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Category: Africa

  • MIL-OSI Europe: ASIA/MYANMAR – Floods in the north of the country: humanitarian situation worsens

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Yangon (Agenzia Fides) – Extensive flooding, caused by heavy rains that lasted for about a week, has affected northern Myanmar, particularly the Sagaing region and Kachin State. The emergency further complicates the lives of the civilian population, already severely affected by four years of civil conflict. Furthermore, in the Sagaing region, the earthquake of March 28 caused damage to homes and infrastructure and displaced thousands of people. “The situation in the districts affected by natural disasters is serious. Floods have inundated the upper part of Kachin State; villages in the mountainous areas are underwater, as are refugee camps in the city of Chizaw. Many rivers, such as the Malikha, have overflowed, and agricultural lands are completely flooded due to the continuous rains,” a local source from the Catholic community in Kachin State told Fides. “Farms have been submerged in Laeshi City, in the Sagaing Region, as have villages along the banks of the Arayati river. River levels usually rise in late June or July, at the height of the rainy season, but this year the rains have arrived early, causing premature flooding. Unfortunately, this is the harvest season, so the losses are particularly severe,” the source explains. “The local population is finding it increasingly difficult to cope. They are mostly farmers who have already been affected by the war and are now also suffering the effects of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods. Humanitarian aid is increasingly needed for thousands of displaced people, whose number continues to grow,” he adds. A new report by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights confirms the worsening humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, fueled by military violence and economic collapse. The document, which will be presented at the next session of the UN Human Rights Council in early July, describes the situation as “increasingly catastrophic, marked by incessant atrocities that have affected all aspects of life.” According to the report, the economic crisis has had a severe impact on already disastrous humanitarian conditions. Myanmar is estimated to have lost around $94 billion since the coup to date, and its gross domestic product is not expected to return to pre-2021 levels before 2028, even if recovery were to begin today.The UN Human Rights Council calls for “a multifaceted response to the crisis,” including “urgent humanitarian support, cross-border assistance for displaced populations, and increased political commitment” from the international community. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 2/6/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/KENYA – Endless violence: the Missionary Benedictine close their facilities in Kerio Valley

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Monday, 2 June 2025

    Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) – The Missionary Benedictine Sisters of the Sacred Heart Priory have closed all their facilities in Kerio Valley, Kenya, following daily violence in the region. The missionary sisters announced this on social media, announcing the closure of the mission “with immediate effect” and “indefinitely”.The decision, reads the text signed by Sister Rosa Pascal OSB, Prioress of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters, was taken “following the murder of Father Alloy Bett, parish priest of St Mathias Mulumba (see Fides, 23/5/2025) and the continued unrest in the area. This has negatively affected our missionary work” causing “mental, emotional and psychological trauma to our sisters” and, consequently, “the inability to run the essential services due to the lack of staff who are fleeing the area”.Hence the decision “to close our mission stations indefinitely, until the area is safe for service”. This action, the statement states, “is meant to ensure the safety of our sisters working in the region, our employees and those who visit our mission for different services”, at the same time, to “press the government for a lasting solution to peace in the area, including dis-arming civilians”. Among the closed facilities is the Chesongoch Mission Hospital. (F.B.) (Agenzia Fides, 2/6/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Etu Energias Targets 80,000 Barrels Per Day (BPD), Joins Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025 as Gold Sponsor

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    LUANDA, Angola, June 2, 2025/APO Group/ —

    Angolan private energy company Etu Energias has joined this year’s edition of the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference as a Gold Sponsor. The sponsorship reflects the company’s commitment to supporting Angola’s oil and gas production goals, as it seeks to sustain output above one million barrels per day (bpd) beyond 2027. For its part, Etu Energias targets 80,000 barrels per day (bpd) by 2030, and the AOG sponsorship highlights a broader objective of engaging with stakeholders to achieve this goal.

    Etu Energias’ sponsorship comes as the company undertakes an ambitious exploration campaign in Angola. The company signed a Risk Service Contract for onshore Block CON 4 in May 2025, outlining a 25-year operating licensing, including a five-year exploration timeframe and 20-year production period. To date, Etu Energias – alongside block partners Sonangol and Gesprocon – have completed the first phase of studies for the block and have defined a seismic survey. The milestone reflects a broader trend by the company to scale-up its exploration and production. By 2030, the company seeks to increase its oil reserves to 387 million barrels. The AOG sponsorship supports this goal by offering a platform for engagement and deal-signing.

    AOG is the largest oil and gas event in Angola. Taking place with the full support of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas; the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency; the Petroleum Derivatives Regulatory Institute; national oil company Sonangol; and the African Energy Chamber; the event is a platform to sign deals and advance Angola’s oil and gas industry. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

    As Angola’s largest private oil producer, Etu Energias has stakes in eight exploration projects, 10 development projects and seven redevelopment projects. The company targets a series of developments in 2025, all of which support the advancement of underexplored blocks in Angola. Notably, Etu Energias plans to complete deforestation and demining for Block FS/FST in 2025, with the first exploration well expected to be spud this year. At offshore Block 2/05, the company plans to complete exploration studies this year, with drilling set for 2025/2026. To support block acquisition, Etu Energias is also planning to hold an Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2026, aimed at strengthening its financial capacity. The IPO will not only support debt reduction, but provide greater access to a wider investment pool.

    Etu Energias’ exploration and production outlook builds on a highly-successful year in 2024, whereby the company expanded its portfolio of operated and non-operated assets from 6 to 15. The company’s oil reserves increased by 2.5 times during this period, reaching 106 million barrels. Major milestones during the year include an increase in block acquisitions. Offshore, the company increased its stake in Block 2/05 from 30% to 36%; in Block 14 from 20% to 29%; in Block 14K from 10% to 14.5%; and in Block 17/06 from 5% to 7.5%. Looking ahead, these acquisitions are expected to increase the company’s production capacity as it strives to unlock new deposits in Angola.

    Beyond the upstream sector, Etu Energias strives to expand its downstream portfolio, following the launch of its lubricant line in 2024. Launched in collaboration with Glide Petroleum, the 1,000-ton-per-month line is expected to start production in 2025. The project aligns with goals by Etu Energias to capture 25% share of the market by 2029. Etu Energias’ AOG 2025 sponsorship will support Etu Energias’ goals, offering an opportunity for the company to engage with industry leaders, connect with global partners and outline the company’s long-term approach to exploration and production.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: New model helps to figure out which distant planets may host life

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Daniel Apai, Associate Dean for Research and Professor of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences, University of Arizona

    Some ‘water worlds’ like Jupiter’s moon Europa could potentially be habitable for life. NASA/JPL-Caltech/SETI Institute

    The search for life beyond Earth is a key driver of modern astronomy and planetary science. The U.S. is building multiple major telescopes and planetary probes to advance this search. However, the signs of life – called biosignatures – that scientists may find will likely be difficult to interpret. Figuring out where exactly to look also remains challenging.

    I am an astrophysicist and astrobiologist with over 20 years of experience studying extrasolar planets – which are planets beyond our solar system.

    My colleagues and I have developed a new approach that will identify the most interesting planets or moons to search for life and help interpret potential biosignatures. We do this by modeling how different organisms may fare in different environments, informed by studies of limits of life on Earth.

    New telescopes to search for life

    Astronomers are developing plans and technology for increasingly powerful space telescopes. For instance, NASA is working on its proposed Habitable Worlds Observatory, which would take ultrasharp images that directly show the planets orbiting nearby stars.

    My colleagues and I are developing another concept, the Nautilus space telescope constellation, which is designed to study hundreds of potentially Earthlike planets as they pass in front of their host stars.

    Future telescopes, like the proposed Nautilus, could help search the skies for habitable planets.
    Katie Yung, Daniel Apai /University of Arizona and AllThingsSpace /SketchFab, CC BY-ND

    These and other future telescopes aim to provide more sensitive studies of more alien worlds. Their development prompts two important questions: “Where to look?” and “Are the environments where we think we see signs of life actually habitable?”

    The strongly disputed claims of potential signs of life in the exoplanet K2-18b, announced in April 2025, and previous similar claims in Venus, show how difficult it is to conclusively identify the presence of life from remote-sensing data.

    When is an alien world habitable?

    Oxford Languages defines “habitable” as “suitable or good enough to live in.” But how do scientists know what is “good enough to live in” for extraterrestrial organisms? Could alien microbes frolic in lakes of boiling acid or frigid liquid methane, or float in water droplets in Venus’ upper atmosphere?

    To keep it simple, NASA’s mantra has been “follow the water.” This makes sense – water is essential for all Earth life we know of. A planet with liquid water would also have a temperate environment. It wouldn’t be so cold that it slows down chemical reactions, nor would it be so hot that it destroys the complex molecules necessary for life.

    However, with astronomers’ rapidly growing capabilities for characterizing alien worlds, astrobiologists need an approach that is more quantitative and nuanced than the water or no-water classification.

    A community effort

    As part of the NASA-funded Alien Earths project that I lead, astrobiologist Rory Barnes and I worked on this problem with a group of experts – astrobiologists, planetary scientists, exoplanet experts, ecologists, biologists and chemists – drawn from the largest network of exoplanet and astrobiology researchers, NASA’s Nexus for Exoplanet System Science, or NExSS.

    Over a hundred colleagues provided us with ideas, and two questions came up often:

    First, how do we know what life needs, if we do not understand the full range of extraterrestrial life? Scientists know a lot about life on Earth, but most astrobiologists agree that more exotic types of life – perhaps based on different combinations of chemical elements and solvents – are possible. How do we determine what conditions those other types of life may require?

    Second, the approach has to work with incomplete data. Potential sites for life beyond Earth – “extrasolar habitats” – are very difficult to study directly, and often impossible to visit and sample.

    For example, the Martian subsurface remains mostly out of our reach. Places like Jupiter’s moon Europa’s and Saturn’s Moon Enceladus’ subsurface oceans and all extrasolar planets remain practically unreachable. Scientists study them indirectly, often only using remote observations. These measurements can’t tell you as much as actual samples would.

    Mars’ hot, dusty surface is hostile for life. But scientists haven’t been able to study whether some organisms could lurk beneath.
    NASA/JPL-Caltech/Malin Space Science Systems

    To make matters worse, measurements often have uncertainties. For example, we may be only 88% confident that water vapor is present in an exoplanet’s atmosphere. Our framework has to be able to work with small amounts of data and handle uncertainties. And, we need to accept that the answers will often not be black or white.

    A new approach to habitability

    The new approach, called the quantitative habitability framework, has two distinguishing features:

    First, we moved away from trying to answer the vague “habitable to life” question and narrowed it to a more specific and practically answerable question: Would the conditions in the habitat – as we know them – allow a specific (known or yet unknown) species or ecosystem to survive?

    Even on Earth, organisms require different conditions to survive – there are no camels in Antarctica. By talking about specific organisms, we made the question easier to answer.

    Second, the quantitative habitability framework does not insist on black-or-white answers. It compares computer models to calculate a probabilistic answer. Instead of assuming that liquid water is a key limiting factor, we compare our understanding of the conditions an organism requires (the “organism model”) with our understanding of the conditions present in the environment (the “habitat model”).

    Both have uncertainties. Our understanding of each can be incomplete. Yet, we can handle the uncertainties mathematically. By comparing the two models, we can determine the probability that an organism and a habitat are compatible.

    As a simplistic example, our habitat model for Antarctica may state that temperatures are often below freezing. And our organism model for a camel may state that it does not survive long in cold temperatures. Unsurprisingly, we would correctly predict a near-zero probability that Antarctica is a good habitat for camels.

    A hydrothermal vent deep in the Atlantic Ocean. These vents discharge incredibly hot plumes of water, but some host hearty microorganisms.
    P. Rona / OAR/National Undersea Research Program (NURP); NOAA

    We had a blast working on this project. To study the limits of life, we collected literature data on extreme organisms, from insects that live in the Himalayas at high altitudes and low temperatures to microorganisms that flourish in hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor and feed on chemical energy.

    We explored, via our models, whether they may survive in the Martian subsurface or in Europa’s oceans. We also investigated if marine bacteria that produce oxygen in Earth’s oceans could potentially survive on known extrasolar planets.

    Although comprehensive and detailed, this approach makes important simplifications. For example, it does not yet model how life may shape the planet, nor does it account for the full array of nutrients organisms may need. These simplifications are by design.

    In most of the environments we currently study, we know too little about the conditions to meaningfully attempt such models – except for some solar system bodies, such as Saturn’s Enceladus.

    The quantitative habitability framework allows my team to answer questions like whether astrobiologists might be interested in a subsurface location on Mars, given the available data, or whether astronomers should turn their telescopes to planet A or planet B while searching for life. Our framework is available as an open-source computer model, which astrobiologists can now readily use and further develop to help with current and future projects.

    If scientists do detect a potential signature of life, this approach can help assess if the environment where it is detected can actually support the type of life that leads to the signature detected.

    Our next steps will be to build a database of terrestrial organisms that live in extreme environments and represent the limits of life. To this data, we can also add models for hypothetical alien life. By integrating those into the quantitative habitability framework, we will be able to work out scenarios, interpret new data coming from other worlds and guide the search for signatures of life beyond Earth – in our solar system and beyond.

    Daniel Apai receives funding from NASA, Heising-Simons Foundation, Department of Defense, Space Telescope Science Institute, and the University of Arizona, and leads the NASA-funded Alien Earths astrobiology research team that developed the framework described here. He is affiliated with the Steward Observatory and Lunar and Planetary Laboratory of The University of Arizona.

    – ref. New model helps to figure out which distant planets may host life – https://theconversation.com/new-model-helps-to-figure-out-which-distant-planets-may-host-life-256427

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Southern Alberta  — Joint efforts by Southern Alberta RCMP Units leads to significant seizure of stolen property and guns

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On April 16 2025, after receiving an initial report of suspicious activity, the Central and Southern Alberta Crime Reduction Units (SAD CRU), with assistance from the Emergency Response Team and Strathmore RCMP, executed a Search Warrant for stolen property in Rockyford.

    As a result of the search RCMP recovered:

    • 5 stolen ATVs;
    • 3 stolen firearms;
    • 2 stolen trailers;
    • A stolen car;
    • Various other stolen items.

    The stolen items were linked to thefts from Caroline, Airdrie, Drumheller, Vulcan, Strathmore, and Calgary areas.

    As a result of the investigation RCMP have charged a 50-year-old individual with:

    • Unauthorized possession of a firearm (x3);
    • Possession of property obtained by crime (x11);
    • Break and Enter;
    • Failing to comply with a release order (x5).

    The 50-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody with a next court date set for May 22, 2025 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Airdrie.

    RCMP have charged a 42-year-old individual with:

    • Unauthorized possession of a firearm (x3);
    • Possession of property obtained by crime (x5).

    The 42-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and released with her next court date set for May 20, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Calgary.

    On April 19, 2025 Brooks RCMP received a report of a stolen vehicle. During this investigation Alberta RCMP Detachments in Brooks, Redcliff, Drumheller, Strathmore, Three Hills, Bassano, Taber-Vauxhall all assisted in locating two stolen vehicles and arresting a suspect. SAD CRU followed up on this investigation and on April 21, 2025, SAD CRU with the assistance of the Emergency Response Team, High River RCMP and Okotoks RCMP executed a Search Warrant in Aldersyde.

    As a result of the search, RCMP additionally recovered:

    • Stolen trailers (x3);
    • Stolen Trucks (x3);
    • Stolen motor bikes (x3);
    • A stolen ATV;
    • Stolen firearm (x3);
    • Forged documents;
    • 61 other firearms.

    After a brief pursuit RCMP arrested and charged a 44-year-old individual, a resident of Foothills County with:

    • Possession of property obtained by crime (x8);
    • Possession of a stolen firearm;
    • Flight from police;
    • Mischief;
    • Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle;
    • Failure to comply with a release order (x3);
    • Possession of break in tools;
    • Possession of a prohibited weapon.

    The 44-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and remanded into custody for court on May 30, 2025 at the Alberta Court of Justice in Okotoks.

    RCMP have charged a 78-year-old individual, a resident of Foothills County with:

    • Possession of property obtained by crime (x5);
    • (Allan)Careless storage of a firearm (x2) – (Chad) Careless storage of a firearm (x1);
    • Possession of a prohibited weapon.

    The 78-year-old individual and another individual were taken before a justice of the peace and released with their next court date set for May 30, 2025, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Okotoks.

    From the original Brooks investigation, RCMP have charged a 43-year-old individual with:

    • Flight from police
    • Possession of property obtained by crime over $5000 (x2)
    • Break and Enter
    • Possession of break in instruments

    The 43-year-old individual was taken before a justice of the peace and released for future court dates at the Alberta Court of Justice in Brooks.

    “These investigations spearheaded by the Southern and Central Alberta Crime Reduction Units with assistance from RCMP detachments across Southern Alberta showcases the Alberta RCMP’s ability to work collaboratively in interdicting crime networks,” says Constable Adam Heather of SAD CRU, “two of the stolen firearms recovered in Aldersyde are linked to the same break and enter as two of the stolen firearm recovered in the Rockyford search, this demonstrates how different crime groups are interconnected.”

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Development Bank Launches Inaugural Integrate Africa Magazine (I.A.M) to tell a New African Story on Regional Integration

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, June 2, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The African Development Bank Group ( www.AfDB.org) has unveiled its first edition of Integrate Africa Magazine (I.A.M.) during a colourful ceremony at the Sofitel Hotel, Abidjan.

    The event, held on Monday 26 May as part of the Bank’s 2025 Annual Meetings, marks the beginning of a new African story – celebrating 10 years of investing in integration, while looking ahead to do more and better in the future. The magazine’s pulse beats to the rhythm of opportunity and optimism – showing how African governments are investing in building connectivity with the African Development Bank at their side.

    With interconnected economies, a rapidly growing youth population, and growing human mobility – getting integration right is no longer a good option. It is an imperative.

    The event featured a cultural showcase, fireside chats, keynotes and the unveiling of I.A.M.  With the Bank’s new Ten-Year Strategy (2024-2033) firmly rooting Integrate Africa as a major pillar, the conversations centred on what is to come following 10 years of investing in Africa’s integration, 

    A Chronicle of Progress, a Canvas of Possibilities

    The I.A.M. chronicles momentum – showcasing how the Bank has planted seeds of transformation – in roads, rail, air transport, power pools, ports, one-stop border posts – all coming together to bridge Africa.  It captures the spirit of a borderless Africa in motion, with opening articles from some of the Bank’s leaders framing the vision; and influential voices driving integration through trade, transport, sport, health, and business – highlighting where progress is and what we must do next. 

    The editors took to the streets of Africa – asking young people how integration can be accelerated – with the results captured in I.A.M.’s “Views from the Ground” segment. Border officials, traders, entrepreneurs, students and innovators all speak with the same voice: Africa’s integration is the most cogent development strategy the continent has.  It must happen – and happen fast.

    In addition to profiling 12 Bank–funded transformative projects – in transport corridors, one-stop border posts, power pools, rail, ports, agriculture, pharmaceutical production, pandemic response – and much more; I.A.M. also highlights the Bank’s work at the frontlines of tackling fragility by investing in building resilience.

    Africa’s new magazine I.A.M. offers a story of development impact – and a rare glimpse into how Africa is driving its integration and forging effective partnerships to go to scale. 

    From Senior Vice President Marie-Laure Akin-Olugbade’s keynote address showcasing Bank-financed infrastructure, to Vice President Nnenna Nwabufo’s reminder that integration must be a lived experience, the launch event left us in no doubt: we are on track – but can do much more, together. 

    Looking Forward

    As Africa stands at this point of immense opportunity, I.A.M. invites us to celebrate what is working, to understand the scale of what’s left to be done and urges us all to be the protagonist in creating an Integrated Africa. 

    You can access the magazine here: Integrate Africa Magazine – AfDB

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Annual Meetings 2025: African private-sector players and African Development Bank officials discuss business opportunities

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast, June 2, 2025/APO Group/ —

    On the fourth day of the African Development Bank Group’s (www.AfDB.org) Annual Meetings in Abidjan (http://apo-opa.co/3ZcPGZZ), a seminar on business opportunities with the Group brought together private-sector players from 40 African countries and led to constructive exchanges with Bank officials.

    “Africa will not develop without a robust private sector. This seminar should give you a better understanding of how the Bank operates and how to work with us,” Gauthier Boulard, Senior Director of Resource Mobilization and Partners at the African Development Bank, told participants.

    During the seminar, the Bank provided updated information on its procurement plan and contractual policies, as well as on procedures for accessing business opportunities for companies or projects. Information was also shared on procurement rules, integrity and corruption.

    “With regard to our Ten-Year Strategy 2024-2033 (http://apo-opa.co/4jANgMb), we expect to have to finance more transformative projects, i.e. projects that bring about change in the market in which they take place…. We are ready to support the private sector,” said Ronald Rateiwa, Senior Strategy, Policy and Infrastructure Officer at the African Development Bank.

    Cheikh Ibra Faye, Director of Faye Groupe Services, a company active in Senegal, Mali and Côte d’Ivoire, commented: “I have just learned important information that I’ve been looking for for a year. I have a plan to replace West Africa’s urban vehicle fleet with vehicles powered by renewable energy, and I’d like to know what support is available from the African Development Bank,” he said.

    Aude Apetey-Kacou, Manager of Private Sector Operations for West Africa at the Bank, responded: “The Bank finances urban transport. So the fleet project meets one of our criteria. We would then need to discuss the project in a different setting, to find out more about its structure, the current state of financing and the progress of the studies already carried out, so that we can make a decision.”

    The creation of characteristically African social media, setting up biometric laboratories to combat cervical cancer, satellite imagery and the financing of small and medium-sized enterprises were just some of the projects brought to the attention of the Bank’s management by private-sector players.

    “Health is a key sector that the Bank intends to support and is already involved in. There are other sectors that are just as important, and we’ll have the opportunity to talk about them again,” confirmed Boris Honkpehedji, Senior Manager of Private Sector Operations at the African Development Bank.

    As of 31 December 2024, the African Development Bank Group’s investment portfolio had devoted 46% of its financing to the financial sector, 16% to energy, 15% to industry, 9% to transport, 9% to agriculture and social affairs, and 5% to multi-sector projects.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Statement by the Secretary-General on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (Gaza)

    Source: United Nations – English

    am appalled by the reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza yesterday. It is unacceptable that Palestinians are risking their lives for food.

    I call for an immediate and independent investigation into these events and for perpetrators to be held accountable.

    Israel has clear obligations under international humanitarian law to agree to and facilitate humanitarian aid. The unimpeded entry of assistance at scale to meet the enormous needs in Gaza must be restored immediately. The UN must be allowed to work in safety and security under conditions of full respect or humanitarian principles.

    I continue to call for an immediate permanent, sustainable ceasefire. All hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally. This is the only path to ensuring security for all. There is no military solution to the conflict.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: The Pula depreciated by 2 percent against the South African rand

    Source: Bank of Botswana

    Over the one-month period to May 2025, the Pula depreciated by 2 percent against the South African rand, while it appreciated by 1.8 percent against the SDR. It appreciated by 2.8 percent against the Japanese yen, 2.2 percent against the euro, 1.8 percent against the US dollar, 1.2 percent against the British pound and 0.8 percent against the Chinese renminbi.

    Meanwhile, over the twelve months period to May 2025, the nominal Pula exchange rate depreciated by 2.8 percent against the South African rand and 0.3 percent against the IMF Special Drawing Rights (SDR). With respect to the SDR constituent currencies, the Pula depreciated by 6.2 percent against the Japanese yen, 3.4 percent against the British pound and 2.4 percent against the euro, while it appreciated by 2.3 percent against the US dollar and 1.4 percent against the Chinese renminbi.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI: Trust Wallet Launches Buy+, Powered by Binance Connect, to Simplify Crypto Access

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

     

    Users can buy tokens on BNB Chain, Base and Solana directly with cards, local currency and more – all without leaving the Trust Wallet app.

    DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, June 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trust Wallet, the world’s leading self-custody Web3 wallet trusted by over 200 million users, has launched Buy+, a new feature powered by Binance Connect, to simplify crypto access for users worldwide and make onboarding easier for newcomers. The feature allows anyone to purchase tokens on BNB Chain, Base and Solana using fiat — without needing to own crypto assets, or to understand complex crypto workflows.

    Before this improvement, buying a new or trending token often meant a multi-step process, including manual swaps and switching between platforms. For many — especially beginners — this was confusing, time-consuming, and carried the risk of mistakes. Now, with Buy+, Trust Wallet simplifies everything into one seamless flow — making it possible to go from card, Apple/Google Pay and more, to a user’s desired token in just a few taps, all without leaving the app or giving up self-custody.

    “The first step to onboard a fiat asset into the desired crypto asset directly is often the hardest. And that’s what we’re improving as part of the effort to bring web2 user experience to web3 tech,” said Eowyn Chen, CEO of Trust Wallet. “When people discover a good crypto asset, they want to be able to buy it quickly, securely, and easily. Increasingly, these assets are not the major coins but rather smaller, trending tokens. So, we seamlessly integrate fiat onboarding with on-chain crypto swapping with the fewest steps. With this new capability, we’re giving users a simpler, safer, and smarter way to get their desired tokens —without compromising on self-custody or experience.”

    Buy+ works by intelligently routing transactions based on token availability. If a token is directly supported by Binance Connect, the purchase is completed in one seamless fiat-to-crypto flow. If not, the feature automatically facilitates a two-step process — first acquiring the required native token and then swapping it within the Trust Wallet app — all while maintaining full self-custody and minimizing complexity for the user.

    This feature pairs Binance Connect’s fiat-to-crypto infrastructure with Trust Wallet’s smart routing and swap capabilities to deliver a uniquely seamless experience that balances speed, flexibility, and full ownership.

    “At Binance, we’re focused on breaking down barriers to crypto adoption, and the launch of the Buy+ feature in Trust Wallet — powered by Binance Connect — is a major step in that direction,” said Thomas Gregory, Vice President of Fiat at Binance. “By removing the complexity of chains, swaps, and token transfers, we’re giving users — especially those new to crypto — a faster, simpler way to access the tokens and communities they care about. Binance Connect is proud to power this experience and enable our partners to deliver seamless fiat-to-crypto journeys.”

    Additional blockchain networks will be supported in future rollouts, as Binance Connect continues to expand access to Web3 tokens.

    This collaboration between Trust Wallet and Binance Connect reflects a shared commitment to lowering barriers to entry and making Web3 more intuitive for millions of users worldwide.

    Get Started Today

    To try Buy+ Token, download or open the latest version of Trust Wallet and tap “Buy” on any supported token. The feature is now live.

    Note: Until further notice, this feature will not be available in the UK, US, Canada, Nigeria, Netherlands, Russia, Belarus, Cape Verde, Cuba, Syria and Iran. This communication is not intended for audiences within the United Kingdom. If you are accessing this content from within the United Kingdom, please exit immediately.

    About Trust Wallet

    Trust Wallet is the secure, self-custody Web3 wallet and gateway for people who want to fully own, control, and leverage the power of their digital assets. From beginners to experienced users, Trust Wallet makes it easier, safer, and convenient for millions of people around the world to experience Web3, access dApps securely, store and manage their crypto and NFTs, as well as buy, sell, and stake crypto to earn rewards — all in one place and without limits.

    For media enquiries, contact:

    press@trustwallet.com

    About Binance Connect

    Binance Connect is a leading fiat-to-crypto infrastructure platform powered by Binance. It enables seamless on- and off-ramp solutions for Web3 applications, wallets, and marketplaces by leveraging Binance’s global liquidity, regulatory compliance, and diverse payment rails — including card payments, Apple Pay, Google Pay, local banking options, and P2P trading. Built to simplify access to digital assets, Binance Connect bridges traditional finance and decentralized ecosystems, empowering developers, businesses, and users to interact with crypto securely and efficiently.

    For media enquiries, contact:

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    The MIL Network –

  • UPI transactions see 23% rise at Rs 25.14 lakh crore in May

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) recorded a strong rebound in May, processing 18.68 billion transactions, up from 17.89 billion in April, according to data released by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
     
    This marks a 33 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth compared to 14.03 billion transactions in May 2023.
     
    In terms of value, UPI transactions surged to ₹25.14 lakh crore in May 2025 — a 5 per cent rise over April’s ₹23.95 lakh crore and a 23 per cent increase from ₹20.45 lakh crore in the same month last year.
     
    The average daily transaction volume stood at 602 million, while the average daily transaction value reached ₹81,106 crore.
     
    UPI continues to cement its dominance in India’s digital payments ecosystem, with its share in total transaction volume rising to 83.7 per cent in FY25, up from 79.7 per cent in FY24.
     
    According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), UPI processed 185.8 billion transactions in 2024–25, marking a 41 per cent YoY growth. In value terms, UPI payments climbed to ₹261 lakh crore, compared to ₹200 lakh crore in the previous fiscal year.
     
    “The success of UPI has positioned India as a global leader, accounting for 48.5 per cent of global real-time payments by volume,” the RBI noted in its annual report.
     
    Overall, digital payments in India — encompassing UPI, card networks, prepaid instruments, and other systems — grew 35 per cent to 221.9 billion transactions in FY25. The value of these payments rose by 17.97 per cent to ₹2,862 lakh crore.
     
    Looking ahead, the RBI reiterated its commitment to expanding UPI’s global footprint, aiming to enable UPI services in 20 countries by 2028–29. UPI apps are already accepted via QR codes in Bhutan, France, Mauritius, Nepal, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the UAE, allowing Indian travellers to make merchant payments abroad using domestic UPI platforms.
     
    —IANS

  • Indian delegation reaffirms anti-terror stance during Liberia visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    An all-party Indian parliamentary delegation led by Shiv Sena MP Shrikant Eknath Shinde is on a three-day visit to Liberia as part of India’s global outreach to reinforce its message of zero tolerance towards terrorism.

    According to a statement issued by the Indian Embassy in Monrovia, the delegation met with members of the Indian community in Liberia on Sunday, emphasizing India’s firm commitment to combat terrorism in all its forms.

    “The delegation members conveyed the collective will of India to fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and the support received from the international community in this endeavor. They also appreciated the diaspora’s role in strengthening India’s friendship with Liberia,” the statement said.

    The delegation was welcomed upon arrival in Monrovia on Saturday by Ambassador of India to Liberia Manoj Bihari Verma, Representative and Chairman of the Executive Committee Sekou S. Kanneh, Prince A. Toles of the Liberian House of Representatives, and members of the Indian community.

    As part of their visit, the delegation paid floral tributes at the grave of former Liberian President William V.S. Tubman, widely revered as the ‘Father of Modern Liberia.’ They also visited the National Museum, which stands as a symbol of Liberia’s resilience and cultural heritage.

  • Supriya Sule-led delegation concludes Ethiopia visit, conveys India’s stand against terrorism

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    An all-party Indian Parliamentary delegation led by NCP MP Supriya Sule concluded its official visit to Ethiopia on Sunday, as part of India’s diplomatic outreach to reinforce its zero-tolerance policy on cross-border terrorism.

    During the visit, the delegation engaged with Ethiopian dignitaries, media, academia, civil society representatives, think tanks, and the Indian diaspora, briefing them on the aftermath of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam and the subsequent military response under Operation Sindoor.

    The delegation described Operation Sindoor as a calibrated, targeted, and proportionate response, demonstrating India’s resolve to counter terrorism decisively without escalating regional tensions.

    Highlighting India’s long-standing challenges with cross-border terrorism, the MPs stressed the urgency of identifying and holding accountable not just the perpetrators of terror but also their supporters, enablers, and those who offer moral or material backing. They noted that India has begun dismantling the terrorist infrastructure that has operated across its borders for decades.

    The Ethiopian side, in turn, reaffirmed its own zero-tolerance stance on terrorism and expressed strong solidarity with India in the wake of the Pahalgam attack. The delegation thanked the Ethiopian leadership for its unequivocal support.

    During interactions with the media and civil society, the delegation provided detailed briefings on India’s position and their engagements in Ethiopia, while also responding to questions on regional and global developments.

    Addressing members of the Indian community in Ethiopia, the delegation praised them for upholding the values of tolerance, unity, and pluralism, and for resisting efforts aimed at destabilizing India’s social fabric.

    Many Ethiopian nationals who had studied in India and now hold key positions in public life also expressed their support for India’s counter-terrorism measures.

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Foyle Cup Launch 2025 at St. Joseph’s Boys School

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Foyle Cup Launch 2025 at St. Joseph’s Boys School

    2 June 2025

    The Press Launch of the ONeills Foyle Cup took place on Friday at St Joseph’s Boys’ School Westway, Derry – a most appropriate venue as St. Joseph’s are not only the present holders of Northern Ireland Under 18 Schools’ Cup but also host the Manchester United Foundation and the Stephen Gerrard 17-19 Academy, organised by Derry City F.C. on their school campus. 

     School Principal, Mrs. Ciara Deane, in introducing the large attendance at the launch, said: ‘It is a huge pleasure to support the Derry & District Youth F.A., organisers of the ONeills Foyle Cup and I  commend the work done by this organisation, not just for the kids of this city and district but for all the kids who have had a memorable experience of competing in the event over the thirty plus years of its existence, since  its humble beginnings in 1992.’ 

     The St. Joseph’s Principal continued: ‘I am delighted to hear that no fewer than 950 teams will compete in the 2025 event, resulting in over 20,000 actual participants creating lifelong memories and I’m even more delighted that our school premises will host some of the 3,300 fixtures scheduled this year!’ 

    John Murphy, on behalf of ONeills Sports, Title Sponsors, spoke proudly of what sponsorship of the Foyle Cup meant to his organisation. 

    ‘We’re incredibly proud to continue our partnership with the ONeills Foyle Cup, a tournament that captures the very best of youth football, community spirit, and international connection. 

    ‘With 950 teams competing this year from places as far afield as South Africa, Australia, the USA, Canada, Spain, Finland, and across the UK and Ireland, the ONeills Foyle Cup is a powerful reminder of how sport brings people together. At ONeills, we’re committed to supporting young athletes from the grassroots up, and this event truly reflects our passion for helping them grow in confidence, skill, and love for the game. We hope every player, coach, and supporter has a fantastic tournament experience and enjoys every moment on and off the pitch.” 

    The Deputy Mayor of Derry Strabane District Council, Darren Guy expressed his delight in how the event delivers for the city and district. 

     ‘I am proud to attend the formal launch of the 2025 Foyle Cup. The tournament is rightly regarded as one of the biggest and best celebrations of youth football in Europe and is a place where players, coaches and supporters make lifelong memories. 

    ‘As a Council, we are delighted to sponsor the tournament each year and provide playing pitches for games as part of our commitment to bring high level sporting events to our City and District.  We believe sport can play a key role in promoting friendship, team skills and social cohesion. Good luck to all the teams as they finalise their preparations for what will be an unforgettable week of football in July.’ 

    Chief Executive Officer of Derry Credit Union, Joan Gallagher also expressed delight in being invited to sponsor the mini soccer events during the Foyle Cup week and spoke of the excitement the whole city, – kids, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, experience during the week of the tournament. A fantastic week for the city and district and we are so proud to be supporting this wonderful, exciting, colourful event.  

    Cyril Moorhead, Good Relations Officer at Choice Housing, praised the organisers, not just on the success of the event in terms of numbers registered but more  importantly, the tremendous work that has been done on a cross-community basis, actively promoting good relations and friendliness and welcome afforded to all visitors which is synonymous with the city and district. 

      

    ‘It is most pleasing to see how the Foyle Cup has grown into such a large international event and how much support the event has from local communities, schools, colleges, Ulster University and Northwest Regional College. 

      

    ‘The impact of the Foyle Cup is significant, from its contribution to the local economy to the impact it has on young people’s lives, their communities and the positive community relations that it builds. As a housing association, Choice is committed not only to building quality affordable homes but contributing positively to the communities that we operate in, this partnership is a prime example of this. 

      

    ‘I wish the organisers continued success this year and, in the years, ahead.’ 

      

    Special Guest of Honour, Rory Holden, a player who participated in the Foyle Cup for many years with his local team, Top of the Hill Celtic, said he was ever thankful to the organisers and his own junior club, for without the effort of so many, it is doubtful if he would be having the enriching experience of  playing with his own professional club, All Saints from Wales, having played in Champions’ League and Europa league competitions this year. 

    ‘This event continues to thrive, grow and delivers for all our youth – boys, girls and those with sports disabilities. It is a real pleasure to be here to celebrate the success of this superb tournament.’ 

    Philip Devlin, Foyle Cup committee member, in taking charge of the live draw, advised all that details of the draw were available on the tournament website www.foylecup.com and he expected that fixtures for the full week would be on site within 36 hours of launch.  He also thanked all teams for their support and co-operation and wished them well in the tournament, from July 21-26. 

    Diolain Ward, of Foyle Cup committee member, concluded the launch event. 

    ‘Thank you to everyone who gave of their time to be here this evening. In particular, I would like to thank our sponsors – Derry City and Strabane District Council, Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council, ONeills, Derry Credit Union, Choice Housing, Seagate, Inner City Trust, Brunswick Moviebowl, Ulster University and North West Regional College.  Finally, I would like to say a huge thank you to Rory Holden for spending some of his much-valued time at home, with us, this afternoon and I wish him, on behalf of the member clubs of the Derry & District Youth Football Association, even more success in his football career.’ 

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Video: International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers – Press Conference | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    On the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, marked today (29 May) Peacekeeping Chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix said, “we are committed to maximising our own cost effectiveness,” but at the same time, he said “it is imperative that peacekeeping should be provided with the resources that are needed to deliver on the mandate.”

    Speaking to reporters in New York, Lacroix said the 2025 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial in Berlin brought together “more than 150 delegations,” 60 of them at ministerial level.

    He said there “many expressions of support,” as well as “many pledges that were made to support peacekeeping.”

    The main takeaway, Peacekeeping Chief was that “peacekeeping remains very strongly supported by Member States.”

    He said, “we have a great amount of work to do to operationalise all the commitments and also to continue with the many bodies of work that we’re currently working on in different areas, such as safety and security of peacekeepers; performance; conduct and discipline; relation with the host government; how to introduce and make the best possible use of digital technology in peacekeeping and so many other bodies of work.”

    Lacroix said, “Member States requested a broad review of all peace operations at the Summit for the Future last September. And we’re currently working on this with our sister department, the Department of Peacebuilding and Political Affairs. And, of course, we are working to operationalise UN80 initiatives, the Secretary-General initiative, within the peace and security pillar.”

    Faced with financial constraints, he said, “peacekeeping is constant adapting” and “looking for innovative ways to deliver while remaining both an effective and really a low cost option compared to many other multinational deployments.”

    Lacroix stressed that “we are committed to maximising our own cost effectiveness, but at the same time, we want to insist that it is imperative that peacekeeping should be provided with the resources that are needed to deliver on the mandate.”

    Responding to a reporter’s question on the matter, he said, “I think it’s clear that most of our top financial contributors have constraints in terms of their public finances. Now, of course, we expect all of them to pay what they have to pay on time and in full, but at the same time, we live in a real world, and we know what those constraints are. So, we want to have a very productive dialogue with them, in addition of course to making sure that as far as we’re concerned, we work on cost effectiveness.”

    Later in the day, Secretary-General António Guterres laid a wreath to honour the more than 4,400 United Nations peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the line of duty since 1948.

    During an awards ceremony at the ECPOSOC Chamber, Guterres said, “over the decades, more than 2 million women and men have served in 72 UN missions across four continents. And I’m deeply grateful to all Member States for these invaluable contributions. In the communities and countries in which they serve, UN peacekeepers are an important symbol of the United Nations at its best. And together, they’ve helped improve millions of lives, protecting people, preserving peace and providing hope, rebuilding infrastructures, repairing institutions, and ensuring life-saving assistance. With their support, nations around the world have made the transition from war to peace.”

    The Secretary-General presented awards to the Military Gender Advocate of the Year, Squadron Leader Sharon Mwinsote Syme of Ghana and the UN Woman Police Officer of the Year, Superintendent Zainab Gbla of Sierra Leone. Both of them serve with our peacekeeping mission in Abyei.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ1I2OKaVs8

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Africa Dialogue, Occupied Palestinian Territory & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (30 May 2025)

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Noon Briefing by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General.

    Highlights:
    Secretary-General/Africa Dialogue
    Occupied Palestinian Territory
    Sudan
    South Sudan
    Cyprus
    Security Council
    Haiti – Hurricane Season
    International Days
    Programming Note – Monday
    Deputy Secretary-General/Travels

    SECRETARY-GENERAL/AFRICA DIALOGUE
    The Secretary-General will speak at the Africa Dialogue at 3 pm today and will focus on reparations, which is also the African Union’s theme for 2025.
    He will say that for too long, the colossal injustices inflicted by enslavement, the transatlantic slave trade, and colonialism have been left unacknowledged and unaddressed.
    And he will argue that reparatory justice frameworks are critical – to redress historic wrongs, address today’s challenges, and ensure the rights and dignity of all.

    DEPUTY SECRETARY-GENERAL/TRAVELS
    Today, in Tajikistan, the Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed participated in the High-Level International Conference on Glacier Preservation, taking place in Dushanbe. She underscored the urgent need to preserve glaciers and keep the 1.5°C climate target within reach — not only to protect ecosystems and water sources, but to ensure the livelihoods of people and prospering communities.
    The Deputy Secretary-General called for bold, coordinated action ahead of COP30 rooted in cooperation, solidarity, and science. She later held a series of bilateral meetings with senior government officials, delegations, and youth constituents. She also met with the UN Country Team to acknowledge the UN’s continued support in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in Tajikistan.
    Tomorrow, the Deputy Secretary-General will travel to Marrakech, Morocco, to attend the 2025 Ibrahim Governance Weekend.

    OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY
    Turning to the situation in Gaza, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell says that the catastrophic situation in Gaza is the worst it has been since the war began.
    Strikes have continued across Gaza, particularly in North Gaza, where the last remaining partially functioning hospital, Al Awda, was forced to evacuate last night after repeated strikes on and around the facility in recent days. Attacks also continued farther south in Deir al Balah, in areas of Al Bureij and An Nuseirat camps.
    IHH, an international aid organization that runs community kitchens and nutrition points, reported on Wednesday that five of its workers had been killed and two injured in the previous two days.
    OCHA underscores once again that civilians, including aid workers, must always be protected.
    Displacement continued across Gaza, with nearly 200,000 people displaced in the last two weeks alone. Yesterday, Israeli authorities issued a renewed displacement order covering about 30 per cent of Gaza’s total territory in North Gaza, eastern parts of Gaza City and Deir al Balah.
    To date, displacement orders have covered the entirety of the northernmost and southernmost governorates, as well as the eastern parts of each of the three governorates in between. Partners note that the limited movement of people observed in recent days appears to be driven by the search for food and necessities, rather than displacement orders.
    The UN and its humanitarian partners continue to provide support to people in need, despite the immense challenges on the ground and the crippling restrictions on the amount and type of assistance being allowed into Gaza. Yesterday, the UN and the humanitarian partners only managed to collect five truckloads of cargo from the Palestinian side of Kerem Shalom. The other 60 trucks had to return to the crossing due to intense hostilities in the area.
    Meanwhile in Gaza City, our partners working to address shelter needs managed to distribute 45 emergency shelter kits to families as part of a pilot initiative aimed at pooling resources to respond to some of the most critical needs.
    Humanitarian needs have exploded in Gaza following nearly 80 days of a total blockade of all supplies.
    The limited amounts of aid now entering the Strip are nowhere near sufficient to support 2.1 million people in desperate need of assistance.
    As conditions on the ground further deteriorate and public order and safety break down, looting incidents continue to be reported. Today, a group ‎of armed individuals stormed the warehouses of a field hospital in Deir al Balah, looting large quantities of ‎medical equipment, supplies, medicines and nutritional supplements intended for ‎malnourished children.

    Full highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=30%20May%202025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZE59Bf_GH5M

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Finland helps WPF provide hot meals to children in northern Mozambique

    Source: World Food Programme

    MAPUTO – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a generous contribution of EUR 500,000 from the Government of Finland to provide tens of thousands of children with daily hot meals as part of Mozambique’s ongoing National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (PRONAE).

    The initiative, which will be immediately rolled out, reinforces the shared commitment of the Government of Mozambique, WFP, and partners to improve education, nutrition, and food security in some of the most vulnerable areas of the country.  Finland’s contribution will enable WFP to provide daily hot meals to more than 56,000 students over the next three months in primary schools located along the Nacala Corridor in Nampula Province, northern Mozambique. 

    “School meals are more than just a plate of food; they are a vital investment in the future of Mozambican children”, said Satu Lassila, Ambassador of Finland to Mozambique. “Finland has a long-standing partnership with Mozambique, including in education. I am delighted that we can now support Mozambican children also in this way.” 

    Mozambique is currently facing one of the most severe food insecurity crises in recent years, with nearly 40 percent of children under the age of five suffering from stunted growth and a record 5 million people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. The situation is especially dire in the northern region, where conflict and recurrent climate shocks continue to disrupt lives and livelihoods.

    “Investing in school meals is one of the smartest and most impactful ways to support the next generations in Mozambique,” said Antonella D’Aprile, WFP Country Director in Mozambique. “Thanks to Finland’s generous contribution, thousands of children will receive the nourishment they need to learn and build a better future—not only for themselves but for the country as a whole.”

    Evidence shows that school feeding programmes not only improve children’s nutrition and learning but also help reduce poverty and inequality by increasing school attendance and building human capital over time.

    As a founding member and co-chair of the Global School Meals Coalition, Finland remains a steadfast provider and supporter of school meals around the world. This latest contribution builds on Finland’s longstanding collaboration with WFP to ensure that no child learns on an empty stomach.

    #                 #                   #

    The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change.

    Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media and @wfp_mozambique

    Follow the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs on X, formerly Twitter, via @Ulkoministerio, and the Embassy of Finland in Maputo on Facebook (@Embaixada da Finlândia Maputo – Suomen suurlähetystö Maputo) and Instagram (@finlandinmozambique).

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EIB Group Complaints Mechanism workshop for mediators in Tunisia

    Source: European Investment Bank

    The EIB Group Complaints Mechanism co-organised a workshop for 14 mediators based in the Middle East and North Africa. The workshop offered a deep dive into the specificities of mediating disputes arising in the context of development projects. As part of the workshop, participants conducted role plays, during which they had to navigate complex situations involving power imbalances, high emotions, and negotiation deadlock. The five-day workshop was held in Tunisia from 12 to 17 May 2025. It was organised together with the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) for IFC and MIGA and the Independent Recourse Mechanism (IRM) of the African Development Bank.

    Through this workshop, the Complaints Mechanism was able to strengthen its network of mediators in the region. Local facilitators and mediators play a crucial role in understanding local context and dynamics, which is paramount to designing impactful dispute resolution processes. Read more about our work with local facilitators here.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Health – From Today Eligible People with Stage III Melanoma Can Access Funded KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab)

    Source: Merck Sharp & Dohme (New Zealand)

    Auckland, New Zealand, 1 June 2025 – MSD (tradename of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (NYSE: MRK) is delighted to announce that from today, Pharmac will widen the funding of the immunotherapy cancer medicine KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) to include the treatment of eligible people with stage III melanoma. 1  

    Vanessa Gascoigne, Merck Sharp & Dohme (New Zealand) Limited (MSD) Director, expressed her excitement, stating; “Funded access to KEYTRUDA has been available in New Zealand for certain people with advanced melanoma since 2016. 2

    “We are thrilled that Pharmac has widened its funding of KEYTRUDA from today, to include eligible people with stage III melanoma. 1

    “This marks the first time KEYTRUDA will be funded by Pharmac for the treatment of a cancer before it has progressed to an advanced stage. 1,3

    “Thanks to the Government’s increase in the medicines budget last year, and National’s Cancer Policy, additional people living with cancer will now receive funded access to KEYTRUDA.” 1, 4, 5

    New Zealand has one of the highest melanoma rates in the world; therefore preventing, and detecting melanoma early, must be absolute priorities. 6

    KEYTRUDA is an immunotherapy cancer medicine registered for 31 indications and is now publicly funded for 12 of these indications.7,1 MSD will continue to work with the funding agency Pharmac, to try and obtain funded access for more people with cancer.

    Ms Gascoigne says, “Faster funded access to cancer treatment may benefit people across New Zealand and we believe patients should have access to KEYTRUDA where clinical evidence exists, ensuring fair and equitable access.”  

    KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) is available as a 100 mg/4 mL concentrate for solution for infusion.

    The KEYTRUDA Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is available at www.medsafe.govt.nz.

    KEYTRUDA is a Prescription Medicine and may be used in adults:

    · After surgery to remove melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer or renal cell carcinoma to help prevent the cancer from coming back

    · Before surgery to treat triple-negative breast cancer and then continued after surgery to help prevent the cancer from coming back

    · To treat bladder cancer which has not spread to nearby tissues but is at high-risk of spreading and where bladder removal is not preferred

    · To treat certain patients with the following types of advanced cancers:

    o Melanoma

    o Non-small cell lung cancer

    o Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM)

    o Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma (cHL)

    o Urothelial carcinoma

    o Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

    o Renal cell carcinoma

    o Gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma

    o Oesophageal carcinoma

    o Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

    o Cervical cancer

    o Endometrial carcinoma

    o Triple-negative breast cancer

    o A kind of cancer that can occur in any part of the body and is shown by a laboratory test to be microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) or mismatch repair deficient (dMMR)

    o Colon or rectal cancer that is shown by a laboratory test to be MSI-H or dMMR

    o Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC)

    o Biliary tract carcinoma

    KEYTRUDA may be used in children with MPM, cHL, MCC, MSI-H or dMMR cancer, or after surgery to remove melanoma. It is not known if KEYTRUDA is safe and effective in children with MSI-H or dMMR cancer of the brain or spinal cord (central nervous system cancers).

    You should not be given KEYTRUDA if you are allergic to pembrolizumab or to any of the other ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.

    KEYTRUDA can cause harm or death to unborn babies. Talk to your doctor if you are a woman who could become pregnant and use effective contraception while you are being treated with KEYTRUDA and for at least 4 months after the last dose of KEYTRUDA. Do not breastfeed while taking KEYTRUDA.

    Serious immune-mediated side effects have occurred affecting the lungs, intestines, liver, kidneys, hormone glands, blood sugar levels, skin, other organs and in transplant recipients. Some of these side effects can sometimes become life-threatening and can lead to death. These side effects may happen anytime during treatment or even after your treatment has ended and you may experience more than one side effect at the same time. Serious infusion reactions have also occurred.

    Very common side effects with KEYTRUDA alone include diarrhoea, nausea, itching, rash, joint pain, back pain, feeling tired, cough, patches of discoloured skin, stomach pain, decreased levels of sodium in blood and low levels of thyroid hormone.

    When KEYTRUDA was given in combination with chemotherapy, hair loss, vomiting, decreased white-blood cell count, mouth sores, fever, decreased appetite, decreased number of red blood cells, decreased number of platelets in the blood and swelling of the lining of the digestive system (for example mouth, intestines) were also commonly reported.

    When KEYTRUDA was given in combination with axitinib, high blood pressure, fatigue, low levels of thyroid hormone, decreased appetite, blisters or rash on palms of your hands and soles of your feet, increased liver enzyme levels, hoarseness, and constipation were also commonly reported.

    When KEYTRUDA was given in combination with lenvatinib, high blood pressure, decreased appetite, low levels of thyroid hormone, vomiting, weight loss, headache, constipation, hoarseness, urinary tract infection, stomach-area (abdominal pain), blisters or rash on the palms of your hands and soles of your feet, protein in your urine, increased liver enzyme levels and feeling weak were also commonly reported.

    The most common side effects when KEYTRUDA is given alone to children include fever, vomiting, headache, stomach pain, decreased number of red blood cells, cough, and constipation. (v56)

    KEYTRUDA has risks and benefits. Talk to your doctor to see if KEYTRUDA is right for you. If symptoms continue or you have side effects, tell your doctor.

    KEYTRUDA is funded to treat certain patients with the following types of advanced cancers: melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, MSI-H or dMMR colorectal cancer, triple-negative breast cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, urothelial carcinoma, and classical Hodgkin lymphoma. KEYTRUDA is also funded for certain patients with Stage IIIB-D melanoma. Patients must meet specific criteria for funding.

    KEYTRUDA is not funded for the treatment of all other cancers , which means you will need to pay for the full cost of the medicine and its administration. Ask your doctor about the cost of the medicine and any other medical fees that may apply.

    Merck Sharp & Dohme (New Zealand) Limited. Level 3, 123 Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket, Auckland.

    Copyright © 2025 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, and its affiliates. All rights reserved.

    About MSD

    At MSD, known as Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA in the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.msd.com

    Copyright © 2025 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, and its affiliates. All rights reserved.
    Merck Sharp & Dohme (New Zealand) Limited. Level 3, 123 Carlton Gore Road, Newmarket, Auckland. NZ-NZ-KEY-00984 V1.0 NP22833 June 2025

    References

    1. Pharmac Community Schedule: Pembrolizumab Special Authority Form SA2491 June 2025. Available at   https://schedule.pharmac.govt.nz/2025/06/01/SA2491.pdf Accessed May 2025

    2. Pharmac. News and resources. Decision regarding funding of pembrolizumab (Keytruda), nivolumab (Opdivo), posaconazole (Noxafil) and raltegravir (Isentress) Available at:

    https://www.pharmac.govt.nz/news-and-resources/consultations-and-decisions/decision-regarding-funding-of-pembrolizumab-keytruda-nivolumab-opdivo-posaconazole-noxafil-and-raltegravir-isentress?keyword=KEYTRUDA&type=all&page=1 Accessed May 2025

    3. Pharmac Community Schedule: Pembrolizumab Special Authority Form SA2386 May2025. Accessed May 2025

    4. Pharmac. News and resources. Update on new medicines funding after the budget uplift. Available at:

    https://www.pharmac.govt.nz/news-and-resources/news/update-on-new-medicines-funding-after-the-budget-uplift  Accessed May 2025

    5. National Party. Policies. Helping More Kiwis Fight Cancer. Available at:

    https://assets.national.org.nz/Plan_Helping_More_Kiwis_Fight_Cancer.pdf  Accessed May 2025

    6. MelNet: Skin Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Strategy 2024 – 2028. Available athttps://strategy.melnet.org.nz/ Accessed May 2025

    7.KEYTRUDA Data Sheet. Available at: https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/Datasheet/k/Keytruda.pdf   Accessed May 2025

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 8 injured in Colorado ‘targeted terror attack’

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

    Eight people were injured Sunday in “a targeted terror attack” in Boulder, Colorado, authorities said.

    The suspect was identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, said Mark Michalek, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Denver office, on Sunday evening at a news conference.

    Boulder police confirmed Sunday night that eight people, namely four women and four men, were injured in the attack. Officials initially told news outlets that six victims had been taken to hospitals.

    The 45-year-old suspect was allegedly heard yelling “Free Palestine” while using a “makeshift flamethrower” during the attack. He was also reportedly heard yelling “They are killers” and “How many children you killed.”

    Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn said at a news conference that Boulder dispatch received several calls reporting an incident at the county courthouse in downtown Boulder at approximately 1:26 p.m. local time (1926 GMT).

    Police officers found several victims suffering from burns and other injuries upon arriving at the scene.

    An organizer with Run For Their Lives, a group that holds weekly walks to raise awareness about Israeli hostages held in Gaza — told local television station KUSA that a man was waiting with bottles when they arrived at the historic courthouse near 13th and Pearl Streets.

    The suspect threw the bottles, burning multiple people, including a woman who was severely injured and had to roll on the ground to extinguish the flames, according to the report.

    One of the victims is a Holocaust survivor, said the report.

    In a social media post, FBI Director Kash Patel said, “We are aware of and fully investigating a targeted terror attack in Boulder, Colorado.”

    White House deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security advisor Stephen Miller said in a social media post that the terror attack was committed by “an illegal alien.”

    Fox News reported that Soliman is an Egyptian national who overstayed his visa after entering the United States, citing Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement sources.

    CNN reported authorities are working to determine whether the suspect may have suffered mental health issues.

    “He’s shirtless, screaming, used rudimentary (explosive) devices, and stuck around to be arrested,” a source told CNN.

    Colorado Governor Jared Polis condemned the attack as a “heinous and targeted act on the Jewish community” in a statement.

    “Hate is unacceptable in our Colorado for all, and I condemn this act of terror. The suspect should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Africa’s new credit rating agency could change the rules of the game. Here’s how

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Daniel Cash, Reader in Law, Aston University

    For governments, a credit rating is more than a financial signal. It is a verdict that can influence the cost of borrowing, access to markets and, ultimately, the ability to provide for their citizens.

    Rating decisions are made behind closed doors in a private process that isn’t open to assessment or scrutiny.

    For African countries, this opacity can be especially damaging. When rating decisions lack transparency, it’s impossible to challenge potential biases or inconsistencies in methodology that put developing economies at a disadvantage. The result is higher borrowing costs that drain resources from healthcare, education and infrastructure investment.

    Africa’s new credit rating agency has the chance to change this. The African Credit Rating Agency is an initiative under development by the African Union and its partners. It is more than a new entrant; it is an attempt to rethink how financial authority is earned, exercised and scrutinised. The new agency plans to introduce transparent governance structures that could revolutionise rating methodology.

    As a researcher who has looked closely at the working of rating agencies, I believe this opportunity to bring transparency to financial governance isn’t just about better ratings. It’s a step towards economic sovereignty.

    Success for the African Credit Rating Agency shouldn’t be measured by whether it displaces the “big three” rating agencies (Standard & Poor’s, Moody’s and Fitch). The real question isn’t whether an African agency can compete, but rather whether it can show the world how to rate credit differently.

    A flawed process

    The three big agencies do publish their methodologies – their criteria and risk models. This creates an illusion of transparency. Yet the final judgments emerge from committee meetings that produce no public record, no accountability, and no right of meaningful appeal.

    These rating committees typically comprise five to 10 analysts who meet in closed sessions to make each sovereign rating decision. S&P, Moody’s and Fitch each operate internal rating committees for every sovereign rating decision. The deliberations, dissenting views, and specific reasoning behind final votes remain confidential. Only a brief summary is provided with a rating decision.

    Research has shown that credit rating agencies are more accurate at assessing the creditworthiness of advanced economies than developing economies. There have also been studies on the discrepancy between what is expected when the public methodologies are applied and what the agencies actually rate. These studies have been done for economies like Hong Kong and China, but no equivalent research has yet been undertaken for African sovereigns.

    This discrepancy exposes an accountability void. When methodology-based predictions miss the mark, we must question what happens in those committee rooms. Especially when African nations are being assessed by analysts stationed continents away, with limited understanding of local economic and political realities.

    The African Credit Rating Agency could make three changes to the way ratings are done:

    • through public deliberations

    • by forming hybrid committees

    • with technological intervention.

    First, it could release committee transcripts within 30 days of each decision. This would give markets and governments unprecedented insight into rating rationales. This isn’t radical – central banks already publish meeting minutes, and courts publish opinions with dissenting views.

    Second, it could pioneer panels that include not only rating analysts, but regional economists, sectoral specialists, and even civil society observers. All with recorded votes. This diversified expertise would disrupt “group think” while capturing nuances of African economies that traditional agencies overlook.

    I have examined this idea from the perspective of injecting climate and sustainability-related expertise into credit rating committees. I believe this is a crucial step to take to evolve the concept of the credit rating committee.

    Third, the agency could use artificial intelligence to analyse patterns across committee discussions, flagging potential regional biases or inconsistent methodology application. It might be able to use secure digital ledgers to create unchangeable records of decisions.

    Why the big three keep it closed

    The industry thrives on privacy – protecting proprietary methodologies and shielding decisions from external challenge. And the natural oligopoly (a market dominated by a few large players due to high entry barriers, reinforced by market preference for predictability) helps it stay that way.

    The sovereign credit ratings of the three big agencies are built on quantitative and qualitative factors. But research shows that sovereign ratings are subjected to qualitative understandings. This puts developing economies at a disadvantage when agencies demonstrate pro-western biases because they lack data or knowledge.

    The impact of a credit rating downgrade for a sovereign borrower is usually multifaceted. Research shows that a single-notch downgrade can raise borrowing costs by more than 100 basis points, equivalent to an extra US$100 million annually on a US$10 billion bond.

    Investors prefer fewer, stronger signals rather than many competing views. So there’s little incentive for established players to change. The African Credit Rating Agency, as a new entrant, can offer something the incumbents won’t: governance innovation that serves both markets and nations.

    Radical openness will shake markets, at least at first. Committee members might face political pressure. Transparency alone doesn’t guarantee fair outcomes.

    But the world already demands transparency from central banks and constitutional courts. Why accept anything less from institutions that shape sovereign destiny?

    Next steps

    By 2050, one in four people on Earth will be African. The financial architecture serving them must evolve towards systems that recognise the continent’s unique strengths.

    Opening the rating committee to view represents more than technical reform – it’s about shifting who holds power in global finance. If it does this, the African agency won’t just deliver better ratings; it will model how global finance can be governed more justly.

    – Africa’s new credit rating agency could change the rules of the game. Here’s how
    – https://theconversation.com/africas-new-credit-rating-agency-could-change-the-rules-of-the-game-heres-how-257138

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Today, NSU opened an internship program for foreign specialists in the field of engineering InteRussia

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Novosibirsk State University – Novosibirsk State University –

    Today, June 2, NSU hosted the grand opening of the InteRussia 2025 internship program for foreign specialists. This is the second internship of this kind that is taking place at Novosibirsk State University. This time, 17 students from 14 countries, such as Chile, Jordan, India, Pakistan, Brazil, Albania, Serbia, Bangladesh, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Indonesia, Ecuador, Uzbekistan and Tanzania, came to NSU.

    The internship is conducted by the Gorchakov Fund, the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the ANO “Mezhdunarodniki” with the support of the Directorate of the World Youth Festival and the Presidential Grants Fund.

    For a month — from June 2 to June 29 — young researchers will be trained at the university in the promising areas of “Artificial Intelligence and Medicine” and “Modern Quantum and Information Technologies in Electronics and Photonics”. The school participants will work in one of two groups in accordance with the chosen area. The event will result in the preparation and presentation of their own scientific project.

    — We are organizing the internship for the second time, but we already see that our program is in great demand — this year, more than 160 applications were submitted, so the competition was almost 10 people per place. As a result, the best students who passed a tough and competitive selection came here. This year, we decided to make only two directions, and not three, as it was a year ago. We left the direction “Artificial Intelligence and Medicine”, since the 2024 internship showed that this topic is very interesting and in demand. We also added a new promising direction related to quantum mechanics. Among other innovations, we increased the duration of the internship from three to four weeks, — said Evgeny Sagaydak, Head of the Education Export Department at NSU.

    Artur Pogosov, Professor of the Department of Semiconductor Physics, Faculty of Physics, NSU, Head of the Department of General Physics Physics Department of NSU, in his welcoming speech to the participants, he spoke a little about the specifics of Akademgorodok and the special atmosphere that characterizes this unique place. He also spoke in more detail about the program of the direction that he supervises – “Modern quantum and information technologies in electronics and photonics”. It will include both lectures from scientists of the SB RAS Research Institute and NSU teachers, and practical computer sessions, during which, using special computational and modeling methods, listeners will be able to delve deeper into quantum mechanics, explore new crystals and new compounds, and model the processes occurring in them.

    Evgeny Pavlovsky, Head of the Laboratory of Streaming Data Analytics and Machine Learning Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics of NSU and head of the Artificial Intelligence and Medicine department, noted that the students will have the opportunity not only to expand their knowledge, but also to present their projects, since one of the school’s goals is to ensure that the participants continue their research after completing their internship.

    The audience of the program was greeted by the leading specialist of the A.M. Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Support Fund Ilya Demkin. He thanked the partners for their cooperation, spoke about the activities of the Fund and about the internship program for foreign specialists in various fields of InteRussia. In addition, he noted that for the audience, participation in this event is an excellent opportunity to gain new knowledge in one of the best Russian universities, take thematic courses from leading experts, take part in innovative professional master classes in one of two areas, and exchange experience with colleagues from different countries.

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

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Deputy Minister Mhlauli releases the 2024 4th Quarter Report of the Presidential Youth Employment

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements-2)

    Deputy Minister Mhlauli briefs the media on the release of the 2024 4th Quarter Report of the Presidential Youth Employment

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0i40LrpL7Q

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO) Secretary General Joins Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2025 Ahead of Energy Bank Launch

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 2, 2025/APO Group/ —

    Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General of the African Petroleum Producers Organization (APPO), will speak at this year’s edition of the Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) conference – the country’s premier industry event, scheduled for September 3-4 in Luanda. Ibrahim’s return to the conference reflects his commitment to supporting oil and gas projects in the country and comes as the organization prepares to launch the Africa Energy Bank (AEB) – a financial institution created in partnership with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). 

    Established with the aim of improving access to financing for African oil and gas projects, the AEB is on track to commence operations in June 2025, with the finalization of key arrangements made in April 2025. Headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria, the bank will have an initial capitalization of $5 billion, supported by an $83 million commitment made by each APPO member state. As of March 2025, three member countries – Angola, Nigeria and Ghana – had contributed, reflecting the support from some of Africa’s biggest oil and gas producers. At AOG 2025, Ibrahim is set to share insight into the role the institution will play in markets such as Angola and how improved financing can support regional fuel security.

    AOG is the largest oil and gas event in Angola. Taking place with the full support of the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil and Gas; the National Oil, Gas and Biofuels Agency; the Petroleum Derivatives Regulatory Institute; national oil company Sonangol; and the African Energy Chamber; the event is a platform to sign deals and advance Angola’s oil and gas industry. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

    As sub-Saharan Africa’s second largest oil producer, Angola strives to sustain oil production above one million barrels per day beyond 2027. In tandem, the country aims to bolster gas monetization, with its first non-associated gas project – led by the New Gas Consortium – coming online in late-2025 or early-2026. Through a multi-year strategy, improved fiscals and an upcoming Gas Master Plan, the country is incentivizing spending across the entire oil and gas value chain. The AEB will support these goals by offering project developers the requisite financing to accelerate exploration, production and project development.

    Operating as a development finance institution, the AEB will focus on Africa. The bank will have three classes of shareholders, with Class A featuring founding countries, APPO member states and Afreximbank; Class B consisting of other African countries, alongside their national oil companies; and Class C being reserved for individual and corporate investors outside of the continent. This structure offers access to a wide investment pool and reflects the drive by APPO and Afreximbank to support African oil and gas developments. AOG 2025 offers a strategic platform for project developers in Angola to gain insight into financing opportunities made possible through the AEB. Ibrahim’s participation will not only provide a greater understanding of the role the bank can play in the country but foster dealmaking in Angola as companies seek new financing mechanisms to expand their portfolios.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: African Mining Week to Highlight Coal’s Role in Regional Energy Security, Industrialization

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    CAPE TOWN, South Africa, June 2, 2025/APO Group/ —

    As Africa leverages coal to drive industrialization and support sustainable development, African Mining Week (AMW) – the continent’s premier platform for mining stakeholders – will highlight investment opportunities within the coal sector. Scheduled for October 1–3, 2025 in Cape Town, the event will unite project developers, investors, policymakers and technology providers to advance coal-focused deals and partnerships.

    A dedicated panel discussion, “Coal’s Indispensable Role: Powering Africa’s Downstream Processing and Manufacturing Boom,” will explore how coal contributes to energy security, economic growth and job creation across the continent.

    Coal remains a critical driver of energy security in Africa. The continent is expected to increase coal use by 6 million tons to 191 million tons per annum by 2027 under efforts to enhance the resilience of the electricity network, according to the International Energy Agency. In South Africa – Africa’s largest producer and the world’s sixth – the coal sector has been crucial in addressing load shedding, with a 7% increase in coal use in 2023 and 2024 strengthening the grid. On the global stage, African coal also plays an important role, accounting for over 3.5% of the world’s total production, with producers such as Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana kickstarting new projects and optimizing existing assets. South Africa exports 28% of its coal production and ranks as the world’s fourth largest coal exporting market.

    Glencore increased its South African coal production by 5% in Q1 2025 compared to the same period last year, reaching 4.2 million tons. In March 2025, Seriti Resources inaugurated the R500 million Naudesbank Colliery in Mpumalanga province, shortly after coal was designated a critical mineral by South Africa’s Ministry of Mineral and Petroleum Resources. Meanwhile, Canyon Coal is preparing to break ground on the R1.5 billion Sukuma Mine, targeting 7.2 million tons of annual output. In Zimbabwe, Contago Holdings’ Muchesu project – backed by Huo Investments – is ramping up production to meet both domestic and export demand.

    Recognizing coal’s strategic importance in shaping a just and inclusive energy transition and economic diversification, global public and private sector players are ramping up investment. In a landmark policy reversal in May 2025, the U.S. Export-Import Bank lifted its ban on financing overseas coal projects, opening new channels for international funding for African projects. South Africa’s Exxaro and Eskom have entered into a joint agreement to invest in emissions reduction technologies, supporting cleaner coal usage aligned with just energy transition objectives. In Mpumalanga, Blue Ammonia Production is progressing with its R31.5 billion Suiso Coal-to-Fertilizer project, poised to create 4,000 jobs and enhance regional agricultural productivity. Botswana is similarly advancing a $2.5 billion coal-to-liquids plant, designed to strengthen the country’s energy and fuel security. With African coal producers generating substantial revenue from coal exports, the industry will be crucial in funding the continent’s renewable energy deployment and energy mix diversification, facilitating a just and inclusive energy transition

    African Mining Week 2025 will serve as a strategic platform to explore these developments and examine coal’s evolving role in Africa’s industrial future. The event will place a strong emphasis on sustainable coal practices that balance development with environmental stewardship and long-term transition goals.

    African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Ghana’s President Mahama to Deliver Keynote Address at Mining in Motion 2025

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    ACCRA, Ghana, June 2, 2025/APO Group/ —

    John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, will deliver the keynote address at the official opening of the Mining in Motion conference, taking place from June 2-4 at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra. His address will outline the country’s strategy and efforts by Africa to drive economic development through the sustainable exploitation of mineral resources.  

    As Africa’s leading gold producer, Ghana – under the leadership of President Mahama – continues to set the standard in sustainable resource management, investment attraction and local content development. In 2024, the country’s gold mining sector generated $11.6 billion, with small-scale gold mining (https://apo-opa.co/4kJg71D) alone contributing $5 billion in export revenue and employing over one million people. The President’s participation underscores Ghana and Africa’s commitment to fostering a responsible, high-growth mining industry that supports economic expansion and job creation.

    Under the theme, Sustainable Mining & Local Growth – Leveraging Resources for Global Growth, Mining in Motion 2025 will convene Africa’s top industry stakeholders, global investors and leading institutions – including the World Bank and the World Gold Council – to explore emerging trends, regulatory developments and technological advancements shaping the future of mining. The conference will highlight Ghana and Africa’s strategic vision, emphasizing policies that enhance local benefits, promote sustainability and strengthen international partnerships.

    Organized by the Ashanti Green Initiative – led by Oheneba Kwaku Duah, Prince of Ghana’s Ashanti Kingdom – in collaboration with the World Bank and the World Gold Council, with the support of Ghana’s Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the summit offers unparalleled opportunities to connect with industry leaders and engage in critical discussions on artisanal, small-scale and large-scale mining.

    Stay informed about the latest advancements, network with industry leaders, and engage in critical discussions on key issues impacting ASGM and medium to large scale mining in Ghana. Secure your spot at the Mining in Motion 2025 Summit by visiting www.MiningInMotionSummit.com. For sponsorship opportunities or delegate participation, contact Sales@ashantigreeninitiative.org.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: BW Offshore: First quarter results 2025

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    First quarter results 2025

    HIGHLIGHTS

    • Q1 EBITDA USD of 91 million and operating cashflow of USD 57 million
    • Sale of BW Pioneer for USD 125 million
    • Received USD 36 million arbitration settlement in April, USD 21 million recognised in EBITDA
    • Robust balance sheet with an equity ratio of 30.9% and USD 542 million in available liquidity
    • Q1 cash dividend of USD 0.063 per share
    • BW Opal departed the shipyard in Singapore 28 May
    • Full-year 2025 EBITDA guidance maintained in the range of USD 220-250 million

    BW Offshore is nearing completion of the Barossa project well within the updated budget. On 28 May, the FPSO BW Opal departed the shipyard in Singapore and is currently enroute to the field where hook-up and connection will be undertaken. The FPSO is on track for first gas within the third quarter.

    The Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of USD 0.063 per share. The shares will trade ex-dividend from 4 June 2025. Shareholders recorded in VPS following the close of trading on Oslo Børs on 3 June 2025, will be entitled to the distribution payable on or around 12 June 2025.

    “The BW Opal is on its way to the Barossa field to start producing gas under the 15-year contract, providing material earnings and cash flow to BW Offshore from later this year,” said Marco Beenen, CEO of BW Offshore. “At the same time, we continue to mature selected potential FPSO projects that meet our criteria, with solid counterparties and long-term investment horizons. Our growth strategy is supported by a strong balance sheet, high commercial uptime and robust cash generation from the existing fleet.”

    In late March, the Company completed the sale of FPSO BW Pioneer to Murphy Oil for USD 125 million and received an initial USD 100 million of the proceeds. The remaining USD 25 million was received in the second quarter upon meeting all conditions precedent. The two parties signed a five-year O&M contract, under which BW Offshore will continue to provide operations and maintenance services.

    In early April, BW Offshore received approximately USD 36 million including interest, after settling the arbitration with PRIO (formerly Petrorio) related to the FPSO Polvo lease dispute. This led to the recognition of USD 21 million of additional revenue and EBITDA in the first quarter accounts.

    FINANCIALS
    EBITDA for the first quarter of 2025 was USD 91.3 million (USD 71.9 million in Q4 2024), reflecting good operational performance and the arbitration settlement with PRIO.

    EBIT for the first quarter was USD 73.7 million (USD 30.8 million).

    Gain from sale of fixed assets was USD 14.8 million and relates to the sale of BW Pioneer.

    Net financial items were positive at USD 10.4 million (USD 19.4 million in Q4 2024). This included a net interest income of USD 1.1 million, which reflects USD 4.1 million of interest earned on the arbitration settlement with PRIO (net interest expense of USD 3.0 million). Both first quarter 2025 and fourth quarter 2024 were positively impacted by a valuation gain on the financial liability related to the Barossa project. This was driven by changes in the timing of expected future cash flows due to a later planned start-up of the facility, as well as a favourable mark-to-market adjustment on interest rate hedges.

    The share of loss from equity-accounted investments was USD 4.6 million, including a valuation adjustment on the Barossa finance receivable related to changes in timing of future expected cash flows (loss of USD 9.5 million).

    Tax expense was USD 17.3 million (tax income USD 0.1 million). The increase in tax expenses is mainly due to tax on the sale of BW Pioneer.

    Net profit for the first quarter increased to USD 62.2 million (USD 40.8 million).

    Total equity at 31 March 2025 was USD 1 271.7 million (USD 1 246.6 million) and the equity ratio was 30.9% at (30.8%).

    As a result of strong cash generation from the fleet and asset sales, the Company was net cash positive by USD 184.3 million at 31 March 2025 (USD 74.4 million net cash positive at the end of 2024).

    Available liquidity was USD 542 million, excluding consolidated cash from BW Ideol and including USD 100 million available under the corporate loan facility.

    FPSO OPERATIONS
    The FPSO fleet continued to deliver stable operations in the quarter with a weighted average fleet uptime of 100.0% (99.2% in the fourth quarter), including BW Pioneer.

    BW Adolo contributed positively through the volume-based tariff as production increased to approximately 39,000 barrels per day in the quarter and BW Catcher continued to maintain high commercial uptime.

    On 20 May 2025, BW Energy Gabon took over operations of the FPSO BW Adolo. BW Offshore continues to lease the unit under the same terms, excluding O&M services. A USD 100 million put-and-call option remains in place for 2028. The transition is ongoing and will be supported by both parties through 30 June 2025.

    FPSO PROJECT OPPORTUNITIES
    In January, BW Offshore was selected to perform the pre-FEED study for the Bay du Nord FPSO project by Equinor.

    The Company also progressed the FEED for Repsol’s Block 29 development in Mexico.

    Due to the current high activity related to FPSO-based development projects, BW Offshore recently acquired the FPSO Nganhurra. The vessel has a high-quality hull, well suited for installation of a new topside. Reusing existing energy production infrastructure reduces environmental impact, is cost efficient and enables shorter lead time from project sanction to first oil. The acquisition involves a limited upfront payment, with additional consideration linked to redeployment by June 2027. The unit enhances BW Offshore’s ability to respond to emerging project opportunities and strengthens its position in a supply-constrained market.

    FLOATING ENERGY TRANSITION SOLUTIONS
    BW Offshore is committed to contribute to the energy transition by leveraging FPSO expertise to deliver low-carbon energy and expand into new sectors, focusing on low-emission oil and gas, CO2 transport, gas-to-power and floating ammonia to meet evolving energy demands. The Company maintains a disciplined approach with selective and diligent allocation of capital and a commitment to creating shareholder value.

    BW Offshore owns 64% of BW Ideol, a leader in offshore floating wind technology and co-development with over 14 years of experience in the development of floating wind projects. A shareholder loan of EUR 6.7 million has been provided to support the company’s operations over the next 12 months.

    The 1 GW Buchan offshore wind project in Scotland recently held its third and final public consulting round as part of the preparation for the final consent application later this year. In France, work continued on the three floating substructures for the Eolmed floating wind pilot with installation of the transition pieces which will hold the wind turbines. Commissioning of the three floating turbines is expected by end of 2025.

    OUTLOOK
    Growing energy demand continues to drive interest in developing new infrastructure-type FPSO projects with long production profiles, low break-even costs, and a focus on lower emissions. Increased project complexity, combined with higher construction costs, necessitates financial structures with significant day rate prepayments during the construction period for new lease and operate projects. Alternatively, oil and gas majors may finance and own FPSOs, relying on FPSO specialists for the design, construction and installation scope, combined with operation and maintenance services. BW Offshore is well positioned to offer both solutions.

    In recent years, the number of sanctioned FPSO projects have lagged market expectations. Consequently, there is a growing number of projects at various stages of maturity, reflecting a pent-up demand for FPSOs. Increased FEED and tendering activity are a function of this, and BW Offshore expects that a number of the FPSO projects the Company is engaging with will reach a final investment decision over the next 36 months. These market dynamics, combined with the high level of expertise required for project execution, are expected to enable better risk-reward and improved margins for FPSO companies going forward.

    BW Offshore continues to selectively evaluate new projects that meet required return targets, offer contracts with no residual value risk after firm period, and provide a financeable structure with strong national or investment-grade counterparties.

    BW Offshore expects that the fleet will continue to generate significant cash flows in the time ahead, supported by the USD 5.4 billion firm contract backlog at the end of March 2025.

    Please see attached the Q1 Presentation. The earnings tables are available at:

    https://www.bwoffshore.com/ir/

    BW Offshore will host a webcast of the financial results 09:00 (CEST) today. The presentation will be given by CEO Marco Beenen and CFO Ståle Andreassen.

    Webcast information:
    You can follow the presentation via webcast with supporting slides and a Q&A module, available on:

    BW Offshore Limited – Q1 Presentation Webcast

    Please note, that if you follow the webcast via the above URL, you will experience a 30 second delay compared to the main conference call. The web page works best in an updated browser – Chrome is recommended.

    For further information, please contact:
    Ståle Andreassen, CFO, +47 91 71 86 55
    IR@bwoffshore.com or www.bwoffshore.com

    About BW Offshore:
    BW Offshore engineers innovative floating production solutions. The Company has a fleet of FPSOs with potential and ambition to grow. By leveraging four decades of offshore operations and project execution, the Company creates tailored offshore energy solutions for evolving markets world-wide. BW Offshore has around 1,100 employees and is publicly listed on the Oslo stock exchange.

    This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • Drones hidden in wooden sheds: How Ukraine carried out its most devastating drone strike of the war

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Ukrainian secret services were able to attack strategic bomber aircraft at Russian air bases on Sunday by hiding explosive-laden drones inside the roofs of wooden sheds, according to a Ukrainian security official and images posted online.

    Ukraine’s domestic security agency, the SBU, acknowledged that it carried out the operation, codenamed “Spider’s Web” and said it had caused considerable damage.

    The sheds were loaded onto trucks that were driven to the perimeter of the air bases. The roof panels of the sheds were lifted off by a remotely-activated mechanism, allowing the drones to fly out and begin their attack, the official said.

    The security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said strikes were conducted on Sunday on four air bases, and that 41 Russian warplanes were hit.

    An SBU statement posted on the Telegram messaging app estimated the damage caused by the assaults at $7 billion.

    “Thirty-four percent of strategic cruise missile carriers at the main airfields of the Russian Federation were hit,” the SBU said on the Telegram messaging app.

    President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, writing on Telegram, expressed delight at the “absolutely brilliant outcome”.

    “And an outcome produced by Ukraine independently,” he wrote, noting that the operation had taken more than a year and a half to prepare. “This is our longest-range operation.”

    Speaking shortly afterwards in his nightly video address, the president noted that 117 drones had been used to attack the Russian bases and that Russian forces suffered “very tangible losses, and justifiably so”.

    Zelenskiy said the SBU had set up a nerve centre for the operation right next to a regional office of Russia’s FSB intelligence service. All operatives taking part had been brought out of Russia “on the eve of the operation”, he said.

    VIDEO SHOWS BOMBERS ABLAZE

    Unverified video and pictures posted on Russian social media showed Russian strategic bombers on fire at the Belaya air base in the Irkutsk region of Siberia.

    Igor Kobzev, the regional governor, said there had been a drone attack on a military unit near the village of Sredny, which is near the Belaya base, though he did not specify what the target was. He said the drones had been launched from a truck.

    The Irkutsk region attack was the first time a drone assault had been mounted by Ukraine so far from the front lines, which are more than 4,300 km (2,670 miles) away.

    That is beyond the range of the long-range strike drones or ballistic missiles Ukraine has in its arsenal, so required a special scheme to get the drones close enough to their targets.

    Photographs shared with Reuters by the Ukrainian security official showed dozens of short-range quadrocopter drones piled up in an industrial facility. The official said these were the same devices used in the attack.

    Other images shared by the official showed the wooden sheds with their metal roofing panels removed, and the drones sitting in the cavities between roof beams.

    Separate video posted on Russian Telegram channels, which has not been verified by Reuters, appeared to show matching sheds on the back of a truck.

    The roof panels can be seen lying on the ground next to the truck, and the video footage shows at least two drones rising out of the top of the sheds and flying off.

    The Russian online media outlet that posted the video, Baza, said in a caption that it was filmed in the district near the Belaya air base.

    The Irkutsk region air base hosts Tupolev Tu-22M supersonic long-range strategic bombers, a type of aircraft that has been used to launch missiles against targets in Ukraine.

    The operation, according to the Ukrainian security official, was personally overseen by Zelenskiy and Vasyl Maliuk, head of the SBU domestic intelligence agency.

    If confirmed, the strikes would be the most damaging Ukrainian drone attack of the war, and would be a significant setback for Moscow.

    The source shared video footage shot from a drone, saying it showed one of the strikes. The images showed several large aircraft, some of which appeared to be Tu-95 strategic bombers, on fire.

    (Reuters)

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese well-drilling technology turns Egypt’s deserts into farmland

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

    As summer begins, patches of lush farmland stretch across Egypt’s Western Desert, an area that, until recently, was dominated by sand and rocks. Thanks to the deep wells drilled by the Egypt branch of China’s Zhongman Petroleum and Natural Gas Group (ZPEC), wheat, alfalfa and potatoes now thrive in tidy rows under the desert sun.

    These wells, part of a broader effort to reclaim desert land for agriculture, have transformed the barren landscape into productive farmland, offering a model for sustainable development in arid regions and underscoring the potential of international cooperation in addressing food security and ecological restoration.

    The project is an example of the high-quality Belt and Road cooperation. In Egypt, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has evolved into a platform for transformative collaboration, extending beyond infrastructure to encompass agriculture, technology and industry. By tackling pressing challenges such as food insecurity, unemployment and technological gaps, the initiative is helping to lay the groundwork for more resilient and sustainable growth.

    Drilling for resource of life

    Egypt, home to over 100 million people, grapples with the daunting task of expanding farmland in a country where only about 4 percent of the land is arable. To reduce reliance on food imports, the Egyptian government has stepped up efforts to reclaim desert land since 2015, with water sources development a crucial part of this push.

    ZPEC, operating in Egypt since 2016, has played a key role. Its teams — composed of Chinese and Egyptian employees — have drilled more than 680 wells across the country, from the Sinai Peninsula to Aswan.

    This photo taken on May 3, 2025 shows a well-drilling rig at night at the site of Owainat Water Well Project in the desert of New Valley Governorate, Egypt. [Photo/Xinhua]

    Zhao Baojiang, project manager for ZPEC’s Owainat well-drilling operation in Egypt, said his team has drilled 63 wells, each about 450 meters deep, in less than a year by overcoming such challenges as extreme temperatures, sandstorms, complex geology and logistical hurdles.

    “We’re having our first wheat harvest this year, and we’re very happy to cooperate with the Chinese company,” said Abou-elKhier Ibrahim, manager of the Owainat sector of the Future of Egypt agricultural project.

    Wheat, Egypt’s dietary cornerstone, is in high demand. According to a report released by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, per capita wheat consumption in Egypt averages about 146 kg annually.

    Mohamed Elhosary, electromechanical division manager of the Owainat sector of the Future of Egypt agricultural project, estimated that each feddan (about 0.42 hectares) of the farmland in Owainat can yield 3 tons of wheat.

    “The yield from each feddan is sufficient to cover the annual wheat consumption of at least 20 Egyptians,” Zhao Wutao, general manager of the ZPEC branch in Egypt, told Xinhua.

    Innovation brings benefits

    In Minya Province, 360 km south of Cairo, ZPEC is also supporting the farm of Canal Sugar Company, a joint venture between Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. The farm allocated a significant portion of its land to sugar beet production for a large-scale local refinery.

    ZPEC engineers faced technical hurdles there as well. According to Abumesalam Mohamed Gouda, operations manager of ZPEC’s Egypt branch, the groundwater layer in Minya’s desert is unstable, and large-diameter drilling poses risks of collapse and leakage.

    Workers operate on a well-drilling rig at the site of Owainat Water Well Project in the desert of New Valley Governorate, Egypt, on May 3, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

    To address these issues, the company’s technical team introduced air foam drilling technology, which uses stable foam as drilling fluid to prevent leakage and increase efficiency. This method was later shared with local companies to help improve their performance.

    Hassan Gamal, technical manager of the Canal Sugar farm, said that the 193 wells drilled by ZPEC can irrigate 30,000 feddans (12,600 hectares) of land. In 2023 alone, the farm planted 22,000 feddans (9,240 hectares) of beets, which were processed into sugar and sold widely. “This wouldn’t have been possible without ZPEC’s wells,” he said.

    Beyond agriculture, ZPEC’s work has also supported local employment and skills training.

    Mohamed Gaber, who joined ZPEC as a worker five years ago, is now a platform manager. He credited his Chinese colleagues for teaching him skills and helping him navigate challenges. “I always strive to do my best with the support of teammates, and I’m proud to grow in such a team,” he said.

    Growing Partnership

    For many Egyptians, these projects represent more than infrastructure — they represent progress toward greater food security, stable income, and a hopeful future, experts said, expressing their eagerness to expand collaboration with Chinese enterprises.

    “This is a notable and very positive contribution by the Chinese company in advancing agricultural development in Egypt,” Ahmed Galal, dean of the Higher Institute for Agricultural Cooperation in Cairo, told Xinhua.

    “Any efforts in extracting water or increasing Egypt’s water resources directly lead to positive results for agricultural development in Egypt … We certainly hope it continues,” he said.

    The well-drilling project is just part of broader cooperation between Egypt and China under the BRI. Other projects include the Central Business District of Egypt’s new administrative capital, a textile city in Sadat City, and the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone in Ain Sokhna. These ventures are seen by Egyptian experts as essential engines for job creation, industrialization and joint development.

    This photo taken on May 3, 2025 shows makeshift rooms for workers at the site of Owainat Water Well Project in the desert of New Valley Governorate, Egypt. [Photo/Xinhua]

    “China is now increasingly viewed as a development partner that contributes to job creation and improved living standards,” said Waleed Gaballah, a member of the Egyptian Association for Political Economy, Statistics and Legislation.

    He stressed China’s leadership in renewable energy, electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing. “Providing access to these technologies at a reasonable cost to countries participating in the BRI could make a major shift in the way of life in their societies.”

    Echoing his view, Galal said he looks forward to more Chinese investment in his country, as the ongoing Egypt-China cooperation under the BRI is “fruitful and promising.”

    “We in Egypt truly need all such investments. I also hope this cooperation grows in all fields, because it is, first of all, mutually beneficial — a win-win situation in terms of shared gains and joint development,” he said.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Eugene Doyle: Writing in the time of the Gaza genocide

    COMMENTARY: By Eugene Doyle

    I want to share a writer’s journey — of living and writing through the Genocide.  Where I live and how I live could not be further from the horror playing out in Gaza and, increasingly, on the West Bank.

    Yet, because my country provides military, intelligence and diplomatic support to Israel and the US, I feel compelled to answer the call to support Palestine by doing the one thing I know best: writing.

    I live in a paradise that supports genocide
     I am one of the blessed of the earth. I’m surrounded by similarly fortunate people. I live in a heart-stoppingly beautiful bay.

    Even in winter I swim in the marine reserve across the road from our house.  Seals, Orca, all sorts of fish, octopus, penguins and countless other marine life so often draw me from my desk towards the rocky shore.  My home is on the Wild South Coast of Wellington. Every few days our local Whatsapp group fires a message, for example:  “Big pod of dolphins heading into the bay!”

    I live in Aotearoa New Zealand, a country that, in the main, is yawning its way through a genocide and this causes me daily frustration and pain.  It drives me back to the keyboard.

    I am surrounded by good friends and suffer no fears for my security. I am materially comfortable and well-fed. I love being a writer. Who could ask for more?

    I write, on average, a 1200-word article per week. It’s a seven days a week task and most of my writing time is spent reading, scouring news sites from around the world, note-taking, fact-checking, fretting, talking to people and thinking about the story that will emerge, always so different from my starting concept.

    I’m in regular contact with historians, ex-diplomats, geopolitical analysts, writers and activists from around the world and count myself fortunate to know these exceptional people.

    This article is different, simpler; it is personal — one person’s experience of writing from the far periphery of the conflict.

    I don’t want to live in a country that turns a blind or a sleep-laden eye to one of the great crimes against humanity. I have come to the hurtful realisation that I have a very different worldview from most people I know and from most people I thought I knew.

    Fortunately, I have old friends who share in this struggle and I have made many new friends here in New Zealand and across the world who follow their own burning hearts and work every day to challenge the role our governments play in supporting Israel to destroy the lives of millions of innocent people. To me, these people — and above all the Palestinian people in their steadfast resistance — are the heroes who fuel my life.

    Writing is fighting
     Most of us have multiple demands on our time; three of my good writer friends are grappling with cancer, another lost his job for challenging the official line and now must work long hours in a menial day job to keep the family afloat. Despite these challenges they all head to the keyboard to continue the struggle.  Writing is fighting.

    There’s so little we can all do but, as Māori people say: “ahakoa he iti, he pounamu” – it may only be a little but every bit counts, every bit is as precious as jade.

    That sentiment is how movements for change have been built – anti-Vietnam war, anti-nuclear, anti-Apartheid — all of them pro-humanity, all of them about standing with the victims not with the oppressors, nor on the sideline muttering platitudes and excuses.  As another writer said: “Washing one’s hands of the struggle between the powerful and the powerless means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral.” (Paolo Friere)  Back to the keyboard.

    My life until October 7th was more focussed on environmental issues, community organisation and water politics.  I had ceased being “a writer” years ago.

    One day in October 2023 I was in the kitchen, ranting about what was being done to the Palestinians and what was obviously about to be done to the Palestinians: genocide.  My emotions were high because I had had a deeply unpleasant exchange with a good friend of mine on the golf course (yes, I play golf). He told me that the people of Gaza deserved to be collectively punished for the Hamas attack of October 7th.

    I had angrily shot back at him, correctly but not diplomatically, that this put him shoulder-to-shoulder with the Nazis and all those who imposed collective punishment on civilian populations.  My wife, to her credit, had heard enough: “Get upstairs and write an article!  You have to start writing!”

    It changed my life. She was right, of course.  Impotent rage and parlour-room speeches achieve nothing. Writing is fighting.

    ’40 beheaded babies survived the Hamas attack’
     My first article “40 Beheaded Babies Survived the Hamas Attack” was a warning drawn from history about narratives and what the Americans and Israelis were really softening the ground for. Since then I have had about 70 articles published, all in Australia and New Zealand, some in China, the USA, throughout Asia Pacific, Europe and on all sorts of email databases, including those sent out by the exemplary Ambassador Chas Freeman in the US and another by my good friend and human rights lawyer J V Whitbeck in Paris.

    All my articles are on my own site solidarity.co.nz.

    As with historians, part of a writer’s job is to spot patterns and recurrent themes in stories, to detect lies and expose deeper agendas in the official narratives.  The mainstream media is surprisingly bad at this.  Or chooses to be.

    Just like the Incubator Babies story in Iraq, the Gulf of Tonkin Incident in Vietnam, reaching right back to the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana in 1898, propaganda is often used as a prelude to atrocities.  The blizzard of lies after October 7th were designed to be-monster the Palestinians and prepare the ground for what would obviously follow.

    The narrative of beheaded babies promoted by world leaders, including President Biden, was powerfully amplified by our mainstream media; journalists at the highest level of the trade spread the lies.

    I have to tell you, it was frightening in October 2023 to challenge these narratives.  Every day I pored through the Israeli news site Ha’aretz for updates. Eventually the narrative fell apart — but by then the damage was done. Thousands of real babies had been murdered by the Israelis.

    Never before have so many of my fellow writers been killedFollowing events in Palestine closely, it still comes as a shock when a journalist I have read, seen, heard is suddenly killed by the Israelis. This has happened several times. When it does I take a coffee and walk up the ridiculously steep track behind my house and sit high above the bay on a bench seat I built (badly).

    That bench is my “top office” where I like to chew thoughts in my mind as I see the cold waves break on the brown rocks below.  High up there I feel detached and better able to ask and answer the questions I need to process in my writing.

    Why does our media pay little attention to the killing of so many fellow writers?  Why don’t they call out the Israelis for having killed more journalists than any military machine in history? Why the silence around Israel’s  “Where’s Daddy?” killing programme that has silenced so many Palestinian journalists and doctors by tracking their mobile phones and striking with a missile just when they arrive back home to their families?  Why does “the world’s most moral army” commit such ugly crimes? Where’s the solidarity with our fellow journalists?

    Is it because their skin is mainly dark?  Is that why, according to Radio New Zealand’s own report on its Gaza coverage, New Zealanders have more in common with Israelis than we do with Palestinians? RNZ refers to this as our “proximity” to Israelis. They’re right, of course: by failing to shoulder our positive duty to act decisively against Israel and the US we show that we share values with people committing genocide.

    Is this why stories about our own region — Kanaky New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, the Marshall Islands and so on, get so little coverage? I have heard many times the immense frustration of journalists I know who work on Pacific issues. The answer is simple: we have greater “proximity” to Benjamin Netanyahu than we do to the Polynesians or Melanesians in our own backyard. Really?

    Such questions need answers. Back to the keyboard.

    Solidarity
     I try not to permit myself despair. It’s a privilege we shouldn’t allow ourselves while our government supports the genocide.  Sometimes that’s hard.

    There’s a photo I’ve seen of a Palestinian mother holding her daughter that haunts me.  In traditional thobe, her head covered by her simple robe, she could easily be Mary, mother of Jesus. She stares straight at the camera. Her expression is hard to read. Shock? Disbelief? Wounded humanity?  Blood flows from below her eyes and stains her cheek and chin. Her forehead is blackened, probably from an explosive blast. She holds her child, a girl of perhaps 10, also damaged and blackened from the Israeli attack.  The child is asleep or unconscious; I can’t tell which.  The mother holds her as lovingly, as poignantly, as Mary did to Jesus when he came down from the cross.  La Pietà in Gaza.

    Why do some of us care less about this pair? Where is our humanity that we can let this happen day after day until the last syllable of our sickening rhetoric that somehow we in the West are morally superior has been vomited out.

    I’ll give the last word to another writer:

    “Verily I say unto you, in as much as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

    Eugene Doyle is a writer based in Wellington. He has written extensively on the Middle East, as well as peace and security issues in the Asia Pacific region. He contributes to Asia Pacific Report and Café Pacific, and hosts the public policy platform solidarity.co.nz.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –