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Category: Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum Kicks Off, Positioning Congo as a Key Energy Player

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

    BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), March 25, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) officially opened with welcome and keynote addresses by key industry leaders operating in the Republic of Congo’s energy sector. With an ambition to double oil production to 500,000 barrels per day by 2027, and with the upcoming launch of a new Gas Master Plan, CEIF 2025 offers a platform for attendees to connect with leaders in Congo’s energy market.

    Speaking during the opening session Congo’s Minister of Hydrocarbons Bruno Jean-Richard Itoua outlined Congo’s potential as a key driver of energy in Central Africa, highlighting critical reforms and initiatives aimed at maximizing the country’s energy potential.

    “It is with great pride and happiness that I’m taking the floor today to deliver the official opening of Congo Energy & Investment Forum,” Minister Itoua stated, adding, “The outline of this forum is in line with Congo’s National Development Goal of 2022-2026 and our ambitious vision to modernize infrastructure and create an inclusive investment environment.”

    Meanwhile, Sébastien Brice Poaty, General Secretary of Congo’s parastatal Société National de Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) explained that Congo remains committed to the development of hydrocarbons, as well as renewable energy, to drive access throughout the country. Poaty indicated that the parastatal has finalized the Gas Master Plan – set to launch at CEIF 2025 – and is preparing for the coming adoption of the new Gas Code, which is expected later this year.

    “This conference is part of a broader aspect on the future of the Congo. SNPC was created to valorize the energy potential of the Congo and support economic development while engaging in a sustainable transition,” stated Poaty, adding, “Investing in Africa remains one of the keys to the continent’s development.

    Speaking on Congo’s potential to attract investment to the energy market, Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary General of OPEC, stressed the importance of stability in the market. “Congo is an extremely valuable member of the OPEC family,” Al Ghais said, adding, “Congo’s oil will be essential considering the future growth of oil demand.”

    Dr. Omar Farouk Ibrahim, Secretary General, the African Petroleum Producers’ Organization (APPO) stressed the importance of the Congolese government to review its strategies and revitalize its hydrocarbons sector. Additionally, Dr. Ibrahim highlighted that, while the global energy landscape is undergoing a massive paradigm shift, Congo must remain committed to driving the development of its oil and gas resources.

    “The Republic of Congo has long been a significant player in Africa’s oil and gas industry. As the third-largest producer in sub-Saharan Africa, with proven crude oil reserves of 1.8 billion barrels, Congo possesses immense potential for development in frontier basins,” he said.

    The Opening Ceremony also included keynote presentations by key industry players in Congo’s energy industry including energy majors TotalEnergies and Eni, as well as independent producers Imperatus Energy and Ammat Global Resources and the African Energy Chamber.

    “With increasing global competition for capital, future success in Congo depends on maintaining a competitive fiscal framework and a stable regulatory and legal environment to ensure long-term viability on investments,” stated Mike Sangster, Senior Vice President for Africa, TotalEnergies E&P.

    Andrea Berberi, Managing Director, Eni Congo announced during his presentation that the company completed its ninth cargo of LNG on March 24, reaching 1 million cubic meters of LNG produced and exported in the market. “Today, we are proud to be part of this new sector in the Republic of Congo,” Berberi stated.

    “There are great operators in the country working on different projects,” stated Massimiliano Mignacca, Director General, Ammat Global Resources, adding, “Ammat’s activities are notably in upstream, but we are committed along the entire lifecycle of hydrocarbons.”

    Calling on Congo to replicate the success of neighboring oil producers such as Angola, NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman, the African Energy Chamber, expressed his optimism for the country to capitalize on regulatory reforms and improved governance to attract global investment.

    “At a time when we look at the energy industry, when we look at global shifts in energy, we look at Congo for energy stability. It is for that reason that Congo takes a very strong position, but we need to recognize that energy reforms need to happen,” stated Ayuk.

    Meanwhile, Oumar Semega, CEO and Founder, Imperatus Energy Group noted that energy plays a key and strategic role for the Congo. “At Imperatus, we have a clear vision to create value across every stage of the oil and gas sector, from extraction to commercialization,” stated.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How Donald Trump’s trade war against Canada reveals tensions inherent in friendship

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Jason Wang, Postdoctoral Fellow, Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre, Toronto Metropolitan University

    In his second inauguration address, United States President Trump began by declaring “the golden age of America begins right now” and closed with, “and our golden age has just begun.” Between these lines, he vowed to “tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens.”

    Tying his trade policies to dubious claims about fentanyl trafficking and illegal immigration, Trump’s approach appears less about economic strategy and more about asserting dominance. Invoking the language of imperial expansion, he even proposed the idea of making Canada the “cherished 51st state.”

    Historians like American Richard White quickly drew parallels to the 19th-century Gilded Age when robber barons thrived, leaving social inequality in their wake.



    Read more:
    Elon Musk’s bid to take over Twitter recalls the robber barons of the 19th century

    The celebrated Canada-U.S. friendship — further entrenched over the past three decades by the 1989 Canada-U.S. free-trade agreement, cross-border activity and snowbirds wintering in Florida and elsewhere in the U.S. — has long balanced underlying tension stemming from the two nations’ power differences. This alludes to tensions inherent in friendships that have long been explored by philosophers.

    A ‘great relationship?’

    Trump’s recent sweeping tariffs on Canadian imports are only the latest chapter in a long history of economic clashes.

    From the U.S.’s Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, which hit Canada hard during the Great Depression, to Richard Nixon’s 10 per cent import surcharge in 1971 and the long fight over softwood lumber that persisted through the early 2000s despite Canada’s favourable World Trade Organization rulings, these conflicts expose the fragility of Canada-U.S. relations. The uneasy reality is that friendship between nations is never as stable as it seems.

    The trade war has triggered a wave of cultural and economic nationalism in Canada that has gone beyond the “Buy Canadian” movement. At the National Ballet of Canada’s Swan Lake, recently, a stirring rendition of O Canada brought the audience to its feet.

    Chrystia Freeland, now minister of transport and internal trade, voiced the nation’s outrage on CNN: “Canadians are angry,” she said, condemning the tariffs as a betrayal of what she called the “great relationship.”

    Friendship ideals and power dynamics

    But beneath the outrage lies a harsher truth: Canada’s “friend” status is conditional, tied to America’s shifting priorities. The real question isn’t whether Canada is a trusted ally — it’s whether it was ever more than a subordinate in this “friendship.” At stake is the concept of friendship between nations.

    Philosophers exploring the intersection of friendship and politics offer a useful framework for understanding this imbalance.

    Written in the post-Cold War era, French Algerian philosopher Jacques Derrida’s The Politics of Friendship, first published in French in 1994, questions the very possibility of pure, stable friendship, arguing that it is never equal or unconditional.

    Instead, said Derrida, it is always a negotiation of power. Derrida questions idealized Aristotelian notions of friendship between nations — ideals that still quietly underpin our thinking about friendship, loyalty and betrayal.

    Friendship in fiction, Aristotle

    In his study of friendship in fiction, literary scholar Allan Hepburn points out that friendships are inherently political, foundational to social relations and embody democratic ideals of equality and fraternity, as Aristotle suggested.

    Tyrannical systems, by contrast, lack true friendships, while an ideal democracy extends mutual respect to all citizens. In this way, strangers are recognized as equals and potential friends, regardless of legal obligation, as Derrida emphasized.

    In Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, he distinguished transactional and virtuous friendship. The former is built on mutual advantage or shared pleasure, which to Aristotle is the lesser kind of friendship.

    In contrast, virtue-based friendship is both the most enduring and the rarest. Aristotle idealizes this latter type of friendship, describing it as “perfect friendship” in which individuals are “alike in virtue,” wishing well to each other as something good in itself, and are themselves morally upright.

    This ideal friendship — expected to be stable, enduring and intrinsically valuable — underpins discourses about the bond between nations based on shared values.



    Read more:
    What makes a good friend?

    True friendship reserved for individuals

    Political scientist Evgeny Roshchin argues that friendship, as a historical concept in international relations, helped mediate the shift from hierarchical to equal political relationships, shaping sovereignty and political order.

    In contrast, philosopher Simon Keller questions the idea of “friendship between countries,” asserting true friendship is reserved for individuals. He warns that comparing nations to friends may mislead us by shifting focus from genuine human connections to political dynamics.

    Yet the Aristotelian model of the friend as “a second self” has significant limitations, often ignoring differences and reinforcing hierarchy. For Derrida, friendship is not a fixed, harmonious ideal but an ongoing, unpredictable negotiation that blurs the boundary between ally and adversary.

    He contends: “‘Good friendship’ supposes disproportion. It demands a certain rupture in reciprocity or quality, as well as the interruption of all fusion or confusion between you and me.”

    Even at its most personal, friendship is marked by power dynamics — who holds it, who benefits from it and who can be cast aside. Not a cynical rejection of friendship, however, Derrida’s model calls for broadening its moral and political dimensions.

    Transactional structure

    Derrida’s model applies to the Canada-U.S. relationship, which has long been framed as one of mutual respect, built on democratic values and shared economic interests. But its underlying structure is transactional.

    The rhetoric of friendship has always served a function: to justify co-operation when it is useful and to smooth over conflict when it is not. The moment those interests diverge, the limits of the relationship become clear.

    Trump’s tariffs have exposed this dynamic in the clearest possible terms. Canada’s position as a friend to the U.S. is fragile and contingent, shaped by the fluctuating interests of the more powerful side.

    But the rupture is not new, nor is it a break from the norm. It’s simply a reminder of how the relationship has always worked. The question now is not whether Canada can restore its friendship, but whether it can afford to continue believing in it on the same terms.



    Read more:
    Amid U.S. threats, Canada’s national security plans must include training in non-violent resistance

    Embrace inherent fragility

    Derrida’s model of friendship offers a way forward. His model defies the simplistic binary of friend and foe, loyalty and betrayal, as these terms are ultimately mutually constitutive. Derrida calls for relationships that embrace their inherent fragility.

    For Canada, this doesn’t mean abandoning the discourse of friendship with the U.S. entirely, but rather acknowledging the bond’s fragile, conditional nature — always deferred, always on the brink of rupture.

    The challenge for Canada is to redefine its position in North America beyond the framework of mutuality and dependence. At the policy level, with Canada-U.S. relations, this means diversifying trade and diplomatic ties, resisting automatic alignment and asserting independent leadership in global affairs.

    At home, it means forging a national identity that is self-defined and free from the shadow of comparison.

    Jason Wang 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. How Donald Trump’s trade war against Canada reveals tensions inherent in friendship – https://theconversation.com/how-donald-trumps-trade-war-against-canada-reveals-tensions-inherent-in-friendship-252260

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Secretary-General’s remarks to the General Assembly to mark the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade [as delivered]

    Source: United Nations – English

    he transatlantic slave trade is an indelible stain on the conscience of humanity.

    For more than four centuries, enslaved Africans were kidnapped and trafficked; dehumanized, abused and exploited.

    The depth and scale of the cruelty, inhumanity, and depravity of this practice is incomprehensible.

    So, too, is the suffering, fear, pain and misery endured by those millions of people exploited for profit. 

    Today, we reflect on families ripped apart and communities decimated.

    We remember the women, children, and men forced to work in agonizing conditions, savagely punished, and deprived of their dignity and human rights. 

    And we take strength in their resistance and demands for justice:

    From revolution in Haiti, to the underground railroad in the United States, to countless individual acts of courage and defiance.

    I deeply regret that several countries – including my own – were engaged in this immoral trade… 

    A trade driven by greed and built on lies – particularly the lie of white supremacy…

    A trade enabled by insurers, bankers, shipping companies, legal systems and more…

    That saw individuals, institutions and corporations amass unimaginable wealth on the back of human suffering.

    When slavery was officially abolished, it was not the enslaved who were compensated, but the enslavers – receiving reparations equivalent to billions of dollars in today’s money.

    In an even crueler twist, some slaves were forced to pay compensation.

    Haiti had to fund payouts to those who had profited from its suffering – all in the name of securing its independence. 

    Dear Friends,

    Today is not only a day of remembrance.

    It is also a day to reflect on the enduring legacies of slavery and colonialism and to strengthen our resolve to combat those evils today.

    The obscene profits derived from chattel slavery and the racist ideologies that underpinned the trade are still with us. 

    Systemic racism has been embedded into institutions, cultures, and social systems.

    And deeply rooted exclusion, racial discrimination and violence continue to undermine the ability of many people of African descent to thrive and achieve their full potential.

    For too long, the crimes of the transatlantic slave trade – and their ongoing impact – have remained unacknowledged, unspoken, and unaddressed:

    Links to slavery were buried…

    Histories were rewritten, minimized or overlooked…

    Ongoing harms were excused or dismissed…

    And perpetrators seemed to hope their actions would be lost to the past.

    Dear Friends,

    They were wrong.

    Thanks to the tireless work of affected leaders and communities, calls to acknowledge and repair the past can no longer be ignored.

    This year, at both the African Union Summit and the Caribbean Community Heads of Government Meeting, I heard leader after leader make a powerful case for reparatory justice.

    Some institutions and states are taking steps to acknowledge and address their pasts…

    Museums and public spaces are commemorating the resistance of people of African descent, and celebrating their vast contribution to societies.

    This is a start.

    But we need much more.

    The horrors of the transatlantic slave trade are an undeniable fact.

    Acknowledging this truth is not only necessary – it is vital for addressing past wrongs, healing the present, and building a future of dignity and justice for all. 

    It is also important that reparatory justice frameworks are grounded in international human rights law….

    Developed with the participation of affected communities… 

    And acknowledge the terrible harms caused.

    I urge everyone to play their part in building inclusive societies free from the evils of racism:

    That means countries complying with their international obligations – including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights…

    Implementing the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination…

    And becoming Parties to the Convention if they are not already.

    It means business leaders promoting equality and combatting racism.  

    And it means civil society, and everyday people continuing to push for justice, and taking a stand against racism wherever and whenever it appears.

    Excellencies,

    This mission is at the heart of the United Nations.

    The human dignity of every person is our founding creed.

    We must stand with everyone, everywhere to combat racial discrimination and hate, and to defend the human rights and dignity of all.

    Thank you.
     

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Congo Could Double Gas Production by 2027, Says S&P Global Commodity Insights at the Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF) 2025

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

    BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo, March 25, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The Republic of Congo is expected to more than double natural gas production by 2027 according to an outlook by commodity company S&P Global Commodity Insights – technical partner of the Congo Energy & Investment Forum (CEIF). This production increase will be driven primarily by Chinese developer Wing Wah’s Banga Kayo and energy major Eni’s Marine XII FLNG developments.

    The outlook was announced by Lucinda Valerie Ross, Senior Technical Research Analyst at S&P Global Commodity Insights, during a Technical Presentation titled, Assessing the Role of Deepwater Gas in the Republic of Congo’s Energy Strategy, at CEIF in Brazzaville.

    “Natural Gas production has historically been low [in Congo]. In response to increased production, Eni has been able to leverage pre-existing FLNG vessels in a phased approach to achieve first gas last year,” Ross stated, adding, “We need to attract investment to these projects in order to ensure sustained increased production in Congolese gas.”

    The Marine XII project is set to produce 2.4 million metric tons of LNG annually in 2025. Production is expected to increase to 4.5 billion cubic meters per year by 2026, with LNG used for both domestic consumption and export.

    Meanwhile, over a period of 25 years, the Banga Kayo permit, plans for a cumulative production estimated at nearly 30 billion cubic meters of associated gas. The project will be carried out in four phases, each progressively increasing the gas treatment and valorization capacity to meet local and regional LNG and LPG demand.

    Natural gas currently accounts for over 70% of electricity generation in Congo. Meanwhile, natural gas, along with oil production, accounts for 35% of the country’s GDP and 75% of its exports.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: UPAY Inc. – ACPAS Continues to Champion the Microfinance Sector as Proud Sponsor of MFSA Compliance Workshop

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DALLAS, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — UPAY Inc. (“UPAY” or the “Company”) (OTCQB: UPYY) is delighted to announce that ACPAS, its South African subsidiary, proudly sponsored the MFSA #101 Compliance Workshop to MicroFinance, held at the Radisson Hotel & Convention Centre Johannesburg on March 13, 2025.

    This highly anticipated event provided an essential platform for key industry players, regulators, and stakeholders to engage in critical discussions on compliance, regulatory advancements, and best practices within the microfinance sector. Attendees benefitted from insightful presentations, interactive panel discussions, and meaningful networking opportunities, all aimed at strengthening the industry’s compliance framework.

    MFSA expressed its sincere gratitude to ACPAS for its ongoing sponsorship and unwavering commitment to the microfinance sector. The presence of ACPAS at the event was met with great enthusiasm, with industry participants acknowledging the company’s invaluable support in fostering an environment of collaboration and industry progression.

    UPAY Inc. is proud of ACPAS’s continued involvement with the MFSA and its dedication to driving positive change in the microfinance landscape. The Company remains committed to supporting industry-wide initiatives that empower microfinance institutions and promote sustainable financial growth.

    About ACPAS:

    ACPAS is a leading Loan Management Software provider in South Africa, offering innovative solutions that streamline loan origination, management, and compliance processes. With a strong commitment to supporting microfinance institutions, ACPAS provides cutting-edge automation and data-driven tools that enhance operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. As a subsidiary of UPAY Inc., ACPAS continues to drive advancements in financial technology, ensuring sustainable growth for the microfinance industry. For more information, visit www.acpas.co.za  

    About UPAY:

    UPAY is a publicly traded holding company at the forefront of the fintech industry. By investing in innovative technologies, UPAY delivers comprehensive Financial Software Platforms that offer full system automation, intelligent data solutions, and an enhanced user experience. The Company is dedicated to bridging the gap between clients and consumers in an evolving financial ecosystem, ensuring high engagement and lasting impact. For more information, visit www.upaytechnology.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Facebook.

    Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined under applicable securities laws. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements because of new information, future events, or other circumstances. No information in this publication should be interpreted as any indication whatsoever of the Company’s future revenues, results of operations, or stock price.

    Contact Information UPAY INC. Media Relations info@upaytechnology.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Bank of Åland Plc: Decisions at the 2025 Annual General Meeting

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Bank of Åland Plc
    Stock exchange release, decisions of general meeting
    March 25, 2025, 17.00 EET

    Decisions at the 2025 Annual General Meeting, Bank of Åland Plc (Ålandsbanken Abp)

    Adoption of financial statements and granting of discharge from liability of those accountable

    Today’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Bank of Åland Plc approved the adoption of the financial statements and the consolidated financial statements for 2024 and granted discharge from liability to those accountable for the financial year 2024.

    Dividend distribution and announcement of the record date for dividend payment

    In accordance with the proposal of the Board of Directors, the AGM approved the distribution of a dividend of EUR 2.40 per share plus an extra dividend of EUR 0.35 per share for the accounting period January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024. The record date for payment of the dividend is Thursday, March 27, 2025. The dividend payment date will be Thursday, April 3, 2025.

    Compensation report

    The AGM dealt with the Bank’s compensation report and adopted it.
     
    Election of the Board of Directors and fees for Board members

    The number of Board members was set at seven.

    The AGM unanimously re-elected Board members Anders Å Karlsson, Nils Lampi, Mirel Leino-Haltia, Malin Lombardi, Christoffer Taxell, Ulrika Valassi and Anders Wiklöf.

    The term of office of Board members covers the period until the end of the next AGM.

    At the statutory meeting of the Board the same day, Nils Lampi was elected as Chairman and Christoffer Taxell as Deputy Chairman of the Board.

    The Chairman will be paid an annual fee of EUR 37,000 and the Deputy Chairman will be paid an annual fee of EUR 31,500.

    Other Board members will each receive an annual fee of EUR 29,000.

    In addition, a fee will be paid for each Board and committee meeting attended.

    For Board meetings, the Chairman will be paid a fee of EUR 1,000 per meeting and each other member EUR 750 per meeting. For committee meetings, each Board member belonging to the committee will be paid a fee of EUR 750 per meeting and each Board member who is a committee chairman will be paid a fee of EUR 1,000 per meeting. In addition, compensation for travel and accommodation expenses as well as daily subsistence allowances are paid in compliance with the instructions of tax authorities and the Bank’s travel guidelines.

    Election of auditor and audit fees

    The AGM decided to appoint the authorised accounting firm of KPMG Oy Ab as auditor, with Henry Maarala (KHT) as auditor in charge. The term of office of the auditor covers the period until the end of the next AGM.

    The AGM decided to appoint the authorised accounting firm of KPMG Oy Ab, with certified sustainability auditor (KHT) Henry Maarala as sustainability auditor in charge. The term of office of the sustainability auditor covers the period until the end of the next AGM.

    The AGM approved the payment of the auditors’ fees as invoiced.

    The Board of Directors

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: New Permanent Representative of Mozambique Presents Credentials

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    (Based on information provided by the Protocol and Liaison Service)

    The new Permanent Representative of Mozambique to the United Nations, Domingos Estêvão Fernandes, presented his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres today.

    Prior to his appointment, Mr. Fernandes served as his country’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, a role he assumed in 2022.  From 2015 to 2022, he was both his country’s High Commissioner to Botswana and Permanent Representative to the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

    He also was his country’s Ambassador to Angola from 2011 to 2015, and to São Tomé and Principe — as well as Gabon — from 2013 to 2015.  Additionally, he was Director for Regional and Continental Integration from 2005 to 2011 and Director for Africa and the Middle East from 2009 to 2010, both in his country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.

    His other positions include Chairperson of the SADC Committees of Senior Officials for Inter-State Politics and Diplomacy and for Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation from 2009 to 2010. He also served as Deputy Director of the Directorate for Economic and Multilateral Relations at his country’s Foreign Ministry from 2001 to 2005.

    Mr. Fernandes holds degrees in development studies and international relations and diplomacy, and is fluent in Portuguese, English and French.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Fighting fake news: how media in Kenya and Senegal check facts

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Layiré Diop, Professseur de communication, Francis Marion University

    Misinformation has accelerated in recent years, in speed and volume. Studies show that Africans are exposed to misinformation and disinformation on a regular basis.

    Disinformation refers to false information deliberately created to cause harm. Misinformation consists of false information that wasn’t created with the intention of harming individuals or groups. Either way, it’s often difficult to know whether something is true and accurate.

    Media fact-checking and media literacy have become more important than ever.

    As specialists in media and mass communication, we conducted a study of strategies to combat misinformation and disinformation. We also examined the role and impact of fact-checking practices. This research is based on 42 interviews conducted in 2021 with media professionals in Kenya and Senegal.

    The participants fell into three main categories. Some were journalists, while others specialised in fact-checking. The rest were individuals who influenced media policies, including government officials, thinktank employees and academics.

    Findings indicate that media professionals in Senegal and Kenya employ reactive fact-checking strategies such as cross-checking information from sources and verifying images and videos. They also promote media literacy as a proactive strategy to help media consumers critically engage with media content.

    The combination of the two methods is described as a shield and an antidote against the spread of misinformation and disinformation.

    Fact-checking: practices and perception

    In Kenya and Senegal, though information verification was already a daily routine for news organisations, fact-checking is gaining ground. It is emerging as an important approach to counter disinformation.

    Fact-checkers and journalists are at the forefront of verifying and determining the accuracy of information shared in public (for example, posts made by social media users) or content created by the media company. The most popular fact-checking services used by participants are PesaCheck, Piga Firimbi and AfricaCheck.

    In both countries, verification methods involve cross-checking multiple sources and analysing visual content. Findings of this study reveal that misinformation is most commonly found in political and health-related topics.

    Once verified, the information is shared in different formats. It is disseminated through news reports, social media posts, and short videos that debunk fake news.

    Cross-checking information

    This process involves consulting primary sources and seeking input from experts to clarify information and put it in context. Participants defined experts as specialists in a specific field, and individuals who regularly contribute to the subject through the media.

    In addition to asking sources and experts, media companies are setting up fact-checking services to verify information before publication. Participants from both countries revealed that media organisations trained their employees to use verification tools.

    Verifying images and videos

    Images and videos on social media often mix truths and manipulations. To debunk them, professionals use verification techniques. One common method is reverse image search: an online search for the image. This technique is made possible by geolocation and the large number of online images. Fact-checkers compare these images to verify content. Google’s reverse image search tool is the most widely used.

    Geolocation through Google Maps helps pinpoint the exact location where an image was taken, for comparison with the location claimed in the content being verified. For videos, professionals use a tool called InVID. This tool generates images from a video, which are then geolocated using reverse image search techniques.

    Perceptions of the effectiveness of fact-checking

    Media professionals in both countries saw fact-checking as an effective strategy to combat misinformation and disinformation and an essential tool for verifying content.

    However, they emphasised the importance of respecting freedom of expression. For them, it was essential to prevent the government or private sector from becoming the sole authority on the accuracy of information shared on media platforms.

    The recent decision by Meta (the technology conglomerate that owns Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and other services) to end its fact-checking programme and replace it with community ratings could lead to a new spread of false information.

    Media literacy: practice and perceptions

    Study participants concur that training the public in how to verify content is a proactive measure to curb misinformation. By doing this, professionals share their fact-checking processes as a form of media literacy.

    In Kenya, the press produces videos and tutorials to teach the public how to verify information online. Africa Check also produces materials on methods of verifying information.

    Fact-checking organisations and media outlets play a crucial role in verifying content. They also educate content consumers on how to verify information before sharing it on social media or messaging apps. To make these educational videos more accessible, they are translated into local languages. This helps content creators and consumers who do not understand French or English to better engage with the information.

    In Senegal, Africa Check partnered with a community radio station to provide media literacy training in a local language. The initiative involves fact-checking, translating articles into the Wolof language, and then sharing the information on WhatsApp.

    Perception of the effectiveness of media literacy

    Respondents saw media literacy as a proactive strategy that empowers the public to think critically and verify facts independently. Journalists and fact-checkers in Kenya and Senegal emphasised the importance of media education in curbing the spread of false information.

    In addition, they emphasised that media literacy is not only important for the public. Media professionals also need training to stay updated on technological changes and the strategies and techniques used by misinformation propagandists.

    Challenges to overcome

    These approaches face several obstacles. One is the reluctance of government officials to respond to information requests, often out of fear of critical fact-checking of their own statements. Cultural and linguistic diversity in Africa also presents a challenge for media professionals. Translating verified content into local languages is not easy and requires time and financial resources.

    In Senegal and Kenya, as in many other African countries, media literacy is not yet included in the school curriculum. Investing in media literacy programmes in schools would require expertise, money and time.

    In addition to the creation of fact-checking desks in newsrooms and raising public awareness of the dangers of misinformation, promoting media literacy at all levels (media, mosques, churches, businesses, schools, universities) should be a priority. Organising media weeks at school, as France does, could be a step towards that goal.

    Layiré Diop 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. Fighting fake news: how media in Kenya and Senegal check facts – https://theconversation.com/fighting-fake-news-how-media-in-kenya-and-senegal-check-facts-251123

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Who is Kirsty Coventry and how did she become the most powerful person in world sports?

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Davies Banda, Lecturer in Sport Policy and Management, University of Edinburgh

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has elected a woman as its president for the first time ever. Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry is also the youngest ever IOC president and the first from an African country, becoming a symbol of the IOC’s drive to diversify its leadership and image.

    Sports management scholar Davies Banda was part of a global research team that compiled an IOC-commissioned report on the roles of women in the organisation. He traces Coventry’s journey as a swimming star, politician and sports administrator.

    Who is Kirsty Coventry?

    She is Africa’s most decorated Olympian of all time. She won seven medals across the 2004 Athens Games and the 2008 Beijing Games.

    Born in Harare, she is not only Zimbabwe’s best known sports star but also the politically troubled country’s sports minister. The IOC presidency makes her one of the most powerful figures in world sports.

    Coventry is driven. She set her sights on the Olympics at the age of nine. She achieved her dream through hard work and a profound understanding of what a results-oriented athletic career looks like. She believes true success lies in sharing knowledge and skills, extending her impact beyond athletics into social activism and a political career in Zimbabwe.

    Her Olympic journey began at the 2000 Sydney Games, where she competed in two swimming events but failed to qualify for the finals. Her breakthrough happened at the 2004 Athens Games, where she won the first of her two gold medals in the 200-metre backstroke. She successfully defended this title at the 2008 Beijing Games.

    She retired from swimming competitively after her final Olympic appearance at the 2016 Rio Games, holding the joint record for the most individual women’s swimming medals in Olympic history. By then her sports administration dreams had begun to pay off.

    In 2012 she was elected to the IOC’s powerful Athletes’ Commission. Thanks to her extensive experience of being an Olympic athlete, she became a significant voice within the body. She was elected chair of the commission in 2018 and held the post until 2023, when she was elected to the IOC’s executive committee under Thomas Bach, also a former athlete and the outgoing IOC president.

    At the same time, Coventry transitioned into government service as an independent member of parliament in Zimbabwe. She was first appointed as the country’s Minister of Sport, Art and Recreation in 2018, and re-appointed in 2023.

    She’s a member of the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, previously serving as its vice president. She’s also a member of the Athletes’ Commission of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa.

    Why has it taken so long to have a female president?

    In 1997 the IOC set targets for National Olympic Committees to achieve at least 10% female representation in executive decision-making positions by the end of 2000. This was followed by a goal of at least 20% by 2005 and 30% by 2020.

    The IOC reported that female representation on its commissions doubled between 2013 and 2023, reaching 50% by the latter year.

    These deliberate measures can be seen as foundational to Coventry’s election. Globally, National Olympic Committees have seen a rise in female executive board members and leaders, increasing the pool of qualified candidates. An IOC report highlighted co-mentoring of female members on a governance leadership development initiative.

    Policies promoting the recognition of women’s leadership in sport and communities have nurtured leaders capable of competing for the highest IOC roles.

    However, considering that women were first allowed to participate in the 1900 Paris Games, it’s taken 124 years to see the election of a female IOC president.

    Despite the extended time frame, the IOC’s progressive initiatives, particularly its gender equality targets, have yielded tangible results.

    Some observers believe that Bach’s legacy, particularly in promoting gender equality, will be continued by Coventry, given their shared values and aspirations for the Olympic movement.

    What would a female president bring to Olympic sports?

    There is a drive for gender equality in Olympic sport. Coventry’s extensive experience as an athlete representative and her continued involvement with the Athletes’ Commission provide her with a deep understanding of athletes’ concerns. These include gender eligibility, a threat to the integrity of the Games due to doping, climate change, and athlete advocacy.

    Her relatively young age, 41, further strengthens her connection with athletes, the Olympic Games’ most valuable stakeholders, who are much younger than the administrators. This unique perspective allows her to engage with athletes in ways that previous IOC leaders could not. Her predecessors were close to or past their 60th birthdays when elected.

    So she is also likely to connect with younger generations more effectively than her predecessors, through modern technologies.

    Coventry is poised to lead the Olympic movement’s focus on sport for social change, given her experience of life in the global south, where she has been a social activist for underprivileged youth.

    The substantial growth of sport-for-change initiatives in the global south and beyond fuels the hope among scholars, including myself, that sport and athlete advocacy can achieve greater visibility. It can make an impact on global challenges, moving them from the sidelines to the heart of major sporting events.

    Coventry’s political career, conducted in Zimbabwe’s challenging economic climate, suggests a potential for using sport as a catalyst for positive social transformation.

    That said, while she may champion athlete advocacy on certain issues, her stated commitment to neutrality, particularly regarding the games, indicates a potential reluctance to engage with politically charged issues. The IOC’s status quo, the apolitical stance of the games, is likely to continue to limit the potential impact of athlete activism.



    Read more:
    Olympics in Africa: Egypt’s ambitious bid to host the games could succeed – but will it be worth it?

    What will be closely watched will be her approach to the contentious issue of transgender athletes in women’s events. Her current position advocates for their exclusion from female categories. She’s emphasised the protection of women’s sport and the enforcement of gender eligibility standards.

    It remains to be seen how closely her policies will align with, or diverge from, those of her predecessor. But for the IOC she no doubt represents a more diverse, gender equal movement.

    Davies Banda is affiliated with University of Edinburgh in Scotland and University of Lusaka in Zambia as a Senior Visiting Scholar

    – ref. Who is Kirsty Coventry and how did she become the most powerful person in world sports? – https://theconversation.com/who-is-kirsty-coventry-and-how-did-she-become-the-most-powerful-person-in-world-sports-252938

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Uganda’s lions in decline, hyenas thriving – new findings from country’s biggest ever carnivore count

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Alexander Richard Braczkowski, Research Fellow at the Centre for Planetary Health and Resilient Conservation Group, Griffith University

    For nearly 15 years almost no information was available on the population status of Uganda’s large carnivores, including those in its largest national park, Murchison Falls. These species represent a critical part of Uganda’s growing tourism economy. The country is home to the famed tree-climbing lions, which are much sought after for this unique behaviour. Together, lions and leopards generate tens of thousands of dollars annually from safari viewing and allied activities.

    Keeping an eye on the proverbial prize could not be more critical for the country. When wildlife isn’t monitored rigorously, populations can disappear within just a few years, as tigers did in India’s Sariska tiger reserve.

    But many people working in conservation discourage monitoring. They argue that a “bean counter” approach to conservation overlooks the funds and actions that save animals. Others simply say that it is a hard thing to do at scale and particularly for animals that are naturally shy, have big home ranges (sometimes over multiple countries), and occur in very low numbers.

    Even in a comparatively small African country – Uganda ranks 32nd in size out of 54 countries – how does one cover enough ground to see how populations of carnivores are faring? This has been the challenge of our work in Uganda for nearly a decade now, monitoring African lions, leopards and spotted hyenas.

    Our two recent studies in Murchison Falls and six protected areas across the country sought to address the problem by drawing on a wide range of local and international experts who live and work in Uganda. Working with the Ugandan government’s Uganda Wildlife Authority research and monitoring team, we set out to identify and bring together independent scientists, government rangers, university students, lodge owners and conservation managers in the country’s major savanna parks.

    We hoped to cover more ground with people and organisations that wouldn’t traditionally work together. Doing so exposed many of these individuals for the first time to the science and field skills needed to build robust, long term monitoring programmes for threatened wildlife.

    The result is the largest, most comprehensive count of African lions, leopards and spotted hyenas. We found spotted hyenas to be doing far better than we expected. But lions are in worrying decline, indicating where conservation efforts need to be focused. Beyond that, our count proved the value of collaborating when it comes to generating data that could help save animals.

    Our unique approach

    Inspired by Kenya’s first nationwide, science-based survey of lions and other carnivores in key reserves, the first important step of this study was to secure the collaboration of the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s office of research and monitoring. Together, we identified the critical conservation stakeholders in and around six protected areas. These are Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Kidepo Valley, Toro Semliki, Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls. Leopards and hyenas occur in some other parks (such as Mount Elgon and Rwenzori National Park) but resource constraints prevented us from surveying these sites.

    We had no predisposed notions of who could or would participate in our carnivore surveys, only that we wanted people living closest to these species in the room.

    We shortlisted lodge owners, government rangers, independent scientists, university students from Kampala, NGO staff and even trophy hunters. All came together for a few days to learn about how to find carnivores in each landscape, build detection histories and analyse data. We delivered five technical workshops showing participants how to search for African lions in the landscapes together with mapping exactly where they drove.

    We also taught participants:

    • how to identify lions by their whisker spots in high-definition photographs – these are the small spots where a cat’s whiskers originate on their cheeks

    • how to determine identity in camera trap images of leopard and spotted hyena body flanks

    • post data collection analysis techniques

    • a technique to estimate population densities and abundance.

    More than 100 Ugandan and international collaborators joined in the “all hands on deck” survey, driving over 26,000km and recording 7,516 camera trap nights from 232 locations spanning a year from January 2022 to January 2023.



    Read more:
    Counting Uganda’s lions: we found that wildlife rangers do a better job than machines

    Our scientific approach focused on how to achieve the best possible counts of carnivores. In the process we identified some of the biggest shortcomings of previous surveys. These included double counting individual animals and failing to incorporate detection probability. Even worse was simply adding all individual sighted animals and not generating any local-level estimates.

    What our results tell us

    As expected, our results painted a grim picture in some areas, but marked hope for others.

    • In the majestic Murchison Falls national park, through which the River Nile runs east-west, we estimated that approximately 240 lions still remained across some 3,200km² of sampled area. This is the highest number in Uganda and at least five to 10 times higher than in the Kidepo and Queen Elizabeth parks.

    • In Queen Elizabeth national park, home to the tree-climbing lions, we found a marked decline of over 40% (just 39 individuals left in 2,400km²) since our last survey in 2018.

    • In the country’s north, Kidepo Valley, the best estimate is just 12 individual lions across 1,430km², in stark contrast with the previous estimate of 132 lions implemented nearly 15 years ago.

    In contrast, leopards appeared to continue to occur at high densities in select areas, with Lake Mburo and Murchison Falls exhibiting strong populations. Pian Upe and Queen Elizabeth’s Ishasha sector recorded the lowest densities.

    Spotted hyenas have proven far more resilient. They occur at densities ranging from 6.15 to 45.31 individuals/100km² across surveyed sites. In Queen Elizabeth, their numbers could be rising as lion populations decline, likely due to reduced competition and ongoing poaching pressure targeting lions.

    These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted conservation interventions, particularly for lions in Uganda’s struggling populations.

    Value beyond numbers

    Our approach shared the load of data collection, and gave people an opportunity and skills to engage in wildlife science. For many emerging conservationists in the country, this was their first chance to be authors on a scientific paper (an increasingly important component of postgraduate degree applications). Even if many of the people we worked with disagree on how to save large carnivores in Uganda, they could at least agree on how many there are as they had a hand in collecting the data and scrutinising it. Since we have embraced a fully science-based approach, we recognise that our surveys too should improve over time.

    Aggrey Rwetsiba, senior manager, research and monitoring at Uganda Wildlife Authority, contributed to the research on which this article is based.

    Duan Biggs receives funding from Northern Arizona University and is a member of the IUCN (World Conservation Union).

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

    – ref. Uganda’s lions in decline, hyenas thriving – new findings from country’s biggest ever carnivore count – https://theconversation.com/ugandas-lions-in-decline-hyenas-thriving-new-findings-from-countrys-biggest-ever-carnivore-count-249724

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Fighting fake news: how media in Kenya and Senegal check facts

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Layiré Diop, Professseur de communication, Francis Marion University

    Misinformation has accelerated in recent years, in speed and volume. Studies show that Africans are exposed to misinformation and disinformation on a regular basis.

    Disinformation refers to false information deliberately created to cause harm. Misinformation consists of false information that wasn’t created with the intention of harming individuals or groups. Either way, it’s often difficult to know whether something is true and accurate.

    Media fact-checking and media literacy have become more important than ever.

    As specialists in media and mass communication, we conducted a study of strategies to combat misinformation and disinformation. We also examined the role and impact of fact-checking practices. This research is based on 42 interviews conducted in 2021 with media professionals in Kenya and Senegal.

    The participants fell into three main categories. Some were journalists, while others specialised in fact-checking. The rest were individuals who influenced media policies, including government officials, thinktank employees and academics.

    Findings indicate that media professionals in Senegal and Kenya employ reactive fact-checking strategies such as cross-checking information from sources and verifying images and videos. They also promote media literacy as a proactive strategy to help media consumers critically engage with media content.

    The combination of the two methods is described as a shield and an antidote against the spread of misinformation and disinformation.

    Fact-checking: practices and perception

    In Kenya and Senegal, though information verification was already a daily routine for news organisations, fact-checking is gaining ground. It is emerging as an important approach to counter disinformation.

    Fact-checkers and journalists are at the forefront of verifying and determining the accuracy of information shared in public (for example, posts made by social media users) or content created by the media company. The most popular fact-checking services used by participants are PesaCheck, Piga Firimbi and AfricaCheck.

    In both countries, verification methods involve cross-checking multiple sources and analysing visual content. Findings of this study reveal that misinformation is most commonly found in political and health-related topics.

    Once verified, the information is shared in different formats. It is disseminated through news reports, social media posts, and short videos that debunk fake news.

    Cross-checking information

    This process involves consulting primary sources and seeking input from experts to clarify information and put it in context. Participants defined experts as specialists in a specific field, and individuals who regularly contribute to the subject through the media.

    In addition to asking sources and experts, media companies are setting up fact-checking services to verify information before publication. Participants from both countries revealed that media organisations trained their employees to use verification tools.

    Verifying images and videos

    Images and videos on social media often mix truths and manipulations. To debunk them, professionals use verification techniques. One common method is reverse image search: an online search for the image. This technique is made possible by geolocation and the large number of online images. Fact-checkers compare these images to verify content. Google’s reverse image search tool is the most widely used.

    Geolocation through Google Maps helps pinpoint the exact location where an image was taken, for comparison with the location claimed in the content being verified. For videos, professionals use a tool called InVID. This tool generates images from a video, which are then geolocated using reverse image search techniques.

    Perceptions of the effectiveness of fact-checking

    Media professionals in both countries saw fact-checking as an effective strategy to combat misinformation and disinformation and an essential tool for verifying content.

    However, they emphasised the importance of respecting freedom of expression. For them, it was essential to prevent the government or private sector from becoming the sole authority on the accuracy of information shared on media platforms.

    The recent decision by Meta (the technology conglomerate that owns Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and other services) to end its fact-checking programme and replace it with community ratings could lead to a new spread of false information.

    Media literacy: practice and perceptions

    Study participants concur that training the public in how to verify content is a proactive measure to curb misinformation. By doing this, professionals share their fact-checking processes as a form of media literacy.

    In Kenya, the press produces videos and tutorials to teach the public how to verify information online. Africa Check also produces materials on methods of verifying information.

    Fact-checking organisations and media outlets play a crucial role in verifying content. They also educate content consumers on how to verify information before sharing it on social media or messaging apps. To make these educational videos more accessible, they are translated into local languages. This helps content creators and consumers who do not understand French or English to better engage with the information.

    In Senegal, Africa Check partnered with a community radio station to provide media literacy training in a local language. The initiative involves fact-checking, translating articles into the Wolof language, and then sharing the information on WhatsApp.

    Perception of the effectiveness of media literacy

    Respondents saw media literacy as a proactive strategy that empowers the public to think critically and verify facts independently. Journalists and fact-checkers in Kenya and Senegal emphasised the importance of media education in curbing the spread of false information.

    In addition, they emphasised that media literacy is not only important for the public. Media professionals also need training to stay updated on technological changes and the strategies and techniques used by misinformation propagandists.

    Challenges to overcome

    These approaches face several obstacles. One is the reluctance of government officials to respond to information requests, often out of fear of critical fact-checking of their own statements. Cultural and linguistic diversity in Africa also presents a challenge for media professionals. Translating verified content into local languages is not easy and requires time and financial resources.

    In Senegal and Kenya, as in many other African countries, media literacy is not yet included in the school curriculum. Investing in media literacy programmes in schools would require expertise, money and time.

    In addition to the creation of fact-checking desks in newsrooms and raising public awareness of the dangers of misinformation, promoting media literacy at all levels (media, mosques, churches, businesses, schools, universities) should be a priority. Organising media weeks at school, as France does, could be a step towards that goal.

    – Fighting fake news: how media in Kenya and Senegal check facts
    – https://theconversation.com/fighting-fake-news-how-media-in-kenya-and-senegal-check-facts-251123

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Who is Kirsty Coventry and how did she become the most powerful person in world sports?

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Davies Banda, Lecturer in Sport Policy and Management, University of Edinburgh

    The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has elected a woman as its president for the first time ever. Zimbabwe’s Kirsty Coventry is also the youngest ever IOC president and the first from an African country, becoming a symbol of the IOC’s drive to diversify its leadership and image.

    Sports management scholar Davies Banda was part of a global research team that compiled an IOC-commissioned report on the roles of women in the organisation. He traces Coventry’s journey as a swimming star, politician and sports administrator.

    Who is Kirsty Coventry?

    She is Africa’s most decorated Olympian of all time. She won seven medals across the 2004 Athens Games and the 2008 Beijing Games.

    Born in Harare, she is not only Zimbabwe’s best known sports star but also the politically troubled country’s sports minister. The IOC presidency makes her one of the most powerful figures in world sports.

    Coventry is driven. She set her sights on the Olympics at the age of nine. She achieved her dream through hard work and a profound understanding of what a results-oriented athletic career looks like. She believes true success lies in sharing knowledge and skills, extending her impact beyond athletics into social activism and a political career in Zimbabwe.

    Her Olympic journey began at the 2000 Sydney Games, where she competed in two swimming events but failed to qualify for the finals. Her breakthrough happened at the 2004 Athens Games, where she won the first of her two gold medals in the 200-metre backstroke. She successfully defended this title at the 2008 Beijing Games.

    President Robert Mugabe shows off Coventry’s Olympic medals in 2004. STR/AFP/Getty Images

    She retired from swimming competitively after her final Olympic appearance at the 2016 Rio Games, holding the joint record for the most individual women’s swimming medals in Olympic history. By then her sports administration dreams had begun to pay off.

    In 2012 she was elected to the IOC’s powerful Athletes’ Commission. Thanks to her extensive experience of being an Olympic athlete, she became a significant voice within the body. She was elected chair of the commission in 2018 and held the post until 2023, when she was elected to the IOC’s executive committee under Thomas Bach, also a former athlete and the outgoing IOC president.

    At the same time, Coventry transitioned into government service as an independent member of parliament in Zimbabwe. She was first appointed as the country’s Minister of Sport, Art and Recreation in 2018, and re-appointed in 2023.

    She’s a member of the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee, previously serving as its vice president. She’s also a member of the Athletes’ Commission of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa.

    Why has it taken so long to have a female president?

    In 1997 the IOC set targets for National Olympic Committees to achieve at least 10% female representation in executive decision-making positions by the end of 2000. This was followed by a goal of at least 20% by 2005 and 30% by 2020.

    The IOC reported that female representation on its commissions doubled between 2013 and 2023, reaching 50% by the latter year.

    These deliberate measures can be seen as foundational to Coventry’s election. Globally, National Olympic Committees have seen a rise in female executive board members and leaders, increasing the pool of qualified candidates. An IOC report highlighted co-mentoring of female members on a governance leadership development initiative.

    Policies promoting the recognition of women’s leadership in sport and communities have nurtured leaders capable of competing for the highest IOC roles.

    However, considering that women were first allowed to participate in the 1900 Paris Games, it’s taken 124 years to see the election of a female IOC president.

    Despite the extended time frame, the IOC’s progressive initiatives, particularly its gender equality targets, have yielded tangible results.

    Some observers believe that Bach’s legacy, particularly in promoting gender equality, will be continued by Coventry, given their shared values and aspirations for the Olympic movement.

    What would a female president bring to Olympic sports?

    There is a drive for gender equality in Olympic sport. Coventry’s extensive experience as an athlete representative and her continued involvement with the Athletes’ Commission provide her with a deep understanding of athletes’ concerns. These include gender eligibility, a threat to the integrity of the Games due to doping, climate change, and athlete advocacy.

    Her relatively young age, 41, further strengthens her connection with athletes, the Olympic Games’ most valuable stakeholders, who are much younger than the administrators. This unique perspective allows her to engage with athletes in ways that previous IOC leaders could not. Her predecessors were close to or past their 60th birthdays when elected.

    So she is also likely to connect with younger generations more effectively than her predecessors, through modern technologies.

    Coventry is poised to lead the Olympic movement’s focus on sport for social change, given her experience of life in the global south, where she has been a social activist for underprivileged youth.

    The substantial growth of sport-for-change initiatives in the global south and beyond fuels the hope among scholars, including myself, that sport and athlete advocacy can achieve greater visibility. It can make an impact on global challenges, moving them from the sidelines to the heart of major sporting events.

    Coventry’s political career, conducted in Zimbabwe’s challenging economic climate, suggests a potential for using sport as a catalyst for positive social transformation.

    That said, while she may champion athlete advocacy on certain issues, her stated commitment to neutrality, particularly regarding the games, indicates a potential reluctance to engage with politically charged issues. The IOC’s status quo, the apolitical stance of the games, is likely to continue to limit the potential impact of athlete activism.

    Read more: Olympics in Africa: Egypt’s ambitious bid to host the games could succeed – but will it be worth it?

    What will be closely watched will be her approach to the contentious issue of transgender athletes in women’s events. Her current position advocates for their exclusion from female categories. She’s emphasised the protection of women’s sport and the enforcement of gender eligibility standards.

    It remains to be seen how closely her policies will align with, or diverge from, those of her predecessor. But for the IOC she no doubt represents a more diverse, gender equal movement.

    – Who is Kirsty Coventry and how did she become the most powerful person in world sports?
    – https://theconversation.com/who-is-kirsty-coventry-and-how-did-she-become-the-most-powerful-person-in-world-sports-252938

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Uganda’s lions in decline, hyenas thriving – new findings from country’s biggest ever carnivore count

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Alexander Richard Braczkowski, Research Fellow at the Centre for Planetary Health and Resilient Conservation Group, Griffith University

    For nearly 15 years almost no information was available on the population status of Uganda’s large carnivores, including those in its largest national park, Murchison Falls. These species represent a critical part of Uganda’s growing tourism economy. The country is home to the famed tree-climbing lions, which are much sought after for this unique behaviour. Together, lions and leopards generate tens of thousands of dollars annually from safari viewing and allied activities.

    Keeping an eye on the proverbial prize could not be more critical for the country. When wildlife isn’t monitored rigorously, populations can disappear within just a few years, as tigers did in India’s Sariska tiger reserve.

    But many people working in conservation discourage monitoring. They argue that a “bean counter” approach to conservation overlooks the funds and actions that save animals. Others simply say that it is a hard thing to do at scale and particularly for animals that are naturally shy, have big home ranges (sometimes over multiple countries), and occur in very low numbers.

    Even in a comparatively small African country – Uganda ranks 32nd in size out of 54 countries – how does one cover enough ground to see how populations of carnivores are faring? This has been the challenge of our work in Uganda for nearly a decade now, monitoring African lions, leopards and spotted hyenas.

    Orin Cornille and Bosco Atukwatse, field coordinaotrs from the Volcanoes Kyambura Lion Project, set remote camera traps for leopards in Kidepo Valley National Park, Uganda. Alex Braczkowski

    Our two recent studies in Murchison Falls and six protected areas across the country sought to address the problem by drawing on a wide range of local and international experts who live and work in Uganda. Working with the Ugandan government’s Uganda Wildlife Authority research and monitoring team, we set out to identify and bring together independent scientists, government rangers, university students, lodge owners and conservation managers in the country’s major savanna parks.

    We hoped to cover more ground with people and organisations that wouldn’t traditionally work together. Doing so exposed many of these individuals for the first time to the science and field skills needed to build robust, long term monitoring programmes for threatened wildlife.

    The result is the largest, most comprehensive count of African lions, leopards and spotted hyenas. We found spotted hyenas to be doing far better than we expected. But lions are in worrying decline, indicating where conservation efforts need to be focused. Beyond that, our count proved the value of collaborating when it comes to generating data that could help save animals.

    Our unique approach

    Inspired by Kenya’s first nationwide, science-based survey of lions and other carnivores in key reserves, the first important step of this study was to secure the collaboration of the Uganda Wildlife Authority’s office of research and monitoring. Together, we identified the critical conservation stakeholders in and around six protected areas. These are Pian Upe Wildlife Reserve, Kidepo Valley, Toro Semliki, Lake Mburo, Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls. Leopards and hyenas occur in some other parks (such as Mount Elgon and Rwenzori National Park) but resource constraints prevented us from surveying these sites.

    We had no predisposed notions of who could or would participate in our carnivore surveys, only that we wanted people living closest to these species in the room.

    We shortlisted lodge owners, government rangers, independent scientists, university students from Kampala, NGO staff and even trophy hunters. All came together for a few days to learn about how to find carnivores in each landscape, build detection histories and analyse data. We delivered five technical workshops showing participants how to search for African lions in the landscapes together with mapping exactly where they drove.

    Makerere University students and Karamoja Overland Safari staff set solar powered trail cameras with the lead author in Lake Mburo (left) and Pian Upe (right) as part of the national carnivore survey.

