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Category: Africa

  • MIL-Evening Report: Twinkling star reveals the shocking secrets of turbulent plasma in our cosmic neighbourhood

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Reardon, Postdoctoral Researcher, Pulsar Timing and Gravitational Waves, Swinburne University of Technology

    Artist’s impression of a pulsar bow shock scattering a radio beam. Carl Knox/Swinburne/OzGrav

    With the most powerful radio telescope in the southern hemisphere, we have observed a twinkling star and discovered an abundance of mysterious plasma structures in our cosmic neighbourhood.

    The plasma structures we see are variations in density or turbulence, akin to interstellar cyclones stirred up by energetic events in the galaxy.

    The study, published today in Nature Astronomy, also describes the first measurements of plasma layers within an interstellar shock wave that surrounds a pulsar.

    We now realise our local interstellar medium is filled with these structures and our findings also include a rare phenomenon that will challenge theories of pulsar shock waves.

    What’s a pulsar and why does it have a shock wave?

    Our observations honed in on the nearby fast-spinning pulsar, J0437-4715, which is 512 light-years away from Earth. A pulsar is a neutron star, a super-dense stellar remnant that produces beams of radio waves and an energetic “wind” of particles.

    The pulsar and its wind move with supersonic speed through the interstellar medium – the stuff (gas, dust and plasma) between the stars. This creates a bow shock: a shock wave of heated gas that glows red.

    The interstellar plasma is turbulent and scatters pulsar radio waves slightly away from a direct, straight line path. The scattered waves create a pattern of bright and dim patches that drifts over our radio telescopes as Earth, the pulsar and plasma all move through space.

    From our vantage point, this causes the pulsar to twinkle, or “scintillate”. The effect is similar to how turbulence in Earth’s atmosphere makes stars twinkle in the night sky.

    Pulsar scintillation gives us unique information about plasma structures that are too small and faint to be detected in any other way.

    Twinkling little radio star

    To the naked eye, the twinkling of a star might appear random. But for pulsars at least, there are hidden patterns.

    With the right techniques, we can uncover ordered shapes from the interference pattern, called scintillation arcs. They detail the locations and velocities of compact structures in the interstellar plasma. Studying scintillation arcs is like performing a CT scan of the interstellar medium – each arc reveals a thin layer of plasma.

    Usually, scintillation arc studies uncover just one, or at most a handful of these arcs, giving a view of only the most extreme (densest or most turbulent) plasma structures in our galaxy.

    Our scintillation arc study broke new ground by unveiling an unprecedented 25 scintillation arcs, the most plasma structures observed for any pulsar to date.

    The sensitivity of our study was only possible because of the close proximity of the pulsar (it’s our nearest millisecond pulsar neighbour) and the large collecting area of the MeerKAT radio telescope in South Africa.

    Animation of 25 scintillation arcs changing in curvature with time according to the changing velocity of the pulsar. Each frame of the animation shows the scintillation arcs measured on one day, for six consecutive days. The inset scintillation arcs originate from the pulsar bow shock.
    Reardon et al., Nature Astronomy

    A Local Bubble surprise

    Of the 25 scintillation arcs we found, 21 revealed structures in the interstellar medium. This was surprising because the pulsar – like our own Solar System – is located in a relatively quiet region of our galaxy called the Local Bubble.

    About 14 million years ago, this part of our galaxy was lit up by stellar explosions that swept up material in the interstellar medium and inflated a hot void. Today, this bubble is still expanding and now extends up to 1,000 light-years from us.

    Our new scintillation arc discoveries reveal that the Local Bubble is not as empty as previously thought. It is filled with compact plasma structures that could only be sustained if the bubble has cooled, at least in some areas, from millions of degrees down to a mild 10,000 degrees Celsius.

    Shock discoveries

    As the animation below shows, the pulsar is surrounded by its bow shock, which glows red with light from energised hydrogen atoms.

    Artist’s animation of the bow shock scattering the pulsar beam. Carl Knox/Swinburne/OzGrav.

    While most pulsars are thought to produce bow shocks, only a handful have ever been observed because they are faint objects. Until now, none had been studied using scintillation.

    We traced the remaining four scintillation arcs to plasma structures inside the pulsar bow shock, marking the first time astronomers have peered inside one of these shock waves.

    This gave us a CT-like view of the different layers of plasma. Using these arcs together with an optical image we constructed a new three-dimensional model of the shock, which appears to be tilted slightly away from us because of the motion of the pulsar through space.

    The scintillation arcs also gave us the velocities of the plasma layers. Far from being as expected, we discovered that one inner plasma structure is moving towards the shock front against the flow of the shocked material in the opposite direction.

    While such back flows can appear in simulations, they are rare. This finding will drive new models for this bow shock.

    Scintillating science

    With new and more sensitive radio telescopes being built around the world, we can expect to see scintillation from more pulsar bow shocks and other events in the interstellar medium.

    This will uncover more about the energetic processes in our galaxy that create these otherwise invisible plasma structures.

    The scintillation of this pulsar neighbour revealed unexpected plasma structures inside our Local Bubble and allowed us to map and measure the speed of plasma within a bow shock. It’s amazing what a twinkling little star can do.

    Daniel Reardon receives funding from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Gravitational Wave Discovery (OzGrav).

    – ref. Twinkling star reveals the shocking secrets of turbulent plasma in our cosmic neighbourhood – https://theconversation.com/twinkling-star-reveals-the-shocking-secrets-of-turbulent-plasma-in-our-cosmic-neighbourhood-243022

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Pope Francis: why his papacy mattered for Africa – and for the world’s poor and marginalised

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Stan Chu Ilo, Research Professor, World Christianity and African Studies, DePaul University

    The death of Pope Francis in an Italian hospital on 21 April 2025 marks the end of a significant era for the Vatican and the global Catholic following of 1.3 billion faithful.

    The first pope from the Americas and also the first to come from outside the west in the modern era, Pope Francis was elected leader of the Catholic church on 13 March 2013.

    By the time the Argentinian Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio was elected pope in 2013 there was a general feeling that the Catholic church was reaching the end of an era. At the time, the church was beset by crises, from corruption to clerical sexual abuse.

    Some of the challenges facing the church which the ageing Pope Benedict XVI could no longer handle included:

    Moreover, the church was reeling from the revelation of papal secrets of his predecessor Pope Benedict by the papal butler. A book detailing these secrets portrayed the Vatican as a corrupt hotbed of jealousy, intrigue and underhanded factional fighting.

    The revelations caused the church a great deal of embarrassment.

    It meant therefore that Cardinal Bergoglio was elected by the Catholic cardinals with a mandate to clean up the church and reform the Vatican and its bureaucracy. He was to institute processes and procedures for transparency, accountability and renewal of the church and its structures, and address the lingering scandals of clerical abuse.

    The Pope’s global legacy

    Three key things defined his papal role and legacy.

    First is concentrating on the core competence of the church: serving the poor and the marginalised. This is what the founder of the Christian religion, Jesus Christ, did.

    Francis focused the Catholic church and the entire world on one mission: helping the poor, addressing global inequalities, speaking for the voiceless, and placing the attention of the world on those on the periphery.

    He also chose to live simply, forsaking the pomp and pageantry of the papacy.

    Secondly, he changed the way the Catholic church’s message is communicated. In his programmatic document, Evangelii Gaudium, he called the church to what he calls “missionary conversion”. His thinking was that everything that is done in the church must be about proclaiming the good news to a wounded and broken world.

    His central message was that of mercy towards all, an end to wars, our common humanity and the closeness of God to those who suffer. The suffering in the world continues to grow because of injustice, greed, selfishness and pride. He also focused on symbols and simple style to press home his message, like celebrating mass at a wall that divides the United States and Mexico.



    Read more:
    Pope Francis: the first post-colonial papacy to deliver messages that resonate with Africans

    In 2015 he made a risky trip to Bangui, the capital of Central African Republic, during a time of war and tension between the fighting factions of the Muslim Seleka and the Christian anti-balaka. He drove on the Popemobile with both the highest ranking Muslim cleric in the country and his Christian counterpart and visited both a Christian church and a mosque to press home the message of peace.

    The third strategy was restructuring the church and reforming the Vatican bank.

    He created the G8 (a representative council of cardinals from every part of the world) to advise him, calling the Catholic church to a synod for dialogue on every aspect of the life of the church. This effort was unprecedented.

    He also overhauled the procedures for the synod of bishops, making it more participatory, and gave women and the non-ordained voting rights. He shook up the membership of the Vatican department that picks bishops to include women. He appointed the first woman (Sr Simone Brambilla) to lead a major Vatican department and to have a cardinal as her deputy. Another woman (Sr Raffaella Petrini) was named the first woman governor of the Vatican City State.

    Pope Francis and Africa

    The pontiff’s legacy will be keenly felt in Africa. Three things stand out.

    First, he reflected the concerns of people on the continent with his message against imperialism, colonialism, exploitation of the poor by the rich, global inequality, neo-liberal capitalism and ecological injustice. Pope Francis became a voice for Africa. When he visited Kenya in 2015, he chose to visit the slums of Nairobi to proclaim the gospel of liberation to the forsaken of society. He called on African governments to guarantee for the poor and all citizens access to land, lodging and labour.

    In a sense, Pope Francis embodied the message of decolonisation and was driven in part by the liberation theology that developed in Latin America. This theology tied religious faith with liberation of the people from structures of injustice and structural violence.

    Secondly, he encouraged African Catholics to develop Africa’s own unique approach to pastoral life and addressing social issues in Africa. Particularly, Pope Francis believed in decentralisation and local processes in meeting local challenges. He said many times that it is not necessary that all problems in the church be solved by the pope at the Roman centre of the church.

    In this way, he encouraged the growth and development of African priorities and cultural adaptation to the Catholic faith. He also encouraged greater transparency and accountability among African bishops and gave African Catholic universities and seminaries greater autonomy to develop their own educational priorities and programmes.

    Thirdly, Pope Francis had a very deep connection to Africa’s young people. He encouraged and supported initiatives and programmes to strengthen the agency of young people, to give them hope and support their personal, spiritual and professional development. For the first time in history, on 1 November 2022, Pope Francis met virtually with more than 1,000 young Africans for an hour. I helped organise this meeting. He answered their questions and encouraged them to fight for what they believe.

    A reformist agenda

    The reforms of Pope Francis could be termed a movement – from a church of a few where priests and bishops and the pope call the shots to a church of the people of God where everyone’s voice matters and where everyone’s concerns and needs are catered to.

    He quietly changed the tone of the message and the style of the leadership at the Vatican.

    Granted, he did not substantially alter the content of that message, which is often seen as conservative, Eurocentric, and resistant to cultural pluralism and social change. But he constantly chipped away at its foundations through inclusion and an openness to hearing the voices of everyone, including those who do not agree with the church’s position. In doing this, he shifted the priorities and practices of the Catholic church regarding such core issues as power and authority.

    Pope Francis opened the doors to the voices of the marginalised in the church — women, the poor, the LGBTQI+ community, and those who have disaffiliated from the church. Many African Catholics would love to see more African representation at the Vatican, and many of them also worry about the widening division in the church, particularly driven by cultural and ideological battles in the west that have nothing to do with the social and ecclesial context of Africa.

    Why his papacy mattered

    Pope Francis was the first pope from the Americas, the first Jesuit pope, the first to choose the name Francis and the first to come from outside the west in the modern era. He chose the name Francis because he wanted to focus his papacy on the poor, emulating St Francis of Assisi.

    In a sense, Pope Francis redefined what religion and spirituality mean for Catholicism. It’s not laying down and enforcing the law without mercy, it is caring for our neighbours and the Earth. This is the kind of religion the world needs today.

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

    – ref. Pope Francis: why his papacy mattered for Africa – and for the world’s poor and marginalised – https://theconversation.com/pope-francis-why-his-papacy-mattered-for-africa-and-for-the-worlds-poor-and-marginalised-251059

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Tunisia: Mass convictions of opposition activists after sham trial marks a dangerous moment

    Source: Amnesty International –

    The sentencing on 19 April of 40 individuals, including prominent political opposition figures, lawyers, and human rights defenders, to harsh prison terms ranging between 13 and 66 years after being convicted of trumped-up charges by the Tunis Court of First Instance is an alarming sign of the extent to which the authorities will go in their clampdown on peaceful dissent in the country.  

    “The verdict is a travesty of justice and illustrates the authorities’ complete disregard for Tunisia’s international human rights obligations and the rule of law,” said Erika Guevara Rosas, Senior Director for Research, Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns at Amnesty International said: 

    “These individuals have been convicted solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights. Their trial has been riddled with procedural violations and a blatant disregard of minimum defense rights and was based on unsubstantiated charges.    

    Instead of silencing critics with politically motivated prosecutions, the authorities should immediately and unconditionally release all those detained solely for peacefully exercising their human rights. Tunisia’s authorities should immediately quash the unjust convictions and sentences. 

    “No one should be punished for the peaceful exercise of their human rights.” 

    Among the 40 individuals targeted in this trial, six opposition political figures – Jaouhar Ben Mbarek, Khayyam Turki, Issam Chebbi, Ghazi Chaouachi, Ridha Belhaj, and Abdelhamid Jelassi – have been in arbitrary detention since the investigation started in February 2023. 

    The rest of the defendants have also been sentenced, including several individuals who had been placed in were in detention in relation to other politically motivated cases — such as senior opposition figures Noureddine Bhiri, Sahbi Atig, and Said Ferjani from the former ruling Ennahdha party. Others, like Riadh Chaibi and Ahmed Nejib Chebbi remain free but were convicted in absentia. The case also targets prominent human rights defenders Kamel Jendoubi, Ayachi Hammami, and Bochra Bel Haj Hmida, as well as businessmen and private media shareholders.  

    “The deterioration of judicial independence in Tunisia is deeply concerning and the executive authorities’ increasing abuse of the justice system and interference in the administration of justice fundamentally undermines the fair trial rights of defendants and the rule of law,” said Erika Guevara Rosas. 

    “It is crucial that the Tunisian authorities uphold their international human rights obligations, including the rights to freedom of expression and association.  They must cease the targeting of political opponents, human rights defenders, and critics.” 

    The harsh sentences handed down at dawn on 19 April ranged between 13 and 66 years in prison, according to the first deputy public prosecutor at the anti-terrorism judicial unit. 

    The trial, which has been marred by procedural flaws, a lack of due process, saw its first session on 4 March 2025 without detainees present and has been adjourned to 11 April then 18 April. The Bar Association had previously received notification from the court that terrorism trials in March and April would proceed with detainees attending online from prison, vaguely citing the existence of a “real danger”. This decision was challenged by the detainees and their defense team, who argued for their right to be present in court. The detainees declared their refusal to participate in the trial online and insisted on being physically present.  

    On 30 March 2025, Jaouhar Ben Mbarek started a hunger strike to protest the online hearings of the trial.  On 8 April 2025, the five remaining detainees also announced a hunger strike  for similar reasons. Senior Ennahdha official Said Ferjani, sentenced to 13 years in prison in February 2025 in a separate case, began a hunger strike on 10 April to protest against the “biased and non-neutral judicial treatment” of this case.  

    During the initial hearing, the court inaccurately stated that the detainees had refused to participate in the trial, omitting to mention their demand to be brought physically before the court. Lawyers present contested this, clarifying that their clients had only refused to participate remotely. Requests to postpone the trial until the detainees could be physically present and arguments highlighting the arbitrariness of their prolonged detention – exceeding the legal limit of 14 months under Tunisian law – were ignored by the court, which adjourned the session and later announced the trial would resume on 11 April without addressing these concerns. 

    During the court hearing on 11 April, some journalists from Tunisian and foreign media were prevented from accessing the court room.  The National Union of Tunisian Journalists (SNJT) denounced the authorities actions. Some observers from civil society groups, including Amnesty International in Tunisia were also banned from entering the court room.  

    The investigation against the detainees has relied on questionable evidence, including phone messages discussing meetings with diplomats and other foreign nationals, as well as internal communications regarding the possibility of peaceful opposition to what they termed President Saied’s “coup.” 

    Background:  

    Between 11 and 25 February 2023, the “counterterrorism” police brigade arrested the six named political opposition figures based on spurious charges under the Tunisian Penal Code and the 2015-26 “counterterrorism” Law, including “conspiracy against state security” and attempting to “change the nature of the State,” charges that can carry the death penalty. Two other prominent opposition figures, Lazhar Akremi and Chaima Issa, were also arrested in February 2023 before being released on bail with restrictive conditions in July 2023 after six months of arbitrary detention. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Military courts: The front line of Uganda’s war on dissent

    Source: Amnesty International –

    Used to prosecuting civilians, Uganda’s military courts help entrench repression ahead of the 2026 elections.

    Uganda is gearing up for general elections in January 2026 – the seventh since President Yoweri Museveni came to power in 1986. As in the lead-up to previous polls, repression is on the rise. This time, however, it has extended beyond Uganda’s own borders.

    On November 16, 2024, opposition politician Kizza Besigye and his aide Obeid Lutale were abducted in Nairobi, Kenya. Four days later, they resurfaced in Uganda’s capital Kampala arraigned in a military court on security charges. Rendered to Uganda, in clear violation of international laws prohibiting extraordinary rendition and due process, the two civilians faced military justice.

    Outraged by this militarisation of justice, Besigye and Lutale attracted a 40-strong defence team led by Martha Karua, Kenya’s former minister of justice.

    If the state antics were intended to silence dissenting voices, they have done just the opposite. Far from dissuading others from speaking up, these trials have sparked a national conversation on human rights and the role of the military.

    Uganda’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Museveni’s son, has regularly commented on Besigye’s case on X. Widely seen as a potential successor to his ageing father, Kainerugaba heads a political pressure group, the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), despite legislation currently prohibiting serving military officers from involvement in partisan politics.

    If the state antics were intended to silence dissenting voices, they have done just the opposite. Far from dissuading others from speaking up, these trials have sparked a national conversation on human rights and the role of the military.

    Tigere Chagutah, Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa

    Since 2016, Uganda’s Supreme Court had delayed ruling on a case, brought by Michael Kabaziguruka, a former member of parliament, challenging the trial of civilians before military courts. Kabaziguruka, who was accused of treason, argued that his trial in a military tribunal violated fair trial rights. As a civilian, he contended he was not subject to military law. Besigye and Lutale’s case gave renewed impetus to this.

    On January 31, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled that trying civilians in military courts is unconstitutional, ordering that all ongoing or pending criminal trials involving civilians must immediately stop and be transferred to ordinary courts.

    Despite this ruling, President Museveni and his son have vowed to continue using military courts in civilian trials. Besigye went on hunger strike for 10 days in protest against delays in transferring his case to an ordinary court. The case has now become a litmus test for Uganda’s military justice system ahead of the 2026 elections.

    Besigye and Lutale are not the only opposition politicians to face military justice. Tens of supporters of the National Unity Platform (NUP), led by Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, have been convicted by military courts for various offences. These include wearing NUP’s trademark red berets and other party attire that authorities claimed resembled military uniforms, despite their distinct differences. Numerous lesser-known political activists are facing charges in military courts, too.

    Over 1,000 civilians have been prosecuted in Uganda’s military courts since 2002 for offences such as murder and armed robbery.

    Military trials of civilians flout international and regional standards. They open possibilities of a flurry of human rights violations, including coerced confessions, opaque processes, unfair trials and executions.

    Tigere Chagutah

    For context, in 2005, the state amended the UPDF Act to create a legal framework which allowed the military to try civilians in military courts. It was no coincidence that these amendments happened as the military was trying civilians arrested between 2001 and 2004, including Kizza Besigye.

    Military trials of civilians flout international and regional standards. They open possibilities of a flurry of human rights violations, including coerced confessions, opaque processes, unfair trials and executions.

    Trying civilians in military courts violates Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the 2001 Principles and Guidelines on Fair Trial and Legal Assistance in Africa. The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the region’s premier human rights body, has long condemned their practice in Uganda.

    Opposition to military justice has not just come from the usual quarters. Religious leaders expressed concern about Besigye’s continued detention after the Supreme Court ruling, as did Anita Among, speaker of Uganda’s Parliament and member of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), who remarked: “Injustice to anyone is injustice to everybody. Today it is happening to Dr Besigye, tomorrow it will happen to any one of us”.

    Following the court order and widespread outcry, Besigye and Lutale were transferred to a civilian court on February 21. Besigye called off his hunger strike. They remain in detention, as does their lawyer. However, their transfer without release, in a process begun by an illegality, remains flawed. Despite the transfer of their case, scores of more civilians have their cases still pending before military courts, with little hope that they will be transferred to civilian courts.

    For this reason, 11 groups including Amnesty Kenya, the Pan-African Lawyers Union, the Law Society of Kenya, the Kenya Human Rights Commission and Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU) call for their immediate release.

    As Uganda approaches elections, it is evident that the military courts are now a tool in President Museveni’s shed for use to silence dissent. It is time for Uganda to heed the Supreme Court ruling – for now though, military justice is on trial, too.

    The oped first ran on Al Jazeera


    Tigere Chagutah     is Amnesty International’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Offshore detention is inhumane — I know because I lived it

    Source: Amnesty International –

    On my first day in offshore detention, I was given a number. Benham Satah became FRT009 — or Foxtrot Romeo Tango Zero Zero Nine, as the guards would use the military alphabet. It was one of the many ways they treated us like criminals or prisoners of war.

    When I fled Iran in 2013, I never imagined I would end up on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea. I risked my life to get from Indonesia to Christmas Island, an Australian territory in the Indian Ocean. When you need to flee, you grab the first opportunity you get — and this boat was mine.

    Europe’s nations have proposed establishing refugee ‘return hubs’ in third-party countries outside their jurisdiction for failed asylum seekers. But they should think twice.

    After four days at sea, we finally saw dry land. But my relief turned to horror as the guards were already there, waiting to detain us. And after 25 days in detention there, we were then handcuffed, dragged on to a plane by four giant security guards. They wouldn’t tell us where we were heading.

    It felt like we were being kidnapped.

    When we finally arrived in Papua New Guinea, they took us to the Lombrum military compound, where we were detained in 3-square-meter rooms, each with a bunk bed and a third camp bed. There was just enough space to lie down.

    Then, I was transferred to my final destination of Manus Island — the detention camp for men only. We were over 500 in a facility that was built for 200. There were LGBTQ+ individuals, unaccompanied children, vulnerable people left alone with no real protection to survive in a dangerous environment.

    It was so hot in the camp. The only reprieve came in the evenings, when the temperature would drop slightly. And even though we were surrounded by the ocean, with the camp just meters from the shore, I never actually heard the lapping of waves — the generator clattered like a helicopter day and night, drowning out the sea.

    It smelled so bad there. The Australian caseworkers admitted they wouldn’t even bring an animal to the camp. There were 10 toilets and 10 showers for 500 people, and this caused problems every day. The rubbish was left to sweat and ferment in the tropical heat. They would set off smoke bombs to kill mosquitos. The whole camp stank of chemicals. Despite this, all these years later, I still have malaria in my blood.

    There were 14 deaths recorded in the years I was on Manus Island. I still see their faces — especially my roommate’s, Reza Barati. He was murdered before my eyes, while in the custody of the Australian government. [According to eyewitness reports, Barati was beaten to death by guards and other contractors.]

    People died of preventable deaths there. Everyone suffered from mental or physical health problems. The only treatment we received was paracetamol and water. I remember Hamid (whose name has been changed to protect his identity). He never received proper treatment, as there was no doctor in the medical center here. They amputated both his legs in the capital, Port Moresby. He died from septicemia.

    But we weren’t just denied treatment on Manus, those in charge were also inexplicably reckless with vaccinations. I was an interpreter for a friend, FRT001, who came on the same boat as me. I witnessed him receive 60 vaccines in under a month. We tried to stop them, but if you refused a vaccine, they would call the Emergency Response Team.

    My friend was eventually sent back to Iran where he died not long after.

    Ukrainian refugees are protected by the French government — every refugee should be treated that way.

    People would self-immolate with petrol in detention. We were beaten. At times the violence was extreme, and you could be assaulted for no reason. When a packet of cigarettes can guarantee your safety, you understand how cheap human life can be.

    With offshore detention, the Australian government paid Nauru and Papua New Guinea to do its dirty work. There was no law there, and they could do what they wanted without fear of the courts. We were denied access to lawyers. We were out of sight, out of mind — exactly as was intended. 

    I tried to take my life several times on Manus, and the memories still give me nightmares. I lost almost seven years of my youth in detention. Those are days I will never get back. I still take a lot of tablets just to get through the day.

    Everyone I know who went through this “offshore detention” scheme has since been diagnosed with PTSD. I think we need a new term for what we experienced, like Manus disease or offshore detention syndrome. Even people who just spent a month there are still suffering.

    Not knowing when you’ll leave — it’s worse than any prison sentence. It destroys your mental health.

    Nowadays, I work with the Salvation Army, and volunteer to help Ukrainians in France who fled Russia’s invasion. Ukrainian refugees are protected by the French government — every refugee should be treated that way. They should be given a chance to live and build a future. I also provide support and counseling for people on Manus Island and those who left but are still suffering.

    I still have my own struggles with depression and mental health, but helping others in my situation lifts me up.

    It was torture what the government did to us. They were saying it was deterrence, but it never worked. It hasn’t stopped people from trying to get to Australia to seek protection because they have no choice. Instead, it has become a stain on Australian history.

    I hope no European country ever adopts this policy.

    Benham Satah coordinated this piece with Amnesty International.

    This piece was first published by Politico here

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan’s Brazil visit becomes important on many counts

    Source: Government of India

    Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chauhan’s Brazil visit becomes important on many counts

    Participates in the 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting; also initiates important steps towards strengthening agricultural trade, technology and innovation between India and Brazil

    Union Agriculture Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan emphasizes on promoting production and export of soya in India

    Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan intends to upgrade Indian farmers by enabling them the benefits of global technologies

    Joint efforts will strengthen global food security: Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan

    Shri Shivraj Singh expresses concerns for small farmers in the BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting

    Posted On: 20 APR 2025 6:36PM by PIB Delhi

    Union Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan is schedule to return from his Brazil visit on Monday morning, 21 April. His Brazil visit is important on many counts. Besides leading the Indian delegation at the 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting, the Union Minister’s visit is an important step towards strengthening agricultural trade, technology and innovation between India and Brazil. During Brazil visit, the Union Minister stressed on promoting production and export of soya in India. He intends to upgrade Indian farmers by enabling them the benefits of global technologies. He said that joint efforts of various countries will strengthen global food security.

    During his Brazil visit, Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh mainly expressed his concerns related to small farmers of India. He said that unless the small farmers are protected and empowered, the goal of global food security will remain incomplete. The Union Minister said that India is fully committed to inclusive, equitable and sustainable agriculture. Echoing the spirit of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, he said that India always follow the message of trust and cooperation with all countries. He called for enhanced cooperation in agricultural technology, innovation, capacity building and trade facilitation so that farmers and agricultural enterprises of various countries can benefit. On the BRICS platform, India called for further strengthening cooperation in agricultural technology transfer, research, food processing and trade.  Shri Chauhan’s address, on behalf of India, focused on global food security, empowerment of small farmers, agricultural innovation and technological cooperation and advancing partnership with BRICS countries.

    Altogether, Shri Chouhan’s visit to Brazil is not just a diplomatic but also a concrete initiative towards technological innovation, production increase and global partnership for Indian agriculture, which can yield direct benefits to the farmers.

    The 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting, held in Brasilia, was attended by Agriculture Ministers/Senior Officials from India, host Brazil and BRICS member countries including Russia, China, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Iran. The main theme of the meeting was “Promoting inclusive and sustainable agriculture through cooperation, innovation and equitable trade among BRICS countries”.

    Besides participating in the 15th BRICS Agriculture Ministers’ meeting, Shri Chouhan’s visit is expected to give a new direction to agricultural cooperation between India and Brazil. This will boost agricultural trade between the two countries. The Union Minister expressed his desire to share knowledge with Brazil on climate-friendly soyabean varieties, mechanization, precision farming and sustainable agricultural practices. He also expressed his desire to learn from Brazil’s agricultural model, mechanization, irrigation and research and implement it in Indian agriculture so that maximum benefits can be transferred to the farmers.

    Cooperation in the areas of biofuel, bioenergy, supply chain integration and agricultural machinery was discussed during the meetings which would enable Indian farmers to have access to global technology. Joint efforts of the two countries will also strengthen global food security as Brazil has achieved tremendous growth in agricultural exports in the last 50 years, an inspiration for India as well.

    Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan also held bilateral meetings with Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Henrique Baquetta Favero and Minister of Agricultural Development and Family Agriculture, Luiz Paulo Teixeira. During these meetings, the issues of enhancing cooperation in the areas of agriculture, agro-technology, rural development and food security were discussed. The Union Minister also met 27 members of Brazil’s agribusiness community at Sao Paulo. During this meeting, possibilities of cooperation on agricultural trade, production technology, food processing, biofuel, technological innovation and supply chain integration were discussed.

    Union Minister Shri Chouhan visited soyabean production plant, tomato farm and other institutes in Brazil and closely observed the latest technologies related to mechanization, irrigation and food processing. Currently India imports soyabean oil, but now both the countries are jointly exploring the possibilities of investing and setting up technology and plants for soyabean production and processing. This can boost soyabean production and export in India. Shri Chouhan said that there is a plan to work together with Brazil to increase soybean production and processing in India. Besides, possibilities of cooperation between the two countries in mechanization and seed research will also be explored.

    Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s routine of planting a sapling every day continued in Brazil as well. He participated in the tree plantation drive at the Indian Embassy in Brasilia under the initiative ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, promoting environmental protection and respect for motherhood. Shri Shivraj Singh also met the Indian diaspora at Sao Paulo in Brazil and appreciated their role in bilateral relations. He said that this is the Amrit Kaal of our independence under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. In 2047, we will complete 100 years of independence and our goal is to make India a developed nation by then.

    Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh said, “During my stay in Brazil, I got the  opportunities to enrich myself with various experiences and techniques. We will utilize these technologies to increase production in India. I am confident that the mutual cooperation between India and Brazil will empower our farmers and give a new direction to global food security.”

    This visit is an important step towards India-Brazil agricultural cooperation, partnership with BRICS countries and accelerating innovation and sustainable growth in Indian agriculture, Shri Singh added.

    *****

    PSF/KSR/AR

    (Release ID: 2123055) Visitor Counter : 63

    Read this release in: Hindi

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Libya: Crisis persists due to competition for economic resources – Briefing | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    Briefing by Hannah Serwaa Tetteh, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya and Head of UNSMIL, on the situation in Libya.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otQbDE2zTmE

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Michael Sang Correa Press Conference

    Source: United States of America – Federal Government Departments (video statements)

    He tortured 5 victims in his home country and thought he could hide in Colorado.

    Gambian national and criminal alien Michael Sang Correa was convicted for his role in the heinous torture – including beating and flesh burning – of his countrymen in The Gambia.

    ICE HSI Denver and Senegal special agents investigated the case with our Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center.

    America is NO SAFE HAVEN for human rights violators!

    Details: https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/former-gambian-soldier-convicted-torture-charges-unprecedented-us-trial-following-ice

    Learn more about the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center: https://go.dhs.gov/wPf

    Watch the full press conference at https://youtu.be/v9ZzFeDFY0I

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBFCWiYHu4E

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Sudan: desperate situation for Zamzam displaced people: MSF is urging, lift the siege, deliver aid, protect civilians

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières

    19 April 2025 – Following the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) large-scale ground offensive on Zamzam camp that started on 11 April, hundreds of thousands of people have joined the communities already besieged and deprived of lifesaving aid in El Fasher, the neighbouring capital city of North Darfur. 25,000 more reached Tawila further west, where overwhelmed MSF teams are currently expanding activities to cope with the most pressing medical needs. We are making an urgent appeal to put an end to the siege and the atrocities, to deliver humanitarian aid, including by airdropping food and medicines to El Fasher if necessary, and to allow those who wish to flee to do so safely.

    The RSF and their allied armed groups stormed Zamzam, Sudan’s largest displacement camp, which used to host at least 500,000 people near El Fasher, after months of an increasingly tight siege on the area. By 16 April, the camp, by then largely destroyed, was reportedly under RSF control. The majority of the Zamzam population is believed to have fled to El Fasher, where they remain trapped, out of reach of humanitarian aid and exposed to ongoing attacks and further mass violence.

    While MSF in Tawila saw over 25,000 people arriving from Zamzam and nearby areas between 12 and 15 April, displaced people are now arriving more sporadically and at great risk for their lives along the way. Our teams set up a health post at the entrance of Tawila to provide the new arrivals with water and immediate nutritional and medical support. We refer critical cases to the local hospital where we have been working since last October. About 1,600 patients so far have required emergency outpatient services, mainly because of severe dehydration.

    “We are treating children who were literally dying of thirst on their journeys. We have received so far over 170 people with gunshot and blast injuries and 40 per cent of them are women and girls”, said Marion Ramstein, MSF project coordinator in Tawila. “People tell us that many injured and vulnerable people could not make the trip to Tawila and were left behind. Almost everyone we talk to said they lost at least one family member during the attack”.

    Horrific reports emerge from Zamzam camp, where hundreds of people are estimated to have been killed. Fighters were said to be going door-to-door, shooting people hiding in their homes and burning large parts of the camp. Casualties include eleven staff from the humanitarian organisation Relief International, which was running the only remaining clinic in the camp after MSF suspended all its activities in Zamzam in February due to escalating violence and blockades.

    We urge the Rapid Support Forces and all armed groups in the area to spare and protect civilians and ensure that those who want to flee can do so without further harm. States and diplomatic actors must use their leverage to translate hollow statements into concrete actions. There have been repeated warnings from the UN and many observers about the risks of mass killings and ethnic violence in El Fasher and the surroundings displacement camps, mostly inhabited by people from the non-Arab Zaghawa and Fur ethnic groups, while most of the RSF fighters and their allies originate from Arab tribes.

    After two years of a catastrophic war on people met by neglectful indifference, it remains inconceivable to simply resign ourselves to the current collective failure to provide vital assistance where it’s most needed. “A massive humanitarian response is needed, now more urgently than ever. If the roads to El Fasher are blocked, then air operations must be launched to bring food and medicines to the estimated one million people trapped there and being starved. A scaled-up response is also needed in Tawila, where some of the survivors are arriving and where NGOs are overwhelmed”, said Rasmane Kabore, MSF Head of mission in Sudan. MSF and several other actors are launching emergency interventions in Tawila, but much more is needed in terms of water, food, medical care and shelter.

    MSF is an international, medical, humanitarian organisation that delivers medical care to people in need, regardless of their origin, religion, or political affiliation. MSF has been working in Haiti for over 30 years, offering general healthcare, trauma care, burn wound care, maternity care, and care for survivors of sexual violence. MSF Australia was established in 1995 and is one of 24 international MSF sections committed to delivering medical humanitarian assistance to people in crisis. In 2022, more than 120 project staff from Australia and New Zealand worked with MSF on assignment overseas. MSF delivers medical care based on need alone and operates independently of government, religion or economic influence and irrespective of race, religion or gender. For more information visit msf.org.au  

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Xi congratulates Nguema on election as president of Gabon

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

    BEIJING, April 21 — Chinese President Xi Jinping sent on Saturday a congratulatory message to Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema on his election as president of the Gabonese Republic.

    In his message, Xi noted that China and Gabon enjoy a traditional friendship, saying that in recent years, political mutual trust between the two countries has continued to deepen, and cooperation in various fields has achieved fruitful results.

    The two countries have firmly supported each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns, he added.

    Xi also said that he attaches great importance to the development of China-Gabon relations and stands ready to work with President-elect Nguema to take implementing the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation as an opportunity to promote a steady and sustained growth of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries, so as to better benefit their people.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: 4.6-magnitude earthquake strikes Qinghai

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    A 4.6-magnitude earthquake struck Zadoi county in Yushu, Qinghai province at 9:07 am on Monday, according to official measurements released by the China Earthquake Networks Center. The quake occurred at a focal depth of 10 kilometers, and no reports of casualties have been made so far.
    Closely located to Chadang township, the average elevation within a 5-kilometer radius of the epicenter was measured at approximately 5,199 meters.
    Data from the China Earthquake Networks Center’s rapid report catalog shows that over the past five years, 77 earthquakes above magnitude 3 have occurred within 200 kilometers of the epicenter. The strongest recorded was a 6.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Biru county, Nagchu city in Xizang autonomous region on March 19, 2021.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Death toll of attacks by suspected herders rises to 56 in central Nigeria

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    Coordinated attacks by suspected armed herders in Nigeria’s central state of Benue have left at least 56 people dead so far, as local security agencies and volunteers continue to comb nearby bushes for more bodies, a senior official has said.

    Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Hyacinth Alia, governor of Benue, lamented the deadly attacks after an on-the-spot assessment of the havoc wreaked in communities in the Ukum local government area between Thursday and Friday night.

    “Many more are, surely, expected because as we went there, they (local volunteers) were asking for some protection to get back to see how they can retrieve some bodies. So the numbers might even go up,” Alia said while describing the incident as “devastating.”

    At least three local communities were affected by the deadly attacks. The state governor said it was even more regrettable that locals were strategically attacked at the beginning of the farming season to hinder them from cultivating the land.

    He called for urgent action to be taken to address the ugly development and halt the horrendous attacks that have continued to plague local communities in the state.

    Nigeria has witnessed a series of attacks by armed groups in recent months. There have also been recurring incidents of livestock rustling and armed banditry in the country. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Online platform for environmental authorisation cuts red tape

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, has launched an online platform that allows a proponent intending to submit an application for environmental authorisation to screen their proposed site for any environmental sensitivity. 
     

    Launched last week by the department’s Minister, Dr Dion George, the platform known as the National Web-Based Environmental Screening Tool, is a geographically based web-enabled application that streamlines environmental approvals, reduces bureaucratic hurdles, and fosters economic growth while protecting the natural heritage.

    It was gazetted on 5 July 2019 as mandatory for all Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) applications in terms of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Regulations 2014.

    “This instrument is a game-changer for South Africa. It’s about making processes faster and smarter without compromising our environment. For ordinary South Africans, this means projects that create jobs and drive growth can get off the ground sooner, while we protect the ecosystems we all depend on,” the Minister said. 

    The tool empowers developers to assess proposed sites for environmental sensitivity with unprecedented ease, using advanced data to classify areas from very high to low impact.
     
    By identifying potential risks early, it allows project boundaries to be adjusted to avoid sensitive ecosystems, ensuring precision and accountability through Site Sensitivity Verification (SSV) and tailored protocols. 

    This efficiency translates directly into faster decision-making for projects like renewable energy developments or infrastructure expansions.

    “This delivers real benefits for communities. By slashing delays in environmental approvals, we’re paving the way for renewable energy projects, new infrastructure, and industrial developments that create jobs and stimulate local economies. It’s about progress that people can feel – more opportunities, better services, and a cleaner environment,” George said.

    In the renewable energy sector, the Screening Tool is already proving its worth. With over 3 000 applications processed, it identifies low-sensitivity sites – free from risks like avifauna or vulture collisions – enabling projects to move swiftly into the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).

    “We’re cutting months off project timelines. In Renewable Energy Development Zones, where we’re turning disturbed land into hubs for green energy, this means quicker financial closes and more jobs in regions hungry for economic growth,” the Minister said.

    The tool’s comprehensive protocols cover critical areas like agriculture, biodiversity, and animal species, replacing Appendix 6 of the EIA Regulations where gazetted. 

    For fields like hydrology, visual impacts, or socio-economic studies, it integrates seamlessly with existing frameworks, maintaining rigorous standards while eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks.

    “For too long, red tape has held back progress. This platform changes that. Developers get clarity, communities get opportunities, and our environment gets the protection it deserves. It’s a win-win for South Africa,” George said.

    This means a future where sustainable projects – like solar farms, wind turbines, or new roads – reach communities faster, creating thousands of jobs in construction, maintenance, and supply chains. 

    It means small businesses in rural areas benefit from new economic activity in post-mining regions. 

    “And it means South Africans can trust that growth won’t come at the expense of their rivers, wildlife, or clean air. This is about building a South Africa where progress powers prosperity. I urge developers, practitioners, and communities to embrace this platform and join us in creating a future where cutting red tape means creating jobs, protecting nature, and delivering for our people,” the Minister said.

    It can be accessed on : https://screening.environment.gov.za/screeningtool/#/pages/welcome 

     –SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: International Academy of Astronautics to host workshop on asteroids

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Sunday, April 20, 2025

    The International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), in collaboration with South African scientific institutions will host a workshop to introduce the Planetary Defense Conference and pioneering research being conducted by the African astronomical community on asteroids and Near-Earth Objects (NEOs).

    The workshop will be held on 3 May 2025 at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS) in the Western Cape.

    According to the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO), the workshop aims to introduce local communications professionals and science writers to the Planetary Defense Conference and the pioneering research being conducted by the African astronomical community on asteroids and NEOs.

    “Through this engagement, we seek to enhance public awareness and media coverage of Africa’s contributions to planetary defense,” the SAAO said.

    In addition, the workshop will serve as a platform to introduce the media to the 2029 International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defense.

    “The public’s curiosity on the topic of NEOs could help drive discussion and collaborative efforts to celebrate and promote this global initiative,” the statement read. 

    Key speakers at the event will include Alex Karl, the Chair of the IAA organising committee, and Dr Nicolas Erasmus from the SAAO, where one of NASA’s Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS) asteroid alert system telescopes is located.

    The SAAO serves as the national centre for optical and infrared astronomy. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Call to donate blood and save lives

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) and the Western Cape Blood Service (WCBS) are appealing to eligible people to donate blood.

    “Both blood services anticipate blood stock shortages leading up to the winter months. Blood stock levels tend to decline during the Easter period, as well as school holidays as donors make their way to their holiday destination and blood donation might then not always be top priority,” the WCBS Marketing and Public Relations Manager, Marike Carli, said.

    With South Africans having travelled to various destinations this Easter long weekend, blood donations play a critical role in saving lives as it ensures hospitals are equipped to respond to emergency situations. These emergencies include patients undergoing surgery, cancer treatment, and childbirth-related complications.

    In a united effort to address the growing demand for blood, the SANBS and WCBS recently held a nationwide blood drive where it called on citizens to step up as first-time donors. The drive aimed to recruit 800 new donors – a feat that was achieved.

    The initiative not only helped replenish blood stocks but also raised awareness about the ongoing need for regular donations.

    For regular donor Thembeka Madlala from Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, blood donation is personal.

    “When I started donating blood in 2013, it was honestly just for the biscuits. But then I learned about the impact of blood donations, especially my blood type AB+, which is particularly helpful for people with cancer. This encouraged me to donate annually,” Madlala said.

    Madlala’s life took a turn in 2017, when she experienced an ectopic pregnancy and required an emergency blood transfusion.

    “I needed four pints of blood, [and] it saved my life. That experience made me realise just how powerful and life-saving a donation can be. Since then, I have not stopped donating,” she said.

    She encouraged all eligible donors to give blood, especially during high-risk periods like Easter.

    “The blood you donate might save the life of someone you love. Let us commit to being regular donors. Your blood is a national treasure,” Madlala said.

    The minimum requirements to be a blood donor are as follows: 
    •    You must be 16 years or older and weigh 50 kg or more
    •    You must provide proof/picture of a birth certificate, ID or passport
    •    You must feel safe and ready to save a life.
    •    You must have has a meal and enough fluids to drink 2 to 4 hours before donating.

    To find your nearest donor centre or mobile clinic, visit the SANBS or WCBS websites, or call SANBS toll-free on 0800 11 90 31. – SAnews.gov.za
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Planning for death: four things you can do to ease your family’s emotional and financial stress

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Amanda Craft, Associate Lecturer in Accounting and Financial Planning, Western Sydney University

    When someone dies, the people left behind face more than grief. They are often hit with a wave of decisions – emotional, logistical and financial – that must be made quickly and under pressure.

    You may not be able to control what happens after you’re gone. But you can make the process a lot easier for your family by doing a few simple things now. Financial therapy research shows that financial decisions made under stress or grief are more likely to lead to conflict or regret.

    Our work as researchers and practitioners in financial planning and financial therapy explores how money isn’t just about spreadsheets and savings – it’s also about identity, emotions, and relationships.

    Planning for death, as hard as it may be, is one of the kindest acts you can offer.

    Death is inevitable, but chaos doesn’t have to be. A few gentle conversations, a simple will, and a bit of planning can protect your family from unnecessary pain. You don’t need to have everything figured out – you just need to start. Even small steps taken now can have a ripple effect on your family’s financial and emotional wellbeing.

    We have identified four practical steps you can take: start the conversation; talk about what matters to you; get your paperwork in order; and make your funeral plans known.

    What to do

    Start the conversation. In many cultures, death is difficult to talk about. It can feel awkward, inappropriate, or even disrespectful to bring it up with loved ones. But avoiding the conversation doesn’t stop death from coming – it only makes it harder for those left behind.

    Financial therapy research shows that avoidance of money conversations is common, but can be damaging. People avoid these talks because of anxiety, cultural taboos, or fear of upsetting others, but they’re exactly the conversations that help reduce stress in the future. You don’t need to hold a formal family meeting.

    A softer approach often works best. For example, if someone in your community passes away, you could say, “It got me thinking about what you’d want for your funeral.” If they seem uncomfortable, try saying, “I know it’s not easy to talk about. I just care, and I’d rather know than have to guess.” If they still don’t want to talk, that’s okay. Sometimes planting the seed is enough.

    Talk about what matters to you. Every family and community has its own way of honouring the dead. Some prefer large, traditional funerals with extended family and religious rites. Others may want something smaller, more personal, or less expensive. When people know what matters most to you – and what doesn’t – they are more likely to carry out your wishes with peace of mind.

    Research has found that clarity around financial and emotional intentions helps reduce family tension and grief-related conflict.

    For example, you might not want money borrowed for your funeral. You might prefer cremation, or a specific cultural rite. Or you may want something symbolic, like a tree planted in your honour. Saying it now helps your loved ones later.

    Get your paperwork in order. A will helps ensure that your assets go where you want them to. It also helps reduce disputes among family members. But in South Africa, for example, only around 15% of people die with a valid will. In Nigeria, 70% of people die intestate and 80% of people in Ghana die without a valid will. That leaves families at the mercy of state rules – and that can create real problems.

    Make sure your will is clear, legally valid, and updated to reflect any life changes such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child. It’s also essential to review your nominated beneficiaries on life policies and pensions. If they are outdated or deceased, the payout may be delayed or go to someone you didn’t intend. Leaving financial matters unclear can also unsettle family roles and identities, especially when adult siblings or extended relatives feel overlooked.

    Make your funeral plans known. In many African households, funerals are deeply significant events, tied to culture, status, and family pride. But the cost of burying a loved one, and the weight of organising the ceremony, can fall heavily on those who remain.

    If you’ve taken out a funeral policy or belong to a burial society or stokvel (savings club), make sure someone knows. Funeral policies can pay out within 48 hours – but some take weeks, depending on the circumstances and paperwork. Write down the name of the provider, the expected payout, and who to contact.

    Keep documents in a safe place, and tell a trusted person where to find them. Even if you can’t afford a policy, having a clear conversation about what you would want – and what you wouldn’t – is a powerful gift. Not everyone wants a lavish send-off. Sometimes, what people want most is for their family to avoid debt and stay united.

    Planning ahead allows families to mourn, rather than scramble.

    – Planning for death: four things you can do to ease your family’s emotional and financial stress
    – https://theconversation.com/planning-for-death-four-things-you-can-do-to-ease-your-familys-emotional-and-financial-stress-254321

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Planning for death: four things you can do to ease your family’s emotional and financial stress

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Amanda Craft, Associate Lecturer in Accounting and Financial Planning, Western Sydney University

    When someone dies, the people left behind face more than grief. They are often hit with a wave of decisions – emotional, logistical and financial – that must be made quickly and under pressure.

    You may not be able to control what happens after you’re gone. But you can make the process a lot easier for your family by doing a few simple things now. Financial therapy research shows that financial decisions made under stress or grief are more likely to lead to conflict or regret.

    Our work as researchers and practitioners in financial planning and financial therapy explores how money isn’t just about spreadsheets and savings – it’s also about identity, emotions, and relationships.

    Planning for death, as hard as it may be, is one of the kindest acts you can offer.

    Death is inevitable, but chaos doesn’t have to be. A few gentle conversations, a simple will, and a bit of planning can protect your family from unnecessary pain. You don’t need to have everything figured out – you just need to start. Even small steps taken now can have a ripple effect on your family’s financial and emotional wellbeing.

    We have identified four practical steps you can take: start the conversation; talk about what matters to you; get your paperwork in order; and make your funeral plans known.

    What to do

    Start the conversation. In many cultures, death is difficult to talk about. It can feel awkward, inappropriate, or even disrespectful to bring it up with loved ones. But avoiding the conversation doesn’t stop death from coming – it only makes it harder for those left behind.

    Financial therapy research shows that avoidance of money conversations is common, but can be damaging. People avoid these talks because of anxiety, cultural taboos, or fear of upsetting others, but they’re exactly the conversations that help reduce stress in the future. You don’t need to hold a formal family meeting.

    A softer approach often works best. For example, if someone in your community passes away, you could say, “It got me thinking about what you’d want for your funeral.” If they seem uncomfortable, try saying, “I know it’s not easy to talk about. I just care, and I’d rather know than have to guess.” If they still don’t want to talk, that’s okay. Sometimes planting the seed is enough.

    Talk about what matters to you. Every family and community has its own way of honouring the dead. Some prefer large, traditional funerals with extended family and religious rites. Others may want something smaller, more personal, or less expensive. When people know what matters most to you – and what doesn’t – they are more likely to carry out your wishes with peace of mind.

    Research has found that clarity around financial and emotional intentions helps reduce family tension and grief-related conflict.

    For example, you might not want money borrowed for your funeral. You might prefer cremation, or a specific cultural rite. Or you may want something symbolic, like a tree planted in your honour. Saying it now helps your loved ones later.

    Get your paperwork in order. A will helps ensure that your assets go where you want them to. It also helps reduce disputes among family members. But in South Africa, for example, only around 15% of people die with a valid will. In Nigeria, 70% of people die intestate and 80% of people in Ghana die without a valid will. That leaves families at the mercy of state rules – and that can create real problems.

    Make sure your will is clear, legally valid, and updated to reflect any life changes such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child. It’s also essential to review your nominated beneficiaries on life policies and pensions. If they are outdated or deceased, the payout may be delayed or go to someone you didn’t intend. Leaving financial matters unclear can also unsettle family roles and identities, especially when adult siblings or extended relatives feel overlooked.

    Make your funeral plans known. In many African households, funerals are deeply significant events, tied to culture, status, and family pride. But the cost of burying a loved one, and the weight of organising the ceremony, can fall heavily on those who remain.

    If you’ve taken out a funeral policy or belong to a burial society or stokvel (savings club), make sure someone knows. Funeral policies can pay out within 48 hours – but some take weeks, depending on the circumstances and paperwork. Write down the name of the provider, the expected payout, and who to contact.

    Keep documents in a safe place, and tell a trusted person where to find them. Even if you can’t afford a policy, having a clear conversation about what you would want – and what you wouldn’t – is a powerful gift. Not everyone wants a lavish send-off. Sometimes, what people want most is for their family to avoid debt and stay united.

    Planning ahead allows families to mourn, rather than scramble.

    Amanda Craft is a shareholder of Auriavia Pty Ltd. She is affiliated with the Financial Therapy Association

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

    – ref. Planning for death: four things you can do to ease your family’s emotional and financial stress – https://theconversation.com/planning-for-death-four-things-you-can-do-to-ease-your-familys-emotional-and-financial-stress-254321

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Mediawatch: Jailed Australian foreign correspondent’s life spread across the big screen

    By Colin Peacock, RNZ Mediawatch presenter

    In 1979, Sam Neill appeared in an Australian comedy movie about hacks on a Sydney newspaper.

    The Journalist was billed as “a saucy, sexy, funny look at a man with a nose for scandal and a weakness for women”.

    That would probably not fly these days — but as a rule, movies about Australian journalists are no laughing matter.

    Back in 1982, a young Mel Gibson starred as a foreign correspondent who was dropped into Jakarta during revolutionary chaos in The Year of Living Dangerously. The 1967 events the movie depicted were real enough, but Mel Gibson’s correspondent Guy Hamilton was made up for what was essentially a romantic drama.

    There was no romance and a lot more real life 25 years later in Balibo, another movie with Australian journalists in harm’s way during Indonesian upheaval.

    Anthony La Paglia had won awards for his performance as Roger East, a journalist killed in what was then East Timor — now Timor-Leste — in December 1975. East was killed while investigating the fate of five other journalists — including New Zealander Guy Cunningham — who was killed during the Indonesian invasion two months earlier.

    The Correspondent has a happier ending but is still a tough watch — especially for its subject.

    Met in London newsrooms
    I first met Peter Greste in newsrooms in London about 30 years ago. He had worked for Reuters, CNN, and the BBC — going on to become a BBC correspondent in Afghanistan.

    He later reported from Belgrade, Santiago, and then Nairobi, from where he appeared regularly on RNZ’s Nine to Noon as an African news correspondent. Greste later joined the English-language network of the Doha-based Al Jazeera and became a worldwide story himself while filling in as the correspondent in Cairo.

    Actor Richard Roxburgh as jailed journalist Peter Greste in The Correspondent alongside Al Jazeera colleagues Mohammed Fahmy and Baher Mohammed. Image: The Correspondent/RNZ

    Greste and two Egyptian colleagues, Baher Mohamed and Mohamed Fahmy, were arrested in late 2013 on trumped-up charges of aiding and abetting the Muslim Brotherhood, an organisation labeled “terrorist” by the new Egyptian regime of the time.

    Six months later he was sentenced to seven years in jail for “falsifying news” and smearing the reputation of Egypt itself. Mohamed was sentenced to 10 years.

    Media organisations launched an international campaign for their freedom with the slogan “Journalism is not a crime”. Peter’s own family became familiar faces in the media while working hard for his release too.

    Peter Greste was deported to Australia in February 2015. The deal stated he would serve the rest of his sentence there, but the Australian government did not enforce that. Instead, Greste became a professor of media and journalism, currently at Macquarie University in Sydney.

    Movie consultant
    Among other things, he has also been a consultant on The Correspondent — now in cinemas around New Zealand — with Richard Roxborough cast as Greste himself.

    Greste told The Sydney Morning Herald he had to watch it “through his fingers” at first.

    Australian professor of journalism Peter Greste …. posing for a photograph when he was an Al Jazeera journalist in Kibati village, near Goma, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on 7 August 2013. Image: IFEX media freedom/APR

    “I eventually came to realise it’s not me that’s up there on the screen. It’s the product of a whole bunch of creatives. And the result is … more like a painting rather than a photograph,” Greste told Mediawatch.

    “Over the years I’ve written about it, I’ve spoken about it countless times. I’ve built a career on it. But I wasn’t really anticipating the emotional impact of seeing the craziness of my arrest, the confusion of that period, the claustrophobia of the cell, the sheer frustration of the crazy trial and the really discombobulating moment of my release.

    “But there is another very difficult story about what happened to a colleague of mine in Somalia, which I haven’t spoken about publicly. Seeing that on screen was actually pretty gut-wrenching.”

    In 2005, his BBC colleague Kate Peyton was shot alongside him on their first day in on assignment in Somalia. She died soon after.

    “That was probably the toughest day of my entire life far over and above anything I went through in Egypt. But I am glad that they put it in [The Correspondent]. It underlines … the way in which journalism is under attack. What happened to us in Egypt wasn’t a random, isolated incident — but part of a much longer pattern we’re seeing continue to this day.”

    Supporters of the jailed British-Egyptian human rights activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah take part in a candlelight vigil outside Downing Street in London, United Kingdom, as he begins a complete hunger strike while world leaders arrive for COP27 climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in 2022. Image: RNZ Mediawatch/AFP

    ‘Owed his life’
    Greste says he “owes his life” to fellow prisoner Alaa Abd El-Fattah — an Egyptian activist who is also in the film.

    “There’s a bit of artistic licence in the way it was portrayed but . . .  he is easily one of the most intelligent, astute and charismatic humanitarians I’ve ever come across. He was one of the main pro-democracy activists who was behind the Arab Spring revolution in 2011 — a true democrat.

    “He also inspired me to write the letters that we smuggled out of prison that described our arrest not as an attack on … what we’d actually come to represent. And that was press freedom.

    “That helped frame the campaign that ultimately got me out. So, for both psychological and political reasons, I feel like I owe him my life.

    “There was nothing in our reporting that confirmed the allegations against us. So I started to drag up all sorts of demons from the past. I started thinking maybe this is the universe punishing me for sins of the past. I was obviously digging up that particular moment as one of the most extreme and tragic moments. It took a long time for me to get past it.

    “He’d been in prison a lot because of his activism, so he understood the psychology of it. He also understood the politics of it in ways that I could never do as a newcomer.”

    “Unfortunately, he is still there. He should have been released on September 29th last year. His mother launched a hunger strike in London . . . so I actually joined her on hunger strike earlier this year to try and add pressure.

    “If this movie also draws a bit of attention to his case, then I think that’s an important element.”

    Another wrinkle
    Another wrinkle in the story was the situation of his two Egyptian Al Jazeera colleagues.

    Greste was essentially a stranger to them, having only arrived in Egypt shortly before their arrest.

    The film shows Greste clashing with Fahmy, who later sued Al Jazeera. Fahmy felt the international pressure to free Greste was making their situation worse by pushing the Egyptian regime into a corner.

    “To call it a confrontation is probably a bit of an understatement. We had some really serious arguments and sometimes they got very, very heated. But I want audiences to really understand Fahmy’s worldview in this film.

    “He and I had very different understandings of what was going … and how those differences played out.

    “I’ve got a hell of a lot of respect for him. He is like a brother to me. That doesn’t mean we always agreed with each other and doesn’t mean we always got on with each other like any siblings, I suppose.”

    His colleagues were eventually released on bail shortly after Greste’s deportation in 2015.

    Fahmy renounced his Egyptian citizenship and was later deported to Canada, while Mohamed was released on bail and eventually pardoned.

    Retrial — all ‘reconvicted’
    “After I was released there was a retrial … and we were all reconvicted. They were finally released and pardoned, but the pardon didn’t extend to me.

    “I can’t go back because I’m still a convicted ‘terrorist’ and I still have an outstanding prison sentence to serve, which is a little bit weird. Any country that has an extradition treaty with Egypt is a problem. There are a fairly significant number of those across the Middle East and Africa.”

    Greste told Mediawatch his conviction was even flagged in transit in Auckland en route from New York to Sydney. He was told he failed a character test.

    “I was able to resolve it. I had some friends in Canberra and were able to sort it out, but I was told in no uncertain terms I’m not allowed into New Zealand without getting a visa because of that criminal record.

    “If I’m traveling to any country I have to say … I was convicted on terrorism offences. Generally speaking, I can explain it, but it often takes a lot of bureaucratic process to do that.”

    Greste’s first account of his time in jail — The First Casualty — was published in 2017. Most of the book was about media freedom around the world, lamenting that the numbers of journalists jailed and killed increased after his release.

    Something that Greste also now ponders a lot in his current job as a professor of media and journalism.

    Ten years on from that, it is worse again. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) says at least 124 journalists and media workers were killed last year, nearly two-thirds of them Palestinians killed by Israel in its war in Gaza.

    The book has now been updated and republished as The Correspondent.

    This article is republished under a community partnership agreement with RNZ.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI China: U.S. tariffs threaten Arab non-oil exports: UN agency

    Source: China State Council Information Office

    A sharp rise in U.S. trade protectionism is placing Arab economies under mounting pressure, endangering 22 billion U.S. dollars worth of non-oil exports, according to a policy brief released Saturday by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA).

    Jordan emerges as the most vulnerable, with nearly a quarter of its total exports bound for the United States. Bahrain is also flagged due to its heavy dependence on aluminum and chemical exports to the U.S. market.

    Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates could see disruptions to roughly 10 billion dollars in U.S.-bound re-exports, a result of U.S. tariffs on goods originally produced in third countries, said the brief.

    The ESCWA brief also warns of growing financial strains across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) economies, which are contending with a sharp drop in global oil prices.

    Further financial challenges loom for non-GCC states. ESCWA projects that Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, and Tunisia will collectively face an additional 114 million dollars in sovereign interest payments in 2025, driven by rising global bond yields amid investor uncertainty. These higher borrowing costs risk tightening national budgets and delaying development initiatives, it said.

    Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order amid widespread opposition, imposing so-called “reciprocal tariffs” on its trading partners worldwide. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Best No KYC Casinos 2025: JACKBIT Rated Top No KYC Crypto Casino

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LARNACA, Cyprus, April 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — JACKBIT stands out as the best no KYC casino this year, combining total privacy, fast crypto payouts, and thousands of games. As a trusted no KYC crypto casino, it’s perfect for players who value anonymity without sacrificing variety or bonuses.

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    A Closer Look at the Best No KYC Crypto Casino: JACKBIT

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    Best No KYC Crypto Casino Payment Methods

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    E-Wallets

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    Wire Transfer

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    JACKBIT’s crypto focus ensures seamless, private transactions, aligning with the needs of no KYC online casino players. Withdrawal limits are €25,000 per week and €50,000 per month, accommodating most players (AskGamblers).

    Responsible Gambling at No KYC Casinos Online

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    Email: support@jackbit.com

    Legal Disclaimer

    This content is for informational purposes only and not legal, financial, or gambling advice. Ensure compliance with local gambling laws. No warranties are made regarding accuracy. Readers are responsible for verifying information and ensuring legal compliance. Gambling may be restricted in some regions.

    Affiliate Disclosure

    Some links may be affiliate links, earning a commission at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on objective evaluation, and partnerships do not influence conclusions.

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the Jackbit. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice.

    Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector—including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining—complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed.

    Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/36dcdbfd-8604-46a3-bd30-892697fbe41d

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Federal Government of Somalia engages ISIS-Somalia with support from U.S. Forces

    Source: United States AFRICOM

    At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) conducted a collective self-defense airstrike against ISIS-Somalia on April 18, 2025. 

    The airstrike occurred southeast of Bosasso, Puntland, in Northeastern Somalia. 

    AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade ISIS-Somalia’s ability to plan and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad. 

    Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Did Australia back the wrong war in the 1960s? Now Putin’s Russia is knocking on the door

    ANALYSIS: By Ben Bohane

    This week Cambodia marks the 50th anniversary of the fall of Phnom Penh to the murderous Khmer Rouge, and Vietnam celebrates the fall of Saigon to North Vietnamese forces in April 1975.

    They are being commemorated very differently; after all, there’s nothing to celebrate in Cambodia. Its capital Phnom Penh was emptied, and its people had to then endure the “killing fields” and the darkest years of its modern existence under Khmer Rouge rule.

    Over the border in Vietnam, however, there will be modest celebrations for their victory against US (and Australian) forces at the end of this month.

    Yet, this week’s news of Indonesia considering a Russian request to base aircraft at the Biak airbase in West Papua throws in stark relief a troubling question I have long asked — did Australia back the wrong war 63 years ago? These different areas — and histories — of Southeast Asia may seem disconnected, but allow me to draw some links.

    Through the 1950s until the early 1960s, it was official Australian policy under the Menzies government to support The Netherlands as it prepared West Papua for independence, knowing its people were ethnically and religiously different from the rest of Indonesia.

    They are a Christian Melanesian people who look east to Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the Pacific, not west to Muslim Asia. Australia at the time was administering and beginning to prepare PNG for self-rule.

    The Second World War had shown the importance of West Papua (then part of Dutch New Guinea) to Australian security, as it had been a base for Japanese air raids over northern Australia.

    Japanese beeline to Sorong
    Early in the war, Japanese forces made a beeline to Sorong on the Bird’s Head Peninsula of West Papua for its abundance of high-quality oil. Former Australian prime minister Gough Whitlam served in a RAAF unit briefly stationed in Merauke in West Papua.

    By 1962, the US wanted Indonesia to annex West Papua as a way of splitting Chinese and Russian influence in the region, as well as getting at the biggest gold deposit on earth at the Grasberg mine, something which US company Freeport continues to mine, controversially, today.

    Following the so-called Bunker Agreement signed in New York in 1962, The Netherlands reluctantly agreed to relinquish West Papua to Indonesia under US pressure. Australia, too, folded in line with US interests.

    That would also be the year when Australia sent its first group of 30 military advisers to Vietnam. Instead of backing West Papuan nationhood, Australia joined the US in suppressing Vietnam’s.

    As a result of US arm-twisting, Australia ceded its own strategic interests in allowing Indonesia to expand eastwards into Pacific territories by swallowing West Papua. Instead, Australians trooped off to fight the unwinnable wars of Indochina.

    To me, it remains one of the great what-ifs of Australian strategic history — if Australia had held the line with the Dutch against US moves, then West Papua today would be free, the East Timor invasion of 1975 was unlikely to have ever happened and Australia might not have been dragged into the Vietnam War.

    Instead, as Cambodia and Vietnam mark their anniversaries this month, Australia continues to be reminded of the potential threat Indonesian-controlled West Papua has posed to Australia and the Pacific since it gave way to US interests in 1962.

    Russian space agency plans
    Nor is this the first time Russia has deployed assets to West Papua. Last year, Russian media reported plans under way for the Russian space agency Roscosmos to help Indonesia build a space base on Biak island.

    In 2017, RAAF Tindal was scrambled just before Christmas to monitor Russian Tu95 nuclear “Bear” bombers doing their first-ever sorties in the South Pacific, flying between Australia and Papua New Guinea. I wrote not long afterwards how Australia was becoming “caught in a pincer” between Indonesian and Russian interests on Indonesia’s side and Chinese moves coming through the Pacific on the other.

    All because we have abandoned the West Papuans to endure their own “slow-motion genocide” under Indonesian rule. Church groups and NGOs estimate up to 500,000 Papuans have perished under 60 years of Indonesian military rule, while Jakarta refuses to allow international media and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to visit.

    Alex Sobel, an MP in the UK Parliament, last week called on Indonesia to allow the UN High Commissioner to visit but it is exceedingly rare to hear any Australian MPs ask questions about our neighbour West Papua in the Australian Parliament.

    Canberra continues to enhance security relations with Indonesia in a naive belief that the nation is our ally against an assertive China. This ignores Jakarta’s deepening relations with both Russia and China, and avoids any mention of ongoing atrocities in West Papua or the fact that jihadi groups are operating close to Australia’s border.

    Indonesia’s militarisation of West Papua, jihadi infiltration and now the potential for Russia to use airbases or space bases on Biak should all be “red lines” for Australia, yet successive governments remain desperate not to criticise Indonesia.

    Ignoring actual ‘hot war’
    Australia’s national security establishment remains focused on grand global strategy and acquiring over-priced gear, while ignoring the only actual “hot war” in our region.

    Our geography has not changed; the most important line of defence for Australia remains the islands of Melanesia to our north and the co-operation and friendship of its peoples.

    Strong independence movements in West Papua, Bougainville and New Caledonia all materially affect Australian security but Canberra can always be relied on to defer to Indonesian, American and French interests in these places, rather than what is ultimately in Australian — and Pacific Islander — interests.

    Australia needs to develop a defence policy centred on a “Melanesia First” strategy from Timor to Fiji, radiating outwards. Yet Australia keeps deferring to external interests, to our cost, as history continues to remind us.

    Ben Bohane is a Vanuatu-based photojournalist and policy analyst who has reported across Asia and the Pacific for the past 36 years. His website is benbohane.com  This article was first published by The Sydney Morning Herald and is republished with the author’s permission.

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Motorists urged to comply with the law

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The City of Johannesburg’s Department of Public Safety has warned motorists to comply with the rules of the road or face the might of the law.

    This as the department kicked off its build-up campaign to the 2025 Easter Road Safety operations.

    “Every holiday, we bury more loved ones due to preventable road crashes. We cannot afford to treat this as routine anymore. This is a matter of life and death.

    “Our message is simple. If you don’t comply with the law, expect to be stopped, expect to be fined, expect to be arrested. We are done watching lives lost to drunk driving, unlicensed drivers, bribes, and unroadworthy taxis. Enough is enough,” the department said in a statement.

    A public education campaign is also underway aimed at changing public behaviour on the roads.

    “Targeted road safety messaging is being rolled out in schools, churches, and public spaces. Community members are encouraged to report reckless driving, corruption, and illegal vehicles.

    “This is about building a culture of accountability, not fear. We want everyone to get home safely. We want dignity on our roads. Bribery will not be tolerated, and any officer caught accepting a bribe will face immediate action,” the department warned.
    At the launch, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) Spokesperson Xolani Fihla, reminded motorists of their responsibility.

    “For your safety, when you are hitting the road, ensure that you do have the proper documentation that allows you to be driving that vehicle. Also ensure that your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition.

    “The cause of these major accidents is due to driver behaviour. So, the driver…please don’t drive under the influence of alcohol, avoid excessive speeding and avoid reckless and negligent driving,” Fihla said.

    He also had a word of warning for pedestrians.

    “What we’ve also noticed and seen is a greater number of our pedestrians dying on the roads. This is due to them not adhering to the rules of the road. So, our message for our pedestrians as well, is to please stay safe. 

    “If you are going to be walking, don’t walk directly on a public road. Use the sidewalk or a verge. If you are walking at night or in the early morning, make sure that you are wearing bright or reflective clothing so that you are seen. Most importantly, don’t walk on our roads while intoxicated,” he said.

    Acting Chief of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Clement Masinge, urged those visiting Gauteng to also adhere to the rules of the road and to prioritise safety.

    “We want to encourage motorists when they’re on holidays through our city to take enough rest and ensure that they stick to the rules of the road. We are not going to tolerate…speeding, overloading in the taxis and buses.

    “We will go all out in numbers to ensure that our motorists in the City of Johannesburg remain safe throughout this month,” Masinge added. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Health Department calls for vigilance against malaria

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Department of Health urges all travellers and communities to stay vigilant as the country is experiencing a slight increase in malaria cases, particularly in provinces where the disease is endemic, including Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal.

    According to the department, outbreaks of malaria have been reported in several neighbouring countries within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, specifically in Botswana, Eswatini, Namibia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.

    This situation is said to raise the risk of potential cross-border transmission of this preventable disease, especially as people travel throughout the region for religious and cultural events during the Easter holidays.

    “The department will remain on high alert in case of a sudden peak in local malaria transmission, “ the statement read. 

    The disease is primarily transmitted through a bite from infected female Anopheles mosquitoes. 

    Common symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle pain, nausea, loss of appetite and vomiting.

    Citizens travelling to malaria-endemic areas are urged to take the following precautions:

    • Take malaria prevention medication (prophylaxis) as advised by a healthcare provider. Doxycycline is available freely in all public health facilities.
    • Use insect repellent containing at least 10% DEET.
    • Sleep under bed-nets, use fans or air-conditioning.
    • Wear long-sleeved clothing, especially at night.
    • Seek immediate medical attention if any of the symptoms appear and always mention recent travel history.

    Meanwhile, the department stated that healthcare providers in both endemic and non-endemic provinces have been alerted to maintain a high index of suspicion for malaria in patients with flu-like symptoms and report confirmed cases immediately to support malaria surveillance and response.

    “They were also reminded to always inquire about travel history, particularly from high-risk regions and conduct prompt malaria testing and repeat the tests if symptoms persist despite negative results.

    “Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to saving lives and preventing further transmission of the disease,” said the department. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Religious leaders urged to raise awareness on road safety

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) has called on religious leaders to encourage road safety amongst church congregants. 

    These holidays are characterised by high road traffic volumes with many road users travelling to various religious and holiday destinations on the major corridors, which are expected to reach peak levels.

    “In the light of anticipated Easter holiday pilgrimage by congregants across the country and Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, many people will be traveling either using private vehicles or hired public transport.

    “Previously many congregants perished while going or returning from the Easter pilgrimages. It is in this context that religious leaders are called upon to spread road safety messages during these Easter holidays,” the RTMC said.

    The 2025 Easter weekend spans from Good Friday (18 April) to Easter Monday ( 21 April), with Easter Sunday falling on 20 April 2025.

    All pastors have been encouraged to deliberately incorporate these messages in their sermons. 

    “Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. It cannot be left in government’s hands alone. Organisers of these trips must also plan their trips thoroughly to ensure that their drivers rest sufficiently along the way.

    “Public transport operators must also ensure that the vehicles they are transporting churchgoers with are roadworthy and not overloaded. It is possible to have a crash-free Easter long weekend if all drivers play their part by obeying the rules of the road,” it said.

    While traffic law enforcement officers and security will be highly visible on various roads working closely with all role players, motorists have been urged to come to the party by respecting the rules of the road.

    Last month, Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy launched of the 2025 Easter Season Road Safety Arrive Alive campaign, which started on 20 March and will run until 2 May 2025.

    The objective of the campaign is not only to ensure smooth flows of traffic but also prevent negligent and reckless driving which could result in road crashes, injuries and fatalities.

    The campaign is being held under the theme: “It begins with Me.”

    “We chose this theme because driver and pedestrian behaviour is responsible for 87% of road accidents and fatalities in our country. And so, reducing road fatalities and accidents is the responsibility of each one of us,” Creecy said at the launch.

    Road users have been encouraged to follow these tips:

    Before any journey ensure you:

    • Check your vehicle and make sure it is roadworthy.
    • Carry a valid driver’s license.
    • Make sure your public driving permit is in order if you need one.

    If you are a pedestrian this festive season, make smart choices and:

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: BMA monitors movements at ports of entry

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    Friday, April 18, 2025

    With the Easter long weekend underway, the Border Management Authority (BMA) Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, is monitoring movements at the country’s ports of entry.

    Commissioner Masiapato is on the ground monitoring the accelerated security control measures at the Lebombo port of entry.

    As the third law enforcement service in the Republic, the BMA has also deployed drones and body worn cameras for additional technological support in addition to adjusting service hours for the holidays. 

    Four advanced unmanned aerial vehicles, commonly known as drones and 40 body-worn cameras have been deployed for the first time at the country’s ports of entry this Easter weekend. 

    READ | Technology to aid SA’s border management efforts  

    The drones are equipped with some of the most advanced night vision cameras in the world, including thermal detection technology.
    Powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), the devices are able to recognise and lock onto heat sources, moving people, or vehicles. They can also travel at speeds up to 43 kilometres per hour and are capable of operating in remote rural areas without access to GPS and even underground.

    The Commissioner will also monitor deployments and traveller movements. 

    When travellers return from the Easter holidays, the BMA Commissioner will be at the Beitbridge port of entry from 20 to 22 April 2025.  – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Completes 2025 Article IV Mission to Nigeria

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

    WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, April 18, 2025/APO Group/ —

    • The Nigerian authorities have taken important steps to stabilize the economy, enhance resilience, and support growth. These reforms have put Nigeria in a better position to navigate the external environment.
    • The macroeconomic outlook is marked by significant uncertainty. Elevated global risk sentiment and lower oil prices impact the Nigerian economy.
    • Macroeconomic policies need to further strengthen buffers and resilience, reduce inflation, and support private sector-led growth.

    An International Monetary Fund team, led by Axel Schimmelpfennig, IMF mission chief for Nigeria, visited Lagos and Abuja on April 2–15 to hold discussions for the 2025 Article IV Consultations with Nigeria. The team met with Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari, Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Yemi Cardoso, senior government and central bank officials, the Ministry of the Environment, the private sector, academia, labor unions, and civil society. At the end of the visit, Mr. Axel Schimmelpfennig, issued the following statement:

    “The Nigerian authorities have taken important steps to stabilize the economy, enhance resilience, and support growth. The financing of the fiscal deficit by the central bank has ceased, costly fuel subsidies were removed, and the functioning of the foreign exchange market has improved. Gains have yet to benefit all Nigerians as poverty and food insecurity remain high.

    ”The outlook is marked by significant uncertainty. Elevated global risk sentiment and lower oil prices impact the Nigerian economy. The reforms since 2023 have put the Nigerian economy in a better position to navigate this external environment. Looking ahead, macroeconomic policies need to further strengthen buffers and resilience, while creating enabling conditions for private sector-led growth.

    “The authorities communicated to the mission that they will implement the 2025 budget in a manner that is responsive to the decline in international oil prices. A neutral fiscal stance would support monetary policy to bring down inflation. To safeguard key spending priorities, it is imperative that fiscal savings from the fuel subsidy removal are channeled to the budget. In particular, adjustments should protect critical, growth-enhancing investment, while accelerating and broadening the delivery of cash transfers under the World Bank-supported program to provide relief to those experiencing food insecurity.

    “A tight monetary policy stance is required to firmly guide inflation down. The Monetary Policy Committee’s data-dependent approach has served Nigeria well and will help navigate elevated macroeconomic uncertainty. Announcing a disinflation path to serve as an intermediate target can help anchor inflation expectations.”

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Statement on Mozambique

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

    WASHINGTON D.C., United States of America, April 18, 2025/APO Group/ —

    An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, led by Mr. Pablo Lopez Murphy, visited Maputo from February 19 to March 4, 2025, to discuss policy implementation under the ECF arrangement. Discussions related to the program reviews continued virtually in the subsequent weeks.

    Following these discussions, the Mozambican authorities and IMF staff have reached an understanding not to proceed with the remaining Reviews under the ECF-supported arrangement. To better align IMF support with the new government’s priorities and vision, the Mozambican authorities have requested the initiation of discussions for a new IMF program. Discussions with IMF staff will begin in the period ahead.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Desperate situation for people fleeing Zamzam camp in Sudan

    Source: Médecins Sans Frontières –

    Following the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) large-scale ground offensive on Zamzam camp that started on 11 April, hundreds of thousands of people have joined the communities already besieged and deprived of lifesaving aid in El Fasher, the neighbouring capital city of North Darfur, Sudan. 25,000 more people reached Tawila, further west, where overwhelmed Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams are currently expanding activities to cope with the most pressing medical needs.

    We are making an urgent appeal to put an end to the siege and the atrocities, to deliver humanitarian aid, including by airdropping food and medicines to El Fasher if necessary, and to allow those who wish to flee to do so safely.

    The RSF and their allied armed groups stormed Zamzam, Sudan’s largest displacement camp, which used to host at least 500,000 people near El Fasher, after months of an increasingly tight siege on the area. By 16 April, the camp, by then largely destroyed, was reportedly under RSF control. The majority of people living in Zamzam are believed to have fled to El Fasher, where they remain trapped, out of reach of humanitarian aid and exposed to ongoing attacks and further mass violence. 

    While MSF teams in Tawila saw over 25,000 people arriving from Zamzam and nearby areas between 12 and 15 April, displaced people are now arriving more sporadically and at great risk for their lives along the way. Our teams set up a health post at the entrance of Tawila to provide the new arrivals with water and immediate nutritional and medical support. We refer critical cases to the local hospital where we have been working since last October. About 1,600 patients so far have required emergency outpatient services, mainly because of severe dehydration.

    “We are treating children who were literally dying of thirst on their journeys. We have received so far over 170 people with gunshot and blast injuries and 40 per cent of them are women and girls,” says Marion Ramstein, MSF project coordinator in Tawila. “People tell us that many injured and vulnerable people could not make the trip to Tawila and were left behind. Almost everyone we talk to said they lost at least one family member during the attack.”

    Horrific reports emerge from Zamzam camp, where hundreds of people are estimated to have been killed. Fighters were said to be going door-to-door, shooting people hiding in their homes and burning large parts of the camp. Casualties include eleven staff from the humanitarian organisation Relief International, which was running the only remaining clinic in the camp after MSF suspended all its activities in Zamzam in February due to escalating violence and blockades. 

    We urge the RSF and all armed groups in the area to spare and protect civilians and ensure that those who want to flee can do so without further harm. States and diplomatic actors must use their leverage to translate hollow statements into concrete actions. There have been repeated warnings from the UN and many observers about the risks of mass killings and ethnic violence in El Fasher and the surroundings displacement camps, mostly inhabited by people from the non-Arab Zaghawa and Fur ethnic groups, while most of the RSF fighters and their allies originate from Arab tribes.

    After two years of a catastrophic war on people met by neglectful indifference, it remains inconceivable to simply resign ourselves to the current collective failure to provide vital assistance where it’s most needed.

    “A massive humanitarian response is needed, now more urgently than ever. If the roads to El Fasher are blocked, then air operations must be launched to bring food and medicines to the estimated one million people trapped there and being starved,” Rasmane Kabore, MSF head of mission in Sudan. “A scaled-up response is also needed in Tawila, where some of the survivors are being received and local capacities are overwhelmed.”

    MSF and several other actors are launching emergency interventions in Tawila, but much more is needed in terms of water, food, medical care and shelter. 

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: INS SUNAYNA (IOS SAGAR) ARRIVES IN MOZAMBIQUE UNDER SAGAR MISSION TO STRENGTHEN MARITIME TIES

    Source: Government of India

    Posted On: 18 APR 2025 6:05PM by PIB Delhi

    INS Sunayna, currently on deployment to Africa as Indian Ocean Ship IOS SAGAR arrived at Nacala Port, Mozambique on 17 Apr 25. The ship had earlier participated in the inaugural session of the India-Africa maritime partnership exercise AIKEYME 25, at Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

    IOS SAGAR is a unique mission based on the Government of India’s regional initiative of maritime collaboration titled SAGAR, which stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region. The mission is aimed at fostering international cooperation between India and several African countries.

    The ship was flagged off on her mission from Karwar on 05 Apr 25 by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri. She had embarked 44 naval personnel from nine friendly foreign nations, including Comoros, Kenya, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and South Africa, on her departure from India.

    On her arrival at Nacala, the ship was welcomed by Commander Nelson H. Mabjaia, Chief of Commission, with the Mozambique Naval Band in attendance.

    A range of collaborative activities and outreach programs are planned to be held during the port stay, aimed at promoting capacity building, operational synergy, and community engagements with the Mozambique Navy. These include joint training on Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) drills as well as firefighting and damage control procedures. The ship will also host a deck reception on board for local officials and dignitaries in a celebration of maritime friendship.

    Community interactions by the ship’s crew will feature a yoga session to promote wellness and health, ship visits for Indian diaspora and local school children, an interschool quiz competition focused on maritime awareness and regional history as well as a guided tour for military cadets of the Nampula Military Academy, to offer firsthand insights into naval operations.

    On completion of her port visit, the ship will embark personnel of Mozambique Navy as Sea Riders for a joint surveillance mission in the Mozambique Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), reaffirming the shared commitment to maritime security and countering non-traditional threats.

    The port call marks a significant milestone enhancing maritime cooperation and interoperability between the Indian and Mozambique Navies. It also underscores India’s enduring commitment to strengthening maritime partnerships in the Indian Ocean Region, enhancing mutual trust, and fostering collective regional security in consonance with the vision of the SAGAR initiative.

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    VM/SKS                                                                                                        90/25

    (Release ID: 2122722) Visitor Counter : 78

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –