Category: Africa

MIL-OSI Africa: Prisoner rehabilitation in Pibor enters a new chapter with ‘green corrections’ initiative

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“Effective prisoner rehabilitation remains one of the biggest concerns for us and our national prisons counterparts in South Sudan,” reveals Barbrah Nyamasoka.

Barbrah is a corrections advisor with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

“With increasing conflict, insecurity and economic instability, we decided that boosting year-round farming in prisons would not only upskill inmates, aiding their eventual reintegration into society upon completion of their sentences, but also contribute to reducing food insecurity,” she added.

Pibor Prison is one such correctional facility which has embraced this concept of ‘green corrections.’

Here, inmates are responsible for farming two hectares of land within the prison, divided into a rice field on one side and vegetables on the other.

“Prisoners are now gainfully occupied learning agricultural skills and producing nutritious food,” explained Captain Amos Konyi, the coordinator of Pibor Prison.

“We now also grow vegetables such as okra, sukuma wiki (collard greens), and many more,” he added.

Captain Konyi’s pride in this initiative was validated by Peter Guzulu Maze, Chief Administrator, Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) who toured this innovative and environmentally friendly corrections initiative.

“Upholding the rule of law and security goes hand in hand with ensuring prisoners are given the tools they need to reintegrate into society,” said Chief Administrator Maze. “I am impressed with what I have seen here and commend inmates and prison management for actioning this successful initiative. For my part, I reiterate my ongoing commitment to improving conditions in our prisons,” he added.

Mr Maze was accompanied by representatives from the UN Peacekeeping mission’s Rule of Law and Security Institutions Section (RoLSIS), who have worked with partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as well as nongovernmental organizations to action this project become self-sufficient.

“We keep visiting to make sure the project is running smoothly, that inmate-farmers are correctly using the solar-powered irrigation system given by our colleagues at FAO, and, that overall prison conditions are improving,” explained Barbrah.

From improved infrastructure to hands-on rehabilitation, this marks a renewed focus on dignity and development in South Sudan’s correctional system.

“This farm helps us produce food, gives us the physical exercise we need, but above all, gives us hope for rebuilding our lives once we finish our sentences,” says Jakor Kuron, an inmate.

For Mary Gazulu, this small initiative with a big impact gives her space to have a dream.

“When I am finally released, I’m going to teach my children how to grow rice in the rich land of Pibor,” she smiles.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).

MIL OSI Africa –

June 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: “Advisory Committee options are Libya’s last chance for stability,” say youth in public consultation session
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In a youth consultation with young women from across Libya on Sunday, UNSMIL discussed the recommendations of the Advisory Committee (AC) and what they wanted to see as the future political direction of the country.

The twenty-six young women, from the east, south and west of the country are part of the UN in Libya’s Ra’idat programme, which focuses on developing the young women in leadership, communications, teamwork and advocacy skills.

“The Advisory Committee provided options that have not been seriously considered before,” said one participant. “Its first recommendation — to hold simultaneous elections after unifying the government and adjusting presidential candidacy criteria — could be Libya’s last real chance for political stability. If this effort fails, I fear there may be no meaningful opportunity for change anytime soon.”

Participants shared their concerns about the feasibility of the recommendations and the different challenges posed by the options. They highlighted the importance of youth voices being included in the political process.

“Whatever direction is taken regarding the AC options, it’s essential that the process is transparent and inclusive—especially when it comes to youth participation,” said another participant. “Young people have long been excluded from key decision-making spaces, yet they are among those most invested in Libya’s future. A credible political process should open the door for fresh perspectives and meaningful engagement from the new generation.”

Discussing which of the options they preferred, many felt that option four would give Libyans more of a say in the process, but they felt it had to take into consideration a strict timeline, an accountability framework, and anti-corruption mechanisms.

UNSMIL published the Executive Summary of the Advisory Committee’s Report in May, including its four proposed options to move the political process forward.

It also launched a public consultation and survey to ask people to put forward their recommendations and ideas and decided which of these options they would prefer:
1. Conducting presidential and legislative elections simultaneously;
2. Conducting parliamentary elections first, followed by the adoption of a permanent constitution;
3. Adopting a permanent constitution before elections; or
4. Establishing a political dialogue committee, based on the Libyan Political Agreement to finalize electoral laws, executive authority and permanent constitution.
More information on the youth consultations and how to get involved can be found here.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

MIL OSI Africa –
June 24, 2025
Operation Sindhu: 2,295 Indians evacuated from Iran, 604 from Israel as India steps up rescue efforts

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

India evacuated 292 of its nationals from Iran early Tuesday as part of Operation Sindhu, a mission launched to ensure the safety of Indian citizens amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

The evacuees arrived in New Delhi at 3:30 AM IST on a special flight from Mashhad, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

“292 Indian nationals were evacuated from Iran on a special flight that arrived in New Delhi from Mashhad at 0330 hrs on 24th June,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.

Operation Sindhu, which began on June 18, has so far facilitated the return of 2,295 Indians from Iran. A day earlier, another flight brought back 290 Indians and one Sri Lankan national from Mashhad.

Simultaneously, evacuation efforts from Israel continue. The Indian Embassy in Israel said on Monday that 604 Indian nationals have been safely evacuated via Jordan and Egypt under Operation Sindhu.

On Tuesday, Jaiswal confirmed that the first batch of 161 Indian nationals from Israel had reached India.

“The Israel leg of #OperationSindhu began on June 23, 2025, bringing home the first group of 161 Indian nationals from Israel. They safely arrived in New Delhi today at 0820 hrs from Amman, Jordan,” Jaiswal wrote on X, adding that they were received at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita

In a separate update, Jaiswal said that another 165 Indian nationals were brought back from Israel on an IAF C-17 flight, which landed at 8:45 AM IST in Delhi. Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan welcomed the group on arrival.

The Israel-Iran conflict began on June 13 when Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites. In retaliation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded with Operation True Promise 3, striking Israeli fuel production and energy centers.

The situation intensified further after U.S. forces conducted Operation Midnight Hammer, a set of precision airstrikes on three major Iranian nuclear facilities early Sunday.

Despite a ceasefire announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump, the Israeli military on Tuesday reported fresh waves of missile attacks from Iran, with emergency services confirming three civilian deaths.

(With inputs from agencies)

June 24, 2025
Operation Sindhu: 2,295 Indians evacuated from Iran, 604 from Israel as India steps up rescue efforts

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

India evacuated 292 of its nationals from Iran early Tuesday as part of Operation Sindhu, a mission launched to ensure the safety of Indian citizens amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

The evacuees arrived in New Delhi at 3:30 AM IST on a special flight from Mashhad, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

“292 Indian nationals were evacuated from Iran on a special flight that arrived in New Delhi from Mashhad at 0330 hrs on 24th June,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.

Operation Sindhu, which began on June 18, has so far facilitated the return of 2,295 Indians from Iran. A day earlier, another flight brought back 290 Indians and one Sri Lankan national from Mashhad.

Simultaneously, evacuation efforts from Israel continue. The Indian Embassy in Israel said on Monday that 604 Indian nationals have been safely evacuated via Jordan and Egypt under Operation Sindhu.

On Tuesday, Jaiswal confirmed that the first batch of 161 Indian nationals from Israel had reached India.

“The Israel leg of #OperationSindhu began on June 23, 2025, bringing home the first group of 161 Indian nationals from Israel. They safely arrived in New Delhi today at 0820 hrs from Amman, Jordan,” Jaiswal wrote on X, adding that they were received at the airport by Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita

In a separate update, Jaiswal said that another 165 Indian nationals were brought back from Israel on an IAF C-17 flight, which landed at 8:45 AM IST in Delhi. Minister of State Dr. L. Murugan welcomed the group on arrival.

The Israel-Iran conflict began on June 13 when Israel launched Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iranian military and nuclear sites. In retaliation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) responded with Operation True Promise 3, striking Israeli fuel production and energy centers.

The situation intensified further after U.S. forces conducted Operation Midnight Hammer, a set of precision airstrikes on three major Iranian nuclear facilities early Sunday.

Despite a ceasefire announcement by U.S. President Donald Trump, the Israeli military on Tuesday reported fresh waves of missile attacks from Iran, with emergency services confirming three civilian deaths.

(With inputs from agencies)

June 24, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: The war won’t end Iran’s nuclear program – it will drive it underground, following North Korea’s model

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anthony Burke, Professor of Environmental Politics & International Relations, UNSW Sydney

The United States’ and Israel’s strikes on Iran are concerning, and not just for the questionable legal justifications provided by both governments.

Even if their attacks cause severe damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities, this will only harden Iran’s resolve to acquire a bomb.

And if Iran follows through on its threat to pull out of the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), this will gravely damage the global nuclear nonproliferation regime.

In a decade of international security crises, this could be the most serious. Is there still time to prevent this from happening?

A successful but vulnerable treaty

In May 2015, I attended the five-yearly review conference of the NPT. Delegates debated a draft outcome for weeks, and then, not for the first time, went home with nothing. Delegates from the US, United Kingdom and Canada blocked the final outcome to prevent words being added that would call for Israel to attend a disarmament conference.

Russia did the same in 2022 in protest at language on its illegal occupation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in Ukraine.

Now, in the latest challenge to the NPT, Israel and the US have bombed Iran’s nuclear complexes to ostensibly enforce a treaty neither one respects.

When the treaty was adopted in 1968, it allowed the five nuclear-armed states at the time – the US, Soviet Union, France, UK and China – to join if they committed not to pass weapons or material to other states, and to disarm themselves.

All other members had to pledge never to acquire nuclear weapons. Newer nuclear powers were not permitted to join unless they gave up their weapons.

Israel declined to join, as it had developed its own undeclared nuclear arsenal by the late 1960s. India, Pakistan and South Sudan have also never signed; North Korea was a member but withdrew in 2003. Only South Sudan does not have nuclear weapons today.

To make the obligations enforceable and strengthen safeguards against the diversion of nuclear material to non-nuclear weapons states, members were later required to sign the IAEA Additional Protocol. This gave the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) wide powers to inspect a state’s nuclear facilities and detect violations.

It was the IAEA that first blew the whistle on Iran’s concerning uranium enrichment activity in 2003. Just before Israel’s attacks this month, the organisation also reported Iran was in breach of its obligations under the NPT for the first time in two decades.

The NPT is arguably the world’s most universal, important and successful security treaty, but it is also paradoxically vulnerable.

The treaty’s underlying consensus has been damaged by the failure of the five nuclear-weapon states to disarm as required, and by the failure to prevent North Korea from developing a now formidable nuclear arsenal.

North Korea withdrew from the treaty in 2003, tested a weapon in 2006, and now may have up to 50 warheads.

Iran could be next.

How things can deteriorate from here

Iran argues Israel’s attacks have undermined the credibility of the IAEA, given Israel used the IAEA’s new report on Iran as a pretext for its strikes, taking the matter out of the hands of the UN Security Council.

For its part, the IAEA has maintained a principled position and criticised both the US and Israeli strikes.

Iran has retaliated with its own missile strikes against both Israel and a US base in Qatar. In addition, it wasted no time announcing it would withdraw from the NPT.

On June 23, an Iranian parliament committee also approved a bill that would fully suspend Iran’s cooperation with the IAEA, including allowing inspections and submitting reports to the organisation.

Iran’s envoy to the IAEA, Reza Najafi, said the US strikes:

[…] delivered a fundamental and irreparable blow to the international non-proliferation regime conclusively demonstrating that the existing NPT framework has been rendered ineffective.

Even if Israel and the US consider their bombing campaign successful, it has almost certainly renewed the Iranians’ resolve to build a weapon. The strikes may only delay an Iranian bomb by a few years.

Iran will have two paths to do so. The slower path would be to reconstitute its enrichment activity and obtain nuclear implosion designs, which create extremely devastating weapons, from Russia or North Korea.

Alternatively, Russia could send Iran some of its weapons. This should be a real concern given Moscow’s cascade of withdrawals from critical arms control agreements over the last decade.

An Iranian bomb could then trigger NPT withdrawals by other regional states, especially Saudi Arabia, who suddenly face a new threat to their security.

Why Iran might now pursue a bomb

Iran’s support for Hamas, Hezbollah and Syria’s Assad regime certainly shows it is a dangerous international actor. Iranian leaders have also long used alarming rhetoric about Israel’s destruction.

However repugnant the words, Israeli and US conservatives have misjudged Iran’s motives in seeking nuclear weapons.

Israel fears an Iranian bomb would be an existential threat to its survival, given Iran’s promises to destroy it. But this neglects the fact that Israel already possesses a potent (if undeclared) nuclear deterrent capability.

Israeli anxieties about an Iranian bomb should not be dismissed. But other analysts (myself included) see Iran’s desire for nuclear weapons capability more as a way to establish deterrence to prevent future military attacks from Israel and the US to protect their regime.

Iranians were shaken by Iraq’s invasion in 1980 and then again by the US-led removal of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in 2003. This war with Israel and the US will shake them even more.

Last week, I felt that if the Israeli bombing ceased, a new diplomatic effort to bring Iran into compliance with the IAEA and persuade it to abandon its program might have a chance.

However, the US strikes may have buried that possibility for decades. And by then, the damage to the nonproliferation regime could be irreversible.

Anthony Burke received funding from the UK’s Economic and Social Research Council for a project on global nuclear governance (2014–17).

– ref. The war won’t end Iran’s nuclear program – it will drive it underground, following North Korea’s model – https://theconversation.com/the-war-wont-end-irans-nuclear-program-it-will-drive-it-underground-following-north-koreas-model-259281

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

June 24, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Hauntingly familiar? Why comparing the US strikes on Iran to Iraq in 2003 is off target

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Benjamin Isakhan, Professor of International Politics, Deakin University

HECTOR MATA/AFP via Getty Images

On June 21, the United States launched airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities – Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan – pounding deeply buried centrifuge sites with bunker-busting bombs.

Conducted jointly with Israel, the operation took place without formal congressional authorisation, drawing sharp criticism from lawmakers that it was unconstitutional and “unlawful”.

Read more:
Why the US strikes on Iran are illegal and can set a troubling precedent

Much of the political debate has centred on whether the US is being pulled into “another Middle East war”.

The New York Times’ Nick Kristof weighed in on the uncertainties following the US’ surprise bombing of Iran and Tehran’s retaliation.

Even US Vice President JD Vance understood the unease, stating:

People are right to be worried about foreign entanglement after the last 25 years of idiotic foreign policy.

These reactions have revived comparisons with George W. Bush’s 2003 invasion of Iraq: a Republican president launching military action on the basis of flimsy weapons of mass destruction (WMD) evidence.

Hauntingly familiar?

While the surface similarity is tempting, the comparison may in fact obscure more about President Donald Trump than it reveals.

Comparisons to the Iraq War

In 2003, Bush ordered a full-scale invasion of Iraq based on flawed intelligence, claiming Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein possessed WMDs. And while the war was extremely unpopular across the world, it did have bipartisan congressional support.

The invasion toppled Iraq’s regime in just a few weeks.

What followed was a brutal conflict and almost a decade of US occupation. The war triggered the rise of militant jihadism and a horrific sectarian conflict that reverberates today.

So far, Trump’s one-off strikes on Iran bear little resemblance to the 2003 Iraq intervention.

These were precision strikes within the context of a broader Iran-Israel war, designed to target Iran’s nuclear program.

And, so far, there appears to be little appetite for a full-scale military invasion or “boots on the ground”, and regime change seems unlikely despite some rumblings from both Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Yet the comparison to Iraq persists, especially among audiences suspicious of repeated US military interventions in the Middle East. But poorly considered analogies carry costs.

For one, the Iraq comparison sheds little light on Trump’s foreign policy.

Read more:
The US has entered the Israel-Iran war. Here are 3 scenarios for what might happen next

Trump’s foreign policy

To better understand the recent strikes on Iran, we need to look at Trump’s broader foreign policy.

Much has been made of his “America first” mantra, a complex mix of prioritising domestic interests, questioning international agreements, and challenging traditional alliances.

Others, including Trump himself, have often touted his “no war” approach, pointing to large-scale military withdrawals from Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq,and the fact he had not started a new war.

But beyond this, Trump has increased US military spending and frequently used his office to conduct targeted strikes on adversaries – especially across the Middle East.

For example, in 2017 and 2018, Trump ordered airstrikes on a Syrian airbase and chemical weapons facilities. In both instances, he bypassed Congress and used precision air power to target weapons infrastructure without pursuing regime change.

Also, from 2017 to 2021, Trump authorised US support for the Saudi-led war in Yemen, enabling airstrikes that targeted militant cells but also led to mass civilian casualties.

Trump’s policy was the subject of intense bipartisan opposition, culminating in the first successful congressional invocation of the War Powers Resolution – though it was ultimately vetoed by Trump.

And in 2020, Trump launched a sequence of attacks on Iranian assets in Iraq. This included a drone strike that killed senior Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani.

Again, these attacks were conducted without congressional support. The decision triggered intense bipartisan backlash and concerns about escalation without oversight.

While such attacks are not without precedent – think back to former US President Barack Obama’s intervention in Libya or Joe Biden’s targeting of terrorist assets – the scale and veracity of Trump’s attacks on the Middle East are much more useful as a framework to understanding the recent attacks on Iran than any reference to the 2003 Iraq war.

What this reveals about Trump

It is crucial to scrutinise any use of force. But while comparing the 2025 Iran strikes to Iraq in 2003 may be rhetorically powerful, it is analytically weak.

A better path is to situate these events within Trump’s broader political style.

He acts unilaterally and with near-complete impunity, disregarding traditional constraints and operating outside established norms and oversight.

This is just as true for attacks on foreign adversaries as it is for the domestic policy arena.

For example, Trump recently empowered agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to operate with sweeping discretion in immigration enforcement, bypassing legal and judicial oversight.

Trump also uses policy as spectacle, designed to send shockwaves through the domestic or foreign arenas and project dominance to both friend and foe.

In this way, Trump’s dramatic attacks on Iran have some parallels to his unilateral imposition of tariffs on international trade. Both are abrupt, disruptive and framed as a demonstration of strength rather than a way to create a mutually beneficial solution.

Finally, Trump is more than willing to use force as an instrument of power rather than as a last resort. This is just as true for Iran as it is for the US people.

The recent deployment of US Marines to quell protests in Los Angeles reveals a similar impulse: military intervention as a first instinct in the absence of a broader strategy to foster peace.

To truly understand and respond to Trump’s Iran strikes, we need to move beyond sensationalist analogies and recognise a more dangerous reality. This is not the start of another Iraq; it’s the continuation of a presidency defined by impulsive power, unchecked force and a growing disdain for democratic constraint.

Benjamin Isakhan receives funding from the Australian Research Council and the Australian Department of Defence. The views expressed in this article do not reflect those of Government policy.

– ref. Hauntingly familiar? Why comparing the US strikes on Iran to Iraq in 2003 is off target – https://theconversation.com/hauntingly-familiar-why-comparing-the-us-strikes-on-iran-to-iraq-in-2003-is-off-target-259668

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

June 24, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Iran’s internet blackout left people in the dark. How does a country shut down the internet?

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mohiuddin Ahmed, Senior Lecturer of Computing and Security, Edith Cowan University

Dylan Carr/Unsplash

In recent days, Iranians experienced a near-complete internet blackout, with local service providers – including mobile services – repeatedly going offline. Iran’s government has cited cyber security concerns for ordering the shutdown.

Shutting off the internet within an entire country is a serious action. It severely limits people’s ability to freely communicate and to find reliable information during times of conflict.

In countries that have privatised mobile and internet providers, control is often exercised through legislation or through government directives – such as age restrictions on adult content. By contrast, Iran has spent years developing the capacity to directly control its telecommunications infrastructure.

So how can a country have broad control over internet access, and could this happen anywhere in the world?

How does ‘blocking the internet’ work?

The “internet” is a broad term. It covers many types of applications, services and, of course, the websites we’re familiar with.

There’s a range of ways to control access to internet services, but broadly speaking, there are two “simple” methods a nation could use to block citizens’ internet access.

Hardware

A nation may opt to physically disconnect the incoming internet connectivity at the point of entry to the country (imagine pulling the plug on a telephone exchange).

This allows for easy recovery of service when the government is ready, but the impact will be far-reaching. Nobody in the country, including the government itself, will be able to connect to the internet – unless the government has its own additional, covert connectivity to the rest of the world.

Read more:
Undersea cables are the unseen backbone of the global internet

Software and configuration

This is where it gets more technical. Every internet-connected endpoint – laptop, computer, mobile phone – has an IP (internet protocol) address. They’re strings of numbers; for example, 77.237.87.95 is an address assigned to one of the internet service providers in Iran.

IP addresses identify the device on the public internet. However, since strings of numbers are not easy to remember, humans use domain names to connect to services – theconversation.com is an example of a domain name.

That connection between the IP address and the domain is controlled by the domain name system or DNS. It’s possible for a government to control access to key internet services by modifying the DNS – this manipulates the connection between domain names and their underlying numeric addresses.

An additional way to control the internet involves manipulating the traffic flow. IP addresses allow devices to send and receive data across networks controlled by internet service providers. In turn, they rely on the border gateway protocol (BGP) – think of it like a series of traffic signs which direct internet traffic flow, allowing data to move around the world.

Governments could force local internet service providers to remove their BGP routes from the internet. As a result, the devices they service wouldn’t be able to connect to the internet. In the same manner, the rest of the world would no longer be able to “see” into the country.

Read more:
Internet shutdowns: here’s how governments do it

How common is this?

In dozens of countries around the world, the internet is either routinely controlled or has been shut down in response to major incidents.

A recent example is a wide-scale internet blackout in Bangladesh in July 2024 during student-led protests against government job quotas.

In 2023, Senegal limited internet access to handle violent protests that erupted over the sentencing of a political leader. In 2020, India imposed a lengthy internet blackout on the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir. In 2011, the Egyptian government withdrew BGP routes to address civil unrest.

These events clearly show that if a government anywhere in the world wants to turn off the internet, it really can. The democratic state of the country is the most significant influence on the willingness to undertake such action – not the technical capability.

However, in today’s world, being disconnected from the internet will heavily impact people’s lives, jobs and the economy. It’s not an action to be taken lightly.

How can people evade internet controls?

Virtual private networks or VPNs have long been used to hide communications in countries with strict internet controls, and continue to be an effective internet access method for many people. (However, there are indications Iran has clamped down on VPN use in recent times.)

However, VPNs won’t help when the internet is physically disconnected. Depending on configuration, if BGP routes are blocked, this may also prevent any VPN traffic from reaching the target.

This is where independent satellite internet services open up the most reliable alternative. Satellite internet is great for remote and rural areas where traditional internet service providers have yet to establish their cabling infrastructure – or can’t do so.

Even if traditional wired or wireless internet connections are unavailable, services such as Starlink, Viasat, Hughesnet and others can provide internet access through satellites orbiting Earth.

To use satellite internet, users rely on antenna kits supplied by providers. In Iran, Elon Musk’s Starlink was activated during the blackout, and independent reports suggest there are thousands of Starlink receivers secretly operating in the country.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Iran’s internet blackout left people in the dark. How does a country shut down the internet? – https://theconversation.com/irans-internet-blackout-left-people-in-the-dark-how-does-a-country-shut-down-the-internet-259546

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

June 24, 2025
Iran Launches Missile Strike on US Base in Qatar as the West Asian Conflict Spreads

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Iran launched ballistic missile attacks on Monday against the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which hosts US and allied forces, in what Tehran described as retaliation for recent American bombing of its nuclear facilities. The primary target was Al Udeid, the largest US military installation in West Asia, located southwest of Doha, there are also reports indicating that Iran has targeted the Ain al-Assad base in Iraq. Qatari and US officials reported no casualties from the attacks, as Qatar stated the base had been evacuated earlier as a precautionary measure due to rising regional tensions and its air defense systems successfully intercepted the incoming missiles.

A US defense official confirmed that Al Udeid Air Base was attacked by short-range and medium-range ballistic missiles originating from Iran, stating that there were no reports of US casualties at the time. The attack occurred hours after Qatar closed its airspace and the US Embassy directed American nationals to shelter in place. Observers witnessed a battle between interceptors and incoming ballistic missiles in the sky over Qatar.

The missile attack, however, has triggered strong condemnation across West Asia and beyond. Countries including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Yemen, and the Palestinian Authority have all denounced Iran’s strike on the Qatari-based facility.

Qatar’s Ministry of Interior has assured residents that the security situation remains stable and under control.

Amid the escalating tensions, the US State Department has issued an updated travel advisory for Kuwait, citing the volatile regional situation. The advisory comes in the wake of the broader Israel-Iran conflict, with the US Embassy in Kuwait urging increased vigilance and implementing temporary access restrictions to key American military installations, including Camp Arifjan, Camp Buehring, Ali Al Salem Air Base, and Camp Patriot. These facilities are now accessible only to essential personnel, reflecting growing concerns about the potential expansion of the conflict in this strategically significant region.

The crisis has also sent shockwaves through the aviation industry. Air India has announced the immediate suspension of all operations to West Asia. In a coordinated move, the UAE has joined Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait in closing its airspace as a precautionary measure.

In response to the developments, the Indian Embassy in Qatar has issued an advisory urging members of the Indian diaspora to stay indoors, remain calm, and closely follow updates from Qatari authorities.

June 24, 2025
MIL-OSI China: China maps new healthcare blueprint for world

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

How can people in remote and underdeveloped areas access advanced healthcare services? Can tailored medical solutions meet their unique needs? China, with such questions in mind, is boosting technological advancements to map a healthcare blueprint that benefits the world.

Jotham Kimondo, a 35-year-old doctoral student from Tanzania, is currently studying at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China in Chengdu, capital of southwest China’s Sichuan Province.

Under the supervision of Wu Zhe, a professor at the university and director of the Chengdu Tianfu Jincheng Frontier Medical Equipment Research Institute, Kimondo is focusing on the design of ultrasonic medical devices.

As a faculty member in Tanzania, Kimondo aims to learn ultrasonic instrument design and manufacturing in China to benefit his home country.

“My research involves innovative design of ultrasonic medical instruments to monitor the pathological changes of human tissues, which is an important indication of disease. Women in Tanzania still rely on traditional methods like physician’s palpation to check for lumps in the mammary examination. This approach greatly depends on physicians’ individual experience and is not always accurate. And some women are not willing to do breast examinations,” said Kimondo.

Kimondo added that many diseases still plague the people of Tanzania. “I want to improve healthcare in Tanzania, helping people to maintain health. If we develop more innovative ultrasonic medical equipment together in the future, it would be highly beneficial for early screening of breast diseases and other illnesses in Tanzania, especially after those devices become more convenient and cheaper, and can be better promoted across African countries.”

At the Tianfu Jincheng Lab City of Future Medicine, over 53 registered companies related to frontier medicine have been attracted to explore the cutting edge of future medical innovation and integrated medicine.

Recently, at the Remote Ultrasound Center of the Tianfu Jincheng institute, a doctor was talking online with another doctor at the Ultrasound Department of Chengdu Eastern New Area Second People’s Hospital, guiding the use of a portable ultrasound device on a patient’s carotid artery.

Real-time imaging and relevant data of the ultrasound inspection were displayed on a shared screen, allowing the two doctors to communicate directly, discuss pathological conditions and give professional diagnostic results.

“Traditional high-end ultrasound machines are expensive, costing millions. Rural residents in China’s western regions often need to seek ultrasound examinations in higher-level county hospitals,” Wu explained.

“Our research efforts aim to enable portable ultrasound devices to be widely used in rural areas of western China for early disease screening and chronic disease management. Compared to high-end ultrasound machines, our portable device significantly lowers costs. Additionally, it is simpler and more convenient to use in grassroots hospitals,” Wu added.

Use of this portable ultrasound device, which is the size of a smartphone, has already been implemented in over 10 health centers in eastern Chengdu — providing free carotid and thyroid screenings to more than 2,000 residents.

With the continuous improvement of China’s industrial design and manufacturing capabilities and medical research levels, innovation in the development of medical devices is soaring. The growing recognition of Chinese medical devices in overseas markets is resulting in increasing international orders, encouraging more Chinese medical companies to go global.

In the City of Future Medicine, an industrial park, workers at Chengdu Seamaty Technology Co., Ltd. are packing biochemical analysis reagents. This batch of goods is set to be shipped globally from Chengdu.

This “Little Giant” firm, which refers to novel and elite small and medium-sized enterprises that specialize in a niche market, boast cutting-edge technologies and show great potential, focuses on the research and production of point-of-care testing (POCT) medical devices, and has already sold its medical products to more than 150 countries and regions worldwide.

In its quality inspection center, hundreds of fully automated biochemical analyzers undergo pre-shipment quality checks.

“This shipment of instruments will be sent to Europe. Last year, our company’s total sales reached 320 million yuan (about 44.6 million U.S. dollars), and in the first five months of this year, our international business has increased by 59 percent compared to the same period last year,” said Wang Bin, deputy general manager of the company, highlighting that the growth in overseas orders reflects an increasing acceptance of Chinese medical device manufacturing products in international markets.

Innovative technologies such as 3D printing, organ-on-chip systems, nanorobots and brain-computer interfaces are advancing the scientific research applications of medical devices in China, presenting a future-oriented medical landscape.

At Chengdu Tianqi Additive Intelligent Manufacturing Co., Ltd., personalized patient-matched medical solutions are being precisely created with 3D printing technology. It uses computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) modeling, and a layer-by-layer printing process, to turn virtual designs into physical products, making the envisioned design a tangible reality.

In a modern manufacturing workshop, dozens of industrial printers operate in an orderly manner, with a laser engraver precisely etching patterns in titanium alloy powder to an accuracy of 0.01 millimeters.

Within just a few hours, products such as patient-matched maxillofacial bone plates are printed. This seemingly ordinary industrial scene reflects significant advancements that China has made in the realm of precision medical manufacturing.

Compared to the handmade bending of bone plates in the past, 3D printing offers a more precise, convenient, safe and stable way to create customized products.

“We are currently conducting custom production for a case in Singapore. Engineers input patient data transmitted from the hospital into the system, and the AI algorithms aid designers in creating personalized data models for patient facial reconstruction, which are then integrally formed via metal 3D printers,” Gao Bangkui, marketing director of Chengdu Tianqi Additive lntelligent Manufacturing Co., Ltd said.

Gao added that in the future, the company will prioritize serving the Middle East, Africa and Southeast Asia to meet the customized medical needs of countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

MIL OSI China News –

June 24, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: ER Report: A Roundup of Significant Articles on EveningReport.nz for June 24, 2025

ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on June 24, 2025.

Calls for New Zealand to denounce United States attack on Iran
By Lillian Hanly, RNZ News political reporter Prominent lawyers are joining opposition parties as they call for the New Zealand government to denounce the United States attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. Iranian New Zealander and lawyer Arman Askarany said the New Zealand government was showing “indifference”. It comes as acting Prime Minister David Seymour told

Warm-ups, layered clothes, recovery: 4 tips to exercise safely in the cold
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Harry Banyard, Senior Lecturer in Exercise and Sports Science, Swinburne University of Technology Maridav/Shutterstock Temperatures have dropped in many parts of Australia which means runners, cyclists, rowers, hikers, or anyone physically active outside need to take extra precautions to stay safe and exercise in relative comfort. Cold

Sharks freeze when you turn them upside down – and there’s no good reason why
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jodie L. Rummer, Professor of Marine Biology, James Cook University Rachel Moore Imagine watching your favourite nature documentary. The predator lunges rapidly from its hiding place, jaws wide open, and the prey … suddenly goes limp. It looks dead. For some animals, this freeze response – called

Drone footage captured orcas crafting tools out of kelp – and using them for grooming
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vanessa Pirotta, Postdoctoral Researcher and Wildlife Scientist, Macquarie University Sara Jenkins/500px/Getty The more we learn about orcas, the more remarkable they are. These giant dolphins are the ocean’s true apex predator, preying on great white sharks and other lesser predators. They’re very intelligent and highly social. Their

Inaccurate and misogynistic: why we need to make the term ‘hysterectomy’ history
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Theresa Larkin, Associate Professor of Medical Sciences, University of Wollongong Panuwat Dangsungnoen/Getty Images Have you had a tonsillectomy (your tonsils taken out), appendectomy (your appendix removed) or lumpectomy (removal of a lump from your breast)? The suffix “ectomy” denotes surgical removal of the named body part, so

More women are using medical cannabis – but new research shows barriers push some into illegal markets
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vinuli Withanarachchie, PhD candidate, College of Health, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Getty Images The number of women using medicinal cannabis is growing in New Zealand and overseas. They use cannabis treatment for general conditions such as pain, anxiety, inflammation and nausea, as well as

It’s time to face an uncomfortable truth: maybe our pampered pets would be better off without us
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nancy Cushing, Associate professor, University of Newcastle ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images Pet-keeping is often promoted for the benefits it brings humans. A close association with another animal can provide us with a sense of purpose and a daily dose of joy. It can aid our health,

Work, wages and apprenticeships: sifting for clues about the lives of girls in ancient Egypt
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julia Hamilton, Lecturer in History and Archaeology, Macquarie University Weavers in the Tomb of Khnumhotep II, Beni Hassan, Egypt. Painted by Norman de Garis Davies (MMA 33.8.16) We know surprisingly little about the lives of children in ancient Egypt. And what records we do have about them

Archetyp was one of the dark web’s biggest drug markets. A global sting has shut it down
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elena Morgenthaler, PhD Candidate, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University Operation Deep Sentinel Last week, one of the dark web’s most prominent drug marketplaces – Archetyp – was shut down in an international, multi-agency law enforcement operation following years of investigations. It was touted as

How do sleep trackers work, and are they worth it? A sleep scientist breaks it down
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dean J. Miller, Senior Lecturer, Appleton Institute, HealthWise Research Group, CQUniversity Australia Many smartwatches, fitness and wellness trackers now offer sleep tracking among their many functions. Wear your watch or ring to bed, and you’ll wake up to a detailed sleep report telling you not just how

‘It feels like I am being forced to harm a child’: research shows how teachers are suffering moral injury
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Glenys Oberg, PhD candidate in education and trauma, The University of Queensland SolStock/Getty Images Australia is in the grip of a teacher shortage. Teachers are burning out, warning the job is no longer sustainable and leaving the profession. We know this is due to excessive workloads, stress

NZ Greens call on state to condemn US over ‘dangerous’ attack on Iran
Asia Pacific Report New Zealand’s opposition Green Party has called on the government to condemn the United States for its illegal bombing of Iran and inflaming tensions across the Middle East. “The actions of the United States pose a fundamental threat to world peace,” said Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson in a statement. “The rest

View from the Hill: Albanese supports US bombing, reluctantly
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra When Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Foreign Minister Penny Wong went out on Monday to back the United States attack on Iran, it was obvious their support was through gritted teeth. Albanese told their joint news conference: “The world has

Woodside’s North West Shelf gas extension is being challenged in the courts. Could it be stopped?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Samantha Hepburn, Professor, Deakin Law School, Deakin University The controversial extension of Woodside’s North West Shelf gas project off Western Australia faces two legal challenges. Both raise significant concerns about the validity of government approvals. One could even seek an injunction, preventing federal environment minister Murray Watt

Australian CEOs are still getting their bonuses. Performance doesn’t seem to matter so much
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Richard Denniss, Adjunct Professor, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National University RomanR/Shutterstock Almost all of Australia’s top chief executives are, according to their boards at least, knocking it out of the park in terms of performance. That is despite sluggish productivity, persistently high carbon emissions, rising

Strait of Hormuz: closing vital oil and gas route would disrupt global supplies. How will Australia be affected?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sanjoy Paul, Associate Professor in Operations and Supply Chain Management, UTS Business School, University of Technology Sydney Below the Sky/Shutterstock The Iranian parliament has approved the closure of key shipping route the Strait of Hormuz, in a move that could further escalate the Israel/Iran war. The strait

MIT researchers say using ChatGPT can rot your brain. The truth is a little more complicated
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vitomir Kovanovic, Associate Professor and Associate Director of the Centre for Change and Complexity in Learning (C3L), Education Futures, University of South Australia Rroselavy / Shutterstock Since ChatGPT appeared almost three years ago, the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies on learning has been widely debated. Are

Why the US strikes on Iran are illegal and can set a troubling precedent
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Donald Rothwell, Professor of International Law, Australian National University After the United States bombed Iran’s three nuclear facilities on Sunday, US President Donald Trump said its objective was a “stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s number one state sponsor of terror”. US Defence Secretary

How do I get started in the gym lifting weights?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mandy Hagstrom, Senior Lecturer, Exercise Physiology. School of Health Sciences, UNSW Sydney Thomas Barwick/Getty So you’ve never been to a gym and are keen to start, but something’s holding you back. Perhaps you don’t know what to actually do in there or feel like you’ll just look

NZ’s plan to ‘welcome anyone, from anywhere, anytime’ is not a sustainable tourism policy
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Regina Scheyvens, Professor of Development Studies, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa – Massey University Getty Images Attracting more Chinese tourists to New Zealand, including during the off-season, was a major part of Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s trade agenda during his visit to China last week. As Tourism Minister

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

June 24, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Ministerial statement on the Middle East
Source: New Zealand Government

Mr Speaker,

The situation in the Middle East is of the gravest concern.

No New Zealanders want to wake up to news of more bombing, more strife and more misery. Yet, tragically, for the last two years, that is what we have seen: a relentless and remorseless series of events which have greatly destabilised the region and gravely harmed its people and their sense of security and prosperity.

New Zealanders are scattered across every part of the world – and so of course our minds turn in the current crisis to our people in harm’s way. Ensuring their safety is an absolute priority of this Government.

New Zealand is a very long way from the Middle East. Unlike our own region, the Pacific, New Zealand’s influence in the Middle East and our ability to affect the trajectory of events is modest. Nevertheless, this Government, continuing New Zealand’s long tradition as a responsible international citizen, has pursued an active foreign policy based on engagement with all – via an intensive programme of Prime Ministerial and Ministerial travel.

We have sought to understand the perspectives of all involved in the Middle East crisis – and to present a clear New Zealand position. That’s why we travelled to Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia; why we’ve met and discussed these issues with Israel, Iran, the Palestinians, the Gulf states, the Europeans, Australia, the United States, our Asian partners, and many others. And that’s why we have resisted the pressure from some to expel from New Zealand the Ambassadors of some Middle Eastern countries. We prefer diplomacy to moral outrage.

Indeed, ours is a foreign policy of collecting all the facts, hearing all the perspectives, and applying a careful, reasonable, cool-headed approach to the situation – not kneejerk reaction and simplistic moral posturing.

The New Zealand Government’s response to what is happening in the Middle East should be guided by two questions:
- how can we act to get our people out of harm’s way?; and
- how can we best contribute to an international debate which helps push the situation towards de-escalation and peace not further disintegration and despair?
Our first priority is the safety of New Zealanders. Our advice to New Zealanders in Iran and Israel remains to leave if and when they can find a safe route. The Government is committed to supporting New Zealanders caught up in this crisis. Since the beginning of the conflict, MFAT has provided 24/7 consular support to New Zealanders in Israel and Iran, and to their families back home in New Zealand. It will continue to do so.

As we announced on Sunday, we have sent a C-130 aircraft to ensure that we have the resource available to aid in evacuations from the region for those that want to leave. We are also in discussions with commercial airlines to see if they can help. We encourage all New Zealanders in the region to make sure they register with SafeTravel so we can have an accurate picture of who may need assistance and where. We are also monitoring carefully the economic impacts back home of what is happening in the Middle East.

We note, and welcome, positive signals in the last few hours about a potential ceasefire. New Zealand strongly supports all efforts toward diplomacy. We urge all parties to return to talks. An enduring solution depends on de-escalation and diplomacy.

As we have repeatedly said, the Middle East is not a situation of black and white; of good and evil; of just one bad actor. Those in this House who rush to condemn or call out one actor or other – or who demand that the Government do the same – should pause to reflect on whether they are seeking to understand and influence what is going on, or simply virtue-signal about it.

New Zealand has consistently called for peaceful resolution of this latest conflict. Diplomacy must always be the first resort, not the last. We have been clear to all our partners, and to all parties to the conflict, that military action must end and parties must return to the negotiating table to find a lasting resolution.

New Zealand has a long, proud history of standing up against nuclear weapons. Our concerns about Iran’s aspirations for nuclear weapons are longstanding. Iran has a proven pattern of non-compliance with its nuclear non-proliferation obligations. And Iran has made threats against other countries in the volatile Middle East.

We end this statement by noting what New Zealand is looking for in the Middle East, and what we oppose.

We want de-escalation and dialogue. We want a two-state solution, with Israelis and Palestinians living in security and peace side-by-side. We want humanitarian aid to get to those who need it. Ultimately, we want peace.

And what we do not want is New Zealanders in harm’s way. We do not want ever escalating rounds of military action. We do not want a nuclear Iran. We do not want Hamas holding hostages and terrorising Palestinian and Israeli civilians alike. And we do not want Israel occupying Palestinian land.

And, ultimately, we do not want another generation of young people in the Middle East, scarred by conflict, replicating the enmities of today and yesterday. This cycle of conflict, now generations old, must end.

Mr Speaker, the Middle East is a long way away from New Zealand and our influence is limited. But the Government is committed to doing all we can to help New Zealanders affected and to help contribute to de-escalation and diplomacy.

Thank you.

MIL OSI New Zealand News –
June 24, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Damascus church attack sparks regional condemnation over terrorism, escalation

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

People attend a memorial ceremony at the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, Syria, on June 23, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Countries in the Middle East have strongly condemned a suicide bombing Sunday evening at a church in the Syrian capital Damascus, decrying it as an act of terrorism and warning of its potential to inflame regional tensions.

The blast, which struck during prayers, killed at least 25 people and wounded over 60 others. Syria’s interior authorities on Monday said they had arrested several suspects involved in the attack, claiming they were affiliated with the Islamic State group, which has not yet claimed responsibility.

In a statement, the Arab League (AL) denounced “the unprecedented terrorist attack,” voicing concerns that the latest development would endanger the security and stability in Syria.

The AL reaffirmed solidarity with the Syrian interim government and its people, adding that it backs the peaceful transitional path that will maintain the Syrian people’s rights and achieve their ambitions for stability and development.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry also strongly condemned the attack, reiterating its firm rejection of all forms of violence, terrorism, and extremism.

In an official statement, the ministry emphasized the urgent need to intensify both regional and international efforts to eradicate terrorism and counter criminal acts aimed at undermining security and stability.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan denounced the assault on the Damascus church as a “despicable” act that threatens regional stability. In a statement posted on social media platform X, Erdogan extended his condolences to the victims’ families, the Syrian interim authorities, and the Syrian people.

He stressed that Türkiye would not allow Syria “to be dragged into a new environment of instability by proxy terrorist groups,” reaffirming his country’s solidarity with its neighbor in the ongoing fight against terrorism.

In a statement released by the state-run National News Agency, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam strongly condemned the “heinous terrorist suicide bombing” as a “despicable criminal act” aimed at destabilizing Syria.

He reaffirmed the Lebanese government’s full solidarity with Syria in its efforts to maintain security and stability, expressing Lebanon’s readiness to coordinate on all fronts to strengthen security and combat terrorism.

MIL OSI China News –

June 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: House Passes Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson’s Sanctioning Sea Pirates Act to Protect Global Commerce and U.S. Security

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jonathan Jackson – Illinois (1st District)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01) announced the passage of H.R. 1998, the Sanctioning Sea Pirates Act, landmark legislation to combat the rising threat of piracy in critical global shipping lanes and safeguard the economic and national security interests of the United States.

“Over the last few years, we have seen how fragile global supply chains can be and how disruptions in key maritime routes can lead to shortages and inflation here at home,” said Congressman Jackson. “More than 30% of global container trade passes through the Red Sea. When pirates and terrorists threaten these waters, American consumers and businesses feel the impact in the form of higher prices and delayed goods.”

The Sanctioning Sea Pirates Act imposes targeted sanctions on individuals and entities engaged in piracy worldwide, including asset freezes and denial of entry into the United States. The legislation comes in response to a surge in attacks by both Houthi militants and Somali pirates in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, which have reached levels unseen in a decade.

“As an international leader in trade and security, the United States must act decisively to stop piracy and secure global waterways for the safety of ships, crew members, and the critical supply chains that support our economy,” Jackson continued. “This bill is also a necessary step to support the development and stability of African economies, particularly Somalia, which has been plagued by piracy and its devastating effects.”

Piracy is often linked to terrorism and organized crime, posing a broader threat to international security and the global maritime order. The Sanctioning Sea Pirates Act reaffirms the United States’ commitment to global economic stability, the rule of law, and the safety of seafarers worldwide.

“Attacks on maritime shipping endanger innocent lives, destabilize local communities in Yemen and the Horn of Africa, and raise the cost of everyday goods for hardworking American families,” said Jackson. “By imposing stiff sanctions, this bill will help suppress the destabilizing threat posed by pirates and take a step toward greater stability and safety for both the United States and East Africa.”

Congressman Jackson thanks his colleagues in the House for passing this critical legislation and joining him in the fight to protect global commerce and advance international security.

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MIL OSI USA News –

June 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Canada: Joint Statement on the Visit to Ottawa of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates

Source: Government of Canada News

Ottawa, June 23, 2025

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, hosted His Highness, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), for a visit to Canada from June 19 to 20, 2025. The visit reaffirmed the shared commitment of Canada and the UAE to deepen bilateral cooperation across trade, investment, innovation, people-to-people ties, international development, and regional peace and security.

During the visit, His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the UAE, met with the Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada. The two sides discussed the growing ties between Canada and the UAE. On behalf of HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, HH Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan extended to Prime Minister Carney an invitation to visit the UAE this year.

Canada and the UAE will continue to deepen their bilateral relationship by exploring new opportunities for cooperation, with particular emphasis on economic ties. Both countries welcomed the launch of the Dubai Chambers office in Toronto—the organization’s first in North America—which will serve as a strategic platform to foster deeper commercial ties. The Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Canada’s Minister of International Trade, attended the launch of the International Dubai Chambers alongside His Excellency Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansoori, the UAE Foreign Minister’s Envoy to Canada. The new office comes as part of the Dubai Global initiative and deepening economic ties with Canada. This opening reflects a shared ambition to unlock new opportunities for collaboration in priority sectors, including artificial intelligence, energy and infrastructure, and underscores Canada’s important role in the UAE’s global trade and investment strategy.

Both countries also recognized the important role of the Canada-UAE Business Council in bringing together business leaders from both countries to develop actionable business opportunities and advance national economic objectives. Building on the strong foundation of institutional partnerships—exemplified by the global collaboration between Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and DP World across 15 ports and logistics parks—both countries expressed their intent to pursue new avenues for strategic investment and long-term economic engagement. Canada and the UAE reiterated their commitment to the swift conclusion of the ongoing negotiations for a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA).

The Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Canada’s Minister of International Trade, and His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, co-led a business round table on June 19, 2025, organized by the Canada-UAE Business Council.

Artificial Intelligence, Emerging Technologies, and Digital Innovation: Recognizing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI), both countries reaffirmed their interest in exploring collaboration in this critical domain. Canada, home to one of the world’s most dynamic AI ecosystems, recently appointed its first Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, reflecting a renewed national commitment to responsible AI leadership. The UAE, a global leader in AI and the first to appoint a Minister of State for AI, has articulated a dedicated foreign policy position on AI, emphasizing principles of international cooperation, sustainable development and responsible governance. In this regard, the UAE continues to invest in talent development, infrastructure and technology-access frameworks.

The Ministers welcomed ongoing dialogue between institutions and stakeholders to explore cooperation in AI and emerging technology research, commercialization, and responsible deployment. Both sides emphasized the importance of inclusive, secure, responsible, and sustainable AI development that supports innovation and economic growth.

Water: Both countries recognized that water lies at the core of climate action, affirming their shared commitment to addressing global water challenges. Both sides underscored the need to strengthen international cooperation, highlighting the upcoming 2026 UN Water Conference, to be co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal, as a key opportunity to advance global water efforts. They also stressed the importance of investing in water technology and innovation to scale up water-scarcity solutions, as exemplified by the UAE’s launch of the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative in early 2024.

Energy and Natural Resources: Canada and the UAE reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing energy security and accelerating a just transition to a low-carbon economy. The UAE’s growing investment footprint in Canada demonstrates the strong commercial foundation for future cooperation. Canada welcomed the UAE’s interest in formalizing energy collaboration. Canada recognized the UAE’s pioneering efforts in the energy sphere and welcomed the UAE’s interest in promoting greater energy collaboration on an international level. Canada also expressed support for continued dialogue on joint initiatives in decarbonization, liquified natural gas, nuclear, hydrogen, and critical mineral value chains. In this context, Canada and the UAE highlighted their dedication to build on their current ties in the fields of energy and critical energy-transition minerals, while including a focus on promoting investment opportunities and enhancing mutual investment attraction.

International Peace and Security: Canada and the UAE reiterated their shared commitment to promoting peace, stability, and inclusive prosperity across the Middle East and beyond. Both countries emphasized the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement, humanitarian leadership, and multilateral cooperation in addressing geopolitical challenges. They unequivocally condemned all acts of terrorism. They reaffirmed the importance of maintaining and promoting peace and coexistence and their rejection of intolerance, hate speech, discrimination and all forms of extremism.

Canada and the UAE also restated that the principles of dialogue, adherence to international law, and respect for state sovereignty are essential to resolving the conflict between Israel and Iran. Both sides stressed the need for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza; the release of all remaining hostages; and the urgent, sustainable, unhindered, at-scale flow of aid to address the appalling humanitarian catastrophe. Canada and the UAE also underscored the importance of sustained efforts to advance a serious political horizon toward the two-state solution. The Ministers reaffirmed the urgent need for de-escalation and urged all parties to refrain from actions that further destabilize the region. Both sides reasserted that diplomatic engagement remains essential to ensuring long-term regional stability and international security.

Joint Committee for Cooperation: Both countries are actively using the Joint Committee for Cooperation (JC) as a strategic platform to drive forward a deeper, more institutionalized partnership. Through regular, high-level dialogue, the JC is advancing collaboration in priority areas such as trade and investment, defence and security, and climate and energy. Canada will host the next Ministerial meeting, reinforcing the shared commitment to sustained, results-driven engagement.

International Development Cooperation: Canada and the UAE reaffirmed their mutual determination to address pressing global development and humanitarian challenges. Canada welcomed the UAE’s role as a global development and humanitarian partner. Recognizing the unprecedented scale and severity of humanitarian crises around the world, Canada and the UAE reaffirmed their shared commitment to cooperate closely in delivering assistance and empowering communities. Both countries underscored the importance of this partnership, and committed to leveraging their complementary strengths, particularly during a time of intensifying conflicts around the world.

Canada commended the UAE’s global leadership in humanitarian and mediation efforts, including in Gaza, where the UAE has emerged as the largest bilateral aid donor, and in Ukraine, where the UAE has facilitated 15 prisoner-of-war exchanges, consistent with Canada’s ongoing efforts to address the human dimension of the war. These efforts underscore a shared commitment to upholding international humanitarian law and fostering dialogue in times of conflict. Both sides emphasized the importance of pursuing durable and just solutions grounded in international law and inclusive political processes. They expressed their mutual intent to continue working together on their shared goals of advancing stability and development, promoting tolerance and coexistence, protecting human dignity, and addressing hate speech, discrimination and all forms of extremism.

People to People: Canada and the UAE celebrated their deepening people-to-people ties, which serve as a cornerstone of the growing bilateral partnership. Canada welcomed the increasing number of Emirati students in Canadian higher education institutions, reflecting mutual recognition of academic excellence. The UAE acknowledged the valuable contributions of the more than 60,000 Canadians living and working in the Emirates, who continue to enrich the diversity, innovation and vibrancy of UAE society.

The two countries also stressed their shared commitment to cultural exchange and intercultural dialogue to foster mutual understanding and respect. Both sides recognize the landmark presentation of the “As the Sun Appears from Beyond” exhibition, which celebrates the richness and diversity of contemporary Islamic art, and recently showcased in Toronto through a partnership between the Aga Khan Museum and the UAE Ministry of Culture.

Conclusion: The two sides reaffirmed their strong and growing relationship, rooted in mutual respect, shared objectives, and a common vision for sustainable prosperity and global stability. The visit marked a significant step forward in the Canada-UAE relationship. Both countries are committed to maintaining high-level engagement, concluding further mutually beneficial instruments, and building a durable, forward-looking partnership that delivers tangible benefits for their peoples and contributes to global peace and prosperity.

MIL OSI Canada News –

June 24, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Kirsty Coventry takes over IOC presidency

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

Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry took over the presidency of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from Thomas Bach on Monday during a handover ceremony at the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland.

IOC President Kirsty Coventry (L) receives the key from outgoing IOC President Thomas Bach during a president handover ceremony at Olympic House in Lausanne, Switzerland, June 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Lian Yi)

The 41-year-old former Olympic swimming champion, now the IOC’s 10th president, is the first woman and the first African to lead the global sports body in its 131-year history.

Outgoing President Bach paid tribute to IOC founder Pierre de Coubertin during the ceremony.

“Today is a day of gratitude. Today is a day of confidence. Today is a day of joy,” said Bach.

“There are many emotions I feel in this moment – but most of all, I feel gratitude. Gratitude, above all, to our beloved founder Pierre de Coubertin – whose body rests just a stone’s throw from here, and whose heart lies in ancient Olympia. To him we owe everything.”

Bach added: “I am sure, he is watching us today from his Olympic heights, with that familiar smile, and that he feels content to see his – our – Olympic Movement flourishing, true to his vision and more relevant than ever.”

MIL OSI China News –

June 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Turkish President Meets Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Source: Government of Qatar

Istanbul, June 21, 2025

HE President of the sisterly Republic of Turkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Saturday with HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, on the sidelines of the 51st Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), which is taking place in Istanbul, Turkiye.

At the outset of the meeting, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs conveyed the greetings of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to HE the President of the Republic of Turkiye and His Highness’ wishes of good health and happiness to His Excellency and continued progress and prosperity for the Turkish people.

For his part, HE the President of the Republic of Turkiye entrusted HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs with his greetings to HH the Amir, wishing His Highness good health and happiness, and further development and growth for the Qatari people.

The meeting discussed bilateral cooperation relations and ways to support and enhance them, as well as the latest developments in the region, particularly in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, the continued Israeli aggression on the territories of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in addition to a number of issues of mutual concern.

MIL OSI Africa –

June 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson: Advisory from a number of embassies to their citizens do not reflect the existence of specific threats

Source: Government of Qatar

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson: Advisory from a number of embassies to their citizens do not reflect the existence of specific threats

Doha – June 23

Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Minister and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, indicated that the advisory issued by a number of embassies to their citizens to take precautions or avoid certain locations in the State of Qatar are part of the general policies followed by a number of countries regarding travel advisories and security updates for their citizens around the world, and do not necessarily reflect the existence of specific threats.

In a statement to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr Al-Ansari stressed that the security situation in the country is stable, and that the relevant authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety of citizens, residents, and visitors, and that they will keep the public informed of any developments that require alerts or action, emphasizing the need to obtain information from official sources.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson added that the State of Qatar continues to make active diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region and maintain regional security and stability by engaging with key stakeholders and regional and international partners.

MIL OSI Africa –

June 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Advisor to Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Qatar Strongly Condemns Attack That Targeted Al-Udeid Air Base

Source: Government of Qatar

Advisor to Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Qatar Strongly Condemns Attack That Targeted Al-Udeid Air Base

Doha, June 23

Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari expressed the State of Qatar’s strong condemnation of the attack that targeted Al-Udeid Air Base by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, and considered this a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the State of Qatar, its airspace, international law, and the United Nations Charter. He affirmed that Qatar reserves the right to respond directly in a manner equivalent with the nature and scale of this brazen aggression, in line with international law.

In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA), Dr Al Ansari reassured that Qatar’s air defenses successfully thwarted the attack and intercepted the Iranian missiles.

The Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also emphasized that the continuation of such escalatory military actions will undermine security and stability in the region, dragging it into situations that could have catastrophic consequences for international peace and security, calling for the immediate cessation of all military actions and for a serious return to the negotiating table and dialogue.

Dr Al Ansari said the State of Qatar was one of the first countries to warn against the dangers of Israeli escalation in the region, and have consistently called for diplomatic solutions to be prioritized and have stressed the importance of good-neighborliness and avoiding escalation, reaffirming that dialogue is the only way to overcome the current crises and ensure the security of the region and the peace of its people.

The Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that the base had been evacuated earlier, following established security and precautionary measures, given the tensions in the region. All necessary steps were taken to ensure the safety of personnel at the base, including Qatari Armed Forces members, friendly forces, and others, while confirming that no injuries or human casualties resulted from the attack.

MIL OSI Africa –

June 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Receives Phone Call from Hungarian Foreign and Trade Minister

Source: Government of Qatar

Doha, June 24, 2025

HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi received a phone call on Monday from HE Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Hungary Peter Szijjarto.

During the call, they discussed cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to support and strengthen them, in addition to several topics of common concern.

HE the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade affirmed the solidarity of the Hungarian people with the State of Qatar following the Iranian attack on its territory, noting that Qatar represents an important strategic ally for his country. He also commended its role in the release of three Hungarians who had been detained in Gaza.

MIL OSI Africa –

June 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: DHS Releases Statement on Major Victory for Trump Administration and the American People on Deporting Criminal Illegal Aliens to Third Countries

Source: US Department of Homeland Security

WASHINGTON – Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secured a legal victory in its efforts to remove the worst-of-the-worst illegal aliens. The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 order, staying a District Court’s order pending appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

With this decision, DHS can finally exercise its undisputed authority to deport criminal illegal aliens–who are not wanted in their home country–to third countries that have agreed to accept them. This order comes after an activist judge caused Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and the eight barbaric criminals to be stranded in Djibouti.

Attributable to Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin:

“The Supreme Court ruling is a victory for the safety and security of the American people. The Biden Administration allowed millions of illegal aliens to flood our country, and now, the Trump Administration can exercise its undisputed authority to remove these criminal illegal aliens and clean up this national security nightmare.

“If these activist judges had their way, aliens who are so uniquely barbaric that their own countries won’t take them back, including convicted murderers, child rapists and drug traffickers, would walk free on American streets.

“DHS can now execute its lawful authority and remove illegal aliens to a country willing to accept them.

“Fire up the deportation planes.”

MIL Security OSI –

June 24, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CELEBRATES HOUSE PASSAGE OF BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH TRANS-ATLANTIC SUBMARINE FIBER OPTIC CABLE

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

For Immediate Release Contact: Tionee Scotland

June 23, 2025                                                    202-808-6129

PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT CELEBRATES HOUSE PASSAGE OF BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION TO ESTABLISH TRANS-ATLANTIC SUBMARINE FIBER OPTIC CABLE

Washington, DC – This week, Congresswoman Plaskett’s (D-VI-AL) HR 1737, the “DiasporaLink Act”, passed through the House of Representatives by voice vote. The Bill, re-introduced in March with her Republican colleague Congressman Russ Fulcher (R-ID-1), requests an assessment of the value, cost, and feasibility of developing a Trans-Atlantic submarine fiber optic cable which will connect the East coast of the United States, via the United States Virgin Islands, with Nigeria and Ghana.

“I am pleased to see the passage of this legislation known as the ‘DiasporaLink Act’ through the House. This bill represents an opportunity to establish high-speed internet connection to Africa and throughout the Caribbean from American soil, which will enhance America’s national security data and communication interests in the regions. In the legislation, this TransAtlantic submarine fiber optic cable will intersect in the U.S. Virgin Islands. The DiasporaLink Act is envisioned as both a national security instrument and a digital commerce expressway to boost America’s global, political, economic, and military advantages and influences. This act will ensure the region is not forgotten as it confronts increasing regional political instability and transnational criminal activity,” stated Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett.

“Thank you to Congressman Fulcher for his continued support of this legislation as well as Energy & Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone (D – New Jersey) and Energy & Commerce Committee Chair, Republican Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY) for their stewardship of this initiative.

“The passage of this bill through the House of Representatives is a significant step in the legislative process. Legislation does not become law until passed by the House, passed by the Senate, then signed by the President. I am hopeful this measure will be considered Senate in short order,” shared Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett.

Background:

Presently, there is no direct fiber optic link between the US and the continent of Africa. Africa is increasingly an area that presents dynamic economic opportunity for our country as well as national security challenges that must be addressed. The Virgin Islands is strategically positioned in the transit zones to fight transnational crime and protect U.S. national and regional security in the Caribbean as well as be a safe hub for optic between the 2 continents. The TransAtlantic submarine fiber optic cable network’s strategic location makes DiasporaLink a “Digital Safe Harbor” under the U.S. flag. This service will provide African and Caribbean submarine operators and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) a clear channel to U.S. financial and business centers. In addition, undersea cables have significant strategic importance and an estimated 400 of them carry approximately 98 percent of international internet data as well as telephone traffic around the world. Many are owned and operated by U.S. companies — helping reinforce U.S. dominance over the internet while giving a sense of security to the U.S. and its allies that may be concerned about sabotage or surveillance. Having the hub in the U.S. Virgin Islands is a significant 21st century paradigm shift; it allows our islands’ advantages, many of which have been used for the benefit of other world powers (i.e. the VI’s geostrategic location), to be utilized for the benefit of our people. DiasporaLink in the USVI will make it a hub for commerce in the global digital economy and will stimulate high tech job opportunities for Virgin Islanders and attract digital users to the territory.

In the 118th Congress, this legislation passed through the House Energy & Commerce Committee with unanimous support, passed the House of Representatives and was sent on to the Senate. The Office of Congresswoman Plaskett is working with the Senate to facilitate passage in that Chamber.

MIL OSI USA News –

June 24, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Kenya: Call for bids for provision of scaffolding services
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

World news story

Kenya: Call for bids for provision of scaffolding services

The British High Commission Nairobi is inviting bids for the supply of scaffolding services.
On behalf of the Secretary of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the British High Commission (BHC) in Nairobi are seeking the services for the provision of Scaffolding Services at the British High Commission Nairobi. We are therefore looking for a Supplier that has the relevant professional skills, experience, technical resources and financial capability to provide comprehensive scaffolding services.

Full details on the requirements, including instructions for interested bidders and registration are available via the FCDO’s e-Procurement portal, which requires registration. Registering is quick, easy, free and is the only way in which one is able to review the tender documents

Competent and financially stable suppliers are invited to access the invitation to tender documents by following these steps:

Open the https://fco.bravosolution.co.uk website, register and sign in

Navigate to provision of Scaffolding Services at the British High Commission Nairobi CPG/12475/2025. ITT 7089. Project 12475

Contact the Regional Procurement Manager; Thabang.Mokoena@fcdo.gov.uk for any queries. Kindly note that the responses are required to be in English.

Deadlines

Please note that the invitation to tender documents should be completed and uploaded on the BRAVOSolution e-Procurement Portal by 13:00 EAT on 14 July 2025.

Disclaimer

The BHC reserves the right not to select any service provider and will only reply to the best-suited organisation.

The BHC will not meet any expenses incurred in preparing your Invitation to tender documents.

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Published 23 June 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
June 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Dmitry Chernyshenko: Improving the quality of teaching natural sciences in schools is bearing fruit

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

Russian team of the first Open International Geographical Olympiad (openGeo 2025)

The results of the first Open International Geographical Olympiad (openGeo 2025) were summed up at the University Gymnasium of the Lomonosov Moscow State University. The competition brought together 107 participants from 23 countries. The Russian team was represented by six winners of the final stage of the All-Russian School Olympiad in Geography for the 2024/25 academic year. In the team competition at openGeo 2025, they won first place: the Russian team has four gold and two silver medals.

The children were congratulated by Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Chernyshenko and Minister of Education of Russia Sergei Kravtsov.

“Our President Vladimir Putin noted that geography serves as the basis for the formation of patriotic values, cultural, national identity and self-awareness. The brilliant victory of our schoolchildren shows that adult outstanding scientific minds have someone to rely on. Thanks to such victories, we see that our common work to fulfill the President’s task – to improve the quality of teaching natural sciences in schools – is bearing fruit. Thank you to everyone who contributed to these high results, and we wish you success in the future!” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

He also added that the national project “Youth and Children” helps to create conditions for realizing the potential and developing the talents of each person.

The head of the Russian Ministry of Education, Sergei Kravtsov, congratulated the children and drew attention to the fact that the Olympiad contributes to strengthening international educational ties.

“Today we pay special attention to developing interest in schoolchildren in studying natural sciences. Participation in the Open International Geographical Olympiad is an opportunity for children not only to test their knowledge, but also to meet young talents from different countries, exchange experiences and ideas. I would like to note that such a competition was held on the Russian platform for the first time. I congratulate our team, their parents and teachers on their brilliant result. I am sure that the success of our schoolchildren will inspire their peers to new discoveries and achievements,” emphasized Sergey Kravtsov.

Gold medals were awarded to:

● Christian Rymarchuk, State Budgetary Educational Institution “School No. 179”;

● Dina Islyamutdinova, State Budgetary Educational Institution of the City of Moscow “School No. 2054”;

● Nikita Rusakov, University Gymnasium of Moscow State University. M.V. Lomonosov;

● Elizaveta Kiseleva, State Budgetary Educational Institution “Lyceum “Second School” named after V.F. Ovchinnikov”.

Silver medals were won by:

● Tikhon Pulyayev, State Budgetary Educational Institution “Moscow Gymnasium in the South-West No. 1543 named after People’s Teacher of the Russian Federation Yu.V. Zavelsky”;

● Alexey Gorlov, OAO “School of the Center of Pedagogical Excellence”.

The coaches of the Russian team were leading specialists from the Faculty of Geography of the Lomonosov Moscow State University Pavel Kirillov and Dmitry Bogachev, as well as a teacher from the National Research University Higher School of Economics Artur Petrosyan and a teacher from the OANO New School Anna Romashina.

Young geographers from Azerbaijan, Armenia, Afghanistan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Ghana, Zambia, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, China, Nigeria, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka took part in the Olympiad. Thaddeus Trazo (Philippines) was recognized as the absolute winner of openGeo 2025. Russian schoolboy Christian Rymarchuk shared 2nd place with a participant from Belarus.

All Olympiad tasks were completed in English. The Olympiad competition program consisted of three rounds. During the theoretical round, participants solved five problems in physical and socio-economic geography. The practical round included tasks aimed at analyzing space images, graphic and cartographic tasks. As part of the multimedia test, schoolchildren answered 40 illustrated questions from various areas of geographical knowledge.

The scientific committee and jury of openGeo 2025 included leading scientists and geographers from Russia (representatives of Lomonosov Moscow State University, Institute of Geography of the Russian Academy of Sciences), India, Kazakhstan, Serbia and other countries.

Open International Geographical Olympiad (HTTPS: //opengeo. Msu.ru) is an international competition for high school students. Its organizers are the Russian Ministry of Education and Lomonosov Moscow State University.

The competition is held as an open alternative international Olympiad for schoolchildren and students selected based on the results of national geographic Olympiads and other intellectual competitions in the field of geography of the CIS, SCO, BRICS and other countries. The event is aimed at popularizing geographical knowledge and skills among talented schoolchildren and strengthening international educational and academic ties.

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

MIL OSI Russia News –

June 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: Presidents of both parties have launched military action without Congress declaring war − Trump’s bombing of Iran is just the latest

Source: The Conversation – USA – By Sarah Burns, Associate Professor of Political Science, Rochester Institute of Technology

President Donald Trump is seen on a monitor in the White House press briefing room on June 21, 2025, after the U.S. military strike on three sites in Iran. AP Photo/Alex Brandon

In the wake of the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22, 2025, many congressional Democrats and a few Republicans have objected to President Donald Trump’s failure to seek congressional approval before conducting military operations.

They note that Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war and say that section required Trump to seek prior authorization for military action.

The Trump administration disagrees. “This is not a war against Iran,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo, implying that the action did not require approval by Congress. That’s the same view held by most modern presidents and their lawyers in the Office of Legal Counsel: Article 2 of the Constitution allows the president to use the military in certain situations without prior approval from Congress.

By this reading of the text, presidents, as commander in chief, claim the power to unilaterally order the military to initiate small-scale operations for a short duration. Members of Congress may object to that claim, but they have done little to limit presidents’ unilateralism. What little they have done has not been effective.

As I’ve demonstrated in my research, even though the 1973 War Powers Resolution attempted to constrain presidential power after the disasters of the Vietnam War, it contains many loopholes that presidents have exploited to act unilaterally. For example, it allows presidents to engage in military operations without congressional approval for up to 90 days. And more recent congressional resolutions have broadened executive control even further.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs the U.S. declaration of war against Japan on Dec. 8, 1941.
U.S. National Archives

A long tradition of executive authority

Presidents can even overcome the loopholes in the War Powers Resolution if the operation lasts longer than 90 days. In 2011, a State Department lawyer argued that airstrikes in Libya could continue beyond the War Powers Resolution’s 90-day time limit because there were no ground troops involved. By that logic, any future president could carry out an indefinite bombing campaign with no congressional oversight.

While every president has bristled at congressional restraints on their actions, presidents since Franklin D. Roosevelt have successfully circumvented them by citing vague concerns like “national security,” “regional security” or the need to “prevent a humanitarian disaster” when launching military operations. While members of Congress always take issue with these actions, they never hold presidents accountable by passing legislation restraining him.

President Trump’s decision to bomb Iranian nuclear sites without consulting Congress falls in line with precedent from both Democratic and Republican leaders for decades.

Much like his predecessors, Trump did not, and likely will not, provide Congress with more concrete information about the legality of his actions. Nor are congressional lawmakers effectively holding him accountable.

The push-and-pull between Congress and the president over military operations dates back to the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack, which led Congress to declare war on Japan. Before then, Congress had prevented the U.S. from joining World War II by enforcing an arms embargo and refusing to help the Allies prior to the attack on Hawaii. But afterward, Congress began allowing the president to take more control over the military.

During the Cold War, rather than returning to a balanced debate between the branches, Congress continued to relinquish those powers.

Congress never authorized the war in Korea; Harry Truman used a U.N. Security Council resolution as legal justification. Congress’ vote explicitly opposing the invasion of Cambodia didn’t stop Richard Nixon from doing it anyway. Even after the Cold War, Bill Clinton regularly acted unilaterally to address humanitarian crises or the continued threat from leaders like Saddam Hussein. He sent the military to Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia and Kosovo, among other places.

After 9/11, Congress quickly gave up more of its power. A week after those attacks, Congress passed a sweeping Authorization for Use of Military Force, giving the president permission to “use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.”

In a follow-up 2002 authorization, Congress went even further, allowing the president to “use the Armed Forces … as he determines to be necessary and appropriate in order to defend national security … against the continuing threat posed by Iraq.” This approach provides few, if any, congressional checks on the control of military affairs exercised by the president.

In the two decades since those authorizations, four presidents have used them to justify all manner of military action, from targeted killings of terrorists to the years long fight against the Islamic State group.

Congress regularly discusses terminating those authorizations, but has yet to do so. If Congress did, the loopholes in the original War Powers Resolution would still exist.

While President Biden claimed he supported the repeal of the authorizations, and supported more congressional oversight of military actions, Trump has made no such claims. Instead, he has claimed even more sweeping authority to act without any permission from Congress.

As recently as 2024, Biden used the 2002 authorization as a legal rationale for the targeted killing of Iranian-backed militiamen in Iraq, a strike condemned by Iraqi leaders.

Those actions may have ruffled congressional feathers, but they were in keeping with a long U.S. tradition of targeting members of terrorist groups and protecting members of the military serving in a conflict zone.

Demonstrators outside the U.S. Capitol in January 2020 call on Congress to limit the president’s powers to use the military.
AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

Threats of war

During his first presidential term in 2020, Trump ordered a lethal drone strike against a respected member of the Iranian government, Major General Qassim Soleimani, the head of Iran’s equivalent of the CIA, without consulting Congress or publicly providing proof of why the attack was necessary, even to this day.

Tensions – and fears of war – spiked but then slowly faded when Iran responded with missile attacks on two U.S. bases in Iraq.

Now, the U.S. attacks on Iranian nuclear sites have revived both fears of war and renewed questions about the president’s authority to unilaterally engage in military action. Presidents since the 1970s, however, have effectively managed to dodge definitive answers to those questions – demonstrating both the power inherent in their position and the unwillingness among members of the legislative branch to reclaim their coequal status.

This article is an updated version of a story published on Jan. 24, 2024.

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

– ref. Presidents of both parties have launched military action without Congress declaring war − Trump’s bombing of Iran is just the latest – https://theconversation.com/presidents-of-both-parties-have-launched-military-action-without-congress-declaring-war-trumps-bombing-of-iran-is-just-the-latest-259636

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

June 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Kinshasa: Youth Commit to Peace and the Fight Against Disinformation

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Around one hundred young people, including thirty-seven women from Kinshasa’s four districts, took part on 14 June in a series of activities aimed at promoting peace, security, and tackling disinformation. The initiative was supported by MONUSCO’s Civil Affairs Section, in partnership with the National Technical Secretariat for Resolution 2250 and civil society.

This gathering marked the conclusion of a process launched in 2022 to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2250, which recognizes the essential contribution of youth to peacebuilding.

“This initiative followed a call from the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Bintou Keita, who encouraged all MONUSCO sections to intensify efforts around Resolution 2250.” explained Phil Wani, Civil Affairs Officer.

Discussions focused on the link between economic empowerment and peace. Job creation was highlighted as key to preventing youth from joining armed groups. “We introduced a coaching component to provide participants with practical skills to develop sustainable projects, some of the proposals are already ready for funding.” Wani added.

The National Technical Secretariat emphasized the importance of proximity-based and inclusive approaches. “Beyond technical guidance, we ensured coordination, the aim is to enable genuine and inclusive youth participation in the resolution’s implementation.” said Anna Jacquie, national coordinator.

Participants expressed appreciation for being heard on an issue where youth perspectives are often overlooked. “As a young person, I felt heard, there’s support and follow-up, which motivates me, too often, youth are unfairly associated with misconduct.” shared Acacia.

Artists were also inspired. “We were shown how to verify online information, it made me want to launch awareness projects in my community.” said musician and writer Antonio Lufyaulusu.

This initiative reflects MONUSCO’s commitment to strengthening the role of young people in peace efforts in the DRC by highlighting their ideas and encouraging long-term engagement.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mission de l’Organisation des Nations unies en République démocratique du Congo (MONUSCO).

MIL OSI Africa –

June 24, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Work, wages and apprenticeships: sifting for clues about the lives of girls in ancient Egypt

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Julia Hamilton, Lecturer in History and Archaeology, Macquarie University

Weavers in the Tomb of Khnumhotep II, Beni Hassan, Egypt. Painted by Norman de Garis Davies (MMA 33.8.16)

We know surprisingly little about the lives of children in ancient Egypt.

And what records we do have about them often concern the lives of the elite – the young king or the children of senior officials. They are more prominent in surviving material evidence, especially funerary art. Infant mortality rates were high in ancient Egypt.

As a result, much of the work in Egyptology on representations of childhood in ancient Egypt is dominated by evidence for the lives of boys and young adult men.

But what were the lives of ordinary girls like in ancient Egypt? And how did they make their way in a deeply patriarchal culture?

Finding hieroglyphic words for girls

An initial problem in studying girls’ lives in ancient Egypt is answering the question: who was a girl in ancient Egypt?

Chronological age was not always recorded by ancient Egyptians in their letters or inscriptions.

Instead, more general words and hieroglyphic signs tended to accompany images of men, women and children to indicate their social roles.

A woman is shown nursing a child while another woman is dressing her hair.
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (22.2.35)

These words and signs were only loosely associated with biological development.

Hieroglyphic words for infants and small children, for instance, could be marked with an image of a small, seated child – sometimes with a finger held to its mouth.

Among the words used to describe young girls – talking, walking, and participating alongside adults in their work – was sheriyt.

This is the word often found in ancient accounting documents recording payments of wages, indicating a girl-child worker. They are distinguished from older women in these documents, although it is difficult to know precisely how young they might have been.

In this way, written administrative records and archaeological evidence reveals girls of many social classes were integrated into economic production from an early age.

Payment for work

Elephantine, a town at Egypt’s southern frontier near modern-day Aswan, provides a unique window into the urban life of some girls who worked in textile workshops during the ancient Egyptian Middle Kingdom, which dates approximately 2030–1650 BCE.

First published in 1996, archaeologists found a ceramic bowl repurposed as a writing surface in a house in the densely packed urban settlement.

The excavators initially dated the bowl to the reign of King Amenemhat III, who ruled almost 3,800 years ago. However, based on the style of writing and the types of names listed, some scholars have also dated it earlier. It contains lists of payments of provisions of grain for textile workers over the course of a month.

What makes this document so important is that it names at least 18 child workers. Of these, 11 are girls, clearly marked with the Egyptian word sheriyt, working alongside 28 adult women.

The list shows adult women in this workshop received between 50–57 heqat (around 240–274 litres) of grain – although it’s not entirely clear if this was a one-off payment, a payment per month, or something else. The girls earned smaller but still significant wages of 3–7 heqat (around 14–34 litres).

Some other adult women seem to have also received comparable provisions to the girls, although without further information it is difficult know their social status or age.

This document not only confirms that girls received payment for their labour. It also suggests a structured apprenticeship system where young girls (and boys) worked alongside experienced craftswomen.

This corroborates evidence from visual art of textile workshops from the same period.

Weavers in the Tomb of Khnumhotep II, Beni Hassan, Egypt. Painted at the tomb in 1931 by Norman de Garis Davies.
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (33.8.16)

Work life, home life

Archaeological evidence suggests textile production occurred both within homes and in dedicated workshops.

Evidence from the excavations at Elephantine suggests homes had several rooms with multiple purposes, including courtyards, entrance vestibules, kitchens with ovens (recognisable by blackened walls and ash deposits), and possible stairs leading to roof spaces.

Privacy would have been limited. Daily life would have included close interaction with animals, as evidenced by attached animal pens.

More recently, close to the house where the provision list was discovered, archaeologists found needles, spindles, shuttles, and remains of pegs for a large loom.

These were found both inside houses and in the courtyards attached to them.

It’s hard to know what exactly these buildings were for; they probably served multiple purposes.

Lives shaped by class and legal status

Not all girls at Elephantine had the same experience of life. The town’s position at Egypt’s southern frontier in this period meant it was home to diverse populations, which included migrants, enslaved people and transitory workers.

A letter dating to the reign of King Amenemhat III documents some families, including women and children, arriving at Elephantine seeking work during a famine in their home region.

This ancient letter mentions families, including women and children, looking for work.
© The Trustees of the British Museum. Shared under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) licence, CC BY-NC-SA

This evidence can be compared to a legal document from the same time period but from another Egyptian town, El Lahun. This document mentions the purchase and transfer of enslaved women and infants who are called Aamut, referring to a region in West Asia. The document shows they have been given new Egyptian names.

These documents remind us factors such as class and legal status have always profoundly shaped girls’ lives.

Valuing the work of girls

Accessing the everyday thoughts, feelings, and perspectives of many ancient people, especially children, is challenging for historians. We don’t, for instance, have a wealth of personal diaries from ancient Egypt to learn about girls’ interior lives.

But what’s clear is that girls were not merely passive participants in society. They were active economic contributors, who often received formal compensation for their work.

Historians must always look beyond elite contexts to incorporate diverse evidence types – administrative documents, archaeological remains, and artistic representations – to construct a more complete picture of ancient lives.

Julia Hamilton 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. Work, wages and apprenticeships: sifting for clues about the lives of girls in ancient Egypt – https://theconversation.com/work-wages-and-apprenticeships-sifting-for-clues-about-the-lives-of-girls-in-ancient-egypt-249581

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

June 24, 2025
MIL-OSI: ILUS Provides Shareholder Podcast Update on Strategic Progress Across Its Portfolio Companies
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

NEW YORK, NY, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ilustrato Pictures International Inc. (OTC: ILUS) (“ILUS” or the “Company”), a mergers and acquisitions company focused on acquiring and scaling businesses in the public safety and industrial sectors, today released a shareholder podcast updating its progress, strategic shifts, and operational milestones across its portfolio companies.

ILUS shared key updates regarding operational restructuring, financial improvements, and strategic goals as it enters a new phase of focused, scalable growth.

To listen to the full shareholder podcast, please visit: https://youtu.be/d5DA9IPffK0

ILUS Company Overview: Reset, Refocus, and Rebuild

After navigating two challenging years in 2023 and 2024, ILUS is entering a new chapter of strategic growth and consolidation. Key themes from the shareholder podcast included:
- Audits: ILUS and SAML have transitioned to a U.S.-based auditing firm, enhancing compliance and aligning with future uplisting goals. The company is currently finalizing a comprehensive two-year re-audit and related consolidations to bring all financial filings fully up to date.
- Business Model Realignment: ILUS has restructured several legacy operations and consolidated its footprint, including relocating core operations to a central facility in Jacksonville, Florida, to streamline production and reduce costs.
- Strategic Value Creation: ILUS continues to evaluate uplist, spinoffs, partnerships, and dividend-based structures to unlock and return shareholder value.
ILUS also highlighted its positions in external entities, including Fusion Fuel Green PLC (Nasdaq: HTOO). Additionally, the podcast introduced ILUV Capital, a business development company (BDC) under consideration that may operate alongside ILUS to deliver alternative pathways for a return for ILUS Shareholders should it materialize.

Portfolio Highlights

SAML to ILUS Industries Transition

SAML, an ILUS portfolio company, is currently undergoing a rebranding process:
- A name change to ILUS Industries is underway.
- Nick Link is serving as interim CEO, with the search for a permanent CEO currently in progress.
- ILUS Industries will provide a focused platform for vertical growth and additional merger activity.
Emergency Response Technologies (ERT)

Will sit as a subsidiary under ILUS Industries, controlled by ILUS Industries

ERT remains a core pillar of ILUS’s strategy, advancing innovation in the fire, public safety, and industrial markets.
- Firebug Product Line: Production is underway at the Jacksonville facility, focused on wildfire response, battery fire suppression, and public safety, which will also alleviate any tariff risk.
- E-Raptor EV Range: The desk top R&D and new design of the new electric vehicle are complete. Production will begin in Serbia, with partial U.S. assembly at ILUS’s Jacksonville site.
- Expansion into Vertical Markets: ERT is actively developing distribution networks and product offerings in the industrial, safety, and agricultural sectors for this product and will seek an acquisition of a distribution network for this product.
Fusion Fuel Green (HTOO)

ILUS recently completed the sale of QIND to Fusion Fuel Green PLC (Nasdaq: HTOO):
- As part of the realignment, JP Backwell transitioned from SAML to assume the role of CEO at HTOO.
- ILUS now holds approximately 35 million shares of Nasdaq-listed HTOO equity as an asset on its Balance Sheet while:
  - The transaction eliminated QIND’s debt from ILUS’s balance sheet and relieved ILUS of related consolidation and reporting burdens.
  - ILUS retains indirect exposure to QIND’s future performance.
Replay Solutions (Resource Recovery & E-Waste)

A wholly owned subsidiary of ILUS Industries

Replay is now launching its environmentally sustainable operations:
- E-waste processing is set to begin in Serbia, with future expansion planned into additional regions, including Egypt, the UAE, and later the USA in 2026.
- Equipment and machinery have been manufactured and are awaiting shipment to operational locations.
- Has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a Dubai-based refinery for the potential acquisition of a substantial volume of marine sludge oil, intended for processing into recycled oil products and lubricants. Additionally, Replay is conducting due diligence on a second acquisition target. There is no guarantee that either of these acquisitions will materialize.
- Research and development are underway for a tyre pyrolysis facility to diversify Replay’s recycling capabilities, for the conversion of tyres into oil and lubricants.
Strategic and Financial Outlook
- ILUS has materially strengthened its financial position through the QIND/ HTOO transaction and strategic restructuring.
- The organization now manages a portfolio of increasingly bankable businesses supporting improved capital access.
- With enhanced balance sheet strength and operational scale, ILUS is increasingly improving and readying itself for a potential IPO or uplist in the future.
- ILUS intends to establish a BDC company called As ILUV Capital either within ILUS or standalone, with ILUS Shareholders receiving benefits in some way to be defined. As this matures, ILUS may be in a position to explore dividends or share buybacks, consistent with its vision of long-term shareholder return.
Summary and Closing Remarks
- ILUS has postponed the upcoming shareholder meeting to ensure stronger participation and alignment.
- With two difficult years behind it, ILUS is focused on ensuring the next three years reflect sustained growth, transparency, and execution.
- ILUS management expressed gratitude for shareholders’ support and patience and looks forward to connecting in person during planned meetings later this year.
For further information on ILUS, please see its communication channels:

Website: https://ilus-group.com
X: @ILUS_INTL
Email: IR@Ilus-Group.com
Source: ILUS

Contact:
IR@Ilus-group.com
(917) 522-3202)

Forward-Looking Statement

Certain information set forth in this press release contains “forward-looking information”, including “future-oriented financial information” and “financial outlook”, under applicable securities laws (collectively referred to herein as forward-looking statements). Except for statements of historical fact, the information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements and includes, but is not limited to, the (i) projected financial performance of the Company; (ii) completion of, and the use of proceeds from, the sale of the shares being offered hereunder; (iii) the expected development of the Company’s business, projects, and joint ventures; (iv) execution of the Company’s vision and growth strategy, including with respect to future M&A activity and global growth; (v) sources and availability of third-party financing for the Company’s projects; (vi) completion of the Company’s projects that are currently underway, in development or otherwise under consideration; (vii) renewal of the Company’s current customer, supplier and other material agreements; and (viii) future liquidity, working capital, and capital requirements. Forward-looking statements are provided to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand management’s beliefs and opinions in respect of the future so that they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor in evaluating an investment. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on them. Such forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual performance and financial results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has provided guidance to issuers regarding the use of social media to disclose material nonpublic information. In this regard, investors and others should note that we announce material financial information via official Press Releases, in addition to SEC filings, press releases, Questions & Answers sessions, public conference calls, and webcasts also may take time from time to time. We use these channels as well as social media to communicate with the public about our company, our services, and other issues. It is possible that the information we post on social media could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, considering the SEC’s guidance, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the following social & media channels: Website: https://ilus-group.com X: @ILUS_INTL

The MIL Network –
June 24, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Advancing Cancer Care in Niger

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

In May 2025, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi visited Niger’s only radiotherapy centre, CNLC, in Niamey, accompanied by Minister of Public Health Garba Hakimi, Shaukat Abdulrazak, Director of the IAEA’s Division for Africa, and other senior government officials.

Cancer is a growing healthcare challenge in Niger, with over 11 000 new cases and more than 8800 cancer related deaths reported in 2022. Radiotherapy — a treatment needed in nearly half of all cancer cases — remains in short supply in the country, and even those who can afford access to it are let down by out-of-date equipment.

Through its Rays of Hope initiative, the IAEA is supporting efforts to strengthen radiotherapy services in Niger, aiming to expand access to cancer care where it is needed most.

Through the initiative, the IAEA supported Niger in establishing a new cancer treatment facility with state-of-the-art equipment including medical linear accelerator (LINAC), a computed tomography-simulator, an advanced treatment planning system, dosimetry equipment and related accessories.

The new equipment will help expand services for radiotherapy at Niger’s only public radiotherapy centre, which serves a population of 24 million people. Medical professionals will be able to treat tumours more accurately through the country’s new equipment, while sparing normal tissues and critical organs. More Nigerien cancer patients can also be treated locally without having to travel abroad for care.

“The presence of this machinery in our country will significantly enhance the quality of life for the people of Niger, as it will lead to a considerable decrease in treatment costs and medical evacuations”, said Abdourahamane Tchiani President of Niger.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

June 24, 2025
MIL-OSI NGOs: Advancing Cancer Care in Niger

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) –

In May 2025, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi visited Niger’s only radiotherapy centre, CNLC, in Niamey, accompanied by Minister of Public Health Garba Hakimi, Shaukat Abdulrazak, Director of the IAEA’s Division for Africa, and other senior government officials.

Cancer is a growing healthcare challenge in Niger, with over 11 000 new cases and more than 8800 cancer related deaths reported in 2022. Radiotherapy — a treatment needed in nearly half of all cancer cases — remains in short supply in the country, and even those who can afford access to it are let down by out-of-date equipment.

Through its Rays of Hope initiative, the IAEA is supporting efforts to strengthen radiotherapy services in Niger, aiming to expand access to cancer care where it is needed most.

Through the initiative, the IAEA supported Niger in establishing a new cancer treatment facility with state-of-the-art equipment including medical linear accelerator (LINAC), a computed tomography-simulator, an advanced treatment planning system, dosimetry equipment and related accessories.

The new equipment will help expand services for radiotherapy at Niger’s only public radiotherapy centre, which serves a population of 24 million people. Medical professionals will be able to treat tumours more accurately through the country’s new equipment, while sparing normal tissues and critical organs. More Nigerien cancer patients can also be treated locally without having to travel abroad for care.

“The presence of this machinery in our country will significantly enhance the quality of life for the people of Niger, as it will lead to a considerable decrease in treatment costs and medical evacuations”, said Abdourahamane Tchiani President of Niger.

MIL OSI NGO –

June 24, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: African Island States Advance Ocean Partnerships and Finance Innovation at United Nations (UN) Ocean Conference

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In a high-profile gathering during the Third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), the African Island States Climate Commission (AISCC), in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC), convened a High-Level Dialogue aimed at strengthening ocean partnerships and mobilizing innovative finance to support sustainable development across African Small Island Developing States. With participation from ministers, ambassadors, and senior officials representing island nations, United Nations agencies, and global development partners, the Dialogue marked a significant step toward aligning regional leadership, blue economy priorities, and climate finance strategies in pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14).

Held as an official side event in the UNOC3 Blue Zone, the Dialogue was guided by the theme “Strengthening Ocean Partnerships for Resilience and Sustainable Finance: Charting a Blue Future for African Island States and AIS SIDS.”

Discussions emphasized the unique vulnerabilities of African Island States, the need for coordinated climate and ocean governance, and the urgency of unlocking scalable, long-term financing solutions tailored to the needs of island nations.

Opening the event, Flavien Joubert, Chair of the AISCC and Minister of Agriculture, Climate Change and Environment for the Republic of Seychelles, described the conference as a unique opportunity for African Island States and Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) to demonstrate global leadership on ocean sustainability. He called for stronger cooperation across SIDS regions and emphasized the central role of the AISCC as an innovative platform for climate action and diplomacy. Minister Joubert highlighted existing partnerships with ECA, IOC, and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) as examples of how African island nations are working together to mobilize resources and build collective resilience. He reaffirmed Seychelles’ commitment to lead the AISCC in a spirit of solidarity and inclusion, “ensuring no island state is left behind.”

United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Li Junhua, who served as Secretary-General of both the UNOC3 and the Fourth International Conference on SIDS (SIDS4), reiterated the UN’s full support for African SIDS. He noted that the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS) is nearing completion, and that work is underway to establish governance mechanisms for implementing the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI). Li also pointed to reforms in the SIDS Partnership Framework as part of ongoing efforts to ensure more effective and accountable cooperation with the international community.

Nassim Oulmane, Head of the Natural Resources, Green and Blue Economy Section at ECA, stated in his welcoming remarks that this Dialogue builds on momentum from key AISCC high-level events convened at the UNFCCC COP28, COP29, African Climate Summit, and 4th International SIDS Conference. He held that the region must continue strengthening regional and international cooperation, and unlock innovative, scalable solutions through tools like blue bonds and debt-for-ocean swaps, and other innovative mechanisms. “ECA, in partnership with AISCC, is proud to support initiatives like the RESIslands project, funded by the GCF,” he said. “Together, we are advancing integrated approaches to promote ocean health, sustainable development, and climate resilience—leaving no one behind.”

In the ministerial panel, national leaders from across the region provided a grounded view of both challenges and opportunities. Nilda Borges da Mata, Minister of Environment, Youth and Sustainable Tourism of São Tomé and Príncipe, said that unity among African SIDS is key to advancing sustainable development.

“When we speak with one voice, we gain strength. When we share knowledge, we gain resilience. And when we cooperate, we attract the resources we need,” she said. Borges da Mata reaffirmed her country’s support for the AISCC as a critical platform to promote regional cooperation on climate and ocean priorities.

Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Environment, Biodiversity and Climate Action, Viriato Soares Cassamá, announced that his country will host the next Ministerial Meeting of the AISCC later this year. He revealed the upcoming meeting as a decisive moment for the AISCC to launch a Joint Declaration on Oceans and Climate, a Sustainable Finance Action Plan, and new governance mechanisms that include women, youth, and local voices.

Maria Ebiaca Moete, State Secretary of Finance, Planning and Economic Development of Equatorial Guinea, emphasized the importance of investment in locally led, community-based solutions. “We see the RESIslands Initiative as a key platform to channel investment into sustainable, locally led projects,” she said. Moete also called for the creation of a dedicated international funding mechanism for island states and urged development partners to design financing instruments that are simpler, more flexible, and more accessible for vulnerable island economies.

Fabrice David, Junior Minister of Agro-Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy, and Fisheries of Mauritius, called for a shift in perception of SIDS from fragile to formidable. “This is a critical moment for SIDS to show leadership as Big Ocean States,” he said. “SDG14 remains the most underfunded of all global goals. That must change.” Minister David introduced the Blue Finance Hub initiative, developed with support from the Africa Natural Capital Alliance (ANCA) and FSD Africa, which he described as a promising model for catalyzing nature-positive investments in the blue economy, with potential for replication across other African island nations.

The panel featured senior-level participation from Cabo Verde and Madagascar, too. In addition to the governmental interventions, the event included the United Nations Secretary-General Special Envoy for the Ocean, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the UN Resident Coordinator in Cabo Verde, as well as senior speakers from the Indian Ocean Commission, the Green Climate Fund, the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), the SIDS Hub at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office of the United Kingdom, and the ANCA Secretariat of FSD Africa.

Throughout the High-Level Dialogue, speakers stressed the urgency of rethinking the global financial system to respond more effectively to the realities of island nations, and the need for AIS SIDS to have a stronger voice in shaping international ocean and climate frameworks. The meeting reaffirmed the role of the AISCC as a unifying body for African Island States, driving forward shared strategies on SDG 14 and building a sustainable, climate-resilient blue future through partnership, innovation, and action.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

MIL OSI Africa –

June 24, 2025