    We also taught participants:

    • how to identify lions by their whisker spots in high-definition photographs – these are the small spots where a cat’s whiskers originate on their cheeks

    • how to determine identity in camera trap images of leopard and spotted hyena body flanks

    • post data collection analysis techniques

    • a technique to estimate population densities and abundance.

    More than 100 Ugandan and international collaborators joined in the “all hands on deck” survey, driving over 26,000km and recording 7,516 camera trap nights from 232 locations spanning a year from January 2022 to January 2023.

    Read more: Counting Uganda’s lions: we found that wildlife rangers do a better job than machines

    Our scientific approach focused on how to achieve the best possible counts of carnivores. In the process we identified some of the biggest shortcomings of previous surveys. These included double counting individual animals and failing to incorporate detection probability. Even worse was simply adding all individual sighted animals and not generating any local-level estimates.

    What our results tell us

    As expected, our results painted a grim picture in some areas, but marked hope for others.

    • In the majestic Murchison Falls national park, through which the River Nile runs east-west, we estimated that approximately 240 lions still remained across some 3,200km² of sampled area. This is the highest number in Uganda and at least five to 10 times higher than in the Kidepo and Queen Elizabeth parks.

    • In Queen Elizabeth national park, home to the tree-climbing lions, we found a marked decline of over 40% (just 39 individuals left in 2,400km²) since our last survey in 2018.

    • In the country’s north, Kidepo Valley, the best estimate is just 12 individual lions across 1,430km², in stark contrast with the previous estimate of 132 lions implemented nearly 15 years ago.

    In contrast, leopards appeared to continue to occur at high densities in select areas, with Lake Mburo and Murchison Falls exhibiting strong populations. Pian Upe and Queen Elizabeth’s Ishasha sector recorded the lowest densities.

    Spotted hyenas have proven far more resilient. They occur at densities ranging from 6.15 to 45.31 individuals/100km² across surveyed sites. In Queen Elizabeth, their numbers could be rising as lion populations decline, likely due to reduced competition and ongoing poaching pressure targeting lions.

    These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted conservation interventions, particularly for lions in Uganda’s struggling populations.

    Value beyond numbers

    Our approach shared the load of data collection, and gave people an opportunity and skills to engage in wildlife science. For many emerging conservationists in the country, this was their first chance to be authors on a scientific paper (an increasingly important component of postgraduate degree applications). Even if many of the people we worked with disagree on how to save large carnivores in Uganda, they could at least agree on how many there are as they had a hand in collecting the data and scrutinising it. Since we have embraced a fully science-based approach, we recognise that our surveys too should improve over time.

    Aggrey Rwetsiba, senior manager, research and monitoring at Uganda Wildlife Authority, contributed to the research on which this article is based.

    – Uganda’s lions in decline, hyenas thriving – new findings from country’s biggest ever carnivore count
    – https://theconversation.com/ugandas-lions-in-decline-hyenas-thriving-new-findings-from-countrys-biggest-ever-carnivore-count-249724

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: MEXC DEX+ Becomes the First to Integrate with PumpSwap, the New Native DEX from pump.fun

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VICTORIA, Seychelles, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MEXC, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, has announced that MEXC DEX+ has become the first DEX aggregator to integrate with PumpSwap, the new native DEX from pump.fun. This integration marks an important step in the strategic partnership between MEXC and pump.fun, as well as the integration of centralized finance (CeFi) and decentralized finance (DeFi).

    MEXC has recently launched its innovative hybrid product, DEX+, which enables users to trade directly on DEXs through the MEXC App and website, giving users the ability to trade over 10,000 tokens available on Raydium and pump.fun. In addition, MEXC has kicked off a strategic partnership with pump.fun. With the integration of PumpSwap, DEX+ will support more assets in the Solana ecosystem, offering higher liquidity and earlier access to potential on-chain assets.

    pump.fun is the world’s leading crypto token launchpad where anyone can create their own token for free. Recently, pump.fun launched PumpSwap, its new native DEX, and MEXC DEX+ has become the first DEX aggregator to integrate with PumpSwap through this partnership. MEXC aims to provide a streamlined, accessible experience for the growing memecoin community, further solidifying its commitment to innovative solutions within the crypto space. Additionally, MEXC DEX+ will feature a trending assets leaderboard on pump.fun, showcasing top-performing assets from both its P2P market and external markets. Through DEX+, users will gain early access to a variety of trending assets.

    “With the launch of DEX+ and integration with PumpSwap, MEXC is not only meeting the growing demand for decentralized trading solutions but also paving the way for the future of trading by providing users with access to a broader array of assets and more opportunities in the ever-evolving cryptocurrency landscape. DEX+ is positioning itself as the go-to platform for users seeking both security and cutting-edge access to on-chain assets,” said Tracy Jin, COO of MEXC.

    Looking ahead, MEXC DEX+ will expand to include additional DEXs and blockchain networks and is set to play a pivotal role in the continued expansion of the DeFi and DEX ecosystems. As more users embrace decentralized trading, the convergence of CeFi and DeFi models will become increasingly crucial. Through DEX+, MEXC is at the forefront of this shift, offering users a seamless bridge between centralized and decentralized finance while enhancing the overall trading experience.

    To bring this vision to life and strengthen our commitment to innovative ecosystems, MEXC proudly introduces the “Rising Star” program, a new initiative designed to spotlight outstanding projects emerging from the DEX+ platform. Centered on community feedback, the program offers high-performing projects the unique opportunity to list on MEXC’s centralized exchange at no cost—bridging the gap between decentralized and centralized trading environments. For more details, please visit: https://www.mexc.com/rising-star

    About MEXC

    Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being “Your Easiest Way to Crypto”. Serving over 34 million users across 170+ countries and regions, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, frequent airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding.

    For more information, visit: MEXC Website｜X｜Telegram｜How to Sign Up on MEXC
    For media inquiries, please contact MEXC PR Manager Lucia Hu: lucia.hu@mexc.com

    Source

    Contact:
    Lucia Hu
    PR Manager
    lucia.hu@mexc.com

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

    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b860f61d-4182-47dd-9412-2f0880d3bfbd

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: BOBC Auction Results – 25 March 2025

    Source: Bank of Botswana

    The Monetary Policy Rate (MoPR) was unchanged at 1.9 percent of the previous week, for a paper maturing on 2 April 2025. The summarised results of the auction held on 25 March 2025, are attached below:

    BOBC Auction Results – 25 March 2025.pdf

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Samsung Launches Bespoke AI Laundry Combo™, Innovative All-in-One Laundry Solution in South Africa

    Source: Samsung

     

     
     
    Samsung launches the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo to the South African Market. This washing machine is redefining laundry with AI Technology. The Bespoke AI Laundry Combo features advanced technology that learns and adapts to users’ laundry habits, providing personalised washing and drying cycles for optimal results. With its intuitive interface and smart connectivity, users can easily control and monitor their laundry from anywhere using the SmartThings app.
     
    Elevating the Laundry Experience at Home With AI
    The Bespoke AI Laundry Combo is designed to increase space without compromising functionality. This all-in-one combo seamlessly integrates a washer and dryer into a single unit, providing a space-saving and efficient laundry solution with broad functionality. It performs as effectively as two separate machines while conserving valuable space, and more importantly eliminates the need to transfer laundry between a washing machine and a dryer after the wash cycle finishes.
     
    For users, this means they don’t have to keep checking the wash cycle’s progress in the attempt to prevent unpleasant odours and can use their time more flexibly. A key feature of the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo is the AI Wash & Dry,[1] which sets a new standard for laundry efficiency. This advanced system uses a range of sensors to optimise both washing and drying for each load, freeing users from having to determine the optimal settings for each cycle.
     
    Upon sensing the weight of the laundry, it dispenses the right amount of water and detergent. It also detects the fabric and monitors the level of soiling during the cycle, adjusting wash time and detergent use accordingly. After the wash cycle, the technology optimises the drying process based on the weight and fabric [2] – ensuring excellent cleaning and drying results. With AI Wash & Dry, users benefit from a thorough, more efficient[3] and personalised laundry experience.
     
    Seamless, Efficient User Experiences
    The Bespoke AI Laundry Combo offers an enhanced user experience with the AI Home,[10]  an intuitive 7” wide LCD display that serves as a central control hub for laundry, and moreover the entire home. The wide display delivers substantial information about the laundry including cycle details, remaining amount of detergent and energy consumption. When showing cycles, the combo uses machine learning to remember user habits and recommend cycles[11] based on periodic and seasonal needs.[12]
     
    When the cycle is finished, it provides an energy and water consumption report that can be viewed on the 7-inch LCD display or the SmartThings App.[13] Additionally, users have clear view of the 3D Map View, which shows all connected appliances within the home and enables users to seamlessly monitor and control them.
     
    With Bespoke AI Laundry Combo you can now enjoy the updated Bixby[14] which comes with better understanding capabilities allowing for more responsive interaction than before. Through AI, Bixby can understand complicated and casual conversations – allowing users to give multi-intended, complex commands.[15]
     
    Upon using the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo , users can ask “What’s the weather like?” and then say: “Start the wash cycle and lower the living room temperature,” and have their requests finished in one sequence. Bixby provides support for Device Q&A as well, assisting users when they have questions about certain features on their appliances. When an error is displayed on the LCD display, users can ask directly what this means – instead of having to look through the user manual or search on their phones.
     
    Lastly, an exclusive offer for customers who purchase the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo in South Africa. For a limited time, customers can redeem a Galaxy Watch Ultra worth R9 999 when they buy the innovative all-in-one laundry solution. The Bespoke AI Laundry Combo offers seamless ease of use between the appliance and other Samsung devices. With the Samsung SmartThings app, users can control and monitor their laundry from anywhere, and now, with the Galaxy Watch Ultra, they can take their laundry experience to the next level. Users can naturally say: ‘Open the washing machine door’ to the watch and then get a prompt response and see the action carried out.
     
    Availability
    The Bespoke AI Laundry Combo is available here: https://www.samsung.com/za/washers-and-dryers/washer-dryer-combo/wd8000dk-combo-all-in-one-combo-super-speed-18kg-gray-wd18db8995bzfa/. For more information on Samsung refrigerators and other home appliances, please visit www.samsung.com/za.
     
    [1]Detection and sensing capabilities are based on our deep learning models trained using predefined set of data and may yield inaccurate or incorrect results. New datasets may be introduced to our learning models from time to time to enhance its accuracy.[2]To prevent wear, wash like fabrics together.[3] Based on AI-based algorithm and internal testing using the AI Wash & Dry cycle on an IEC 8lb load. A turbidity sensor operates for all weights, while fabric sensing operates for 8lbs and under. Actual results may vary depending on individual use.[10] Does not mean all services available on the AI Home are AI or generate information or outcome using AI. AI Smart Dial, AI Wash & Dry, Voice enabled with Bixby accessible through the AI Home utilise AI-based algorithms, which be updated periodically to improve accuracy. AI-based algorithms may generate incomplete or incorrect information.[11] Messages with cycle suggestions are displayed on the control panel or a smartphone with the SmartThings App. Detection and sensing capabilities are based on our deep learning models trained using predefined set of data and may yield inaccurate or incorrect results. New datasets may be introduced to our learning models from time to time to enhance its accuracy.[12] Messages with cycle suggestions are displayed on the control panel or a smartphone with the SmartThings App.[13] The SmartThings App is available on Android and iOS devices. A Wi-Fi connection and a Samsung account are required.[14]Bixby is Samsung’s brand of Internet of Things (IoT) voice assistant. Bixby service availability may vary depending on country. Bixby recognises selected languages and certain accents/dialects. The user interface may change and differ by device. The availability of Bixby features and content providers may vary depending on the country/carrier/language/device model/OS version. A Samsung account log-in and data network connection (Wi-Fi or data network) are required. Users must agree to the update to use this function.[15] This function may produce inaccurate results and will be updated periodically to improve accuracy.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/ETHIOPIA – The Eparch of Adigrat: “We are trying to move forward as a Church in a context of total precariousness, with the risk of a new civil war”

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Tuesday, 25 March 2025

    Internet

    Adigrat (Agenzia Fides) – The bloody civil war that ravaged Tigray between 2020 and 2022 is now compounded by an internal split within the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), one of the two factions vying for control of the region. The fragile peace agreement signed in Pretoria in 2022 (see Fides, 7/8/2024) between the Addis Ababa government and representatives of the TPLF appears to have succumbed to a new wave of violence and disorder, with the growing risk of plunging northern Ethiopia back into civil war.On March 11, the rebel faction took control of Adigrat, a town on the border with Eritrea, and subsequently captured Adi-Gudem, located near the regional capital, Macallé, thus escalating an internal conflict within a larger conflict. For weeks, various media outlets have reported the imminent possibility of a new outbreak of violence, this time with the direct involvement of Eritrea.The bishop of the Catholic Eparchy of Adigrat, Tesfaselassie Medhin, confirmed this situation to Fides. “Instability in our region continues to persist, tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea are increasing, and the country could be engulfed in a very bloody confrontation. God forbid that the factions involved start a new war in Tigray, which has already suffered enormously.”“In general, internal politics in Tigray are not good,” Medhin continues. “The division between local politicians and the sudden interruption of USAID funding are severely penalizing millions of people. The impact on programs for the poor run by NGOs, religious organizations, and government agencies is devastating, and there is no exit strategy. Even the government agency Catholic Relief Services of Ethiopia, which provides emergency food aid, has seen its activities suspended. We have been informed that they will continue to operate with private funding, but only for smaller programs. We do not yet know what these will consist of,” explains the bishop.“For the rest, in a context of great anguish and suffering for our people, we are trying to move forward as a Church, to give hope to the people and be a sign of hope for them. We try to be at their side and work for healing from the trauma of the bloody conflicts of which they have been victims,” notes Medhin.The Eparch of Adigrat concludes his conversation with a thought for Pope Francis: “We pray for him. We are united in his suffering, but also in the joy that God has given us to have him as our pastor on the Chair of Peter.” (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 25/3/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: AFRICA/SUDAN – South Sudan and Chad condemn war threats launched by a Sudanese general

    Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI

    Khartoum (Agenzia Fides) – Tensions are growing between South Sudan and Chad, on the one hand, and the Sudanese government of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, on the other. The dispute erupted following statements by General Yasir Al-Atta, deputy commander-in-chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces, who, in an interview with Al Jazeera on March 23, 2025, stated that the airports of N’Djamena and Amdjarass, in Chad, are legitimate targets for Sudanese forces. Khartoum suspects that the United Arab Emirates is using these airports to supply the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a Sudanese paramilitary group opposed to the national army (see Fides 23/10/2024).In his statements, Al-Atta also issued threats against South Sudan, prompting an immediate reaction from both neighboring countries.Chad and South Sudan reacted strongly to the Sudanese general’s remarks. “The statements made on March 23, 2025, in which General Al-Atta declared the readiness of the Sudanese government and its armed forces to confront what he describes as ‘traitors’ within the Republic of South Sudan, are not only reckless and provocative, but also a flagrant violation of the principles of good neighborliness, peaceful coexistence, and international law,” reads a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Juba. “The Government of the Republic of South Sudan remains firmly committed to regional peace and stability and has consistently supported dialogue and diplomatic efforts to resolve disputes,” the statement continues.The South Sudanese government has also reiterated its call for an immediate end to the devastating conflict in Sudan, which continues to force thousands of Sudanese citizens to flee beyond its borders in search of safety. “We urge the leaders of the Republic of Sudan to reaffirm their commitment to peaceful relations and to ensure that public statements by their officials reflect respect for international norms and the sovereignty of all nations,” the statement added. For its part, the Chadian government has responded with an even stronger condemnation. In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, N’Djamena strongly rejected the Sudanese general’s remarks, warning that they “could be interpreted as a declaration of war if put into practice.” “Such statements could lead to a dangerous escalation for the entire region,” the statement said. The Chadian government has been clear in its warning: “Chad reserves the legitimate right to respond firmly to any attempt at aggression against our country, regardless of its origin. If even a single square meter of our territory were threatened, Chad would respond in accordance with the principles of international law.” Despite the gravity of the situation, Chad reiterated its commitment to peace in Sudan, recalling that “the conflict in Sudan is an internal matter, the sole responsibility of the parties to the conflict.” Furthermore, it underscored its humanitarian role in the region: “Chad, faithful to its traditions of hospitality and solidarity, has welcomed and continues to welcome hundreds of thousands of Sudanese refugees, which represents a considerable burden for our country and demonstrates our commitment to peace, solidarity, and regional stability,” the statement concludes. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides, 25/3/2025)
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    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) Outlines Congo’s Gas Master Plan

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

    BRAZZAVILLE, Congo (Republic of the), March 25, 2025/APO Group/ —

    In a bid to optimize the country’s gas potential and revitalize its hydrocarbons sector, the Republic of Congo’s National Oil Company Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) has outlined its forthcoming Gas Master Plan (GMP). The plan is designed to promote gas utilization and attract foreign investment while reducing dependency on oil revenues and expanding the country’s power grid.

    The GMP was outlined by Dr. Bi-Dia-Ayo Ibata, Head of Associations Division and Supervisory Relations, SNPC during a Vision Congo & Gas Master Plan Technical Session on Day 0 of the inaugural Congo Energy & Investment Forum in Brazzaville.

    “The main objective of the Gas Master Plan is to develop an exploration strategy in the short- and long-term to contribute to the development of natural resources and contribute to economic diversification,” Ibata stated, adding, “The five main objectives are resource maximization, economic growth and diversification, social benefits, government revenue and attracting investment.”

    According to the GMP, gas-to-power should remain a priority for the country, with low gas prices to support sustainable growth. New industrial projects and LPG supply solutions are also recommended. A natural gas aggregator – potentially the SNPC – could balance the domestic market and prioritize strategic sectors. The plan also stresses the importance of the development of a natural gas policy, which will be essential for guiding sector growth.

    During the session, a presentation by the country’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons explored the gas potential of Congo and how a national strategy will help boost production, realize project development and drive electrification in the country.

    “The strategic objective of this strategy is to increase production of liquid and gas hydrocarbons. We aim to valorize hydrocarbons by taking profit from exports and local processing,” stated Hippolyte Tchininanga, Director General of Gaz Valorization, Ministry of Hydrocarbons.

    Meanwhile, the Ministry also presented its vision for a new Gas Code, which is expected to be released soon. The code aims to create an enabling, attractive environment for foreign investment to contribute to the development of natural gas. The Gas Code will also govern the legal and regulatory terms of natural gas exploration and development in Congo.

    “The scope of the upcoming Gas Code includes exploration activities, development, exploitation, aggregation, collection, transport and storage of natural gas,” stated Faida Ebenga, Administrative and Legal Advisor at the Ministry of Hydrocarbons, adding, “Approval of the Gas Code is imminent. We consider the Gas Code ready to be transmitted to the Secretary General of the government for approval.”

    One of Congo’s flagship natural gas projects is energy supermajor Eni’s Congo LNG project. With a planned capacity of 2.4 million tons per annum, the project provides 70% of the country’s electricity through natural gas. Phase 2 of the Congo LNG project is currently under construction.

    “Phase 2 is being executed right now. As part of the project, we aim to have 38 new wells in development. We want to install six new wellhead platforms, one new separation and boosting hub, a new onshore gas pre-treatment plant, two FLNG facilities and finally have a liquefaction capacity of 3 million tons per annum,” stated Alberto Nocerino, Technical Director, Eni Congo.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: FE International Advises on the Acquisition of Heywood Business Analysts by Regnology

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FE International, a leading global M&A advisor for technology businesses, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Heywood Business Analysts, an IT software development company by Regnology, a prominent software provider specializing in regulatory reporting solutions backed by Nordic Capital.

    Founded in 1996 by Christopher Strangways-Dixon, Heywood Business Analysts has established itself as a trusted IT partner for both global and local banking institutions. The company’s flagship product, DixII, ensures compliance with the South African Reserve Bank’s Basel 3 requirements by providing robust regulatory reporting, data validation, and seamless electronic submission of BA returns. Heywood’s clientele includes major South African banks such as ABSA, Standard Bank, Discovery Bank, and Old Mutual, as well as international banks like Standard Chartered and Deutsche Bank.

    Regnology’s acquisition of Heywood Business Analysts marks a significant step in expanding its footprint in the African market. The integration of Heywood’s technology into Regnology’s broader regulatory and supervisory technology solutions will enable financial institutions to meet evolving compliance challenges with greater efficiency and reliability.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Heywood Business Analysts to the Regnology family. Their deep expertise in regulatory reporting and strong market presence in Southern Africa will significantly enhance our ability to deliver innovative and client-centric solutions to our combined client base,” said Maciej Piechocki, Chief Revenue Officer, Regnology in a recent press release.

    “Joining forces with Regnology marks an exciting new chapter for Heywood Business Analysts. This partnership will enhance client service and expand reach across South Africa, leveraging Regnology’s extensive resources and expertise. The dedicated and expert Heywood team will drive continued growth and success in the region,” said Christopher Strangways-Dixon, CEO, Heywood Business Analysts in a recent press release.

    FE International, a leader in strategic acquisitions for sector-specific platforms, especially in fintech and regulatory technology, played a crucial role in facilitating this transaction.

    “This deal exemplifies our commitment to supporting strategic acquisitions that strengthen industry-leading platforms,” said Ashley Bohn, Partner at FE International. “With financial regulations becoming more complex worldwide, it is essential to connect innovative companies like Heywood Business Analysts with forward-thinking firms such as Regnology. Their combined expertise will accelerate technological advancements in compliance solutions and ensure financial institutions stay ahead of evolving regulatory requirements. We are proud to have advised on this important transaction.”

    For more information about FE International and its role in regulatory technology M&A, visit www.feinternational.com.

    About FE International

    Founded in 2010, FE International is a globally recognized M&A advisor specializing in SaaS, e-commerce, and digital media businesses. With over 1,500 transactions completed and a total deal value exceeding $50 billion, FE International has been named one of The Americas’ Fastest Growing Companies by the Financial Times from 2020 to 2024 and is a four-time Inc. 5000 company. Learn more at www.feinternational.com

    About Regnology

    Regnology is a leading provider of regulatory, risk, and supervisory technology solutions, serving over 35,000 financial institutions and 70 regulators worldwide. The company is committed to innovation in compliance technology, helping financial organizations streamline reporting processes and enhance regulatory transparency. Learn more at www.regnology.net.

    About Heywood Business Analysts

    Established in 1996, Heywood Business Analysts is a South Africa-based IT software development company specializing in banking and financial institutions. The company is renowned for its innovative solutions, including DixII, designed to ensure compliance with the South African Reserve Bank’s Basel 3 requirements. Learn more at www.heywood.co.za/

    Media Contact:

    Gaj Tanwar
    Marketing Coordinator, FE International
    Email: gaj.tanwar@feinternational.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI NGOs: Civil society says court decision blocking GM crops “a pivotal moment”, calls for protection of farmers’ rights and food sovereignty

    Source: Greenpeace Statement –

    For Pictures click here
    For audio click here
    For video click here

    NAIROBI, KENYA – Greenpeace Africa, Kenya Peasants League, and BIBA Kenya have praised the recent landmark decision by the Court of Appeal temporarily halting the importation of genetically modified (GM) crops into Kenya. Speaking at a joint press conference held at Chester House.  The ruling sets an important precedent as we approach a potentially game-changing seed litigation case that will define the future of farmer-managed seed systems across Kenya and potentially Africa.

    Elizabeth Atieno, Greenpeace Africa’s Food Sovereignty Campaign Lead, said;

    “This court ruling is a triumph for Kenyan farmers and consumers alike. The temporary halt on GMO imports provides us with a critical opportunity to reassess our agricultural policies and promote solutions that truly serve our farmers and protect our biodiversity. Agroecological practices have proven their effectiveness in ensuring food security while preserving our environmental heritage. We must now focus our collective efforts to ensure the upcoming seed litigation in May cements strong legal protections for farmer-managed seed systems..”

    Ann Maina of the Biodiversity and Biosafety Association (BIBA Kenya) emphasised the risk corporate seed monopolies pose.

    “The struggle for seed sovereignty is a battle against corporate control over our livelihoods and food systems. We celebrate the decision not only as a victory for farmers but also as a reaffirmation of our rights to save and exchange seeds without interference. Farmers must control their seeds – the essential foundation of our food supply. Our farmer-managed seed systems have sustained communities for generations. We cannot allow corporate interests to monopolise our seed heritage and compromise our food sovereignty.”

    Cidi Otieno from the Kenya Peasants League, added;

    “The upcoming seed litigation case in May will be crucial in determining the future of Kenya’s food systems. We’re fighting not just against GMOs, but for the protection of our indigenous seed varieties, farmers’ rights to save and exchange seeds, and the preservation of our agricultural biodiversity. This is about securing food sovereignty for generations to come.”

    Asker Akinyi, a Farmer, said:

    “We are the custodians of seeds and food systems. If these laws criminalise our right to save and exchange seeds, we will be forced into permanent dependency on multinational corporations. Farmer-managed seed systems are climate-resilient, cost-effective, and culturally significant. These laws must recognise and protect them.”

    The conference underscored agroecology as a practical and farmer-centered alternative to GMOs. Advocates highlighted agroecology’s role in promoting biodiversity, restoring soil health, and enhancing climate resilience while upholding farmers’ rights to seed sovereignty.

    Stakeholders called for unified action from farmers, civil society, and policymakers through active engagement ahead of the May litigation, underscoring the potential for the court to set a regional precedent, positively affecting food sovereignty policies across Africa.

    For Media Inquiries, Contact:

    Ferdinand Omondi, Communication and Story Manager, Greenpeace Africa, +254 722 505 233, [email protected] / [email protected]

    ENDS

    About Greenpeace Africa: Greenpeace Africa campaigns for a sustainable environment and food security, working with communities across Africa to implement ecological farming practices that guarantee a sustainable and safe food future.

    About Kenya Peasants League: KPL is an advocacy group focused on mobilising peasants and small-scale farmers to protect peasant rights and boost food sovereignty through farmer-managed seed systems.

    About BIBA Kenya: Biodiversity and Biosafety Association of Kenya (BIBA Kenya) works to protect Kenya’s biodiversity and promote biosafety by advocating for policies that foster biological diversity and food security free from genetic modification.

    MIL OSI NGO –

  • MIL-OSI China: Calls for closer cooperation resonate at Asian forum amid global uncertainties

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

    BOAO, China, March 25 — Political and business leaders worldwide are gathering in Boao, a coastal town in southern China’s Hainan Province, for the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2025 running from March 25 to 28.

    Amid rising global economic fragmentation and geopolitical tensions, the forum, themed “Asia in the Changing World: Towards a Shared Future,” serves as a critical platform for fostering regional cooperation, driving global economic growth and strengthening the region’s role in global governance.

    As Asia plays a bigger role in global growth, discussions are centering on how the region can help navigate challenges and drive sustainable development, with participants recognizing Asia as the world’s growth engine and highlighting regional coordination, economic inclusivity and technological advancements as key drivers in addressing economic uncertainties and building up momentum for growth.

    GROWING INTEGRATION

    Founded in 2001 and headquartered in Hainan, the forum has long been a platform for regional dialogue, but its role is evolving as Asian economies become more integrated. “Fast-growing South-South trade and investment is making the Boao Forum for Asia relevant beyond the boundaries of Asia,” said Denis Depoux, global managing director at Roland Berger, a Germany-based consultancy.

    Often referred to as the “Asian Davos,” the forum brings together political and business leaders to discuss trade, investment and technology, with growing participation from Global South countries in recent years.

    “The forum highlights the power of partnership through its ability to create space for exchanging ideas, building relationships and collectively shaping the future of Asia,” said Dino Otranto, CEO of Australia’s mining giant Fortescue Metals.

    In an increasingly uncertain economic environment, Asia remains a key growth engine for the world economy. According to a report released by the forum, real GDP growth in Asia is projected to rise from 4.4 percent in 2024 to 4.5 percent in 2025, while the region’s share of global GDP is expected to increase from 48.1 percent to 48.6 percent at purchasing power parity in the same period.

    The growth not only highlights Asia’s economic dynamism but also its role as a stabilizing force in a world where traditional economic powerhouses face mounting challenges.

    Given complex geopolitical and economic dynamics, multilateralism, governance and development have become hot topics of discussions at the forum. “These terms are critical in shaping a more stable and prosperous regional landscape amid evolving global challenges,” said Anna Malindog-Uy, vice president of Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute, a think tank in Manila.

    ASIA’S POTENTIAL

    The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), comprising 15 Asia-Pacific countries, has emerged as a powerful force in bolstering regional economic integration. The International Monetary Fund has projected that from 2023 to 2029, the RCEP region’s GDP will grow by 10.9 trillion U.S. dollars, contributing over 40 percent to global economic growth.

    The integration of Asian supply chains has accelerated, driven by the need for greater competitiveness and resilience, Depoux said.

    “Asia’s future in the shifting global landscape is incredibly exciting and full of promise,” Otranto said. “It’s not just about economic growth, but also about Asia leading the way in areas like innovation, technology and sustainability.”

    As global trade and supply chains evolve, Asia’s role in driving advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), green energy and digital transformation will undoubtedly be critical, he added.

    Take DeepSeek, a representative Chinese startup in the AI sector that attests to Asia’s growing innovation capacity. Its latest R1 model outperforms many of the world’s top AI developers across a variety of benchmarks, drawing significant attention from Silicon Valley. This breakthrough showcases Asia’s growing technological prowess in advanced fields, notably AI.

    Technological innovation has become a key driver of Asia’s sustainable transformation. From solar panels stretching across China’s western Gobi Desert to smart city networks leveraging digital twin technology in ASEAN countries, Asia is reshaping its development model with cutting-edge technologies, said Wu Xiaochen, vice president of the Hainan Research Academy of Environmental Sciences.

    Meanwhile, experts at the forum stressed the importance of attuning technological progress to environmental responsibility. They called for stronger policies to ensure that businesses align their innovations with sustainable growth objectives.

    CHINA’S ROLE

    Asia, particularly China, is seen as a key driver of global growth. The world’s second-largest economy is restructuring by prioritizing high-end manufacturing, digital development and green industries, bringing new opportunities for Asia and beyond.

    As a key pillar of Asia’s development, China is pivotal to rebalancing globalization, inclusive growth and regional economic integration, said Zhang Jun, secretary general of the Boao Forum for Asia.

    “China’s rapid advancements in digitization, green transition and AI have positioned it as a key driver of global sustainable development,” said Malindog-Uy. “Through cutting-edge research, large-scale industrial transformation and international collaboration, China’s innovation-driven approach benefits global cooperation and economic progress.”

    By fostering global partnerships in green energy, digital infrastructure and smart industries, China plays a crucial role in shaping a more resilient and interconnected global economy, she added.

    Through multilateral cooperation, China is injecting “Asian momentum” into global growth, translating regional experiences into viable ways for global governance, said Chi Fulin, head of the China Institute for Reform and Development.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI: Regula Reaches 15,000 ID Templates in Its Industry’s Largest Database, Revealing New Document Trends

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    RESTON, Va., March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Regula, a global developer of forensic devices and identity verification solutions, now has 15,000 templates in its identity document template database, the most comprehensive in the world. This significant update ensures that businesses and government agencies around the globe can verify the latest IDs, including the most advanced biometric documents, with the highest accuracy.

    Regula’s proprietary identity document template database contains detailed descriptions of each document’s security features. Combined with the advanced capabilities of Regula Document Reader SDK, this enables online ID verification with the same level of precision previously achievable only in on-site scenarios. Incorporating ID templates from 251 countries and territories and capable of reading 138 national languages, this database enables the recognition and proper verification of nearly every ID from any corner of the world, even the rarest ones.

    Tracking Global Shifts in Identity Documents

    The latest expansion of Regula’s ID template database reflects the global shift towards more sophisticated identity documents. More and more countries are introducing biometric passports, which are considered the most secure at the moment. For example, among the recent additions to Regula’s database are the first-ever biometric passports issued by India, Sri Lanka, and Guyana.

    Apart from the format, documents’ security features are also becoming more complex and elaborate. First and foremost, ID issuers are switching from paper substrates in favor of polycarbonate pages, which are much harder to counterfeit. For this reason, states like Benin, Burkina Faso, Chile, and Djibouti have recently issued new IDs with polycarbonate data pages.

    Another advanced security feature that has become quite widespread across different identity documents is the Multiple Laser Image (MLI). An MLI embeds two distinct images within a document. Typically, these include the passport holder’s photo and their personal data. Special lenses positioned above the images can visualize either image clearly by tilting the document. Hard to illegally duplicate by design, MLIs significantly enhance document protection. Among the IDs that were added to Regula’s ID template database with the latest update, the US driver’s license from Wisconsin, as well as the ID cards of Jamaica, San Marino, and Yemen contain such security features.

    “The growing complexity of identity documents presents notable challenges for ID verification workflows. Businesses and government agencies must be prepared to properly verify all the document security features so as not to miss any forgery or identity fraud attempts. Furthermore, they have to handle multiple ID versions from the same country simultaneously, as many older documents remain in circulation alongside the new formats. By keeping pace with evolving security features and document standards, we help streamline ID verification workflows, reduce fraud risks, and maintain compliance with global regulations,” says Ihar Kliashchou, Chief Technology Officer at Regula.

    Among the new IDs added to Regula’s database to hit 15,000 templates are the following, issued in 2024-2025:

    Passports:

    • Azerbaijan
    • Benin
    • Burkina Faso
    • Burundi
    • Chile
    • Djibouti
    • Germany
    • Guyana
    • India
    • Kosovo
    • Malawi
    • Myanmar
    • Netherlands
    • Romania
    • Saint Kitts and Nevis
    • Slovakia
    • Sri Lanka
    • Tajikistan

    ID cards:

    • Argentina
    • Bosnia and Herzegovina
    • Chile
    • Guatemala
    • Jamaica
    • Kazakstan
    • Kosovo
    • Netherlands
    • Nigeria
    • Norway
    • Philippines
    • Puerto Rico
    • San Marino
    • Slovakia
    • Somalia
    • Sri Lanka
    • Vietnam
    • Yemen

    Driver’s licenses:

    • Azerbaijan
    • Denmark
    • Honduras
    • Iran
    • Kosovo
    • Mongolia
    • Puerto Rico
    • Slovakia
    • Sweden
    • Venezuela
    • Bolivia
    • US states: Michigan, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin

    To get the full list of the documents supported by Regula’s software solutions, visit Regula’s official website.

    About Regula

    Regula is a global developer of forensic devices and identity verification solutions. With our 30+ years of experience in forensic research and the most comprehensive library of document templates in the world, we create breakthrough technologies for document and biometric verification. Our hardware and software solutions allow over 1,000 organizations and 80 border control authorities globally to provide top-notch client service without compromising safety, security, or speed. Regula has been repeatedly named a Representative Vendor in the Gartner® Market Guide for Identity Verification.

    Learn more at www.regulaforensics.com.

    Contact:
    Kristina – ks@regulaforensics.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8a3cd960-c05b-412f-9df8-ce5052474afa.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Culinary expert, Christian Abegan, named WFP Chef advocate in West and Central Africa

    Source: World Food Programme

    Photo: WFP/Evelyn Fey. Chef Christian Abegan becomes WFP’s Chef Advocate for Food Security, Nutrition, Sustainable Food Systems.

    DAKAR – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) today announced Christian Abégan, -renowned culinary expert, author and TV Host, as its new Chef Advocate for food security, nutrition and sustainable food systems in West and Central Africa.

    A champion of sustainable food systems and healthy diets, Abégan has dedicated his career to elevating African gastronomy, advocating for food security and promoting the use of nutritious, locally sourced ingredients to fight hunger. Honoured with the Diplôme d’Honneur de l’Institut de la Gastronomie Française, laureate of the Afro-Caribbean Excellence Trophy and author, he brings a wealth of expertise and passion to WFP’s mission of fighting hunger and malnutrition worldwide.

    In his new role as WFP’s Chef Advocate, Christian Abégan will collaborate with WFP to promote fortified foods, advocate for homegrown school meals, and mobilize decision-makers to support global food security efforts. Chef Abegan will also share his culinary knowledge and techniques, empowering people to access nutritious meals using available resources.

    “As a chef and a passionate advocate for nutritious and accessible food for all, I fully identify with WFP’s mission to fight hunger,” said Chef Christian Abégan. “Taking on this role is a great honour and a responsibility that I embrace with passion and determination.“ 

    For the past 35 years, Abégan has advocated for the power of food as a tool for better health, culture, community cohesion and growth. His expertise in African cuisine and sustainable food systems aligns with WFP’s efforts to promote nutrition, food security, support to smallholder farmers and education through its homegrown school feeding programme.

    “Chef Christian Abégan’s expertise and creativity bring a powerful synergy to WFP’s efforts in West and Central Africa, blending culinary innovation with social impact,” said Margot Van Der Velden, WFP’s Regional Director for Western Africa.  “WFP’s engagement with Chef Abégan exemplifies the powerful impact of partnerships in addressing hunger and improving food and nutrition security. Through culinary innovation, capacity building, advocacy, we will bring about positive change to communities around the world.” 

    Western Africa is in the grips of an acute food security and nutrition crisis with an estimated 52.7 million women, men and children projected to experience acute hunger by June 2025. This hunger crisis is mainly driven by conflict, displacement, economic crises and severe climate shocks, with devastating floods in 2024 affecting over six million people across the region. Moreover, 8 in 10 children under two lack access to dietary diversity in a region hosting 16 percent of the global burden of child stunting. 

    WFP has been instrumental in fostering local food solutions, delivering emergency assistance to those in   greatest need and enhancing access to affordable and nutritious diets. WFP’s response encompasses support for local agribusinesses, initiatives for the production of nutritious foods and efforts to connect farmers with school feeding programmes. 

    Over the last seven years, Chef Abégan has actively been supporting WFP, participating in campaigns and events, including the Healthy Not Hungry campaign in Burkina Faso, and WFP Fight Famine across the Sahel, raising awareness about the importance of healthy eating and sustainable food practices. His engaging presence and ability to connect with diverse audiences make him an effective advocate for WFP’s mission in West and Central Africa.

    #                 #                   #

    About WFP: 

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

    Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, @wfp_media @wfp_wafrica @wfp_chad

    About Chef Christian Abégan:

    Chef Christian Abégan, a Cameroonian-born culinary expert and Le Cordon Bleu Paris graduate, is a master of African cuisine. Based in Paris, he is dedicated to showcasing the richness of African gastronomy. During the 2024 Paris Olympics, he launched L’Arche Culinaire Africain—a platform uniting African and Diaspora chefs to elevate local ingredients and promote nutrition-focused cuisine. In 2010, he received the Grand Diploma of Honor from the French Institute of Gastronomy, and in 2017, he was a finalist for the Archestrate Prize for his book Le Patrimoine Culinaire Africain (The African Culinary Heritage).  As a jury member on the Star Chef TV show from 2011 to 2016, he influenced culinary trends across 28 African countries. His ability to merge heritage and creativity earned him the Afro-Caribbean Excellence Trophy in 2009.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Polarisation: poor countries disagree over the economy, richer countries on social issues – new findings

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Francesco Rigoli, Reader in Psychology, City St George’s, University of London

    Shutterstock/Lightspring

    It is hard nowadays to find topics on which people agree. Ironically, though, all agree on one point: that disagreement has reached peak levels. People are united in recognising that society has become polarised.

    Why has this happened? In a new study, I examined which characteristics of a country fuel polarisation – and whether economics is a factor. I found that poorer countries such as Ethiopia, Myanmar, Guatemala and Zimbabwe are indeed usually more polarised than richer countries. In fact, the poorer the nation, the greater the division on attitudes towards the economy, gender equality and immigration.

    This helps explain why poorer countries are also more vulnerable to revolutions and civil wars. They are more divided and slide more easily into actual armed conflict. It is not a coincidence that communist revolutions, which are often sparked by economic polarisation, have never occurred in rich countries, but in those at an early stage of industrialisation – think of Russia in 1917, China in 1949 and Ethiopia in 1974.

    However, people in rich countries such as France, Germany and the US report more polarised opinions on abortion, divorce, suicide and homosexuality. It is social norms, rather than economic views, that divide. Anyone who has paid attention to the culture wars raging in the west can attest to this. Think of the anti-abortion stance of evangelical Christians in the US and to the traditional family cherished by European parties like the Alternative for Germany and Brothers of Italy, and compare them with the growing importance of LGBTQ issues among liberals in the west.

    Why are rich countries more polarised on social customs? The study shows that people in poor countries have conservative views on these issues – for example, claiming that abortion and divorce are never justified. There is little margin for disagreement in these countries as far as social norms are concerned. By contrast, opinion on social norms in rich countries is split between liberals and conservatives. Conformity pressures are weak on these topics, boosting polarisation.

    Education may also play a role. I found that poorly educated people prefer redistribution and state intervention in the economy more than the highly educated. This divergence is greater in poor countries, partially explaining why attitudes on the economy are more polarised in poor countries.

    Meanwhile, my study found that highly educated people profess more liberal opinions on social norms than the poorly educated, but the divergence is greater in richer countries. In other words, in poor countries education is more divisive on economic attitudes, while in rich countries it is more divisive on social norms.

    Inequality and polarisation

    A 2021 study found that polarisation is higher in countries where the income distribution is more unequal. Interestingly, this applies across various domains, including opinions about the economy, immigration and social norms. This adds another important layer to the picture. It suggests that the increase in polarisation is linked to the increase in economic inequality over the past few decades.

    Wealthier nations polarise along social lines.
    norbu gyachung/unsplash

    Some researchers predict that, as people get richer, polarisation over social norms is destined to fade in the west. In their view, the west is polarised because the population is gradually shifting from a conservative to a liberal stance on social customs. In this view, our current polarisation is essentially an epochal shift. Economic prosperity, the argument goes, will ultimately lead western societies to converge to liberal views, deflating polarisation.

    There are two reasons to be cautious about such an assessment. First, the multiple crises faced today by the world, and by the west in particular, may stunt economic prosperity, implying that people may continue to be divided on social norms rather than converging on liberal views.

    Second, there is no evidence that economic inequality is going down in the west, and as the research shows, this is not a promising sign in terms of decreasing polarisation. So, citizens of western countries better get used to culture wars for the foreseeable future.

    Francesco Rigoli 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. Polarisation: poor countries disagree over the economy, richer countries on social issues – new findings – https://theconversation.com/polarisation-poor-countries-disagree-over-the-economy-richer-countries-on-social-issues-new-findings-252552

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC) Maixent Raoul Ominga to Speak at Invest in African Energy (IAE) 2025

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

    PARIS, France, March 25, 2025/APO Group/ —

    The Invest in African Energy (IAE) Forum in Paris is pleased to announce Maixent Raoul Ominga, Director General of Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), as a speaker, with SNPC also serving as a Gold Sponsor of the event. Ominga will contribute to discussions on Monetizing Congo’s Gas Opportunities, offering insights into the country’s substantial natural gas potential and the strategies being implemented to unlock its value.

    Congo’s gas sector is set for expansion, with significant developments aimed at maximizing its full potential. Eni’s Congo LNG project stands as a key pillar – eyeing production expansion up to four billion cubic meters per year by 2025 – strengthening the country’s position in the global energy market. Wing Wah’s Banga Kayo gas monetization project further accelerates this growth by optimizing stranded gas resources and supplying the domestic market with essential refined products. Additionally, the implementation of a new gas code and the development of a comprehensive gas master plan, which SNPC is actively helping to shape, will provide a clear regulatory framework and long-term strategy to attract investment, drive infrastructure development and optimize gas resource utilization.

    IAE 2025 (https://apo-opa.co/4hNID0n) is an exclusive forum designed to facilitate investment between African energy markets and global investors. Taking place May 13-14, 2025 in Paris, the event offers delegates two days of intensive engagement with industry experts, project developers, investors and policymakers. For more information, please visit www.Invest-Africa-Energy.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.

    As Director General of SNPC, Ominga offers deep expertise in Congo’s energy sector, with a focus on gas exploration, infrastructure development and international partnerships. The Monetizing Congo’s Gas Opportunities session will highlight the country’s untapped gas resources, exploring how Congo can leverage its natural assets for economic growth and regional energy security. The forum will also address the critical roles of investment, innovation and collaboration among public and private stakeholders.

    Congo is currently pursuing a major investment drive to attract global capital to its oil and gas sector. SNPC’s participation at IAE 2025, along with its role as a Gold Sponsor, represents a key stop on the country’s roadshow to engage European and international investors, highlighting its promising hydrocarbon exploration and gas monetization prospects. With a strategic focus on driving project investments and maximizing investor returns, IAE 2025 offers the ideal platform to foster high-level discussions and connect Congo with potential partners and investors to support the sector’s growth and long-term success

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Pakistani exports stifling the Beet sector – P-001167/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-001167/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Anne-Sophie Frigout (PfE), Barbara Bonte (PfE), Anna Maria Cisint (PfE), Hermann Tertsch (PfE), Irmhild Boßdorf (ESN)

    The beet sector is going through a major crisis, triggered by the ban on neonicotinoids, for which a solution has yet to be found. This crisis has been aggravated by the lift on customs duties for Ukraine, whose sugar exports increased from 20 000 tonnes pre-war to 500 000 tonnes in 2023.

    The EU-Mercosur trade agreement risks increasing the strain, as it would see a further 190 000 tonnes of sugar and 650 000 tonnes of ethanol imported into the EU. Also contributing to this destabilisation are the exports of industrial alcohol from Pakistan, exempt from customs duties, which benefit from the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP+) in return for efforts to ensure human and labour rights are upheld. Since 2018, its exports have increased from 2 % to 20 % of the EU market, rising by more than 200 % between 2021 to 2022. Yet we are witnessing the sharpest democratic backsliding since 2008, with the agricultural sector under the control of the Pakistani army and fundamental rights clearly being violated[1].

    In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2015/478 and Regulation (EU) 978/2012:

    • 1.Will the Commission activate the safeguard clause on the basis of the evidence provided for over a year by the EU industry concerned?
    • 2.Will it investigate the failure to comply with the principles of good governance laid down in the GSP+?

    Supporters[2]

    Submitted: 19.3.2025

    • [1] https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceculture/podcasts/la-revue-de-presse-internationale/la-revue-de-presse-internationale-emission-du-vendredi-31-janvier-2025-7626409
    • [2] This question is supported by Members other than the authors: Julie Rechagneux (PfE), Mélanie Disdier (PfE), Malika Sorel (PfE), Julien Leonardelli (PfE), Valérie Deloge (PfE), Gilles Pennelle (PfE)
    Last updated: 25 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Addressing problems relating to the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection project – E-001111/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-001111/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Yannis Maniatis (S&D)

    Further to my letter of 20 January 2025, addressed to the High Representative and the Commissioner for Energy, concerning the need for EU initiatives to address Turkish acts of provocation that are hampering the implementation of the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), and in view of recent reports in the Greek press, which state that the project promoter (ADMIE) has suspended payments to cable manufacturing and laying company Nexans, leading to the departure of the research vessels from Greece because they have been unable to enter international waters (but within the boundaries of the internationally recognised Greek/European EEZ based on the agreement between Greece and Egypt) for months due to geopolitical reasons (the acts of provocation began in July 2024), can the Commission answer the following:

    • 1.Concerning risks to the project implementation schedule and the EUR 657 million that has been earmarked or the amount which the CEF has disbursed for the project, are there any, have any been foreseen and are any being addressed?
    • 2.Has the Greek Government informed the Commission of the above developments and, if so, have joint initiatives been taken to protect this strategic European energy infrastructure project (PCI)?
    • 3.Given that the project is ‘encounter[ing] significant implementation difficulties’ and that Cyprus is the only EU Member State that is not connected to the European electricity grid, is the Commission planning on ‘designat[ing] a European coordinator’ (Article 6 of Regulation (EU) 2022/869), as it did for the Baltic states?

    Submitted: 14.3.2025

    Last updated: 25 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: ThinkMarkets launches a new loyalty programme for its clients

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

     

    LONDON, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ThinkMarkets, a globally recognised leader in multi-asset online trading, recently announced the launch of ThinkRewards, its new loyalty programme, designed to recognise and reward both new and existing clients who trade with ThinkMarkets on a recurring basis. 

    The programme allows clients to earn points through their trades, with points for special occasions, events, referrals, and more coming soon. The more points a trader accumulates, the higher they can climb through the tiers and redeem them for trading credit or cash. 

    There are five status tiers: Classic, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond. All clients begin with Silver Status and can earn points over time to progress through the tiers, unlocking more points and greater rewards.

    ThinkRewards is available exclusively on its flagship platform, ThinkTrader. The programme is entirely automated and can be accessed via ThinkMarkets client portal.

    Commenting on the launch, co-CEO of ThinkMarkets, Nauman Anees, said:

    “At ThinkMarkets, we’re committed to recognizing our loyal traders and rewarding them every time they trade. Our success relies heavily on maintaining a happy, loyal client base, so it’s important for us to continually explore new ways to encourage them to stay. That’s why we’re excited to launch initiatives like ThinkRewards, designed to enhance the trading experience on ThinkTrader and provide even more value to our clients.”

    More information about ThinkRewards is available on the ThinkMarkets website here. 

    About ThinkMarkets

    ThinkMarkets is a global, multi-regulated online brokerage established in 2010, offering clients quick and easy access to 4,000+ CFD instruments across FX, indices, commodities, equities, and more. ThinkMarkets has offices in London, Melbourne, and Tokyo, and hubs in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and South Africa. It also operates with several financial licences around the globe and delivers some of the industry’s most recognised trading platforms, including its award-winning platform, ThinkTrader.

    Contact
    Chantelle Lea
    ThinkMarkets
    pr@thinkmarkets.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e7a3a3d2-8c92-4b87-9b3a-33f0f6db5126

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Video: South Sudan: On the brink of Civil War as violence escalates – Press Conference | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (Video News)

    UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan Nicholas Haysom warned said that the country “is teetering on the edge of a relapse into civil war.”

    Addressing the press today (24 Mar), Haysom said that the political and security situation has significantly deteriorated since the White Army, “that is a youth militia, overran barracks previously occupied by the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) in Nasir on the 4th of March. In retaliation, communities across Upper Nile are being subjected to persistent aerial bombardment using devices, barrel bombs, allegedly containing a highly flammable liquid that acts as an accelerant on explosion.”

    He continued, “These indiscriminate attacks on civilians are causing significant casualties and horrific injuries, especially burns, including to women and children.”

    According to humanitarian partners, Haysom added, at least 63,000 people have fled the area.

    He also said, “We are receiving reports of further mobilization of White Army and SSPDF forces in Upper Nile, allegedly including children forcibly recruited into the ranks of the respective armed formations. This, in addition to the deployment of foreign forces at the request of the South Sudan government, is further fueling fear and anxiety across the country.

    On the political front, Haysom reported that some senior military and civilian officials affiliated with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) have been replaced or removed from their official positions while others have been detained, gone into hiding, or fled the country.

    He added, “Rampant misinformation, disinformation and hate speech is also ratcheting up tensions and driving ethnic divisions, and fear.”

    He stated, “Given this grim situation, we are left with no other conclusion, but to assess that South Sudan is teetering on the edge of a relapse into civil war.”

    To try and prevent this outcome, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is engaging in intense shuttle diplomacy, alongside international and regional peace partners, including the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC).

    According to UNMISS head, the region and the international community have also been actively engaged.

    He also informed the press that the high-level visit by IGAD foreign ministers to Juba was today postponed to the 3rd of April by the Government “at the last minute, and without explanation.”

    He highlighted, “The collective message of the region and the international community is the same. We remain convinced that there is only one way out of the cycle of conflict and that is to return to the Revitalized Peace Agreement, in letter and spirit.”

    This includes strict adherence to the ceasefire, the release of detained officials or their treatment in accordance with legal process, an immediate return to consensus-based decision-making, and the resolution of tensions through dialogue rather than military confrontation.

    He also encouraged the President and First Vice President to meet to resolve their differences constructively and make a joint public statement that reassures all South Sudanese of their united, steadfast commitment to peace.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qys6tmerErc

    MIL OSI Video –