Category: Vehicles

MIL-OSI Analysis: The US has high hopes for a new Gaza ceasefire, but Israel’s long-term aims seem far less peaceful

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Ali Mamouri, Research Fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University

US President Donald Trump has hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for dinner at the White House, where he has declared talks to end the war in Gaza are “going along very well”.

In turn, Netanyahu revealed he has nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, saying:

he is forging peace as we speak, in one country, in one region, after the other.

Despite all the talk of peace, negotiations in Qatar between Israeli and Palestinian delegations have broken up without a breakthrough. The talks are expected to resume later this week.

If an agreement is reached, it will likely be hailed as a crucial opportunity to end nearly two years of humanitarian crisis in Gaza, following the October 7 attacks in which 1,200 Israelis were killed by Hamas-led militants.

However, there is growing scepticism about the durability of any truce. A previous ceasefire agreement reached in January led to the release of dozens of Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

But it collapsed by March, when Israel resumed military operations in Gaza.

This breakdown in trust on both sides, combined with ongoing Israeli military operations and political instability, suggests the new deal may prove to be another temporary pause rather than a lasting resolution.

Details of the deal

The proposed agreement outlines a 60-day ceasefire aimed at de-escalating hostilities in Gaza and creating space for negotiations toward a more lasting resolution.

Hamas would release ten surviving Israeli hostages and return the remains of 18 others. In exchange, Israel is expected to withdraw its military forces to a designated buffer zone along Gaza’s borders with both Israel and Egypt.

The agreement being thrashed out in Doha includes the release of Israeli hostages, held in Gaza for the past 22 months.
Anas-Mohammed/Shutterstock

While the specific terms of a prisoner exchange remain under negotiation, the release of Palestinian detainees held in Israeli prisons is a central component of the proposal.

Humanitarian aid is also a key focus of the agreement. Relief would be delivered through international organisations, primarily UN agencies and the Palestinian Red Crescent.

However, the agreement does not specify the future role of the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund, which has been distributing food aid since May.

The urgency of humanitarian access is underscored by the scale of destruction in Gaza. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians. The offensive has triggered a hunger crisis, displaced much of the population internally, and left vast areas of the territory in ruins.

Crucially, the agreement does not represent an end to the war, one of Hamas’s core demands. Instead, it commits both sides to continue negotiations throughout the 60-day period, with the hope of reaching a more durable and comprehensive ceasefire.

Obstacles to a lasting peace

Despite the apparent opportunity to reach a final ceasefire, especially after Israel has inflicted severe damage on Hamas, Netanyahu’s government appears reluctant to fully end the military campaign.

There is scepticism a temporary ceasefire would lead to permanent peace.
Anas-Mohammed/Shutterstock

A central reason is political: Netanyahu’s ruling coalition heavily relies on far-right parties that insist on continuing the war. Any serious attempt at a ceasefire could lead to the collapse of his government.

Militarily, Israel has achieved several of its tactical objectives.

It has significantly weakened Hamas and other Palestinian factions and caused widespread devastation across Gaza. This is alongside the mass arrests, home demolitions, and killing of hundreds of Palestinians in the West Bank.

And it has forced Hezbollah in Lebanon to scale back its operations after sustaining major losses.

Perhaps most notably, Israel struck deep into Iran’s military infrastructure, killing dozens of high-ranking commanders and damaging its missile and nuclear capabilities.

Reshaping the map

Yet Netanyahu’s ambitions may go beyond tactical victories. There are signs he is aiming for two broader strategic outcomes.

First, by making Gaza increasingly uninhabitable, his government could push Palestinians to flee. This would effectively pave the way for Israel to annex the territory in the long term – a scenario advocated by many of his far-right allies.

Speaking at the White House, Netanyahu says he is working with the US on finding countries that will take Palestinians from Gaza:

if people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave.

Second, prolonging the war allows Netanyahu to delay his ongoing corruption trial and extend his political survival.

True intentions

At the heart of the impasse is the far-right’s vision for total Palestinian defeat, with no concession and no recognition of a future Palestinian state. This ideology has consistently blocked peace efforts for three decades.

Israeli leaders have repeatedly described any potential Palestinian entity as “less than a state” or a “state-minus”, a formulation that falls short of Palestinian aspirations and international legal standards.

Today, even that limited vision appears to be off the table, as Israeli policy moves towards complete rejection of Palestinian statehood.

With Palestinian resistance movements significantly weakened and no immediate threat facing Israel, this moment presents a crucial test of Israel’s intentions.

Is Israel genuinely pursuing peace, or seeking to cement its dominance in the region while permanently denying Palestinians their right to statehood?

Following its military successes and the normalisation of relations with several Arab states under the Abraham Accords, Israeli political discourse has grown increasingly bold.

Some voices in the Israeli establishment are openly advocating for the permanent displacement of Palestinians to neighbouring Arab countries such as Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. This would effectively erase the prospect of a future Palestinian state.

This suggests that for certain factions within Israel, the end goal is not a negotiated settlement, but a one-sided resolution that reshapes the map and the people of the region on Israel’s terms.

The coming weeks will reveal whether Israel chooses the path of compromise and coexistence, or continues down a road that forecloses the possibility of lasting peace.

Ali Mamouri 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. The US has high hopes for a new Gaza ceasefire, but Israel’s long-term aims seem far less peaceful – https://theconversation.com/the-us-has-high-hopes-for-a-new-gaza-ceasefire-but-israels-long-term-aims-seem-far-less-peaceful-260286

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: SBA Disaster Relief Still Available to Michigan Residents, Small Businesses and Private Nonprofits

Source: United States Small Business Administration

ATLANTA – The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is reminding eligible small businesses, private nonprofit (PNP) organizations, homeowners and renters in Michigan of the Aug. 8 deadline to apply for low interest federal disaster loans to offset losses from physical damage caused by affected by the severe winter storms occurring March 28-30, 2025.

The disaster declaration covers the Michigan counties of Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Mackinac, Montmorency, Otsego and Presque Isle.

Businesses and nonprofits are eligible to apply for business physical disaster loans and may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

Homeowners and renters are eligible to apply for home and personal property loans and may borrow up to $100,000 to replace or repair personal property, such as clothing, furniture, cars, and appliances. Homeowners may apply for up to $500,000 to replace or repair their primary residence.

Applicants may also be eligible for a loan increase of up to 20% of their physical damage, as verified by the SBA, for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements include strengthening structures to protect against high wind damage, upgrading to wind rated garage doors, and installing a safe room or storm shelter to help protect property and occupants from future damage.

“One distinct advantage of SBA’s disaster loan program is the opportunity to fund upgrades reducing the risk of future storm damage,” said Chris Stallings, associate administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the SBA. “I encourage businesses and homeowners to work with contractors and mitigation professionals to improve their storm readiness while taking advantage of SBA’s mitigation loans.”

Interest rates are as low as 4% for small businesses, 3.625% for PNPs, and 2.75% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA sets loan amounts and terms, based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.

To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Aug. 8, 2025. The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 9, 2026.

###

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

MIL OSI USA News –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: The aftermath of floods, hurricanes and other disasters can be hardest on older rural Americans – here’s how families and neighbors can help

Source: The Conversation – USA (3) – By Lori Hunter, Professor of Sociology, Director of the Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado Boulder

Edith Schaecher, center, and her daughter and granddaughter look at a photo album recovered from her tornado-damaged home in Greenfield, Iowa, in May 2024. AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

Hurricanes, tornadoes and other extreme weather do not distinguish between urban and rural boundaries. But when a disaster strikes, there are big differences in how well people are able to respond and recover – and older adults in rural areas are especially vulnerable.

If a disaster causes injuries, getting health care can take longer in rural areas. Many rural hospitals have closed, leaving patients traveling longer distances for care.

At the same time, rural areas have higher percentages of older adults, a group that is more likely to have chronic health problems that make experiencing natural disasters especially dangerous. Medical treatments, such as dialysis, can be disrupted when power goes out or clinics are damaged, and injuries are more likely around property damaged by flooding or powerful winds.

As a sociologist who studies rural issues and directs the Institute of Behavioral Science at the University of Colorado Boulder, I believe that understanding the risks is essential for ensuring healthier lives for older adults. I see many different ways rural communities are helping reduce their vulnerability in disasters.

Disasters disrupt health care, especially in isolated rural regions

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 20% of the country’s rural population is age 65 and over, compared with only 16% of urban residents. That’s about 10 million older adults living in rural areas.

There are three primary reasons rural America has been aging faster than the rest of the country: Young people have been leaving for college and job opportunities, meaning fewer residents are starting new families. Many older rural residents are choosing to “age in place” where they have strong social ties. And some rural areas are gaining older adults who choose to retire there.

An aging population means rural areas tend to have a larger percentage of residents with chronic disease, such as dementia, heart disease, respiratory illness and diabetes.

According to research from the National Council on Aging, nearly 95% of adults age 60 and older have at least one chronic condition, while more than 78% have two or more. Rural areas also have higher rates of death from chronic diseases, particularly heart disease.

At the same time, health care access in rural areas is rapidly declining.

Nearly 200 rural hospitals have closed or stopped providing in-patient care since 2005. Over 700 more — one-third of the nation’s remaining rural hospitals — were considered to be at risk of closing even before the cuts to Medicaid that the president signed in July 2025.

Hospital closures have left rural residents traveling about 20 miles farther for common in-patient health care services than they did two decades ago, and even farther for specialist care.

Those miles might seem trivial, but in emergencies when roads are damaged or flooded, they can mean losing access to care and treatment.

After Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005, 44% of patients on dialysis missed at least one treatment session, and almost 17% missed three or more.

When Hurricanes Matthew and Florence hit rural Robeson County, North Carolina, in 2016 and 2018, some patients who relied on insulin to manage their blood sugar levels went without insulin for weeks. The county had high rates of poverty and poor health already, and the healthy foods people needed to manage the disease were also hard to find after the storm.

Insulin is important for treating diabetes – a chronic disease estimated to affect nearly one-third of adults age 65 and older. But a sufficient supply can be harder to maintain when a disaster knocks out power, because insulin should be kept cool, and medical facilities and drugstores may be harder for patients to reach.

Rural residents also often live farther from community centers, schools or other facilities that can serve as cooling centers during heat waves or evacuation centers in times of crisis.

Alzheimer’s disease can make evacuation difficult

Cognitive decline also affects older adults’ ability to manage disasters.

Over 11% of Americans age 65 and older – more than 7 million people – have Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia, and the prevalence is higher in rural areas’ older populations compared with urban areas.

Caregivers for family members living with dementia may struggle to find time to prepare for disasters. And when disaster strikes, they face unique challenges. Disasters disrupt routines, which can cause agitation for people with Alzheimer’s, and patients may resist evacuation.

Living through a disaster can also worsen brain health over the long run. Older adults who lived through the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami were found to have greater cognitive decline over the following decade, especially those who lost their homes or jobs, or whose health care routines were disrupted.

Social safety nets are essential

One thing that many rural communities have that helps is a strong social fabric. Those social connections can help reduce older adults’ vulnerability when disasters strike.

Following severe flooding in Colorado in 2013, social connections helped older adults navigate the maze of paperwork required for disaster aid, and some even provided personal loans.

Community support through churches, like this one whose building was hit by a tornado in rural Argyle, Wis., in 2024, and other groups can help older adults recover from disasters.
Ross Harried/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Friends, family and neighbors in rural areas often check in on seniors, particularly those living alone. They can help them develop disaster response plans to ensure older residents have access to medications and medical treatment, and that they have an evacuation plan.

Rural communities and local groups can also help build up older adults’ mental and physical health before and after storms by developing educational, social and exercise programs. Better health and social connections can improve resilience, including older adults’ ability to respond to alerts and recover after disasters.

Ensuring that everyone in the community has that kind of support is important in rural areas and cities alike as storm and flood risks worsen, particularly for older adults.

Lori Hunter receives funding from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.

– ref. The aftermath of floods, hurricanes and other disasters can be hardest on older rural Americans – here’s how families and neighbors can help – https://theconversation.com/the-aftermath-of-floods-hurricanes-and-other-disasters-can-be-hardest-on-older-rural-americans-heres-how-families-and-neighbors-can-help-247691

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Iran did not request talks with US – MFA

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

TEHRAN, July 8 (Xinhua) — Iran has not requested any meetings with the United States, the Islamic Republic’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Tuesday, as quoted by the Tasnim news agency.

This is how the diplomat responded to the words of US President Donald Trump, who said the day before that Iran had asked for a meeting.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said the United States was ready to negotiate with Iran. “We have a meeting scheduled with Iran, and they want to talk,” he said. “They have requested a meeting, and I am going to attend. If we can put something on paper, that would be good,” the president added.

From April 12 to May 23, Iran and the United States held five rounds of indirect talks on Tehran’s nuclear program and the lifting of American sanctions. They were mediated by Oman.

Two days before the sixth round, scheduled for June 15 in the Omani capital Muscat, Israel launched massive airstrikes on a number of Iranian sites, including nuclear and military facilities, killing senior commanders, nuclear scientists and scores of civilians. Tehran responded with a series of missile and drone strikes on Israel.

On June 22, the United States struck three Iranian nuclear facilities: Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. Iran later attacked the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

On June 24, after 12 days of fighting, Iran and Israel reached a ceasefire agreement. –0–

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

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Iran did not request talks with US – MFA

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

TEHRAN, July 8 (Xinhua) — Iran has not requested any meetings with the United States, the Islamic Republic’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said on Tuesday, as quoted by the Tasnim news agency.

This is how the diplomat responded to the words of US President Donald Trump, who said the day before that Iran had asked for a meeting.

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump said the United States was ready to negotiate with Iran. “We have a meeting scheduled with Iran, and they want to talk,” he said. “They have requested a meeting, and I am going to attend. If we can put something on paper, that would be good,” the president added.

From April 12 to May 23, Iran and the United States held five rounds of indirect talks on Tehran’s nuclear program and the lifting of American sanctions. They were mediated by Oman.

Two days before the sixth round, scheduled for June 15 in the Omani capital Muscat, Israel launched massive airstrikes on a number of Iranian sites, including nuclear and military facilities, killing senior commanders, nuclear scientists and scores of civilians. Tehran responded with a series of missile and drone strikes on Israel.

On June 22, the United States struck three Iranian nuclear facilities: Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. Iran later attacked the U.S. Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

On June 24, after 12 days of fighting, Iran and Israel reached a ceasefire agreement. –0–

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

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 9, 2025

MIL-OSI: Upexi, Inc. June 2025 Monthly Update

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

TAMPA, Fla., July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Upexi, Inc. (NASDAQ: UPXI), a brand owner specializing in the development, manufacturing, and distribution of consumer products with diversification into the cryptocurrency space, today released its June 2025 monthly update.

“June was a particularly active and successful month,” stated Upexi CEO Allan Marshall. “We increased our SOL balance during June by 8%, demonstrating continued growth while also continuing to earn an 8% staking yield. And we delivered on key initiatives, gaining listed options on Nasdaq, announcing our intention to tokenize our equity via Superstate, and joining Webull’s Corporate Connect Service platform. Looking ahead, we are laser-focused on increasing Upexi’s visibility and raising capital in an accretive fashion for the benefit of shareholders.”

Below are a few highlights from June.

Treasury Update as of June 30, 2025

Treasury: Upexi held 735,692 SOL, up 8.2% from the previously disclosed 679,677 SOL as of May 28.
Net Asset Value: Using the June 30 price of $154.74 per SOLⁱ, the 735,692 SOL are valued at $113.8 million.
SOL per Share: Using 38.2 million shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2025, approximately 0.0192 SOL per common share, or $2.97 per common share.
Staking: Substantially all the treasury SOL are being staked, earning a ~8% yield.
Locked SOL: Approximately 58% of the portfolio was locked SOL when purchased at a mid-teens discount to the SOL spot price and provides for built-in gains for shareholders.

Business Initiatives

Upexi Events / Multimedia Recap

Solana Monthly Recap

Network Performance: Solana recorded strong growth and market share numbers across most major metrics, including daily active addresses and application revenue, detailed more in the chart below.
Firedancer Progress: Jump Crypto’s high-performance client Firedancer launched a delegation program for its hybrid Frankendancer client, which has already amassed 8% of total Solana stake.
Institutional Adoption: French bank Societe Generale announced plans to launch a stablecoin on Ethereum and Solana, fintech giant Fiserv revealed a forthcoming Solana stablecoin launch, Moody’s Ratings tested tokenized securities credit ratings, and Solana Policy Institute submitted compliant tokenized securities frameworks to the US SEC.
Solana ETF Progress: Prospective spot SOL ETF issuers submitted updated S-1 filings and Rex-Osprey revealed the upcoming launch of its Solana staking ETF, which occurred after month end.
Application News: RWA firm Backed launched tokenized equities, decentralized vehicle data platform DIMO expanded to Japan, decentralized science startup CUDIS announced its upcoming CUDIS token on Solana, DEX aggregator Jupiter paused DAO voting, memecoin launchpad pump.fun outlined a $1b fundraise, and memecoin Bonk launched web3 game Bonk Arena.
Price: SOL entered June at $157 and finished the month nearly unchanged at $155. Using daily close prices, Solana bottomed at $132 on June 22nd and peaked at $165 on June 10th.

Solana Major Metrics, June 2025
	June 2025	YoY Growth	Market Share
Daily Active Addresses, m	4.8	200%	38%
Daily Transactions, $b	3.0	67%	70%
Dex Volumes, $b	182	347%	28%
Fees, $m	31	-43%	23%
Application Revenue, $m	147	33%	42%

_{Sources: Artemis, Blockworks. Note: Market share calculated using Ethereum, Avalanche C-Chain, Sui, Solana, Base, Polygon POS, BNB Chain, Tron, and Cardano.}

About Upexi, Inc.
Upexi is a brand owner specializing in the development, manufacturing, and distribution of consumer products. The Company has entered the cryptocurrency industry and cash management of assets through a cryptocurrency portfolio. For more information on Upexi’s treasury strategy and future developments, visit www.upexi.com.

Follow Upexi on X – https://twitter.com/upexitreasury
Follow CEO, Allan Marshall, on X – https://x.com/marshall_a22015
Follow CSO, Brian Rudick, on X – https://x.com/thetinyant

Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. For example, the Company is using forward looking statements when it discusses the anticipated use of proceeds. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with business strategy, potential acquisitions, revenue guidance, product development, integration, and synergies of acquiring companies and personnel. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward- looking statements. Although we believe that the beliefs, plans, expectations, and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-K and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Company Contact
Brian Rudick, Chief Strategy Officer
Email: brian.rudick@upexi.com
Phone: (216) 347-0473

Media Contact
Gasthalter & Co.
Upexi@gasthalter.com

Investor Relations Contact
KCSA Strategic Communications
Valter Pinto, Managing Director
(212) 896-1254
Upexi@KCSA.com

___________________________
ⁱ Closing price of SOL as quoted on coinmarketcap.com

The MIL Network –

July 9, 2025

MIL-OSI: Ascent Solar Technologies Reflects on H1 2025 Achievements and Milestones, Looks Ahead to Executing Upon H2 2025 Strategy
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

THORNTON, Colo., July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ascent Solar Technologies (“Ascent” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: ASTI), the leading U.S. innovator in the design and manufacturing of featherweight, flexible thin-film photovoltaic (PV) solutions, today commented on its commercial progress and solar material development in the first half of 2025, as the Company looks ahead to continued growth and advancement in the second half of the year.

“At the outset of the year, we sought to enter into a series of new private partnerships, further improve upon our technology’s efficiency, and focus our efforts and offerings on the space market,” said Paul Warley, Chief Executive Officer of Ascent Solar Technologies. “At the midpoint of the year, we are thrilled to be able to say that we have already reached those goals and look forward to further improving upon them, while also reaching new milestones and achievements throughout the remainder of the year.”

Key Company milestones and achievements from the first half of 2025 include:

Ascent’s leadership plans to build upon these achievements throughout the remainder of the year through:
- Securing additional supply agreements with space partners and customers
- The co-development and release of full plug and fly solutions with integrated structure power solutions
- Advancing the development of space optimized encapsulation strategies for use in VLEO, LEO, and GEO with higher education, agency and private entity partnerships
- The attendance of future events to connect with key industry leaders, existing partners, and potential customers
Ascent’s leadership team looks forward to continued success through the remainder of 2025 and is eager to update its stockholder community with exciting Company announcements and milestones as they come to fruition. Anyone interested in learning more about the Company, its mission and technology, or anything else, is encouraged to visit https://www.ascentsolar.com.

About Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc.

Backed by 40 years of R&D, 15 years of manufacturing experience, numerous awards, and a comprehensive IP and patent portfolio, Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. is a leading provider of innovative, high-performance, flexible thin-film solar panels for use in environments where mass, performance, reliability, and resilience matter. Ascent’s photovoltaic (PV) modules have been deployed on space missions, multiple airborne vehicles, agrivoltaic installations, in industrial/commercial construction as well as an extensive range of consumer goods, revolutionizing the use cases and environments for solar power. Ascent Solar’s research and development center and 5-MW nameplate production facility is in Thornton, Colorado. To learn more, visit https://www.ascentsolar.com.

Media Contact

Spencer Herrmann
FischTank PR
ascent@fischtankpr.com

The MIL Network –
July 9, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Certification Officer Annual Report 2024-2025
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

Press release

Certification Officer Annual Report 2024-2025

Annual Report to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and the Chair of ACAS on the activities of the Certification Officer
Certification Officer for Trade Unions and Employers’ Associations: press announcement

The annual report of the Certification Officer, Sarah Bedwell, was laid before Parliament on 7 July 2025. The report describes the work of the Certification Officer in 2024/25 and includes statistical information relating to trade unions and employers’ associations for 2023 and 2024.

Lists of trade unions and employers’ associations

There were changes to the list of trade unions on the Certification Officer’s list with 4 trade unions being removed and 4 new organisations being added. Therefore, the total number of listed trade unions was 128, the same number as in the previous reporting year. The number of employers’ associations remained stable at 36 with no changes.

Trade union membership and finances

Reported trade union membership increased by 21.8% – from 5.5 million in 2022-2023 to 6.7 million in 2023-2024. However, this was mainly because of the inclusion of Unite the Union’s membership of 1.2 million which was not included last year.

Total assets of trade unions saw a decrease of 1.3% from £2.30 billion to £2.27 billion.

Political funds

Twenty unions reported on their political funds. The total amount held in those political funds was £35.8 million, an increase of 7.8% compared to the previous year.

Complaints

The Certification Officer issued decisions on 13 complaints from members against their trade unions. Of these, 4 complaints were withdrawn by the applicants, 3 were struck out, 5 were dismissed following hearings and 1 was upheld with 1 enforcement order being made.

Powers from the Trade Union Act 2016

The amendments brought in by The Trade Union Act 2016 mean that trade unions and employers’ associations are required to pay a levy to fund the costs of the Certification Officer’s office. The second levy collection was completed in the reporting year.

The total costs which need to be funded, for this year, through the third levy are £615,146, an increase on last year’s figure of £607,444 due to implementing the agreed public sector pay increase.

The amendments also allow the Certification Officer to:

Consider whether an organisation has breached certain statutory responsibilities without having first received a complaint from a member of that organisation or another eligible party.

Impose a financial penalty order or conditional financial penalty order where she finds that an organisation has breached its statutory responsibilities and/or its rules.

There was one breach of the statutory election requirements which was brought to the Certification Officer’s attention by the trade union concerned. The Certification Officer agreed that the breach had occurred and made an order to remedy the breach.

The Certification Officer did not see cause to make any financial penalty or conditional financial penalty order in relation to any of the beaches that she found (either arising from members’ complaints or otherwise).

Notes to editors:

The Certification Officer is the independent regulator for trade unions, appointed by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade. Sarah Bedwell was appointed to the post on 1 January 2018 and retired on 31 May 2025. Michael Kidd was appointed as Interim Certification Officer from 1 June 2025.

All figures are taken from the annual returns received from organisations during the reporting year.

Please direct any press enquiries to:

0330 109 3602, info@certoffice.org

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Updates to this page

Published 8 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 8, 2025
Heatwaves, droughts and wildfires costing Europe billions each year

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Extreme heat and worsening drought situations are gripping large parts of Europe, sparking wildfires, triggering red alerts and intensifying global calls for effective climate actions. Driven by climate change, scientists warn, these conditions signal a new era of drought, threatening food security, energy security, ecosystems and economies.

The worrying part is that heatwaves and wildfires are constantly growing deadlier and costlier. If the European Environment Agency (EEA) is to be believed, heatwaves and wildfires are costing Europe billions of euros every year. Estimatedly, in 2023 alone, such climate-related disasters cost around 45 billion euros to 38 European countries, including EU, other European Economic Area (EEA) members, and cooperating countries.

If we take into account the total economic losses from weather and climate related calamities, they exceeded 790 billion euros across the European Economic Area, comprising 32 EEA member states and six Western Balkan countries between 1980 and 2023.

In recent years, Europe has faced an alarming rise in climate-driven calamities like extreme weather conditions, particularly heatwaves and wildfires. These disasters are endangering lives and ecosystems, while at the same time imposing severe economic burdens on governments, local communities and industries. Germany, Italy, France and Spain faced the highest economic losses, however, as per the environmental agency, little of this damage was insured.

According to the European Environment Agency, the leading causes of the damage are floods, storms, wind and hail, while heatwaves cause the most deaths in majority of the countries. As far as economic losses are concerned, they may vary from year to year and country to country, but trends suggest there is a sharp rise in economic damage, which may go beyond 50 billion euros annually.

There is little doubt that people across the world are struggling with sweltering hot temperatures fuelled by climate change, but the way the sweltering summer is gripping southern Europe, parts of the US and the UK is unprecedented.

The scourge of the rising temperature can be understood from the fact that southern Spain experienced 46 degrees Celsius temperature a few days earlier, which is a new record for the month of June. According to the national weather agency, Barcelona has set a new record for its hottest month in June this year, forcing the authorities to urge people to seek shelter from this excruciating heat condition.

A number of countries including France and Italy, have stationed their ambulances near tourist hotspots to treat people if they suffer from heatstroke. Among the vulnerable are people over 65 years of age, pregnant women, children and those with chronic health conditions.

In June, fires caused by the heat and strong winds struck France, Turkey, Greece, Italy and a few other countries, making situations worse than even expected. Germany, the largest economy of Europe and the third largest globally, is also facing a similar situation, as the temperature this year is hovering around 40 degrees Celsius. The town of Andernach in western Germany recorded 39.3 degrees Celsius, marking the highest temperature so far this year, according to the German Weather Service (DWD). Germany’s all-time heat record is 41.2 degrees Celsius, recorded on July 25, 2019.

The worsening heat situations have forced quite a few countries to issue heat alerts. Sixteen regions in France including Paris and other parts of southern and eastern Europe have heat alerts in place. The soaring temperatures forced its Climate Minister, Agnes Pannier-Runacher to call the situation an unprecedented one. Heat alerts are also in place in several parts of Spain, Portugal, Italy, Britain and Balkan countries like Croatia. Several countries have recorded their hottest June this year.

Besides emergency services being put in place in several countries and warnings being issued for people to stay inside as much as possible, around 200 schools across France are either closed or partially closed as a result of the heatwave conditions.

Heatwaves are impacting many parts of Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, North America and a few others also, but the way Europe is facing heat conditions calls for urgent measures, as the region is not known for such heatwave conditions.

Studies suggest more than two-thirds of the heatwave conditions have hit Europe since 2000 and the conditions are gradually worsening. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report shows that by 2050, around half of the people in Europe may be exposed to heatwave conditions during summer.

It is also undeniably true that the effects of heatwave conditions are more pronounced in cities, as urban environments are significantly warmer than rural areas due to a large number of paved surfaces, huge multi-story buildings, large number of all kinds of vehicles and several other heat-generating sources.

A new UN report says droughts have risen 30% since 2000, now affecting all sectors from agriculture and energy to healthcare and infrastructure. Owing to very high temperatures, the economic distress of people is growing fast.

Just as COVID-19 strained the insurance sector, rising temperatures are now compounding the pressure, with insurers reassessing the risks and costs of covering properties in high-risk zones across Europe.

Public infrastructure is also not immune to the stress being thrown upon by rising temperatures. Roads, railways, power grids and hospitals also suffer heatwave-related wear and tear. Wildfires destroy homes, farmlands and forests, which require billions for reconstruction and recovery.

The economic toll can be gauged from the fact that some countries are already losing up to 10% of GDP annually, as suggested by some environmental and economic reports. The OECD warns drought-related costs could double again by 2035.

Hence, environmentalists and those who understand these damaging trends urge urgent global investment in early warning systems, drought monitoring, nature-based solutions and climate-resilient infrastructure. Without strong action and better implementation of national plans, droughts could spiral into global economic and humanitarian shocks.

Clearly, the need for urgent and coordinated action has never been more critical, as heatwaves intensify across Europe and the globe, driven by accelerating climate change. Mitigating these impacts requires multi-fold efforts, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions to slow global warming and investing heavily in adaptation measures to protect people, economies and ecosystems from escalating heat extremes.

For Europe, this means upgrading infrastructure to withstand extreme heat, expanding green urban spaces to reduce the urban heat island effect and strengthening public health systems to respond to heat-related health conditions. Since the majority of the countries in Europe are not prepared to face such heatwave conditions, they need to improve early warning systems, ensure access to cooling centers for vulnerable populations and integrate climate resilience into housing and city planning.

On global scale, cooperation and coordination among countries are essential, as climate change-related calamities are not going to be restricted to a few regions. Hence, sharing technology, funding nature-based solutions like reforestation and watershed restoration and supporting climate-vulnerable regions are key to having a holistic solution. The world also requires a proactive and science-driven approach along with an equity-based climate strategy before the human and economic cost becomes unmanageable for us.

July 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: InvestHK signs MOU with Xi’an Hi-Tech Zone to foster Shaanxi-Hong Kong partnership in empowering enterprises’ global expansion (with photos)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) today (July 8) cohosted the “Shaanxi-Hong Kong Collaboration: Leveraging Hong Kong Strengths to Support Shaanxi Tech Companies in Going Global” seminar in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, in collaboration with the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Shaanxi Provincial People’s Government and the Shaanxi Association for Science and Technology. The event was also co-organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Chengdu (CDETO), the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government’s Shaanxi Liaison Unit, Shaanxi Province Xixian New Area Development and Construction Management Committee, and the Xi’an High-Tech Industries Development Zone Management Committee.

The Director of the CDETO, Mr Enoch Yuen; the Director-General of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office, Shaanxi Provincial Government, Ms Yao Hongjuan; and Vice President of the Shaanxi Association for Science and Technology Mr Lv Jianjun delivered welcome remarks to guests and the media. Mr Yuen said, “The National 14th Five-Year Plan explicitly designates Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology hub, while Shaanxi serves as a key national base for technology and industry, with strong capabilities in energy and chemical engineering, equipment manufacturing, and aerospace, among others. Both Hong Kong and Shaanxi place great importance on the development of the innovation and technology industry, and frequent high-level exchanges between the two places have continued to deepen in recent years. We look forward to deeper collaboration, leveraging Hong Kong’s strengths in taxation, finance, and global connectivity, while combining them with Shaanxi’s strong industrial foundation and innovative vitality, to achieve a mutually beneficial partnership.”

Ms Yao stated that efforts will be made to actively promote and deepen economic, trade, and investment co-operation between Shaanxi and Hong Kong, particularly in the fields of innovation and technology, as well as new quality productive forces. These efforts aim to help enterprises in both regions seize development opportunities and achieve complementary advantages. Mr Lv also delivered remarks at the event.

One of the key highlights of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between InvestHK and the Xi’an High-Tech Industries Development Zone Management Committee, marking a solid step forward for Shaanxi and Hong Kong in promoting the international development of enterprises in the central and western regions.

Xi’an High-tech Zone is one of the first national high-tech zones approved by the State Council. In 2024, Xi’an High-tech Zone ranked fifth in the country and first in the central and western regions in the comprehensive evaluation of national high-tech zones. The zone focuses on developing innovative industries such as optoelectronic information, smart manufacturing, biomedicine, automobiles, new materials and energy. It has successfully built two “hundred-billion-level industrial clusters” in the automobile industry and electronic information. At present, the zone has become the world’s largest production base for flash memory chips and new energy vehicles.

Under the MOU, the Xi’an High-Tech Industries Development Zone Management Committee will encourage enterprises in the zone to utilise Hong Kong as a base for expanding overseas business. InvestHK will provide enterprises with information on the business environment and policies in Hong Kong, as well as support services for companies investing and operating in Hong Kong. The signing of this MOU establishes a structured collaboration framework, combining Hong Kong’s unique strengths as an international financial centre and Xi’an High-Tech Zone’s innovation capabilities to empower enterprises in accessing global resources efficiently and seizing early opportunities in international markets.

The Head of the Go Global Unit/Business and Talent Attraction/Investment Promotion of Western China of InvestHK, Mr Jason Gan, and the Director of the Science and Technology Innovation Bureau of the Xi’an High-Tech Industries Development Zone, Mr Gao Yuntian, signed the memorandum of co-operation on behalf of their respective sides. Mr Gan said after the signing, “There are tremendous opportunities for co-operation between Shaanxi and Hong Kong in developing new quality productive forces and contributing to China’s high-quality development. As a vital bridge between the Mainland and international markets, Hong Kong has long been committed to providing comprehensive support for Mainland innovation-driven enterprises. We hope to further leverage the complementary advantages of the two places to assist high-quality enterprises in the zone to go global via Hong Kong, and work together to explore new innovative co-operation.”

The Head of Innovation & Technology of InvestHK, Mr Andy Wong, delivered a keynote speech and highlighted Hong Kong’s competitive edge in the I&T sector. “We possess a number of competitive advantages in developing innovation and technology, including world-class academic research and talent, cutting-edge R&D infrastructure, robust intellectual property protection, and the strong support of the HKSAR Government. In 2024, InvestHK supported 120 innovation and technology companies to set up or expand in Hong Kong, making it the top sector among those we assisted. This reflects the international community’s confidence in and recognition of Hong Kong’s I&T development, and further affirms the city’s strategic role as a two-way platform between the Mainland and global markets. Hong Kong’s innovation and technology sector has recently made remarkable progress in several areas. For example, the first batch of regulatory sandbox pilot projects for the low-altitude economy has been launched, serving as a new engine for Hong Kong’s future development. In addition, the city’s new drug approval mechanism has been updated to accelerate the market entry of new pharmaceuticals. I sincerely hope that I&T enterprises in Shaanxi will seize the diverse opportunities offered by Hong Kong to expand into international markets,” he said.

Senior Manager of the Leasing and Operations Department of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park Limited Mr Tandy Tan and Associate Director of the Research and Innovation Office of Hong Kong Polytechnic University Mr Victor Zhao also shared the opportunities of the Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Center and highlighted Hong Kong’s R&D capabilities in empowering new quality productive forces raised from Hong Kong universities. Deputy Director of the Science, Technology Innovation and New Economy Bureau, Shaanxi Province Xixian New Area Ms Han Ping also shared the latest developments on Shaanxi’s I&T industry construction centre.

This event featured a panel discussion with industry leaders from professional services in Hong Kong, especially in financial professional services. Guest speakers from Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, HSBC and Deloitte Tax shared insights on how Hong Kong’s financial and professional services can accelerate Mainland firms’ global expansion.

The seminar included a dedicated exchange session to provide on-site consulting services for corporate representatives interested in expanding to Hong Kong. The event attracted 190 representatives from Shaanxi enterprises, institutions and local media.



MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by CE at South China Morning Post China Conference 2025 (English only) (with photos/video)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region – 4

Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, at the South China Morning Post China Conference 2025 today (July 8):

Ms Catherine So (Chief Executive Officer of the South China Morning Post), Ms Tammy Tam (Editor-in-Chief of the South China Morning Post), Mr Steve Finch (President and Chief Executive Officer of Manulife Asia), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning. It’s a pleasure to join you here, once again, at the South China Morning Post’s annual China Conference – the 11th edition.

More than 700 of you are here for this year’s gathering. Some 300s are joining us, virtually, at this forum for business, trade, finance, investment and technology. All of you keen on getting the latest intelligence and insights, developments and business opportunities – in Hong Kong, throughout China and beyond.

The theme of this China Conference is “Where Capital Meets Innovation” – an apt description of the strengths of China, our country, and how Hong Kong contributes to its rise. That provides the world with much-needed certainty, especially in this difficult time.

This year’s international trade uncertainties, and chaos, may well continue amidst the rise of protectionism and unilateralism. The global economy is grappling with profound instability, escalating geopolitical risks and the wholesale reshaping of long-existing trading systems.

In spite of a damaged global trade order, the expanding trade and capital flows of China, our country, help buoy the economy of the region and the world.

The Mainland economy has sound fundamentals, a vast domestic market and the robust policies in place to withstand external challenges. In the first quarter of this year, the country’s GDP (Gross Domestic Product) grew by 5.4 per cent, and key economic indicators have kept improving since the beginning of the second quarter – simply said, China, our country, is well on its way to achieving the official growth target of around 5 per cent for 2025.

As for Hong Kong, our economy expanded solidly by 3.1 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, supported by visible increases in exports and the resumption of moderate growth in overall investment expenditure. We forecast real GDP growth of 2 per cent to 3 per cent in this year.

Last week, we celebrated the 28th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s establishment. That happy occasion was a welcome opportunity to thank our country for championing Hong Kong through the “one country, two systems” principle, as well as the national strategies and made-for-Hong Kong initiatives it supports us with.

Last month, the World Competitiveness Yearbook ranked Hong Kong third in the world in global competitiveness, up two places from the previous year, and up four places from 2023.

It marks Hong Kong’s return to the global top three for the first time since 2019, reflecting our commitment to change in face of today’s rising challenges.

There’s a lot more to be grateful for. In April and May, Hong Kong’s merchandise exports showed double-digit, year-on-year growth, while visitor arrivals also brought double-digit, year-on-year increases in the second quarter.

And Hong Kong, in the first half of this year, has been the world’s largest IPO (initial public offering) fundraising market, raising over US$13 billion. That’s up a whopping 22 per cent, compared with the full-year figure last year.

It speaks of Hong Kong’s long-standing appeal as a safe haven for Chinese and international capital and a bridge for global investors.

Hong Kong is, after all, the most internationalised city in the country. We offer the world a market-friendly business environment underpinned by the rule of law. We are the only common law jurisdiction in our country, with a legal system and regulatory regime similar to most global financial hubs. And we present business and investment advantages unmatched by any other city in the world.

Last year, the total number of local registered companies reached its record high, surpassing 1.46 million. And the total number of non-local companies registered here also reached a record high, and was over 15 000. Both figures continue to show encouraging growth this year.

Since January 2023, Invest Hong Kong, our dedicated investment promotion agency, has assisted more than 1 300 Mainland and overseas companies in setting up or expanding their business in Hong Kong. These companies bring in foreign direct investment of over US$21 billion to our economy, creating over 19 000 jobs.

When I assumed office as Chief Executive three years ago, I established the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises. My aim is to offer, through this Office, one-stop facilitation services and tailor-made incentives to attract strategic enterprises to our city and foster innovation and economic growth.

The Office has brought in 84 strategic companies, from such high-tech industries as advanced manufacturing and new energy technology, AI and data science, fintech and life and health technology. The strategic companies will invest about US$6.4 billion in the next few years, creating over 20 000 jobs.

We also launched a new scheme in May this year to create a company re-domiciliation regime to attract companies to Hong Kong. It provides a convenient, safe and secure pathway for companies to re-domicile to Hong Kong. Different companies have already expressed their interest to the regime and two international insurance giants – as Mr Finch is surely aware – have announced they will officially re-domicile to Hong Kong. Good business always makes right decisions.

These companies all gave their strong vote of confidence in the development of Hong Kong and the country, and will help attract a wealth of partners and related companies to this part of the globe.

Another strong advantage Hong Kong offers to overseas companies here, old or new, is our easy access to the Mainland market. We are certainly a front runner in this regard.

That’s in no small part thanks to the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement, or CEPA, our de facto free trade agreement with the Mainland that provides preferential treatment to Hong Kong companies, facilitating smoother access to the Mainland’s vast market.

A new amendment agreement under the CEPA Agreement on Trade in Services entered into force this March. It includes the removal of the qualifying period requirement on Hong Kong service suppliers in most sectors, meaning our many new companies can also benefit from the arrangement’s facilitation measures in accessing the Mainland market.

Together with new initiatives that allow Hong Kong-invested enterprises to adopt Hong Kong law and choose Hong Kong as the seat for arbitration in their operation in a range of Mainland cities, CEPA provides a wide range of innovative enhancements that help a world of investors better capitalise on China’s growth opportunities, with the help of Hong Kong’s world-class professional services.

Then there’s technological innovation, including artificial intelligence. AI advancements are transforming production, business and consumption patterns. They are redefining the core competitiveness of economies.

These trends create new opportunities for Hong Kong, particularly in our deepening integration with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a cluster city development that brings together Hong Kong, Macao, and nine southern cities on the Mainland.

With a population exceeding 87 million and a GDP of more than US$2 trillion last year, similar to the size of the 10th largest economy in the world, the Greater Bay Area is among the most open and economically vibrant regions in the country.

The Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Guangzhou science and technology cluster, which includes three of the Greater Bay Area’s core cities, has been ranked second, globally, for five consecutive years in the Global Innovation Index, published by the World Intellectual Property Organization.

Drawing together Hong Kong’s research capabilities and business competitiveness, as well as the Mainland’s innovation and advanced manufacturing prowess, the Greater Bay Area endeavours to become a world-leading I&T (innovation and technology) hub.

One spectacular example is the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, an area that straddles our boundary with Shenzhen. It will develop into a cutting-edge advanced technology centre that converges the strengths of Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Last November, the HKSAR (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) Government published the Development Outline for the Hong Kong Park in the co-operation zone.

The Park’s first three buildings have been completed, and the Greater Bay Area International Clinical Trial Institute opened last November at Hong Kong Park.

That’s just the beginning. Artificial intelligence, new energy vehicles, the low-altitude economy, fintech, and more, are thriving in the Greater Bay Area. And as the Park enters into the operational phase this year, more of these companies will be joining us.

Beyond I&T, we have seen the successful introduction of a wide variety of policy initiatives with the Greater Bay Area, including measures for the two-way flow of talent, schemes for supporting youth innovation, entrepreneurship and employment, and policies to facilitate mutual travel.

And the promise of further co-operation between Hong Kong and the rest of the Greater Bay Area and the Mainland is boundless.

Ladies and gentlemen, when we talk of China’s might, many of us immediately look to the maiden visit to Hong Kong over the past weekend of the first domestically built aircraft carrier of China, our country, the Shandong. Although the fleet has just bid us farewell yesterday, the awe and pride it drew among the people of Hong Kong over its five-day visit will be long-lasting.

More than a display of maritime strength, the fleet showcases our country’s commitment to peacekeeping and regional stability. And much like how the Shandong docked in our safe harbour, Hong Kong is where the country anchors its trust.

In this era of fogged horizons, China does not just project power – it radiates investible stability. And Hong Kong is the “super connector” and “super value-adder” that links the world with opportunities from China’s growth and certainties. A link you can always bank on.

Amid an ever changing geopolitical landscape and constantly escalating uncertainties, Hong Kong is the place that promises security and development. This certainty of security and development is precisely what a world of investors need and thirst for.

Together, we will fully seize development opportunities, keep boosting our competitiveness, undertake reforms for progress, and foster innovation. The wisdom and wealth of experience of the people of Hong Kong will help the Pearl of the Orient shine brighter than ever on the world stage.

My thanks to the South China Morning Post for organising this essential, always eventful, annual gathering.

I wish you all a rewarding conference. And the best of business in the second half of 2025, a year that will surely be full of opportunities and rewards. Thank you.

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

July 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on tackling China’s critical raw materials export restrictions – B10-0332/2025

Source: European Parliament

B10‑0332/2025

European Parliament resolution on tackling China’s critical raw materials export restrictions

(2025/2800(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/1252 of 11 April 2024 on establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials (the Critical Raw Materials Act)[1],

– having regard to Regulation (EU) 2024/1735 of 13 June 2024 on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology manufacturing ecosystem and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 [2] ,

– having regard to the upcoming EU-China summit on 24-25 July 2025,

– having regard to Rule 136(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas China dominates in rare earth refining, especially in heavy rare earth elements; whereas China accounts for roughly 70 % of global rare earth mining and over 90 % of the world’s refining capacity; whereas China holds a near monopoly over the global supply chain of several critical minerals, particularly rare earth elements (REEs) and other minerals that are vital for high-tech applications like powerful magnets;

B. whereas critical minerals and REEs are crucial for both the green and digital transitions, owing to their essential role in enabling technologies in areas including renewable energy, electric vehicles, advanced electronics and defence;

C. whereas the global demand for REEs, which are critical materials for various technologies including clean energy, is surging, with a significant increase projected for the coming years;

D. whereas on 4 April 2025, in response to US President Donald Trump’s tariff increases on Chinese products, China imposed export restrictions on 7 of the 17 REEs: samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium and yttrium;

E. whereas on 27 June 2025, Washington and Beijing announced a new trade framework, under which China would resume approving export licences for REEs over the following six months;

F. whereas the new rare earth restrictions are already causing export delays (of up to 45 days for processing a licence application, with additional time needed if the state council or military has to be consulted) as the Chinese Government establishes the licensing system;

1. Expresses deep concern about and strongly criticises China’s recent and unjustified export restrictions on rare earth materials and magnets, which are crucial for European industries such as automotive manufacturing, renewable energy and defence;

2. Notes with concern that the EU, which is not responsible for starting the ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China, is nonetheless bearing its economic consequences and should not become collateral damage in this conflict;

3. Recalls that conservation policies do not allow members of the World Trade Organization to adopt measures to control the international market for a natural resource, which is what the export restrictions do; expresses the view that China’s export restrictions are designed to achieve industrial policy goals rather than conservation; underlines that the export quotas do not work together with measures restricting domestic Chinese use of rare earths, as required by the second part of Article XX of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1994, and are therefore intended to secure preferential use of those materials for Chinese manufacturers;

4. Calls on China to lift the restrictions and urges both the Commission and the Member States to take a firm and unified stance and engage with the Chinese authorities to seek a structural solution for these unjustified restrictions, which are undermining the global green and digital transitions; calls on the Commission and the Council to address the issue with the Chinese authorities in the upcoming EU-China summit on 24-25 July 2025, with a view to restoring a level playing field as well as securing the lifting of Chinese sanctions against former MEPs and think tanks;

5. Stresses, however, that the EU must firmly reject any attempts by the Chinese authorities to use these restrictions as a tool of coercion to force concessions in ongoing disputes on other unfair practices, such as the anti-dumping duties on battery electric vehicles;

6. Is concerned that this may lead to an unfair trade-off between export restrictions and access to European technological know-how, undermining our industrial competitiveness and strategic autonomy;

7. Urges the Commission to mitigate the risks of the EU’s overdependence on China for critical REEs and regrets that, despite the good intentions and policy initiatives of the Critical Raw Materials Act, the EU’s dependence on China for critical raw materials has continued to grow or, at best, remains stubbornly high;

8. Underlines the need for a clear strategy to ensure the long-term security of supply by focusing on diversification, increased domestic production and the circular economy, with robust recycling infrastructure at its core for the recovery of critical minerals from end-of-life products;

9. Calls on the Commission to make full use of the Clean Industrial Deal to build strategic partnerships with resource-rich countries, strengthen domestic capabilities in extraction, processing and recycling, and reduce reliance on single suppliers;

10. Emphasises the need to secure access to critical raw materials; stresses that the upcoming circular economy act should improve resource efficiency, including through better waste management of products containing critical raw materials, as well as fostering the demand and availability of secondary raw materials; stresses the need to define those secondary raw materials that are strategic and that should be subject to export monitoring, such as steel and metal scrap, and to tackle any imbalance in their supply and demand, including by exploring export restrictions; insists on the effective enforcement of the Waste Shipment Regulation [3];

11. Welcomes the critical minerals action plan agreed at the G7 leaders’ summit in June 2025;

12. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

MIL OSI Europe News –

July 8, 2025
MIL-OSI: DIMO and Ownli Partner to Bring Data Ownership and Insurance Savings to Connected Drivers

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DIMO, the leading connected vehicle platform, today announced a partnership with Ownli, the platform that helps people collect, certify, and earn from their vehicle and driving data. Together, DIMO and Ownli are revolutionizing the way drivers shop for insurance by transparently making their vehicle data and custom insurance profile work for them.

Under this unique partnership, DIMO users can create an Ownli Insurance Profile with their vehicle data. The profile functions like a digital passport for insurance shopping, eliminating the need for drivers to have to manually re-enter data multiple times or chase down obscure requests.

Today, insurers and agents rely heavily on middleman data providers to acquire new customers and source vehicle data without car owners ever having the opportunity to profit from their own data. For context, the insurance advertising market in 2025 is expected to reach $14.12 billion, fueled in large part by a need for insurers to bring in new customers primarily with the help of data providers and lead generators.

Ownli’s solution cuts out the middleman and enables individuals to create a verified insurance profile that works for them, allowing insurers and brokers to directly provide a quote or insurance policy registration based on the data provided. Better yet, drivers can decide whether or not to share that profile and can be rewarded directly for doing so. With explicit permission, DIMO users can share their insurance profile and Ownli will connect them with the best broker to deliver personalized quotes from top insurers including Progressive, Allstate, Liberty Mutual, and more.

“Our mission is to help people see their data for what it is: an asset that should be made to work for them,” said Elan Nyer, CEO at Ownli. “This partnership allows DIMO users to save time, save money, and get paid for the data they already own.”

“We are excited to bring drivers ways to save time and money. DIMO Mobile is the best way to find opportunities like Ownli, which helps you save time when looking for insurance, while getting you paid for the data you provide” said Alex Rawitz, Co-Founder of DIMO. “Our partnership will help drivers be better, more responsible car owners, and as always, they can be confident data is handled securely and privately .”

About DIMO
DIMO is transforming vehicle ownership by putting drivers in control of their data. Its privacy-first, AI-integrated platform connects drivers, automakers, and developers to accelerate connected vehicle innovation while ensuring drivers retain full ownership of their information. Through the DIMO Mobile app, drivers gain real-time insights to improve vehicle performance, maximize savings on maintenance, and access a growing suite of marketplace applications while earning rewards in DIMO tokens. It was founded in 2021 by automotive and fintech veterans from ConsenSys, Vroom, GM, Volkswagen, Aeris, and Chainalysis. Please visit us on X and LinkedIn.

About Ownli
Ownli is a personal data platform that enables people to capture, control, and earn from their information while giving businesses reliable and verified insights. Ownli works primarily with property and casualty insurers, helping them cut premium leakage and increase customer retention. Insurers can purchase verified data directly from policyholders and prospects, including accurate vehicle mileage, vehicle condition, garaging location, and more. This seamless exchange turns traditional points of friction into meaningful engagement opportunities for both insurers and customers.

Media Contacts

For DIMO:
Diana Bost/Ryan Dicovitsky
Dukas Linden Public Relations
DIMO@DLPR.com

For Ownli:
marketing@ownli.co

The MIL Network –

July 8, 2025

MIL-OSI: Correction: Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. : Form 8.3 – AMERICAN AXLE & MFG HOLDINGS – Ordinary Shares

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”)

KEY INFORMATION

(a)

Full name of discloser:

Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. in its capacity as investment advisor and on behalf its affiliates who are also investment advisors (”Dimensional”). Dimensional expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares described in this form 8.3.

(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

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc

(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

07 July 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
Dowlais Group PLC

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:

USD 0.01 common (US0240611030)

Interests

Short Positions

Number

(1)

Relevant securities owned and/or controlled:

6,732,312

5.67 %

(2)

Cash-settled derivatives:

(3)

Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:

Total

6,732,312 *

5.67 %

* Dimensional Fund Advisors LP and/or its affiliates do not have discretion regarding voting decisions in respect of 229,322 shares that are included in the total above.

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:

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

USD 0.01 common (US0240611030)

Purchase

5,026

4.3242 USD

There was a Transfer In of 10,380 shares of USD 0.01 common

(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

(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)

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?

Date of disclosure

08 July 2025

Contact name

Thomas Hone

Telephone number

+44 20 3033 3419

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 –

July 8, 2025

MIL-OSI: Correction: Dimensional Fund Advisors Ltd. : Form 8.3 – AMERICAN AXLE & MFG HOLDINGS – Ordinary Shares

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”)

KEY INFORMATION

(a)

Full name of discloser:

(b)

(c)

Name of offeror/offeree in relation to whose relevant securities this form relates:
Use a separate form for each offeror/offeree

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc

(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

07 July 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
Dowlais Group PLC

POSITIONS OF THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

(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:

USD 0.01 common (US0240611030)

Interests

Short Positions

Number

(1)

Relevant securities owned and/or controlled:

6,732,312

5.67 %

(2)

Cash-settled derivatives:

(3)

Stock-settled derivatives (including options) and agreements to purchase/sell:

Total

6,732,312 *

5.67 %

* Dimensional Fund Advisors LP and/or its affiliates do not have discretion regarding voting decisions in respect of 229,322 shares that are included in the total above.

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:

DEALINGS (IF ANY) BY THE PERSON MAKING THE DISCLOSURE

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

USD 0.01 common (US0240611030)

Purchase

5,026

4.3242 USD

There was a Transfer In of 10,380 shares of USD 0.01 common

(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

(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)

OTHER INFORMATION

(a)

Indemnity and other dealing arrangements

None

(b)

Agreements, arrangements or understandings relating to options or derivatives

None

(c)

Attachments

Is a Supplemental Form 8 (Open Positions) attached?

Date of disclosure

08 July 2025

Contact name

Thomas Hone

Telephone number

+44 20 3033 3419

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 –

July 8, 2025

MIL-OSI Africa: Operation Shanela nets over 14 000 suspects
Source: Government of South Africa

Operation Shanela nets over 14 000 suspects
Over 14 000 suspects have been arrested across the country under Operation Shanela this past week.

The South African Police Service (SAPS) on Monday said 14 790 suspects were arrested between 30 June and 6 July 2025.

“These arrests stem from police actions and crime-fighting activities including tracking operations, roadblocks, high visibility patrols, stop and searches, as well as tracing of wanted suspects,” SAPS said.

The SAPS effected the following arrests across the country through Operation Shanela:
- 2 365 wanted suspects arrested for various serious and violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, business and house robberies.
- 174 suspects were arrested for murder, majority of these suspects were arrested in the Western Cape (39), followed by Gauteng (33) and KwaZulu-Natal (33).
- 137 suspects were arrested for attempted murder.
- 99 suspects were arrested for rape, with Gauteng leading (26 arrests).
- 1 232 suspects were arrested for assault GBH.
- 286 drug dealers were arrested.
- 2 515 suspects were arrested for being in possession of drugs. The majority of these suspects were arrested in the Western Cape (1 392).
- 64 suspects were arrested for being in the illegal possession of firearms.
- Seven suspects were arrested for human trafficking.
- 826 drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The majority of the arrests were in Gauteng (229), followed by the Western Cape (195) and Mpumalanga (156).
Under recoveries and confiscations, police registered the following successes:
- 106 firearms were confiscated.
- 1 355 rounds of ammunition were confiscated.
- 37 hijacked and stolen vehicles were recovered.
Highlights of major takedowns and other successes include the following:
- Eastern Cape: Police arrested six suspects after a man was stabbed to death, and the same suspects stabbed an off-duty police officer in Jeffrey’s Bay.
- Northern Cape: Operation Shanela II resulted in the arrest of 236 suspects for various serious and violent crimes such as murder, attempted murder, rape, business and house robberies
- Mpumalanga: On 5 July 2025, police arrested a 29-year-old Eswatini foreign national for dealing in dagga and seized dagga worth R1.1 million at the Waverley Port of Entry near Mayflower.
- Limpopo: On 2 July 2025, police intercepted a Scania truck and arrested two foreign nationals, aged between 30 and 45 years, while attempting to smuggle crystal meth, dagga and codeine worth R2.6 million at the Groblersbrug Port of Entry.
- Gauteng: On 4 July 2025, three suspected cash-in-transit robbers were fatally wounded in a shootout with police and other law enforcement agencies on the N3 highway road. Two stolen vehicles and two unlicensed firearms were seized.
- KwaZulu-Natal: Two suspects were arrested, and the other two suspects were fatally shot following a foiled cash-in-transit robbery in Msinga. Police seized two unlicensed firearms, ammunition and a Mercedes-Benz vehicle on 3 July 2025.
“Police will continue with their operations by asserting the authority of the state to ensure the safety and security of all South Africans and visitors to the country,” the police said. – SAnews.gov.za
Edwin
Tue, 07/08/2025 – 09:33

MIL OSI Africa –
July 8, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New campaign demands an end to catapult cruelty

Source: City of Canterbury

Home  »  Latest News   »   New campaign demands an end to catapult cruelty

An X-ray of a mallard duck injured by a catapult in Herne Bay, showing the ball bearing

Too many animals across the county are being injured or killed by people using catapults and it needs to stop.

That’s the view of Cllr Connie Nolan, Canterbury City Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, Safety and Enforcement who, in a statement, outlined the ongoing problem with people who target wildlife in our area and announced the launch of Canterbury City Council’s End Catapult Cruelty campaign.

The campaign is backing calls from across the country, the county and nationally for a ban on people using catapults in public places and for shops and websites to stop selling them to anyone aged under 18.

Speaking after Monday’s meeting of the Cabinet, she said: “Residents have reported people, especially young people, targeting the wildlife in our district.

“Innocent animals are being killed and injured in our district and across Kent and that is unacceptable. Something needs to be done to make it stop.

“We banned the carrying and sale of knives. We can do it with catapults.

“The serious concerns for the welfare of the animals coming under attack or being used as target practice are growing and growing – the government must act.

“Unfortunately, it’s not just animals, catapults are also being used to damage cars and buses. It has to stop before someone gets seriously hurt.

“While we are waiting for the law to be changed, shops and websites have an overwhelming moral obligation to put a voluntary ban in place and require proof of age before selling a catapult.”

Stitches where the catapult ammunition was removed from the duck

Sarah Jenner is a volunteer with The Bird Magnets of Bubble2bay and has helped rehabilitate injured birds for the past six years.

She offers them a permanent home if they cannot be released because of their injuries. This includes a herring gull.

Sarah is currently nursing a female mallard duck who was recently shot with a ball bearing in Herne Bay.

Another volunteer is raising three mallard ducklings whose mother was shot dead with a catapult.

Sarah said: “We support this campaign because we are absolutely appalled and disgusted by how animals are being treated, often driven by ridiculous trends on Tik Tok and Instagram.”

The council is calling on councillors, MPs, Kent’s Police and Crime Commissioner, animal welfare charities and, most importantly, members of the public to sign its petition here.

There is currently no legal minimum age to buy, own or carry a catapult.

In law, catapults are classed as offensive weapons if they are being carried with intent to cause harm.

And causing unnecessary suffering is a criminal offence as well as killing wild birds or wildlife with any weapon unless you have a licence.

Published: 8 July 2025

MIL OSI United Kingdom –

July 8, 2025
MIL-OSI China: UN peacekeeping EOD international training program kicks off in China 2025-07-08 16:30:10 The UN peacekeeping explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) international training program, jointly organized by the Peacekeeping Affairs Center of China’s Ministry of National Defense and the Chinese PLA Army Engineering University, officially began on Monday in Xuzhou.
Source: People’s Republic of China – Ministry of National Defense
loading…

MIL OSI China News –
July 8, 2025
Dozens missing after floods on Nepal-China border

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Over two dozen people are missing after heavy rainfall in the Tibet region of China triggered a deluge in the Bhote Koshi River, which flows through Nepal and China, washing away the ‘Friendship Bridge’ that connects them, officials said on Tuesday.

At least 18 people are missing in Nepal while China’s Xinhua news agency said 11 people were missing on the Chinese side of the border.

In Nepal, the missing include the 6 Chinese workers and three policemen, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) said on X, adding that eight electric cars were also washed away and a small hydroelectric plant damaged in the flood.

The missing Chinese nationals were working at the Inland Container Depot, being constructed with Chinese assistance about 80 km (50 miles) north of the capital Kathmandu, said Arjun Paudel, a senior administrative official of Rasuwa district.

“The river also swept away some containers with goods imported from China…There is a big loss (of property) and we are collecting details,” he told Reuters.

The Nepal Army has rescued 11 people, and search and rescue operations are still underway, spokesperson Raja Ram Basnet said.

China has been increasing its investment in Nepal in recent years in domains including roads, power plants, and hospitals.

The Asian giant has been battered by heavy rain and flash floods over the last few days, which have left a trail of destruction, and is bracing for a tropical storm this week.

In Pakistan also, at least 79 people, including 38 children, have died in floods and rain-related incidents, including landslides and house collapses, since June 26, its National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said on Tuesday.

The authority has issued fresh alerts for flash flooding and glacial lake outbursts in the northern and northwestern provinces of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, citing “a significant rise in temperatures and … an upcoming weather system.”

Gilgit-Baltistan’s northern Chilas district recorded the highest temperature in Pakistan on Saturday at 48.5 degrees Celsius (119°F), breaking its earlier record of 47.7 degrees Celsius (118°F) reported in July 1997, said NDMA spokesperson Sophia Siddiqui.

(Reuters)

July 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: 18 people missing after floods hit northern Nepal

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

KATHMANDU, July 8 (Xinhua) — At least 18 people were reported missing early Tuesday due to floods caused by incessant rains in northern Nepal, Rasuwa District Police Inspector Krishna Dhital told Xinhua.

At least 18 people are reported missing in the floods that hit the Rasuwagadhi border point, he said. Most of the missing are workers at a dry port located near the border.

According to K. Dhital, the water washed away a bridge at the border point and carried away several parked electric vehicles.

Nepal suffers from monsoon rains every year. –0–

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

.

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 8, 2025
NCS reports 4.1 magnitude quake in Assam’s Karbi Anglong

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

An earthquake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale struck Assam’s Karbi Anglong district on Tuesday morning, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS).

The tremor occurred at 9:22 am IST at a depth of 25 km, with the epicentre located at latitude 26.51°N and longitude 93.15°E, the NCS reported.

In a post on X, the NCS said, “EQ of M: 4.1, On: 08/07/2025 09:22:19 IST, Lat: 26.51 N, Long: 93.15 E, Depth: 25 Km, Location: Karbi Anglong, Assam.”

This comes a day after an earthquake of magnitude 4.5 struck the Andaman Sea at a depth of 10 km. A similar tremor, also measuring 4.5, was recorded in the same region on Sunday.

Further information is awaited. (ANI)

July 8, 2025
NCS reports 4.1 magnitude quake in Assam’s Karbi Anglong

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

An earthquake measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale struck Assam’s Karbi Anglong district on Tuesday morning, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS).

The tremor occurred at 9:22 am IST at a depth of 25 km, with the epicentre located at latitude 26.51°N and longitude 93.15°E, the NCS reported.

In a post on X, the NCS said, “EQ of M: 4.1, On: 08/07/2025 09:22:19 IST, Lat: 26.51 N, Long: 93.15 E, Depth: 25 Km, Location: Karbi Anglong, Assam.”

This comes a day after an earthquake of magnitude 4.5 struck the Andaman Sea at a depth of 10 km. A similar tremor, also measuring 4.5, was recorded in the same region on Sunday.

Further information is awaited. (ANI)

July 8, 2025
MIL-OSI Australia: Arrest – Pedestrian strike – Katherine

Source: Northern Territory Police and Fire Services

The Northern Territory Police Force arrested a 23-year-old male after returning a positive roadside drug test following a pedestrian strike in Katherine East last night.

About 8:20pm, the Joint Emergency Services Communication Centre received reports of a female pedestrian being struck by a vehicle along Maluka Drive after a female allegedly stepped out onto the road. The driver of the vehicle immediately stopped to render assistance.

Police arrived on scene and the driver underwent roadside alcohol and drug tests, where he returned a positive result for drugs. He was found to be unlicensed and was subsequently arrested for the purposes of a toxicology assessment.

The female pedestrian was conveyed to Katherine District Hospital by St John Ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.

Investigations remain ongoing into the crash.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, particularly those with dash cam footage, is urged to contact police on 131 444 and reference job number P25182020. You can make an anonymous report via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

MIL OSI News –

July 8, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: The US has high hopes for a new Gaza ceasefire, but Israel’s long-term aims seem far less peaceful

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ali Mamouri, Research Fellow, Middle East Studies, Deakin University

US President Donald Trump has hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for dinner at the White House, where he has declared talks to end the war in Gaza are “going along very well”.

In turn, Netanyahu revealed he has nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, saying:

he is forging peace as we speak, in one country, in one region, after the other.

Despite all the talk of peace, negotiations in Qatar between Israeli and Palestinian delegations have broken up without a breakthrough. The talks are expected to resume later this week.

If an agreement is reached, it will likely be hailed as a crucial opportunity to end nearly two years of humanitarian crisis in Gaza, following the October 7 attacks in which 1,200 Israelis were killed by Hamas-led militants.

However, there is growing scepticism about the durability of any truce. A previous ceasefire agreement reached in January led to the release of dozens of Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

But it collapsed by March, when Israel resumed military operations in Gaza.

This breakdown in trust on both sides, combined with ongoing Israeli military operations and political instability, suggests the new deal may prove to be another temporary pause rather than a lasting resolution.

Details of the deal

The proposed agreement outlines a 60-day ceasefire aimed at de-escalating hostilities in Gaza and creating space for negotiations toward a more lasting resolution.

Hamas would release ten surviving Israeli hostages and return the remains of 18 others. In exchange, Israel is expected to withdraw its military forces to a designated buffer zone along Gaza’s borders with both Israel and Egypt.

The agreement being thrashed out in Doha includes the release of Israeli hostages, held in Gaza for the past 22 months.
Anas-Mohammed/Shutterstock

While the specific terms of a prisoner exchange remain under negotiation, the release of Palestinian detainees held in Israeli prisons is a central component of the proposal.

Humanitarian aid is also a key focus of the agreement. Relief would be delivered through international organisations, primarily UN agencies and the Palestinian Red Crescent.

However, the agreement does not specify the future role of the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Fund, which has been distributing food aid since May.

The urgency of humanitarian access is underscored by the scale of destruction in Gaza. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s military campaign has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians. The offensive has triggered a hunger crisis, displaced much of the population internally, and left vast areas of the territory in ruins.

Crucially, the agreement does not represent an end to the war, one of Hamas’s core demands. Instead, it commits both sides to continue negotiations throughout the 60-day period, with the hope of reaching a more durable and comprehensive ceasefire.

Obstacles to a lasting peace

Despite the apparent opportunity to reach a final ceasefire, especially after Israel has inflicted severe damage on Hamas, Netanyahu’s government appears reluctant to fully end the military campaign.

There is scepticism a temporary ceasefire would lead to permanent peace.
Anas-Mohammed/Shutterstock

A central reason is political: Netanyahu’s ruling coalition heavily relies on far-right parties that insist on continuing the war. Any serious attempt at a ceasefire could lead to the collapse of his government.

Militarily, Israel has achieved several of its tactical objectives.

It has significantly weakened Hamas and other Palestinian factions and caused widespread devastation across Gaza. This is alongside the mass arrests, home demolitions, and killing of hundreds of Palestinians in the West Bank.

And it has forced Hezbollah in Lebanon to scale back its operations after sustaining major losses.

Perhaps most notably, Israel struck deep into Iran’s military infrastructure, killing dozens of high-ranking commanders and damaging its missile and nuclear capabilities.

Reshaping the map

Yet Netanyahu’s ambitions may go beyond tactical victories. There are signs he is aiming for two broader strategic outcomes.

First, by making Gaza increasingly uninhabitable, his government could push Palestinians to flee. This would effectively pave the way for Israel to annex the territory in the long term – a scenario advocated by many of his far-right allies.

Speaking at the White House, Netanyahu says he is working with the US on finding countries that will take Palestinians from Gaza:

if people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave.

Second, prolonging the war allows Netanyahu to delay his ongoing corruption trial and extend his political survival.

True intentions

At the heart of the impasse is the far-right’s vision for total Palestinian defeat, with no concession and no recognition of a future Palestinian state. This ideology has consistently blocked peace efforts for three decades.

Israeli leaders have repeatedly described any potential Palestinian entity as “less than a state” or a “state-minus”, a formulation that falls short of Palestinian aspirations and international legal standards.

Today, even that limited vision appears to be off the table, as Israeli policy moves towards complete rejection of Palestinian statehood.

With Palestinian resistance movements significantly weakened and no immediate threat facing Israel, this moment presents a crucial test of Israel’s intentions.

Is Israel genuinely pursuing peace, or seeking to cement its dominance in the region while permanently denying Palestinians their right to statehood?

Following its military successes and the normalisation of relations with several Arab states under the Abraham Accords, Israeli political discourse has grown increasingly bold.

Some voices in the Israeli establishment are openly advocating for the permanent displacement of Palestinians to neighbouring Arab countries such as Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. This would effectively erase the prospect of a future Palestinian state.

This suggests that for certain factions within Israel, the end goal is not a negotiated settlement, but a one-sided resolution that reshapes the map and the people of the region on Israel’s terms.

The coming weeks will reveal whether Israel chooses the path of compromise and coexistence, or continues down a road that forecloses the possibility of lasting peace.

Ali Mamouri 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. The US has high hopes for a new Gaza ceasefire, but Israel’s long-term aims seem far less peaceful – https://theconversation.com/the-us-has-high-hopes-for-a-new-gaza-ceasefire-but-israels-long-term-aims-seem-far-less-peaceful-260286

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 8, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Saying goodbye is never easy: why we mourn the end of our favourite TV series

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adam Gerace, Senior Lecturer and Head of Course – Positive Psychology, CQUniversity Australia

Netflix

Has the ending of Squid Game left you feeling downhearted? The South Korean megahit struck a nerve with audiences worldwide, with millions logging in to Netflix to follow protagonist Seong Gi-hun and fellow players in their fight for survival over three deadly seasons.

But even if you haven’t seen Squid Game, you’ve probably experienced the sense of loss that comes with the ending of much-loved series. These feelings are very normal, as finales can be deeply meaningful to viewers.

One of the most famous was the 1983 finale of M*A*S*H*, in which the Korean War ended. The flow rate in two water tunnels in New York leapt by millions of gallons right after the episode ended. Apparently about a million New Yorkers were waiting until the end to use the bathroom.

A good finale can be a sweet sendoff for viewers after years of investment. A bad one, however, can leave a bitter taste.

Why finales matter to us

We watch series for a range of reasons, including excitement, vicarious experience, emotional release and self-reflection. One of the main ways we engage with the stories is through the characters. We may admire them, empathise with them, or even see them as a part of our lives.

These parasocial relationships are similar to our real-life relationships (except they are one-sided). A show’s ending is ultimately an end to those relationships: a chance to say goodbye to our parasocial friends.

If a finale strikes a fake chord, or seems to betray the world we’ve come to love, it can make the grieving process harder. An unsatisfying finale might even sour our view of the entire series.

The need for closure

Generally, a satisfying finale will be one that offers us closure. One of the earliest examples of this came in 1967 with The Fugitive (1963–67), when 78 million American viewers watched doctor Richard Kimble finally catch his wife’s assailant.

More recent examples include The Nanny (1993–99) – where the romantic tension between Fran and Mr Sheffield is finally resolved – and Six Feet Under (2001–05), where we found out what happened to all the main characters.

Closure can also come through the death of important characters, such as in Breaking Bad (2008–13) and Game of Thrones (2011–19).

The need for narrative closure is a somewhat curious phenomenon. While we often won’t get closure in real life, such as with our own love affairs, or big life events, we still expect this to happen for our favourite characters.

For me, Mad Men (2007–15) provided the right mix. While we learn the ultimate fates of some characters, we also get the feeling others such as Peggy Olson and Pete Campbell will get up the next day and go to work. We just won’t see them do it.

Turning it on its head

Finales also offer a chance to shake things up. In Sex and the City (1998–2004), relationships hang in the balance until the very end.

Some finales may signal new beginnings, particularly through a big wedding. For exanmple, Dorothy gets married and moves away in The Golden Girls (1985–92).

In Schitt’s Creek (2015–20), some characters stay in the town, while others move away following the wedding of David and Patrick, presided over by Moira, the grande dame of the Rose family.

Read more:
The power of nostalgia: why it’s healthy for you to keep returning to your favourite TV series

Then there are surprising finales. Whether they aim to provide a final shock, or reflect the quagmire of ending a long-running show, these are usually the most controversial.

Newhart (1982–90) ended by using a spin on the “it was all a dream” trope, with the final scene linking the show to star Bob Newhart’s earlier sitcom.

The Sopranos (1999–2007), meanwhile, gave us one of the most talked about and divisive endings in recent memory. It is left to the viewer’s imagination to decide what happened to Tony Soprano. Some saw this as brilliant, others a cop-out.

Other finales involved big, but for some viewers, disappointing, reveals. These include the identity of the mother in How I Met Your Mother (2005–14), and the resolution of Lost (2004–10), which some fans felt was too ambiguous and complex for a final episode.

Viewers hoping for a positive or fairy-tale ending may react negatively if it doesn’t come.

Or, they might feel shortchanged if their reason for investing time in a series – such as to get to the bottom of a mystery – isn’t delivered upon by the end.

Saying goodbye, together

Grieving the end of a series is normal. We should honour what these fictional worlds provide us: joy, escapism and personal growth through self-reflection.

Connecting with our favourite characters matters for another reason, too, because these fictional bonds also help us connect with others in real life. We might grieve with other fans over the sad ending of a show, or vent with them if they also found the finale underwhelming.

Even when a series is over, relationships between fans can continue through online groups, repeat streaming and fan conventions.

With time, feelings of loss over a series’ end may make way for other feelings, such as gratitude for having experienced it at all.

Adam Gerace 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. Saying goodbye is never easy: why we mourn the end of our favourite TV series – https://theconversation.com/saying-goodbye-is-never-easy-why-we-mourn-the-end-of-our-favourite-tv-series-260409

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 8, 2025
Hopes fade for Texas flood victims as death toll tops 95

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Search teams plodded through muddy riverbanks and flew aircraft over a flood-ravaged central Texas landscape on Monday as hopes dimmed for finding more survivors among dozens still missing from a disaster that has claimed at least 96 lives, many of them children.

Three days after a torrential predawn downpour transformed the Guadalupe River into a raging, killer torrent, a Christian girls’ summer camp devastated by the flash flood confirmed that 27 campers and counselors were among those who had perished.

Ten girls and a camp counselor were still unaccounted for, officials said on Monday, as search-and-rescue personnel faced the potential of more heavy rains and thunderstorms while clawing through tons of muck-laden debris.

The bulk of the death toll from Friday’s flooding was concentrated in and around the riverfront Hill Country town of Kerrville, including the ill-fated grounds of Camp Mystic.

By Monday afternoon, the bodies of 84 flood victims – 56 adults and 28 children – were recovered in Kerr County, most of them in the county seat of Kerrville, according to the local sheriff.

As of midday Sunday, state and local officials said 12 other flood-related fatalities had been confirmed across five neighboring south-central Texas counties, and that 41 other people were still listed as missing outside Kerr County.

The New York Times, one of numerous news media outlets publishing varying death tolls on Monday, reported that at least 104 people had been killed across the entire flood zone.

‘ROUGH WEEK’ AHEAD

While authorities continued to hold out hope that some of the missing would turn up alive, the likelihood of finding more survivors diminished as time passed.

“This will be a rough week,” Mayor Joe Herring Jr said at a briefing on Monday morning.

Camp Mystic, a nearly century-old Christian girls’ retreat on the banks of the Guadalupe was at the epicenter of the disaster.

“Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy,” the camp said in a statement on Monday.

Richard “Dick” Eastland, 70, Mystic’s co-owner and director, died trying to save children at his camp from the flood, multiple media, including the Austin American-Statesman reported. He and his wife, Tweety Eastland, have owned the camp since 1974, according to its website.

“If he wasn’t going to die of natural causes, this was the only other way, saving the girls that he so loved and cared for,” Eastland’s grandson, George Eastland, wrote on Instagram.

MISHAP IN THE SKY

Authorities lost one of their aviation assets on Monday when a privately operated drone collided in restricted airspace over the Kerr County flood zone with a search helicopter, forcing the chopper to make an emergency landing. No injuries were reported, but the aircraft was put out of commission, according to the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office.

National Weather Service forecasts on Monday predicted that up to 4 more inches of rain could douse Texas Hill Country, with isolated areas possibly receiving as much as 10 inches (25 cm).

Allison Santorelli, a meteorologist with the NWS Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Maryland, said the potential for renewed flooding was particularly heightened by the saturated condition of the soil and mounds of debris already strewn around the river channel. A flood watch was posted until 7 p.m.

State emergency management officials had warned on Thursday, ahead of the July Fourth holiday, that parts of central Texas faced the possibility of flash floods based on National Weather Service forecasts.

But twice as much rain as was predicted ended up falling over two branches of the Guadalupe just upstream of the fork where they converge, sending all of that water racing into the single river channel where it slices through Kerrville, City Manager Dalton Rice said.

Rice said the outcome, the result of an unpredictable combination of circumstances, was unforeseen and unfolded in a matter of two hours.

“Why didn’t we evacuate? Well, evacuation is a delicate balance,” he said in response to reporters’ questions on Monday. “If you evacuate too late, you then risk putting buses, or cars, or vehicles or campers on roads into low-water areas, trying to get them out, which then can make it even more challenging.”

“It’s very tough to make those calls, because what we also don’t want to do is cry wolf.”

The chief meteorologist for commercial forecaster AccuWeather, Jonathan Porter, said authorities had ample time to move people to higher ground before the flood struck.

Rice and other public officials, including Governor Greg Abbott, said the circumstances of the flooding, and the adequacy of weather forecasts and warning systems, would be scrutinized once the immediate situation was brought under control.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer on Monday asked a government watchdog to investigate whether budget cuts imposed by the Trump administration contributed to any delays or inaccuracy in forecasting the floods.

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, a Texas Republican, said there would be time to examine whether more could have been done to prevent the loss of life but that now was not the time for “partisan finger-pointing.”

(Reuters)

July 8, 2025
Amarnath Yatra proceeds smoothly, over 90,000 pilgrims have ‘darshan’ in five days

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The annual Amarnath Yatra has been progressing peacefully over the past five days, with the number of pilgrims steadily increasing each day. As of Tuesday, over 90,000 devotees have undertaken the sacred pilgrimage since it commenced on July 3.

On Tuesday, another batch of 7,541 pilgrims departed for the Kashmir Valley. According to officials, these Yatris left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in two escorted convoys.

“The first escorted convoy, comprising 148 vehicles and carrying 3,321 pilgrims, departed at 2:55 a.m. for the Baltal base camp. The second convoy, consisting of 161 vehicles and 4,220 pilgrims, left at 4:03 a.m. for the Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp,” said officials.

In addition to those arriving from Bhagwati Nagar, many pilgrims are reaching the Valley directly and registering on the spot at the transit camps and base camps, according to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), which oversees the pilgrimage.

In light of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, authorities have ensured stringent security measures this year. A multi-layered security apparatus has been deployed, with an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) supplementing the existing presence of the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police. Security forces are stationed across all transit camps and along the entire route from Jammu to the holy cave shrine.

Local residents have once again extended wholehearted support to the Yatra, reaffirming their long-standing tradition of hospitality. In a poignant gesture following the Pahalgam attack, locals welcomed the first batch of pilgrims at Qazigund – the Valley’s entry point via the Navyug Tunnel – with garlands and placards, expressing solidarity and sorrow.

This year, the Yatra will continue for 38 days, concluding on August 9, coinciding with the auspicious festivals of Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.

(With inputs from IANS)

July 8, 2025
Amarnath Yatra proceeds smoothly, over 90,000 pilgrims have ‘darshan’ in five days

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The annual Amarnath Yatra has been progressing peacefully over the past five days, with the number of pilgrims steadily increasing each day. As of Tuesday, over 90,000 devotees have undertaken the sacred pilgrimage since it commenced on July 3.

On Tuesday, another batch of 7,541 pilgrims departed for the Kashmir Valley. According to officials, these Yatris left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in two escorted convoys.

“The first escorted convoy, comprising 148 vehicles and carrying 3,321 pilgrims, departed at 2:55 a.m. for the Baltal base camp. The second convoy, consisting of 161 vehicles and 4,220 pilgrims, left at 4:03 a.m. for the Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp,” said officials.

In addition to those arriving from Bhagwati Nagar, many pilgrims are reaching the Valley directly and registering on the spot at the transit camps and base camps, according to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), which oversees the pilgrimage.

In light of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, authorities have ensured stringent security measures this year. A multi-layered security apparatus has been deployed, with an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) supplementing the existing presence of the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police. Security forces are stationed across all transit camps and along the entire route from Jammu to the holy cave shrine.

Local residents have once again extended wholehearted support to the Yatra, reaffirming their long-standing tradition of hospitality. In a poignant gesture following the Pahalgam attack, locals welcomed the first batch of pilgrims at Qazigund – the Valley’s entry point via the Navyug Tunnel – with garlands and placards, expressing solidarity and sorrow.

This year, the Yatra will continue for 38 days, concluding on August 9, coinciding with the auspicious festivals of Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.

(With inputs from IANS)

July 8, 2025
Amarnath Yatra proceeds smoothly, over 90,000 pilgrims have ‘darshan’ in five days

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The annual Amarnath Yatra has been progressing peacefully over the past five days, with the number of pilgrims steadily increasing each day. As of Tuesday, over 90,000 devotees have undertaken the sacred pilgrimage since it commenced on July 3.

On Tuesday, another batch of 7,541 pilgrims departed for the Kashmir Valley. According to officials, these Yatris left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in two escorted convoys.

“The first escorted convoy, comprising 148 vehicles and carrying 3,321 pilgrims, departed at 2:55 a.m. for the Baltal base camp. The second convoy, consisting of 161 vehicles and 4,220 pilgrims, left at 4:03 a.m. for the Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp,” said officials.

In addition to those arriving from Bhagwati Nagar, many pilgrims are reaching the Valley directly and registering on the spot at the transit camps and base camps, according to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), which oversees the pilgrimage.

In light of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, authorities have ensured stringent security measures this year. A multi-layered security apparatus has been deployed, with an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) supplementing the existing presence of the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police. Security forces are stationed across all transit camps and along the entire route from Jammu to the holy cave shrine.

Local residents have once again extended wholehearted support to the Yatra, reaffirming their long-standing tradition of hospitality. In a poignant gesture following the Pahalgam attack, locals welcomed the first batch of pilgrims at Qazigund – the Valley’s entry point via the Navyug Tunnel – with garlands and placards, expressing solidarity and sorrow.

This year, the Yatra will continue for 38 days, concluding on August 9, coinciding with the auspicious festivals of Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.

(With inputs from IANS)

July 8, 2025
Amarnath Yatra proceeds smoothly, over 90,000 pilgrims have ‘darshan’ in five days

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The annual Amarnath Yatra has been progressing peacefully over the past five days, with the number of pilgrims steadily increasing each day. As of Tuesday, over 90,000 devotees have undertaken the sacred pilgrimage since it commenced on July 3.

On Tuesday, another batch of 7,541 pilgrims departed for the Kashmir Valley. According to officials, these Yatris left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu in two escorted convoys.

“The first escorted convoy, comprising 148 vehicles and carrying 3,321 pilgrims, departed at 2:55 a.m. for the Baltal base camp. The second convoy, consisting of 161 vehicles and 4,220 pilgrims, left at 4:03 a.m. for the Nunwan (Pahalgam) base camp,” said officials.

In addition to those arriving from Bhagwati Nagar, many pilgrims are reaching the Valley directly and registering on the spot at the transit camps and base camps, according to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), which oversees the pilgrimage.

In light of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, authorities have ensured stringent security measures this year. A multi-layered security apparatus has been deployed, with an additional 180 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) supplementing the existing presence of the Army, BSF, CRPF, SSB, and local police. Security forces are stationed across all transit camps and along the entire route from Jammu to the holy cave shrine.

Local residents have once again extended wholehearted support to the Yatra, reaffirming their long-standing tradition of hospitality. In a poignant gesture following the Pahalgam attack, locals welcomed the first batch of pilgrims at Qazigund – the Valley’s entry point via the Navyug Tunnel – with garlands and placards, expressing solidarity and sorrow.

This year, the Yatra will continue for 38 days, concluding on August 9, coinciding with the auspicious festivals of Shravan Purnima and Raksha Bandhan.

(With inputs from IANS)

July 8, 2025

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