NewzIntel.com

Category: Transport

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Earlier starts, later finishes for York’s Park & Ride

    Source: City of York

    First Bus and City of York Council have announced extended hours for all six of York’s Park & Ride services to support residents, commuters, visitors and York’s hospitality industry.

    The highlights include:

    • from 20 July, buses to operate from 5.30am Monday to Saturday and 7.30am on Sunday
    • last services to leave the city centre at 10.30pm all week
    • early and late-night connections offer greater flexibility for residents, commuters and visitors
    • increased frequency for school holidays and summer season

    From Sunday 20 July, the first bus will leave each Park & Ride site at 5.30am. The new timings will allow shift workers and those catching early trains to use the Park & Ride, which costs just £3.90 for an adult return. For example for residents travelling out of York, 5 of the 6 sites directly serve York Railway Station and the first service will arrive at the station by 5.45am – Rawcliffe (bus number 2 / 2A), Monks Cross (bus number 9), Designer Outlet (bus number 7), Poppleton (bus number 59) and Askham Bar (bus number 3). The remaining one, Grimston (bus number 8), serves Piccadilly, in the city centre.

    In the evening, the last services will leave the city centre at 10.30pm, bringing all sites up to the same time for the first and last bus.

    The timings extension is being funded by York’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, supported by the Department for Transport.

    Cllr Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport at City of York Council, said:

    Residents, commuters and visitors have asked us to run the Park & Ride earlier in the morning and later into the evening, and we’re delighted to confirm these extended hours will start from 20 July.

    “Whether you’re catching an early morning train, finishing an overnight shift or enjoying a night out in York, this expansion is part of our commitment to giving people more travel options and making York a cleaner, more affordable and more sustainable city.

    “The 6 Park & Ride sites cover every corner of York and with up to 3 children traveling free with a paying adult, offers an excellent alternative to driving in to York. They also make an invaluable contribution to reducing congestion across our city. We’ve also recently unveiled plans to open up 2 sites for overnight parking and will be announcing the next steps on these shortly.”

    Andy Cullen, Managing Director of First Bus North & West Yorkshire, said:

    This will help commuters and shift workers with connections to train services at the very start and end of the day.

    “The extension of services into the late evening will also be a real boost for visitors to York’s leisure and entertainment venues, as well as supporting the hospitality sector.

    “It reflects our continued commitment to work in partnership with City of York Council to build the Park & Ride network for the benefit of local people and visitors to help grow the city’s economy.”

    David Skaith, the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:

    For too long, public transport hasn’t always worked for everyone, especially those with early starts or late finishes.

    “For the first time all of York’s Park & Ride sites will operate on a single, consistent timetable from 5.30am right up until 10.30pm. It’s the kind of public transport our region deserves.

    “We’re putting passengers first, with more affordable and greener journeys that everyone can benefit from – from shift workers and commuters to those enjoying the city’s night life.”

    Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, said:

    When public transport is affordable and reliable, it transforms lives – helping people get to work, attend medical appointments, access opportunities and stay connected with their community.

    “I’m delighted that Mayor Skaith is already delivering major improvements with our £12 million investment and moving ahead with their plans to bring buses under local control.

    “From cheaper fares to extended Park & Ride hours, these changes are kickstarting a bus revolution that drives economic growth and ensures people have proper access to jobs and opportunities, as we deliver the Plan for Change.”

    Sarah Loftus, Managing Director of Make It York, said:

    York Park & Ride is a vital link in supporting our hospitality and tourism sectors, making it easier and more affordable for everyone to access the city centre, this helps all businesses to recruit and retain talent.

    “The new operating hours of York Park & Ride improves accessibility for everyone, offering a reliable and inclusive transport option.

    “For visitors, it’s a convenient way to explore the wider city, stay longer and enjoy more of what York has to offer, and these longer running hours will offer a real boost to our local economy.”

    First Bus is also introducing more frequency on the Park & Ride network to support anticipated demand during the school holidays and summer tourism season.

    From Sunday 20 July until Sunday 7 September, additional buses will operate Monday to Friday on all services and also Saturdays on routes 7 and 8. Normal timetables will run on Sundays.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Earlier starts, later finishes for York’s Park & Ride

    Source: City of York

    First Bus and City of York Council have announced extended hours for all six of York’s Park & Ride services to support residents, commuters, visitors and York’s hospitality industry.

    The highlights include:

    • from 20 July, buses to operate from 5.30am Monday to Saturday and 7.30am on Sunday
    • last services to leave the city centre at 10.30pm all week
    • early and late-night connections offer greater flexibility for residents, commuters and visitors
    • increased frequency for school holidays and summer season

    From Sunday 20 July, the first bus will leave each Park & Ride site at 5.30am. The new timings will allow shift workers and those catching early trains to use the Park & Ride, which costs just £3.90 for an adult return. For example for residents travelling out of York, 5 of the 6 sites directly serve York Railway Station and the first service will arrive at the station by 5.45am – Rawcliffe (bus number 2 / 2A), Monks Cross (bus number 9), Designer Outlet (bus number 7), Poppleton (bus number 59) and Askham Bar (bus number 3). The remaining one, Grimston (bus number 8), serves Piccadilly, in the city centre.

    In the evening, the last services will leave the city centre at 10.30pm, bringing all sites up to the same time for the first and last bus.

    The timings extension is being funded by York’s Bus Service Improvement Plan, supported by the Department for Transport.

    Cllr Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport at City of York Council, said:

    Residents, commuters and visitors have asked us to run the Park & Ride earlier in the morning and later into the evening, and we’re delighted to confirm these extended hours will start from 20 July.

    “Whether you’re catching an early morning train, finishing an overnight shift or enjoying a night out in York, this expansion is part of our commitment to giving people more travel options and making York a cleaner, more affordable and more sustainable city.

    “The 6 Park & Ride sites cover every corner of York and with up to 3 children traveling free with a paying adult, offers an excellent alternative to driving in to York. They also make an invaluable contribution to reducing congestion across our city. We’ve also recently unveiled plans to open up 2 sites for overnight parking and will be announcing the next steps on these shortly.”

    Andy Cullen, Managing Director of First Bus North & West Yorkshire, said:

    This will help commuters and shift workers with connections to train services at the very start and end of the day.

    “The extension of services into the late evening will also be a real boost for visitors to York’s leisure and entertainment venues, as well as supporting the hospitality sector.

    “It reflects our continued commitment to work in partnership with City of York Council to build the Park & Ride network for the benefit of local people and visitors to help grow the city’s economy.”

    David Skaith, the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said:

    For too long, public transport hasn’t always worked for everyone, especially those with early starts or late finishes.

    “For the first time all of York’s Park & Ride sites will operate on a single, consistent timetable from 5.30am right up until 10.30pm. It’s the kind of public transport our region deserves.

    “We’re putting passengers first, with more affordable and greener journeys that everyone can benefit from – from shift workers and commuters to those enjoying the city’s night life.”

    Local Transport Minister, Simon Lightwood, said:

    When public transport is affordable and reliable, it transforms lives – helping people get to work, attend medical appointments, access opportunities and stay connected with their community.

    “I’m delighted that Mayor Skaith is already delivering major improvements with our £12 million investment and moving ahead with their plans to bring buses under local control.

    “From cheaper fares to extended Park & Ride hours, these changes are kickstarting a bus revolution that drives economic growth and ensures people have proper access to jobs and opportunities, as we deliver the Plan for Change.”

    Sarah Loftus, Managing Director of Make It York, said:

    York Park & Ride is a vital link in supporting our hospitality and tourism sectors, making it easier and more affordable for everyone to access the city centre, this helps all businesses to recruit and retain talent.

    “The new operating hours of York Park & Ride improves accessibility for everyone, offering a reliable and inclusive transport option.

    “For visitors, it’s a convenient way to explore the wider city, stay longer and enjoy more of what York has to offer, and these longer running hours will offer a real boost to our local economy.”

    First Bus is also introducing more frequency on the Park & Ride network to support anticipated demand during the school holidays and summer tourism season.

    From Sunday 20 July until Sunday 7 September, additional buses will operate Monday to Friday on all services and also Saturdays on routes 7 and 8. Normal timetables will run on Sundays.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Embroidery classes help rehabilitate Chinese prison inmates

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian –

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

    BEIJING, July 4 (Xinhua) — Handcuffs and a rubber baton used to be the standard equipment for Beijing Kenhua Prison warden Zheng Tianxiao. Now, a needle and a set of multi-colored threads have been added to his mandatory equipment.

    The prison, located about 150 km from central Beijing, houses male inmates serving long sentences for violent crimes, drug trafficking, fraud and other serious crimes.

    “Long-term prisoners easily lose their purpose in life and passively resist re-education. Handicrafts like embroidery help them tame their temper, restore self-discipline and regain their ability to concentrate,” Zheng Tianxiao said.

    In recent years, many prisons in the metropolis of Shanghai, Jiangxi, Fujian and other regions of China have incorporated embroidery into prisoner rehabilitation programs, helping them stitch by stitch to “embroider the pattern” of a new life.

    This year, Kenhua took a new approach: conducting mindfulness training before the embroidery session to enhance the positive outcome of the remedial program.

    “Acts of violence are often committed in fits of sudden emotional imbalance, and mindfulness practice helps criminals break out of the vicious cycle of negative thoughts,” said Cao Guangjian, a leading correctional psychologist at the Beijing Prison Management Bureau. According to him, positive psychotherapy in the form of mindfulness practice involves training session participants to purposefully focus on the present moment, to recognize and accept their own emotional states.

    For more than a decade, such training and practice have become a key part of the education and rehabilitation programs of Beijing prisons. More than 30,000 inmates have participated in such training, and statistics show an improvement in the ability to manage emotions and a significant decrease in aggression among those trained.

    Zheng Tianxiao, who is also a mindfulness instructor, was inspired by a visit to an embroidery exhibition earlier this year and discovered the unique connection that can be formed between ordered stitches and mindfulness practice.

    “Both activities require complete focus on the present moment,” he explained.

    After studying various traditional Chinese embroidery styles, Zheng Tianxiao eventually chose tiaohua cross stitch, a national-level intangible cultural heritage (ICH). This embroidery technique is relatively simple and easy to master.

    For safety reasons – to exclude the use of needles as weapons – after weeks of research, Zheng Tianxiao and his colleagues chose special atraumatic plastic needles for children. The diameter of the needle is about one millimeter, and the material resembles rubber. “When pressed on the skin, such a needle springs back, which completely eliminates the risk of injury,” he explained.

    Embroidery classes are offered as hobby groups in addition to the main correctional program. So far, 84 of the more than 100 prisoners under Zheng Tianxiao’s supervision have attended such classes.

    Yan Qing /pseudonym/, serving a 16-year sentence for inciting unrest, was one of the first to join the program. At first, he was nervous and made mistakes, even openly declaring, “Holding a needle is worse than carrying bricks!”

    Under the patient guidance of Zheng Tianxiao and his colleagues, Yan Qing completed his first embroidery piece, a colorful parrot on a soft keychain, within a week. He said the joy of a well-finished piece gave him a sense of fulfillment.

    Once known for his explosive temper, Yan Qing would often lash out at guards and fellow inmates. “I thought fists could solve everything, but now I have learned to breathe deeply to control my emotions,” he said.

    Fang Wen (pseudonym), Yan Qing’s cellmate, was sentenced to life imprisonment. He was the first of the embroidery program participants to complete his work – a white rabbit hugging a large bouquet of sunflowers.

    In May, he presented the work to his mother as his first Mother’s Day gift.

    Soon after, Fang Wen took the initiative to work on the embroidery, “Phoenix Rising from the Ashes,” which required 170,000 stitches and eight months of labor. “Serving time is a process of rebirth,” he said.

    According to Zheng Tianxiao, at the initial stage of the program, the prison provided prisoners with sketches with creative meanings for training. Now they are encouraged to develop artistic compositions on their own.

    Compared with traditional lecture methods, the “mindfulness practice” format of the NCH is more effective in stimulating the enthusiasm for positive activities among prisoners, and the correctional intervention of prison staff is more effective, said Chao Kai, a working deputy warden of Kenhua Prison.

    Currently, the prison also runs clay modeling, knotwork, dragon dance and grain mosaic clubs, which have also demonstrated significant achievements in the aspect of reforming and rehabilitating offenders.

    Interestingly, psychological examinations have confirmed a significant reduction in anxiety and depression among prisoners who participate in activities based on the “mindfulness practice” method of the NCH, Chao Kai added.

    Advances in psychological research in China have strengthened evidence-based approaches to rehabilitating offenders, says Liu Xinghua, a psychology professor at Peking University and a longtime consultant to mindfulness programs in Beijing’s correctional system.

    According to him, in recent years, the development of psychology in China has provided resocialization practices with key applied support.

    “The increased attention of the penitentiary system to scientifically based and humane correction of prisoners, as well as to the problems of their post-penitentiary adaptation, has an exclusively positive meaning,” stated Professor Liu Xinghua.

    Next month, Kenhua plans to involve the custodians of the IPC in conducting training courses to further enhance their skills, thereby equipping prisoners with in-demand skills they can use after their release.

    “Our vision is to turn prisoners’ terms into ‘semesters,’” said Le Chengzhang, head of the public relations department of the Beijing Prisons Management Bureau. “Through remedial education, we encourage repentance and enable people to become useful members of society.”

    When Yan Qing was asked what he would say to the version of himself before the crime, the man leaned back for a moment, lowered his head, and blinked rapidly, collecting his thoughts.

    After a long silence he said, “Life is so short. Try to be the one who brings something good into this world.” -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Road Closed, SH1, Moturere

    Source: New Zealand Police

    State Highway One is closed following a serious crash near Moturere this evening.

    Police received a report of a two vehicle crash on SH1 near Jellicoe Point at around 7.45pm.

    Initial indications suggest there are serious injuries.

    The Serious Crash Unit has been advised.

    The road is closed between Taupō and Tūrangi, and motorists are advised to expect delays.

    ENDS

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Bring the outdoors indoors with the Summer Reading Challenge

    Source: City of Manchester

    The much-loved Summer Reading Challenge returns to Manchester libraries to motivate children to keep reading during the summer months. 

    Launched at a special event with Dapo Adeola, author and children’s book illustrator, and the official illustrator of the Summer Reading Challenge, 180 children from three schools joined in the special event at Manchester Central Library. 

    The popular yearly book fest for young readers is back with a challenge that brings the outdoors indoors with a Story Garden theme. Children will be encouraged to take their imagination into enchanted woods or outdoor adventures or find out amazing facts about bugs, bees, and plants. 

    The Challenge encourages children aged 4-11 to discover the joy of books and to keep up their reading habits during the school holidays, often a time when children forget some of the skills and knowledge that they have acquired during the school year.  By encouraging reading as a fun activity, it keeps their brains active and boosts reading skills, making it easier when they start back to school in September. And the very young won’t miss out, there’s even a mini-challenge for babies and toddlers up to 3 years old. 

    Taking part is easy. Visit a local library and accept the challenge to read any six library books, either from the Story Garden collection or any book (which also includes digital or e-audio books from the free Borrow Box app) and pick up a special collector card to log the summer reading books. 

    A series of free activities linked to the Story Garden theme will be on offer during the school holidays in libraries, encouraging children to get involved in the Challenge.  There is also the chance to win goody bags every week throughout the summer. 

    And children can keep those creative juices flowing by writing or drawing reviews of the books they’ve read and be in with the chance to win a kindle tablet, book bundle or art supplies. If they finish the challenge by 13 September, children will receive not only a special winner’s medal and certificate for commitment to reading but also the chance to be entered into the grand prize draw with the opportunity to win a £100 toyshop voucher and a bundle of books!   

    The Summer Reading Challenge is just one of the child centred activities that Manchester promotes as part of its work towards becoming a Unicef recognise Child Friendly City. 

    Councillor John Hacking, Executive Member for Skills, Employment and Leisure said: 

    “The Summer Reading Challenge is an incredibly important and popular event in libraries and fits with our year-round Read Manchester work across communities to promote the many benefits of reading and literacy. Last year we had more than 5,500 children take part, which is just incredible and reassuring that children still love to read, a skill that will take them far and hopefully will stay with them throughout their lives. “Every year a new theme draws children into a web of creativity and imagination, and we hope it will be the beginning of a journey of a lifelong love of books. “It couldn’t be easier to get involved, parents and children just need to visit their local library, grab some books, start reading and get involved in some of the wonderful events that libraries will host over the summer.” 

    For more information on the Summer Reading Challenge and to check out free events visit Summer Reading Challenge  Check out what’s on offer on Loads to do  

    The Summer Reading Challenge is a national initiative that encourages young readers aged 4 – 11 across the country to borrow and read books from the public library. The Story Garden is produced by The Reading Agency and delivered in partnership with public libraries. 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Road Closed, Harts Road, Leeston

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Harts Road is closed following a serious crash this evening.

    Police were called to the Harts Road and Leeston and Lake Roads intersection at around 7.40pm after a report of a vehicle colliding with two pedestrians.

    There are reports of serious injuries.

    The road is closed while emergency services are at the scene.

    Motorists are advised to avoid the area and expect delays.

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Fashion meets music at dazzling BazaarGala in Shanghai

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

    The inaugural BazaarGala brought together celebrities from the worlds of fashion and music for a two-day event in Shanghai’s Jiading district on June 28-29, attracting over 30,000 attendees and generating more than 1.5 billion online engagements.

    Zimomo from the Labubu franchise appears on stage with pop icon Jackson Wang during the 2025 BazaarGala in Shanghai, June 28, 2025. [Photo courtesy of SMG]

    The event, organized by Shanghai Media Group (SMG) in partnership with Harper’s Bazaar China and Warner Music China, featured a red carpet, awards presentation and concert.

    On the first day, celebrities from the fashion, music, film and TV industries, including Amy Chen, Victor Ma, Mika Hashizume, Teens in Times (TNT), Victoria Song, Sun Nan, Tan Jianci, Jackson Wang, Wen Muye, Zhang Ruonan and even the global pop culture phenomenon Labubu, walked the red carpet, showcasing their style and generating significant buzz.

    Pop group Teens in Times (TNT) perform during the 2025 BazaarGala in Shanghai, June 28, 2025. [Photo courtesy of SMG]

    The gala celebrated excellence across multiple industries, honoring standout talents including Zhang Ruonan as the actress of charism, Wen Muye as influential director, and TNT as national group. The event crowned Jackson Wang and Victoria Song as BazaarGala King and Queen, respectively, while recognizing Tan Jianci with the fashion and music super icon distinction, and Sun Nan as national singer, among other recipients.

    “I’m just doing my thing the best way I know how,” pop star Jackson Wang said during his acceptance speech. His new album, “MagicMan 2,” which he says reflects his journey of self-discovery, is set for release on July 18.

    “Take care, and focus on yourselves first,” Wang told the crowd at Shanghai International Circuit. “Honestly, we’re all drowning in information overload every day — it’s easy to lose sight of who we are. That’s why I hope we in showbiz can give you positive energy. Let the stars you love uplift you when life gets hard.”

    The evening’s notable moments also included Jackson Wang’s onstage interaction with Zimomo, a character from the popular Labubu franchise.

    Pop singer Mark Tuan performs during the 2025 BazaarGala in Shanghai, June 29, 2025. [Photo courtesy of SMG]

    An ensuing concert featured high-energy performances by artists including Victor Ma, Liu Yu, Nana and Didi Ouyang, Qi Wei, TNT and Sun Nan, drawing enthusiastic responses from fans.

    The event continued into the next day with a spectacular, genre-spanning eight-hour performance marathon featuring 10 acts, including Leon Chan, Mark Tuan, Sha Yiting, Shan Yichun, and Stringer.

    Zhang Ruonan accepts the actress of charisma award during the 2025 BazaarGala in Shanghai, June 28, 2025. [Photo courtesy of SMG]

    The two-day extravaganza featured approximately 100 artists and generated widespread attention on social media, with related hashtags appearing on hot search lists 113 times.

    Tan Jianci accepts the fashion and music super icon award during the 2025 BazaarGala in Shanghai, June 28, 2025. [Photo courtesy of SMG]

    Organizers said they have ambitious plans for future editions. “It was my vision to fuse music and fashion for innovation, breaking boundaries and setting new standards through premium production to establish a fashion benchmark for 2025,” said Wang Xiaobai, general manager of the Entertainment Innovation Department at Trends Media Group and director of Harper’s Bazaar. “This event will continue in the future, as its debut has generated exceptional anticipation.”

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Beijing E-Town unveils ambitious plan to become leading AI hub

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

    Attendees listen to a speaker at the AI Ecosystem Rainforest Conference in Beijing E-Town, July 2, 2025. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

    Beijing’s Economic-Technological Development Area, known as E-Town, plans to become a regional hub for artificial intelligence, Wang Zhanshuo, deputy director of the area’s administrative committee, said at the AI Ecosystem Rainforest Conference in Beijing on July 2.

    The plan, dubbed the “Pan-AI-enabled City,” aims to cluster more than 600 leading AI enterprises by 2025, launch 100 key application scenarios for public access, and boost the industry’s scale beyond $11 billion.

    Wang said the strategy will leverage E-Town’s policies, including subsidies of up to $1.4 million for each domestically developed computing infrastructure project, and annual support of up to $13.8 million per enterprise that demonstrates competitiveness in both domestic and international markets. The area will also issue data vouchers worth $13.8 million to support data circulation and trading.

    To promote real-world AI applications, E-Town will establish integrated hubs for culture, commerce, tourism and sports, and will focus on sectors such as education, elderly care and media.

    Additionally, the “Magic World” AI community being developed by E-Town is offering companies ready-to-use facilities, free office space for the first year, and free high-performance computing power for the first month.

    “E-Town’s overall GDP growth has already reached double digits, with AI-related industries contributing more than $1.4 billion in new growth,” Wang said. “The area possesses the key scenarios and socio-economic advantages needed for developing the AI industry.”

    Li Shizun, CEO of Johnsmith.ai, was among the first to move into Magic World. Li unveiled the company’s new “Real-time Avatar,” a digital human livestreaming technology, at the event.

    The product uses eight AI agents to achieve 95% lip-sync accuracy, recognizes 98 types of user intent, and supports multilingual interaction.

    According to test data, livestream rooms using the technology saw a 42% increase in user engagement time, a 25% rise in product click-through rates, and a 16% improvement in sales conversion rates.

    Johnsmith.ai has already worked with global brands such as Lancôme and Estée Lauder, totaling more than 3 million hours of livestreaming and reaching a 96% client renewal rate in its fourth year.

    “‘Real-time Avatar’ consumes 100,000 tokens per hour — five times that of a typical chatbot — but delivers sales performance surpassing top human hosts,” Li said.

    AI-powered avatars are also gaining traction in other sectors. Matthew Heller, CEO of 37 Partners, said his team has developed a platform that uses AI technology to help sports stars connect emotionally with Chinese fans, turning NBA athletes’ intellectual property into personalized retail experiences.

    “We’re looking at generative AI avatars as a way to build those connections even deeper,” Heller said. “These avatars will be digital twins of our celebrities, with one key exception: They’ll speak the local language, so they’ll speak Mandarin.”

    AI innovation is also transforming the fashion sector. Regina Zeng, CEO of Inno Baker, showcased AI applications across the industry value chain, from generating new designs with style transfer algorithms to enabling personalized advertising based on consumer profiles and brand style.

    During a panel discussion, guests agreed that AI is evolving from an efficiency tool into a “commercial operating system.” Li said digital human livestreaming has moved beyond replacing basic labor to creating new value, with the next breakthrough expected in emotional interaction.

    Tian Ruifeng, director of industry innovation at the China Chain Store and Franchise Association, compared retail AI to a “rainforest ecosystem,” adding that E-Town’s policy practices are providing the necessary institutional framework needed to support the development and integration of AI across many sectors.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • Archaeologists in Peru unveil 3,500-year-old city that linked coast and Andes

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Archaeologists on Thursday unveiled a 3,500-year-old city in Peru that likely served as a trading hub linking Pacific coast cultures with those in the Andes and Amazon, flourishing around the same time as early civilizations in the Middle East and Asia.

    Drone footage released by researchers shows the city center is marked by a circular structure on a hillside terrace, with remains of stone and mud buildings constructed some 600 meters (1,970 feet) above sea level.

    The urban center, named Peñico, is located in the northern Barranca province and was founded between 1,800 and 1,500 BC. It is close to where the Caral civilization, the oldest in the Americas, developed 5,000 years ago.

    Caral, comprised of 32 monumental structures, is considered a contemporary of civilizations in Egypt, India, Sumeria and China. However, unlike them, it developed in complete isolation, according to researchers.

    Ruth Shady, the archaeologist who led the research into Peñico, said the newly unveiled city is key because experts believe it emerged after the Caral civilization was devastated by climate change.

    “They were situated in a strategic location for trade, for exchange with societies from the coast, the highlands and the jungle,” Shady said.

    Archaeologist Marco Machacuay, a researcher with the Ministry of Culture, said at a news conference that Peñico’s importance lies in it being the continuation of the Caral society.

    After eight years of studies, researchers have identified up to 18 structures in Penico, including ceremonial temples and residential complexes.

    The walls of a central plaza stand out for their sculptural reliefs and depictions of the pututu, a conch shell trumpet whose sound carries over long distances.

    In other buildings, researchers found clay sculptures of human and animal figures, ceremonial objects and necklaces made from beads and seashells, they added.

    Peru is a center of ancient cultures and home to archaeological sites such as the Inca ruins of Machu Picchu in Cusco and the mysterious Nazca lines located in the desert region along the country’s central coast.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI China: Commerce ministry says dialogue, cooperation are right way as US lifts trade restrictions

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

    China’s Ministry of Commerce said Friday that dialogue and cooperation are the right path forward, in response to the U.S. lifting of a series of economic and trade restrictions on China.

    A spokesperson for the ministry made the remarks in response to a media query about recent reports that certain Chinese companies have received notices from the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding the resumption of exports to China of products such as electronic design automation software, ethane, and aircraft engines.

    The spokesperson confirmed that following the recent China-U.S. economic and trade talks in London, both sides had finalized implementation details to carry out the important consensus reached by the two heads of state during their phone talks on June 5, and to consolidate the outcomes of the economic and trade talks in Geneva.

    As part of this process, China is reviewing applications for export licenses for eligible controlled items in accordance with laws and regulations, while the United States has taken corresponding steps to remove certain restrictive measures and has informed the Chinese side, the spokesperson said.

    Describing the framework reached during the economic and trade talks in London as “hard-won,” the spokesperson stressed that dialogue and cooperation are the right path forward, while threats and coercion “lead nowhere.”

    The spokesperson urged the United States to fully recognize the mutually beneficial nature of China-U.S. economic and trade ties, continue to meet China halfway, and further correct its erroneous practices to jointly implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and jointly promote the steady and long-term development of bilateral economic and trade relations.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Man Group PLC : Form 8.3 – Deliveroo Plc

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORM 8.3

    PUBLIC OPENING POSITION DISCLOSURE/DEALING DISCLOSURE BY
    A PERSON WITH INTERESTS IN RELEVANT SECURITIES REPRESENTING 1% OR MORE
    Rule 8.3 of the Takeover Code (the “Code”)

    1.        KEY INFORMATION

    (a)   Full name of discloser: Man Group PLC
    (b)   Owner or controller of interests and short positions disclosed, if different from 1(a):
            The naming of nominee or vehicle companies is insufficient. For a trust, the trustee(s), settlor and beneficiaries must be named.    		  
    (c)   Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
            Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree    		 Deliveroo plc
    (d)   If an exempt fund manager connected with an offeror/offeree, state this and specify identity of offeror/offeree:  
    (e)   Date position held/dealing undertaken:
            For an opening position disclosure, state the latest practicable date prior to the disclosure    		 03/07/2025
    (f)   In addition to the company in 1(c) above, is the discloser making disclosures in respect of any other party to the offer?
            If it is a cash offer or possible cash offer, state “N/A”    		 YES / NO / N/A

    2.        POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    If there are positions or rights to subscribe to disclose in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 2(a) or (b) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security.

    (a)      Interests and short positions in the relevant securities of the offeror or offeree to which the disclosure relates following the dealing (if any)

    Class of relevant security: 0.5p ordinary
      Interests Short positions
    Number % Number %
    (1)   Relevant securities owned and/or controlled:        
    (2)   Cash-settled derivatives: 15,291,497 1.02    
    (3)   Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:        

            TOTAL:

    		 15,291,497 1.02    

    All interests and all short positions should be disclosed.

    Details of any open stock-settled derivative positions (including traded options), or agreements to purchase or sell relevant securities, should be given on a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions).

    (b)      Rights to subscribe for new securities (including directors’ and other employee options)

    Class of relevant security in relation to which subscription right exists:  
    Details, including nature of the rights concerned and relevant percentages:  

    3.        DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

    Where there have been dealings in more than one class of relevant securities of the offeror or offeree named in 1(c), copy table 3(a), (b), (c) or (d) (as appropriate) for each additional class of relevant security dealt in.

    The currency of all prices and other monetary amounts should be stated.

    (a)        Purchases and sales

    Class of relevant security Purchase/sale Number of securities Price per unit

    (b)        Cash-settled derivative transactions

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. CFD    		 Nature of dealing
    e.g. opening/closing a long/short position, increasing/reducing a long/short position    		 Number of reference securities Price per unit
    0.5p ordinary Equity Swap Increasing a long position 25,873 1.7630 GBP
    0.5p ordinary Equity Swap Increasing a long position 259,177 1.7630 GBP
    0.5p ordinary Equity Swap Increasing a long position 14,871 1.7630 GBP
    0.5p ordinary Equity Swap Increasing a long position 2,675 1.7630 GBP
    0.5p ordinary Equity Swap Increasing a long position 88,546 1.7630 GBP
    0.5p ordinary Equity Swap Increasing a long position 5,175 1.7630 GBP
    0.5p ordinary Equity Swap Increasing a long position 49,928 1.7630 GBP

    (c)        Stock-settled derivative transactions (including options)

    (i)        Writing, selling, purchasing or varying

    Class of relevant security Product description e.g. call option Writing, purchasing, selling, varying etc. Number of securities to which option relates Exercise price per unit Type
    e.g. American, European etc.    		 Expiry date Option money paid/ received per unit

    (ii)        Exercise

    Class of relevant security Product description
    e.g. call option    		 Exercising/ exercised against Number of securities Exercise price per unit

    (d)        Other dealings (including subscribing for new securities)

    Class of relevant security Nature of dealing
    e.g. subscription, conversion    		 Details Price per unit (if applicable)

    4.        OTHER INFORMATION

    (a)        Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

    Details of any indemnity or option arrangement, or any agreement or understanding, formal or informal, relating to relevant securities which may be an inducement to deal or refrain from dealing entered into by the person making the disclosure and any party to the offer or any person acting in concert with a party to the offer:
    Irrevocable commitments and letters of intent should not be included. If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    None

    (b)        Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

    Details of any agreement, arrangement or understanding, formal or informal, between the person making the disclosure and any other person relating to:
    (i)   the voting rights of any relevant securities under any option; or
    (ii)   the voting rights or future acquisition or disposal of any relevant securities to which any derivative is referenced:
    If there are no such agreements, arrangements or understandings, state “none”

    None

    (c)        Attachments

    Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached? NO
    Date of disclosure: 04/07/2025
    Contact name: James Carr
    Telephone number: +442071447242

    Public disclosures under Rule 8 of the Code must be made to a Regulatory Information Service.

    The Panel’s Market Surveillance Unit is available for consultation in relation to the Code’s disclosure requirements on +44 (0)20 7638 0129.

    The Code can be viewed on the Panel’s website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Registration of share consolidation (reverse split) in IDEX Biometrics – 4 July 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Reference is made to the notice on 11 April 2025 about the 100-to-1 share consolidation (reverse split) in IDEX Biometrics ASA, as resolved by the extraordinary general meeting held on the same day.

    The consolidation has been registered in the Norwegian Register of Business Enterprises. Following the registration, the company’s share capital remains NOK 47,364,256.00, but is now divided into 47,364,256 shares, each with a nominal value of NOK 1.00.

    For the avoidance of doubt, the registration does not affect the dates set forth in the notice updating the key information relating to the share consolidation and trading of old and new shares, issued on 18 June 2025.

    For further information contact:
    Anders Storbråten, CEO and CFO
    E-mail: anders@idexbiometrics.com

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

    For more information, visit www.idexbiometrics.com

    About this notice
    This notice was published by Erling Svela, Vice president of finance, on 4 July 2025 at 09:55 CET on behalf of IDEX Biometrics ASA. The information shall be disclosed according to section 5‑8 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act (STA) and published in accordance with section 5‑12 of the STA.

    The MIL Network –

  • PM Modi’s Trinidad & Tobago visit highlights deepening trade, development and cultural relations

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Trinidad and Tobago this week highlights India’s efforts to deepen ties with the Caribbean nation. The partnership, built on historical connections dating back nearly two centuries, now spans development cooperation, trade, digital payments, and cultural exchange.

    Trade and Investment: Unlocking New Opportunities

    The Trade Agreement signed between India and Trinidad and Tobago in January 1997, which grants Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to each other, has laid a strong foundation for expanding economic ties. Trinidad and Tobago’s strategic economic role in the Caribbean, supported by bilateral and regional trade agreements, offers Indian exporters a gateway to the wider Caribbean market and beyond.

    Bilateral trade between the two nations has shown encouraging resilience and steady growth, rising from $264 million in 2020–21 to $341 million in 2024–25. India’s major exports to Trinidad and Tobago include vehicles and parts, iron and steel, pharmaceutical products, and plastic goods. In return, India imports mineral fuels and oils, bituminous substances, mineral waxes, iron and steel, ores and ash, and aluminium from Trinidad and Tobago.

    A notable milestone came in 2024 when Trinidad and Tobago became the first Caribbean nation to adopt India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This step is set to enhance digital payments infrastructure and promote greater financial inclusion.

    In recent years, India’s active participation in trade and investment conventions in Trinidad and Tobago has underlined the shared commitment to explore new opportunities. Sectors such as tourism, pharmaceuticals, information technology, renewable energy, and education are emerging as key areas for collaboration, signalling the growing potential of this bilateral economic partnership.

    Strengthening Institutional Frameworks and Development Cooperation

    The bilateral partnership between India and Trinidad and Tobago is anchored in institutional mechanisms such as the Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) and Foreign Office Consultations (FOC). The first JCM was held in 2011 in New Delhi, while the latest round of FOC took place in Port of Spain in August 2021, enabling both sides to chart the way forward for expanding collaboration.

    India’s development partnership with Trinidad and Tobago has grown steadily in recent years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, India extended critical medical support by supplying 40,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine under the Vaccine Maitri initiative, along with essential medical equipment and aid.

    Beyond healthcare, India’s assistance has strengthened other priority areas as well. A $1 million India-UNDP project supported the deployment of telemedicine and mobile healthcare robots in Trinidad and Tobago. An additional $1 million was allocated for agro-processing machinery to boost food processing capacity. In line with its commitment to regional food security, Indian cooperatives have also supplied rice and edible oil to the Caribbean nation.

    Cultural Bonds: A Living Heritage

    Cultural connections between the two countries remain vibrant, anchored by the Indian diaspora’s enduring ties to its ancestral roots. Hindi language education continues to flourish, with the support of Hindi teachers and local institutions. Nearly 300 students enrolled

  • Trump eyes simple tariff rates over complex talks, says letters going out Friday

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    President Donald Trump said Washington will start sending letters to countries on Friday specifying what tariff rates they will face on imports to the United States, a clear shift from earlier pledges to strike scores of individual deals.

    Acknowledging the complexity of negotiating with over 170 nations, Trump told reporters before departing for Iowa on Thursday that the letters will be sent to 10 countries at a time, laying out tariff rates such as 20% to 30%.

    “We have more than 170 countries, and how many deals can you make?” Trump said. “They’re very much more complicated.”

    The Republican president said he expected “a couple” more detailed agreements with other countries after Wednesday’s announcement of a trade deal with Vietnam.

    However, he said he preferred to notify most other countries of a specific tariff rate, skipping detailed negotiations.

    Trump’s comments underscored the challenges of completing trade agreements on everything from tariffs to non-tariff barriers such as bans on agricultural imports.

    Top Trump aides said in April they would work on 90 deals in 90 days, an ambitious goal that was met with skepticism from trade experts familiar with arduous and time-consuming trade deals of the past.

    Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Bloomberg Television that about 100 countries are likely to see a reciprocal tariff rate of 10% and predicted a “flurry” of trade deals announced before a July 9 deadline when tariffs could rise sharply.

    If 10% tariffs were given to 100 countries, that would be fewer than originally envisioned by the Trump administration.

    Its original reciprocal tariff list showed 123 jurisdictions that would be given a 10% tariff rate – mostly small countries, along with some territories such as Australia’s uninhabited Heard and McDonald Islands.

    Trump sent markets into a tailspin on April 2 with sweeping reciprocal tariff rates ranging from 10% to 50%, although he temporarily reduced the tariff rate for most countries to 10% to allow time for negotiations through July 9.

    Many countries with an initial 10% duty rate have not had any negotiations with the Trump administration, with the exception of Britain, which reached a deal in May to keep a 10% rate and won preferential treatment for some sectors including autos and aircraft engines.

    Major trading partners now involved in negotiations were hit with much higher tariff rates, including 20% for the European Union, 26% for India and 24% for Japan. Other countries that have not engaged in trade talks with the Trump administration face even higher reciprocal tariffs, including 50% for the tiny mountain kingdom of Lesotho, 47% for Madagascar and 36% for Thailand.

    Trump on Wednesday announced an agreement with Vietnam that he said cuts U.S. tariffs on many Vietnamese goods to 20% from his previously threatened 46%. Many U.S. products would be allowed to enter Vietnam duty free.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: High-ranking guests from SCO countries praised the “Chinese option” in the field of sustainable development

    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

    TIANJIN, July 4 (Xinhua) — “It struck me with its beautiful, well-kept areas, where modernity and history are concentrated,” said Viktor Galanov, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus, who is taking part in a meeting in the northern Chinese city. According to him, the state is making “maximum efforts to maintain the environmental situation in such a large city.”

    The sixth meeting of heads of ministries and departments of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states responsible for environmental protection was held in Tianjin on Thursday, July 3. “Cooperation for green, sustainable and low-emission development of the SCO member states” was its main theme. Following the meeting, the heads of delegations signed a joint statement and adopted the Initiative to Strengthen Cooperation between the SCO Member States in the Field of Sustainable Development.

    SCO Deputy Secretary General Janesh Kane called these documents “important,” which, according to him, will not only facilitate a joint response to challenges in the field of ecology and the environment within the SCO, but will also have a positive impact on green global development.

    Like V. Galanov, he paid tribute to China’s efforts to ensure sustainable development by combating pollution, improving air quality, large-scale afforestation, and combating desertification. China’s progress in these areas is enormous, the deputy secretary general noted.

    “Our delegation recently visited the cities of Yinchuan and Beijing to get acquainted with and study China’s experience in the field of afforestation and combating desertification. We are also interested in implementing joint projects in the field of solid waste disposal. I would like to emphasize that China serves as an example of a systematic approach to environmental protection for us, and our country is striving to adapt these approaches in national policy,” said Deputy Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources of Kazakhstan Mansur Oshurbayev.

    According to him, Tianjin, as one of the largest cities in China, has significant experience in combating air and water pollution, as well as waste management. “We hope to establish a partnership with the city of Tianjin in the field of urban ecology, digital monitoring of the environment, and attract investment and know-how to implement joint projects on green technologies,” Mansur Oshurbayev added.

    Uzbekistan and China have established close cooperation in combating desertification, stated Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan. In his opinion, such cooperation facilitates the transfer of technologies and knowledge from China, which demonstrates high rates of development in the field of green economy, to the countries of Central Asia.

    Most SCO countries have natural advantages in the field of green energy. They have rich resources of solar, wind and hydropower, noted Director General of the China-Eurasia Economic Cooperation Fund Lei Wentao. China, which is among the world leaders in the field of green energy technology and equipment production, is ready to cooperate to disseminate best practices and successful experience in this area. Work on the implementation of green energy projects is already underway in the regions of Central Asia and the Middle East, he said. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: The class of 1995 met at their home university

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering – Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

    At the end of June, SPbGASU not only saw off graduates to their big professional life, but also met those who received their diplomas here 30 years ago: graduates of group 7P of the Department of Construction Production Technology and the Department of Wooden Structures visited lecture halls, the meeting room of the Academic Council, the SPbGASU History Museum and talked to each other.

    Builders, entrepreneurs, scientists

    The work biographies of graduates are impressive: career growth, scientific activity, teaching, entrepreneurship and many years of service to the cause chosen in youth.

    Most of them successfully work in the construction industry. Igor Kulakov is a civil engineer, top manager, worked in construction organizations of St. Petersburg, went from a work producer to the head of the organization, for 10 years was the head of the municipality in the Lomonosovsky district; currently – Chairman of the Committee on Urban Development Policy of the Leningrad Region. Oleg Timoshchuk headed the department of legal and methodological support of the State Construction Supervision and Expertise Service of St. Petersburg for more than 16 years, candidate of technical sciences, chairman of the state examination committee at the department of construction production technology, author of textbooks on construction technologies, expert on legal and technical issues in the field of construction. Denis Bak and Pavel Artemyev are the founders and heads of construction organizations that took part in the construction, reconstruction, major repairs, and restoration of significant objects: the General Staff building, the Astoria and Angleterre hotels, the Philip Morris tobacco factory, the Zenit Arena stadium, the Lakhta Center, and the Konevetsky Monastery.

    Sergey Dryakhlov has been working as a site manager at construction sites in St. Petersburg for many years. The reconstruction of the cultural heritage site “Pets House”, major repairs of residential buildings, reconstruction of the Admiralty Shipyards collector – this is far from a complete list of construction works in which he participated. Alla Soboleva is the chief specialist of the technical department of a developer specializing in the construction of residential buildings and social facilities. Marina Belokonova is an estimator for nuclear industry facilities; her organization’s main customers include the Kurchatov Institute and the St. Petersburg Institute of Nuclear Physics. Tatyana Soloshenko is a specialist in contracting, Irina Danilenko is a low-rise construction manager, Natalya Rogova, Olga Mineycheva and Olesya Litovchenko are design engineers who take part in the design, construction and reconstruction of residential and industrial buildings, bridges; they took part in the construction of the Western High-Speed Diameter, the Ring Road of St. Petersburg, and in the repair of the Trinity Bridge.

    Natalia Iskrova is the head of the economy of the State Budgetary Institution MFC of the Murmansk Region. Natalia Morozova is a specialist in the design and construction of communication networks. Larisa Anikeeva is an entrepreneur and consultant. Dmitry Titarev is a business trainer, lecturer at the St. Petersburg International Institute of Management and the Moscow School of Management “Skolkovo”, a candidate of technical sciences, and the author of books on industrial technologies.

    When asked how to build a successful career in the construction industry, Igor Kulakov answered: “Career success depends on many components: professional skills, personal qualities, willingness to take responsibility, and the ability to work in a team. In recent years, one of the main trends in the construction industry has been digitalization and automation of processes. The introduction of TIM models and artificial intelligence leads to changes in the requirements for employee qualifications. As a result, the demand for specialists with skills in working with new digital technologies is increasing. University graduates who can effectively use digital tools have a better chance of building a successful career.”

    “We will meet again at our home university”

    Within the walls of their native university, classmates recalled moments of student life.

    “Many of us noted that the years spent at the university became the most important stage in our professional development. We remembered our favorite teachers – professors Vladimir Vladimirovich Verstov, Gennady Mikhailovich Badin, Rudolf Sergeyevich Sanzharovsky, the dean of the construction faculty Viktor Borisovich Zverev. Having met, we seemed to relive our student years, remembering how we made our first projects, how we defended our diplomas, how we coped with everyday difficulties in the dormitory and worked on a collective farm, how we sang around the campfire with a guitar with a then modest classmate, and now a famous showman Sergei Shnurov,” shared Oleg Timoshchuk.

    The group plans to get back together for the 35th anniversary of the release.

    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-Evening Report: Lyssavirus is rare, but deadly. What should you do if a bat bites you?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vinod Balasubramaniam, Associate Professor (Molecular Virology), Monash University

    Ken Griffiths/Getty Images

    A man in his 50s has died from lyssavirus in New South Wales after being bitten by a bat several months ago.

    This is Australia’s fourth human case of bat lyssavirus and the first confirmed case in NSW since the virus was first identified in 1996 in a black flying fox in Queensland.

    So what is lyssavirus? And how can you protect yourself if you come into contact with a bat?

    A close relative of rabies

    Australian bat lyssavirus belongs to the Rhabdoviridae family, the same group of viruses that causes rabies.

    It primarily infects bats. Active monitoring suggests fewer than 1% of healthy bats carry the virus, though prevalence rises to 5–10% in sick or injured bats.

    In bats, the virus often causes no obvious symptoms, though some show neurological signs such as disorientation, aggression, muscle spasms and paralysis. Some will die.

    The virus has been confirmed in all four mainland flying fox species (Pteropus alecto, P. poliocephalus, P. scapulatus and P. conspicillatus) as well as the yellow-bellied sheathtail bat (Saccolaimus flaviventris), a species of microbat.

    However, serological evidence – where scientists test for antibodies in bats’ blood – suggests other microbats could be susceptible too. So we should be cautious with all Australian bat species when it comes to lyssavirus.

    Rare, but potentially deadly

    Unlike rabies, which causes roughly 59,000 human deaths annually, predominantly in Africa and Asia, human infection with bat lyssavirus is extremely rare.

    Australian bat lyssavirus, as the name suggests, is unique to Australia. But other bat lyssaviruses, such as European bat lyssavirus, have similarly caused rare human infections.

    Human infection with bat lyssavirus occurs through direct contact with infected bat saliva via bites, scratches or open skin. It can also occur if our mucous membranes (eyes, nose, mouth) are exposed to bat saliva.

    There’s no risk associated with bat faeces, urine, blood, or casual proximity to roosts.

    If someone has been exposed, there’s an incubation period which can range from weeks to more than two years. During this time the virus slowly moves through the body’s nerves to the brain, staying hidden and symptom-free.

    Treating the virus during the incubation period can prevent the illness. But if it’s not treated, symptoms are serious and it’s invariably fatal.

    The nature of the illness in humans mirrors rabies, beginning with flu-like symptoms (fever, headache, fatigue), then quickly progressing to severe neurological disease, including paralysis, delirium, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. Death generally occurs within 1–2 weeks of symptom onset.

    All four recorded human cases in Australia – three in Queensland (in 1996, 1998 and 2013) and the recent NSW case – have been fatal.

    There’s no effective treatment once symptoms develop

    If someone is potentially exposed to bat lyssavirus and seeks medical attention, they can be treated with post-exposure prophylaxis, consisting of rabies antibodies and the rabies vaccine.

    This intervention is highly effective if initiated promptly – preferably within 48 hours, and no later than seven days post-exposure – before the virus enters the central nervous system.

    But no effective treatment exists for Australian bat lyssavirus once symptoms develop. Emerging research on monoclonal antibodies offers potential future therapies, however these are not yet available.

    So what’s the best protection? And what if a bat bites you?

    Pre-exposure rabies vaccination, involving three doses over one month, is recommended for high-risk groups. This includes veterinarians, animal handlers, wildlife rehabilitators, and laboratory workers handling lyssaviruses.

    It’s important for members of the public to avoid all direct contact with bats. Only vaccinated, trained professionals, such as wildlife carers or veterinarians, should handle bats.

    Public education campaigns are essential to reduce risky interactions, especially in bat-populated areas.

    If you get bitten or scratched by a bat, it’s vital to act immediately. Wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes, apply an antiseptic (such as betadine), and seek urgent medical attention.

    This tragic case in NSW underscores that while extremely rare, bat lyssavirus is an important public health threat. We need to see enhanced public awareness and ensure vaccination for high-risk groups, alongside ongoing bat monitoring and research into new treatments.

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

    – ref. Lyssavirus is rare, but deadly. What should you do if a bat bites you? – https://theconversation.com/lyssavirus-is-rare-but-deadly-what-should-you-do-if-a-bat-bites-you-260495

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Prisoner Releases in Belarus: Joint Statement to the OSCE, July 2025

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    Prisoner Releases in Belarus: Joint Statement to the OSCE, July 2025

    UK and others call for immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners

    Madam Chair, I am delivering this statement on behalf of the following participating States, who are members of the Informal Group of Friends of Democratic Belarus: Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czechia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and my own country, Germany.

    The following participating States are also joining this statement: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Hercegovina, Liechtenstein, Malta, Moldova, North Macedonia and San Marino.

    We welcome the release of several political prisoners, including Siarhei Tsikhanousky, in which the United States of America played a crucial role.

    While these are positive steps, we are deeply concerned that as of 26 June at least 1 170 political prisoners still remain in custody in Belarus according to the human rights organization Viasna. Many are subjected to torture and ill-treatment, including prolonged isolation and denial of essential medical care. Tragically, at least eight of them died in detention due to these inhumane conditions.

    We are also mindful of those who, upon release, are forced to flee Belarus or are compelled to remain under continuous repression that effectively prolongs their punishment beyond imprisonment.

    Moreover, the Belarusian authorities continue to arrest and detain opponents or people perceived as such and to suppress independent media, in disregard of international obligations and OSCE principles and commitments.

    Against this background, we reiterate our call for the Belarusian authorities to: stop persecuting individuals for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, to freedom of association and to peaceful assembly; immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners, most urgently those with health issues and disabilities, the elderly and single parents and to ensure their rehabilitation; and, ensure fair and humane treatment of all prisoners, in particular by allowing prisoners who have been prevented from communicating with their families to do so, and by granting prompt access to appropriate medical care for those in need.

    We will continue to support the Belarusian people’s aspiration for a free, democratic and independent Belarus.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: International Day in Support of Victims of Torture 2025: Joint Statement to the OSCE

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    Speech

    International Day in Support of Victims of Torture 2025: Joint Statement to the OSCE

    UK and 41 other OSCE participating States mark the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

    Mr Chair, I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of 42 participating States: Albania, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Georgia, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Moldova, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Ukraine, United Kingdom, the member states of the European Union and my own country Switzerland.

    On this International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. This prohibition is clearly enshrined in international human rights law and international humanitarian law – in particular in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the UN Convention against Torture. We recall that the prohibition of torture is also considered a peremptory norm of general international law (jus cogens) and therefore does not allow for any derogation, even in situations of emergency.

    Five years after the adoption of the Tirana Ministerial Council Decision on the Prevention and Eradication of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the eradication of the use of torture in the OSCE region remains a distant goal. Torture and ill-treatment continue to occur across the region. Let us use this anniversary to redouble our efforts.

    Preventing torture requires transparency and independent monitoring. We call on all participating States to consider ratifying and implementing the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) and to ensure that independent and effective National Preventive Mechanisms are in place. Regular and unrestricted access to all places of detention is essential.

    In many detention facilities, conditions remain dire: overcrowding, lack of medical care, unsanitary conditions, prolonged isolation, and abuse during custody or interrogation. These conditions can amount to inhuman or degrading treatment and, at times, to torture.

    Perhaps even more pressing, torture has reemerged as a systematic and widespread practice in the context of armed conflict including occupation in the OSCE region. Torture and other inhuman treatment or acts may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity. In the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the systematic use of torture by Russian forces has been thoroughly documented – including by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, the OSCE Moscow Mechanism and ODIHR.

    Mr Chair, we are also alarmed by numerous reports of torture and ill-treatment used to suppress civil society and silence dissent. We express our strong support for civil society and human rights defenders. Their role in documentation, victim support and independent oversight is indispensable – and must be protected from reprisals.

    The use of torture and ill-treatment as means of intimidation, punishment or coercion are unacceptable in any context, and no derogation is permitted. We stand firm in our commitment to justice and accountability. These grave violations of international law, including human rights law and OSCE commitments, must not go unpunished.

    We urge all participating States to adopt a victim-centered and gender- responsive approach in all anti-torture efforts. Rehabilitation, justice and prevention must be guided by the voices and needs of survivors. The Méndez Principles should guide ethical and non-coercive interviewing practices.

    Mr Chair, torture must never be tolerated. Let us renew our collective efforts to uphold human dignity, support victims and survivors, and ensure accountability across the OSCE region and beyond.

    Thank you.

    Updates to this page

    Published 4 July 2025

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Three new flights connect Shanghai with cities in Mongolia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan

    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, July 4 (Xinhua) — Three new passenger flights linked Shanghai with Mongolia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan on Thursday and Friday, Shanghai-based Pengpai news portal reported, citing a source at Shanghai Airport.

    The Boeing 737 aircraft of the Mongolian airline MIAT Mongolia Airlines, operating flight OM265, arrived in Shanghai at 00:12 on Thursday, which marked the opening of the flight on the Ulaanbaatar-Shanghai route.

    Flights on this route are operated twice a week. The aircraft leaves Ulaanbaatar at 20:40 local time on Wednesdays and Saturdays and arrives in Shanghai at 00:10 the following day Beijing time, on the return flight it departs Shanghai at 01:10 Beijing time on Thursdays and Sundays and lands at Ulaanbaatar airport at 05:00 local time.

    On Friday, the Uzbek airline Qanot Sharq launched a flight on the Tashkent-Shanghai route. Flights on this route are carried out twice a week. The company’s A-321 aircraft departs from Tashkent at 19:00 on Monday and 18:50 local time on Thursday and lands at Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 05:00 the next day Beijing time, on the return flight it leaves Shanghai at 06:40 Beijing time on Tuesdays and Fridays and arrives in Tashkent at 11:50 local time.

    Chinese airline China Eastern Airlines will launch a flight on the Shanghai-Almaty route on Friday. Flights on this route will be operated three times a week – on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

    According to the schedule, the A-321 aircraft departs from Shanghai at 16:05 local time and arrives in Almaty at 19:35 local time, on the return flight it departs from Almaty at 20:50 and lands at Pudong Airport at 05:45 /on Tuesdays and Thursdays/ and 06:05 /on Saturdays/. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 335 direct university offers accepted

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Education Bureau announced today that the selection process for the fourth cohort under the School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme (SNDAS) is complete, with 335 students accepting university offers.

    A total of 814 valid nominations were received from 420 secondary schools for the fourth cohort, the bureau said.

    The eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities participating in the scheme then arranged interviews for the nominated students and carefully considered their merits.

    Firm offers were made to 342 successful nominees prior to the release of this year’s Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination results. Of these nominees, 335 accepted their offers and will begin studies in their chosen undergraduate programmes, across a wide spectrum of disciplines, in September.

    Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin said she was pleased to note the encouraging results of the fourth cohort, in particular the continuing increase in the number of offers made to the nominees.

    She thanked the secondary schools and universities for their support for the SNDAS as well as their recognition of students’ multifaceted talents, and for cultivating more talent for Hong Kong.

    Ms Choi highlighted that talent in diversified skills and knowledge is the key to Hong Kong’s future development.

    In addition to stressing that the Government has always placed great emphasis on nurturing young people, she added that it is striving to enhance the city’s education system and creating diverse opportunities for students to reach their full potential in different areas.

    Separately, each of the eight UGC-funded universities will be invited to nominate SNDAS admittees demonstrating an outstanding performance in arts, sports and/or community service for awarding scholarships in addition to the firm offers made.

    Additionally, to promote a culture of multifaceted excellence, the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau has launched the Multi-talent Development Scholarship for admittees of the SNDAS demonstrating outstanding achievements in arts, sports and/or community service on top of the firm offers made under the SNDAS.

    Each awardee, not subject to means testing, will be granted a scholarship of $10,000 per year across his or her four-year tuition period.

    The scheme’s fifth round will open to Secondary 6 students who will sit for the next HKDSE Examination and start their undergraduate studies in September 2026. Details will be announced in due course.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: 335 direct university offers accepted

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Education Bureau announced today that the selection process for the fourth cohort under the School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme (SNDAS) is complete, with 335 students accepting university offers.

    A total of 814 valid nominations were received from 420 secondary schools for the fourth cohort, the bureau said.

    The eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities participating in the scheme then arranged interviews for the nominated students and carefully considered their merits.

    Firm offers were made to 342 successful nominees prior to the release of this year’s Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination results. Of these nominees, 335 accepted their offers and will begin studies in their chosen undergraduate programmes, across a wide spectrum of disciplines, in September.

    Secretary for Education Choi Yuk-lin said she was pleased to note the encouraging results of the fourth cohort, in particular the continuing increase in the number of offers made to the nominees.

    She thanked the secondary schools and universities for their support for the SNDAS as well as their recognition of students’ multifaceted talents, and for cultivating more talent for Hong Kong.

    Ms Choi highlighted that talent in diversified skills and knowledge is the key to Hong Kong’s future development.

    In addition to stressing that the Government has always placed great emphasis on nurturing young people, she added that it is striving to enhance the city’s education system and creating diverse opportunities for students to reach their full potential in different areas.

    Separately, each of the eight UGC-funded universities will be invited to nominate SNDAS admittees demonstrating an outstanding performance in arts, sports and/or community service for awarding scholarships in addition to the firm offers made.

    Additionally, to promote a culture of multifaceted excellence, the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau has launched the Multi-talent Development Scholarship for admittees of the SNDAS demonstrating outstanding achievements in arts, sports and/or community service on top of the firm offers made under the SNDAS.

    Each awardee, not subject to means testing, will be granted a scholarship of $10,000 per year across his or her four-year tuition period.

    The scheme’s fifth round will open to Secondary 6 students who will sit for the next HKDSE Examination and start their undergraduate studies in September 2026. Details will be announced in due course.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China-EU relations should be characterized as partnership, says Chinese FM

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

    Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday that partnership and cooperation should be core takeaways from the past 50 years of relations between China and the EU.

    Speaking at a joint press conference in Berlin with his German counterpart, Johann Wadephul, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China-EU relations have advanced to higher levels and forged a comprehensive strategic partnership.

    Wang called on the two sides to take the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to comprehensively review and reaffirm the important insight left by history, that is: China-EU relations should be characterized as a partnership, with cooperation being the defining feature, independence the key value, win-win outcomes the prospect for development.

    The two sides should, through high-level exchanges this year, cherish the efforts of predecessors, carry forward the hard-won spirit of cooperation, and jointly usher in the next 50 years of China-EU relations that are more resilient and autonomous, more mature and stable, and more visionary, he stressed.

    Wang pointed out that some people are trying to talk down China-EU relations, exaggerate specific issues, turn economic and trade issues into security matters, or cling to prejudices against China and confine themselves in a cocoon of false information.

    However, denying past achievements clouds the vision for the future, and failing to respect the efforts of predecessors is tantamount to denying one’s own present, he warned, stressing that the trend of progress is unstoppable, and China-EU relations will only move forward, not stagnate, let alone regress.

    Wang reaffirmed the consistency of China’s policy toward Europe, expressing firm support for European integration, strategic autonomy and Europe’s role as a key pillar of a multipolar world.

    Wang stressed that amid incessant chaos and confusion in the international landscape, China has been the most important stabilizing force and the most predictable factor of certainty in the world.

    On the issue of peace and security, China is a major country with the best track record, Wang said, noting China has never planned wars, nor has it participated in conflicts, let alone engaged in geopolitical competition.

    In terms of global economic development and recovery, China’s annual contribution to world economic growth accounts for about 30 percent, Wang said, adding that China has been accelerating high-level opening up and creating a more market-oriented, law-based and internationalized business environment.

    On international and regional disputes, China remains committed to political settlement through dialogue and consultation, opposes the use of force and unilateral sanctions, adheres to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, and safeguards the legitimate rights and interests of the vast number of developing countries, especially small and medium-sized countries, Wang said.

    China’s development is the growth of a force for peace in today’s world, Wang said, noting that China is willing to open arms to all countries, including European countries that hope to cooperate with China, and share opportunities, in a joint effort to protect the only planet inhabited by mankind and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Join in the fun and help shape your community at family events

    Source: City of Wolverhampton

    The Love Your Community fun days will be taking place at Pendeford Dovecotes TMO on Wednesday 30 July, the Cannock Road Gurdwara on Thursday 7 August, Lanesfield Church on Wednesday 13 August, and St Joseph’s Church, Coalway Road, on Wednesday 20 August. Each will run from 11am to 3pm and all are welcome.

    Partners including the City of Wolverhampton Council, community organisations and charities, the police and other service providers will be on hand to provide a day of enjoyment, wellbeing and practical support for people of all ages across four distinct zones.

    The Kids and Family Zone will include a bouncy castle and physical play, face painting, henna art and craft activities, while the Wellbeing Zone will offer a calm and supportive environment providing information and advice from partners like Rethink and the NHS as well as mindfulness sessions and journalling activities designed to promote self-care and reflection.

    Elsewhere, the Advice and Support Zone will offer residents financial tips, energy efficiency guidance and support with managing household budgets along with gardening workshops to encourage sustainable living and community greening, and the Sports and Physical Activity Zone will feature kickabouts with Wolves Foundation, calisthenics demonstrations, interactive sessions led by WV Active and appearances by Wolves mascots Wolfie and Wendy.

    Visitors will also be encouraged to contribute to the Love Your Community Wall, sharing what they value about their neighbourhood, contributing ideas for local improvements, and making a pledge to support positive change in their community.

    Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Community, said: “These Love Your Community events will bring residents together for fun, connection, and support. They are a great chance for people to find out more about what is going on locally, discover services that can make their lives easier, and share their ideas to improve their neighbourhood.

    “The Love Your Community initiative is designed to empower and encourage people to take pride in their local area through community events, shared spaces, support networks and inclusive activities.

    “This is important because we know that, when residents feel seen, heard, and included, their neighbourhoods flourish — and so does our city. So please come along, join the fun, and help shape the future of your community.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Have you seen Kahu?

    Source: New Zealand Police

    Attributable to Detective Senior Sergeant Brett Humphrey:

    Police investigating a missing person’s report in Whanganui are seeking sightings of a vehicle of interest.

    Kahukura Dilpreet Wati Woods Gill, known as Kahu, was last seen in the Matahiwi area on Friday 27 June 2025, and he is believed to have been using a white 2002 Mazda Atenza saloon, registration EQR994.

    He remains missing, and active enquiries are ongoing to determine his last known movements.

    As part of these, Police are seeking sightings of Mr Gill and this white car in the Whanganui/Rangitikei areas between Friday 27 June and Tuesday 1 July.

    If you can help, please call 105 or go online to 105.police.govt.nz, using “Update Report,” quoting reference number 250702/3842. 

    ENDS

    Issued by Police Media Centre

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • 6,411 pilgrims depart Jammu for Amarnath shrine amid tight security

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    More than 12,300 pilgrims had darshan at the sacred Amarnath shrine on Thursday, marking a successful start to this year’s Amarnath Yatra, officials said.

    On Friday morning, another batch of 6,411 pilgrims departed from Jammu amid unprecedented security arrangements. According to officials, the pilgrims set out from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two heavily guarded convoys comprising 291 vehicles.

    Of the latest batch, 2,789 pilgrims are en route to the Baltal base camp, while 3,622 are heading to the Nunwan base camp near Pahalgam, officials added. 

    The enthusiasm among the devotees was palpable, as they chanted “Bum Bum Bhole” and “Har Har Mahadev,” unfazed by recent threats. Many yatris said their determination to undertake the pilgrimage was rooted in faith and devotion to Lord Shiva, whose spiritual call they had come to heed.

    This year’s Yatra is being held under a tightened security grid in the wake of the brutal April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where Pakistan-backed militants killed 26 civilians after targeting them based on their religious identity. To prevent any repeat of such incidents, the government has deployed an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), augmenting the existing presence of the Indian Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police.

    All transit camps and the complete pilgrimage route—from Jammu to the cave shrine—are under constant security surveillance, with multi-tier protection in place.

    Demonstrating their support, local Kashmiris were among the first to welcome the Yatra. In a heartwarming gesture, residents greeted the first batch of pilgrims with garlands and placards at Qazigund, shortly after they emerged from the Navyug Tunnel into the Valley. The warm reception sent a strong message of solidarity and unity in the face of violence.

    The 38-day-long pilgrimage, which began on July 3, will conclude on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. Devotees can undertake the journey via two routes—either the traditional 46-kilometre trek from Pahalgam or the shorter 14-kilometre Baltal route. The Pahalgam path takes four days to complete and involves stops at Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni, while the Baltal route allows pilgrims to return the same day.

    The cave shrine, located 3,888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas, houses a naturally formed ice stalagmite believed to represent Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, it was inside this cave that Lord Shiva revealed the secret of immortality to Goddess Parvati.

    (With agencies inputs)

  • 6,411 pilgrims depart Jammu for Amarnath shrine amid tight security

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    More than 12,300 pilgrims had darshan at the sacred Amarnath shrine on Thursday, marking a successful start to this year’s Amarnath Yatra, officials said.

    On Friday morning, another batch of 6,411 pilgrims departed from Jammu amid unprecedented security arrangements. According to officials, the pilgrims set out from the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in two heavily guarded convoys comprising 291 vehicles.

    Of the latest batch, 2,789 pilgrims are en route to the Baltal base camp, while 3,622 are heading to the Nunwan base camp near Pahalgam, officials added. 

    The enthusiasm among the devotees was palpable, as they chanted “Bum Bum Bhole” and “Har Har Mahadev,” unfazed by recent threats. Many yatris said their determination to undertake the pilgrimage was rooted in faith and devotion to Lord Shiva, whose spiritual call they had come to heed.

    This year’s Yatra is being held under a tightened security grid in the wake of the brutal April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, where Pakistan-backed militants killed 26 civilians after targeting them based on their religious identity. To prevent any repeat of such incidents, the government has deployed an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), augmenting the existing presence of the Indian Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police.

    All transit camps and the complete pilgrimage route—from Jammu to the cave shrine—are under constant security surveillance, with multi-tier protection in place.

    Demonstrating their support, local Kashmiris were among the first to welcome the Yatra. In a heartwarming gesture, residents greeted the first batch of pilgrims with garlands and placards at Qazigund, shortly after they emerged from the Navyug Tunnel into the Valley. The warm reception sent a strong message of solidarity and unity in the face of violence.

    The 38-day-long pilgrimage, which began on July 3, will conclude on August 9, coinciding with Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan. Devotees can undertake the journey via two routes—either the traditional 46-kilometre trek from Pahalgam or the shorter 14-kilometre Baltal route. The Pahalgam path takes four days to complete and involves stops at Chandanwari, Sheshnag, and Panchtarni, while the Baltal route allows pilgrims to return the same day.

    The cave shrine, located 3,888 metres above sea level in the Kashmir Himalayas, houses a naturally formed ice stalagmite believed to represent Lord Shiva. According to Hindu mythology, it was inside this cave that Lord Shiva revealed the secret of immortality to Goddess Parvati.

    (With agencies inputs)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Transformation of the idea of health is pushing Chinese to go to the gym en masse

    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

    TAIYUAN, July 4 (Xinhua) — If you are a fitness enthusiast living in a medium-sized or large Chinese city, you can pray that you don’t get stuck in a traffic jam after work. Even a slight delay on your way to the gym can lead to an agonizing wait for a machine and ruin your carefully crafted workout plan to achieve your ideal body mass index.

    Gyms in China are often crowded. Russian student Evelina Aleshinskaya, who studies at Shanxi University in Taiyuan, capital of northern China’s Shanxi Province, regularly hits the gym after her afternoon classes. The 19-year-old said: “My Chinese classmates are incredibly into fitness – the gym is always crowded, especially after evening classes.”

    Off campus, gyms are packed during the evening rush hour, the period when people return from work. Whether in megacities like Beijing and Shanghai or second-tier cities like Taiyuan in northern China, almost every machine in every gym is occupied. And the popular “attraction” of the bench press is a huge line!

    “During your break, it’s better to keep an eye on the dumbbells you haven’t finished using yet, otherwise someone might take them while you’re browsing your phone,” advises Guo Xiaoyu, a fitness newbie who started working out just a few weeks ago.

    Although bodybuilding and fitness, which originated in European and North American countries, entered the consciousness of most Chinese people only one or two decades ago, these sports are developing rapidly in China. According to the China Sports and Fitness Industry Report released in early March 2025, as of December 2024, the number of gym users in the country reached 87.525 million, an increase of 25.47 percent compared with 2023.

    Evelina Aleshinskaya notes that it is hard not to notice images of sculpted chests and buttocks on billboards and social media feeds. She has noticed that the Chinese are increasingly prioritizing body type over mere appearance, and that even the government approves of this.

    “After the ‘Nation Calls for Weight Loss’ slogan went viral, I realized that I could no longer afford to remain overweight,” Guo Xiaoyu said.

    On the sidelines of the annual “two sessions” held in March this year, Lei Haichao, head of China’s National Health Commission, devoted seven minutes to issues related to weight control and weight loss. Chinese netizens humorously dubbed the moment as a rallying cry for “The nation is calling you to lose weight,” giving the topic a hot topical status.

    “It may seem strange that body weight is becoming an issue that the government pays attention to, but given the importance of public health as a foundation for China’s modernization, it is worth raising awareness about health promotion at the national level,” said Wang Yi, a professor at the School of Politics and Public Administration at Shanxi University.

    A weight control guideline issued by China’s National Health Commission warns that without effective control, the overweight/obesity rate among adults in China is expected to reach 70.5 percent and 31.8 percent among children and adolescents by 2030.

    Unlike Guo Xiaoyu, many fitness enthusiasts don’t need anyone to tell them, “It’s time to control your weight.” After the Spring Festival holiday, crowds of people headed to the gym to work out hard in order to achieve the ideal, fat-free body proportions before summer.

    Listing the driving factors behind the rapid development of the fitness industry in recent years, Wang Yi pointed out that in addition to the public’s growing awareness of health, compared with sports such as football, badminton and swimming that require high-tech facilities, gyms occupy a small area and allow more people to exercise in one unit of time. In addition, the annual cost of going to a regular gym is about one thousand to three to four thousand yuan, which is affordable for most people.

    However, problems still exist. Over the past few years, some gyms in China have come under fire for their “pre-payment” business model. Occasionally, some gyms have experienced incidents of their owners “running away with the money,” which has undermined the confidence of fitness enthusiasts in consumption. In response, on March 1, 2025, the eastern Chinese metropolis of Shanghai introduced new regulations that set the limit, time frame, and standards for pre-payment collection in the sports and fitness industry for the first time. This is expected to create a new business model for more gyms in China.

    Meanwhile, the Western-born concept of fitness has also been challenged by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). According to TCM, muscle-building workouts are not suitable for everyone, and excessive exercise can even have an impact on physical health.

    “TCM theory states that qi (dynamic energy that controls physiological processes) and blood are important substances for maintaining the normal functioning of the body. And fitness activities, especially excessive exercise, deplete these vital resources. Although it helps to improve physical fitness temporarily, in the long run it can lead to the body being depleted,” said Wei Mengling, head of the TCM department at Shanxi Bethune Hospital.

    This concern is in line with clinical trends. According to Wang Pingzhi, head of the rehabilitation department at the same hospital, in recent years, the number of patients admitted who suffered sports injuries due to fitness has been increasing year by year. Now, the number of such patients admitted monthly has increased by about 6 times compared with three years ago. According to her, many fitness enthusiasts have not mastered scientific fitness methods and techniques, and have also performed physical exercise and fitness programs that are not suitable for them, which has become the main cause of sports injuries.

    Most patients delay seeking medical care until their injuries impact their daily lives, so the actual injury rate may be higher, she added.

    Meanwhile, for Guo Xiaoyu, fitness training has yielded tangible results so far. In just three weeks, his bench press has increased by 10 kg.

    “Unlike many other activities and pursuits, fitness is something I can invest in and see a return on. I am willing to continue in the same spirit,” said Guo Xiaoyu. -0-

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Successful night on the streets in Flat Bush

    Source: New Zealand Police

    A dodgy number plate ended one man’s run in evading his warrants to arrest.

    It was part of a successful night for Police in Flat Bush after nabbing two offenders for a range of incidents.

    Counties Manukau East Area Prevention Manager, Inspector Rakana Cook, says at about 1am a vehicle was stopped on Hamill Road.

    “Officers noticed the number plate had been tampered with and upon speaking to the driver identified him as a wanted person.

    “The man had been wanted by Police since September in relation to a number of alleged offences so it was great work by staff to arrest him and hold him to account for those offences.”

    A 35-year-old man has been remanded in custody and will reappear on 11 July charged with possession of drug utensils and driving while forbidden.

    Thirty minutes earlier, officers had stopped a vehicle travelling on Flat Bush School Road.

    Inspector Cook says the driver was identified and found to be in breach of his bail conditions.

    “A search of the vehicle also located a head torch and tools.

    “A 28-year-old man was arrested for breaching bail and driving related offences.”

    ENDS.

    Holly McKay/NZ Police

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI: NBPE – 2H 2025 Dividend Declaration

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NBPE Announces 2H 2025 Dividend

    Guernsey, 4 July 2025

    NB Private Equity Partners (“NBPE”), the $1.2bn, FTSE 250, listed private equity investment company managed by Neuberger Berman, today announces its 2H 2025 Dividend.

    2H 2025 Dividend

    • 2H 2025 dividend payment of $0.47 per share to be paid on 29 August 2025
    • Annualised dividend yield on 31 May 2025 NAV of 3.5% and 4.8% on closing share price of £14.36 on 3 July 2025
    • The 2H 2025 dividend is the 26th consecutive dividend paid, resulting in over $400 million declared or returned to shareholders by way of dividends, since 2013

    Dividend Information

    • While NBPE declares dividends in US Dollars, Shareholders will receive Sterling dividends at the prevailing rate at the time of currency conversion, unless an election to receive dividends in US Dollars is made on forms which are available on NBPE’s website prior to the currency election date listed below. If an investor has previously elected to receive US Dollars, that election will be used unless changed. Investors may also participate in a dividend re-investment plan (forms for which are available on NBPE’s website) if they wish to increase their shareholdings instead of receiving cash dividends.
    Distribution amount: $0.47 per Share
    Ex-dividend date: 17 July 2025
    Dividend record date: 18 July 2025
    Final day for Currency Election: 25 July 2025
    Final day for Dividend Re-investment Plan Election: 1 August 2025
    Payment date: 29 August 2025

    For further information, please contact:

    NBPE Investor Relations        +44 20 3214 9002

    Luke Mason

    Kaso Legg Communications        +44 (0)20 3995 6673

    Charles Gorman        nbpe@kl-communications.com
    Luke Dampier
    Charlotte Francis

    About NB Private Equity Partners Limited
    NBPE invests in direct private equity investments alongside market leading private equity firms globally. NB Alternatives Advisers LLC (the “Investment Manager”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Neuberger Berman Group LLC, is responsible for sourcing, execution and management of NBPE. The vast majority of direct investments are made with no management fee / no carried interest payable to third-party GPs, offering greater fee efficiency than other listed private equity companies. NBPE seeks capital appreciation through growth in net asset value over time while paying a bi-annual dividend.

    LEI number: 213800UJH93NH8IOFQ77

    About Neuberger Berman
    Neuberger Berman is an employee-owned, private, independent investment manager founded in 1939 with over 2,800 employees in 26 countries. The firm manages $515 billion of equities, fixed income, private equity, real estate and hedge fund portfolios for global institutions, advisors and individuals. Neuberger Berman’s investment philosophy is founded on active management, fundamental research and engaged ownership. Neuberger Berman has been named by Pensions & Investments as the #1 or #2 Best Place to Work in Money Management for each of the last eleven years (firms with more than 1,000 employees). Visit www.nb.com for more information. Data as of March 31, 2025 unless stated otherwise.

    The MIL Network –