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  • A big night for women’s football – what you should watch, see and read this week

    Source: ForeignAffairs4

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Naomi Joseph, Arts + Culture Editor

    The feelings that surged through the pub that I watched the women’s Euro 2022 cup final in were electric. England had won. My friends were in tears. Strangers were shaking hands, patting each other on the back, smiling goofily at anyone who would catch their eye. It was wonderful. I’m hoping for repeat scenes this Sunday when the Lionesses face Spain in the 2025 Uefa European Women’s Championship.

    Whether they win or not, the journey has been a joy. I watched the quarter-final between England and Sweden at a pub hosting an Irish trad folk night. With every England goal, the fiddlers celebrated with a rowdy song. The street I was watching the semi-final on erupted as different pockets of fans celebrated as Chloe Kelly scored the goal that would send the Lionesses into the final.

    Women’s football has gone from strength to strength since that monumental win in 2022. Many of the Lionesses are now household names (Kelly, Lucy Bronze, Ella Toone and Beth Mead to name a few). As someone who attends women’s games, I’ve never seen the stands so full. You’ve also never been able to see so many games broadcast.

    The situation for players has also massively improved with female footballers earning more than ever. In this piece, sports financing expert Christina Philippou, celebrates these many wins but also highlights where there is room for improvement.

    A lot of the gains made in women’s football in England can be attributed to that win in 2022. Here’s hoping that on Sunday we see another win, which leads to many more strides for women’s football.

    The 2025 Uefa European Women’s Championship final will be available to watch on the BBC at 5pm, July 27.



    Read more:
    Euro 2025: women’s football has exploded – here’s how it can grow even more

    On Sunday, the Lionesses will march onto the pitch wearing their all-white home kit. The purpose of such clothing is to unite the players, to show they are a team and representatives of a country. In this, we can see how, as the philosopher Kate Moran writes in her new book, clothes are much more than just what we put on.

    In A Philosopher Looks at Clothes, Moran shows that what we choose to wear is a worthy topic of deep philosophical inquiry.

    Our reviewer, Sarah Richmond, a philosophy expert, found the book an engaging and unpretentious exploration of an ubiquitous aspect of daily life. Clothing provides Moran with fertile ground for ethical, political, aesthetic and identity-related reflections.

    A Philosopher Looks at Clothes by Kate Moran is out now



    Read more:
    A Philosopher Looks at Clothes by Kate Moran is engaging and unpretentious – we need more philosophy books like this

    Also challenging how we have historically seen things is the new book by writer and curator Alayo Akinkugbe. In Reframing Blackness, Akinkugbe invites the reader to challenge art history and its approach to blackness.

    How has the teaching of art history excluded blackness? How does such teaching then affect the creation and curation of art in relation to blackness.

    Wanja Kimani, a curator herself, found the book engaged with many of the issues that black artists and those teaching and working in the arts have been grappling with since at least the 1960s in a clear-eyed and refreshingly optimistic manner.

    Reframing Blackness by Alayo Akinkugbe is out now



    Read more:
    In Reframing Blackness, Alayo Akinkugbe challenges museums to see blackness first

    For at least the last ten years there has been a growing trend for exhibitions that tackle climate change and the collapse of nature. Pandora Syperek, an expert in design, and Sarah Wade, an expert in museums, have been great supporters of the ability of such curation to communicate the urgency of such issues.

    Putting their research into practice, the pair have put on their first exhibition entitled Sea Inside. Asking the question “can the sea survive us?” the show features art works that show how connected humanity is to the ocean.

    These works are, as they write, emotive, imaginative and often very funny. From an aquarium full of tears to videos of jelly fish having sex in a lab, these works hope to move us closer to a care and understanding for fragile sea ecosystems.

    Sea Inside is on at Sainsbury Centre in Norwich until 26 October, 2025



    Read more:
    Nipple-covered sea creatures and aquariums filled with tears – Sea Inside’s alternative perspective on oceans in crisis

    At The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace you can explore the glamour of the Edwardian age through some of Britain’s most fashionable royal couples – King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, their son George V and his wife Mary of Teck.

    As our reviewer, professor of modern British history Jane Hamlett notes, one of the most interesting things about The Edwardians: Age of Elegance is what it reveals about the personal taste of the royals. Featuring more than 300 objects from the Royal Collection – almost half for the first time – it is fascinating to see what they chose to collect. You’ll get the chance to see work by recognisable artists of the period, including Carl Fabergé, John Singer Sargent and William Morris.

    The Edwardians: Age of Elegance is on at The King’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace until 23 November, 2025.



    Read more:
    The Edwardians: Age of Elegance – a glimpse into royal patronage of the arts in the early 20th century

    This article features references to books that have been included for editorial reasons, and may contain links to bookshop.org. If you click on one of the links and go on to buy something from bookshop.org The Conversation UK may earn a commission.

    The Conversation

    – ref. A big night for women’s football – what you should watch, see and read this week – https://theconversation.com/a-big-night-for-womens-football-what-you-should-watch-see-and-read-this-week-261886

  • Water wars: a historic agreement between Mexico and US is ramping up border tension

    Source: ForeignAffairs4

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Natasha Lindstaedt, Professor in the Department of Government, University of Essex

    As climate change drives rising temperatures and changes in rainfall, Mexico and the US are in the middle of a conflict over water, putting an additional strain on their relationship.

    Partly due to constant droughts, Mexico has struggled to maintain its water deliveries for much of the last 25 years, in keeping with a water-sharing agreement between the two countries that has been in place since 1944 (agreements between the two regulating water sharing have existed since the 19th century).

    As part of this 1944 treaty, set up when water was not as scarce as it is now, the two nations divide and share the flows from three rivers (the Rio Grande, the Colorado and the Tijuana) that range along their 2,000-mile border. The process is overseen by the International Boundary and Water Commission.

    Mexico must send 430 million cubic metres of water per year from the Rio Grande to the US, while the US must send nearly 1.85 billion cubic metres of water from the Colorado River to support the Mexican border cities of Tijuana and Mexicali.

    Water deliveries are measured over a five-year cycle, and the current one ends in October. Mexico struggled to deliver its water “debt” in the last cycle which ended in 2020, using waters from reservoirs at the last minute to fulfil its obligations. This left northern Mexico with severely depleted water levels.

    Due to growing tensions over water, the Biden administration tried to negotiate and work with the Mexican government to improve the speed with which Mexico’s water deliveries were taking place in 2024.

    But with Donald Trump’s return to office, the US has taken a more aggressive stance with Mexico to address its water debts to the US. For the first time in over 50 years, in March of 2025, the US refused to send water from the Colorado River to Tijuana – a city of nearly 2 million people – in order to force Mexico to send more water to Texas.

    Mexico has since responded by transferring 75 million cubic metres of water, but this is just a drop in the bucket, as Mexico remains 1.5 billion cubic metres in debt. And this did little to satisfy the Trump administration, which threatened to withhold more water from Mexico. It also demanded the resignation of Maria-Elena Giner, who led the International Boundary and Water Commission, in April.

    Rather than looking at diplomatic solutions, Trump has accused Mexico of stealing Texans’ water and has promised to keep escalating consequences if it doesn’t deliver on the treaty terms.

    A map showing the US and Mexico border and rivers running through it.

    Rainer Lesniewski/Shutterstock

    For farmers in Texas, the water shortage has left them unable to plant their crops as they don’t have enough irrigated water to do so. A year ago, the last sugar mill in southern Texas shut down due to the lack of water being delivered by Mexico.

    But Mexican farmers believe that the agreement is binding only when Mexico has enough water to satisfy its own needs – and with drought conditions, this means that no excess available water can be sent. Continuing drought conditions in Mexico have plagued farmers in the north, who also rely on water for their crops. Reductions in rainfall in recent years have also left Mexico struggling with water supplies for its own citizens in urban areas.



    Read more:
    Farewell to summer? ‘Haze’ and ‘trash’ among Earth’s new seasons as climate change and pollution play havoc

    No running water

    In recent years, drought has particularly affected the city of Monterrey in northern Mexico. In 2022, taps ran dry with many of its five million residents without running water for months. Flushing toilets, laundering clothing, washing dishes, bathing all required hauling water by hand from wells.

    Locals protested the fact that the best water infrastructure went to factories, not residents. One factor is that water demand has skyrocketed due to more manufacturing in border cities in Mexico.

    While increased manufacturing poses one problem, an even bigger problem lies with agriculture, and the types of plants being planted, as well as the way they have traditionally been watered. For example, avocados require 91 litres a day – four times more water than the production of oranges, and ten times more than the production of tomatoes.

    Alfalfa is another thirsty crop being mass produced in drought-prone states, such as Texas, California and even Arizona.

    Citizens in Mexico City sometimes faced weeks of water shortages in recent years.

    As much as 80% of the Colorado River basin’s water is used for agriculture and about half of that goes towards the production of alfalfa. Even more concerning is that most of the water is going to feed these thirsty crops. And in the dry south-west states of the US half of its water goes to towards the production of beef and dairy cattle.

    This has an impact on cities who are completely dependent on the Colorado River. In the case of Tijuana in Mexico, the Colorado River supplies 90% of its water, while US cities such as Los Angeles and Las Vegas receive 50% and 90% of their water supplies from the Colorado River and basin, respectively.

    This is a major concern as both the Colorado River and the Rio Grande are experiencing record low levels of water. And getting more water from Mexico is not a long-term solution.

    Though the Biden administration was criticised by farmers for not threatening Mexico, by withholding water, its approach largely focused more on the long-term challenges.

    For the previous US administration the solution was to invest more in the Colorado River basin, incentivising California, Arizona and Colorado to conserve three million acre-feet of water through 2026 in return for US$1 billion (£741,000,000) in federal funding.

    What drives this conflict?

    But under Trump, federal funding for tackling climate change is being slashed. Increased polarisation in US domestic politics and growing tensions between the US and Mexico will make resolving this crisis all the more difficult.

    This is a missed opportunity. Even though conflicts over water are becoming more frequent, water scarcity can also be a potential driver of cooperation.

    Meanwhile, the US’s relationship with Mexico continues to be rocky. Trump has threatened to put new 30% tariffs on Mexico from August 1, after he claimed it hadn’t done enough to tackle drug cartels.

    Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has said her government was destroying drug laboratories every day, and that the US must control weapons travelling over its border into Mexico which were being used for criminal purposes. Meanwhile, high tariffs on Mexican goods are likely to affect US consumers as Mexico is currently the US’s biggest trading partner.

    Cooperation, and acknowledging the role played by climate change, and unsustainable forms of development in both agriculture and manufacturing are key to resolving this cross-border water crisis – but these are things that the Trump administration is unlikely to acknowledge, or address.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    The Conversation

    Natasha Lindstaedt 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. Water wars: a historic agreement between Mexico and US is ramping up border tension – https://theconversation.com/water-wars-a-historic-agreement-between-mexico-and-us-is-ramping-up-border-tension-261492

  • After 160 years of Welsh settlement in Patagonia, Indigenous voices are finally being heard

    Source: ForeignAffairs4

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Geraldine Lublin, Associate Professor in Spanish, Swansea University

    The first Welsh settlers landed on the shores of what is today the Province of Chubut, in Argentinean Patagonia, on 28 July 1865. Carried on the ship Mimosa, this was the first of a series of immigrant contingents to create the Welsh settlement known as Y Wladfa.

    The many chronicles and accounts about it have imbued the settlement with a mythical sheen. Today, Y Wladfa is home to the most famous Welsh-speaking community outside Wales. It is often touted in Britain as a little Wales across the sea. In fact, “Welsh Patagonia”, as it’s also known, was established precisely with the aim of preserving the language and culture.

    A major aspect of the settlement that is celebrated is the unique friendship with the Indigenous Tehuelche that the Welsh immigrants would have struck up. However, with the commemoration of 160 years of that first group of settlers, the story about this connection is being challenged in a recently launched digital exhibition: Problematising History: Indigenous perspectives on Welsh settlement in Patagonia.

    Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here.

    Rather than attempting to undo the past, the project aims to address a glaring omission in historical accounts which results in an incomplete understanding of the impacts of the settlement – the lack of indigenous perspectives.

    The new trilingual (Spanish, Welsh and English) exhibition challenges romanticised views about the myth of friendship between the Welsh settlers and the Indigenous Tehuelche in Patagonia. Bringing together four Mapuche Tehuelche creative projects, it reflects critically on how the story of Welsh colonisation in Chubut is told by providing a platform for voices previously unheard in Britain.

    Little Wales across the sea

    In Welsh Patagonia you can see quaint casas de té gales (Welsh tea houses), the ever-present dragons and strangely familiar Welsh street names. You will also see the Welsh language in towns like Gaiman, Trevelin or Trelew. To find a language that is only spoken by less than 20% in Wales itself be so present in this corner of Latin America can make for an odd experience.

    The stories of how this place came to be are typical of settler colonial settings. These rose-tinted tales describe the encounter between the Welsh and the Indigenous Tehuelche as a harmonious meeting of cultures that led to a lasting friendship. The assumption is that the largely peaceful coexistence was due to the inherent Welsh benevolence rather than the result of negotiation and relationship building on both sides.

    The overlooking of Indigenous agency and resistance is partly due to virtually all of the historical records available in Welsh or English being created by Welsh or European people. Even those appearing to foreground indigenous voices were recorded by non-Indigenous rapporteurs and often include at least one layer of translation.

    As voices in the project Puel Willi Mapu Mew: Taiñ Zungun have said about the “Welsh rifleros” (the first Welsh explorers to “go West”):

    “Their arrival is commemorated as an epic legend and they are inscribed as heroes who ‘discovered’ our land, silencing our pre-existence as Tehuelche Mapuche people, and leading to the violence of the successive evictions and removals of our lof (community).”

    The incorporation of indigenous perspectives on Welsh settlement to the collections of the National Library of Wales represents a groundbreaking development. It is about time that space has been made for Mapuche Tehuelche memories about forced displacement, territorial dispossession and heritage appropriations.

    Changing perceptions

    The early pioneers were invited by the Argentinean government to settle in the area around the Chubut river. They were then pretty much left to their own devices to endure in the unforgiving and harsh terrain. The Indigenous Tehuelche would have not only provided them with meat but taught them to hunt and survive in their new environment.

    An aspect of that good will can be traced to the Chegüelcho agreement, which the Argentine government drew up with the leaders of local Indigenous communities. The agreement stipulated that, provided the Welsh settlement was left to develop on the lands in question, the central government would send regular rations to the communities and provide animals and clothing.

    However, the nuances of the coexistence have been removed, leaving a flattened historical narrative. In reality, the relationship was the result of continuous renegotiation of practical necessities and pursuit of reciprocal benefit – but was also fraught.

    The Welsh outpost was beneficial to Patagonian indigenous populations in providing a convenient outlet for trading their animal skins and ostrich feathers. However, Y Wladfa was the first step of a broader Argentine project that actively sought to dispossess indigenous peoples and assert state sovereignty over Patagonia.

    “The official history of Chubut silences the stories of the Mapuche and allows words like ‘progress’ and ‘Welsh settlers’ to resonate,” contributor Agustín Pichiñan explains.

    “With the support of the State, fences were extended all over our territory bringing us subjugation, harassment and discrimination. Yet, we keep on resisting and fighting to recover our history, using the knowledge of our ancestors and the memories of our lof (community).”

    Sustaining a simplified historical narrative and ignoring indigenous perspectives allows convenient stories which simply celebrate Y Wladfa. It prevents us from sitting with uncomfortable truths and learning.

    Chief among these truths is that as a colonised people themselves the Welsh were agents of colonialism elsewhere. This is part of the wider history of Patagonian settlement and is key to striving for a better present and future for all involved.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    The Conversation

    Geraldine Lublin has received funding for the “Problematising History: Indigenous perspectives on Welsh settlement in Patagonia”.project from the Arts & Humanities Research Council Impact Acceleration Account at Swansea University.

    – ref. After 160 years of Welsh settlement in Patagonia, Indigenous voices are finally being heard – https://theconversation.com/after-160-years-of-welsh-settlement-in-patagonia-indigenous-voices-are-finally-being-heard-261700

  • Distorted sound of the early universe suggests we are living in a giant void

    Source: ForeignAffairs4

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Indranil Banik, Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Astrophysics, University of Portsmouth

    Baryon acoustic oscillations represent the sound of the Big Bang.
     Gabriela Secara, Perimeter Institute, CC BY-SA

    Looking up at the night sky, it may seem our cosmic neighbourhood is packed full of planets, stars and galaxies. But scientists have long suggested there may be far fewer galaxies in our cosmic surroundings than expected.

    In fact, it appears we live in a giant cosmic void with roughly 20% lower than the average density of matter.

    Not every physicist is convinced that this is the case. But our recent paper analysing distorted sounds from the early universe, published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, strongly backs up the idea.

    Cosmology is currently in a crisis known as the Hubble tension: the local universe appears to be expanding about 10% faster than expected. The predicted rate comes from extrapolating observations of the infant universe forward to the present day using the standard model of cosmology, known as Lambda-Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM).

    We can observe the early universe in great detail through the cosmic microwave background (CMB), relic radiation from the early universe, when it was 1,100 times smaller than it is today. Sound waves in the early universe ultimately created areas of low and high densities, or temperatures.

    By studying CMB temperature fluctuations on different scales, we can essentially “listen” to the sound of the early universe, which is especially “noisy” at particular scales.

    These fluctuations are now imprinted in the CMB, and dubbed “baryon acoustic oscillations” (BAOs). Since these became the seeds for galaxies and other structures, the patterns are also visible in the distribution of galaxies.

    By measuring these patterns, we can learn how galaxies are clustered at different redshifts (distances). A particularly striking pattern, with lots of clustering, occurs at an angle called the “angular BAO scale”.

    Illustration showing that slightly more galaxies formed along the ripples of the primordial sound waves than elsewhere. Then the rings of galaxies stretched with the expansion of the universe.
    Illustration showing that slightly more galaxies formed along the ripples of the primordial sound waves (marked blue) than elsewhere. Then the rings of galaxies stretched with the expansion of the universe. Other galaxies are dimmed in this image to make the effect easier to see.
    Nasa

    This measurement ultimately helps astronomers and cosmologists learn about the universe’s expansion history by providing something physicists call a “standard ruler”. This is essentially an astronomical object or a feature on the sky with a well-known size.

    By measuring its angular size on the sky, cosmologists can therefore calculate its distance from Earth using trigonometry. One can also use the redshift to determine how fast the cosmos is expanding. The larger it appears on the sky at a certain redshift, the faster the universe is expanding.

    My colleagues and I previously argued that the Hubble tension might be due to our location within a large void. That’s because the sparse amount of matter in the void would be gravitationally attracted to the more dense matter outside it, continuously flowing out of the void.

    In previous research, we showed that this flow would make it look like the local universe is expanding about 10% faster than expected. That would solve the Hubble tension.

    But we wanted more evidence. And we know a local void would slightly distort the relation between the BAO angular scale and the redshift due to the faster moving matter in the void and its gravitational effect on light from outside.



    Read more:
    Do we live in a giant void? It could solve the puzzle of the universe’s expansion

    So in our new paper, Vasileios Kalaitzidis and I set out to test the predictions of the void model using BAO measurements collected over the last 20 years. We compared our results to models without a void under the same background expansion history.

    In the void model, the BAO ruler should look larger on the sky at any given redshift. And this excess should become even larger at low redshift (close distance), in line with the Hubble tension.

    The observations confirm this prediction. Our results suggest that a universe with a local void is about one hundred million times more likely than a cosmos without one, when using BAO measurements and assuming the universe expanded according to the standard model of cosmology informed by the CMB.

    Our research shows that the ΛCDM model without any local void is in “3.8 sigma tension” with the BAO observations. This means the likelihood of a universe without a void fitting these data is equivalent to a fair coin landing heads 13 times in a row. By contrast, the chance of the BAO data looking the way they do in void models is equivalent to a fair coin landing heads just twice in a row. In short, these models fit the data quite well.

    In the future, it will be crucial to obtain more accurate BAO measurements at low redshift, where the BAO standard ruler looks larger on the sky – even more so if we are in a void.

    The average expansion rate so far follows directly from the age of the universe, which we can estimate from the ages of old stars in the Milky Way. A local void would not affect the age of the universe, but some proposals do affect it. These and other probes will shed more light on the Hubble crisis in cosmology.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    The Conversation

    Indranil Banik receives funding from the Royal Society as part of a University Research Fellowship managed by his boss Harry Desmond. The second author on the paper was Vasileios Kalaitzidis, who received an undergraduate summer project grant from the Royal Astronomical Society to undertake the analysis described here.

    – ref. Distorted sound of the early universe suggests we are living in a giant void – https://theconversation.com/distorted-sound-of-the-early-universe-suggests-we-are-living-in-a-giant-void-259284

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Van-tastic! Clean green ice cream machines!

    Source: City of Plymouth

    Councillor Sally Haydon, ice cream seller Kelly Pitcher, Emily Bullimore, BID street operations
    and trading manager and Marie Wellington, street trading and event technical officer    .

    Cool running is all the rage on the waterfront with Plymouth’s ice cream vans now clean and green, thanks to a Council initiative.

    Plymouth City Council has installed five electric chargers at key points on Hoe Road so that ice cream vans can run on clean, green electricity rather than chugging out fumes from their engines.

    It means that the ice cream sellers who have concessions there not only save on fuel costs – as running freezers on their engines all day is expensive, but it also cuts the amount of fumes coming out of the exhaust – not a nice combination with your cone.

    The project has been warmly welcomed by the sellers, especially as the Council installed chargers that meant that some sellers could convert their vehicles with transformers rather than fork out around £150,000 for a new van.

    Cabinet member for community safety, Councillor Sally Haydon instigated the idea and the Council’s street trading team worked with the vendors and liaised with contractors to make it happen.

    The cabinet for the chargers

    The installation was a challenge as there were a number of services beneath the pavement, with one charger installed on a specially made build-out from the pavement.

    The Council employed a company called Kerbo Charge to install the cables and infrastructure – the first time the company has operated in the city. Metpow provided the submetering of energy use so that the Council can remotely monitor carbon emissions as well as charge for the energy used.

    It took a while to get the logistics sorted but with some Government lolly – £40,000 through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund – sprinkles of support from Plymouth Waterfront Partnership and a magnum of ingenuity from South West Highways to make it happen on a busy and popular road.

    Councillor Haydon said: “There’s nothing like an ice-cream on the Hoe in the summer. It is one of the great joys of Plymouth life. But diesel fumes is hardly the nicest topping with your 99.

    “Make no cones about it – we now have a greener waterfront overlooking our amazing Plymouth Sound National Marine Park and we are helping our ice cream sellers to save fuel and money!”

    Ice cream seller Kelly Pitcher welcomed the move, especially as it means the van is cooler on warm days. She said: “We don’t have to keep the engine running which means the van doesn’t get so hot inside – which is great for me.

    “It is definitely quieter to run and we have had regulars already commenting on how much quieter it is and less fumes. We’re really happy to see this happen.”

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Foreign Minister Meets ASEAN Secretary General

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 25 (Xinhua) — Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Horn in Beijing on Friday.

    Wang Yi, also a member of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee, said China has always given priority to ASEAN in its neighbourhood diplomacy and supports ASEAN’s aspiration to play a more active role in international and regional affairs.

    Guided by the outcome of the Central Meeting on Neighboring Countries held in April this year, China is willing to work with ASEAN member states to build an even closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, he said.

    Under the current circumstances, China and ASEAN should focus on cooperation in three key areas, Wang said.

    First, the two sides should work together to uphold free trade and the multilateral trading system. Wang Yi noted that as the major forces of the Global South, China and ASEAN should strengthen solidarity and cooperation, oppose unilateralism, uphold WTO rules, and ensure the credibility and integrity of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

    Second, both sides should fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, building a new narrative of peace, friendship and cooperation in the South China Sea, Wang said.

    Third, the two sides should work together to maintain regional peace and stability. “The recent border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand, which resulted in casualties, are regrettable and worrying,” Wang said, adding that China, as a mutual friend and neighbor of both countries, is willing to maintain an impartial stance and continue to play a constructive role in de-escalating tensions.

    Kao Kim Horn, for his part, expressed gratitude to China for its firm support for ASEAN’s centrality in regional cooperation and the building of the ASEAN Community.

    ASEAN hopes to use the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2026 as an opportunity to strengthen strategic alignment and deepen practical cooperation in all fields with China, he said.

    Speaking about the tension on the border between Cambodia and Thailand these days, Kao Kim Horn thanked China for its active efforts to promote reconciliation and peace talks. -0-

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: UN chief welcomes China, EU commitment to strengthen cooperation on climate change

    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

    UNITED NATIONS, July 25 (Xinhua) — UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomes the commitment of China and the European Union (EU) to strengthen cooperation on climate change and ensure a global just transition, Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Farhan Haq said on Thursday.

    “The Secretary-General believes that it is critical for China and the European Union, as the world’s two largest economies, to continue working together to ensure that the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil becomes a major turning point in global efforts to tackle the climate crisis,” Hack said in a statement.

    “The Secretary-General reiterates his call for all G20 countries to submit NDCs [nationally determined contributions to combat climate change by 2035],” he said.

    On Thursday, leaders of China and the EU issued a joint statement on stepping up efforts to combat climate change following the 25th China-EU summit in Beijing. At the meeting, the two sides acknowledged that strengthening China-EU cooperation on climate change will benefit the well-being of both peoples and is of great and special significance to upholding multilateralism and advancing global climate governance. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: China’s model for protecting cultural heritage presented in think tank report

    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

    ZHENGZHOU, July 25 (Xinhua) — The Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with the Xinhua News Agency, released a report on Friday detailing China’s innovative model of cultural heritage protection.

    China’s concept and practice of cultural heritage protection in the new era are best reflected in an innovative model called “OPEN”, the report said. It stands for original contribution, prioritizing protection, strengthening cooperation and necessary guarantees.

    The innovative model, according to the authors of the report, not only enriched the theory of cultural heritage protection during China’s modernization, but also contributed to the efforts of other countries in the world to protect, preserve and utilize cultural heritage.

    A new report, titled “Cooperatively Protecting the Treasures of Human Civilization: China’s Concept and Practice of Cultural Heritage Preservation in the New Era,” provides a detailed explanation of China’s vibrant and vibrant practice in this area. -0-

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese representative rejects US baseless accusations against Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region

    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

    UNITED NATIONS, July 25 (Xinhua) — China’s permanent representative to the United Nations Fu Cong on Thursday rejected U.S. accusations against China’s Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR) at a Security Council meeting on cooperation between the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

    “China firmly opposes and categorically rejects the groundless accusations made by the US representative regarding China’s Xinjiang region,” the Chinese diplomat said.

    At present, Xinjiang enjoys social stability, economic prosperity, and people live in peace and contentment. It is the best period of development in its history. The United States has made great efforts to stir up the so-called Xinjiang issue in a vain attempt to interfere in China’s internal affairs and curb its development, but in doing so, it has only exposed its true nature of hegemonic ambitions and double standards, Fu Cong noted.

    Over the past six years, more than 100 countries, including many Islamic countries, have voiced their support for China’s just position at the general debate of the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly. They are unequivocally opposed to the politicization of human rights issues and the use of human rights as a pretext for interfering in the internal affairs of other countries, the Chinese envoy said.

    “This is a loud and clear signal that the US plan to contain China using the so-called Xinjiang issue has largely failed, and its sinister intention to provoke bloc confrontation by discrediting and suppressing China has failed completely,” he said.

    Fu Cong asked, “If the US really cares about Muslim rights, why does it turn a blind eye to the living hell in Gaza? Why does the US ignore the historical injustices suffered by the Palestinian people?”

    The United States, he said, ignores its own chronic problems at home, such as gun violence, racial discrimination, and the violation of the rights and dignity of its own citizens. Under the guise of protecting human rights, Washington unjustifiably interferes in the internal affairs of other countries and violates the rights of countless people in the developing world.

    “We call on the United States to examine its own vices and misdeeds, change course, and make greater efforts to take practical, positive action in the interests of international peace and security,” he said. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Iran, European countries resume nuclear talks in Istanbul

    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 25 (Xinhua) — Nuclear talks between Iran and the European “troika” of Germany, France and Britain began in the Turkish city of Istanbul on Friday morning, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

    The Iranian delegation is headed by Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Majid Takht-Ravanchi and Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi.

    Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told the official IRNA news agency that the talks would be an opportunity for the three European countries to correct their attitude toward Iran and test their approach to the country’s nuclear program.

    Speaking earlier at a weekly press conference, Baghaei said the talks would focus on lifting sanctions and issues related to Tehran’s peaceful nuclear program, noting that Iran would seriously present its demands at the upcoming meeting.

    Since September last year, Iran and the EU three have held six rounds of talks on a range of issues, including Tehran’s nuclear program and the lifting of sanctions. The latest round took place in Istanbul in mid-May. –0–

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: House GOP Passes 50 Trump Executive Orders

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

    WASHINGTON — Six months into the Trump Administration, Republicans in the 119th Congress are delivering on President Trump’s America First agenda. With the historic passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill and many more separate pieces of legislation, House Republicans have already voted to codify 50 of President Trump’s executive actions. 

    “The American people gave President Trump a clear mandate to enact his America First agenda – and House Republicans are answering that call. To date, we’ve voted to codify 50 of the President’s Executive Orders into law, from reining in waste, fraud, and abuse, to cutting bureaucratic red tape that has strangled America’s innovators, job creators, and entrepreneurs,” said Speaker Johnson. “The last four years under President Joe Biden made painfully clear how quickly progress can be undone unless Congress steps in. That’s why House Republicans are working around the clock to codify President Trump’s executive actions and enshrine his historic agenda into law.”

    Executive Actions Passed by the House in the 119th Congress listed below and can be found here:

    1.      Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections

    2.      Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government

    3.      Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation

    4.      Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court

    5.      Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production

    6.      Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness

    7.      Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens

    8.      Small Business Administration Overhaul of the Reckless Biden-era Lending Program

    9.      Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders

    10.  Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful

    11.  Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies: Advancing United States Interests When Funding Nongovernmental Organizations

    12.  Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements

    13.  Radical Transparency About Wasteful Spending

    14.  Withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization

    15.  Withdrawing the U.S. from and Ending Funding to Certain U.N. Organizations and Reviewing U.S. Support to All International Organizations

    16.  Reevaluating and Realigning U.S. Foreign Aid

    17.  Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship

    18.  Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing

    19.  Securing Our Borders

    20.  Protecting Children from Surgical Mutilation

    21.  Expanding Migrant Operations Center at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to Full Capacity

    22.  Expanding Access to In Vitro Fertilization

    23.  Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance

    24.  Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border of the U.S.

    25.  Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry

    26.  Unleashing American Energy

    27.  Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential

    28.  Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday with the Garden of Heroes

    29.  Declaring a National Energy Emergency

    30.  Enforcing the Hyde Amendment

    31.  Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production

    32.  Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats

    33.  The Iron Dome for America

    34.  Clarifying The Military’s Role in Protecting the Territorial Integrity of the United States

    35.  Keeping Americans Safe in Aviation

    36.  Unleashing American Drone Dominance

    37.  Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Cost Efficiency Initiative

    38.  Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities

    39.  Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education

    40.  Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy

    41.  Establishing the President’s Make America Healthy Again Commission

    42.  Further Amendment to Duties Addressing the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People’s Republic of China as Applied to Low-Value Imports

    43.  The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Global Tax Deal (Global Tax Deal)

    44.  Protecting America’s Bank Account Against Fraud, Waste, and Abuse

    45.  Stopping Waste, Fraud, and Abuse by Eliminating Information Silos

    46.  Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology

    47.  Honoring Jocelyn Nungaray

    48.  Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media

    49.  Restoring America’s Fighting Force

    50.  Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Press Release: FDIC Publishes Enforcement Orders for June 2025

    Source: US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC

    CategoriesBusiness, Commerce, MIL-OSI, United States Federal Government, United States Government, United States of America, US Commerce, US Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation FDIC, US Federal Government, US Insurance Sector, USA

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NEA President issues update on 2025 Representative Assembly

    Source: US National Education Union

    WASHINGTON — The following statement can be attributed to NEA President Becky Pringle: 

    “At the recent NEA 2025 Representative Assembly, a recommendation was sent to NEA’s Executive Committee that the National Education Association not partner with the Anti-Defamation League. As the NEA does not currently have a partnership with the ADL, this would have constituted a forward-looking declaration. 

    “Today, following the culmination of a thorough review process as governed by NEA rules, including a vote by NEA’s Executive Committee earlier this week, NEA’s Board of Directors—representing the broad and diverse membership of the NEA, including representatives from every state—voted not to implement this proposal. 

    “In our review, NEA considered multiple factors, including the rationale and concerns behind the proposal, its relationship to our policies and values, and how this would affect students, our members, our work, and our mission to champion excellence and justice in public education. We consulted with NEA state affiliates and civil rights leaders, including Jewish American and Arab American community leaders, and we also met with ADL leadership.

    “After consideration, it was determined that this proposal would not further NEA’s commitment to academic freedom, our membership, or our goals. Today’s vote by the NEA Board of Directors to not adopt this proposal completes NEA’s process.

    “There is no doubt that antisemitism is on the rise. Without equivocation, NEA stands strongly against antisemitism. We always have and we always will. Our Jewish students and educators deserve nothing less.  

    “As NEA members debated this issue on the floor of our Representative Assembly, they spoke about a variety of painful, frustrating, and dehumanizing experiences related to antisemitism and anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian bigotry. We know antisemitism and anti-Arab bigotry are very real and urgent problems in this country and around the world. They are insidious forms of hate, which is why NEA and our members actively work to fight them in our classrooms, on our campuses, and in our communities. 

    “We have increased our efforts to combat all forms of hate because we know freedom and safety for any of us depend on the freedom and safety of all of us. As educators, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring our schools and campuses are safe and welcoming for all students, regardless of their religion, ethnicity, or identity—with no exceptions. That is fundamental to who we are as educators and the core of who we are as a union.

    “At our core, NEA’s work and mission are rooted in social and racial justice, and we have a long, proud history of fighting against hate in all its forms. In this time of division, fighting antisemitism, anti-Arab racism, and other forms of discrimination will take more resources, not fewer. We are ready.

    “Public education is vital to building respect for the worth, dignity, and equality of every individual in our diverse society. Our democracy depends on freedom of speech, and a great education depends on academic freedom, and inclusive and respectful debate. NEA opposes efforts to shut down debate, to silence voices of disagreement, and intimidation. We recognize the underlying concerns of the authors and supporters of the proposal, and we are committed to ongoing discussion with our community.

    “Not adopting this proposal is in no way an endorsement of the ADL’s full body of work. We are calling on the ADL to support the free speech and association rights of all students and educators. We strongly condemn abhorrent and unacceptable attacks on our members who dedicate their lives to helping their students thrive. Our commitment to freedom of speech fully extends to freedom of protest and dissent, whether in the public square or on college campuses.

    “NEA will continue our work to combat discrimination against all people, pursue justice inside and beyond our schools, and we will always ensure our members are supported in these efforts. Along with this vote, we commit to continue our ongoing work to stand strong against oppression and hatred, a prerequisite for a thriving public education system consistent with our core values. Even with passionately held views on emotionally charged issues, the moment calls for us to use care and grace with each other and to ensure we refrain from actions that harm vulnerable communities. 

    “Going forward, the NEA will use a diverse and knowledgeable group of NEA practitioners to review materials that we use in relation to antisemitism curriculum and tools to combat antisemitism.

    “As a union, our diverse backgrounds and perspectives make us stronger, and our interconnected safety comes only through solidarity. In light of the near-daily direct attacks being made against public education, our work together has never been more important. No amount of bullying can force us to abandon our commitment to our members and our values. And there is too much at stake to rest for even a moment.” 

    Follow us on Bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/neapresident.bsky.social and https://bsky.app/profile/neatoday.bsky.social  

    # # #

    The National Education Association is the nation’s largest professional employee organization, representing more than 3 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators, students preparing to become teachers, healthcare workers, and public employees. Learn more at www.nea.org.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Bitcoin Swift Approaches Stage 1 Presale Deadline with $1 Token Price Set to Double in Next Phase

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AI-Enabled Blockchain Protocol Activates Proof-of-Yield Rewards Ahead of September Launch Schedule

    LUXEMBOURG, July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Bitcoin Swift (BTC3), a programmable blockchain protocol that integrates artificial intelligence and decentralized identity, is nearing the final 24 hours of its Stage 1 presale. The project’s token remains fixed at $1.00 until the transition to Stage 2, at which point the price will increase to $2.00. Bitcoin Swift’s full 64-day presale period will conclude on September 18, 2025, with a confirmed launch price of $15.00.

    The conclusion of Stage 1 marks the first key milestone in the project’s presale cycle, offering early participants access to live staking rewards through the platform’s Proof-of-Yield (PoY) mechanism. According to project materials, PoY rewards are automatically distributed at the end of each presale stage, providing participants with functional utility prior to full network deployment.

    Programmable Infrastructure with AI Integration

    Bitcoin Swift is designed to serve as a modular financial infrastructure for decentralized finance (DeFi), combining smart contract adaptability, real-time governance, and compliance-friendly privacy.

    The protocol leverages a hybrid Proof-of-Work (PoW) and Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus model to secure network activity. In addition to this foundation, the system incorporates AI agents that manage contract logic, reward algorithms, and governance proposal validation.

    Technical features include:

    • Federated AI Oracles – Monitor chain activity and detect anomalies in reward cycles
    • Learning-Enabled Smart Contracts – Adjust behavior based on usage data and transaction types
    • Decentralized Identity (DID) – Enables user verification without exposing private data
    • Quadratic Voting with AI Oversight – Ensures balance in governance participation by weighting votes according to verified identity credentials

    These systems are supported by recent audits from Spywolf and Solidproof, and the project team has completed KYC verification to support transparency.

    Roadmap Highlights and Timelines

    Bitcoin Swift’s roadmap sets out a phased development and deployment strategy from mid-2025 through late 2026:

    • Q3–Q4 2025: Launch on Solana network with immediate PoY activation and on-chain governance beta
    • Q1 2026: Integration of AI-powered contract engine and smart reinforcement modules
    • Q2 2026: Deployment of zk-ledger for shielded transactions and privacy-enhanced DeFi features
    • Q3 2026: Expansion of DAO voting with AI-simulated governance tools
    • Q4 2026: Native chain mainnet release, institutional onboarding, and transition from Solana via 1:1 bridge

    Each milestone corresponds to a functional deliverable and is accompanied by developer documentation and user onboarding resources.

    Final Hours of Stage 1 Presale

    As of July 25, Bitcoin Swift’s Stage 1 presale is in its final day. Tokens are priced at $1.00 with an APY of 143% for staking rewards under the Proof-of-Yield model. When Stage 2 begins, the token price will rise to $2.00, and the staking terms will be recalibrated to reflect updated issuance and network participation.

    The presale is structured across multiple stages over 64 days, with each stage introducing incremental pricing and adjusted yield distribution. Participants in Stage 1 also gain early access to key features including staking dashboards, governance voting modules, and beta smart contract interfaces.

    Governance and Community Participation

    Bitcoin Swift offers users the ability to engage with governance mechanisms prior to mainnet launch. The governance model includes identity-weighted quadratic voting and AI-based proposal risk scoring. These tools aim to encourage responsible participation and reduce the impact of token-weighted centralization.

    The project’s compliance-focused structure also makes use of decentralized identifiers (DIDs) to facilitate KYC-compatible user onboarding without compromising data privacy. These systems are intended to support both retail and institutional use cases once the mainnet goes live in 2026.

    About Bitcoin Swift

    Bitcoin Swift (BTC3) is a decentralized blockchain protocol designed for adaptive finance. The project integrates artificial intelligence, modular smart contracts, zk-privacy, and governance by verified identity. It is built to support on-chain programmable staking, AI-based automation, and secure protocol-level participation through DID infrastructure.

    The BTC3 token serves as the native utility asset for staking, governance, and fee payments across the Bitcoin Swift ecosystem. Current presale participants gain early access to live features, with future milestones set across phased rollouts through 2026.

    To learn more and access the presale dashboard, visit:
    https://bitcoinswift.com

    Contact:
    Luc Schaus
    support@bitcoinswift.com

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by Bitcoin Swift. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article.This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cd63504a-58a2-4ad1-bc23-f62015040ec7

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b6ab4e95-7452-49f8-b1a2-fa71914a5303

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a5fcd292-e354-44e4-8cfb-649e7021491e

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: HTX Gives Away $500,000 Rewards to Celebrate Ethereum’s 10th Anniversary: Newcomers, Traders, and Loyal Users All Win

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PANAMA CITY, July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the Ethereum blockchain approaches its 10th anniversary on July 30, HTX, a leading global crypto exchange, is commemorating this significant milestone with a week-long global giveaway totaling $500,000 in rewards. Running from July 25, 10:00 to August 1, 10:00 (UTC), the campaign honors a decade of DeFi, NFT, and DAO innovations that Ethereum helped shape, while empowering its community to continue exploring value in the new crypto cycle.

    Diversified Trading and Referral Rewards for All Users

    Welcome Gift for New Users & First-Time Traders: Simply complete a spot or futures trade of any amount during the campaign to unlock a welcome gift. Eligible participants will receive either $3 in ETH or free ETH futures positions worth up to 1,000 USDT. Daily rewards are limited to the first 2,000 qualifying users. Please note that futures position claims require Level 1 KYC verification and a minimum net deposit of 100 USDT into your Futures account.

    Social Sharing & Referral Incentives: Share this exciting event on any social platform and invite a friend! If your friend registers and trades over 100 USDT on HTX, both of you can earn a 20 USDT Futures Trial Bonus. To qualify, both inviters and invitees must enroll in the event and complete Level 3 KYC verification. Rewards are available for the first 1,000 qualified participants.

    Comeback Bonuses for Inactive Users: Red carpet for returning friends!

    Spot Traders: Inactive spot traders who haven’t used HTX Spot since June 1, 2025, can receive a shot at winning up to 10 ETH through a lucky draw by simply restarting their spot trading.

    Futures Traders: For inactive futures traders (last active before July 10, 2025), HTX is offering APY Booster Coupons for SmartEarn, increasing APY by 3-8% based on net deposits to their Futures accounts. Combined with the current 2% base APY, users can enjoy up to 10% APY for SmartEarn!

    Special Offers for Ethereum’s Ecosystem Crypto Traders and HTX Earn Users

    $200,000 Trading Contest for Top Ethereum Ecosystem Cryptos: A dedicated trading contest is now live on HTX for top Ethereum ecosystem cryptocurrencies, including ETH, ETHFI, UNI, LINK, ENA, AAVE, CRV, LDO, MKR, and ENS. Users who register for the contest and trade at least 5,000 USDT in spot or 20,000 USDT in futures with these cryptos will be ranked by volume. The top traders will share a 200,000 USDT prize pool based on their ranking:

    • The top five traders will receive individual $HTX rewards ranging from $6,000 to $30,000.
    • Participants ranked sixth through twentieth will split $60,000.
    • The remaining $66,000 will be distributed proportionally among other eligible participants.
    • Additionally, margin traders whose margin trading volume hits 5,000 USDT or more can compete for a dedicated $HTX token prize pool worth $30,000.

    Exclusive ETH Earn Opportunities: ETH holders also have special opportunities:

    • First-time HTX Earn users can subscribe to a special ETH product offering a remarkable 100% APY! This is a one-time opportunity requiring Level 2 KYC verification.
    • Furthermore, all users can enjoy 6% APY on the ETH Flexible Earn product, featuring hourly compounding and instant withdrawals.

    Important Note: All participants must click “Register Now” on the campaign page to enroll. Only trades, deposits, and subscriptions completed after registration will be counted. Rewards will be distributed within seven business days following the campaign’s end.

    From 2015 to 2025, Ethereum has been the backbone of Web3 innovation. Now, HTX is proud to celebrate this milestone with a campaign designed to reward its community and fuel the future of decentralized finance. Register today on HTX and trade your way into the next decade of Ethereum.

    About HTX

    Founded in 2013, HTX has evolved from a virtual asset exchange into a comprehensive ecosystem of blockchain businesses that span digital asset trading, financial derivatives, research, investments, incubation, and other businesses.

    As a world-leading gateway to Web3, HTX harbors global capabilities that enable it to provide users with safe and reliable services. Adhering to the growth strategy of “Global Expansion, Thriving Ecosystem, Wealth Effect, Security & Compliance,” HTX is dedicated to providing quality services and values to virtual asset enthusiasts worldwide.

    To learn more about HTX, please visit https://www.htx.com/ or HTX Square , and follow HTX on X, Telegram, and Discord. For further inquiries, please contact glo-media@htx-inc.com.

    Disclaimer: This content is provided by HTX. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We assume no responsibility for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2a59ff0b-12f0-495f-b6e1-4d6e56171fcb

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Six months into Congo’s war, cholera is killing more than four people every day

    Source: Oxfam –

    • Aid cuts and humanitarian deadlock are fuelling a full-blown public health disaster. 

    • In Sake and Minova, 500 people are sharing a single water tap.   

    Six months since the renewed war in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a full-blown public health emergency is accelerating, Oxfam warned today.  

    Since January, more than 35,000 suspected cholera cases and at least 852 related deaths have been reported – an average of more than four deaths every day and a 62 percent increase compared to 2024.  

    After M23 fighters seized Goma in January civilians were ordered to return to their villages within 72 hours. More than 3.16 million people have since returned back only to find their homes reduced to rubble, and aid system on the verge of collapse. 

    Water networks, including storage facilities have been obliterated, leaving families to drink from contaminated streams and stagnant lakes. Basic health services have crumbled, with hospitals out of medicine and sanitation systems in ruins. In some of the hardest-hit areas, like Sake and Minova, 500 people are now sharing a single water tap.  

    Dr. Manenji Mangundu, Oxfam’s Director in DRC said: 

    “This is a full-blown public health emergency. Families are returning to ruins—no shelters, no toilets, no clean water. In many areas, latrines have been flooded or stripped for firewood, forcing people to defecate in the open and contaminate the only water available. The air reeks of sewage. Hospitals are out of medicine, and we can’t reach cut-off communities with even the most basic aid.” 

    In South Kivu’s Uvira region, cholera is surging with 100 new cases being reported each day. Floodwaters from Lake Tanganyika routinely inundate homes and latrines overflow into the lake, even as families are forced to drink lake water.  

    The forced closure and destruction of more than 20 displacement sites in Goma alone has left 700,000 people without safe shelter, clean water or basic sanitation In Rusayo, Lushagal, and Bhimba —where Oxfam had been supporting over 100,000 people—entire sites have been razed or abandoned, including more than $700,000 worth of water and sanitation infrastructure, such as pipelines, latrines, and tanks. 

    “This is a full-blown public health emergency. Families are returning to ruins—no shelters, no toilets, no clean water. In many areas, latrines have been flooded or stripped for firewood, forcing people to defecate in the open and contaminate the only water available. The air reeks of sewage. Hospitals are out of medicine, and we can’t reach cut-off communities with even the most basic aid.” 

    Dr. Manenji Mangundu, Oxfam’s Director in DRC

    Oxfam

    Despite a US-brokered ceasefire, insecurity, roadblocks, and ongoing clashes have severed vital supply routes, cutting off communities from lifesaving food, clean water, and medicine. Aid agencies like Oxfam are now being forced to detour through Rwanda, severely hampering relief efforts. Cross-border access through Burundi has been entirely blocked, while illegal taxes and bureaucratic obstruction are further choking humanitarian deliveries.  

    Deep aid cuts since the start of 2025 have pushed the humanitarian response to the brink of failure. Only a fraction of the $2.54 billion needed this year as humanitarian aid in DRC has been received to date—forcing agencies like Oxfam to scale back or suspend life-saving operations. Even a UN investigation into possible war crimes has been frozen for lack of funding. 

    “People are suffering because we cannot reach them,” said Balume Loutre, Oxfam’s Public Health Engineering Team Leader in Eastern DRC. “They’re drinking from contaminated water sources, and we lack the resources to deliver even basic aid. In some villages, 15,000 families need help, but we can only support 500. We’re forced to make impossible choices, leaving thousands behind.”  

    The situation is particularly alarming for women and girls. Since the cuts to USAID funding, more than 8,200 people living with HIV have lost access to antiretroviral treatment. Emergency post-rape care kits are vanishing, even as a child is reported raped every half an hour in eastern DRC, according to UNICEF. 

    Despite the collapse of the aid system, Oxfam and its partners continue to deliver lifesaving assistance – constructing water systems, building latrines and distributing soap and hygiene kits, food and seed. But urgent funding is needed to reach 400,000 people in high-risk cholera zones.  

    “We need an immediate injection of funds, and all warring parties to commit to a permanent ceasefire and allow aid to flow freely. After six months of chaos, people need dignity and respite from relentless violence. The world cannot look away,” said Mangundu. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Plastic Greenpeace climbers abseil from Forth Bridge to block INEOS tanker in plastics protest An international team of Greenpeace activists has abseiled from Scotland’s Forth Road Bridge to block an INEOS tanker from delivering its cargo of fracked American gas to the Grangemouth petrochemical… by Graham Thompson July 25, 2025

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    An international team of Greenpeace activists has abseiled from Scotland’s Forth Road Bridge to block an INEOS tanker from delivering its cargo of fracked American gas to the Grangemouth petrochemical facility. 

    The Greenpeace protest is aimed at chemicals giant INEOS, owned by billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, which is opposing efforts by UN Member States to secure a Global Plastics Treaty to curb plastic pollution [1]. INEOS is the UK’s biggest plastics manufacturer, producing 30-35 billion nurdles (pellets) daily at its Grangemouth plant – enough to make 60 million plastic bottles.

    The action comes less than a fortnight before governments meet in Geneva, Switzerland, for the sixth and final round of negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty (5-14 August). Greenpeace is calling for these talks to agree to a cut in global plastic production of at least 75% by 2040, and for the UN to exclude lobbyists from INEOS and other fossil fuels companies from the treaty negotiations. Plastics producers including INEOS have collectively sent hundreds of lobbyists to exert their influence at every stage of the talks so far. Lobbyists have used tactics such as intimidation and harassment, to block an agreement that includes caps on plastic production.

    The 10 climbers are confronting the giant INEOS tanker ‘INDEPENDENCE’. The vessel spent the last 10 days crossing the Atlantic carrying 27,500 cubic metres of ethane bound for Grangemouth where it will be used by INEOS in the production of virgin plastic.

    Amy Cameron, Programme Director at Greenpeace UK said:

    “Plastic pollution has reached a crisis point: it’s poisoning our land, seas, air, even our bodies. The Global Plastics Treaty offers us a once in a generation chance to tackle the problem for good, so it’s no surprise INEOS and its billionaire boss, Jim Ratcliffe, are doing everything they can to stop it.

    Ratcliffe tries to distract us with sports teams and sponsorships, but we’re not going to let him fill our planet with plastic, so he can fill his pockets with profit. Ratcliffe is trying to block a strong Global Plastics Treaty, so today we’re blocking him.”

    An international team of Greenpeace activists abseil from Scotland’s Forth Road Bridge to block an INEOS tanker from delivering its cargo of fracked American gas to the Grangemouth petrochemical facility. The Greenpeace protest is aimed at chemicals giant INEOS, owned by billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe, which is opposing efforts by UN Member States to secure a Global Plastics Treaty to curb plastic pollution. INEOS is the UK’s biggest plastics manufacturer, producing (pellets) daily at its Grangemouth plant – enough to make 60 million plastic bottles.© Luca Marino / Greenpeace

    The highly-trained Greenpeace climbers [2] abseiled from beneath the bridge’s service walkway, unfurling six giant ‘Plastics Treaty Now’ banners. They will remain suspended 25 metres above the main shipping lane of the River Forth [3], preventing the tanker from reaching port with its hazardous cargo. They are supported by a rescue crew on the bridge and a boat team in the river below. 

    The Greenpeace protest comes during Donald Trump’s visit to Scotland. Over the past three years, INEOS Energy has made investments exceeding $3bn in the US oil and gas sector, and the US petrochemicals industry is investing heavily in new chemical and plastics production projects. Like INEOS, US Fossil Fuel giants are attempting to weaken the Global Plastics Treaty to avoid caps on virgin plastic production. 

    ENDS

    Contact: 

    Greenpeace UK press office: press.uk@greenpeace.org / 020 7865 8255

    Greenpeace press officer on the ground at Forth Road Bridge: Kai Tabacek – 07984 127025

    Greenpeace spokespeople are available for interviews on the ground in Scotland and in London

    Please find all photos and videos of the protest HERE. Additional pictures and footage will be added as they become available.

    Notes to editors

    1. Speaking at the EFRA Parliamentary Committee on 8th July, on the UK Government’s priorities for the final plastics treaty negotiations, INEOS’s Technology Director, Peter Williams firmly opposed production caps because of potential “unintended consequences.”
    2. The international team of Greenpeace activists include climbers from: UK, Argentina, Croatia, Germany, Hungary, Finland, France, Italy, Netherlands and Taiwan.
    3. The main span of the iconic Forth Road Bridge is a little over a kilometre long, around 50 metres above water level. The highly-trained Greenpeace climbers are spaced at intervals of around 20 metres in an attempt to block the INEOS tanker. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Committee on Agriculture Commends Improved Performance of Agricultural Research Council (ARC), National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC) and Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) in the Fourth Quarter of 2024/25

    Source: APO


    .

    The Portfolio Committee on Agriculture welcomed the briefings it received yesterday from the Agricultural Research Council (ARC), National Agricultural Marketing Council (NAMC), and the Perishable Products Export Control Board (PPECB) on their performance in the fourth quarter of the 2024/25 financial year and commended their notable performance.

    In welcoming the briefings from the three entities of the Department of Agriculture, the Chairperson of the Committee, Ms Dina Pule, said the committee was happy about the progress that the entities reported to the committee. She said the committee notes the hard work the entities have demonstrated and called for more improvement in all the areas of work that included implementation of the Auditor General’s recommendations on their last audit outcomes.

    The ARC reported that funding for building of the new Foot-and-mouth Disease (FMD) Vaccine Facility is still a challenge and that, efforts to obtain the required funding for the new facility remains a priority. The entity reported that field assessment of the FMD vaccine in Mpumalanga and Limpopo is ongoing and the study on vaccine safety in pregnant cows and young calves has been initiated.

    In appreciating the performance of the NAMC, the committee called on the entity to do more on finding market access for the small-scale farmers as markets are alfa and omega for their growth, survival and meaningful contribution to the South African economy and for national food security.

    The Chairperson told the Deputy Minister of the Department of Agriculture, Ms Zoleka Capa, who led the departmental delegation, that the committee notes with appreciation the accountability of both the Minister and his Deputy that they demonstrate to the committee.

    The Chairperson also said that accountability is a critical starting point for the success of the department. “We deeply appreciate your availability to our meetings with the department. Your presence solidifies the accountability of the department to the committee and the oversight responsibility of the committee over the department,” emphasised the Chairperson.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Mobilisation is urgently needed to avoid further deaths from northern Nigeria malnutrition crisis

    Source: APO


    .

    • In northern Nigeria, our teams are seeing an ever-increasing number of children in need of treatment for malnutrition.
    • We have begun a preventive campaign in Mashi local government area, distributing nutrition supplements for 66,000 children.
    • Urgent mobilisation is needed to save lives from this malnutrition crisis.

    Northern Nigeria is currently facing an alarming malnutrition crisis. In Katsina state, for instance, where Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has been present since 2021, the teams are seeing an ever-increasing number of malnourished children in our therapeutic feeding centres, with increasingly severe conditions and higher mortality rates.

    In collaboration with the local authorities, we have begun distributing nutrition supplements for 66,000 children in the local government area of Mashi, as a method for emergency prevention. In the context of drastic cuts in international funding, the need for prevention and treatment of malnutrition is enormous in northern Nigeria, and urgent mobilisation is required.

    By the end of June 2025, nearly 70,000 children with malnutrition had already received medical care from our teams in Katsina state, including nearly 10,000 who were hospitalised in serious condition. Without taking into account the new healthcare facilities opened by MSF during the year in the state, this represents an increase of approximately one-third compared to last year.

    In addition, between January and June 2025, the number of children with nutritional oedema,1 the most severe and deadly form of malnutrition, rose by 208 per cent compared with the same period in 2024. Unfortunately, 652 children have already died in our facilities since the beginning of 2025 due to a lack of timely access to care.

    A worrying sign of the growing severity of this major public health emergency, is that adults—particularly women, including pregnant and breastfeeding women—are also affected. A screening carried out in July, in all five MSF malnutrition centres in Katsina state, on 750 mothers of patients, revealed that more than half of adult caregivers were acutely malnourished, including 13 per cent with severe acute malnutrition.

    To cope with the massive influx of children expected by the end of the lean season in October, we have increased our support to the local authorities in several states in north Nigeria where we provide care to communities. In Katsina state for instance, we opened a new outpatient therapeutic feeding centre in Mashi and an additional inpatient therapeutic feeding centre in Turai, to provide a total of 900 beds in two hospitals where MSF teams work.

    “The year 2024 marked a turning point in northern Nigeria’s nutritional crisis, with an increase of 25 per cent from the previous year,” says Ahmed Aldikhari, country representative of MSF in Nigeria. “But the true scale of the crisis exceeds all predictions. We are currently witnessing massive budget cuts, particularly from the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, which are having a real impact on the treatment of malnourished children.”

    Earlier this week, the World Food Programme (WFP) announced it will be forced to suspend all emergency food and nutrition aid for 1.3 million people in northeast Nigeria by the end of July due to “critical funding shortfalls”.2

    “At the same time, we observe ever-increasing needs, such as in Katsina state, where an increasing number of people cannot afford to buy food anymore, even though it is available in markets,” says Aldikhari.

    A food security survey carried out by humanitarian organisations in the local government area of Kaita, in Katsina state, before the lean season began at the start of 2025 revealed that over 90 per cent of households had reduced the number of meals they ate each day.

    Across the north, other factors worsening the malnutrition crisis include disease outbreaks, which are worsened by low vaccine coverage, availability, and accessibility of basic health services, and other socioeconomic indices complicated by insecurity and violence.

    “The most urgent way to reduce the risk of immediate death from malnutrition is to ensure families have access to food,” says Emmanuel Berbain, nutrition adviser at MSF. “This can be done through large-scale distribution of food or nutrition supplements, as we are currently doing in the Mashi area, or through cash distributions when and where it is possible.” 

    The capacity to care for and treat malnourished children must also be expanded, both by increasing the number of beds in health facilities, and by providing funding and access to ready-to-use therapeutic food. These actions must be undertaken as a priority in areas where the needs, such as the number of malnourished children, are greatest.

    People over the age of five, who are also increasingly affected by malnutrition but are currently not covered by any assistance, should also be included in prevention programmes.

    On 8 July, His Excellency Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima publicly sounded the alarm on the scale of malnutrition in Nigeria, warning that it deprives almost 40 per cent of children under the age of five of their full physical and cognitive potential. He described the situation as a national emergency requiring urgent and collective action.

    MSF treated over 300,000 children with malnutrition in seven northern states in 2024, a 25 per cent increase from 2023. In the northwest alone, where MSF tackles malnutrition in the states of Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina, and Zamfara, we have already treated almost 100,000 children suffering from severe and moderate acute malnutrition in outpatient treatment centres in the first six months of 2025, and hospitalised around 25,000 malnourished children.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Médecins sans frontières (MSF).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Boosting Growth with Inclusive Financial Development Crucial to Unlock Angola’s Poverty Alleviation Efforts

    Source: APO


    .

    Angola recorded the highest economic expansion since 2014, with real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth reaching 4.4% in 2024. According to the latest edition of the Angola Economic Update (AEU) published by the World Bank Group (WBG) today, titled Boosting Growth with Inclusive Financial Development, this growth was driven by the oil sector’s recovery and diamond extraction, along with strong expansion in commerce and fishing.

    The report highlights that despite a rebound in economic activity in 2024, Angola still struggles with the lasting impacts of prolonged stagnation. From 2016 to 2020, the economy contracted by approximately 10.4%, averaging a 2.1% annual decline. This sluggish growth stemmed from structural challenges and heavy dependence on the oil sector, making it susceptible to global price fluctuations. Real GDP growth is projected at an average of 2.9% from 2025 to 2027, but this is unlikely to significantly improve living standards. Increased global uncertainty, including falling oil prices, emphasizes the need for Angola to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil.

    “The Angolan economy is in urgent need of establishing a consistent pathway toward robust growth to address nearly a decade of stagnation and to improve conditions for poverty alleviation. There is optimism that the comprehensive economic reforms currently being implemented by the government will produce positive outcomes and unlock the country’s potential,” said Juan Carlos Alvarez, World Bank Country Manager for Angola. “The country must intensify its support for key sectors that can significantly contribute to the essential process of economic diversification. A deeper analysis of these sectors and the needed structural reforms are discussed in the Angola Country Economic Memorandum, also published today,” he added.

    The AEU emphasizes the importance of promoting inclusive financial development in Angola to address the existing significant inequality and exclusion, particularly in rural areas where access to formal banking services is limited. Women and older adults are particularly affected. Compared to other countries in the region, Angolan households have less access to credit, savings, and digital financial services. Advancing financial inclusion can boost economic participation and resilience, leading to sustainable growth and poverty reduction. Access to banking, credit, and insurance empowers small businesses, farmers, and entrepreneurs, enhancing productivity and job creation. Moreover, financial inclusion can reduce income inequality by providing marginalized groups with opportunities to build assets and improve their well-being.

    The report highlights that implementing key reforms can create a more robust and inclusive financial sector in Angola, essential for diversifying the economy and fostering growth and job creation. It emphasizes the need for broader access to financial services beyond Luanda, especially as Angola focuses on economic activities in the Lobito Corridor and develops secondary cities. Additionally, the rise of digital banking and mobile payments offers a significant opportunity to reach underserved populations, enhancing economic resilience and promoting inclusive development.

    The report outlines essential reforms that Angola can implement to foster the growth of its financial sector and enhance accessibility in an inclusive manner. These reforms include:

    1. Developing digital payments to expand access to financial services in remote areas.
    2. Making digital payments more accessible and intuitive.
    3. Establishing a favorable regulatory framework to increase access to finance for Microcredit and Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
    4. Promoting lending to MSMEs and improving the transparency and market alignment of initiatives to finance MSMEs.
    5. Implementing the Financial Action Task Force action plan and addressing deficiencies in the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (AML/CFT) Framework. 
    6. Increasing access to insurance for individuals and MSMEs, including weather-based-index insurance for agricultural activities.

    “While addressing financial inclusion in Angola has several challenges, particularly for low-income and rural communities, there are constructive opportunities to address these barriers. By implementing regulatory reforms, embracing digital innovations, and enhancing financial education, Angola can pave the way for a more diverse economy and unlock new avenues for growth and job creation,” said Benedicte Baduel, World Bank Senior Country Economist for Angola.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The World Bank Group.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • Over 7.23 crore Bihar electors participated in SIR process, 99.8% coverage achieved: ECI

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Bihar has achieved a major milestone in the State Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, with 7.23 crore electors already covered in the process. This figure accounts for 99.8% of the state’s total electorate, indicating widespread participation and confidence in the electoral system.

    The forms submitted by these electors have been digitised and their names will be included in the Draft Electoral Roll set to be published on August 1, 2025. The digitisation of forms and the BLO reports for the remaining electors is also underway and is expected to be completed before the publication deadline.

    As part of the exercise, the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Bihar shared lists with all 12 recognised political parties in the state on July 20. These lists include details of electors who are deceased, have migrated permanently, or have not submitted their forms. The purpose is to ensure transparency and allow political parties to verify and rectify any discrepancies before the draft is published.

    Since the launch of the SIR process on June 24, 2025, Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and Booth Level Agents (BLAs) have provided crucial updates. They reported the names of approximately 22 lakh deceased electors, around 7 lakh electors registered at multiple locations, and nearly 35 lakh electors who have either migrated permanently or could not be traced. Enumeration forms for about 1.2 lakh electors are still pending collection.

    The successful execution of the first phase of SIR has been credited to the coordinated efforts of the state’s electoral machinery. This includes the CEO of Bihar, 38 District Election Officers (DEOs), 243 Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), nearly 3,000 Assistant EROs (AEROs), BLOs deployed across 77,895 polling booths, and the support of all 12 political parties. The contribution of their 38 district presidents and 1.60 lakh nominated BLAs has also been instrumental in the process.

    According to the SIR guidelines, the next phase will begin on August 1 and continue until September 1, 2025. During this period, electors or political parties may file claims and objections with the EROs. This includes the inclusion of eligible electors left out of the draft roll or the removal of any ineligible entries.

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Preston Parks awarded coveted Green Flag awards

    Source: City of Preston

    Preston Parks awarded coveted Green Flag Awards as they are officially recognised as some of the country’s best parks

    Preston City Council is delighted to have retained the following Green Flag Awards for the city’s green spaces this year:

    • Ashton Park
    • Avenham and Miller Parks
    • Fishwick Recreation Ground and Local Nature Reserve
    • Haslam Park
    • Winckley Square

    Winckley Square has also retained its Green Heritage accreditation, supported by Historic England, and Haslam Park has retained the Green Flag Community Award courtesy of the Friends Group.

    The sites are some of the 2,250 in the UK to achieve the award, which is the international quality mark for parks and green spaces.

    Missing from the list this year is Preston’s oldest park, Moor Park, which is currently undergoing its own transformation. An important project includes de-silting and extending the historic lake, as well as the reinstatement of the Serpentine Bridge, alongside wider park enhancements to the play area and football pavilion. We’re hoping Moor Park will make the list for Green Flags again once the project is complete.

    Councillor Freddie Bailey, Cabinet member for environment and community safety, said:

    “The news that Preston’s parks and green spaces have once again met the standards required for the accreditation is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team that care for our parks and green spaces so that visitors and residents alike can enjoy them.”

    Paul Todd MBE, Green Flag Award Scheme Manager, added:

    “Congratulations to everyone involved in Preston who have worked tirelessly to ensure the high standards required for these Green Flag Awards.

    “Quality parks and green spaces make the country a healthier place to live and work in, and a stronger place in which to invest.

    “Crucially, Preston is offering vital green spaces for communities in residents to enjoy nature, and during the ongoing cost of living crisis it is a free and safe space for families to socialise. It also provides important opportunities for local people and visitors to reap the physical and mental health benefits of green space.”

    The Green Flag Award scheme, managed by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, recognises and rewards well-managed parks and green spaces, setting the benchmark standard for the management of green spaces across the United Kingdom and around the world.

    More information

    The Green Flag Award Scheme is run by the environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, under licence from the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful, Keep Wales Tidy and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.

    Any green space that is freely accessible to the public is eligible to enter for a Green Flag Award.  Awards are given on an annual basis, and winners must apply each year to renew their Green Flag Award status.  A Green Flag Community Award recognises quality sites managed by voluntary and community groups. Green Heritage Site Accreditation is judged on the treatment of the site’s historic features and the standard of conservation. 

    Keep Britain Tidy is a leading environmental charity. We set the standard for the management of parks and beaches, inspire people to be litter-free, to waste less and live more sustainably. We run campaigns and programmes including the Great British Spring Clean, Eco-Schools, Love Parks Week (25th July – 3rd August 2025), Buy Nothing New Month, Eco-Schools, the Green Flag Award for parks and green spaces, the Blue Flag/ Seaside Awards for beaches and blue spaces, and the Green Key for sustainable tourism and hospitality.

    About Historic England

    We are Historic England, the public body that protects and brings life to the heritage that matters to us all, so it lives on and is loved for longer. From the extraordinary to the everyday, our historic places and spaces matter. From community centres to cathedrals, homes to high streets, markets to mills – there are special places we all choose to hold onto, the legacy we want to pass on and the stories we continue to tell. That’s why we work together with people across England to discover, protect and bring new life to our shared historic environment, providing advice, knowledge, support and services

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Mansion House reopens and residents invited for ‘behind-the-scenes’ tours

    Source: City of York

    York Mansion House, the 300-year-old Georgian landmark, is set to reopen its doors this August following the successful completion of the first phase of a major £1.3 million restoration project.

    To mark this milestone, ninety City of York residents will be offered the opportunity to explore the newly-restored areas through a series of exclusive, free ‘behind-the-scenes’ tours.

    Organised by Buttress Architects in partnership with City of York Council, the tours will take place on Tuesday 12 August, offering a unique glimpse into the craftsmanship and conservation efforts that have gone into preserving one of York’s most iconic civic buildings. The tours follow the Georgian Festival (7-11 August) and celebrate the Mansion House’s reopening in its 300th anniversary year.

    Led by Hannah Bellerby, Senior Architect at Buttress, and Richard Pollitt, Mansion House Manager and Curator, the tours will guide visitors through the building’s most significant spaces and will explain more about the repair work undertaken. Most of the restoration has focused on protecting the fabric of the building following a comprehensive inspection, as well as external repairs. The Mansion House is now even more accessible than before, and the experts will explain further what has been improved and restored behind the scenes.

    The tours will start in the state room before taking in the Lord Mayor’s drawing room, the principal staircase, the dining room, the butler’s pantry, the historic kitchen, the basement vault, external passageway, courtyard, and both the rear and front elevations.

    The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of York, Cllr Martin Rowley BEM, said:

    “Work to build the house began in 1725 and was completed in 1732, making it one of the earliest civic buildings in England in the classical style.

    “As city’s civic hub, the Mansion House holds and displays an important collection of items which tell York’s history and we’re delighted to welcome you back.”

    Cllr Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council, said:

    “These tours will give residents an exclusive insight into the essential maintenance, accessibility upgrades and safety improvements to secure the Mansion House’s future as a cultural and civic asset.

    “They’ll find out about how the building’s environmental performance and accessibility is now the best it’s ever been – that’s good for the environment and residents!

    “Working with our architects at Buttress and building contractor Birch, we’ve solved issues that this 300 year old building has presented so that it can reopen on 6 August ahead of the Georgian Festival. Please book your tickets for these special free tours now, or please book a regular visit at a time that suits you.”

    Hannah Bellerby from Buttress commented:

    “We’re excited to welcome local residents to see the results of our conservation works which help to ensure the longevity of the Mansion House for future generations to enjoy.

    “Our focus has been on preserving the building’s historical integrity while ensuring it remains accessible and sustainable. This is a much-loved civic treasure, and its reopening – 300 years after its completion in 1725 – is a truly special moment.”

    One of the most exciting discoveries during the restoration was made in the Lord Mayor’s drawing room, where seven layers of historic wallpaper were uncovered dating back to the 18th century. These layers, found on a narrow strip of wall, were then carefully removed and separated by wallpaper conservator Allyson McDermott and magnified to reveal the evolving decorative styles of the room over the centuries – providing invaluable insight for the restoration team.

    A paint analysis, undertaken by Hirst Conservation, also found what appears to be a full archaeological paint record to the interior spaces of the hallway and principal staircase which allowed for an informed decision to be made on the redecoration of the spaces based on physical evidence.

    Buttress Architects were appointed in October 2024 to lead the restoration, providing specialist heritage consultancy and conservation architecture. The second phase of works is expected to conclude in December 2025.

    Reserve a place on one of the free public tours.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FLORIDA MAN CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF MACHINE GUNS AND ASSAULTING LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – John Caleb Allen, 26, of Bristol, Florida, has been charged by federal criminal complaint for assault of a federal law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and illegal possession of a machine gun. The charges were announced today by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

    Court documents allege that, on July 24, 2025, agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives with the assistance of the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, were executing a federal search warrant at the subject’s residence when Allen opened fire on law enforcement. After firing multiple rounds at the agents, Allen was arrested without the agents discharging their weapons. Agents suffered minor, non-critical injuries as a result of the assault.

    Allen is scheduled for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick today, at 3:00 pm at the Federal Courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida.

    If convicted, Allen faces up to twenty years’ imprisonment on the assault of a federal law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon count, a minimum of ten years up to life imprisonment on the discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence count, and up to ten years’ imprisonment on the illegal possession of a machinegun count.

    The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorney James McCain is prosecuting the case.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    A criminal complaint is merely an allegation by a sworn affiant that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to due process, to include a fair trial, during which it is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

    The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Member of Violent Gang Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Drug Trafficking

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    BOSTON – A Boston-area man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for his role in Cameron Street, a violent Boston gang.

    Wilter Rodrigues, 39, was sentenced on July 22, 2025 by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to 60 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. In July 2024, Rodrigues pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute cocaine and cocaine base.

    According to court documents, Rodrigues was identified as member of Cameron Street, a violent gang based largely in the Dorchester section of Boston that uses violence and threats of violence to preserve, protect and expand its territory, promote a climate of fear and enhance its reputation.

    Rodrigues worked with two co-defendants to allegedly distribute cocaine and cocaine base from an apartment in Somerville. Rodrigues has a lengthy criminal record, including a previous federal conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and two state court convictions for drug-distribution offenses.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Bryan DiGirolamo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, Boston Field Division; Jarod A. Forget, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration, New England Field Division; and Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox made the announcement today. Valuable assistance was provided by the Massachusetts State Police; Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office; Suffolk, Plymouth, Norfolk and Bristol County District Attorney’s Offices; and the Canton, Quincy, Randolph, Somerville, Brockton, Malden, Stoughton, Rehoboth and Pawtucket (R.I.) Police Departments. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl and Charles Dell’Anno of the Criminal Division are prosecuting the case.

    This operation is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strike Force Initiative, which provides for the establishment of permanent multi-agency task force teams that work side-by-side in the same location. This co-located model enables agents from different agencies to collaborate on intelligence-driven, multi-jurisdictional operations to disrupt and dismantle the most significant drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

    The remaining defendants named in the indictment are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal Alien Charged With Unlawful Possession Of A Firearm And Illegal Reentry

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the  return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Aristeo Ceron-Morales (48, Sarasota) with unlawful possession of a firearm and illegal reentry. If convicted on all counts, Ceron-Morales faces a maximum penalty of 17 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Ceron-Morales that the United States intends to forfeit a Sig Sauer P226 firearm, a Savage 410 shotgun, Hornady 9 mm ammunition, and Remington .38 ammunition, which are alleged to be traceable to proceeds of the offense.

    According to the indictment, Aristeo Ceron-Morales is a convicted felon and illegal alien. In 2002, he was convicted of “Sex Offense Against Child Fondling – Conduct by Person 18 Years of Age or Older.” Ceron-Morales possessed firearms and ammunition despite not being able to legally do so based on his status as a convicted felon and illegal alien. Additionally, Ceron-Morales was previously removed from the United States in 2003 and had returned to the United States illegally. 

    An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. 

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security – Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Bradenton Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Abigail K. King.

    This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Illegal Possession of Stolen Firearms, Including Sawed-Off Shotgun, Lands Mustang Felon in Federal Prison for More Than Seven Years

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    OKLAHOMA CITY – MICHAEL LOWELL BONJOUR, 39, of Mustang, has been sentenced to serve 87 months in federal prison for illegal possession of firearms after previous felony conviction, possession of stolen firearms, and possession of an unregistered firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

    According to public record, Bonjour was arrested on state charges by officers with the El Reno Police Department in March 2024 when he was discovered to be in possession of a stolen firearm. Six months later, in September 2024, officers with the Oklahoma City Police Department arrested him after he was stopped driving a stolen vehicle and found to be in possession of three stolen firearms – including a sawed-off shotgun. 

    Prior to these arrests, Bonjour had been convicted of multiple felonies, including convictions in Canadian County District Court for bringing contraband into a jail/penal institution in case number CF-2023-232; possession of a stolen vehicle in case number CF-2023-298; and stalking in case number CF-2023-325, as well as a total of four misdemeanor convictions for violations of a protective order.

    On November 6, 2024, a federal grand jury charged Bonjour with being a felon in possession of a firearm, possession of stolen firearms, and possession of an unregistered firearm.  On February 28, 2025, Bonjour pleaded guilty and admitted he knowingly possessed stolen firearms despite his previous felony convictions, and further admitted that one of the firearms was not properly registered to him despite its modified barrel.

    At a sentencing hearing on July 18, 2025, U.S. District Judge Scott L. Palk sentenced Bonjour to serve 87 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. In announcing the sentence, the Court noted the need to deter additional criminal conduct and to protect the public.

    This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Edmond Police Department, the Oklahoma City Police Department, and the El Reno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle M. Connolly prosecuted the case.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice program to reduce violent crime. This case is also part of “Operation 922,” the Western District of Oklahoma’s implementation of PSN, which prioritizes prosecution of federal crimes connected to domestic violence. For more information about PSN, please visit https://justice.gov/psn and https://justice.gov/usao-wdok.

    Reference is made to public filings for additional information. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: South Bend Man Sentenced to 100 Months in Prison

    Source: United States Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

    SOUTH BEND – Terrence Dockery, 33 years old, of South Bend, Indiana, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Cristal C. Brisco after pleading guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor.

    Dockery was sentenced to 100 months in prison followed by 1 year of supervised release.

    According to documents in the case, police conducted a traffic stop as Dockery was riding his moped on a late summer night in South Bend. Police found Dockery in possession of two guns and about 30 grams of methamphetamine. Dockery has multiple prior felony convictions, including convictions for dealing methamphetamine and arson, and as such, he is prohibited from possessing the firearm in this case.

    This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives with assistance from the South Bend Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joel Gabrielse.

    This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Nasdaq Announces Mid-Month Open Short Interest Positions in Nasdaq Stocks as of Settlement Date July 15, 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, July 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — At the end of the settlement date of July 15, 2025, short interest in 3,260 Nasdaq Global MarketSM securities totaled 13,792,841,090 shares compared with 14,138,758,851 shares in 3,257 Global Market issues reported for the prior settlement date of June 30, 2025. The mid-July short interest represents 2.37 days compared with 2.59 days for the prior reporting period.

    Short interest in 1,647 securities on The Nasdaq Capital MarketSM totaled 2,853,251,720 shares at the end of the settlement date of July 15, 2025, compared with 2,790,159,938 shares in 1,636 securities for the previous reporting period. This represents a 1.00 day average daily volume; the previous reporting period’s figure was 1.00.

    In summary, short interest in all 4,907 Nasdaq® securities totaled 16,646,092,810 shares at the July 15, 2025 settlement date, compared with 4,893 issues and 16,928,918,789 shares at the end of the previous reporting period. This is 1.84 days average daily volume, compared with an average of 1.72 days for the prior reporting period.

    The open short interest positions reported for each Nasdaq security reflect the total number of shares sold short by all broker/dealers regardless of their exchange affiliations. A short sale is generally understood to mean the sale of a security that the seller does not own or any sale that is consummated by the delivery of a security borrowed by or for the account of the seller.

    For more information on Nasdaq Short interest positions, including publication dates, visit
    http://www.nasdaq.com/quotes/short-interest.aspx
    or http://www.nasdaqtrader.com/asp/short_interest.asp.

    About Nasdaq:
    Nasdaq (Nasdaq: NDAQ) is a leading global technology company serving corporate clients, investment managers, banks, brokers, and exchange operators as they navigate and interact with the global capital markets and the broader financial system. We aspire to deliver world-leading platforms that improve the liquidity, transparency, and integrity of the global economy. Our diverse offering of data, analytics, software, exchange capabilities, and client-centric services enables clients to optimize and execute their business vision with confidence. To learn more about the company, technology solutions, and career opportunities, visit us on LinkedIn, on X @Nasdaq, or at www.nasdaq.com.     

    NDAQO

    Media Contact:
    Maximilian Leitenbeger
    Maximilian.leitenberger@nasdaq.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/191e07e7-3c36-44fc-a732-fcbe0fed5e44

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Allotment of Shares under DRIS

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    25 July 2025

    HARGREAVE HALE AIM VCT PLC
    (the “Company”)

    Allotment of Shares under DRIS

    The Company has today allotted 1,474,949 Ordinary Shares pursuant to its dividend reinvestment Scheme (“DRIS”) to Shareholders of the Company who elected to receive Ordinary Shares instead of the interim dividend of 0.75 pence per Ordinary Share and the special dividend of 0.50 pence per Ordinary Share, both paid today.

    The price at which the 1,474,949 Ordinary Shares were allotted was 35.06 pence per Ordinary Share, which was calculated, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the DRIS, on the basis of the last reported ex-dividend net asset value per Ordinary Share in the Company as at the close of business on 11 July 2025, which was announced on 14 July 2025.

    Application for the new shares to be admitted to the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority and to trading on London Stock Exchange plc’s main market for listed securities has been made and dealings are expected to commence on or around 1 August 2025.

    As a Person Discharging Managerial Responsibility (“PDMR”), the following director of the Company, and his Persons Closely Associated, (“PCA”) were allotted shares at a price of 35.06 pence:

    Name No. of Shares allotted Holding following Allotment Percentage of Issued Share Capital held
    Justin WARD (PDMR) 1,895 55,052  

    0.02%
    Elizabeth WARD (PCA) 739 21,466

    Further information regarding the DRIS offered in respect of the Dividends can be found in the DRIS Mandate (the “DRIS Mandate“) available on the Company’s website to view and/or download at https://www.hargreaveaimvcts.co.uk/document-library/. The DRIS Mandate is also available on the National Storage Mechanism website at https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism.

    As a result of the issue, the total number of Ordinary Shares in issue will be 372,633,288 with each Ordinary Share carrying one vote each. The Company does not hold any Ordinary Shares in Treasury. Therefore, the total voting rights in the Company will be 372,633,288. This figure may be used by shareholders in the Company as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the share capital of the Company under the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

    END

    For further information, please contact:

    Canaccord Genuity Asset Management Limited
    Abbe Martineau
    Oliver Bedford    		 aimvct@canaccord.com
    +44 207 523 4525  
    +44 207 523 4837

    LEI: 213800LRYA19A69SIT31        

    The MIL Network –