATO Summit.

    And sixth, we are working hard to advance the Government’s goal of seriously lifting New Zealand’s export value over the next decade. 

    This means harnessing every potential gain from our trade and economic agenda; promoting New Zealand as a place to do business; and creating opportunities for our world-class exporters. 

    This Government has conducted eleven successful trade missions, as we work towards the target of 20 missions involving New Zealand businesses during this Parliamentary term.

    New trade agreements concluded with the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf Cooperation Council will open doors and provide greater certainty as well as create more chances for our exporters to grow and diversify their businesses. 

    As will our efforts to leverage and expand existing trade agreements – such as through the United Kingdom’s accession last year to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

    Mid-term reflections

    In recent speeches we have outlined that the priorities identified in the foreign policy reset are underpinned by three key concepts:

    • The realism that informs the Government’s foreign policy.
    • Our view of the crucial role that diplomacy needs to play in our troubled world.
    • And our unshakeable belief that small states matter and that all states are equal.

    In fashioning foreign policy responses, the realist tendency is to err on the side of prudence. That is, we are careful in what we say, and when and how we say it. 

    We leave it to the small cabal of ill-informed critics of our foreign policy approach to shout impotently at clouds. They are good at that. Take AUKUS. In our speech to the NZIIA last year we were candid about what AUKUS Pillar 2 was, why the Ardern/Hipkins Governments launched work on it, and we laid out the necessary pre-conditions for participation. 

    A year on, there is nothing new to report, which you might think says something about the current dynamic, but still critics insist dark clouds have formed around our independent foreign policy. Their arguments were ill-informed and rubbish then. They’re ill-informed and rubbish now.

    We said we would update New Zealanders on Pillar 2 when there was something new to say. And we will.       

    In conditions of great uncertainty and disorder, such as we are currently experiencing, prudence is a both a logical and necessary guiding principle for a small state like New Zealand.

    We see our responsibility to the New Zealand people, in conducting foreign policy, as making cool-headed calculations of the country’s own strengths and weaknesses as we fashion our responses to events large or small that impact upon New Zealand’s interests.

    For a small state like New Zealand, the role of diplomacy is a crucial instrument of our foreign policy. In our complex geostrategic environment never has effective diplomacy been more needed. 

    Summing up our wide foreign policy discussions in our National Statement to the United Nations last year, we said it has never been more apparent just how much diplomacy and the tools of statecraft matter in our troubled world. 

    Since war and instability is everyone’s calamity, diplomacy is the business of us all. We have observed that at this moment in time the ability to talk with, rather than at, each other has never been more needed. 

    Those who share our values, and even those who do not, gain from understanding each other’s position, even when we cannot agree. From understanding comes opportunity and from diplomacy comes compromise, the building block of better relations between nations. We said we need more diplomacy, more engagement, more compromise. 

    As Churchill also said in his later years, “meeting jaw-to-jaw is better than war.”

    The inherent tensions and imbalances in the global order – between the desire for a rules-based order that protects small states against aggression, and the unjustified exercise of power by certain Great Powers – have only grown over the last past eight decades. 

    Yet small states matter now as much as they did then. New Zealand holds the foundational belief that all states are equal and that our voices matter as much as more powerful states. Adopting a prudential approach to our diplomacy also means not reacting to everything that happens around us. 

    In closing, it’s fitting to return to the broad theme of the event – New Zealand’s foreign policy in a contested world.

    The outlook is challenging, to say the least, and we – government and public alike – must grapple with the reality of the fraught strategic circumstances that New Zealand faces.

    We have many friends in the world, but no-one owes New Zealand a living. It is incumbent upon us to chart our course, assert our priorities, cultivate our partnerships, and pursue our interests with the vigour we have injected into our diplomatic efforts these past 18 months.

    Amidst serious challenges and risk, there are also opportunities. Realising these means that we must continue to bring energy, urgency and a sharper focus to our foreign policy. 

    Through the Foreign Policy Reset, we are focused on doing exactly that and ensuring that we continue to deliver security and prosperity for all New Zealanders.

    Thank you

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s cross-border e-commerce volume to hit record 2.71 trillion yuan in 2024

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    SHIJIAZHUANG, June 17 (Xinhua) — China’s cross-border e-commerce volume will reach 2.71 trillion yuan (about 377.5 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024, hitting a new historical high, Cai Junwei, deputy head of the statistical analysis department of the General Administration of Customs, said Monday at the China International Economic and Trade Talks in Langfang, north China’s Hebei Province.

    According to the department, in 2024, China’s cross-border e-commerce export volume exceeded 2 trillion yuan for the first time, reaching 2.15 trillion yuan, up 16.9 percent from the previous year.

    “Since the beginning of this year, there has been a trend of steady recovery and improvement in the Chinese economy. The trade in goods has shown great resilience to external pressure, and China’s foreign trade volume in cross-border e-commerce has maintained a trend of further growth,” Cai Junwei said.

    According to him, more than 70 percent of Chinese companies express confidence that cross-border e-commerce exports and imports will remain stable or will grow further in 2025. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McConnell Previews SAC-D Hearing on FY 26 Budget Request for the Intelligence Community

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, issued the following statement in advance of the June 17th closed hearing with Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, John Ratcliffe, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and Lieutenant General William J. Hartman, Acting Director of the National Security Agency:

    “U.S. national security depends on the professionalism, objectivity, and integrity of a well-resourced intelligence community. As I’ve observed before, fighting conflict is far costlier than deterring it. And the costs of strategic surprise – the failure of intelligence – can be catastrophic. That’s why the defense subcommittee takes very seriously its responsibility to equip the IC for an array of sensitive and evolving missions.

    “In return, we expect the nation’s seniormost intelligence officials to provide candid observations on the challenges facing both the IC and the decisionmakers their work informs. I look forward, in particular, to thorough assessments of U.S. interests in ongoing conflicts:

    “I will expect Director Gabbard, Director Ratcliffe, and General Hartman to address the current state of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the potential consequences of an outcome that strengthens Vladimir Putin, and the potential damage to U.S. alliances and partnerships of withholding further support to Ukraine.

    “Likewise, I will expect them to assess Israel’s ongoing response to Iran’s decades-long war against America, Israel, and our Arab partners, and the stakes of allowing Iran to continue its nuclear enrichment operations and support for terrorist proxies.

    “Even more broadly, I will expect the leaders of the IC to demonstrate their grasp of the undeniable alignment and coordination of America’s adversaries. I expect them to outline how Chinese economic support for Iran and Iranian material support for Russia’s war informs the global assessments they offer to the Commander-in-Chief.

    “Allies and partners from Europe to Japan are looking to the United States to meet this coordinated aggression with a coordinated response. Retreating from this mantle of leadership will not strengthen or advance American interests.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: McConnell Previews SAC-D Hearing on FY 26 Budget Request for the Intelligence Community

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Kentucky Mitch McConnell

    Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, issued the following statement in advance of the June 17th closed hearing with Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, John Ratcliffe, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, and Lieutenant General William J. Hartman, Acting Director of the National Security Agency:

    “U.S. national security depends on the professionalism, objectivity, and integrity of a well-resourced intelligence community. As I’ve observed before, fighting conflict is far costlier than deterring it. And the costs of strategic surprise – the failure of intelligence – can be catastrophic. That’s why the defense subcommittee takes very seriously its responsibility to equip the IC for an array of sensitive and evolving missions.

    “In return, we expect the nation’s seniormost intelligence officials to provide candid observations on the challenges facing both the IC and the decisionmakers their work informs. I look forward, in particular, to thorough assessments of U.S. interests in ongoing conflicts:

    “I will expect Director Gabbard, Director Ratcliffe, and General Hartman to address the current state of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the potential consequences of an outcome that strengthens Vladimir Putin, and the potential damage to U.S. alliances and partnerships of withholding further support to Ukraine.

    “Likewise, I will expect them to assess Israel’s ongoing response to Iran’s decades-long war against America, Israel, and our Arab partners, and the stakes of allowing Iran to continue its nuclear enrichment operations and support for terrorist proxies.

    “Even more broadly, I will expect the leaders of the IC to demonstrate their grasp of the undeniable alignment and coordination of America’s adversaries. I expect them to outline how Chinese economic support for Iran and Iranian material support for Russia’s war informs the global assessments they offer to the Commander-in-Chief.

    “Allies and partners from Europe to Japan are looking to the United States to meet this coordinated aggression with a coordinated response. Retreating from this mantle of leadership will not strengthen or advance American interests.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI China: G7 summit kicks off with emerging disagreements among leaders

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

    The Group of Seven (G7) leaders met for the first day of the two-day summit in Kananaskis in the province of Alberta, Canada, on Monday with emerging disagreements.

    According to CNN, U.S. President Donald Trump does not intend to sign a joint statement calling for de-escalation between Israel and Iran.

    European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa held a press conference Sunday night saying that Israel has a right to defend itself and that Iran cannot obtain a nuclear weapon.

    French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer were also hoping to finalize a consensus among the leaders about the Middle East situation.

    Trump’s decision not to sign on to the statement set up an immediate divide with his counterparts, said the report, although a senior Canadian official said that European leaders are still engaged in the hopes of reaching a consensus.

    In the meantime, trade issues are to dominate discussions with Trump, and observers are watching to see whether he will soften his position.

    After meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump was asked what is holding up a trade-security deal with Canada, and he replied that it’s not a matter of it being held up, but rather “different concepts.”

    “I have a tariff concept and Mark has a different concept,” Trump said. “We will see if we can get to the bottom of it today.”

    “I think Mark has a more complex idea, but also very good. We are going to look at both and we’ll see what we will come out with,” said Trump.

    Trump also said it was a mistake to boot Russia from the G8 table, making it the current G7 and that there wouldn’t be war in Ukraine if Russia hadn’t been ejected.

    The G7 summit unveiled its slimmed-down agenda on Sunday, prioritizing discussions on the global economy and energy security.

    Originally scheduled to begin over the weekend, the summit has been shortened to two days and officially started on Monday.

    The G7 is an informal bloc comprising seven of the world’s advanced economies — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Britain, and the United States — along with the European Union.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Zheng rises to career-high ranking of world No. 4

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

    Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen has climbed to a career-high world No. 4 in the latest WTA rankings.

    The 22-year-old’s rise was fueled by a strong showing at the Queen’s Club Championships last week, a key grass-court warm-up event ahead of Wimbledon.

    Zheng Qinwen of China returns the ball during the women’s singles first round match between Zheng Qinwen of China and Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, on May 28, 2023. (Photo by Julien Mattia/Xinhua)

    Zheng, the reigning Olympic champion, reached the semifinals on grass for the first time in her career, highlighted by a 6-2, 6-4 win over home favorite Emma Raducanu.

    The achievement builds on her momentum from earlier this month at the French Open, where Zheng reached the quarterfinals for the first time with a 7-6 (5), 1-6, 6-3 victory over Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China expects to make greater contribution to peace and development in the region and around the world together with Kazakhstan – Xi Jinping /more details/

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    ASTANA, June 16 (Xinhua) — China hopes to make greater contributions to peace and development in the region and around the world together with Kazakhstan through stability and positive energy in bilateral relations, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in Astana on Monday.

    Xi Jinping made the corresponding statement during talks with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev before the start of the 2nd China-Central Asia Summit.

    The Chinese leader noted that Chinese-Kazakh relations have stood the test of changes in the international situation and always maintain a high level of development. This is explained by the geographical proximity and long-standing friendship between the peoples of the two countries, and is also a logical choice in the desire of both countries for joint development, the PRC Chairman stated.

    According to Xi Jinping, in recent years, thanks to the joint planning of the leaders of the two countries, the China-Kazakhstan community of shared future has become more valuable in quality and richer in content. Tangible and beneficial results have been constantly emerging, which has greatly increased the sense of satisfaction of the people of both countries.

    China always views and develops its relations with Kazakhstan from a strategic height and in the long term, and is willing to steadily strengthen the friendship between the two countries, Xi Jinping said.

    Both China and Kazakhstan are at key stages of their development and rise, he stressed, adding that the two countries should jointly advance comprehensive cooperation.

    First, as the Chinese President pointed out, high-level strategic mutual trust should guide the development of bilateral relations. The two countries should continue to support each other on issues affecting their core interests and major concerns, promote the alignment of development strategies, be a reliable backbone for each other in an unstable international situation, and provide mutual assistance for the development and rise of both countries.

    Secondly, Xi Jinping said that high-quality cooperation under the Belt and Road should be used to qualitatively improve bilateral cooperation. Efforts should be made to strengthen the strengths of traditional cooperation in areas such as trade, investment and energy, promote cross-border railway projects and the upgrading of checkpoint infrastructure, enhance connectivity, expand high-tech cooperation, and promote green and sustainable development.

    Thirdly, the Chinese President continued, it is necessary to carry out comprehensive cooperation in the field of security to maintain peace and stability in both countries, expand exchanges in the areas of law enforcement and defense, jointly combat the “three evil forces” (terrorism, separatism and extremism), deepen cooperation in the field of emergency management, disaster prevention and minimization.

    Fourth, Xi Jinping pointed out that it is necessary to conduct various cultural and humanitarian exchanges to consolidate the foundation of China-Kazakhstan friendship. He called for properly organizing the China Tourism Year in Kazakhstan, encouraging more active youth, media, inter-regional and think tank exchanges.

    Xi Jinping stressed that in the context of chaotic changes in the international situation, China and Kazakhstan should firmly safeguard the international system with the UN at its core and the international order based on international law, put genuine multilateralism into practice, and safeguard the common interests of developing countries.

    China highly appreciates the extensive preparatory work done by Kazakhstan ahead of the 2nd China-Central Asia Summit and believes that the current summit will write a new chapter in the history of cooperation between China and Central Asia, the Chinese President said.

    In addition, China, as the current chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), is willing to work with all SCO member countries to take advantage of the organization’s upcoming summit in Tianjin this year to strengthen the SCO and showcase its new development, new breakthroughs and new image, Xi added.

    K.-Zh. Tokayev, for his part, stated that China is a friendly neighbor, close friend and reliable partner of Kazakhstan.

    According to him, the Kazakh-Chinese relations of eternal comprehensive strategic partnership are entering a new golden era, contributing to the sustainable socio-economic development of both countries, benefiting their peoples and setting a model for interstate relations.

    Noting that Kazakhstan and China have a strong political will to strengthen cooperation, K.-Zh Tokayev noted that the two countries invariably support each other on issues affecting their core interests, such as sovereignty and security, regardless of changes in the international situation.

    The President of Kazakhstan noted that under the wise leadership of Chairman Xi Jinping, tremendous successes have been achieved in building socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

    Kazakhstan is sincerely pleased with these achievements and firmly believes that China will continue to achieve even greater success in development, K.-Zh. Tokayev emphasized, adding that Kazakhstan is ready to deepen strategic mutual trust and comprehensive mutually beneficial cooperation with China, taking bilateral relations to a new level.

    The two sides, he continued, should jointly promote high-quality cooperation within the framework of the Belt and Road, expand cooperation in such areas as trade, investment, industry, agriculture, energy and transportation, and strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges in such areas as culture, education, sports and tourism.

    The Kazakh side highly values and actively supports China’s responsibility and efforts to ensure international fairness and justice, and is ready to continue to closely cooperate with China and support each other within the framework of multilateral structures such as the UN, SCO, BRICS, the China-Central Asia mechanism, the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia, in order to advance the development of the international order in a more just and reasonable direction, K.-Zh. Tokayev pointed out.

    Following the talks, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of more than 10 documents on bilateral cooperation, covering areas such as trade, investment, science and technology, customs, tourism and media. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Iran fires new rocket salvo at northern Israel

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    JERUSALEM, June 16 (Xinhua) — A new salvo of rockets was fired into Israel from Iran on Monday evening, triggering air raid sirens in Haifa and dozens of other cities and towns in the north of the country and the occupied Golan Heights, the Israeli military said.

    According to the Israeli emergency medical service Magen David Adom, there have been no reports of casualties so far.

    According to the state television channel Kan, three missiles were fired from Iranian territory, one of which was intercepted, while the other two fell in open areas. As specified, fragments of the downed shell fell in the city of Safed, causing a fire.

    The current rocket attack is a continuation of the air attacks that Iran and Israel have been exchanging in recent days following the Jewish state’s devastating surprise airstrikes on the Islamic Republic on June 13. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese brand Hongqi to provide cars for St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    St. Petersburg, June 16 /Xinhua/ — Chinese premium brand Hongqi will provide 30 vehicles to organize transport services at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum /SPIEF/, the Russian analytical agency Avtostat reported on Monday.

    Forum guests will be offered the premium Hongqi H9 sedan and the business-class Hongqi HQ9 minivan in Deluxe and Executive trim levels.

    In 2024, Hongqi brand cars took part in important events in Russia, including the SPIEF, the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, and the BRICS summit in Kazan.

    The St. Petersburg International Economic Forum will be held from June 18 to 21. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Israel issues evacuation warning to Tehran residents ahead of airstrikes

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    JERUSALEM, June 16 (Xinhua) — Israel on Monday issued an evacuation warning to residents of a Tehran city district, urging them to urgently leave the area ahead of Israeli airstrikes.

    In a post in Persian and Arabic on the X social media site, IDF spokesman Avichai Adraei advised residents of District C, located in the northeastern part of the city, to evacuate.

    “In the coming hours, the Israeli army will carry out an operation in this area, as it has done in recent days in other parts of Tehran, to strike at the military infrastructure of the Iranian regime,” Adraei said.

    “Being in this area is life-threatening. For your safety, we urge you to evacuate immediately,” he added.

    District C of Tehran houses several important government institutions, government offices and semi-governmental organizations, as well as communications and intelligence facilities.

    The IDF said in a statement that since the morning, Israeli warplanes have been hitting trucks carrying weapons and surface-to-air missile launchers that are heading from western Iran towards Tehran.

    Also on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz visited the Tel Nof air base in the south of the country. During the visit, Netanyahu noted that the Israeli Air Force “controls the skies over Tehran.” He stressed: “We are on track to achieve our two main goals: eliminating the nuclear threat and eliminating the missile threat.” –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The government has allocated 20 billion rubles to support advanced industrial initiatives

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Document

    Order dated June 9, 2025 No. 1499-r

    The government has approved a decision on additional capitalization of the Industrial Development Fund – 20 billion rubles will be allocated from the Cabinet’s reserve fund in 2025 for the implementation of various projects in the field of import substitution, as well as for the modernization and expansion of production. The order to this effect was signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

    The funding will provide support to 50 projects aimed at developing and implementing promising technologies at enterprises and introducing new high-tech industrial products into production.

    Their implementation will help attract about 5 billion rubles of private investment and create more than a thousand jobs, primarily in mechanical engineering, metalworking, chemical, medical and biopharmaceutical industries – those industries that are included in the perimeter of national projects for technological leadership.

    Commenting on the decision takenGovernment meeting on June 16, Mikhail Mishustin noted that state-funded projects must achieve the goals set by the President within the established timeframes.

    “Their results are necessary, including in related areas, to bring competitive Russian products to the market, create breakthrough developments, and also form the basis for future development,” the head of government emphasized.

    The Industrial Development Fund provides preferential loans to enterprises that are engaged in the development of promising technologies and the production of products that can replace foreign analogues.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: Over two years, about 20 million trips have been recorded on the Aksai bypass and the far western bypass of Krasnodar on the M-4 Don highway

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    In recent years, Russia has been actively developing its road infrastructure. Large-scale projects to build modern highways are being implemented in the regions. Thus, two years ago, the construction of the Rostov-on-Don bypass (Aksay bypass) and the far western bypass of Krasnodar (FWBK) on the federal highway M-4 “Don” was completed ahead of schedule. Since the opening of traffic on them, about 20 million trips have been recorded. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

    “Creating comfortable and safe conditions for citizens to travel is an important task for the Russian construction complex. The road bypasses that we are building on the instructions of the President not only help relieve congestion in the centers of populated areas, but also make it more convenient and faster to deliver goods, and also help car travelers get to the places they need to go. Two years ago, traffic was launched along the Rostov-on-Don bypass and the far western bypass of Krasnodar on the M-4 Don highway, which became a significant event for the development of the south of Russia and the improvement of transport accessibility of the Black Sea coast. Over the two years, about 20 million trips have been recorded along the new high-speed sections of the M-4 Don. In particular, drivers have traveled along the Aksai bypass more than 13 million times with an average daily traffic of about 20 thousand cars. About 6 million trips of cars have been recorded on the DZOK during this period, and the average daily figure here reaches about 9 thousand cars,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    The Deputy Prime Minister noted that for the convenience of drivers and passengers, two mirror multifunctional road service zones were opened at DZOK this year. Due to this, trips have become even more comfortable, especially during the high tourist season, when the flow of traffic increases three to four times.

    Chairman of the Board of the state-owned company Avtodor Vyacheslav Petushenko noted that these roads are part of the main routes to the Black Sea and Azov coasts, and therefore the peak load traditionally occurs in the summer months.

    “The absolute maximum on the Aksai bypass was recorded in August last year and amounted to about 1.4 million trips per month. This year, the intensive growth of the flow began earlier and was noted already in April. In turn, on the DZOK, the peak value was noted in July last year and amounted to almost 500 thousand trips per month. At the same time, 248.6 thousand trips were recorded in May of this year alone, which is almost 14% more compared to the same period last year. According to forecast calculations, over 500 thousand trips are expected on the DZOK this summer,” said Vyacheslav Petushenko.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Dedicated to the first Russian theater (06/16/2025).

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    On June 17, 2025, the Bank of Russia will issue a commemorative silver coin of 3 rubles “The First Russian Professional Theater” (catalog No. 5111-0521).

    The history of this theater began in July 1750 in the city of Yaroslavl with the first theatrical production of a young troupe headed by Fyodor Volkov, the son of a Kostroma merchant. Before that, there were many theater troupes in Russia – palace, home, school. But it was Volkov’s theater that became the first to have a separate building, a permanent repertoire, was publicly accessible, and its actors received a salary.

    The silver coin with a face value of 3 rubles (pure precious metal weight – 31.1 g, alloy fineness – 925) has the shape of a circle with a diameter of 39.0 mm.

    There is a raised edge around the circumference of both the front and back sides of the coin.

    On the obverse of the coin there is a relief image of the State Emblem of the Russian Federation, the inscriptions “RUSSIAN FEDERATION”, “BANK OF RUSSIA”, the coin denomination “3 RUBLES”, the date “2025”, the designation of the metal according to the Periodic Table of Elements of D.I. Mendeleyev, the alloy fineness, the trademark of the St. Petersburg Mint and the pure mass of the precious metal.

    On the reverse side of the coin there are relief images of the building of the Russian State Academic Drama Theatre named after Fyodor Volkov and an allegorical sculptural group decorating its façade; at the top along the circumference there is a relief inscription “THE FIRST RUSSIAN PROFESSIONAL THEATRE”, at the bottom left in three lines there is an inscription “FOUNDED IN 1750 IN YAROSLAVL BY F.G. VOLKOV”, made using the laser matting technique.

    The side surface of the coin is ribbed.

    The coin is made in proof quality.

    The mintage of the coin is 3.0 thousand pieces.

    The issued coin is a legal tender in the territory of the Russian Federation and must be accepted at face value for all types of payments without restrictions.

    When using the material, a link to the Press Service of the Bank of Russia is required.

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

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //vv. KBR.ru/Press/PR/? File = 638856906491165770KOins. CHTM

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: To the staff of the International Children’s Center “Artek”.

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    On June 16, 2025, Artek celebrates its 100th anniversary.

    Dear friends!

    I congratulate you on this wonderful anniversary – the 100th anniversary of the International Children’s Center “Artek”.

    Over a century of history, full of bright events, the tent camp on the seashore has become a major international center, raising more than one generation of active, goal-oriented young citizens.

    Today, Artek is a flagship in the field of children’s recreation and health improvement, its popularity is constantly growing. Every year, thousands of children from different regions of Russia and foreign countries strive to get here. A modern educational environment has been formed here, combining the best pedagogical traditions with innovative methods and technologies. Unique conditions and an atmosphere have been created where each child feels like part of a large and friendly family, can reveal their talents, master advanced knowledge, develop abilities in science, creativity and sports. Children learn to respect the history and cultural heritage of our multinational country, understand each other, find friends, sometimes for life. Following the motto – “An Artek student today is an Artek student forever.”

    I would like to express special gratitude to the teachers, mentors, counselors and staff of the center. Thanks to your high professionalism, inexhaustible energy and individual approach, the children receive vivid impressions and develop a broad outlook. Your work is a contribution to the future of Russia, which your students will build.

    I wish the Artek team further success in implementing large-scale projects, good health and well-being.

    M. Mishustin

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko and Sergey Kravtsov awarded Artek employees on its 100th anniversary

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov awarded the staff of the International Children’s Center “Artek” on its 100th anniversary. The event took place in the Suuk-Su Palace in Gurzuf.

    The Deputy Prime Minister also read out a congratulatory message from Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, which, in particular, noted: “Today, Artek is a flagship in the field of children’s recreation and health improvement, its popularity is constantly growing. Every year, thousands of children from different regions of Russia and foreign countries strive to get here. A modern educational environment has been formed here, combining the best pedagogical traditions with innovative methods and technologies. Unique conditions and an atmosphere have been created where each child feels like part of a large and friendly family, can reveal their talents, master advanced knowledge, develop abilities in science, creativity and sports. Children learn to respect the history and cultural heritage of our multinational country, understand each other, find friends, sometimes for life. Following the motto – “An Artek student today is an Artek student forever.”

    Sergei Kravtsov also congratulated the employees of the International Children’s Center “Artek”.

    “Dear staff of the International Children’s Center “Artek”! I congratulate everyone on the anniversary and want to sincerely thank you for your work, professionalism and service to children. “Artek” is one of the best children’s centers of the international level. Today, there is a part of it in almost every school, in every college. Advisors to directors on education are trained in “Artek” and work using its unique technologies. “Artek” began with several canvas tents and today has been transformed into a unique international children’s center, which continues to develop,” the Minister of Education noted.

    The Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister also assessed the space of the “City of Childhood” master classes. Artek teachers and thematic partners of the center presented 80 sites of various focuses in three blocks: past, present and future. The festival of creativity, sports and knowledge brought together more than 3 thousand participants of the sixth anniversary shift from all regions of Russia, as well as 29 foreign countries.

    At the “City of Childhood” site, Artek children were able to do pyrography, beadwork, scrapbooking, painting, embroidery, create a digital drawing, an Artek souvenir, play the guitar, play gorodki, write a retro letter and much more. The historical direction was widely represented: the children’s center children walked Artek routes, studied the literary map of “Artek”. A separate direction was the marine theme – for example, those who wished were able to master the technique of tying knots. The children were also interested in the sites of thematic partners of “Artek”. Representatives of the All-Russian Student Rescue Corps held master classes dedicated to safety.

    Dmitry Chernyshenko and Sergey Kravtsov left memorable notes in the book of honored guests.

    In addition, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister and Director of the International Children’s Center “Artek” Konstantin Fedorenko assessed the exhibition of the IT festival “From Dream to Progress”. The exhibition is held in the children’s camps “Lesnoy” and “Polevoy” and includes branded zones of the companies participating in the festival, where master classes on the development of mobile applications, programming, working with artificial intelligence are presented, as well as information on the latest Russian IT technologies in various industries – construction, agriculture, space industry, medicine and others.

    “Today we celebrate 100 years of Artek – an entire era of friendship, discoveries and inspiration. Here, in this amazing place, children from all over the world learn to understand each other, preserving traditions. Artek is not just a children’s center, but, as children say, a home where faith in goodness, justice and one’s own strength is born. Thank you to everyone who created and continues this history: veterans, teachers, children. Your hearts make Artek a symbol of childhood, joy and unity. Let our anniversary be the beginning of new victories, and the fire of friendship never go out. Happy holiday, Artek! Forward – to new heights! ” – Konstantin Fedorenko congratulated those gathered.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: WATCH: Sherrill Slams Hegseth for Operational, Managerial, and Budgetary Incompetence at the Department of Defense

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

    WASHINGTON, DC — In a high-profile House Armed Services Committee hearing today, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) confronted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over what she called “months of dangerous dysfunction and incompetence” at the Department of Defense. 

    Just five months into Hegseth’s tenure, Sherrill laid out a searing case against his operational, managerial, and budgetary failures that are undermining national security and putting our service members at risk. And Hegseth failed to substantively answer any of Rep. Sherrill’s questions.

    Click here to listen to Sherrill’s full remarks. 

    Full remarks, as delivered:

    Rep. Sherrill:
    Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Secretary Hegseth, Chairman Caine, thank you both for being here today. Mr. Secretary. Your testimony over the last several days before Congress, I’ve heard you speak about all of your supposed accomplishments from your time at the Pentagon. I have to say, your training at Fox News has let you spin months of dangerous dysfunction and incompetence into catchy phrases like restoring the warrior ethos and increasing lethality.

    But the truth is, it’s really been chaos at the Pentagon under your leadership. You’ve clearly shown you’re unable to manage the Department of Defense. But what I’m most concerned about are three specific areas: Your operational incompetence, your managerial incompetence, and your budgetary incompetence. So let’s start with operational. According to news reports, in your first week on the job, you got confused in a National Security Council meeting and thought President Trump wanted you to stop all aid to Ukraine.

    In a well-functioning administration, you would have asked for clarification before making that seismic policy shift, but instead you ordered vital military aid heading to the frontlines turned around, costing the U.S. millions of dollars and depriving Ukrainian soldiers of equipment they needed to fight Russia. So, Mr. Secretary, can you explain how exactly you misunderstood such a monumental presidential order?

    Secretary Hegseth:
    One of many fake news headlines we’ve dealt with.

    Rep. Sherrill:
    So President Trump told you to halt military aid to Ukraine on January 30th.

    Secretary Hegseth:
    As is often the case, highly ideological and very ill informed reporters love to speculate about things they know nothing about, in order to spear President Trump and myself.

    Rep. Sherrill:
    So it sounds like actually the reporting is correct, because I will say if it wasn’t, why if it wasn’t a mistake, why did aid restart only a few days later?

    Secretary Hegseth
    Again, we would take complete issue with what would some call reporting and others call a hatchet job.

    Rep. Sherrill:
    So why did aid start just a couple days later?

    Secretary Hegseth:
    I’m saying the reporting is inaccurate, ma’am.

    Rep. Sherrill:
    I don’t think that’s correct. So let’s move on to your managerial incompetence. I think we can see why you misunderstood the president because you’re obviously misunderstanding my questions. Less than a month into the job, you fired the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, CQ Brown, and the Chief of Naval Operations, Lisa Franchetti, without cause. And to this day, you still have not provided an adequate explanation for removing them.

    As far as I can tell, you fired CQ Brown because he was Black and Lisa Franchetti because she is a woman. So nearly four months later, we still don’t have a new nominee for Chief of Naval Operations. News reports, and you can contest it, but I’d love to hear your answer, say that you haven’t nominated someone because qualified admirals keep turning the position down.

    So tell me, Mr. Secretary, when will Congress receive your nomination for the next Chief of Naval Operations?

    Secretary Hegseth:
    Ma’am, with all due respect, I would suggest not believing every headline you read.

    Rep. Sherrill:
    With all due respect, I’d like your nomination. When will we see it?

    Secretary Hegseth:
    There is not a single admiral or any military official has turned down a position that’s been–

    Rep. Sherrill:
    So when will we see your nominee for the Chief of Naval Operations?

    Secretary Hegseth:
    In due time, for all the right reasons.

    Rep. Sherrill:
    Again, I think we’ve seen the managerial incompetence. Okay, let’s move on to budgetary incompetence. You missed the deadline to submit a draft defense budget to Congress, which makes it impossible for us to complete our work on the NDAA or appropriations. It makes it more likely you’ll receive delays in funding you need for new acquisitions programs, and other priorities.

    Additionally, you’re blowing money on poorly conceived operations and vanity projects. For President Trump, retrofitting the Qatari jet to serve as Air Force One will cost about $400 million. The parade in DC this weekend will cost upwards of $40 million. Your bombing campaign in Yemen cost about 1 billion, and a week later they were having missile strikes in Israel.

    Your operations in LA will cost tens of millions of dollars, and you claim to be cutting costs at the Pentagon. But all I see are wasted dollars better spent addressing our most pressing threats like China. So, Mr. Secretary, what priorities have you cut funding for to pay for these projects?

    Secretary Hegseth:
    Ma’am, I would just say your list, left off securing the southern border.

    Rep. Sherrill:
    So, Mr. Secretary, what priorities have you cut funding for to pay for these projects?

    Secretary Hegseth:
    We make trade offs every day, and I would imagine what we want to spend on is quite different than what the previous administration did. Changes quickly and they’re reflected in this budget. And we’re very proud of them.

    Rep. Sherrill : 
    I think the American people can see why I’m so concerned about this incompetence. Thank you. And I yield back.
     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: DHS Bolsters America’s Supply Chains, Critical Infrastructure, and Domestic Industry Through Arctic ICE Pact

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    Representatives from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) met with Canadian and Finnish counterparts as part of a two-day summit for the ongoing Icebreaker Collaboration Effort (ICE Pact), a trilateral agreement to strengthen United States supply chains, increase domestic jobs, and improve U.S. shipbuilding capabilities to defend the American people.

    “ICE Pact is a key component of America’s economic future. President Donald Trump and U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem understand that economic security is national security,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “By revitalizing U.S. shipyards, creating jobs, strengthening industrial capabilities, and opening up the Arctic’s vast potential to American businesses, the Trump administration is putting America’s prosperity and security first.” 

    During the two-day event, government leaders discussed with public and private stakeholders plans to advance four key areas: technical expertise and information exchange; workforce development; relations with allies and industry; and research and development.

    The three partner countries concluded this successful meeting with a commitment to reconvene in person by the end of the year for a meeting hosted by the U.S. government.

    Icebreakers are vital for America’s presence in the Arctic, a region increasingly contested by Russia and China due to its growing potential for oil and gas exploration, critical minerals, trade route traffic, fishing, and tourism. Russia maintains the largest icebreaker fleet in the world with 40-plus icebreakers and has made the Arctic its top naval priority; China is rapidly expanding its presence in this field as well and is collaborating with Russia on Arctic expansion efforts.

    In contrast, until last month, the United States Coast Guard operated just two icebreakers. In late May, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Storis began its maiden voyage to the Arctic. ICE Pact will steer more investment into U.S. industry to boost our icebreaker fleet.

    Plans developed during ICE Pact meetings will allow the U.S., Canada, and Finland to build American-made Arctic and polar icebreakers.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: Russia will be strong, sovereign and prosperous in the next 100 years

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    “Russia will be strong, sovereign, prosperous, and peaceful in the next 100 years,” said Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko as he greeted the participants of the ceremonial assembly dedicated to the 100th anniversary of Artek. A capsule containing wishes for future generations was laid there. It is expected to be opened in 100 years, in 2125.

    The event itself took place in the children’s camp “Morskoy” – where 100 years ago the history of the legendary “Artek” began with four canvas tents. The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Education Sergey Kravtsov, the director of the International Children’s Center “Artek” Konstantin Fedorenko and the Artek children themselves.

    The flags of the Russian Federation, the International Children’s Center and the Morskoy children’s camp were ceremoniously raised on the bonfire square. Young Artek children – Yaroslav Lutsenko from St. Petersburg and Rostislav Fomenko from Voronezh – together with Dmitry Chernyshenko and Sergey Kravtsov closed and laid a capsule with a message to the future.

    The Deputy Prime Minister congratulated Artek on its 100th anniversary and thanked the staff for creating unique conditions and technologies for recreation, education and upbringing.

    “We are now looking to the future. We are confident that Russia will be strong, sovereign, prosperous, and peaceful in the next 100 years. To achieve this, we must work hard. Here, in Artek, all the conditions have been created for this. Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin has set a national goal of creating conditions for the development of your talents and abilities. You must take full advantage of the unique opportunity that has been given to you so that you grow up kind, patriotic, hardworking, exactly the way your homeland, your family, and your country need you to be,” said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

    Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov joined in congratulating Artek.

    “Today we celebrate 100 years of our International Children’s Center “Artek”. On June 16, 1925, the first assembly took place here and children from all over the country, just like you, were there. Today, with your work and talent, you have earned a ticket to “Artek”. Our country does everything to make you happy, successful and confidently move forward. Dear children, counselors, all employees of “Artek”, I want to congratulate you on the holiday. “Artek” is developing, branches are operating in Berdyansk and Sevastopol. I am sure that in 100 years it will also be the best international children’s center, a real city of childhood”, – Sergey Kravtsov addressed the participants of the ceremony.

    Congratulating the young participants of the holiday, the director of the International Children’s Center “Artek” Konstantin Fedorenko noted that over the century-long history of the camp, his family has become not just large, but huge – more than 1.8 million Artek children. He emphasized that the birthday of “Artek” is also a holiday of love and respect for the Motherland:

    “The present and future of Russia depend on all of us, on our common achievements! I am sure that you will leave Artek with the confidence that you can make this world a better place. It is you, purposeful, focused on achievements, who will set and solve the tasks that will lead Russia to a successful future. Let your talents, creativity, and initiatives make our country even better!”

    In total, more than 3 thousand children from all regions of Russia and 29 foreign countries gathered at the 9 campfire sites of the International Children’s Center “Artek”.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: Construction of two dormitory buildings for 1,000 people has been completed in Artek

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    The construction of two dormitory buildings for 1,000 people has been completed at the Artek International Children’s Center on the territory of the Solnechny camp. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Marat Khusnullin.

    “Today we celebrate a significant event – the 100th anniversary of the legendary Artek. This unique children’s center has been a symbol of a happy childhood for a century, a place where character is tempered, talents are revealed and friendships are born for life. It is especially important for us that in the anniversary year, Artek continues to develop and become even more comfortable for new generations of children. By the anniversary date, we completed the construction of two modern dormitory buildings for 1,000 people – these are spacious premises with well-thought-out infrastructure and recreation areas. Permission for commissioning has already been received. The total area of the two buildings is more than 40 thousand square meters. Particular attention was paid to the improvement of the territory: the embankments were updated, new walking areas and recreation areas were created,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    In addition, each building has a usable roof designed for low-mobility games, daytime gatherings, line-ups and recreation.

    “The construction of social facilities, especially for children, plays a key role in the formation of a healthy and safe childhood. Such facilities create comfortable conditions for children’s recreation and development. They become a place where schoolchildren can find new friends, play sports and develop their creative abilities, which ultimately forms a strong future for our society. At the moment, the embankments of the Kiparisny and Solnechny camps have been improved. The builders have installed an underwater breakwater, carried out comprehensive landscaping, and also erected a beach building with a detachment site on the exploited roof, where children vacationing in Artek will gather. Earlier, a dormitory with an area of more than 750 square meters was reconstructed in the Kiparisny children’s camp. It is intended for the temporary accommodation of more than 40 children aged 8 to 17 years old,” said Irek Faizullin, Minister of Construction and Housing and Public Utilities of the Russian Federation.

    In January 2025, the reconstruction of a number of facilities of the children’s camp “Kiparisny” was successfully completed in “Artek”. Among them is the milk kitchen building, which the builders converted into a medical unit. In addition, specialists comprehensively improved the adjacent territory: they arranged walking areas with places to rest, installed benches, renewed the asphalt surface and laid new paths for comfortable movement around the camp. A decorative pond was created, and the green areas are equipped with an automatic irrigation system. The total area of the park zone of the camp “Kiparisny” is more than 90 thousand square meters.

    “By the end of 2025, we plan to complete the construction of the Center for Innovative and Educational Technologies, which is designed for 1.2 thousand students. This facility, with a total area of over 27 thousand square meters, is one of the largest on the territory of Artek. In addition to classrooms, there will be art and rehearsal halls, an amphitheater, modern workshops, a universal hall for 700 seats and much more,” said Karen Oganesyan, General Director of the Unified Customer PPC.

    The construction and reconstruction of capital construction projects of the International Children’s Center “Artek” are carried out within the framework of the comprehensive state program “Construction”, supervised by the Ministry of Construction of Russia.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: Participants of the anniversary shift should take with them in their hearts love for our country and for Artek

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    On June 16, 2025, a special commemorative postage stamp cancellation ceremony dedicated to the centenary of the center was held at the Artek International Children’s Center. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Chernyshenko, Minister of Education Sergei Kravtsov, and Director of the Artek International Children’s Center Konstantin Fedorenko.

    They greeted the Artek children and took part in the special cancellation procedure – a special postmark that is valid for only one day. This postmark with the date and place of the ceremony turns the postal products that have undergone the cancellation into real philatelic rarities.

    “Being a participant in the anniversary shift is a great honor and privilege. You should carry in your hearts the love for our country, for Artek, meet the children with whom you will go through life, who will forever remain Artekites and will be with you. Here you learn to be friends, work and be useful to our country and your families. This is the main thing you should learn here. Artek has been around for over 100 years, and now we can say so, it is an international standard for the best children’s recreation. Happy anniversary, Artek! Happy holiday, guys!” Dmitry Chernyshenko addressed the participants.

    “On this festive day, I want to thank the counselors, the organizers, who do everything to ensure that each of you realizes your talents. Guys, I think that you will also join these words. Today is a significant event for the international children’s center “Artek” and for other children’s centers. We laid a capsule in 2125, the ceremony of cancellation of the anniversary postage stamp took place. I am sure that in 100 years, the children will also strive to get to “Artek” and rejoice at the opportunity to be here,” said Sergey Kravtsov at the ceremony of cancellation of the stamp.

    During the celebration, Artek member Ruslan Minyaylenko from the Luhansk People’s Republic, the author of the drawing that won the competition to create a sketch for a postage stamp, spoke about the creation of the sketch. His work reflects the spirit and long-standing traditions of Artek, uniting the past and the present.

    The camp counselors and educators prepared a creative exhibition where they presented postage stamps, envelopes and postcards issued in different years on significant dates in the history of Artek. Among them: a postage stamp from 1938 from the Children of the Land of Soviets series; a stamp from 1948 dedicated to the All-Union Pioneer Organization; a stamp from 1958 for International Children’s Day with an image of a bugler from a pioneer camp; postage envelopes from 1963, 1965, 1971 issued by the USSR Ministry of Communications; a postcard from 1975 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the camp; stamps from 1985 and 2015 dedicated to the 60th and 90th anniversaries of Artek, respectively. This exhibition allowed guests and Artek residents to see how the images and symbols of Artek on postal items changed and to feel the connection between generations.

    The release of the anniversary postage stamp is accompanied by the publication of first day covers, maximum cards, artistic covers and vignettes. All these collectibles can be purchased at post offices throughout Russia. Particular attention is paid to the special cancellation stamps, which were made not only for Moscow and Gurzuf (Republic of Crimea), but also for Ulyanovsk and Chelyabinsk.

    The festive mood was created by the theatrical composition “Native Artek” with the participation of the famous song theater “Neposedy”. Artek residents had the opportunity to personally sign envelopes and receive unique impressions of a special stamp in the post house “Artek Post”.

    In addition, Dmitry Chernyshenko, Sergey Kravtsov and Konstantin Fedorenko, together with Artek children, unveiled a memorial bas-relief dedicated to the sculptor Ernst Neizvestny at the entrance to the educational space for artistic creativity.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB has reported an attack on it from Israel

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

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

    TEHRAN, June 16 (Xinhua) — Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB said one of its buildings came under attack from Israel on Monday, calling it a “brutal aggression” and adding that live broadcasts were continuing without major interruptions.

    The Israeli strike targeted the broadcaster’s news network in an apparent attempt to “silence the voice of the Iranian people and the voice of truth,” IRIB said. It said IRIB staff were continuing to report “at maximum capacity.”

    The television broadcast showed the moment of the Israeli attack, which occurred during a live broadcast. In the footage, the presenter was reading the news when the explosion occurred. She reported on it and condemned the attack, but was forced to interrupt the broadcast after a second explosion and the resulting smoke.

    The TV presenter later reappeared live on IRIB without any injuries.

    In the early hours of June 13, Israel launched massive airstrikes on Iran, killing several military commanders, scientists and dozens of civilians. Iran retaliated later that day, and the exchange of strikes continued into Monday. –0–

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga to host ‘Yoga Bandhan’ on June 17

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, will host ‘Yoga Bandhan’ on June 17, as a highlight of the International Day of Yoga (IDY) 2025 celebrations. As one of the 10 Signature Events for IDY-2025, this initiative reflects India’s dedication to fostering global cooperation through institution-to-institution connections in Yoga, advancing collective well-being and cultural exchange.

    ‘Yoga Bandhan’ will unite prominent Yoga leaders from across the globe, including academicians, practitioners, authors, trainers, and studio founders, to promote people-to-people exchanges and strengthen international partnerships. Notable delegates include Josh Pryor, President & CEO of Yoga Australia and a Mysore Style Yoga practitioner; Gregor Kos, senior representative of Yoga in Daily Life from Austria; Danilo Forghieri Santaella, Head of Research at the Sports Center, University of São Paulo, Brazil; Yin Yan, Founder of Yogi Yoga in China; and Maj Ingemann-Molden, a Yoga expert from Denmark. Other distinguished participants include Slamat Riyanto, Chairperson of the Indonesian National Association of Yoga Practitioners; Vidya Volkova, Director of Shakti Yoga Studio in Kazakhstan; Manisekaran, Founder of the Malaysian Yoga Society; Sinthamani Arunasalam, Co-Founder of AKSINOM Yoga in Malaysia; and Irina Fursova, a Yoga therapist and Hatha/Iyengar teacher from Russia. The event will also welcome Sujata Cowlagi, Founder & Director of Pragya Yoga and Wellness in Singapore; Geo-lyong Lee, a 2019 Distinguished Indologist Award recipient from South Korea; Kugan Naidoo and Sivlutchime Naidoo, Yoga experts from South Africa; Jose Maria Marquez Jurado (Gopala), a renowned Yoga practitioner from Spain; Vimukthi Jayasundara, a filmmaker and visual artist from Sri Lanka; and Rocio Belen Bonacci, National Representative from Santa Fe Province, Argentina.

    The event will commence with an inaugural session featuring addresses by key dignitaries, including Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush; Monalisa Dash, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Ayush; K. Nandini Singla, Director General of the ICCR; and Dr. Kashinath Samagandi, Director of MDNIY. Following the opening, delegates will take part in a guided tour of the MDNIY campus and engage in interactive sessions focused on knowledge sharing and communication.

    During their visit, international delegates will participate in cultural tours, institutional dialogues, dedicated Yoga sessions, and discussions on integrative wellness. They will also explore opportunities for collaboration with Indian institutions, with their visit culminating in the grand IDY celebration on June 21, 2025.

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Agenda – Monday, 16 June 2025 – Strasbourg

    Source: European Parliament

    44 The human cost of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the urgent need to end Russian aggression: the situation of illegally detained civilians and prisoners of war, and the continued bombing of civilians
        – Motions for resolutions Wednesday, 2 July 2025, 13:00
        – Amendments to motions for resolutions; joint motions for resolutions Monday, 7 July 2025, 19:00
        – Amendments to joint motions for resolutions Monday, 7 July 2025, 20:00
    16 Strengthening rural areas in the EU through cohesion policy
    Denis Nesci (A10-0092/2025) 
        – Amendments by the rapporteur, 71 MEPs at least; Alternative motions for resolutions Wednesday, 11 June 2025, 13:00
    Texts put to the vote on Tuesday Friday, 13 June 2025, 12:00
    Texts put to the vote on Wednesday Monday, 16 June 2025, 19:00
    Texts put to the vote on Thursday Tuesday, 17 June 2025, 19:00
    Motions for resolutions concerning debates on cases of breaches of human rights, democracy and the rule of law (Rule 150) Wednesday, 18 June 2025, 19:00

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Submission of REPowerEU roadmap – E-001655/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Since the Russian military aggression against Ukraine in 2022, the EU has acted firmly to cut its reliance on Russian energy. For this purpose, the Commission adopted the REPowerEU Plan[1] in May 2022, aiming to fast forward the clean energy transition, diversify energy supplies, and enhance EU energy independence.

    Despite a significant progress that was collectively achieved in the EU, energy imports from Russia still remain in the EU system . Dependency on Russian energy imports possess a threat to the EU’s economic security due to weaponisation of energy supplies by Russia. With the REPowerEU Roadmap, adopted on 6 May 2025[2], the Commission is fully committed to stop relying on Russian energy.

    The Roadmap will enable the phase out of Russian energy imports, in a coordinated, stepwise and secure manner as we advance on the EU’s energy transition. As outlined in the Roadmap, concrete measures will be presented in legislative proposals by the Commission mid- June.

    • [1] https://commission.europa.eu/publications/key-documents-repowereu_en.
    • [2] https://commission.europa.eu/news/roadmap-fully-end-eu-dependency-russian-energy-2025-05-06_en.
    Last updated: 16 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Ukrainian preschool with children from displaced families reopens after EU-backed renovation

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • “Berizka preschool in Ukrainian village of Ulaniv southwest of Kyiv reopens after major renovation supported by EU.
    • Renovation financed through EIB’s Ukraine Recovery Programme to restore critical social infrastructure in Ukrainian communities.

    The “Berizka” preschool in the Ukrainian village of Ulaniv reopened after a major upgrade supported by the European Union lending arm – the European Investment Bank (EIB). The €420,000 renovation highlights the EU’s commitment to restoring social infrastructure in Ukraine.

    Berizka, serves more than 110 children aged two to six, including many children from internally displaced families. It is one of 100 educational institutions across Ukraine being renovated with support of the EIB. The building is now equipped with full thermal insulation and energy-efficient windows and doors – upgrades that are especially important amid Russia’s full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, by reducing electricity consumption and utility costs.

    The preschool also has a new metal roof, renovated porches and two ramps that ensure easier entry for people, including children and parents with limited mobility. It offers an environment, where children and their families can feel a sense of normalcy and stability despite the war.

    EIB Vice-President Teresa Czerwińska, who oversees the Bank’s operations in Ukraine said: “The renovated preschool shows how the EIB supports Ukraine’s long-term recovery: we invest in resilient, energy-efficient infrastructure that strengthens local communities and ensures continuity of vital services for people.”

    The renovation took place between May 2024 and June 2025 under the “Ukraine Early Recovery Programme” – a joint EU-EIB initiative implemented in cooperation with the Ukrainian Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories and Ministry of Finance as well as the Vinnytsia Oblast Military Administration and the Ulaniv Village, with technical assistance from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

    This is one of seven EIB-backed recovery projects in Vinnytsia region, with a combined investment value of €7.6 million. These projects include the reconstruction of four schools, two water and wastewater facilities and one community and administrative services center. In 2024 alone, three projects were completed, including two schools in Stryzhavka and a sewer system in Zhmerynka.

    Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Ukraine Stefan Schleuning said: “Berizka preschool in Vinnytsia Oblast is a powerful example of how EU support, channelled through the EIB’s recovery programmes, is already making a tangible difference. Together with Ukraine, we are restoring essential services, strengthening communities, and building for the future of the next generation.”

    Deputy Prime Minister for Restoration of Ukraine – Minister for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine Oleksii Kuleba said: “Restoring access to education is a shared priority with our European partners. Together, we’re rebuilding social infrastructure and introducing modern energy-efficient solutions that make communities more resilient.”

    First Deputy Head of the Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration Natalia Zabolotna said: “This preschool is the fourth EU- and EIB-supported recovery project completed in our region over the past two years. These results are possible thanks to the strength and dedication of local workers, who continue delivering essential services despite the war.”

    Head of Ulaniv Village Council Oleksandr Hotsulyak said: “For our village, this preschool is essential. Thanks to support from the EU and the EIB, over 110 children, including those from displaced families — now have a modern, comfortable space to learn and grow. Investing in early childhood education lays the foundation for children’s resilience, recovery, and long-term development.”

    UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine Jaco Cilliers said: “By connecting Ukrainian communities with EIB financing mechanisms, UNDP helps ensure that recovery efforts are truly community-led, with local leaders determining how EU support can best serve their reconstruction priorities.”

    Background information

    The EIB in Ukraine 

    The EIB Group has supported Ukraine’s economy since day one of the Russian invasion, providing €3 billion in financing to date, with €2.3 billion already disbursed. The EIB continues to focus on securing Ukraine’s energy supply, restoring damaged infrastructure and maintaining essential public services across the country. Under a guarantee agreement signed with the European Commission, the EIB is set to invest at least €2 billion more in urgent recovery and reconstruction. This funding is part of the European Union’s €50 billion Ukraine Facility for 2024-2027 and is fully aligned with the priorities of the Ukrainian government.

    EIB recovery programmes in Ukraine

    The reconstruction of the preschool in Ulaniv village was carried out under the Ukraine Recovery Programme, one of three recovery programmes supported by the European Investment Bank (EIB). As of June 2025, the EIB has provided €740 million across these programmes to support Ukraine’s recovery. The funding helps the government to restore essential services in communities across the country – including schools, kindergartens, hospitals, housing, heating and water systems. These EIB-backed programmes are further supported by €15 million in EU grants to facilitate implementation. The Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories of Ukraine, in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, coordinates and oversees programme implementation, while local authorities and self-governments are responsible for managing recovery sub-projects. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine provides technical assistance to local communities, supporting project implementation and ensuring independent monitoring for transparency and accountability. More information about the programmes is available here.

    Ukrainian preschool with children from displaced families reopens after EU-backed renovation

    ©EIB
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    Ukrainian preschool with children from displaced families reopens after EU-backed renovation

    ©EIB
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – EU humanitarian and development aid for Cuba – E-002282/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002282/2025
    to the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
    Rule 144
    Arkadiusz Mularczyk (ECR)

    Given the European Union’s robust sanctions regime against Russia in response to the country’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine, and the reported involvement of thousands of Cuban soldiers fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine, how does the Commission reconcile its continued provision of significant humanitarian and development support to Cuba with its stated commitment to upholding international law and deterring actors who facilitate or participate in Russia’s war effort?

    Submitted: 5.6.2025

    Last updated: 16 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Azerbaijan: the Ilham Aliyev regime and repression of media freedom – E-002279/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002279/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Fulvio Martusciello (PPE)

    There have been several crackdowns on press freedom in Azerbaijan in recent years, with an intensification in the final months of 2024.

    This unprecedented repression has essentially wiped out local independent journalism. Independent media in Azerbaijan and international human rights organisations have accused the government of arresting journalists for their work and creating a regulatory environment that makes it almost impossible for them to operate legally.

    The accusation is always the same: allegedly undeclared imports of foreign currency into the country, in the form of cash or subsidies from abroad. The authorities seem to exploit the fact that independent media receive foreign funding, via legally obtained subsidies, to accuse journalists of economic crimes aggravated by high treason against the state.

    Against this backdrop, the EU imports more than 7 % of its natural gas from Azerbaijan and intends to double this amount by 2027, in order to reduce imports of Russian gas.

    In light of the above, how will the Commission manage to expand energy cooperation with Azerbaijan while also ensuring that the response to the recent imprisonment of journalists in Azerbaijan is heard?

    Submitted: 5.6.2025

    Last updated: 16 June 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –