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  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Will Donald Trump get Vladimir Putin (before Maga gets Trump)?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Jonathan Este, Senior International Affairs Editor, Associate Editor

    This article was first published in The Conversation UK’s World Affairs Briefing email newsletter. Sign up to receive weekly analysis of the latest developments in international relations, direct to your inbox.

    You know when the Kremlin is worried about something – it starts talking about nuclear weapons. And so it was, just two days after Donald Trump revealed he had decided to lift his administration’s pause on the supply of US-made weapons to Ukraine, that Vladimir Putin’s spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, raised Russia’s nuclear doctrine. In response to a handy question from a friendly reporter as to whether Russia’s nuclear doctrine was still active, Peskov said: “Russia’s nuclear doctrine remains in effect, and thus, all its provisions continue to apply.”

    By saying “all its provisions”, he was emphasising the changes made in December last year which significantly lowered the bar for Russia to use its nuclear deterrent. It states that Russia “reserves the right to employ nuclear weapons” in response to nuclear weapons or “other types of weapons of mass destruction” against itself or its allies.

    Whether Putin and his team consider the sorts of weapons the US is prepared to allow Ukraine to use against Russia as weapons of mass destruction is not clear as yet. The US president specifically said that a fresh supply of Patriot systems was already en route to Ukraine from Germany. But he also hinted that other more offensive weapons could also be in the mix. And in a July 4 phone call he is reported to have asked the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, whether he could hit Moscow or St Petersburg, to which Zelensky replied: “Absolutely. We can if you give us the weapons.”

    Trump is reported to have gone on to say that it was important to “make [Russians] feel the pain”.

    At the beginning of the week, the US president was also keen for Russia to feel the economic pain of indirect sanctions, with 100% tariffs promised against any country buying Russia’s oil. Could this be a turning point?

    Sign up to receive our weekly World Affairs Briefing newsletter from The Conversation UK. Every Thursday we’ll bring you expert analysis of the big stories in international relations.

    Interesting question, says David Dunn. Dunn, professor of international relations at the University of Birmingham, says Trump’s decision – if he follows through with it – pretty much brings the US back in line with its policy under the Biden administration. Particularly now that Trump appears to have ruled out, for the time being, allowing Ukraine to use long-range offensive missiles against targets in Moscow.

    As Dunn points out, there’s no sense that Trump has changed his overall tack on what he is looking for from Putin: a ceasefire, rather than, as Biden repeatedly insisted, a settlement that respects Ukrainian sovereignty and restores the land occupied illegally by Russian troops.

    Meanwhile the economic pain he promised to inflict on Russia has been scheduled to begin in 50 days. This – as many commentators have been quick to point out – has irresistible echoes of his off-again, on-again tariff regime. So will these sanctions actually happen?



    Read more:
    What Trump’s decision to send more weapons to Ukraine will mean for the war

    The Russian stock market certainly wasn’t that worried. Shortly after trump made his announcement, the Moscow stock exchange increased by 2.7% and the rouble strengthened. Oil markets also appear to have relaxed, suggesting traders see no imminent risks. Maybe this is another case of “Taco” (Trump always chickens out)?

    Patrick O’Shea, an international relations and global governance specialist at the University of Glasgow, believes that the markets’ reaction is more than just indifference to what Trump was threatening. It was relief.

    “Trump’s threat isn’t just non-credible, the positive market reaction in Russia suggests it is a gift for Moscow,” O’Shea writes. “The 50-day ultimatum is seen not as a deadline but as a reprieve, meaning nearly two months of guaranteed inaction from the US.”

    What has not been widely reported in the UK is that a bipartisan bill making its way through the US congress would have been far more punitive that anything Trump is threatening. Now this has been paused pending Trump’s initiative in 50 days’ time.



    Read more:
    Why Russia is not taking Trump’s threats seriously

    Back in Europe, meanwhile, Ukraine’s allies got together in Rome last weekend to discuss what will be needed to rebuild the war-torn country and how to raise the necessary funds. Stefan Wolff was watching proceedings and believes that while countries in the “coalition of the willing” are ready to open their coffers to help Ukraine get back on its feet, the funds so far pledged will not touch the sides.

    Ukraine’s allies at the conference have pledged more than €10 billion (£8.7 billion). But, Wolff – an expert in international relations at the University of Birmingham who has contributed regular analysis of the war in Ukraine – points out that this sum looks minuscule alongside the World Bank’s latest assessment that Ukraine will need at least US$524 billion (£388 billion) over the next decade to fund its recovery.

    There have been some fairly upbeat forecasts about Ukraine’s potential for growth. The IMF forecasts growth for Ukraine of between 2% and 3% for 2025, which is likely to grow to over 4% in 2026 and 2027. But it cautions that this will not happen without considerable overseas support. And an end to the war. Neither is certain anytime soon.



    Read more:
    Over €10 billion has now been pledged for Ukraine’s recovery. It’s nowhere near enough

    Maga moves – but will Trump take responsiblity?

    To Washington, where the US president is having what would probably count as the worst week of his second administration so far. Large sections of his faithful Maga base are in almost open revolt at his seeming reluctance to release what have become known as the “Epstein files”. You may remember he littered his election campaign last year with dark hints about the revelations the files must surely contain about the possible involvement of the rich and powerful in child-sex exploitation. But this week he essentially said it was old news, which was “pretty boring”, adding that “I think, really, only pretty bad people, including fake news, want to keep something like that going.”

    This is not only at odds with what he spent much of 2024 saying. It also flies in the face of what his own attorney general, Pam Bondi, said in February when she said Epstein’s client list was “sitting on [her] desk right now to review”. Now of course, the justice department says there is no list. This is not what much of his base wants to hear.

    Rob Dover, an intelligence specialist at the University of Hull who has researched conspiracy theories and the people who obsess about them, says this is a dangerous moment for the Trump presidency. He points to Maga unrest over Trump’s decision to bomb Iran and to resume military aid to Ukraine, both of which appear to contradict his pledge to keep the US out of foreign conflicts. Trump’s “big beautiful bill”, which has cut medicaid and other benefits to the poorest people in the US, will also inflict hurt on many is his base. Even his recent musing that he agrees with his health secretary’s questionable assertion that Coca-Cola should be made with sugar cane not corn syrup to “make America healthy again” is sure to anger corn farmers in the Midwest, another core Trump constituency.

    “Maga is not a uniform group in belief or action. But if Trump loses either the loyalty of some or they refuse to flex their beliefs as they have done before, it will be politically dangerous for him,” Dover concludes.



    Read more:
    Trump’s changing stance on Epstein files is testing the loyalty of his Maga base

    Trouble brewing in Bosnia

    I had the great good fortune to visit Sarajevo in December last year where I spent a few days exploring, taking a walking tour of the old town and a wider tour of the whole city which took us across the notional border with the Republika Srpska, one of the two main constituent parts of the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

    Sarajevo: a beautiful but troubled city.
    Julian Nyča via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-NC-SA

    The country was created by the Dayton accord, bringing an end to the ethnic conflict in the mid-1990s that saw whole populations displaced as ethnic Serbs and Croats sought to create new pure mini-states by expelling mainly Muslim Bosniaks.

    When visiting, I felt a pervading sense that the two parts of the new country sit uncomfortably next to each other – and in recent months the friction has intensified considerably. Birte Julia Gippert of the University of Liverpool, who has researched extensively the conflict in the Balkans and the attempts to bring peace to the region, explains how the situation has become so tense.



    Read more:
    Bosnia and Herzegovina in crisis as Bosnian-Serb president rallies for secession

    Why is Israel bombing Syria?

    Conflict in Syria escalated again this week, with Israeli warplanes launching airstrikes against government buildings in Damascus this week. A Netanyahu government minister, Amichai Chikli, referred to Syria’s leader, Ahmed al-Shara, as “a terrorist, a barbaric murderer who should be eliminated without delay”.

    Mixed up in all this is sectarian fighting in southern Syria was has been going on sporadically since al-Shara took power at the end of last year. But, as Ali Mamouri of Deakin University explains, Israel wants to see the emergence of a federal Syria, which the new regime has ruled out. It also want to retain influence in the region and secure its northern border with Syria.

    While a ceasefire is in place for now, Mamouri sees the situation as extremely fragile with further clashes “not only possible but highly probable”.

    World Affairs Briefing from The Conversation UK is available as a weekly email newsletter. Click here to get updates directly in your inbox.

    – ref. Will Donald Trump get Vladimir Putin (before Maga gets Trump)? – https://theconversation.com/will-donald-trump-get-vladimir-putin-before-maga-gets-trump-261416

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Why some ‘biodegradable’ wet wipes can be terrible for the environment

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Daniel James Jolly, PhD candidate, University of East Anglia

    Daniel James Jolly, CC BY-NC-ND

    Have you felt disgust when taking a walk along the riverside or plunging into the sea to escape the summer heat, only to spy a used wet wipe floating along the surface? Or shock at finding out that animals have died choking on plastic products or that the seafood we eat may be contaminated with microfibres?

    These pollutants are common in our waterways because of the mismanagement of sewage and inappropriate disposal that flush hygiene products and microfibres into rivers and oceans. In the UK alone, more than 11 billion wet wipes are thrown away annually. Wet wipe litter was found on 72% of UK beaches in 2023.

    They persist because they’re made of plastic, a durable material that won’t easily degrade. Plastic can last for decades to hundreds of years. Therefore, governments and manufacturers are eagerly encouraging the use of non-plastics as more “sustainable” alternatives, with the UK banning plastic in wet wipes in 2024.

    These textiles can be made from plant or animal fibres such as cotton and wool, or they may be chemically and physically modified, such as rayon or viscose. They are often labelled “biodegradable” on product packaging, suggesting they are environmentally friendly, break down quickly, and are a safe alternative to plastics. But is this really the case?

    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.

    My research focuses on investigating the environmental impact of these non-plastic textiles and their persistence in waterways. My colleagues and I have found that some non-plastic microfibres can be just as problematic or even more harmful than plastic.

    While non-plastic textiles are not as long-lived as plastics, with many composting within weeks to months, they can last long enough to accumulate and cause damage to plants, animals and humans. Studies by scientists at the University of Stirling show that biodegradable wet wipes can last up to 15 weeks on beaches, where they can act as a reservoir for faecal bacteria and E.coli. Other studies have highlighted non-plastic textiles lasting for two months or more in rivers and oceans, where they break up into hundreds of thousands of microfibres.

    Non-plastic wet wipes can cause as much an environmental hazard as plastic ones.
    Adam Radosavljevic/Shutterstock

    These microfibres are so prevalent in waterways that they have contaminated animals across the food chain, from filter-feeding mussels and oysters to top predators such as sharks and the seafood we eat.

    They are also found in remote locations as far away as the Arctic seafloor and deep sea, thousands of miles from civilisation. These discoveries highlight that non-plastics last longer than we think.

    The dangers of non-plastics

    Once exposed to aquatic life, non-plastic microfibres can be easily ingested or inhaled, where they can become trapped in the body and cause damage. During their manufacture, textile fibres can be modified with various chemical additives to improve their function, such as flame retardants, antibacterials, softeners, UV protection and dyes.

    It is known that several toxic synthetic chemicals, including the plastic additive bisphenol A (BPA), are used for this purpose. These additives can be carcinogenic, cause neurotoxic effects or damage hormonal and reproductive health.

    Researchers like me, have only just begun to explore the dangers of non-plastics. Some have shown that non-plastic microfibres and their additives can damage the digestive system, cause stress, hinder development and alter immune responses in animals such as shrimp, mussels, and oysters. However, other studies have shown little to no effect of non-plastic microfibres on animals exposed to them.

    We do not yet know how much of a threat these materials are to the environment. Only the manufacturers know exactly what’s in the textiles we use. This makes it hard to understand what threats we are really facing. Nevertheless, assumptions that non-plastics are environmentally friendly and an easy alternative to plastic materials must be challenged and reconsidered.

    To do this, we need to push for greater transparency in the contents of our everyday items and test them to make sure that they are truly sustainable and won’t harm the world around us. So next time you are browsing the supermarket aisles and come across a pack of “biodegradable” or “environmentally friendly” wet wipes, just question, are they really?

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Daniel James Jolly receives funding from the University of East Anglia, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, and the NERC ARIES doctoral training pathway as part of his PhD studentship.
    He is a student member of the UK Green Party.

    – ref. Why some ‘biodegradable’ wet wipes can be terrible for the environment – https://theconversation.com/why-some-biodegradable-wet-wipes-can-be-terrible-for-the-environment-258836

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: In Reframing Blackness, Alayo Akinkugbe challenges museums to see blackness first

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Wanja Kimani, Associate Curator, The Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge

    In Reframing Blackness, writer and curator Alayo Akinkugbe explores the way that art history is taught, and the impact this has had on what we see in national museums in western cities. This teaching has often led to the exclusion of blackness from mainstream art spaces. Akinkugbe challenges this by shifting our gaze – to see blackness first.

    Her book interrogates the place of blackness in relation to art history in several ways. First, she observes that the lack of black curators within national museums in western cities means that blackness is subject to “reactive responses”.

    For example, when there was a global outcry after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, institutions reacted by foregrounding their efforts to support black artists and pledging commitments for future initiatives.

    But many of these initiatives remain on the surface level and temporary, rather than permanently embedded into the institutional fabric. In my experience, long-term change is unlikely to occur when progress is measured by individual projects, while the decision-making remains in the same hands.

    Next, the book draws on Akinkugbe’s experience as a history of art student at the University of Cambridge, during which time there was a call to “decolonise” the curriculum.

    She then explores the intersection of race, gender and class, highlighting the double-bind of racial and gender bias that black women may encounter. She suggests ways to shift the gaze by focusing on people of colour depicted in historic artworks, including Portrait d’une Femme Noire (Portrait of a Black Woman) (1800) by Marie-Guillemine Benoist.

    Along the way, we are acquainted with figures that have always been present on museum and gallery walls – albeit often ignored or faded into obscurity. Akinkugbe speculates about who some of these unnamed figures were, and what worlds they inhabited.

    In Jacques Amans’ painting, Bélizaire and the Frey Children (1837), for example, Bélizaire, a black enslaved child, was over time painted over and faded into the background.

    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.

    Akinkugbe provides an overview of exhibitions held between 2022 and 2024 at the Royal Academy in London and the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge. And she has conversations with curators at other museums, whose work contributes to the understanding of the complexity of black life experiences reflected in contemporary art.

    These include Antwaun Sargent (curator of The New Black Vanguard: Photography Between Art and Fashion) and Ekow Eshun (curator, In the Black Fantastic and The Time is Always Now: Artists Reframe the Black Figure). Akinkugbe also discusses the late Koyo Kouoh’s When We See Us: A Century of Black Figuration exhibition. Kouoh, who died in May, was the first African woman to curate the Venice Biennale.

    By engaging in dialogue with the curators of these pivotal exhibitions, Akinkugbe demonstrates a shared commitment to uncovering what has been overlooked – and a commitment to deepening the discourse around blackness.

    Cautious optimism

    Reframing Blackness draws attention to important considerations for museums, curators and higher education institutions. There’s also food for thought for students who are keen to understand some of the factors that have contributed to the historic exclusion of blackness within museum walls and art education.

    The book raises key questions that black cultural producers have grappled with in the UK since the 1960s, at the height of the Caribbean artists movement, and during the British black arts movement of the early 1980s. These movements created vital opportunities for discussion around issues of racial justice, visibility and representation.

    Following the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement in mainstream media in 2020, institutions reacted with pledges for self-reflective work that would lead to more black artists’ work being exhibited and collected. Numerous large exhibitions across national museums followed – some of which are discussed in the book, as are the departmental overhauls of art curricula within higher education.

    Portrait d’une Femme Noire by Marie-Guillemine Benoist (1880).
    Louvre Museum

    I share in some of Akinkugbe’s optimism – but I do so cautiously.

    Following the call to decolonise the curriculum, some art departments in UK higher education have expanded their geographic focus beyond the west. Others have stated their intention to address the legacies of enslavement and colonialism through a commitment to diversity and equality in their job advertisements. Some have done both.

    But there are a few hurdles that may limit these efforts. First, newer courses that may not attract sufficient interest are often the first to be cut when budgets are constrained.

    Second, if courses offer additional modules that attempt to cover vast areas in the global south, there is a risk of overgeneralising entire continents, marginalising them further. Such symbolic gestures fall short in an attempt to challenge art historical frameworks.

    Finally, by adding works by black scholars to reading lists as supplementary instead of core reading, their contributions are treated as being on the margins rather than key producers of knowledge.

    Museums have a responsibility to reflect the communities they serve, in a way that respects the individual and collective autonomy of that community. This may be counterintuitive to the museum’s original purpose, which may have been to serve the upper class, showcasing its founders’ interests.

    Museums are better equipped to engage communities as partners in shaping their future when permanent staff reflect the diversity of these communities across the intersections of race, gender, class, sexuality and disability. Museum directors have a duty to serve these communities with a long-term commitment to care and accountability.

    This book asks us to see blackness first. Akinkugbe guides us closer to a vision that does not require black people to reinsert ourselves, but insists on our resolute presence – both then and now.

    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.

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

    – ref. In Reframing Blackness, Alayo Akinkugbe challenges museums to see blackness first – https://theconversation.com/in-reframing-blackness-alayo-akinkugbe-challenges-museums-to-see-blackness-first-260734

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Peng Liyuan Attends 2025 China-US Youth Friendship Event “Connect with Gulin”

    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 17 (Xinhua) — Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, attended and delivered a speech at the 2025 China-US Youth Friendship Event “Connecting with Gulin” at the China People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries on Thursday.

    Peng Liyuan watched a video about the China-US Youth Choir Week “Connecting with Gulin” with Chinese and foreign guests. Elin MacInnis, coordinator of the American organization “Friends of Gulin,” and Luca Berrone, a friend of President Xi Jinping from the US state of Iowa, shared stories about Gulin, as well as their experiences in people-to-people exchanges and regional cooperation between China and the US. They expressed deep feelings for China, thanked President Xi Jinping for his attention to the youth of both countries, and vowed to make new contributions to promoting China-US friendship.

    Representatives of American youth shared joyful impressions of their trip to China. They expressed their desire to become ambassadors of friendship between the USA and China of the new generation and continuers of the exciting stories of friendship between the two countries.

    In her speech, Peng Liyuan noted that the century-long “Gulin story” and the deep 40-year friendship between President Xi Jinping and old friends from Iowa have become the embodiment of friendship between the Chinese and American people.

    Although the two countries have different histories, cultures and languages, the Chinese and Americans love their families, are kind, friendly, hardworking and practical, which means they are quite capable of becoming good friends and partners, the wife of the Chinese president emphasized.

    According to Peng Liyuan, in the more than a year since President Xi Jinping put forward the initiative to invite 50,000 American youth to China for exchanges and studies over the next five years, many young Americans have already visited China. They have personally experienced the real China, made new friends, and are writing new pages in the annals of Sino-American friendship.

    Stressing that young people are the future of the country and the future of friendship, Peng Liyuan called on young people to be the successors of China-US friendship, advocate for peace and friendship, build bridges of friendship between the two countries, and bring youthful energy to the bright future of China and the US.

    Before the event, Peng Liyuan met with E. McInnis and L. Barrone, expressing her gratitude to them for their long-standing dedication to the cause of China-US friendship and calling on them to make active contributions to strengthening exchanges and mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries. –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 Security: Justice Department Launches Investigation into Employment Practices at George Mason University

    Source: United States Attorneys General 12

    Note: Read the letter here

    Today, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division opened an investigation into George Mason University to determine whether it is engaged in discriminatory employment practices based on race and sex.

    The investigation stems from statements and policies made by the University’s president, which indicate that race and sex are motivating factors in faculty hiring and other employment decisions to achieve “diversity” goals. Multiple emails and internal documents suggest preferential treatment of certain races and sexes in hiring and other employment practices, including promotion and tenure of faculty members.

    “It is unlawful and un-American to deny equal access to employment opportunities on the basis of race and sex,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “When employers screen out qualified candidates from the hiring process, they not only erode trust in our public institutions—they violate the law, and the Justice Department will investigate accordingly.”

    The Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section will investigate whether George Mason University is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on race, sex, and other protected characteristics, pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: EMC Empowers 6,000 Homebuyers in H1, Sets Eyes on Even Greater Q3 Impact

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    IRVINE, Calif., July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As the mortgage industry faces continued headwinds in 2025, E Mortgage Capital (EMC) is showing what forward momentum looks like.

    With nearly 6,000 families helped into homeownership in just the first half of the year, EMC is proving that disciplined leadership, modern infrastructure, and a people-first culture can still win in today’s market.
    “Our focus this year has been on clarity,” says Wesam (Sam) Hijazin, President of E Mortgage Capital. “Clarity in how we serve our clients, how we support our loan officers, and how we move the business forward without the noise or distractions that hold others back.”

    At a time when much of the industry is navigating uncertainty, EMC is leaning into opportunity with purpose. The company’s investments in technology, marketing infrastructure, and training have allowed its loan officers to stay sharp, competitive, and fully equipped to serve buyers in any rate environment.
    But for EMC, the number of families served is only part of the story. The deeper impact lies in how those outcomes are achieved: with care, consistency, and a relentless drive to improve. EMC’s loan officers continue to meet buyers where they are, educating, advising, and delivering the kind of experience that builds long-term trust.

    With the second half of the year underway, EMC is moving into Q3 with renewed energy and a refined strategy. From empowering homebuyers to supporting the growth of its loan officers, the company’s mission remains constant: to elevate the standard for what a modern mortgage company can deliver.
    “The momentum is real,” adds Hijazin. “And we’re just getting started.”

    About E Mortgage Capital
    E Mortgage Capital is a leading mortgage brokerage headquartered in Irvine, California, committed to providing best-in-class service to clients and partners. With a national presence and a growing team of dedicated loan officers, EMC delivers innovative lending solutions and a people-first approach to home financing.

    Media Contact:
    Contact Person: Sam Hijazin
    Email: sam@emortgagecapital.com
    Phone: +1 855-569-3700

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the E Mortgage Capital. 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. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. 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. 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.

    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 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/2350e155-c1af-47e0-9509-10bab122a1d7

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Wyden Demands Answers on Shadowy, Mass Collection of DNA from Immigrants by DHS

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore)

    July 17, 2025

    Agents Often Take DNA Without Explanation, Including from Thousands of Children; DNA Surveillance Targets Immigrant Communities and Resembles Authoritarian Government Practices

    Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., slammed the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Justice for massively expanding the DNA collection of immigrant children and adults to permanently store in a national criminal database that could be weaponized by the Trump administration. 

    Wyden demanded answers from the Trump administration, which has failed to explain why it has vastly expanded DNA collection from immigrants by 5000%. Department of Homeland Security agents fail to clearly notify immigrants their DNA is being taken, fail to follow the department’s own policies, and often threaten individuals with arrest or criminal charges if they refuse to give their DNA, according to reports.  

    “Governments exercising such broad discretion to involuntarily collect and retain DNA are repressive authoritarian regimes also engaging in gross human rights violations, such as genocide, ethnic cleansing, torture, and more,” Wyden wrote in a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. “In fact, the U.S. Government has condemned the involuntary collection of DNA by the People’s Republic of China and has sanctioned entities engaged in this practice, yet this practice appears to be ongoing on our own soil.”

    The collection of samples includes more than 133,000 children as young as four years old, whose DNA will be used by law enforcement for every potential future investigation. 

    Legal experts have warned that the Administration’s secret, mass-collection of immigrant DNA may also violate constitutional due process rights. The Trump administration has green lighted DHS agents’ ability to detain and collect samples from immigrants without prior judicial authorization. 

    In order for Congress and the American people to understand the Trump administration’s collection of DNA from immigrants, Wyden requested answers to the following questions by August 1, 2025:

    1. What is the United States Government’s interest in collecting and retaining DNA from noncitizens in the course of immigration detention and enforcement?

    2. Which agencies, including DHS subcomponent agencies, has the Attorney General authorized to participate in the collection of DNA from noncitizens?

    3. Please describe in detail how DHS is able to access and utilize DNA samples and related information collected in the course of immigration detention and enforcement once the samples and information are retained in CODIS and any other databases.

    4. Please describe in detail how DOJ is able to access and utilize DNA samples and related information collected in the course of immigration detention and enforcement once the samples and information are retained in CODIS and any other databases.

    5. When DHS or subcomponent agencies collect DNA material from individuals in immigration detention and enforcement, where are DNA samples stored following collection?

    6. To date, how many adult noncitizens have DHS officials collected DNA from during immigration detention and enforcement activities? Further, how many DNA samples from adult noncitizens have been collected by DHS since January 2025?

    7. To date, how many minors (18 years old and younger) have DHS officials collected DNA from during immigration detention and enforcement activities in the last five years?

    8. Further, how many DNA samples from minors have been collected by DHS since January 2025?

    9. What Department-wide guidance and/or agency-specific guidance is provided to DHS officials regarding the collection of DNA from noncitizens?

    10. How often is DNA collected by DHS, without judicial authorization, being used in criminal investigations and prosecutions?

    11. Does DHS policy prohibit intimidation, coercion, or the threat of criminal prosecution to compel a noncitizen to provide a DNA sample?

    12. Does DHS or any subcomponent currently have a process in place to expunge DNA and related information stored in CODIS that were collected in the course of a noncitizen’s detention?

    13. Does DHS by practice or policy notify individuals whose DNA and related information have been collected during immigration detention?

    14. What information are DOJ and DHS, respectively, able to extract from the DNA they retain? Is DNA accessed to determine any ethnographic or racial information about the individual?

    Wyden has consistently advocated in the Senate for humane immigration reform.  In July, he criticized the Trump administration’s hostile immigration policies and joined colleagues to introduce a bill to require immigration enforcement agents to display clear identification. In March, he slammed the Trump administration for its resurrection of a draconian immigration order that requires immigrants to register with the federal government and carry proof of their registration at all times. In April, he reintroduced legislation to guarantee legal representation for unaccompanied children in immigration court. In June, he reintroduced legislation to protect TPS and DED recipients from Trump’s attacks on immigrants.

    The text of the letter is here.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Warner, Capito Reintroduce Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Commonwealth of Virginia Mark R Warner

    WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) reintroduced legislation to create a tax credit that will incentivize the capture and repurposing of methane emissions from active and abandoned mines. Methane is a greenhouse gas that is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide, and coal mines are the country’s fifth-largest source of methane emissions. Leveraging methane capture technology would not only prevent harmful emissions from entering our atmosphere, but also allow the gas to be converted or reused for productive use, providing an additional supply of lower-emission energy that has numerous industrial and commercial applications.

    “This legislation takes a critical step in boosting Virginia’s efforts to address the harmful impact of methane when emitted into the atmosphere while simultaneously creating good-paying jobs and supporting economic growth,” said Sen. Warner. “By incentivizing the reduction of methane emissions, we’re not only protecting the environment but also strengthening our energy independence, I’m proud to reintroduce this legislation.”

    “I’m proud to help reintroduce the Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act, which will help capture and utilize mine methane emissions as a fuel source from coal mines. This legislation will result in positive environmental and economic impacts, and create another step for West Virginia to continue to lead the nation in an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy approach,” Sen. Capito said.

    The Methane Reduction and Economic Growth Act would amend Section 45Q of the Internal Revenue Code – which houses an existing tax credit for carbon capture and sequestration – to create a Mine Methane Capture Incentive Credit. The new credit would be attributed to taxpayers based on the amount of qualified methane that is captured and injected into a pipeline or is otherwise used for producing heat or energy. Qualified methane includes methane which:

    • Is captured from mining activities, including underground mines, abandoned or closed mines, or surface mines;
    • Would otherwise be released into the atmosphere as industrial greenhouse gas emission; and
    • Is measured at the source of capture and verified at the point of injection or utilization.

    Sen. Warner has been a leader on efforts to clean up and reclaim abandoned mine lands (AML) in Virginia, including by securing funding for this process through the bipartisan infrastructure law he helped to negotiate. Companion legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Reps. Carol Miller (R-WV) and Terri Sewell (D-AL), along with Reps. Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), and Darin LaHood (R-IL).

    “Finding ways to incentivize the capture of mine methane will have a positive impact here in Virginia,” Jonathan Belcher, Executive Director of the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority, said. “Encouraging beneficial use of methane, which would otherwise be wasted and emitted into the atmosphere, stimulates our economy by creating jobs in our local communities and improves our tax base, while reducing emissions both at a local and global level. Captured methane can be sold into existing marketplaces to help drive down costs for consumers and can be used as both a fuel source and a manufacturing feedstock, which will assist our existing industry and encourage new economic development in the region. We applaud Senator Warner for his leadership on this issue and his focus on the economic health of Southwest Virginia.”

    “This is a perfect example of how Washington ought to work,” said Cecil Roberts, International President of the United Mine Workers of America. “This is strong bi-partisan legislation that will grow coalfield jobs, support coalfield communities and help reduce methane emissions. It is a win-win for workers and communities in Virginia and across Appalachia and I thank Senators Warner and Capito for taking the lead. The UMWA wholeheartedly supports this legislation and will work to secure its passage.” 

    A copy of the bill text can be found here.

     

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Schatz Votes To Protect Life-Saving Foreign Aid, Save Local Public Radio And TV

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Hawaii Brian Schatz

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai‘i), lead Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations, today voted against a Republican bill that cuts $9 billion to foreign aid and public broadcasting. The Republican rescissions bill will devastate public TV and radio stations across the country, making it more difficult for people – especially those in Native communities and rural areas – to get news and critical emergency alerts. The bill will also gut life-saving foreign aid programs that millions of people around the world rely on. The legislation was passed without any bipartisan support and heads back to the House of Representatives for consideration.

    “We used to be the indispensable nation that people around the world counted on for help. But not anymore. With these cuts, we will cause death, spread disease, and deepen starvation across the planet,” said Senator Schatz.

    Schatz continued, “Public TV and radio stations deliver news, emergency alerts, weather forecasts, health information, public safety announcements, and election coverage. Stations like HPR tell local stories that no one else does. To gut all of that overnight, in the name of finding savings or to punish certain outlets that Donald Trump doesn’t like is unacceptable.”

    Earlier today, Schatz spoke out against the Trump administration’s illegal dismantling of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the catastrophic consequences the elimination of aid has had on vulnerable people around the world.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Iceland to launch negotiations on security, defence partnership with EU

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Iceland will launch talks on a security and defence partnership with the European Union, Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir said on Thursday at a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Keflavik.

    Frostadottir said she was hoping to conclude talks by the end of the year.

    “This is very important for us to show that we can have cooperation on critical infrastructure, civil protection, any sort of dual use defence investment and this also includes hybrid and cyber threats,” she said.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI USA: Justice Department Launches Investigation into Employment Practices at George Mason University

    Source: US State of Vermont

    Note: Read the letter here

    Today, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division opened an investigation into George Mason University to determine whether it is engaged in discriminatory employment practices based on race and sex.

    The investigation stems from statements and policies made by the University’s president, which indicate that race and sex are motivating factors in faculty hiring and other employment decisions to achieve “diversity” goals. Multiple emails and internal documents suggest preferential treatment of certain races and sexes in hiring and other employment practices, including promotion and tenure of faculty members.

    “It is unlawful and un-American to deny equal access to employment opportunities on the basis of race and sex,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “When employers screen out qualified candidates from the hiring process, they not only erode trust in our public institutions—they violate the law, and the Justice Department will investigate accordingly.”

    The Civil Rights Division’s Employment Litigation Section will investigate whether George Mason University is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on race, sex, and other protected characteristics, pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Sanborn Map Company, Inc. Expands Geospatial Footprint and Deepens Collaboration with Google Maps Platform and Google Cloud Products

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Sanborn Map Company, Inc. (“Sanborn”), a national leader in geospatial data and mapping solutions, today announced its continued expansion into the enterprise and public sector markets currently leveraging Google Maps Platform and Google Cloud to advance their business applications. This strategic move significantly expands Sanborn’s customer base across critical sectors including logistics, utilities, real estate, transportation, and public safety.

    The transition reflects a growing demand for integrated geospatial and cloud-based solutions and positions Sanborn as a premier provider of location intelligence services to both public and private sector organizations. In addition to onboarding these customers, Sanborn will offer expanded support services, consulting, and customized solutions designed to maximize the value of their geospatial and cloud investments.

    “Sanborn is eager to welcome our new customers and provide them with the highest level of geospatial services and support,” said Maurice Khollman, Vice President of Content Sales at Sanborn. “This acquisition reinforces our commitment to providing tailored mapping and cloud-based solutions and strengthens our ongoing relationship with Google as we support these clients across the Google Maps Platform and Google Cloud platforms.”

    Sanborn will continue to work closely with Google to ensure a seamless transition for customers, offering comprehensive onboarding, technical support, and managed services through its team of experts in mapping, data analytics, and cloud infrastructure.

    With this expansion, Sanborn builds on more than 150 years of mapping expertise and a growing portfolio of cutting-edge solutions including aerial imagery, LiDAR, 3D modeling, and cloud-native geospatial platforms.

    About The Sanborn Map Company, Inc.
    Founded in 1866, Sanborn is a leading provider of end-to-end geospatial solutions, serving federal, state, and local governments, utilities, and Fortune 500 companies. Sanborn’s offerings include high-resolution aerial imagery, LiDAR, oblique and 3D mapping, cloud-hosted geospatial platforms, and advanced analytics services.

    Maurice Khollman
    VP Sales | Content Division
    The Sanborn Map Company Inc.
    information@sanborn.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Sanborn Map Company, Inc. Expands Geospatial Footprint and Deepens Collaboration with Google Maps Platform and Google Cloud Products

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Sanborn Map Company, Inc. (“Sanborn”), a national leader in geospatial data and mapping solutions, today announced its continued expansion into the enterprise and public sector markets currently leveraging Google Maps Platform and Google Cloud to advance their business applications. This strategic move significantly expands Sanborn’s customer base across critical sectors including logistics, utilities, real estate, transportation, and public safety.

    The transition reflects a growing demand for integrated geospatial and cloud-based solutions and positions Sanborn as a premier provider of location intelligence services to both public and private sector organizations. In addition to onboarding these customers, Sanborn will offer expanded support services, consulting, and customized solutions designed to maximize the value of their geospatial and cloud investments.

    “Sanborn is eager to welcome our new customers and provide them with the highest level of geospatial services and support,” said Maurice Khollman, Vice President of Content Sales at Sanborn. “This acquisition reinforces our commitment to providing tailored mapping and cloud-based solutions and strengthens our ongoing relationship with Google as we support these clients across the Google Maps Platform and Google Cloud platforms.”

    Sanborn will continue to work closely with Google to ensure a seamless transition for customers, offering comprehensive onboarding, technical support, and managed services through its team of experts in mapping, data analytics, and cloud infrastructure.

    With this expansion, Sanborn builds on more than 150 years of mapping expertise and a growing portfolio of cutting-edge solutions including aerial imagery, LiDAR, 3D modeling, and cloud-native geospatial platforms.

    About The Sanborn Map Company, Inc.
    Founded in 1866, Sanborn is a leading provider of end-to-end geospatial solutions, serving federal, state, and local governments, utilities, and Fortune 500 companies. Sanborn’s offerings include high-resolution aerial imagery, LiDAR, oblique and 3D mapping, cloud-hosted geospatial platforms, and advanced analytics services.

    Maurice Khollman
    VP Sales | Content Division
    The Sanborn Map Company Inc.
    information@sanborn.com 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Iceland

    Source: European Commission (video statements)

    On 17 July 2025 Commission President Ursula von der Leyen travels to Iceland.
    Discussing in a press point with the Icelandic Prime Minister Kristrún Frostadottir.

    Follow live events and access media content here:
    https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/

    Stay updated — follow us on X: https://x.com/EC_AVService

    Follow us on:
    -X: https://twitter.com/EU_Commission
    -Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/europeancommission/
    -Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EuropeanCommission
    -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/european-commission/
    -Medium: https://medium.com/@EuropeanCommission

    Check our website: http://ec.europa.eu/

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6jiuKfKNVo

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Russia views China as a priority partner in the international arena — Russian Foreign Ministry

    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

    Moscow, July 17 /Xinhua/ — Russia views China as a priority partner in the international arena, and the two countries’ approaches to key international issues coincide or are close, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said in response to a question from a Xinhua correspondent on Thursday.

    “We view each other as priority partners in the international arena, and the approaches of Moscow and Beijing to fundamental issues of the modern world order and key international problems coincide or are close,” she said.

    As M. Zakharova noted, the Russian-Chinese link is the main stabilizing factor in world affairs. “In conditions when the adherents of unilateralism in international relations are trying to maintain their positions, we advocate the promotion of a fair multipolar world order based on the countries of the Global South,” the Russian diplomat emphasized, adding that an important step on this path is the construction of a space of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia.

    The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that Russia and China fruitfully cooperate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS, the Group of Twenty (G20), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and other international formats. “We are strengthening cooperation between our countries and the countries of the Global South and East in the UN,” she added.

    According to M. Zakharova, one of the key goals of cooperation between Moscow and Beijing is to promote the reform of international architecture with a view to increasing the role of the world majority countries in the decision-making process on issues on the global agenda.

    She also recalled that the Russian foreign policy concept sets out the goal of concentrating creative efforts on those geographic vectors that have obvious prospects in terms of expanding mutually beneficial international cooperation. These, as the official representative emphasized, include the states of the Global South and East. “Many of them are noticeably raising their voices in world affairs, pursuing independent policies based on national interests,” M. Zakharova noted. –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: Breaking: Slovenia Declares Two Israeli Ministers Personae Non Grata

    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

    LJUBLJANA, July 17 (Xinhua) — The Slovenian government on Thursday declared Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich personae non gratae, claiming that the two far-right ministers are inciting violence and gross violations of Palestinian rights with their “genocidal” statements. –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: Poland recalls ambassador to Hungary over asylum dispute

    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

    BUDAPEST/WARSAW, July 17 (Xinhua) — Poland has officially recalled its ambassador to Hungary, the Polish Foreign Ministry confirmed on Thursday.

    Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman Pawel Wronski told the Polish Press Agency that the mission of Ambassador to Hungary Sebastian Kenczyk officially ended on July 15. “There is currently a temporary chargé d’affaires in Budapest,” Wronski said, signaling a reduction in the level of Poland’s diplomatic presence in Hungary.

    Warsaw described the decision as a response to a “hostile act against the Republic of Poland,” referring to Hungary’s decision to grant political asylum to former Polish Deputy Justice Minister Marcin Romanowski.

    Hungarian Foreign Affairs and Trade Ministry State Secretary Levente Magyar acknowledged the downgrade in diplomatic relations in a statement on Wednesday, expressing regret over the developments but calling them temporary.

    “This unfortunate step is the result of a gradual deterioration in our political ties – an unprecedented case in the history of our relations with any partner in Central Europe,” L. Magyar noted.

    The current case highlights the growing political rift between two countries that once closely aligned their positions on many EU policy issues. –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: Slovenia Declares Two Israeli Ministers Personae Non Grata

    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

    LJUBLJANA, July 17 (Xinhua) — The Slovenian government on Thursday declared Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich personae non gratae, claiming that the two far-right ministers are inciting violence and gross violations of Palestinian rights with their “genocidal” statements.

    Slovenian Foreign Minister Tanja Fajon noted that Slovenia was the first EU member state to take such measures against two Israeli ministers.

    The decision came after EU foreign ministers failed to reach a consensus on joint action against Israel during a meeting in Brussels on July 15.

    Slovenia, which officially recognized the State of Palestine in June 2024, criticizes Israel’s intense military operations in the Gaza Strip. Ljubljana calls on the Jewish state to immediately stop the offensive and allow rapid and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. –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: Next Round of Smart Growth Grants Announced

    Source: US State of New York

    overnor Kathy Hochul today announced $3.8 million in funding available to communities and not-for-profits in the Adirondack and Catskill parks. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), in partnership with the Department of State and the Adirondack Park Agency, is accepting applications for the next round of Adirondack Park and Catskill Park Community Smart Growth Grants that will link environmental protection, economic development, and community livability within the two parks. This round of Smart Growth Grants will continue to focus on affordable housing, which is a key component for addressing population and economic stability in rural Forest Preserve communities.

    “New York State is leading the nation in helping communities become greener, more connected, and more resilient,” Governor Hochul said. “With these Smart Growth grants, we are investing in local projects that create economic opportunities, affordable housing, and tourism while protecting our natural resources and supporting long-term sustainability so that Forest Preserve communities can thrive.”

    DEC’s Community Smart Growth Grants Program is modeled after the national “smart growth” movement, which promotes growth that harmonizes economic development with protection of the natural and built environment. Today’s announcement marks the eighth round of Smart Growth grants since the program’s inception. More than $12 million has been awarded to communities — $2.6 million in the Catskill Park, and $9.9 million in the Adirondack Park.

    Funding for the latest round of grants is provided by the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF) and includes $2.8 million for Adirondack Park projects and $1 million for projects in the Catskill Park. The goal of this grant program is to support projects that build on comprehensive planning and economic development activities, with a priority on affordable housing. In the FY25-26 State Budget, Governor Kathy Hochul increased the EPF to $425 million, the highest level of funding in the program’s history. The EPF also provides funding for critical environmental programs such as farmland protection, invasive species prevention and eradication, enhanced recreational access, water quality improvement, and an aggressive environmental justice agenda.

    New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said, “Smart growth creates a balance that is at the heart of New York’s environmental, climate, and economic development strategy. Through Governor Hochul’s strategic investments, the $3.8 million available now not only helps communities become more affordable to thrive economically, but also advances our shared goals of protecting natural resources and making our neighborhoods more resilient in the face of harmful climate impacts. We look forward to continuing to work with our many state and local partners to promote smart, equitable, and sustainable growth.”

    Adirondack Park Agency Executive Director Barbara Rice said, “For more than a decade the Smart Growth Grant program has advanced projects that protect the environment and enhance quality of life for Adirondack and Catskill Park residents. Governor Hochul’s continued investment into affordable housing solutions through this program targets a critical issue confronting many communities in these regions. We encourage municipalities and not-for-profits to take advantage of the Smart Growth Grant program to help address the needs of Adirondack and Catskill Parks communities.”

    New York State Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, ““The way we plan and develop our communities has a profound impact on our economy, natural resources and quality of life. Governor Hochul’s additional $3.8 million for smart growth planning and implementation will provide the necessary foundation for sustainable communities, habitats and ecosystems in the Adirondack and Catskill parks. At the Department of State, we work closely together with the Department of Environmental Conservation to ensure that New York State is, and continues to be, the nationwide leader in the movement for smart, sustainable and equitable growth.”

    Eligible projects should support larger community development projects, such as revitalization efforts, capital improvements, and organizational development or capacity building, and may include, but are not limited to:

    • Due diligence and pre-development steps for vacant buildings for affordable housing
    • Planning and permitting of developable land parcels for affordable housing
    • Community housing development plans
    • Identify and prioritize infill and redevelopment of existing buildings to revitalize neighborhoods and downtowns, including areas around public transit.
    • Regional or Parkwide availability of affordable housing and shovel ready sites
    • Develop Pro-Housing Community comprehensive plan revisions or updates, followed by local laws, form-based codes, or new zoning and re-zoning with New York State Pro-Housing Communities Certification
    • Providing bike-friendly routes and amenities
    • Improving or promoting local/regional museums and theaters
    • Main Street façade improvement
    • Refurbishing historic properties
    • Providing community-based tourism programs and activities
    • Creating new recreational opportunities
    • Multi-use trail development
    • Wayfinding and informational signage and kiosks
    • Enhancing parks and public spaces
    • Zoning updates
    • Visitor center improvements
    • Beautifying tourism sites
    • Providing sidewalks in hamlets and villages

    DEC is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, July 23, at 10 a.m., to provide interested applicants with information on the program requirements, funding details, and how to use the new State Financial System for grants. Register for the webinar here.

    Applications for developing comprehensive and/or local land use plans, as well as updating existing plans, are also welcome. The Request for Bids (RFB) is available through the State Financial System Grants Management and the deadline to apply is 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025.

    For more information, visit DEC’s website.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI: Ripple’s XRP Mining Revolution: PFMCrypto Unveils Next-Gen Free Cloud Mining Contracts

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    New York, NY, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As Ripple’s XRP ecosystem gains global momentum, PFMCrypto is proud to introduce a major leap in accessible crypto mining: the launch of XRP-focused cloud mining contracts. Now available on both web and mobile platforms, these flexible short-term contracts allow users to mine XRP remotely and receive daily XRP rewards—no mining hardware, no complex setup, and no prior experience required. For the first time, retail participants can engage with the XRP economy through a streamlined, fully integrated platform.
    Explore the PFMCrypto website or download the app today.

    XRP Cloud Mining Is Here—Simple, Smart, and Rewarding
    Traditionally known for its role in cross-border payments and institutional finance, XRP now enters a new chapter with PFMCrypto’s latest innovation: easy-to-use cloud mining. Users can mine XRP directly or leverage PFMCrypto’s intelligent AI engine to automatically switch between the most profitable assets—including BTC, ETH, DOGE, USDC, and more—for optimized returns. All earnings are paid out daily in your chosen cryptocurrency, providing reliable income regardless of market fluctuations.
    Designed for both everyday users and professional investors, this platform empowers users to generate consistent crypto earnings from anywhere, at any time.

    Key Features of PFMCrypto’s XRP Cloud Mining Contracts
    –  Full XRP Integration: Deposit, purchase, mine, and withdraw XRP directly within the platform.
    –  Multi-Coin Mining Support: Mine and receive earnings in BTC, ETH, DOGE, USDC, USDT, SOL, LTC, and BCH.
    –  AI Revenue Optimization: Proprietary algorithms automatically allocate mining power to the top-performing assets to maximize returns.
    –  100% Remote Access: No mining equipment needed—fully accessible via the PFMCrypto mobile app or browser.
    –  Capital Protection: All contracts include full principal return upon maturity, reducing risk while growing crypto assets.

    Mining Contracts for Every Budget and Strategy:
    PFMCrypto offers a broad range of mining contracts that support XRP-based deposits and withdrawals. Each contract is crafted for flexibility, predictable income, and effective risk management:
    $10 Contract – 1 Day – Earn $0.66 (Free with signup bonus)
    $100 Contract – 2 Days – Earn $3.00 daily + $2 reward
    $500 Contract – 5 Days – Earn $6.15 daily
    $5,000 Contract – 30 Days – Earn $78.50 daily
    $20,000 Contract – 45 Days – Earn $380.00 daily
    Whether you’re testing the waters or building a long-term portfolio, PFMCrypto provides low-risk, high-transparency contracts that deliver stable daily income in XRP.
    Click here to explore more XRP cloud contracts.

    Why PFMCrypto’s XRP Mining Stands Out?
    –  Accessible to Everyone: No mining rigs, no setup, no complexity—just tap and earn.
    –  XRP-Native Integration: Deposit, mine, and withdraw XRP in one seamless ecosystem.
    –  Stable Returns, Smart Allocation: An AI-powered engine dynamically adjusts mining strategies to maximize rewards and ensure daily income across all supported coins.
    –  Multi-Asset Flexibility: Mine XRP directly or diversify earnings into other top digital assets—all with one contract.
    –  Instant Setup, Global Access: Mine from anywhere using your phone or browser—securely and remotely.

    Get Started Today in 3 Easy Steps:
    1.  Sign Up – Create your account and receive a $10 welcome bonus
    2.  Choose a Plan – Select a short- or long-term contract (1–60 days available)
    3.  Start Earning – Track daily profits and withdraw in the token of your choice

    Start mining XRP now at: https://pfmcrypto.net 
    Or download the PFMCrypto mobile app (available for iOS & Android).

    XRP Mining for a Digital Future
    Since 2018, PFMCrypto has helped millions of users around the world generate passive crypto income through secure, smart, cloud-based mining. With the introduction of XRP mining, the platform offers the ideal combination of institutional-grade infrastructure and retail accessibility. Now, users can choose to earn directly in XRP or diversify into major digital assets—all within a secure, fully remote environment.
    “XRP has always been fast, efficient, and scalable,” said a PFMCrypto spokesperson. “Now, it’s also mineable—securely, remotely, and profitably. We’ve eliminated the barriers so anyone can participate in XRP’s future growth.”
    Markets may shift—but daily mining income can remain steady.

    Join the XRP mining revolution today at: https://pfmcrypto.net

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: CORRECTION – Ad Age lists Advantage Solutions among 2025 Largest Agencies

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    ST. LOUIS, July 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In a release issued under the same headline on July 2 by Advantage Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ: ADV), please note that Advantage’s domestic ranking should have been listed as “12th in the United States” instead of “9th in North America.” It has been removed from the subhead. The corrected release follows:

    Advantage Solutions (NASDAQ: ADV) ranks as the 12th largest agency company in the United States and No. 18 worldwide, according to the Ad Age Agency Report 2025. With revenue of $1.2 billion in 2024, Advantage was one of only two Midwest-based agencies in the top 25 list, which is based on worldwide revenue.

    “Our agency work is one of the many ways we’re shaping how people shop and building momentum in the marketplace. We continue to deliver for our clients and customers, infusing high-tech, high-touch, high-value solutions with the creativity and artistry to bring campaigns to life,” says Advantage CEO Dave Peacock.

    The Ad Age Agency Report, which evaluates the state of the agency market and includes listings and analysis, cited three major trends emerging in 2025: AI reshaping creativity, evolving client expectations, and agencies being asked to do more with greater precision and agility.

    “We’re staying sharp — solving the challenges our clients face today while anticipating what’s next. Our ability to unify sales and marketing delivers an award-winning shopper experience while redefining what’s possible across omnicommerce,” says executive vice president of agency at Advantage and head of AUC and AMP Christi Geary.

    Sitting at the intersection of CPGs, retailers and eCommerce, Advantage leads from the center of commerce by connecting people with experiences and products that enrich their lives. The company continues to grow its relationship with the world’s largest retailer, Amazon, and was honored with Amazon’s inaugural Gold Tier award, which recognizes excellence in providing on-time, accurate delivery. Advantage offers a full suite of omnichannel services across the path to purchase including branding; retail media and promotion; creative services; media; marketing technology; events and conferences; packaging design; as well as sampling and demonstration.

    About Advantage Solutions
    Advantage Solutions is the leading omnichannel retail solutions agency in North America, uniquely positioned at the intersection of consumer-packaged goods (CPG) brands and retailers. With its data- and technology-powered services, Advantage leverages its unparalleled insights, expertise and scale to help brands and retailers of all sizes generate demand and get products into the hands of consumers, wherever they shop. Whether it’s creating meaningful moments and experiences in-store and online, optimizing assortment and merchandising, or accelerating e-commerce and digital capabilities, Advantage is the trusted partner that keeps commerce and life moving. Advantage has offices throughout North America and strategic investments and owned operations in select international markets. For more information, please visit YourADV.com.

    Follow Advantage Solutions on social media

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/advantagesolutionsinc/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/advantage_solutions/

    Media Contact:
    Jeffrey Levine
    jeff.levine@youradv.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: American Tower Corporation (ATC) Kenya Partners with Mawingu Foundation to Launch Digital Communities

    Source: APO

    • Through American Tower’s Digital Communities program, the three-year partnership will provide technology-equipped spaces that offer digital literacy for youth, vocational training for adults, and access to healthcare services.
       
    • The initiative will benefit institutions such as vocational training centers, dispensaries, secondary schools and special schools, directly impacting over 50,000 beneficiaries.

    ATC Kenya (www.AmericanTower.com/en-KE), a leading provider of telecommunications infrastructure, and the Mawingu Foundation—the social impact arm of Mawingu Networks Limited—are proud to announce a strategic partnership aimed at bridging the digital divide across Kenya. This partnership will provide underserved and unserved communities with access to connectivity, digital learning materials, modern equipment, and essential digital skills.

    This initiative will benefit a wide range of institutions including Vocational Training Centers (VTCs), dispensaries, secondary schools, special schools, and surrounding communities. The program is expected to directly impact more than 50,000 individuals over the life of the partnership.

    Central to this effort is ATC’s Digital Communities program, which offers technology-equipped spaces that deliver digital literacy for youth, vocational and financial training for adults, and access to healthcare services. By combining this model with the Mawingu Foundation’s community reach and expertise, the partnership aims to foster inclusive development and equitable access to digital opportunities.

    “At ATC Kenya, we are driven by our commitment to bridging the digital divide and by the belief that connectivity—especially in underserved and unserved areas—is essential to transforming lives and empowering communities,” said George Odenyo, CEO of ATC Kenya. “This is why partnerships with entities like the Mawingu Foundation are vital to achieving our vision of building a more connected Kenya.”

    Mawingu CEO, Farouk Ramji, noted that “As Mawingu Foundation, we believe that closing the digital divide must start where the gap is widest, and this is in the heart of rural and peri-urban communities that we are dedicated to transforming. The Digital Communities initiative is proof that with the right partnerships, we can deliver meaningful, sustainable internet access where it matters most.”

    The collaboration will focus on identifying and supporting institutions most in need, ensuring that digital tools and connectivity are accessible where they can make the greatest impact. By addressing educational disparities and promoting digital inclusion, the partnership is set to create lasting change across Kenya.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of American Tower Corporation.

    Media Contacts:
    American Tower
    media.relations@americantower.com

    Mawingu Foundation
    press@mawingu.co

    About ATC Kenya:
    ATC Kenya is a subsidiary of American Tower Corporation, one of the largest global telecommunications Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), and a leading independent owner, operator and developer of multitenant communications real estate.

    ATC Kenya owns and operates over 4,200 telecommunications sites across the country, helping mobile network operators and other telecommunication providers confidently deliver communications connectivity to consumers throughout Kenya. For more information, visit: www.AmericanTower.com/en-KE

    About Mawingu Foundation:
    Mawingu Foundation is the philanthropic and community development arm of Mawingu, dedicated to bridging the digital divide in underserved regions of Africa. The Mawingu Foundation is committed to expanding access to meaningful internet connectivity, digital infrastructure, and learning tools that empower youth, educators, and community institutions.

    Through strategic partnerships and on-the-ground initiatives, Mawingu Foundation focuses on enabling inclusive access to knowledge, opportunity, and innovation, ensuring that no community is left behind in the digital age.

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Union Chairperson appoints H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi, as his Special Envoy for the Sahel region

    Source: APO


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    The Chairperson of the African Union, H.E. João Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola, is pleased to announce the appointment of H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi and African Union Champion for Youth, Peace and Security, as his Special Envoy for the Sahel region.

    The Chairperson of the African Union is most grateful to H.E President Évariste Ndayishimiye for accepting this strategic political assignment in the collective interest of the Union.

    President Ndayishimiye will spearhead the renewed African Union’s high level diplomatic support and collaborative efforts aimed at addressing the prevailing security and humanitarian challenges in the Sahel.

    The Special Envoy’s mandate covers intensifying engagements with the governmental authorities, opinion leaders, regional actors and organizations, civil society and all relevant stakeholders to foster dialogue, build consensus, and promote comprehensive strategies towards durable peace and stability within the Sahel region.

    President Ndayishimiye brings with him very rich political experience, and impeccable credentials of resolute commitment to Pan-Africanism, regional integration and cooperation. The appointment reflects the African Union’s steadfast commitment to supporting peacebuilding and regional cooperation in one of Africa’s most critical regions.

    The Chairperson of the African Union has expressed full confidence in President Ndayishimiye’s ability to advance the Union’s vision through his distinguished leadership and deep understanding of the continent’s complex dynamics. In effect, this appointment is to foster the African Union’s drive to permanently silence the guns and promote peace, security, stability, and political dialogue in the Sahel region.

    The Chairperson of the African Union therefore calls on the AU Commission, the AU Mission in the Sahel (MISAHEL); all stakeholders and the international community to extend support to the Special Envoy, who is expected to immediately commence his engagements in the region.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Union (AU).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: United Nations (UN) rights chief condemns the killing of scores of civilians in Sudan

    Source: APO

    Since 10 July, the UN human rights office, OHCHR, has verified that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have killed at least 60 civilians in North Kordofan’s Bara locality, while civil society groups have reported that up to 300 were killed.

    The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) also hit two villages in West Kordofan from 10 to 14 July, killing at least 23 civilians and causing more than 30 injuries.

    Most recently, on Thursday, an SAF airstrike in Bara killed at least 11 civilians who were all members of a single family.

    According to the High Commissioner’s statement, these deaths come amid worrying reports that the RSF is mobilising for an offensive on the capital of North Kordofan state, El Obeid.  

    Continued concern for El Fasher  

    At another major hotspot in the Sudan conflict, the besieged city of El Fasher in North Darfur state, the RSF has conducted multiple attacks recently. They include a ground attack on 11 and 12 July, which reportedly resulted in civilian casualties.  

    The High Commissioner subsequently “expressed continued concern for the safety of civilians in El Fasher.”

    “Callous disregard for civilians’ lives and safety”

    The statement stressed that the High Commissioner “deplored the killing of dozens of civilians by both parties.”

    “It is distressing that more than two years since the conflict began parties to the conflict in Sudan continue to demonstrate callous disregard for civilians’ lives and safety,” he said.  

    “An escalation of hostilities in North Darfur and Kordofan will only further aggravate the already severe risks to civilians and the dire humanitarian situation in a conflict that has already wrought untold suffering on the Sudanese people,”  

    Mr. Türk urged those with influence to prevent further escalation and ensure parties uphold their obligations under international law, including the protection of civilians.  

    The High Commissioner renewed his calls for the warring parties to ensure safe and unimpeded access to humanitarian aid and to prevent violations of international law.  

    “All alleged violations must be fully and independently investigated and those responsible brought to justice,” he concluded.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

    Media files

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ambassador Yin Chengwu attended 2025 Liberia Investment Conference

    Source: APO


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    On July 16, Ambassador Yin Chengwu attended the 2025 Liberia Investment Conference. The event was also attended by Hon. Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice President of the Republic of Liberia, Hon. Magdalene Ellen Dagoseh, Representatives from relevant UN agencies and diplomatic missions in Liberia.

    At the conference, Ambassador Yin briefed the outcomes of the recent Ministerial Meeting of Coordinators on the Implementation of the Outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). He particularly highlighted the new measures such as China’s zero-tariff treatments for 100% of taxable items originating from African countries with diplomatic relations with China. He stressed the principles of openness and cooperation, mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, as well as trustworthy partnership. Furthermore, he proposed five key recommendations for further advance China-Liberia cooperation, including enhancing strategic synergy, streamlining the business environment, pioneering emerging sectors, strengthening institutional frameworks, and fostering people-to-people bonds.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of Liberia.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Egypt: Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation inspects the Prosthetics Center in Matrouh and witnesses the delivery and maintenance of 100 prosthetic limbs for mine victims and affected people

    Source: APO


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    In continuation of implementing the directives of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to localize the prosthetics and assistive devices industry and support mine victims in Matrouh Governorate, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, visited the Prosthetics Center in Matrouh to follow up on its efforts to support the injured and mine victims in the governorate, in cooperation with the Armed Forces Center for Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation, and Rheumatology, and witnessed the delivery and maintenance of 100 prosthetic limbs for the injured people of the governorate who were affected by the mines.

    During the visit, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat listened to the people of Matrouh who were affected by mines and held a dialogue about the mechanism for applying for a prosthetic limb, the manufacturing timeline, and obtaining it, reaffirming the government’s keenness to provide prosthetic devices with the highest levels and standards of efficiency, enabling the injured to reintegrate into society. She also emphasized the government’s interest in supporting development efforts in border governorates, whether through the investment plan or the presidential initiative “Decent Life.”

    The Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation also inspected the process of manufacturing and fitting prosthetic devices at the Prosthetics Center by the center’s officials, stressing the need to adhere to the highest standards of efficiency and ensure continuous maintenance of prosthetic devices for the people of Matrouh.

    Furthermore, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized the keenness to maximizing the efforts exerted by the Prosthetics Center in Matrouh, in coordination with the relevant entities, especially the Armed Forces Center for Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation, and Rheumatology, to provide all aspects of support to the people affected by mines in Matrouh Governorate, by enabling them to reintegrate into society and overcome challenges that prevent their effective participation in various aspects of life.

    H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat added that the ministry, in cooperation with the relevant national entities and in implementation of the directives of H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, is working on developing the Prosthetics Center in Matrouh in collaboration with the German side, in a way that contributes to enhancing its efficiency and strengthening its role in localizing the prosthetics industry in Egypt.

    Last week, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat signed the reciprocal letters for the feasibility study grant for the National Prosthetic System Development Project, amounting to 1.52 million Chinese yuan, which aims to position Egypt as a regional hub in the Middle East and Africa for providing prosthetic limbs and assistive devices for people with disabilities, as well as acquiring manufacturing capability according to internationally approved standards.

    It is worth noting that in 2007, the Executive Secretariat for Mine Clearance was established at the ministry under Ministerial Decree No. (125) to act as a national coordination and contact point among all entities concerned with mine clearance and the development of the North West Coast, whether governmental, private sector, or civil society, and to mobilize the financial resources necessary to implement its activities. Its current geographical scope of work covers the NorthWest Coast and its desert hinterland, from El-Hammam in the east to El-Salloum in the west and Siwa to the south.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation – Egypt.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Germany announces €10 million euro investment in Africa’s development

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Germany announces €10 million euro investment in Africa’s development

    German Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil has announced that Germany will provide an initial contribution of €10 million towards the Group of Twenty (G20) Compact for Africa initiative, which promotes private investment in Africa.

    “This is not only a strategic investment, it is one that can boost the growth, create business opportunities and reduce pressure on public budgets in important Member States,” Klingbeil said on Thursday in Durban during the G20 Finance Track Meeting. 

    Established under the German G20 Presidency in 2017, the initiative’s primary objective is to increase attractiveness of private investment through substantial improvements of the macro, business and financing frameworks.

    Under the G20 Finance Track, the Compact for Africa is governed through the G20 Africa Advisory Group (AAG), co-chaired by Germany and South Africa. 

    The African Development Bank Group, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank Group coordinate the initiative. 

    “To help these partners, with the support of the Compact with Africa, Germany will provide an initial contribution of €10 million to the World Bank’s Trust Fund this year.

    “We are convinced that this is a worthwhile investment and we will be pleased to see other G20 members to join us, therefore, we call on all G20 partners to consider making their own contribution to the World Bank Trust Fund to help ensure the Compact’s long term success.

    “Only through our joint efforts we can truly unlock the potential of the Compact with Africa and make a lasting impact for the benefit of our African partners and the global community,” Germany’s Vice-Chancellor said.

    According to Klingbeil, Compact members have higher levels of foreign direct investments.

    “It is important to recognise the initiative’s full potential impact is still emerging, partly due to unexpected external challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and global uncertainties.

    “This highlights the necessities for continued political and financial commitment to unlock the Compact’s full potential for sustainable and inclusive growth across Africa,” he said.

    The German Vice-Chancellor emphasised that Germany’s new government wants to deepen its engagement with South African partners.

    “We will continue to provide strong support with the Compact but more generally we also want to engage in new thinking about development partnerships.

    “The German government has committed itself to establish a new North-South Commission to set up an international forum where experts from politics, civil society, business and research can meet on a regular basis to search for new and efficient solutions. I envision the independent experts from relevant areas from all parts of the world coming together on a regular basis,” he said.

    The new German government agreed to establish a new North-South Commission to jointly suggest new North-South policies for a multipolar world.

    Klingbeil stressed the importance of the Global North and Global South working together on equal footing while also highlighting the need for equitable partnerships and mutual respect between developed and developing nations. 

    “It’s important that we don’t have a platform where the North is telling the South what to do. We have to come together on the same level to find common answers to address the challenges we are facing in the world.

    “At the same time, we will continue to make use of the existing instruments of the G20 Compact with Africa is one of them, it’s dynamic and results driven initiative that demonstrates the power of partnerships and peer to peer learning,” Klingbeil said.

    Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana indicated that the Compact for Africa has grown into a dynamic initiative that has mobilised over $191 million dollars in private capital, supported by the development of bankable projects and improved access to services for over 13.5 million people.

    “It has also fostered a peer learning network among participating countries supported by institutions like the African Centre for Economic Research and provided a structured framework for reform through regular monitoring and technical assistance.

    “As we look ahead, the success of the Compact with Africa will depend on our collective commitment. We must ensure that this initiative remains country-owned, reform driven and result orientated,” the Minister said.

    Godongwana called on governments, multilateral institutions and the private sector to create enabling conditions for sustainable development and inclusive growth.

    “Africa’s development trajectory is at a crossroad, while the continent is rich in opportunity, it continues to face significant challenges ranging from infrastructure deficit and climate vulnerability to constrained fiscal space and limited access to long term private capital

    “In this context, the compact with Africa initiative remains a promising platform for fostering reformed driven investment partnership between African countries and the private sector,” he said.

    South Africa assumed the G20 Presidency on 1 December 2024, which runs to 30 November 2025, under the theme: “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability”. – SAnews.gov.za

    nosihle

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Almost R2 billion required for EC flood recovery housing efforts

    Source: Government of South Africa

    Almost R2 billion required for EC flood recovery housing efforts

    As the Eastern Cape moves to the second phase of its intervention, the provincial government has announced that almost R2 billion is needed to address the housing crisis caused by last month’s devastating floods, which claimed 103 lives and displaced thousands.

    According to Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Zolile Williams, R461 million is required for the provision of Temporary Residential Units (TRUs), while an estimated R1.7 billion is needed to deliver permanent housing solutions for affected communities.

    The floods, which occurred between 9 and 10 June 2025, brought destruction across all corners of the province, with the OR Tambo and Amathole District Municipalities bearing the brunt. Some parts of Alfred Nzo, Chris Hani District, Joe Gqabi and Sarah Baartman Municipalities were also affected.

    The impact of the disaster included loss of lives, significant infrastructure damage, displaced families, livestock losses, learners missing examinations, disruption of basic services, such as water and electricity, disrupted access to healthcare, amongst others.

    The disaster, characterised by severe flooding, was officially classified as a national disaster, enabling all three spheres of government to respond in line with their sectoral mandates – under the guidance of the National Disaster Management Centre.

    The Eastern Cape provincial government has announced that over R2.1 billion is needed to address the housing crisis caused by last month’s devastating floods.

    Giving an update on the provincial disaster management response and recovery on Wednesday, Williams said R120 million has been reprioritised through the Department of Human Settlements to support the immediate rollout of TRUs for the most vulnerable families.

    However, he said the current funding only covers a portion of the need.

    Of the 4 724 TRUs required, only 1 230 are currently funded, and these include 350 for Amathole, 182 for Alfred Nzo, 34 for Buffalo City Metro, 11 for Chris Hani, 51 for Joe Gqabi and 600 for OR Tambo.

    “Government is working hard to address the budget shortfall, and we continue to mobilise our partners for support in this area. Mnquma Local Municipality has identified land at New Rest where 350 temporary residential units will be erected to accommodate victims of this disaster.

    “Similarly, King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Local Municipality has identified a piece of land at Maydene Farms the construction of 345 TRUs, with further efforts underway to identify additional suitable land parcels to expand this support and provide permanent human settlement solutions,” the MEC said.

    While government stands ready to start the construction of TRUs, Williams acknowledged delays caused by community resistance to accommodate victims of floods in both municipalities, despite social facilitation efforts.

    “It is regrettable that the municipality has had to resort to courts of law to seek recourse, whereas every citizen has a right to shelter, and government is empowered to fulfil its obligation towards this right. In Mnquma Local Municipality, we have now started with site preparation, and we expect the erection of TRUs to start over the weekend.

    “In the KSD Municipality, we will continue with social facilitation to tackle these challenges, to the extent that it is necessary. This resistance poses a real threat to the timely rollout of the provincial government’s resettlement plan,” Williams said.

    He urged all community members to allow government efforts to proceed uninterrupted, so that “homeless families can be relocated to safe, appropriate land without delay.”

    “We must, in all that we do ensure that families start rebuilding their lives and they do not through our direct or indirect actions suffer secondary trauma.” – SAnews.gov.za

    GabiK

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Mullin, Army Secretary Driscoll Emphasize Readiness and Highlight Oklahoma Excellence in Fort Sill Tour

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    RELEASE: Mullin, Army Secretary Driscoll Emphasize Readiness and Highlight Oklahoma Excellence in Fort Sill Tour

    Washington, D.C. – On Monday, Army Secretary Dan Driscoll joined U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) on a tour of Fort Sill. Included in the tour was a visit to Joint C-sUAS University where Senator Mullin showcased how Ft. Sill and Lawton are leading the way in equipping our warfighters with cutting edge technology and training.

    “The Lawton-Fort Sill community is critical to our mission of being the most prepared and lethal fighting force in the world,” said Senator Mullin. “It was an honor to have the Army Secretary in Oklahoma to be able to show him how we are leading the way in supporting our warfighters.”

    In a rapidly changing technological environment, Senator Mullin and the Secretary also discussed the importance of defending against drones and other modern threats. Readiness was also a key point of the visit as it is critical our warfighters have the most recent technology to protect and advance our interests.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: RELEASE: Senate Approves $9 Billion in DOGE Cut Savings for Taxpayers

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator MarkWayne Mullin (R-Oklahoma)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) released the following statement on this morning’s passage of S.Amdt.2853 to H.R.4, Rescissions Act of 2025. The package targets $9 billion in taxpayer-funded public broadcasting and wasteful foreign aid:

    “This is the first step in the right direction to claw back wasteful spending and programs identified by DOGE. Oklahomans sent me to Washington to fight for them and ensure their hard-earned tax dollars are being used responsibly,” said Senator Mullin. “We have a lot of work left to do and we’re just getting started. President Trump and Senate Republicans will continue to work tirelessly to deliver for the American people.”

    Below are just 10 of the cuts made by President Trump’s 2025 Rescissions Act:

    1. $1.1 Billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting
    2. $500,000 for electric buses in Rwanda
    3. $6 million for “Net Zero Cities” in Mexico
    4. $8,000 for promoting vegan food in Zambia
    5. $3.3 million for civic engagement in Zimbabwe
    6. $3 million for Iraqi Sesame Street
    7. $1 million for Voter ID in Haiti
    8. $18 million to improve gender diversity in the Mexican street lighting industry
    9. $21 million on wind farms in Ukraine
    10. $882,000 to fund social media mentorship in Serbia and Belarus 

    NOTE: This first recissions package targeted one tenth of one percent of the federal budget. For additional information on S.Amdt.2853 to H.R.4, click here.

    Senator Mullin provided timely updates throughout the rescissions process in a series of social media posts, including here and here. If you missed Senator Mullin’s behind-the-scenes tours of the U.S. Capitol which he recorded last night between votes on the floor, follow @SenMullin on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.

    MIL OSI USA News –