NewzIntel.com

Category: Africa

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: World’s largest urban development forum concludes with Cairo Call to Action

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    SDGs

    The twelfth edition of the World Urban Forum wrapped up on Friday with the adoption of the Cairo Call to Action, after intense discussions focused on the global housing crisis and financing urbanization, all under the theme “It All Starts at Home.”

    Ahead of the closing ceremony, UN-Habitat Executive Director, Anaclaudia Rossbach, emphasised the Forum’s timely emphasis on local action.

    “Over half of the world’s population now resides in urban areas,” she said, as she highlighted the pivotal role of local governments in shaping cities and human settlements.

    WUF12 was “a turning point in the journey of the World Urban Forum,” she declared.

    Record-breaking Forum

    Over the past five days, WUF12, convened biennially by UN-Habitat, explored urbanization through six main dialogues, roundtables, assemblies, and partner-led events.

    “We have broken many records and scaled new heights at this World Forum,” Ms. Rossbach stated, citing impressive metrics, including the attendance of over 24,000 participants from 182 countries.

    UN-Habitat head Rossbach addressing the closing of WUF12.

    In addition, four heads of state, 60 ministers, 45 deputy ministers and 96 mayors, attended more than 700 events from 1,500 organizers.  

    In all over 63,000 people, in person or online, attended dialogues, sessions and discussions. 

    Crucial issues tackled

    Discussions at WUF12, she said, highlighted key challenges central to promoting sustainable cities. These included the urgency of addressing the global housing crisis, recognizing that adequate housing is a human right and its links to climate and humanitarian crises.

    Alongside, finance for urban sustainability must be prioritizing, through tapping into unused financial resources in cities, as needed.

    Capturing, sharing, and learning from best practices to accelerate action effectively and at scale, is equally important, she said, as is leveraging the potential of coalitions and partnerships in the face of complex and unprecedented challenges. 

    UN News/Khaled Mohamed

    Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development, Egypt presenting Cairo Call to Action.

    The Cairo Call to Action  

    On the final day, delegations adopted the Cairo Call to Action, pledging to act with urgency to address the global housing crisis as well as leveraging local action to achieving global goals and targets.

    The Cairo Call to Action also emphasized, among other points, the need for sustaining a systemic representation of local actors at all levels, sharing urban spaces and opportunities inclusively, urban planning to deliver better local outcomes, and unlocking finance for cities and communities.  

    Delegations also committed to ensuring equity and justice for sustainable cities, leveraging local and grassroots data for decision-making, harnessing culture and heritage as an asset for sustainability, and building coalitions and alliances to scale local impact.

    Ensuring a decent life

    Speaking at the closing, Egypt’s Minister of Housing, Sherif El-Sherbiny, reinforced the theme’s importance, stating, “everything starts locally, from where we live.”

    He pledged that Egypt’s government will continue to work toward providing a “decent life” and sustainable development for all citizens.

    “We are able. We can build a better future for us and for the next generation,” he added.

    UN News/Khaled Mohamed

    Sherif El-Sherbiny, Egypt’s Minister of Housing.

    Hard work continues

    Several non-governmental organization (NGOs) and civil society organizations emphasized safety and inclusivity, such as the Van Leer Foundation, which supports young children, caregivers and communities worldwide.

    Chief Programme Officer Rushda Majeed highlighted the foundation’s mission to foster inclusive communities, noting that WUF12 was valuable for showcasing actions from prior Forums.

    She highlighted the many conversations and presentations, building upon earlier outcomes.

    “We find this of great value in terms of not only meeting people and advocating for particular causes but really learning about what has been done.”

    On the closing day, discussions focused on creating safer spaces for future generations.

    One roundtable featured Professor Anna Barker from the University of Leeds, in the United Kingdom, who shared her research on women’s and girls’ safety in public parks.

    “We spoke to a diverse range of women and girls,” she said, “and used their feedback to create new guidance.”

    This guidance has been implemented through the Green Flag Award programme across 17 countries.

    UN News/Khaled Mohamed

    Anna Barker is an associate professor in criminal justice and criminology at the University of Leeds.

    Looking ahead

    In the coming weeks and months, UN-Habitat will highlight the outcomes of WUF12 at key events, including COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.  

    Ms. Rossbach said the outcomes would inform discussions within UN-Habitat and the first open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Adequate Housing for All.  

    “We are excited about the journey to Baku,” she added, referencing the 2026 WUF13, as the Forum continues to address the challenges of urbanization. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: ‘Naked struggle for power and resources’ leaves civilians paying unbearable price: UN human rights chief

    Source: United Nations MIL OSI b

    “Our world is going through a period of turbulence and unpredictability, reflected in growing conflict and divided societies,” Türk told the Human Rights Council.

    “We cannot allow the fundamental global consensus around international norms and institutions, built painstakingly over decades, to crumble before our eyes.”

    The weapons of war

    Presenting his global update covering more than 30 countries, the High Commissioner described as “outrageous” the fact that legal safeguards for non-combatants were being repeatedly ignored.

    “Civilians are deliberately attacked. Sexual violence and famine are used as weapons of war,” Mr. Türk said. “Humanitarian access is denied, while weapons flow across borders and circumvent international sanctions. And humanitarian workers are targeted. In 2024, a record 356 humanitarian workers were killed while providing aid to people in some of the world’s most appalling crises.”

    Unbearable price

    In Sudan, the High Commissioner once again condemned devastating bomb attacks launched in heavily built-up areas with total impunity, by the parties to the conflict.

    All the while, the world’s worst humanitarian catastrophe deepens, threatening regional stability, he maintained: “Civilians are paying an unbearable price, in a naked struggle for power and resources. All countries must use their influence to apply pressure on the parties and their allies, to stop the war, embark on an inclusive dialogue, and transition to a civilian-led Government.”

    Ukraine’s people need peace

    Turning to Ukraine, whose future material support from the United States appeared unclear following televised disagreements between Presidents Trump and Zelensky at a White House meeting on Friday, Mr. Türk opposed any peace deal that excluded Ukraine.

    “Three years since the full-scale Russian invasion, people continue to suffer appallingly…Any discussions about ending the war must include Ukrainians and fully respect their human rights. Sustainable peace must be based on the United Nations Charter and international law.”

    Civilian casualties in Ukraine rose by 30 per cent between 2023 and 2024, the High Commissioner continued, as he accused Russia’s armed forces of systematically targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with coordinated strikes, causing widespread disruptions to essential services.

    “Relentless attacks with aerial glide bombs, long-range missiles and drones have placed civilians in a state of constant insecurity and fear,” Mr. Türk noted.

    Ukrainian prisoners also continue to face summary executions and “widespread and systematic torture” by Russian forces, he continued.

    Gaza ceasefire focus

    In the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the UN rights chief insisted that the fragile ceasefire holds in Gaza “and becomes the basis for peace”.

    He also insisted that aid deliveries into Gaza should resume immediately, just as Israel announced a halt to aid flowing into the shattered enclave, having proposed extending the first phase of the ceasefire which ended at the weekend and which would allow Israeli troops to stay in Gaza.

    UN aid chief Tom Fletcher responded with alarm to the Israeli decision, insisting that the ceasefire “must hold”.

    In an online appeal, he added: “International humanitarian law is clear: We must be allowed access to deliver vital lifesaving aid. We can’t roll back the progress of the past 42 days. We need to get aid in and the hostages out.”

    Back in the Council, Mr. Türk explained that the Gaza had been “razed” by constant Israeli bombardment in response to the “horrific” Hamas-led attacks on Israel that sparked the war in October 2023. “Any solution to the cycles of violence must be rooted in human rights, including the right to self-determination, the rule of law and accountability. All hostages must be freed; all those detained arbitrarily must be released; and humanitarian aid into Gaza must resume immediately.”

    West Bank alert

    Reflecting deep concerns by humanitarians and the human rights community about Israeli military raids on Palestinian settlements in the West Bank, the UN High Commissioner insisted that Israel’s “unilateral actions and threats of annexation in the West Bank, in violation of international law, must stop”.

    Mr. Türk also condemned the use of “military weapons and tactics, including tanks and airstrikes, against Palestinians”. Equally worrying was “the destruction and emptying of refugee camps, the expansion of illegal settlements, the severe restrictions on movement and the displacement of tens of thousands of people”.

    DR Congo devastation

    Turning to the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the High Commissioner underscored that entire communities in North and South Kivu had been devastated.

    “In the past five weeks, thousands of people have reportedly been killed during attacks by the M23 armed group, backed by the Rwandan Armed Forces, in intense fighting against the Armed Forces of the DRC and their allies,” the UN rights chief said, pointing to reports of rape, sexual slavery and summary executions.

    “More than half a million people have been forced to flee this year, adding to almost 7.8 million people already displaced in the country,” Mr. Türk said. “The violence must stop, violations by all parties must be investigated, and dialogue must resume.”

    © WFP/Michael Castofas

    More than half a million people have been forced to flee DR Congo this year.

    Deadliest year in Myanmar

    Moving on to the ongoing escalation of violence in Myanmar sparked by the military coup on 1 February 2021, the UN rights chief noted that 2024 was the deadliest year for civilians since the junta takeover.

    “The military ramped up brutal attacks on civilians as their grip on power eroded, with retaliatory airstrikes and artillery shelling of villages and urban areas…and the forcible conscription of thousands of young people,” he said, before calling for the supply of arms and finance to the country’s military’s to be “cut decisively”.

    Haiti spiral

    The UN rights chief also expressed deep concerns about chronic lawlessness and heavily armed clashes in Haiti involving gangs that humanitarians warned last week recruit children as young as eight. More than 5,600 people were killed last year and thousands more were injured or kidnapped, Mr. Türk told the Human Rights Council.

    “Full implementation of the Security Council‘s arms embargo and support to the Multinational Security Support Mission are crucial to resolving this crisis,” he insisted.

    Yemen

    On Yemen, the High Commissioner noted that amid ongoing hostilities, nearly 20 million Yemenis need humanitarian support. Mr. Türk also expressed his outrage at the death of a UN World Food Programme colleague in detention earlier this month. “All 23 UN staff – including eight colleagues from my own Office – who are arbitrarily detained by the Houthis must be released immediately.”

    In a half-hour address to the Council that traditionally highlights the most worrying emergencies in the world and the need to tackle their root causes, the UN rights chief issued a call for greater global solidarity and accountability for crimes as a way to push back against those who would violate fundamental freedoms.

    “We all have a responsibility to act – through our consumption habits, our social media use, and our political and social engagement,” he told the Council’s 47 Member States.

    “We can trace a clear line between the lack of accountability for airstrikes on hospitals in Syria in the 2010s, attacks on healthcare facilities in Yemen, and the destruction of health systems in Gaza and Sudan,” he continued.

    Toys of tech oligarchs

    Equally alarming is the rise of unelected and unregulated “tech oligarchs” who reflect the new global power dynamic, Mr. Türk warned, before urging governments to fulfil their primary purpose of protecting their people from unchecked power.

    Today’s tech oligarchs “have our data: they know where we live, what we do, our genes and our health conditions, our thoughts, our habits, our desires and our fears…And they know how to manipulate us,” the High Commissioner insisted.

    Electioneering tactics

    “I have followed recent election campaigns in Europe, North America and beyond with increasing trepidation. Single-issue soundbites devoid of substance oversimplify complex issues and are often based on scapegoating, disinformation, and dehumanization,” he continued.

    “Dehumanization is a well-worn step towards treating an entire group as outsiders, unworthy of the basic rights we all enjoy. It is a dangerous precursor to hate and violence and must be called out whenever it occurs.”

    UN Human Rights Council/Marie Bambi

    Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, presents his latest report on the obligation to ensure accountability and justice in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

    Toxic influence on gender equality

    The High Commissioner also voiced his concern about the resurgence of toxic ideas about masculinity and efforts to glorify gender stereotypes, especially among young men.

    To blame for this are “misogynistic influencers” with millions of followers on social media who “are hailed as heroes”, Mr. Türk said.

    Online and offline, their ideas push back against gender equality and result in “violence and hateful rhetoric against women, women’s rights defenders, and women politicians”, the High Commissioner continued. 

    In a message of solidarity with people who have been left “feeling alienated and abandoned” by such malign influences, Mr. Türk insisted that the United Nations was by their side. “Your concerns are our concerns, because they are about human rights: to education, to health, to housing, to free speech, and access to justice. Human rights are about people’s daily concerns for their families and their future. We must cherish the values of respect, unity and solidarity; and work together for a safer, more just, more sustainable world. We can and will persevere,” he concluded.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: US trade wars with China – and how they play out in Africa

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Lauren Johnston, Associate Professor, China Studies Centre, University of Sydney

    Since taking office, US president Donald Trump has implemented policies that have been notably hostile towards China. They include trade restrictions. Most recently, a 20% tariff was added to all imports from China and new technological restrictions were imposed under the America First Investment Policy. This isn’t the first time US-China tensions have flared. Throughout history the relationship has been fraught by economic, military and ideological conflicts.

    China-Africa scholar and economist Lauren Johnston provides insights into how these dynamics may also shape relations between Africa and China.

    How has China responded to hostile US policies?

    First, China tends to have a defiant official response. It expresses disappointment, then states that the US policy position is not helpful to any country or the world economy.

    Second, China makes moves domestically to prioritise the interests of key, affected industries.

    Third, China will sometimes impose retaliatory sanctions.

    In 2018, for instance, China imposed a 25% tariff on US soybeans, a critical animal feed source. The US Department of Agriculture had to compensate US soybean farmers for their lost income.

    Another example is how, following US tech sanctions, China took a more independent technology path. It has channelled billions into tech funds. The goal is to make financing available for Chinese entrepreneurs and to push technological boundaries in areas of US sanction, such as semiconductors. These efforts are backed up by subsidies and tax reductions. In some cases, the Chinese state will invest directly in tech companies.

    More recently, China retaliated to the US trade war by announcing tariffs on 80 US products. China is set to place 15% tariffs on certain energy exports, including coal, natural gas and petroleum. An additional 10% tariffs will be placed on 72 manufactured products including trucks, motor homes and agricultural machinery.

    Agricultural trade has been hard hit. The day the US announced a 10% tariff on Chinese imports, China announced “an additional 15% tariff on imported chicken, wheat, corn and cotton originating from the US”. Also, “sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables and dairy products will be subject to an additional 10% tariff”.

    How have these Chinese responses affected Africa?

    We can’t say for certain that China’s response to US trade tensions has explicitly affected its Africa policy, but there are some notable coincidences.

    Less than one month after Trump’s return to the White House in 2025, and soon after the first tariffs were slapped on China’s exports to the US, China announced new measures to foster China-Africa trade efforts. The policy package aims to “strengthen economic and trade exchanges between China and Africa.”

    This is the latest in a series of Chinese actions.

    In January 2018 trade hostilities began to escalate after Trump imposed a first round of tariffs on all imported washing machines and solar panels. These had an impact on China’s exports to the US.

    Later the same year, China imposed 25% tariffs on US soy bean imports and took steps to reduce dependence on US agricultural products. China also took steps to expand trade with Africa, agricultural trade in particular.

    In September 2018, Beijing hosted the Forum on China and Africa Cooperation summit, a triennial head of state gathering. It was announced that China would set up a China-Africa trade expo and foster deeper agricultural cooperation. In the days after the summit, China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs was already acting on this. A gathering of African agricultural ministers took place in Changsha, Hunan province.

    Hunan province has since taken centre stage in China-Africa relations. It’s now the host of a permanent China-Africa trade exhibition hall and a larger biennial China-Africa economic and trade exhibition (known as CAETE).

    Hunan also hosts the pilot zone for In-Depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation. The zone has numerous initiatives designed to overcome obstacles to China-Africa trade and investment, like support in areas of law, technology and currency, and vocational training.

    Finally, the zone is located in a bigger free-trade zone that is better connected to Africa by air, water and land corridors. African agricultural exports to China pass through Hunan, where local industry either uses these imports or distributes them across the country to retailers.

    Companies in Hunan are well placed to play a key role in supporting China-Africa trade, capitalising on the opportunities left by China-US hostilities.

    Hunan’s agritech giant Longping High-Tech, for instance, is investing in Tanzanian soybean farmers.

    Hunan is also home to China’s construction manufacturing and electronic transportation frontier. This includes global construction giant Sany, which produces heavy industry machinery for the construction, mining and energy sectors. China’s global electronic vehicle manufacturing BYD and its electronic railway industry are also in Hunan. They have deep and increasing interests in Africa and can also support China’s key minerals and tech race with the US.

    As US-China hostility enters a new era, what are the implications for China-Africa relations?

    As my new working paper sets out, African countries are, for example, responding to the new opportunities from China.

    At the end of 2024, while the world waited for Trump’s second coming, various African countries made moves to strengthen economic ties with China, Hunan province especially.

    In December 2024, Tanzania became the first African country to open an official investment promotion office in the China-Africa Cooperation Pilot Zone in Changaha.

    In November 2024, both the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Africa and the China Engineering Technology Exhibition were held in Abuja, Nigeria. Equivalent events were hosted in Kenya.

    Early in 2025 in Niamey, Niger, a joint pilot cooperation zone was inaugurated , and which is direct partner of the China-Africa Pilot zone in Hunan.

    As China moves away from US agricultural produce, for instance, African agricultural producers can benefit. Substitute African products and potential exports will enjoy a price boost, and elevated Chinese support.

    China’s newly elevated interest in African development and market potential will bring major prospects. The question will be whether African countries are ready to grasp them, and to use that potential to foster an independent development path of their own.

    – US trade wars with China – and how they play out in Africa
    – https://theconversation.com/us-trade-wars-with-china-and-how-they-play-out-in-africa-249609

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Affinity Intercultural Foundation NSW Parliamentary Iftar

    Source: Australian Human Rights Commission

    It is really special to be here tonight supporting the important work of the Affinity Intercultural Foundation and the wonderful Ahmet Polat.

    Thank you to Minister Steve Kamper and Shadow Minister Mark Coure for co-hosting this dinner and for the bipartisan support behind it and the support of all parties present.

    Good evening to all MPs and community leaders.

    A couple of weeks ago the ASIO Director General, Mike Burgess, in his annual threat assessment, painted this concerning picture:

    Many of the foundations that have underpinned Australia’s security, prosperity and democracy are being tested: social cohesion is eroding, trust in institutions is declining, intolerance is growing, even truth itself is being undermined by conspiracy, mis- and disinformation.

    I agree with him and tonight, I want to talk about what human rights has to say and do on some of these big issues.

    We are of course meeting on Aboriginal land.

    I acknowledge Gadigal Elders and Ancestors and the Gadigal people’s ongoing culture and connection to country. I acknowledge their Eora Nation neighbours and all First Nations people present.

    I spent two years working at the Yoorrook Justice Commission, the first truth telling inquiry looking at historical and ongoing injustice against First Nations people in Victoria.

    It was a privilege for me, a non-Aboriginal person, to do this work. It profoundly changed the way I look at the world.

    The truth telling work Yoorrook is doing, alongside the treaty work of the elected First Peoples Assembly, is changing Victoria for the better.

    Victoria is engaging with First Nations people as equals to build a better understanding of our shared history and to negotiate how we can create a better future together.

    A future where First Nations people have control over the issues that affect their lives.

    Where First Nations families have access to quality education, housing and healthcare.

    Where First Nations communities are prosperous, where country is healthy and where culture and language is thriving.

    The work at Yoorrook also gave me a better understanding of the successes and failures of the modern human rights movement and the role it has played in the struggle for equality.

    The modern human rights movement emerged out of the horrors of World War 2. The international community came together and said, “Never Again”.

    In a remarkable period of innovation between 1945 and 1951, a new framework of international law and institutions was established to promote global peace, development and prosperity.

    The UN Charter, the Nuremberg trials, the Genocide Convention, the Geneva Conventions, the Refugee Convention and most of all, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

    Australia was closely involved in the Universal Declaration. An Australian, William Hodgson, was one of just nine people on the drafting committee led by the extraordinary Eleanor Roosevelt.

    Out of the nadir of mass slaughter and human suffering, these drafters created a document that should rightly be celebrated as one of the pinnacles of human achievement.

    Australia’s Foreign Minister, Doc Evatt, strongly supported the Declaration and was President of the UN General Assembly when it was adopted.

    The Declaration is said to be the most translated document in human history.

    It lists 30 rights that are essential for all of us to live a decent dignified life, no matter who we are or where we are.

    The right to be safe, to vote, to stand for elections, to peacefully assemble and protest, to an education and to an adequate standard of living including food, health and housing and more.

    These rights are the key to a good life for all.

    The blueprint for the kind of society we all want to live in.

    They reflect values like equality, freedom, respect, dignity, kindness, thinking of others and looking out for each other.

    In this way they are similar to the golden rule running through most of the world’s religions – treat others as you would want to be treated.

    When human rights are respected, our lives are better and our communities are stronger, healthier, safer and more prosperous.

    How is this relevant today and what’s it got to do with the rising intolerance we are seeing?

    The first article of the UN Declaration proclaims that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

    These simple words say to every one of us, no matter who you are, or where you are – you have value, you matter and you deserve dignity – because of the mere fact that you are human.

    The words are grounded in our common humanity.

    Regardless of our differences, we all are human.

    No us and them.

    We all bleed the same. We all love. We all suffer. We all experience hope, sadness, wonder and joy.

    Alongside the human rights treaties that followed it, the Declaration has played a key role in smashing ideas that some humans are worth less than others – a corrosive prejudice that gave rise to slavery, colonisation, eugenics, genocide and more.

    The words born free and equal may seem unremarkable today. And this fact speaks to one of the great successes of human rights.

    The Declaration and the treaties that followed it sparked huge changes in equality and inclusion for people and communities. Racial equality. Religious equality. Gender equality. Equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans and intersex people.

    Of course big challenges remain on all these fronts.

    On racism, we have made great progress in the past six decades, dismantling the White Australia policy, passing the Racial Discrimination Act, welcoming millions of migrants from around the world and building strong and consistent support for multiculturalism.

    But progress is fragile and cannot be taken for granted.

    Racism has been rising in recent years.

    First Nations communities have seen a spike in the volume and hostility of racism during and after the Voice referendum.

    The racial inequality affecting their families and communities is highlighted by the lack of progress on so many of the Closing the Gap targets including child removal and imprisonment.

    And since 7 October 2023, underlying and persistent prejudice against Jewish, Muslim, Arab and Palestinian communities in Australia has intensified and is having a profound impact on so many.

    The repeated antisemitic arson attacks and the discovery of a caravan filled with explosives highlight the gravity of the threats to the Jewish community.

    And for Muslim communities, we have seen the recent assault of two Muslim women in a Melbourne shopping centre and a violent online threat made this week against a Sydney mosque referencing the 2019 Christchurch mass shooting that claimed 51 lives.

    As Special Envoy Aftab Malik has said, Islamophobia is endemic, normalised and underacknowledged in Australia.

    Racism creates stigma, shame and fear.

    It dehumanises people and makes them shed their culture and identity in public life.

    It denies people full participation in life and harms health and wellbeing.

    It corrodes our society and left unchecked leads to violence.

    So how do we respond?

    Late last year the Australian Human Rights Commission launched our national anti-racism framework that outlines a comprehensive, whole of society approach for eliminating racism in Australia.

    The framework has 63 recommendations ranging from education, to law reform, to greater diversity in media and tackling mis and disinformation.

    We hope that governments, business and civil society get behind the framework.

    I want to end by going back to the beginning and talking about erosion of the foundations of Australia’s security, prosperity and democracy.

    The values at the heart of Australia’s successful liberal democracy are human rights values.

    Our citizenship booklet, which seeks to define what is to be Australian, talks about our shared values such as the dignity and freedom of each person, equal opportunity and freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of association.

    These values unite us.

    Living these values is not about picking the suffering that bothers you most.

    It is not about selectively applying human rights standards.

    To address rising intolerance and prejudice we need leaders like the people gathered in this room to stand up, to stand together to uphold the commitment to human rights which is at the heart of the Universal Declaration.

    Ramadan is a time for reflection, for caring for those less fortunate and for spiritual renewal.

    Events like tonight’s Iftar and the work of Affinity show us the way forward.

    Coming together to listen and engage in dialogue so that we can collectively forge a pathway forward towards peace and respect for each other, grounded in our human rights and common humanity.

    Ramadan Mubarak.

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: US trade wars with China – and how they play out in Africa

    Source: The Conversation – Africa – By Lauren Johnston, Associate Professor, China Studies Centre, University of Sydney

    Since taking office, US president Donald Trump has implemented policies that have been notably hostile towards China. They include trade restrictions. Most recently, a 20% tariff was added to all imports from China and new technological restrictions were imposed under the America First Investment Policy. This isn’t the first time US-China tensions have flared. Throughout history the relationship has been fraught by economic, military and ideological conflicts.

    China-Africa scholar and economist Lauren Johnston provides insights into how these dynamics may also shape relations between Africa and China.

    How has China responded to hostile US policies?

    First, China tends to have a defiant official response. It expresses disappointment, then states that the US policy position is not helpful to any country or the world economy.

    Second, China makes moves domestically to prioritise the interests of key, affected industries.

    Third, China will sometimes impose retaliatory sanctions.

    In 2018, for instance, China imposed a 25% tariff on US soybeans, a critical animal feed source. The US Department of Agriculture had to compensate US soybean farmers for their lost income.

    Another example is how, following US tech sanctions, China took a more independent technology path. It has channelled billions into tech funds. The goal is to make financing available for Chinese entrepreneurs and to push technological boundaries in areas of US sanction, such as semiconductors. These efforts are backed up by subsidies and tax reductions. In some cases, the Chinese state will invest directly in tech companies.

    More recently, China retaliated to the US trade war by
    announcing tariffs on 80 US products. China is set to place 15% tariffs on certain energy exports, including coal, natural gas and petroleum. An additional 10% tariffs will be placed on 72 manufactured products including trucks, motor homes and agricultural machinery.

    Agricultural trade has been hard hit. The day the US announced a 10% tariff on Chinese imports, China announced “an additional 15% tariff on imported chicken, wheat, corn and cotton originating from the US”. Also, “sorghum, soybeans, pork, beef, aquatic products, fruits, vegetables and dairy products will be subject to an additional 10% tariff”.

    How have these Chinese responses affected Africa?

    We can’t say for certain that China’s response to US trade tensions has explicitly affected its Africa policy, but there are some notable coincidences.

    Less than one month after Trump’s return to the White House in 2025, and soon after the first tariffs were slapped on China’s exports to the US, China announced new measures to foster China-Africa trade efforts. The policy package aims to “strengthen economic and trade exchanges between China and Africa.”

    This is the latest in a series of Chinese actions.

    In January 2018 trade hostilities began to escalate after Trump imposed a first round of tariffs on all imported washing machines and solar panels. These had an impact on China’s exports to the US.

    Later the same year, China imposed 25% tariffs on US soy bean imports and took steps to reduce dependence on US agricultural products. China also took steps to expand trade with Africa, agricultural trade in particular.

    In September 2018, Beijing hosted the Forum on China and Africa Cooperation summit, a triennial head of state gathering. It was announced that China would set up a China-Africa trade expo and foster deeper agricultural cooperation. In the days after the summit, China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs was already acting on this. A gathering of African agricultural ministers took place in Changsha, Hunan province.

    Hunan province has since taken centre stage in China-Africa relations. It’s now the host of a permanent China-Africa trade exhibition hall and a larger biennial China-Africa economic and trade exhibition (known as CAETE).

    Hunan also hosts the pilot zone for In-Depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation. The zone has numerous initiatives designed to overcome obstacles to China-Africa trade and investment, like support in areas of law, technology and currency, and vocational training.

    Finally, the zone is located in a bigger free-trade zone that is better connected to Africa by air, water and land corridors. African agricultural exports to China pass through Hunan, where local industry either uses these imports or distributes them across the country to retailers.

    Companies in Hunan are well placed to play a key role in supporting China-Africa trade, capitalising on the opportunities left by China-US hostilities.

    Hunan’s agritech giant Longping High-Tech, for instance, is investing in Tanzanian soybean farmers.

    Hunan is also home to China’s construction manufacturing and electronic transportation frontier. This includes global construction giant Sany, which produces heavy industry machinery for the construction, mining and energy sectors. China’s global electronic vehicle manufacturing BYD and its electronic railway industry are also in Hunan. They have deep and increasing interests in Africa and can also support China’s key minerals and tech race with the US.

    As US-China hostility enters a new era, what are the implications for China-Africa relations?

    As my new working paper sets out, African countries are, for example, responding to the new opportunities from China.

    At the end of 2024, while the world waited for Trump’s second coming, various African countries made moves to strengthen economic ties with China, Hunan province especially.

    In December 2024, Tanzania became the first African country to open an official investment promotion office in the China-Africa Cooperation Pilot Zone in Changaha.

    In November 2024, both the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Africa and the China Engineering Technology Exhibition were held in Abuja, Nigeria. Equivalent events were hosted in Kenya.

    Early in 2025 in Niamey, Niger, a joint pilot cooperation zone was inaugurated , and which is direct partner of the China-Africa Pilot zone in Hunan.

    As China moves away from US agricultural produce, for instance, African agricultural producers can benefit. Substitute African products and potential exports will enjoy a price boost, and elevated Chinese support.

    China’s newly elevated interest in African development and market potential will bring major prospects. The question will be whether African countries are ready to grasp them, and to use that potential to foster an independent development path of their own.

    Lauren Johnston 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. US trade wars with China – and how they play out in Africa – https://theconversation.com/us-trade-wars-with-china-and-how-they-play-out-in-africa-249609

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: President Cyril Ramaphosa meets with the Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    President Cyril Ramaphosa meets with the Gauteng Provincial Executive Committee

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H6_4YBhX_M

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Media – KIWI FILM TINĀ OPENS OVER $1M, STRIKING A COLLECTIVE CHORD ACROSS AOTEAROA

    Source: New Zealand Film Commission

    New Zealand’s latest cinematic success, Tinā (Tih-NAH), has taken the country by storm, surpassing $1 million in its opening weekend. The film is currently No. 1 on the box office charts, earning $1,324,529 to date with nearly 84,000 ticket sales.
    Tinā also set a new record for the widest release of a New Zealand film, screening across 128 locations in New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Cook Islands, Fiji, and Samoa. It now ranks as the third-biggest NZ opening week of all time, behind Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Sione’s 2: Unfinished Business.
    New Zealand Film Commission CEO Annie Murray says the success of Tinā is proof of the power of investing in local storytelling.
    “The incredible debut of Tinā isn’t just a win for this film – it’s a powerful demonstration of what’s possible when we invest in stories that reflect who we are. Audiences have shown up in record numbers for this film, proving there’s real appetite for authentic, well-crafted storytelling from our own filmmakers. We need to keep this momentum going.”
    Murray says Tinā is well positioned for success beyond New Zealand and the Pacific, with strong international sales potential.
    “A Kiwi film’s box office success is just one part of its overall return-international sales also bring money back into the pockets of the producers and investors. Successful sales will not only generate revenue for the filmmakers but also offset the investment made by the NZFC, allowing us to continue supporting future New Zealand stories.”
    A FILM THAT BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER
    Filmmaker Miki Magasiva is thrilled by the film’s reception.
    “We’re overjoyed that audiences have responded so positively to a local story carried by one of our local heroes in Anapela Polata’ivao. Our Pacific stories have an audience.”
    Light House Cinema chain owner Simon Werry says the film’s reception has been overwhelmingly positive.
    “Audiences are loving Tinā, and we’re seeing plenty of repeat viewings. It’s a pleasure to see a New Zealand film perform so well.”
    Ross Churchouse, owner of Lido Hamilton and Cathay Kerikeri, adds:
    “Tinā is the film we all need right now. There hasn’t been a New Zealand film that’s packed such an emotional punch-it’s a film that brings the whole audience together right to the end.”
    An inspiring, heartwarming, and humorous drama, Tinā follows the journey of Mareta Percival, a Samoan teacher struggling with grief after losing her daughter in the Christchurch earthquakes. Reluctantly taking on a substitute teaching role at an elite private school, she discovers students in desperate need of guidance, inspiration, and love.
    The film stars acclaimed Samoan actress Anapela Polataivao (Our Flag Means Death, Night Shift, The Breaker Upperers) as Mareta, alongside newcomer Antonia Robinson as Sophie. The cast also includes Beulah Koale (Hawai’i Five-0, Next Goal Wins, Bad Behaviour) and Nicole Whippy (Outrageous Fortune, Shortland Street).
    Directed, written, and produced by Miki Magasiva, Tinā was produced by Dan Higgins and Mario Gaoa. The film was made with investment from the New Zealand Film Commission, the New Zealand Screen Production Grant, and NZ On Air, with financing support from Kiwibank Limited. Madman Entertainment is distributing the film in New Zealand and Australia.

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese medical assistance team heading for Guinea

    Source: China State Council Information Office 2

    A Chinese medical assistance team left Beijing on Wednesday evening heading for the Republic of Guinea, where they will introduce advanced technologies and assist local healthcare professionals over the next 18 months.
    It is the 31st such team to be sent to this African country, and it consists of 24 members. Of these team members, 22 are from the renowned Beijing Friendship Hospital, with their expertise covering the likes of thoracic surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedics, vascular surgery, neurology, cardiology and more. The other two members are experts in public health and health policy, and are from the Beijing Municipal Health Commission and the Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control.
    The team was selected in September last year. Team members then learned French and received systematic training on the treatment of diseases common in this tropical country.
    According to Wang Bin, head of the team, they will quickly adapt to their new environment after arrival, continue to promote the establishment of a joint medical center, collaborate with both local institutions and professionals to conduct field visits and prepare samples, and promote the culture of traditional Chinese medicine, while striving to improve local medical and health conditions and standards.
    China has been sending medical teams overseas for more than six decades. The first team sent overseas went to Algeria in 1963.
    As of the end of 2023, China had dispatched over 30,000 medical personnel to 76 countries and regions across the world — providing medical services to nearly 300 million patients. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: DHL Group and IOM Forge Global Partnership to Enhance Lifesaving, Humanitarian Logistics 

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Geneva/Bonn, 26 February 2025 – DHL Group, the world’s leading logistics company, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) today announced the signing of a new global partnership agreement that will mark a milestone in DHL Group and IOM’s ongoing collective efforts to enhance humanitarian logistics and lifesaving aid projects worldwide. 

    The collaboration between DHL and IOM encompasses initiatives across various regions, with ongoing projects in Kenya, Lebanon, Sudan, and Türkiye, as well as capacity-building programs planned for Greece and Panama. The new agreement establishes a formal legal framework for that collaboration, minimizing potential hurdles and enabling seamless coordination on various projects. 

    “This partnership strengthens our commitment to humanitarian logistics, improving our capacity to coordinate and manage responses, ensuring critical aid reaches those in need,” said Mayyada Ansari, Global Head of GoHelp – Disaster Preparedness and Response. “Building on the success of the DHL GoHelp/IOM pilot project in Kenya, we aim to scale disaster preparedness and relief efforts globally, supporting communities and strengthening resilience.”

    “Our partnership with DHL exemplifies our shared dedication to supporting those in need during times of crisis,” said Catalina Devandas, IOM Director General Representative and Senior Director for Partnerships, Advocacy, and Communications. “By combining our expertise, we can enhance efficiency and expand our impact, ensuring more effective support for people in crisis. We look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead for our continued collaboration.” 

    One example of that collaboration came in 2024, when flooding in Kenya displaced thousands, and jeopardized clean water access. In response, DHL GoHelp, with its efficient coordination, ensured that 1,000 donated water filters from the US reached Kenya. These filters, essential for providing clean water, helped thousands of flood-affected individuals who lacked access to safe drinking water. Through their expertise, GoHelp coordinated the project, while their Disaster Response Team in Kenya assisted in assembling and distributing the filter kits to affected communities. This initiative underscores GoHelp’s strong commitment to humanitarian aid and their dedication to supporting disaster-affected communities. 

    DHL’s GoHelp program focuses on disaster management, providing logistics expertise and support to communities affected by natural disasters. Through GoHelp, the Group collaborates with various humanitarian organizations to improve emergency response capabilities and build resilience in vulnerable regions. 

    For more information, please contact:

    At IOM: Amber Christino, achristino@iom.int

    At DHL: Jessica Balleer, pressestelle@dhl.com

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: How Trump is weaponising the Department of Justice, and the ‘dark’ tactic he’s using to get away with it

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Stephen Harrington, Associate Professor, School of Communication, Queensland University of Technology

    It’s hard to keep track of US President Donald Trump’s many notable acts since returning to the White House. His recent pro-Russia stance on the war in Ukraine has, rightly, received a lot of attention.

    But for every big moment, there are others that fly under the radar. One such issue is the politicisation of the Department of Justice (DoJ).

    Although there is longstanding precedent that the DoJ remains politically neutral in its operations, recent events have indicated a dramatic break from that tradition.

    And, importantly, Trump has been laying the groundwork to justify this for nearly two years, using a propaganda tactic that’s been employed by authoritarian governments throughout history.

    Strategic sidelining

    The current administration has attempted to fire or sideline anyone at the DoJ who was involved with prior investigations and prosecutions of the now-president.

    This includes special counsel Jack Smith’s investigations into several aspects of Trump’s wrongdoing, which have since ended. Several lawyers have been fired, ostensibly because “the Acting Attorney-General does not trust these officials to assist in faithfully implementing the President’s agenda”.

    This action is not only vindictive, but likely designed to intimidate would-be investigators and make them think twice before further examining any wrongdoing by Trump or his associates.

    Equally noteworthy has been the department’s attempts to drop corruption charges against New York mayor Eric Adams.
    The official reason is that pursuing the charges might “interfere” with Adams’ reelection campaign.

    In reality, however, Adams has been accused of cutting a deal with the administration: he agrees to assist with Trump’s immigration crackdown in return for having the charges against him withdrawn (although not dropped entirely).

    Adams denies the existence of a quid pro quo, but he did joke about it on national television with Tom Homan, Trump’s “Border Czar”.

    So deeply problematic was all this that two US attorneys for the Southern District of New York opted to resign in protest, rather than be party to what they saw as a nakedly corrupt act.

    The whole scenario is eerily reminiscent of 1973’s “Saturday Night Massacre”, when President Richard Nixon ordered his Attorney-General Elliot Richardson to fire the special prosecutor investigating the Watergate scandal.

    Nixon eventually had his way, but not before refusals and resignations from both Richardson, and the Deputy Attorney-General William Ruckleshaus.

    But, where Nixon’s move dramatically hastened his own downfall, Trump’s actions have barely raised an eyebrow. Why?

    The propaganda play

    The answer lies in a propaganda technique known as “accusation in a mirror”, which entails accusing one’s opponents of the very wrongdoing one plans to commit.

    As one legal scholar explains, it’s:

    a rhetorical practice in which one falsely accuses one’s enemies of conducting, plotting, or desiring to commit precisely the same transgressions that one plans to commit against them.

    Accusation in a mirror has been used in the past, including in the Rwandan genocide. There, trusted voices claimed the Tutsi wanted to “exterminate” the Hutu. Tragically, it helped bring about the exact opposite circumstance.

    Similarly, in February 2022 Russian President Vladimir Putin accused the Ukrainian government of committing genocide against Russian-speaking populations in the Donbas region. This baseless accusation provided a justification for invading Ukraine, which mirrored Russia’s own indiscriminate shelling of Ukrainian civilians.

    We suggest Trump has been using this technique since he was first criminally indicted, in early 2023, on 34 felony charges related to the falsification of business records. He and his supporters have insisted the department, under President Joe Biden, was “weaponised” against him.

    Trump repeatedly claimed those charges – and subsequent indictments – were a politically motivated “witch hunt”. He reiterated these claims in his first speech to Congress.

    Many elected Republicans have also supported and amplified that narrative.

    These claims of victimhood have helped prime Trump’s base to appraise any subsequent legal scrutiny of him as purely partisan, and therefore invalid.

    In reality, the facts were straightforward. Prosecutors were sure there was enough proof to proceed with the case, including evidence Trump illegally kept classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago residence, and obstructed attempts to retrieve them.

    In a functioning legal system, nobody is “above the law”. This means even former presidents can be prosecuted if there’s enough evidence.

    Yet Trump’s accusations of a partisan DoJ completely reframed legitimate investigations into alleged political vendettas. In doing so, it effectively justified his subsequent decisions.

    A self-fulfilling prophecy

    The idea that “if they did it to me, I’m entitled to do it back” was made explicit by Trump in late 2023.

    When asked if he would use the DoJ to go after his political rivals, Trump argued he would only be levelling the playing field, stating:

    they’ve already done it, but if they want to follow through on this, yeah, it could certainly happen in reverse.

    In short, Trump’s false claim of being victimised by a politicised DoJ served as moral cover for his own politicisation of it.

    This is a textbook example of how accusation in a mirror can help manufacture the reality it pretends to condemn.

    Addressing the problem

    This tactic has long been a play by totalitarian and authoritarian leaders.

    Foundational propaganda scholars such as Hannah Arendt and Jacques Ellul highlighted how authoritarian rulers often repeat falsehoods – flipping the aggressor and victim – until the masses become desensitised, alienated and confused.

    Once enough people believe the system is already corrupt and untrustworthy, they are less likely to be shocked by an actual purge (such as firing DoJ officials).

    The implications of such tactics extend internationally, not just to the US.

    History cries out to us about the risks of this sort of public discourse. It erodes trust in institutions and liberal democratic processes, paving the road for leaders to undermine them further, corrupting the system in the name of rooting out corruption.

    Ultimately, one of the best antidotes is awareness. By exposing these tactics, we can better safeguard against disinformation, protect the rule of law and hold leaders accountable.

    Stephen Harrington receives funding from the Australian Research Council, for the Discovery Project ‘Understanding and Combatting “Dark Political Communication”‘.

    Timothy Graham receives funding from the Australian Research Council (ARC) for his Discovery Early Career Researcher Award, ‘Combatting Coordinated Inauthentic Behaviour on Social Media’. He also receives ARC funding for the Discovery Project, ‘Understanding and Combatting “Dark Political Communication”‘.

    – ref. How Trump is weaponising the Department of Justice, and the ‘dark’ tactic he’s using to get away with it – https://theconversation.com/how-trump-is-weaponising-the-department-of-justice-and-the-dark-tactic-hes-using-to-get-away-with-it-250760

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Active transport boost for Western Australia

    Source: Australian Ministers 1

    Cyclists and pedestrians across Western Australia will have more opportunities to walk, cycle and actively move through their communities thanks to support from the Albanese Government.  

    More than $15 million will be invested under the Active Transport Fund in 12 new projects across the state to build or upgrade existing bicycle and walking paths. 

    City of Canning will receive more than $1.1 million, for a new path and another upgraded path to increase active connectivity between METRONET’s Elevated Rail Project and the Canning River Regional Park through the Canning City Centre. 

    The improved facilities will benefit local students at Cannington Community College, Sevenoaks College and St Norbert College as well as people visiting Cannington Leisureplex.

    More than $4.8 million will be provide to the City of Mandurah to build the 3.9km Falcon Coastal Shared Path project stretching along the entire Falcon Coast, linking existing coastal paths in Wannanup to the south and Halls Head to the north.

    The Town of Cottesloe, on Perth’s southern beaches, will receive more than $4.1 million to widen and upgrade four kilometres of the pathway along Marine Parade between Curtin Avenue and North Street.

    Other projects receiving funding include:

    • The Shire of Cunderdin, north east of Perth, which will have more than $852,000 to design and build new footpaths along Togo Avenue, Watts Avenue, Hodgson Street and Yilgarn Avenue, about 3.25 kilometres long and 1.8 metres wide.
    • The City of Karratha, up north in the Pilbara, to receive $774,000 to build 1.3 kilometres of path linking Bathgate and Dampier Road to connect to the shopping centre.
    • The Shire of Nannup, on the south west tip of WA, will have more than $611,000 to build two 2.5-metre-wide shared paths, separated by Vasse Highway, known as the Southern Bridges Shared Path.

    Safe and accessible active transport options promote net zero-emissions travel, social connection and healthy choices, making our cities and regions more vibrant.

    This program supports the government’s commitment to invest in infrastructure planning, design and construction that improves safety outcomes for vulnerable road users under the National Road and Safety Strategy 2021-2030.

    For more information visit Active Transport Fund | Infrastructure Investment Program.  

    Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

    “Whether you’re on a motor scooter, pushing a pram, walking or cycling, we’re making it easier for people to get to school, work or local services, without having to jump in the car. 

    “This is about so much more than bike lanes and footpaths, it’s about reshaping our cities and regional centres, connecting our everyday places, and making our towns better to live in and easier to visit.”

    Quotes attributable to Member for Perth Patrick Gorman: 

    “I love cycling and my kids love their scooters. I am proud to be part of an Albanese Government that is making our communities healthier and more liveable. 

    “There are so many benefits that come from people traveling by using physical activity.

    “Perth is an active city, and I welcome this national investment in our local our communities.”

    Quotes attributable to Member for Swan Zaneta Mascarenhas: 

    “By linking METRONET’s with the Canning River Regional Park, we’re creating a safe and convenient pathway for walking, cycling, and enjoying our local environment.

    “This $1.1 million investment is about making it easier for our community to stay active and connected. It will be safer for kids getting to school, for commuters, and people accessing Cannington Leisureplex.” 

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nigerian Citizen Admits Guilt in Bank Fraud and Money Laundering Conspiracies Causing More Than $1.7 Million in Losses

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    David Daniyan Admits Supervising Conspiracies Led by Nigerian Citizen Oluwaseun Adekoya

    ALBANY, NEW YORK – David Daniyan, a/k/a “Bamikole Laniyan,” a/k/a “David Enfield,” a/k/a “Africa,” age 60, of Brooklyn, New York, pled guilty today in connection with his role in bank fraud and money laundering conspiracies led by Oluwaseun Adekoya, age 39, also a Nigerian citizen, of Cliffside Park, New Jersey.  Acting United States Attorney Daniel Hanlon and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

    Daniyan pled guilty today to conspiracy to commit bank fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and aggravated identity theft. Daniyan admitted that, working with Adekoya, he obtained the personal identifying information of people residing all over the United States and recruited lower-level conspirators to impersonate those people using fake driver’s licenses to fraudulently obtain cash, checks, and loans at their financial institutions and obtain merchandise using credit at retailers including Saks Fifth Avenue.  Daniyan also admitted to conspiring with Adekoya and others to launder the proceeds of their bank fraud by, among other things, using fraudulently obtained funds to purchase additional fake driver’s licenses and depositing fraudulently obtained checks into accounts in the names of identity-theft victims that were controlled by coconspirators.  Daniyan admitted that the bank fraud conspiracy netted over $1.7 million in fraud proceeds, and was perpetrated in the Northern District of New York and all over the country. 

    According to documents previously filed in the case, Daniyan, a citizen of Nigeria, has been living in the United States without authorization under numerous aliases since at least the 1990s when he was first investigated, charged, and convicted in another federal district under the stolen identity of a U.S. citizen. 

    The following defendants are charged as follows in the superseding indictment: 

    • Adekoya is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy, and nine counts of aggravated identity theft;
    • Kani Bassie, age 36, of Brooklyn, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and two counts of aggravated identity theft;
    • Davon Hunter, age 27, of Richmond, Virginia, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft;
    • Jermon Brooks, age 20, of Richmond, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft;
    • Christian Quivers, age 20, of Richmond, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft; and
    • Crystal Kurschner, age 44, of Brooklyn, is charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

    As to these defendants, the charges in the superseding indictment are merely accusations. These remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

    The prosecution is the result of an ongoing investigation led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI-Albany, which began after the May 2022 arrest of Daniyan, Gaysha Kennedy, age 46, of Brooklyn, and Victor Barriera, age 64, of the Bronx, New York, by the Cohoes Police Department after the trio traveled to the Capital Region to commit bank fraud. 

    Adekoya, Daniyan, Kennedy, and Barriera were originally indicted, along with coconspirators Jerjuan Joyner, age 50, of Brooklyn, Akeem Balogun, age 56, of Brooklyn, Danielle Cappetti, age 46, of the Bronx, and Lesley Lucchese, age 53, of Brooklyn, in connection with the conspiracy in an indictment returned in December 2023. 

    Sherry Ozmore, Kennedy, Barriera, Joyner, Balogun, Cappetti, and Lucchese have pled guilty to bank fraud conspiracy.

    At sentencing on July 10, 2025, Daniyan faces a maximum term of 30 years in prison for the bank fraud conspiracy, 20 years in prison for the money laundering conspiracy, and a mandatory consecutive term of 2 years in prison for his conviction of aggravated identity theft; as well as an order of restitution of at least $1,776,705.43 and a term of supervised release of up to 5 years.  Daniyan also agreed to forfeit nearly $100,000 in proceeds of the bank fraud conspiracy seized by federal authorities. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statutes the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.

    Following his term of imprisonment, Daniyan will be placed into immigration removal proceedings.

    FBI Albany is investigating the case, with assistance from the FBI Field Offices in New York, Newark, Richmond and Resident Agencies in Westchester, New York; Brooklyn/Queens, New York; Garrett Mountain, New Jersey; and Fort Walton Beach, Florida.  Additional assistance was provided by other law enforcement agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement – Enforcement & Removal Operations (New York Field Office & Albany sub-office); U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service (Buffalo Field Office & St. Albans Resident Office); U.S. Social Security Administration – Office of the Inspector General; New York law enforcement agencies including the New York State Police; Cohoes PD; Colonie PD; Elmira PD; Corning PD; Plattsburgh PD; Florida law enforcement agencies including the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; the Pennsylvania State Police; Alabama law enforcement agencies including the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, Gasden PD, and Rainbow City PD; Georgia law enforcement agencies including the Georgia State Patrol, Bartow County Sheriff’s Office, and Morrow PD; Kansas law enforcement agencies including Lawrence PD and Overland Park PD; New Hampshire law enforcement agencies including Rochester PD, Manchester PD, and Amherst PD; the Delaware State Police; Maryland law enforcement agencies including the Maryland State Police, Harford County Sheriff’s Office and Baltimore County Sheriff’s Office; Wisconsin law enforcement agencies including Onalaska PD and Eau Claire PD; and Indiana law enforcement agencies including the Allen County Sheriff’s Office.

    Assistant United States Attorneys Benjamin S. Clark and Joshua R. Rosenthal are prosecuting this case.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Development – OPEC Fund supports Burkina Faso’s cotton industry with €26 million trade finance facility

    Source: OPEC Fund for International Development (OPEC Fund)

    March 5, 2025: The OPEC Fund for International Development (OPEC Fund) is providing €26 million to support Burkina Faso’s strategic cotton sector. The financing is part of a €100 million trade finance facility arranged by the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC). It will enable Société Burkinabè des Fibres Textiles (SOFITEX), the country’s largest cotton company and a key player in the sector, to purchase seasonal seed cotton from local farmers at harvest point, ensuring timely payments and financial stability for smallholder farmers.

    OPEC Fund President Abdulhamid Alkhalifa said: “The OPEC Fund is proud of its commitment to Burkina Faso’s cotton industry, a key economic driver that sustains millions of livelihoods. By enabling the timely purchase of cotton from smallholder farmers, this financing not only supports rural communities, but also promotes economic resilience and strengthens Burkina Faso’s position in global cotton markets.”

    Cotton is the backbone of Burkina Faso’s rural economy, generating 5 percent of GDP and providing income for millions. As Africa’s third-largest producer the country exports the vast majority of its cotton, making it a key driver of foreign exchange earnings and economic growth. The sector supports livelihoods from smallholder farmers to workers across the supply chain. Often referred to as “white gold,” cotton remains essential to Burkina Faso’s economic resilience and rural development.

    The OPEC Fund has a long-standing partnership with SOFITEX dating back to 2009. Since the inception of this partnership, the OPEC Fund has approved 11 operations to support cotton export financing for a combined net amount of US$373 million.

    The OPEC Fund’s recent financing is aligned with the institution’s commitment to sustainable economic growth and trade finance in Africa. Over four decades the OPEC Fund has supported Burkina Faso’s economic development, financing projects in agriculture, energy, and infrastructure with over US$800 million financing across public and private sector loans and trade finance.

    About the OPEC Fund

    The OPEC Fund for International Development (the OPEC Fund) is the only globally mandated development institution that provides financing from member countries to non-member countries exclusively.

    The organization works in cooperation with developing country partners and the international development community to stimulate economic growth and social progress in low- and middle-income countries around the world.

    The OPEC Fund was established in 1976 with a distinct purpose: to drive development, strengthen communities and empower people. Our work is people-centered, focusing on financing projects that meet essential needs, such as food, energy, infrastructure, employment (particularly relating to MSMEs), clean water and sanitation, healthcare and education.

    To date, the OPEC Fund has committed more than US$29 billion to development projects in over 125 countries with an estimated total project cost of more than US$200 billion. The OPEC Fund is rated AA+/Outlook Stable by Fitch and AA+, Outlook Stable by S&P. Our vision is a world where sustainable development is a reality for all.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Energy – United Kingdom (UK) Looks to Deepen Energy Trade, Investment Ties with Africa

    SOURCE: African Energy Chamber

    Through new trade agreements, energy investments and development initiatives, the UK’s role in shaping the continent’s energy future will be a key focus at African Energy Week 2025 and within the G20 agenda

    CAPE TOWN, South Africa, March 5, 2025/ — Trade relations between the UK and Africa are gaining momentum. Last month, UK Minister for Trade Policy and Economic Security Douglas Alexander visited South Africa and Botswana to strengthen trade ties and create opportunities for businesses on both sides. The UK aims to expand trade and investment across the continent, fostering mutually beneficial growth by addressing trade barriers, facilitating exports and supporting trade-focused development programs. With South Africa as the UK’s largest trading partner in Africa and set to assume the G20 Presidency, this marks an important moment for deepening economic collaboration.

    This builds on the UK’s 2019 Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the Southern African Customs Union member states – Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa – and Mozambique. This agreement eliminates tariffs and quotas on all goods imported from these countries into the UK, facilitating smoother trade relations and economic cooperation. The EPA aims to bolster economic ties and create a conducive environment for investments, including in the energy sector.

    The UK is expanding its engagement across Africa, including in West and North Africa. In February 2024, it signed the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) with Nigeria – the first such agreement with an African nation – marking a significant milestone. The partnership builds on a trade relationship valued at £7 billion in the year leading up to September 2023. The ETIP focuses on key sectors such as financial and legal services, fostering economic growth and attracting investment across industries, including energy.

    Globeleq, a UK government-backed independent power producer, has been instrumental in advancing gas-powered energy projects across Africa. Alongside its 153 MW Red Sands project in South Africa – set to become the continent’s largest standalone battery energy storage system – the company recently acquired a stake in a solar plant at Egypt’s Benban Solar Complex and secured $99 million in debt financing for Mozambique’s first wind project. Supported by shareholders such as British International Investment and Norfund, Globeleq continues to invest in upgrading existing assets and developing new utility-scale power projects, strengthening Africa’s energy infrastructure.

    In the oil and gas sector, bp achieved first gas from the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim LNG project offshore Senegal and Mauritania at the start of this year, marking a major step in boosting regional energy production and supply. Shell is advancing its $5 billion Bonga North deepwater project in Nigeria and, alongside bp, has agreed to cover operational costs for the buyer of South Africa’s Sapref refinery – a move that could revitalize the country’s largest refinery and secure oil supply. Meanwhile, Harbour Energy, one of the UK’s largest independent oil and gas companies, is looking to expand into African markets following its acquisition of concessions in Egypt’s Nile Delta and the Mediterranean Sea.

    The UK is also a major investor in Africa’s clean energy sector and a key partner in the Mission 300 initiative to expand electricity access to 300 million people by 2030. Last month, British International Investment (BII) committed £5.3 million to UK cleantech firm MOPO to scale battery rental operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where over 80% of the population lacks electricity. In December 2024, BII and GuarantCo announced a $500 million renewable power deal with South Africa’s Etana Energy, providing $100 million in guarantees to support the country’s largest energy wheeling framework and unlock new projects. Beyond direct investments, the UK government continues to provide funding and technical assistance for energy infrastructure projects across Africa, aiming to improve energy reliability and efficiency, drive economic growth, and enhance the quality of life for local communities.

    As a G20 member, the UK plays a pivotal role in shaping global energy investment strategies, with Africa positioned as a key partner in its trade and energy agenda. The UK’s investments in oil and gas, renewables and energy infrastructure align with broader G20 goals of energy security, sustainability and economic growth.

    “These initiatives not only strengthen the UK’s economic ties with Africa, but also support the continent’s transition to cleaner, more reliable energy. With African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 set to convene global stakeholders, the UK’s role in advancing energy partnerships will be in focus, offering a platform to drive further investment, policy collaboration, and infrastructure development across Africa’s energy landscape,” says Johnson Kayode Obembe, Director of Sales and Partnerships, African Energy Week.

    AEW: Invest in African Energies is the platform of choice for project operators, financiers, technology providers and government, and has emerged as the official place to sign deals in African energy. Visit www.AECWeek.com for more information about this exciting event.

    MIL OSI – Submitted News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: Weakening currents in the Atlantic may mean a wetter northern Australia and drier New Zealand

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Himadri Saini, Research Associate at Climate Change Research Centre, UNSW Sydney

    Deborah Wallace Tasmanian/Shutterstock

    Europe is warmed by heat from ocean currents, which move water from the warm tropics to the colder North Atlantic. Once the warm, salty water from the tropics reach the polar region, they cool enough to sink to the depths and flow back towards the Southern Ocean.

    This enormous system of currents is known as the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Climate scientists are increasingly worried about the AMOC, which appears to be slowing down.

    While there’s still debate over whether the AMOC has weakened over the last decades, climate models consistently show the AMOC will significantly weaken over the coming century due to the increase in heat-trapping atmospheric greenhouse gases. As more heat stays in the system, the ocean heats up and ice melts, adding fresh water to polar oceans. The overall effect is to slow these currents. The AMOC could weaken 30% by 2060.

    A weaker AMOC would mean big changes in Europe, which benefits directly from the warmer waters it brings. But it would also change the climate in the Southern Hemisphere. Our new research shows a weakening of the AMOC would lead to a large change in rainfall patterns, leading to wetter summers in northern Australia and a drier New Zealand year-round. Indonesia and northern Papua New Guinea would also become drier.

    Running AMOC?

    In the Earth’s long history, the AMOC has gone through many periods of weakening. These were most common during ice ages, when glaciers expanded, but they also occurred during periods as warm as today.

    To reconstruct past climates, researchers use data from ice cores, marine sediment cores and speleothems (mineral deposits in caves such as flowstone and stalagmites), as well as simulations performed with climate models. These data show a weaker AMOC strongly affected the climate in the Northern Hemisphere. When flows of warmer water faltered, sea ice expanded in the North Atlantic, while Europe endured colder, drier conditions and the northern tropics became drier.

    If the AMOC weakens significantly, it will mean major change for Northern Hemisphere nations. Average temperatures could actually drop 3°C in Western Europe.

    At present, the AMOC’s flows of warmer water give European nations more pleasant climates and keeps ports ice free, while the Canadian side of the North Atlantic has a much more severe climate.

    What does it mean for the Southern Hemisphere?

    Data from ice cores and marine sediment cores also showed Antarctica and the Southern Ocean became warmer during these past AMOC weakening events. Until now, we haven’t understood what an AMOC weakening would mean for rainfall in the Australasian region.

    To find out, we ran climate model simulations with the Australian Earth system model, ACCESS-ESM1.5. Our modelling reveals a complex and regionally varied response, primarily shaped by large-scale atmospheric changes.

    As the AMOC weakens, it sets off a chain reaction in the oceans and atmosphere which alter rainfall and temperatures across Australasia.

    A weaker AMOC would affect ocean temperatures, cooling surface waters in the northern hemisphere and warming waters in the southern hemisphere. This would push the Intertropical Convergence Zone – a belt of heavy rain near the equator – further south.

    This means areas such as northern Papua New Guinea and Indonesia will get less rain, while northern Australia will cop wetter summers.

    Next, a warmer south equatorial Atlantic triggers atmospheric waves – large-scale movements of air that travel across the globe. These waves lower air pressure over northern Australia, pulling in more moisture and making summer rainfall even heavier.

    At the same time, a weaker AMOC disrupts the usual tropical Pacific and Indian Ocean dynamics, altering wind patterns and pressure systems in the Southern Hemisphere. High pressure systems shift southward, affecting storm tracks. The overall effect is fewer storms reaching southern Australia and New Zealand, leading to drier winters.

    Last, as the Atlantic currents peter out, heat builds up in Southern Hemisphere oceans rather than being carried to the poles. This results in hotter summers, particularly in southern Australia and New Zealand.

    Deluges and droughts

    It’s likely we will see these important currents weaken this century, bringing major change to both hemispheres.

    Those in Australia and New Zealand are likely to see a magnification of some existing climate shifts, such as a drier south and wetter north.

    Policymakers and resource managers need to prepare for a future where water becomes an increasingly uncertain resource.

    In the north, more rain over summer could mean a greater reliance on water storage and flood mitigation. In the south, drier conditions may force increased water use efficiency and drought planning.

    In New Zealand, a year-round drying trend could challenge farm productivity and hydropower generation. Long-term water management will be critical.

    What happens in the North Atlantic doesn’t stay there. It ripples through the atmosphere and oceans, with far-reaching consequences.

    Himadri Saini receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    Laurie Menviel receives funding from the Australian Research Council.

    – ref. Weakening currents in the Atlantic may mean a wetter northern Australia and drier New Zealand – https://theconversation.com/weakening-currents-in-the-atlantic-may-mean-a-wetter-northern-australia-and-drier-new-zealand-248679

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fort Hall Man Sentenced to 5 Years for Robbery at Knifepoint

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    POCATELLO – Malik Marin Ish, 23, of Fort Hall, was sentenced to 5 years in prison for robbery, Acting U.S. Attorney Justin Whatcott announced today.  Chief U.S. District Court Judge David C. Nye sentenced Ish on March 3, 2025, to 54.5 months in federal prison in addition to the 8.5 months of tribal jail time, which Ish served leading up to his sentencing.

    According to court records, on February 19, 2024, Ish approached a man getting gasoline in his Jeep Cherokee at a gas station in Fort Hall and demanded the man’s vehicle at knifepoint.  The man and Ish struggled for a time and Ish tried to stab him.  Ish took the Jeep and crashed it a short distance away.  Fort Hall Police officers located Ish later that day and recognized Ish as the robbery suspect, based on the unique red clothing he was wearing.  Police officers also obtained video surveillance from the gas station, which showed Ish as the robber.

    Chief Judge Nye also ordered Ish to serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.  Ish pleaded guilty to the charge in December 2024.  Ish will also concurrently serve 21 months for a supervised release violation from an earlier conviction.

    Acting U.S. Attorney Whatcott thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Fort Hall Police Department for their joint investigation in this case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Haycock prosecuted this case.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE removes human rights violator, sex offender to Rwanda

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    WASHINGTON – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement successfully removed Napolean Ahmed Mbonyunkiza, a 56-year-old Rwandan convicted sex offender and human rights violator, to his home country, March 4.

    Ahmed Mbonyunkiza was charged in 2010 with sexual abuse in the third degree, neglect of a dependent person, and dependent adult abuse in the United States. He was released on bond but fled prior to the completion of his criminal court proceedings.

    ICE paroled Ahmed Mbonyunkiza into the U.S. in 2013 to face justice for his crimes. ICE’s Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center uncovered during the investigation his ties to the Mouvement Republicain National pour la Democratie et le Developpement, a political party affiliated with the notorious Interahamwe militia which played a significant role in the Rwandan genocide.

    Ahmed Mbonyunkiza pled guilty in 2014 to all charges and was sentenced to a maximum of 30 years in prison. He ultimately served 10 years before being taken into ICE custody in January 2024, at which time he was placed into removal proceedings.

    An immigration judge from the Justice Department’s Executive Office for Immigration Review ordered his removal to Rwanda on April 15, 2024. ICE successfully executed the removal, turning the criminal alien over to Rwandan authorities without incident.

    The Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center is led by ICE and leverages the expertise of criminal investigators, attorneys, historians, intelligence analysts and federal partners to provide a whole of government approach to prevent the U.S. from becoming a safe haven for individuals who commit war crimes, genocide, torture and other human rights abuses around the globe. Currently, ICE has more than 180 active investigations into suspected human rights violators and is pursuing more than 1,945 leads and removals cases involving suspected human rights violators from 95 different countries. The center has issued more than 79,000 lookouts since 2003, for potential perpetrators of human rights abuses and stopped over 390 human rights violators and war crimes suspects from entering the U.S.

    Individuals can report suspicious criminal activity to the ICE Tip Line 24 hours a day, seven days a week by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE or (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form. Highly trained specialists take reports from both the public and law enforcement agencies on more than 400 laws enforced by ICE.

    Learn more about ICE mission to remove human rights violators from your community on X @ICEgov.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: ICE Chicago removes Sierra Leonean convicted of visa fraud

    Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    ST. LOUIS – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement completed the removal of Prince Solomon Knox, 62, a Sierra Leonean national, to his home country March 1. Knox was arrested by ICE in St. Louis Feb. 4; he has previous convictions for visa fraud and domestic assault after lying about his prior affiliation with armed terrorist groups.

    Knox entered the U.S. at Chicago O’Hare International Airport April 14, 2004, and came to the attention of ICE in 2006 through an investigation involving allegations of fraud by ineligible combatants or imposter refugees to participate in the refugee resettlement program. The investigation revealed witnesses who provided testimony about involvement with multiple combatant groups in Western Africa, including the Revolutionary United Front, a group that made extensive use of child soldiers while committing acts such as amputating the hands, arms, and legs of tens of thousands of Sierra Leoneans using machetes.

    “Foreign nationals, from any country, cannot be allowed to abuse the visa system and migrate to the U.S. fraudulently,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Chicago Field Office Director Sam Olson. “This is an example of someone not only attempting to escape responsibility in their home country, but also depriving those in the global community of the opportunity to seek desperately needed relief.”

    The investigation resulted in a federal grand jury indicting Knox on two counts of visa fraud and two counts of false statements, and ICE arrested him Dec. 21, 2006. Knox was convicted June 20, 2007, by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and sentenced to twelve months incarceration.

    An immigration judge ordered Knox removed June 6, 2008, while in custody, and he was later placed under an order of supervision pending removal.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: World News in Brief: Guterres convenes Cyprus summit, violence continues in southern Lebanon, UN aid hub in Chad expands

    Source: United Nations 2

    Humanitarian Aid

    The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday announced a fresh bid to end the decades-long division of Cyprus through informal talks scheduled to take place over two days from 17 March.

    UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists at the regular daily briefing in New York that the leaders of both the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot communities would join UN chief António Guterres along with guarantors Greece, Türkiye and the United Kingdom, at the UN in Geneva.

    The Mediterranean island was divided between north and south in 1974 after years of hostilities. The UN has led negotiations towards a settlement, with the Security Council authorising a peacekeeping force in 1964, UNFICYP.

    In the absence of a lasting agreement, the force remains on the island to supervise ceasefire lines, a buffer zone and to support humanitarian activities.

    Previous talks

    Mr. Guterres attempted to bring the two sides together in 2017 at the Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana but talks ultimately broke down. A further push was made in 2021.

    The meeting later this month will take place “in the context of the Secretary-General’s good offices’ efforts on the Cyprus issue,” in in line with his commitment to continue efforts made last October. 

    “The informal meeting will provide an opportunity for a meaningful discussion on the way forward on the Cyprus issue,” Mr Dujarric said.

    “The United Nations remains committed to supporting the Cypriot leaders and all Cypriots.”

    Lebanon: Fighting continues in peacekeepers’ area of operations

    The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported more gunfire in their area of operations on Wednesday, as well as sporadic military activity by Israeli forces, the UN Spokesperson said on Wednesday.

    As of now, the Lebanese army have deployed to more than 100 locations in southern Lebanon – between the Litani River and the ‘Blue Line’ of separation between the two countries – with the support of UN peacekeepers.

    Unexploded ordnance

    The latest conflict has left south Lebanon, especially areas close to the Blue Line, heavily littered with unexploded ordnances, “posing very serious risks to civilians”.

    The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) deminers continue to assist Lebanese authorities in finding and destroying these explosive remnants. 

    “Our peacekeepers have continued to discover caches of unauthorised weapons and ammunitions, including yesterday, a number of them in our Sector West, and all of them were duly reported to the Lebanese Armed Forces,” Mr. Dujarric explained.

    Between 21 October 2024 and 26 February, 44 unexploded ordnances and six improvised explosive devices were discovered and destroyed.

    Humanitarian work continues

    At the same time, UNIFIL continues to facilitate humanitarian missions in their areas of operation, with over 60 missions having taken place since the cessation of hostilities, facilitating the return of displaced people.

    Separately, the mission reports that 31 arrests have been made in connection with the attack on 14 February on a convoy near the Beirut airport. 

    Mr. Dujarric emphasised the importance that “those responsible for that attack are brought to justice”, with the attack targeting the then Deputy Force Commander of UNIFIL and a number of his companions.

    IOM expands humanitarian hub in Chad to aid 220,000 amid Sudan crisis

    The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the International Humanitarian Partnership (IHP) have completed the expansion of a key aid hub in Chad, in a move that will enable aid teams to reach up to 220,000 more in need.

    The expanded operational capacity at the hub in Farchana will strengthen cross-border interagency humanitarian operations for Sudan – the world’s worst displacement crisis. 

    Since April 2023, more than 11.5 million people have been displaced within Sudan and an additional 3.5 million have fled across borders, including an estimated 930,000 who have crossed from Sudan into Chad.

    Nine million in need across Darfur

    According to recent figures, nearly nine million people in the Darfur region alone require immediate assistance.

    “With the strengthened cross-border operations, IOM has already reached over 82,000 people in Darfur with critical humanitarian aid, and with the expansion of the Farchana hub, we are poised to provide life-saving assistance to an additional 220,000 people in the coming months,” explained Pascal Reyntjens, IOM Chief of Mission in Chad.

    “The hub also enables greater collaboration between humanitarian actors, development agencies and the government, which is essential for a comprehensive and sustainable response,” he continued.

    The expansion includes office space, living quarters and other infrastructure that will help improve the effectiveness of aid work in hard-to-reach field locations in Sudan.

    These enhancements will also enable international and national NGOs and UN agencies to further scale up cross-border operations from Chad into Darfur, where humanitarian needs are rapidly escalating.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Staff Completes Visit to Mozambique

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

    MAPUTO, Mozambique, March 5, 2025/APO Group/ —

    • IMF staff and the Mozambican authorities have discussed performance and policies underpinning the Fifth and Sixth Reviews of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. Discussions were fruitful and will continue virtually in the coming weeks.

    An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team, led by Mr. Pablo Lopez Murphy, conducted discussions from February 19 to March 4, 2025, with the Mozambican authorities on policies underpinning the Fifth and Sixth Reviews under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF)-supported arrangement.  

    At the end of the IMF team’s visit, Mr. Lopez Murphy issued the following statement:

    “The IMF team has held constructive discussions with the Mozambican authorities on the fiscal, financial, and structural policies needed to support the completion of the Fifth and Sixth Reviews of the ECF arrangement.

    “Economic activity contracted sharply in the last quarter of 2024, reflecting the impact of social unrest. Real GDP declined -4.9 percent (yoy) in 2024Q4 from growth of 3.7 percent (yoy) in 2024Q3. Overall growth in 2024 was 1.9 percent. For 2025, growth is projected to recover to 3.0 percent as social conditions normalize and economic activity picks up, especially in services.

    “Preliminary estimates suggest that there were significant fiscal slippages in 2024 that are in part explained by the slowdown in economic activity during the last quarter. Fiscal consolidation in 2025 is necessary to secure fiscal and debt sustainability and preserve macroeconomic stability. Wage bill spending overruns continue crowding out important spending priorities including social transfers and infrastructure. Rationalizing wage bill spending and reducing tax exemptions should underpin fiscal consolidation, social spending should be prioritized, and debt management could be further strengthened to avoid arrears.

    “Inflation pressures picked up but remain controlled. The Bank of Mozambique initiated a loosening cycle in January 2024, cutting the policy rate by 500bps so far (to 12.25 percent). The central bank also reduced reserve requirements on local currency deposits, from about 39 to 29 percent, in late January 2025. Despite supply-chain disruptions and higher food prices related to social unrest, inflation remained below the implicit target of 5 percent.

    “The IMF staff team met with President Daniel Chapo, Prime Minister Maria Levy, Minister of Finance Carla Loveira, Governor of the Bank of Mozambique Rogério Zandamela, and other senior officials. The mission also met with representatives of civil society, political parties, development partners, and the private sector.

    “The team wishes to thank the Mozambican authorities for their excellent cooperation and for the frank and constructive dialogue during the mission. Discussions related to the program reviews will continue in the coming weeks.”

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Ninedee Gang Member Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison for Murder of Former Federal Witness

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Brooklyn Street Gang Plotted Retaliatory Murder of Shatavia Walls at the Pink Houses

    Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Quintin Green, also known as “Wild Child,” was sentenced by United States District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall to 35 years’ imprisonment for the murder of former federal witness Shatavia Walls in July 2020.  Green, a member of the Ninedee Gang, a violent criminal enterprise operating out of the Louis H. Pink Houses in East New York, pleaded guilty in April 2024 to causing Walls’ death through use of firearms.  Green also pleaded guilty to attempted Hobbs Act robbery for attempting to steal televisions from a Target store in Staten Island in November 2020 and was sentenced to a concurrent term of five years in prison.

    John J. Durham, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Leslie R. Backschies, Acting Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI) and Jessica S. Tisch, Commissioner, New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentence.

    “The calculated murder of Shatavia Walls by members and associates of the Ninedee Gang arose from a twisted desire to murder her in retaliation for her federal testimony and perceived disrespect of the gang,” stated United States Attorney Durham.  “Quintin Green shot an unarmed woman in cold blood to make a name for himself in the gang, but he should be called out for what he truly is, a cowardly killer.  He deservedly will spend decades in a federal prison.  I commend the FBI special agents, the NYPD detectives and the prosecutors in my Office who worked tirelessly to dismantle this gang, achieve justice for Ms. Walls and make the Pink Houses and the surrounding area in East New York a safer place for the law-abiding residents of that community.”

    “Along with other Ninedee members, Quintin Green targeted and callously killed Shatavia Walls and then bragged across social media about his abhorrent crimes in an effort to bolster the gang’s dangerous reputation,” stated FBI Acting Assistant Director in Charge Backschies.  “This premeditated ambush was an unjust retributive attack against a former government witness trying to protect her community from further gang violence. May today’s sentencing reflect the FBI’s continued refusal to tolerate any attempts to intimidate those who speak out against gang violence.”

    “Today, we are bringing a cold-blooded murderer to justice,” stated NYPD Commissioner Tisch.  “Quintin Green and the Ninedee Gang terrorized their neighborhood, put children in danger, and viciously killed an unarmed woman. Let this serve as a clear message that we will go after violent gangs that break the law and cause widespread harm and fear. I thank the NYPD detectives and the prosecutors in this case for their tireless work to hold these perpetrators accountable.”

    As set forth in [the government’s sentencing memorandum and other court filings], Green and other members of the Ninedee Gang targeted Walls for murder because she testified against a Ninedee Gang member in federal court in Brooklyn in 2019, had a confrontation with Ninedee Gang members who were setting fireworks off near children on July 4, 2020 and her affiliation with the rival “7” and “8” Pink House apartment buildings.  For those reasons, she was considered by the gang to be a high-value target. The defendant became known as “Wild Child” due to his reputation for violence and, in order to earn status in the gang, boasted about his willingness to shoot rivals.  He was one of two shooters who gunned Walls down on July 7, 2020.

    Further, as proven at the trial of Green’s co-defendant, Ninedee Gang leader Maliek Miller, Ninedee Gang members were affiliated with the “5” and “6” Pink Houses apartment buildings and engaged in ongoing gang-related violence within and outside of the New York City Housing Authority complex.  Ninedee Gang protected its turf through violence and sought to silence anyone who they perceived to be working with law enforcement. 

    The murder of Walls was coordinated by Ninedee Gang members, including Green.  Prior to her court testimony, fliers had been posted around the Pink Houses stating, “Shatavia Been a Rat And She Still Ratting.” 

    On July 4, 2020, Walls and others were involved in a physical altercation with members of Ninedee for lighting fireworks around young children.  Miller went to the scene of the altercation, called Walls a “snitch,” fought with her and fired a gunshot.  Following the altercation, Miller planned with other Ninedee Gang members, including Green, to kill Walls.

    On July 7, 2020, Walls was spotted by Green and his co-defendant Joe Santana.  Green and Santana began shooting at her.  Green then chased Walls down a path at the Pink Houses, continuing to shoot her. Walls suffered numerous gunshot wounds and died of her injuries 10 days later. 

    Co-defendant Shakur Bey destroyed the clothing that Green and Santana wore during the shooting by throwing the items down an incinerator chute. Co-defendant Kevin Wint, who was not present at the murder, rented a hotel room at a Best Western Hotel near John F. Kennedy International Airport to provide a place where Green and others could hide out overnight.  In the days after the murder, Green and Wint posted to social media claiming credit to the Ninedee Gang for the killing.   

    Miller was convicted in June 2024 of murder in-aid of racketeering and faces a mandatory term of life in prison when he is sentenced.  Santana and Fernandez pleaded guilty to their roles in the murder. Santana was sentenced to 22 years in prison and Fernandez is awaiting sentencing.  Wint pleaded guilty in March 2023 and was sentenced to 110 months’ imprisonment. Bey pleaded guilty in December 2023 and was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment.  Ninedee leader Raquel Dunton is charged with acting as an accessory after-the-fact to Walls’ murder and obstruction of justice for assisting fellow gang members in concealing evidence of the crime.  Dunton is also charged with trafficking cocaine and is awaiting trial.

    In addition to the murder, Green pleaded guilty to attempting to commit a November 3, 2020 robbery of a Staten Island Target store. Green attempted to steal two flat- screen televisions and was stopped by a security guard. Green punched the security guard causing her to fall and attempted to flee with one of the two televisions. He was arrested by police after fleeing the scene.

    The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Organized Crime and Gang Section.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Emily J. Dean, Margi Schierberl and Irisa Chen are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Elizabeth Reed and Intelligence Analysts Eungee Hwang and Ashley Hinkson.

    The Defendant:

    QUINTIN GREEN (also known as “Wild Child”)
    Age: 24
    Brooklyn, New York

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-331 (LDH)

    Defendant Convicted at Trial:

    MALIEK MILLER
    Age: 31
    Brooklyn, New York

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-331 (LDH)

    Defendants Who Previously Pleaded Guilty:

    JOE SANTANA (also known as “Baby Joe”)
    Age: 20
    Brooklyn, New York

    CHAYANNE FERNANDEZ (also known as “White Boy”)
    Age: 24
    Brooklyn, New York

    KEVIN WINT (also known as “Kev G”)
    Age: 31
    Brooklyn, New York

    SHAKUR BEY (also known as “Speedy”)
    Age: 27
    Brooklyn, New York

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 20-CR-331 (LDH)

    Defendant Awaiting Trial:

    RAQUEL DUNTON (also known as “Rah”)
    Age: 38
    Brooklyn, New York

    E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-344 (LDH)

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Experts of the Human Rights Committee Commend Montenegro’s Measures Preventing Violence against Women, Raise Issues Concerning Corruption and Historic Human Rights Violations

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Human Rights Committee today concluded its consideration of the second periodic report of Montenegro on how it implements the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.  Committee Experts commended the State for its measures preventing violence against women, while raising issues concerning historic human rights violations committed during the armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia and corruption.

    One Committee Expert said the State Party had made notable progress in addressing violence against women, including adopting the Protocol on Prevention and Treatment in Cases of Domestic Violence and the National Plan for the Implementation of the Istanbul Convention.  What measures were in place to ensure that legal reforms translated into effective enforcement and that penalties reflected the severity of the crimes?

    Regarding serious human rights violations committed during the armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia, one Committee Expert expressed concern that impunity seemed to persist in many aspects.  There was increased negationist discourse, including denial of the Srebrenica genocide. Could the State party shed light on the fight against denialist discourse?  What measures were being taken to speed up investigations and prosecutions?

    Another Expert said that in Montenegro, corruption was perceived as an aspect of great concern for citizens.  What concrete measures had been put in place to ensure that cases of corruption by high-level officials resulted in appropriate convictions and penalties?

    Introducing the report, Bojan Božović, Minister of Justice of Montenegro and head of the delegation, said implementing the Covenant’s standards was of great importance to Montenegro, which was now striving for membership in the community of developed European democracies.

    Regarding violence against women, the delegation said that, in 2023, in addition to legal amendments, a mandatory instruction was adopted mandating all prosecutors to act proactively in cases of domestic violence and to apply the Istanbul Convention. Some 622 final judgements had been enacted on domestic violence cases in 2024, with the majority being convictions.

    Mr. Božović said Montenegro had placed the prevention and suppression of corruption at the top of the policy and law enforcement agenda.  In 2024, shortcomings identified in previous law enforcement practices were eliminated.  There were also plans to adopt new legal amendments to enable the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption to have direct access to public officials’ accounts. Through the adoption of the Law on Lobbying, the State aimed to prevent undue influence in legislative processes.

    Regarding historic human rights violations, the delegation said the most senior members of Government made efforts to memorialise the day of the Srebrenica genocide. Inappropriate statements would be sanctioned when made during elections.  There had also been a resolution adopted in Parliament on the genocide in Srebrenica.  There would no longer be impunity for war crimes in Montenegro and proactive action had been taken in this regard, the delegation said.  Cases which had been finalised would be reopened and thoroughly examined.  The strategy to combat war crimes was adopted in June 2024, which had resulted in four cases previously considered to be finalised being reopened.

    In concluding remarks, Blagoje Gledović, Director General of the Directorate for the International Cooperation and International Legal Aid, Ministry of Justice of Montenegro, and alternative head of the delegation, said that over the reporting period, the State party had undertaken several reforms to promote civil and political rights and to meet the requirements for accession to the European Union.  Montenegro remained committed to the implementation of the Covenant through national legislation and all other available measures.

    Changrok Soh, Committee Chairperson, said in concluding remarks that the dialogue had covered a wide range of topics related to the implementation of the Covenant by the State party, highlighting the progress made and challenges faced.  The Committee was committed to fulfilling its mandate to ensure the highest standard of implementation of the Covenant in Montenegro.

    The delegation of Montenegro was made up of representatives of the Ministry of Justice; the Ministry of Human and Minority Rights; the Ministry of the Interior; the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office; the Supreme Court; the Police Directorate; the Parliament of Montenegro; and the Permanent Mission of Montenegro to the United Nations Office at Geneva.

    The Human Rights Committee’s one hundred and forty-third session is being held from 3 to 28 March 2025. All the documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage.  Meeting summary releases can be found here.  The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage.

    The Committee will next meet in public at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, 5 March, to begin its consideration of the second periodic report of Burkina Faso (CCPR/C/BFA/2).

    Report

    The Committee has before it the second periodic report of Montenegro (CCPR/C/MNE/2).

    Presentation of Report

    BOJAN BOŽOVIĆ, Minister of Justice of Montenegro and head of the delegation, said implementing the Covenant’s standards was of great importance to Montenegro as a relatively young United Nations member but an old European state, now striving for membership in the community of developed European democracies.

    Montenegro had placed the prevention and suppression of corruption at the top of the policy and law enforcement agenda.  In 2024, through amendments to the Law on the Prevention of Corruption, the work of the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption was enhanced, and shortcomings identified in previous law enforcement practices were eliminated.  The State had continued to strengthen the anti-corruption framework in 2025, with plans to adopt new amendments to the law that would enable the Agency for the Prevention of Corruption to have direct access to public officials’ accounts. Through the adoption of the Law on Lobbying, the State aimed to prevent undue influence in legislative processes, increase institutional transparency, and increase the number of certified lobbyists registered in the official registry.

    Amendments to the Law on the Judicial Council and Judges were adopted in 2024, improving provisions related to the functioning of the Judicial Council, the system of ethical and disciplinary responsibility for judges and their evaluation.  Amendments to the Law on the State Prosecutor’s Office had also been enacted to enhance the autonomy, accountability, and efficiency of the Office and the Prosecutorial Council. In May 2024, the Government of Montenegro adopted the Judicial Reform Strategy 2024- 2027, accompanied by an action plan.  Efforts were also being made to ensure the judiciary’s efficiency and sustainability through the Judicial Network Rationalisation Plan, which provided for the reorganisation of Montenegro’s court network. 

    Regarding domestic violence, Montenegro had largely harmonised its domestic legislation with international standards, with a goal of zero tolerance and maximum protection for vulnerable groups.  The law amending the Law on Legal Aid, enacted in December 2024, guaranteed the right to legal aid for victims of torture, sexual offences, and children initiating proceedings to protect their rights.  The Law on Protection from Domestic Violence would be aligned with the Istanbul Convention, refining the definition of violence and granting victims individual rights.

    In the fight against human trafficking, amendments to the Criminal Code introduced abduction as one of the methods of committing the offence, as well as a non-punishment clause for victims.  For the first time, child trafficking was established as a distinct criminal offence. Montenegro had developed a comprehensive system covering the entire process of trafficking, from victim identification to full integration or reintegration into society.  This system was reinforced by strong and effective cooperation between competent State authorities and civil society organizations and steered by the Strategy for Combating Human Trafficking 2019–2024. Since its adoption, six annual action plans had been implemented.  Following evaluation of the strategy, a new Strategy for 2025–2028 was currently being drafted alongside an action plan.

    In 2023, Montenegro amended its Criminal Code to make the prosecution and execution of sentences for the criminal offence of torture no longer subject to any statute of limitations.  Sentencing guidelines had been tightened, particularly for offences committed by officials.  Additionally, activities had been carried out to improve accommodation capacities, living conditions, and the infrastructure of prison institutions.

    The implementation of the National Strategy for Gender Equality 2021-2025 and its accompanying action plans was progressing successfully, with a focus on promoting gender equality, strengthening the legal framework for gender policies, and preventing discrimination based on sex and gender.  The Ministry of Justice had significantly reinforced criminal law protections for journalists by introducing stricter penalties for attacks on journalists and other media workers.

    In 2024, the Ministry of Justice adopted key amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code, allowing for the unimpeded use of evidence gathered within the framework of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals in The Hague.  The Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office adopted the 2024-2027 Strategy for Investigating War Crimes, accompanied by an action plan.  As a result, new criminal cases were reopened concerning war crimes in countries such as Croatia, with the goal of delivering justice in cases linked to Montenegro.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said the Committee would like to receive more information on the various strategies mentioned in the report, as well as specific information on their implementation.  The State had launched a vast movement of reforms to strengthen human rights and the rule of law over the past ten years.  While the European Commission’s 2024 reports issued in the run-up to European Union accession were rather positive on issues including judicial independence, the fight against corruption, equality and non-discrimination, some of the reforms reportedly remained superficial, were not always coherent, and did not include civil society.  For example, there was no real human rights education and civic education was no longer compulsory.  Could information be provided on the inclusion of civil society in the reform process?  How was the second report prepared?  What measures were envisaged to strengthen the independence, impartiality and the effective and efficient functioning of the Ombudsperson?

    The issue of access to justice, truth and reparation for victims of serious human rights violations committed in the 1990s during the armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia was very complex.  The Committee took note of the information provided by the State on ongoing investigations and trials, however impunity seemed to persist in many aspects, which was concerning.  There was increased negationist discourse, including denial of the Srebrenica genocide.  The exercise of criminal justice was said to have been marked by numerous dysfunctions and obstacles, which cast doubt on the State’s willingness to establish responsibility for the commission of these war crimes and crimes against humanity.  There had been no proactive policy to establish criminal responsibility, not only for the direct perpetrators of war crimes but also for those responsible in the chain of command.  A low number of remains of disappeared people had been found and returned to their families.

    Could the State party shed light on the fight against denialist discourse and the policy of preserving memory, an important pillar of transitional justice?  What were the reasons for the persistent legal obstacles, including to the extradition to States requesting it?  What measures were being taken to strengthen the Special State Prosecutor’s Office to speed up investigations and prosecutions?  Was there any specialised training for judges in international human rights law?  What efforts were being undertaken to locate victims of enforced disappearance? Was enforced disappearance criminalised in domestic law in line with the United Nations Convention on Enforced Disappearance?

    A Committee Expert asked if the State party could provide details on the content of the training sessions organised by the Training Centre of the Judiciary, Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Human Resources Management Authority on the Covenant? How many judges, prosecutors, lawyers and parliamentarians had participated in these trainings?  Were these trainings compulsory or voluntary? Had there been specific modules focusing on the direct applicability of the Covenant in domestic law?  Could the State party provide specific examples of domestic courts directly invoking or applying the Covenant in their decisions? Were there any initiatives to raise awareness of the Covenant among the public, civil society or law enforcement officials?  How was it ensured that judges and legal practitioners actively implemented the Covenant in their professional practice?

    The Committee welcomed the State party’s efforts to establish a comprehensive reparations programme for victims of war crimes, which had led to financial compensation for nearly 200 cases up to September 2018 and more than 60 additional decisions from 2018 to 2022.  However, had the State party developed a comprehensive reparations programme that included restitution, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition?  If such a programme had been drawn up, would these measures also be offered retroactively to victims who had already received financial compensation but who had not had access to these types of measures?  Had victims been provided with legal assistance to file their claims for reparations and, if not, did the Government plan to provide such assistance?  What measures were in place to ensure legal and comprehensive support for victims and their families?  What safeguards had been put in place to ensure that such crimes did not happen again? What steps have been taken to ensure that victims of war crimes in vulnerable situations had equal access to justice and redress mechanisms?

    Another Expert said the Committee had learned that in Montenegro, corruption was perceived as an aspect of great concern for citizens.  What concrete measures had been put in place to ensure that cases of corruption by high-level officials resulted in appropriate convictions and penalties?  What measures were being implemented to strengthen the effectiveness of the Anti-Corruption Agency to ensure that it was not pressured by political influences?  In 2022 and 2023, accusations against a former President of the Supreme Court and a former President of the Commercial Court, as well as two high-ranking prosecutors, highlighted the possible penetration of organised crime into judicial structures.  The positive action that those unfortunate incidents generated attested to Montenegro’s progress in its fight against organised crime and corruption.  Was Montenegro planning to improve the mechanisms for monitoring and accountability of judges and prosecutors to avoid conflicts of interest and increase public confidence in the judiciary?  What were the real quantities recovered for corruption cases?  Did the company “13.Jul-Plantaže” pay all the compensation to which it was sentenced?  What efforts had been made to increase public education on corruption perception and prevention?

    What specific mechanisms were in place to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Law on the Prohibition of Discrimination, particularly regarding discrimination against the Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities?  What measures had been taken to ensure the long-term sustainability of the enjoyment of decent housing for these groups, and to address the factors that led to Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian children dropping out of school? What steps were being taken to ensure the inclusion of these groups in high-level political positions and structures? In Montenegro, there was an increase in hate speech directed at minorities.  Was the State aware of this phenomenon?  What measures were being implemented to prevent, control and punish it?

    Another Committee Expert asked about the strategy to improve the quality of life of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons, implemented in the periods 2013-2018 and 2019-2023.  It was alleged that there was limited implementation of this Strategy and that most of the actions were carried out by civil society.  Could more information on the strategy and its results be provided? Could the Committee have more information on the draft Law on the Legal Recognition of Gender Identity Based on Self-Determination, the approval of which was initially scheduled for the end of 2023 and then delayed until the end of 2024?

    In July 2020, the Law on Civil Unions of Persons of the Same Sex was adopted and began to be implemented in July 2021.  Since then, more than 20 civil unions had been registered.  Could the delegation comment on information that amendments to the regulations necessary for the proper implementation of the Law had not been made?  What measures had the State party taken to investigate attacks on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons and punish those responsible?  What was being done to prevent these from reoccurring?

    What had the Strategy for the Execution of Criminal Sanctions 2023-2026 achieved?  Did changes to the Criminal Code bring its definition of torture in line with that of the Convention Against Torture?  Was the Istanbul Protocol being properly applied in places of deprivation of liberty?  It had been alleged that the medical reports issued in these facilities did not properly document traces of torture or ill-treatment in the manner envisaged in the Protocol.  Why was this the case?  Was it due to a lack of staff?  Could the delegation provide updated official figures on the criminal investigations carried out and their results, including the number of officials convicted, for cases of torture and ill-treatment during the period covered by the report?

    A Committee Expert said the State Party had made notable progress in addressing violence against women, including adopting the Protocol on Prevention and Treatment in Cases of Domestic Violence and the National Plan for the Implementation of the Istanbul Convention (2023-2027), as well as amending its Criminal Code to introduce new offences such as stalking and enhanced penalties for domestic violence. Despite these advances, significant gaps in implementation remained.  Could the delegation provide updated data on the classification and prosecution of violence against women, particularly distinguishing between misdemeanours and criminal offences?  What measures were in place to ensure that legal reforms translated into effective enforcement and that penalties reflected the severity of the crimes? What reforms had been undertaken to eliminate harmful usage of confrontation techniques?

    Reports indicated that between 2020 and 2024, four out of six femicides involved victims who had previously sought help.  It was noted with satisfaction that there were plans to recognise femicide as a separate criminal offence.  What were the plans to ensure successful implementation of such a law?  While the State Party had established shelters and helplines for domestic violence victims, these services remained underfunded and insufficient.  Could the delegation provide updated figures on current shelter capacity and measures taken to ensure adequate and sustainable funding for these services? Could the delegation elaborate on plans to expand specialised services, such as psychological and legal assistance, across all regions?  Could an update be provided on the full implementation of the sex offender registry and the enforcement of post-sentence monitoring measures?  What were the main challenges in implementing the 2017-2021 Strategy on Prevention and Protection of Children from Violence and how were these challenges being addressed in the 2025-2029 Strategy? What legislative and policy measures were in place to combat online grooming and digital exploitation of children? How was it ensured that child victims of violence received adequate support?

    Responses by the Delegation 

    The delegation said upon the initiative of the non-governmental organisation Human Rights Action, a new criminal offence of enforced disappearance had been introduced and would be recognised as an offence in the Criminal Code.  The Law on the Prevention of Corruption was being amended, and two-thirds of recommendations from the civil sector had been accepted in this regard.  In Montenegro, there had been three Federal Governments over the past three years, which had led to a large number of decisions enacted in a short period of time.  There had been no intention to leave the civil and non-governmental organisation sector aside.  It was common that the most senior members of Government made efforts to memorialise the day of the Srebrenica genocide.  Sometimes, there were inappropriate statements made. However, it was hoped there would be less of these situations in the future and such statements would be sanctioned when made during elections.  There had also been a resolution adopted in Parliament on the genocide in Srebrenica.

    There would no longer be impunity for war crimes in Montenegro and proactive action had been taken in this regard.  Cases which had been finalised would be reopened, and thoroughly examined.  The strategy to combat war crimes was adopted in June 2024, which had resulted in four cases previously considered to be finalised being reopened.  In addition to this, the Special Case Prosecutor Service would look into other cases which had ended in a final judgement.  The Criminal Procedure Code was amended in June 2024, which had resulted in the inditement of a person for acts against humanity.  Two criminal cases were currently before the courts for alleged war crimes committed on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina. These cases were treated as a priority and were given special consideration by judges.  All victims of war crimes and their families were guaranteed access to justice and reparations.  Concrete examples could be provided of cases where courts had already awarded damages.

    In 2024, meetings had been held with the Chief Prosecutor in The Hague, and an initiative had been implemented to ensure training for Montenegro’s judges and prosecutors, based on the practices of The Hague.  Montenegro had signed the Ljubljana Hague Convention on war crimes last year.

    In 2023, the Criminal Code was amended to define the actions which constituted the criminal offence of domestic violence, as well as those who could receive safeguards under the law.  Sanctions for this offence were also increased and verbal threats were criminalised. A mandatory instruction was also adopted, mandating all prosecutors to act proactively in cases of domestic violence and to apply the Istanbul Convention.  A coordinator had been appointed at the level of the Supreme State Prosecutor and across local offices, providing periodic reporting and ensuring the speedy administration of justice.  Some 622 final judgements had been enacted on domestic violence cases in 2024, with the majority being convictions.

    There had been 364 applications for legal aid last year, and 318 of those cases were granted. A campaign had been developed to increase awareness of the availability of legal aid for all victims of domestic violence.  There were also information bulletins on trafficking in human beings available in five languages at legal aid clinics.

    Femicide was a serious, complex and tragic occurrence which needed to be tackled through various sectors.  Monitoring this criminal offence was a key challenge for Montenegro institutions. Special focus was devoted to victims, survivors and surviving family members.  In one case of femicide, the offender had been sentenced to 40 years imprisonment.

    The Judicial Council recently appointed ten judges of the High Court, which was a positive step forward.  The procedure was now simplified for recruiting new officers in the Anti-Corruption Agency.  There were now sixteen prosecutors in the Special Prosecutor’s Office, compared to six a few years ago.  The Centre for Training of Judges and Prosecutors tailored their training programmes annually.  Through the legislation harmonised with the Covenant, Montenegro aimed to implement the top international standards, including those enshrined within the Covenant.

    The Ministry of Human and Minority Rights focused on the protection of vulnerable groups, and the prevention of discrimination and inequality.  There was now a new strategy in place until 2028, focusing on the legislative framework.  This year, two million euros had been allocated for achieving non-governmental organisations’ projects.  During the last Pride event, the organisers had commended the Ministry for its contribution.  The Ministry was currently working on four important laws which addressed discrimination against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community, defined hate speech, and the forms of punishable behaviour, among other elements.

    Official political representatives and the public shared the view that forced sterilisation and removal of reproductive organs was an inhumane practice which the State needed to do away with. A law had been developed in this regard, which would be enacted in the first quarter of 2025.

    Work was being done to harmonise laws regarding the judiciary and healthcare.  The new law on protecting human rights and freedoms would ensure the Ombudsman would receive “A” status and be in line with the Paris Principles.  There had been imprisonment terms of between four to six months for those who committed attacks against transgender people.  In most cases, courts primarily referred to the European Convention of Human Rights, thereby invoking relevant international standards.  There had also been references to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.  International treaties had supremacy over domestic legislation. 

    Pride events took place in Montenegro’s capital each year.  Last year, the event was held the day before an important local election. In the past, this could have been seen as an opportunity to radicalise the environment, however the event was held in complete peace.  It was hoped this would continue, and that the Pride Festival could be an event of freedom.

    There was zero tolerance for any form of torture and any officer reported was promptly investigated. In 2024, there were 21 cases against 38 police officers, with four resulting in convictions.

    Follow-Up Questions by Committee Experts

    An Expert asked about changes that the State party had observed regarding perceptions of stereotypes. The Committee was pleased that there were awareness campaigns and education initiatives around child marriages, but it was not clear if there had been a documented fall in child marriage. There had been legislative changes for the participation of women; had they given rise to the political participation of women in senior positions or in the Parliament?  When would the next parliamentary elections be held?  Would the State seek to ensure female representation was achieved?  What had been done to monitor and prevent selective abortion practices?

    A Committee Expert said the bill of law on gender determination could be adopted this year. When would it enter into force? Could more information on the restrictions in the bill be provided?  The medical reports issued in detention centres did not faithfully report on allegations of torture following instructions contained in the Istanbul Protocol.  Could the delegation elaborate on this?

    Another Committee Expert asked whether a national mechanism responsible for enacting the recommendations of United Nations treaty bodies existed in Montenegro.

    A Committee Expert asked what was being done to strengthen the institution of the Ombudsperson.

    Another Expert asked if more information could be provided on measures to combat violence against children.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said there were many politicians who believed that there needed to be a mandatory quota of 50 per cent of women represented in politics.  This was now in the stage of negotiations.  Women were the most active within the judiciary and the State was proud of this.  There were 169 female judges within the Montenegro judiciary, accounting for 64 per cent of all judges.  An association had been established to promote the role of women in the judiciary.

    The Supreme Court had supported analysis of the data, politics and practices in the fight against the exploitation of children.  One of the recommendations of this analysis was for the Supreme Court to adopt guidelines on assessing the trust environment, which would be implemented in all cases of violence against children, including cases of online violence. Courts avoided secondary victimisation of children.  Montenegro foresaw implementation of the Barnahus model, with the support of the United Nations Children’s Fund and the European Union. 

    Parliament made efforts to raise awareness on gender equality issues and to introduce its own gender equality mechanisms.

    ### Day 2

    In 2024, the Government adopted a strategy for the protection of children against violence for 2025 to 2029, promoting a zero tolerance of violence against children. The State party planned to implement recommendations from the Global Status Report on Violence Against Children, and United Nations mechanisms under the strategy, which also aimed to improve the legislative framework and change conservative societal norms that denied children rights.

    The national mechanism for the prevention of torture monitored torture at all levels, including in places of detention.  The State party had accepted Universal Periodic Review recommendations and had established a body for their implementation.

    There were restrictions within the law on self-determination of gender identity, but these were necessary to protect the rights of families.  The law was applicable to Montenegro nationals only and had been well-received by members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex community.

    The State party had mechanisms to prevent the misuse and abuse of laws on child marriage. There were exceptions allowing for child marriage, but several conditions needed to be fulfilled for such marriages to be permitted.  In all other cases, child marriage was criminalised.

    The mechanism for the protection of privacy rights in the health sector protected the privacy of patients.  The Government could not access certain information on health cards, such as information on surgeries and abortions.  The Government carried out awareness raising campaigns aiming to stop the practice of selective abortions.

    New legislation was being developed that aimed to bring the Office of the Ombudsman in line with the Paris Principles.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert said a deinstitutionalisation strategy had been adopted to tackle overcrowding in psychiatric hospitals. Had the Government devoted sufficient resources to the strategy, and did it promote community care?  Detention facilities in police stations reportedly lacked natural light and did not have open-air spaces.  What measures were planned to address this situation?

    One of the judges of the Constitutional Court had reportedly been forced to resign due to a decision that was allegedly not in line with the Constitution.  Was the independence of judges guaranteed by law?  How did the State party prevent interference in the judiciary?  There was a lack of hearing chambers and judicial staff, contributing to a backlog in cases.  What measures were in place to address the backlog?  Did the 2024 changes made to the law on the council of the judiciary help judges with their work?  There were currently two Presidents of first instance courts who were on their third mandates, contrary to the law limiting tenures to two mandates. Why was this?  What measures were in place to raise awareness about the availability of free legal aid?

    Another Committee Expert welcomed the evaluation of the strategy for tackling trafficking in persons and the current strategy and national action plan.  Some improvements had been made in trafficking policies, but significant gaps reportedly remained, including in relation to the identification of victims. The anti-trafficking unit was severely under-resourced and the labour inspection unit lacked the capacity to identify labour exploitation effectively.  What measures would the State party take to strengthen the capacities of these units to better identify victims?  There was only one shelter for women victims of trafficking and none for men. Psychosocial assistance for victims was limited and no victims had received financial compensation.  What measures had the State party taken to separate child and adult victims in shelters, and to fund reintegration programmes for victims?

    The Committee welcomed training initiatives on data protection and privacy rights, but public awareness of privacy issues remained low.  What measures were in place to improve awareness and training for State officials on privacy issues?  How many privacy complaints had been investigated?  Were there plans to develop a data protection law?  One State official had been indicted for ordering the surveillance of 15 members of civil society.  The National Security Agency could access private data without court authorisation.  Were there plans to introduce judicial authorisation for such access?  What measures would the State party take to increase data protections and introduce remedies for victims of unauthorised data access?

    There had been 92 attacks against journalists between 2021 and 2024, a 200 per cent increase from the previous period.  What steps had been taken to enhance the safety of journalists, ensure accountability and prevent future attacks? What work was done by the commission monitoring attacks on journalists?  Recent legal amendments had strengthened protections for journalists, but strategic lawsuits against public participation remained a major concern. How would concerns related to these lawsuits be addressed?  Had the State party consulted with civil society concerning amendments to media regulations?

    A Committee Expert noted laws and other measures implemented to protect the rights of asylum seekers and refugees, which seemed to be in line with European Union laws and policies.  However, there were reports of increasing pushbacks at the border, deportation to unsafe countries and ill-treatment and detention of asylum seekers at the border for up to 28 days.  How was the State party preventing refoulement and protecting asylum seekers’ rights at the border?  Why were persons undergoing legal procedures related to statelessness not eligible for free legal aid?  Reported restrictions on access to healthcare and other State services for stateless persons were worrying.  The Committee welcomed that the State party had provided more than 16,000 Ukrainian refugees with temporary protection, but there were reports of Ukrainian children living in precarious circumstances and not being able to access State services. Could the delegation comment on these issues?

    The environment for non-governmental organizations was reportedly hostile, with some persons who criticised members of the Government or denounced corruption reportedly subjected to reprisals.  There was discourse related to a proposed “foreign agent law”, which would infringe freedom of expression.  Would such a law be implemented?  What measures were in place to protect whistleblowers?

    One Committee Expert welcomed the efforts of the State party to revise its law on access to information in line with international standards.  How did the law promote inclusion and accountability?  There was reportedly a growing trend in classifying public information as restricted.  What measures were in place to prevent the abuse of legislation on restricted information? What independent monitoring bodies could individuals appeal to regarding the restriction of information?

    What measures had the State party taken to ensure that the implementation of legislation on religious practices promoted freedom of religion?  Were the views of religious communities on these laws taken into account?  What measures were in place to punish hate speech, particularly Islamophobic hate speech?  What mechanisms existed to ensure transparency in the moderation of disputes between religious communities, and to protect the rights of minority religious communities?

    A Committee Expert noted progress in the appointment of the Anti-Corruption Agency, which had released reports related to the financing of electoral campaigns.  In the most recent election, regulations aiming to prevent corruption had reportedly not required candidates to record personal expenditure or spending on online advertising.  The Agency had issued 46 proposals to improve measures for the prevention of corruption. How did the State party ensure that these reforms were effectively implemented?  There had been accusations of vote buying; had these been investigated and the perpetrators punished?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said a strategy for the enforcement of criminal sanctions was in place to prevent acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and to promote the resocialisation of detainees.  Reforms had been developed to prevent the abuse of prisoners, in line with the recommendations of the European Court of Human Rights.  Construction had started on a special unit at a psychiatric hospital to resolve the issue of overcrowding.  The necessary resources would be devoted to ensuring the proper functioning of this unit.

    In 2023, based on the recommendations of the United Nations Subcommittee for the Prevention of Torture, the State party had approved measures to record the activities of police officers and the transfer of detainees, and to improve facilities for detainees in police stations. The deadline for implementing these was 2026.

    The Government had adopted a judicial reform strategy in 2024, which aimed to strengthen independence, accountability, transparency and trust in the judiciary.  Comprehensive legal reforms undertaken in 2024 had aligned the State’s judicial legislation with that of the European Union.  The Justice Minister was a member of the Judicial Council, but only had limited powers; he did not participate in matters concerning the election, discipline and dismissal of judges and could not be the Chair of the Council.  The participation of the Minister in this body did not affect the independence of the judiciary.  Future amendments to the Constitution would remove the Justice Minister from the Judicial Council.  When appointing Presidents of Courts, the Judicial Council took due care to assess whether the candidate had formerly been a President.  Recent reforms called for the work of Supreme Court judges to be evaluated every five years.  Restrictions were placed on the roles that judges could play when they were subject to disciplinary proceedings.  A working group had been set up to regulate the employment rights of judges, including their wages.  There were plans to increase the salaries of judges to ensure their independence.

    The Supreme Court had taken several actions to reduce the backlog of cases and to speed up proceedings.  There had been an increase in cases related to access to information; one individual had lodged 11,000 such cases.  The State party had streamlined proceedings related to the assessment of access to information cases.

    An amendment to the law on free legal aid was adopted in 2024.  It provided for free legal aid for vulnerable persons and persons who lodged claims in specified fields, including domestic violence and child protection.  The Government was implementing training to increase the number of legal aid practitioners, who needed to have specialised knowledge.  An awareness raising campaign on free legal aid had been implemented, targeting victims of domestic violence.  It had led to an increase in applications for legal aid.

    The Government was implementing several measures to combat trafficking in persons.  It had amended the Criminal Code to strengthen its response to trafficking. Abduction had been defined as a means of committing trafficking, and penalties for harming children and the sale of children had been increased.  In 2024, the Supreme State Prosecutor’s Office implemented measures to improve the identification of trafficking victims, including through information exchanges with neighbouring countries.  There had been an increase in the number of criminal offences of trafficking prosecuted in 2024.  Some 14 charges were issued against 25 individuals in 2024 for crimes of trafficking for the purposes of forced labour and sexual exploitation.

    The Ministry of Interior had undertaken several activities to strengthen the capacities of police officers and social and healthcare workers, to identify and support trafficking victims.  The system for the protection of victims of trafficking had been improved, thanks to the establishment of a State-funded shelter for women victims of trafficking in 2024.  Another shelter specifically prepared to house children was also operational; it had facilities for children with disabilities.

    Courts had made progress in prosecuting trafficking cases. Imprisonment terms of at least 15 years had recently been issued for two persons found guilty of trafficking, and other persons had received shorter prison terms for trafficking offences. When Montenegro entered the European Union, a law on compensation for victims of trafficking would enter into force. Guidelines had been issued to judges on compensation for victims.

    The Government strongly denied any allegations of violations of the rights of asylum seekers.  Border officials had received training on identifying trafficking victims.  A new law on the international protection of foreign nationals had been adopted in 2018, to increase the protection of their rights and the efficiency of the asylum process.  This law was fully aligned with relevant European Union Directives.  It ensured that decisions on asylum cases were reached within six months.

    A draft law on data protection had been prepared and was currently being assessed.  There were safeguards in place for the protection of personal data, including the personal data protection agency, which was mandated to regulate the processing of personal data by Government bodies.  The law on the National Security Agency required records to be kept of officers who had accessed personal data.  An amendment to the law had been approved by the Parliamentary Committee, which could visit the Agency and conduct checks on its practices.  The new law aimed to increase the transparency of the Agency’s activities.  Three charges had been lodged against the former Director of the Agency and another officer regarding unauthorised surveillance.  These cases were currently pending.

    The Government was promoting freedom of expression and strengthening legislation to protect journalists from attacks.  A commission dedicated to monitoring attacks against journalists had been set up and was operational.  It published reports and held regular meetings with officials on protection measures.  The law on the national public broadcaster was amended in 2024 to prevent undue political interference in its activities and in the election of its members, in line with the recommendations of the Venice Commission.  Prosecution teams had been set up to investigate the murders of three journalists.

    The Parliament organised public hearings and debates on proposed legislation, including the draft law on free access to information.  The Government would prioritise adoption of this law, which would promote transparency in access to information.

    Judges’ terms ceased when they reached statutory retirement age.  The Constitutional Court had failed to inform the Parliament that one of its judges had reached retirement age; the Parliament had issued a statement informing the Court of this fact.  The judge in question had filed a complaint with the Constitutional Court regarding her removal from the Court, but this had been rejected.

    The law on freedom of religious belief was amended in 2021; religious communities were not involved in this process, though they had been involved in drafting of the initial law.  The restitution of property to religious communities would be addressed in a forthcoming law.  Montenegro was committed to promoting the rights of religious communities.

    Follow-Up Questions by Committee Experts

    Committee Experts asked follow-up questions on the State’s response to reports of excessive use of force at the borders and an increase in pushbacks; the availability of legal aid for asylum seekers; how Montenegro prevented third-party actors from influencing political processes; reasons for delays in prosecuting hate crimes; measures to address the low representation of women in political bodies; plans to address the Supreme Court’s case backlog; measures to prevent delayed responses to requests for information; and steps taken to open inquiries into religious hate speech and to punish these acts.

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the State had not received any allegations of pushbacks at the border.  All individuals who entered the territory of Montenegro had the right to request international protection.  The law on international protection guaranteed legal aid for all asylum seekers, which was provided through a non-governmental organization, financed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.  Legal aid was also guaranteed by law for victims of trafficking, domestic violence and sexual offences.  The State party was developing case management mechanisms to address the Supreme Court’s case backlog.

    One deputy prime minister needed to be of an underrepresented gender.  A women’s club was in place, as well as a quota system, for the management boards of public companies.

    Criticism of public officials was permitted, as long as it did not constitute hate speech.  A law was being drafted that would implement sanctions for hate speech. The Government sought to lift the immunity of one mayor who had discriminated against a religious group in public speeches, so that he could be prosecuted.

    A committee had been set up to develop amendments to legislation on elections and campaign financing.  Its work had been delayed, but it was due to develop this legislation by the end of this year.  Its membership had also been expanded.

    The fourth strategy on deinstitutionalisation was adopted in December 2024, along with its action plan.  Funding was provided for social care under the strategy, which envisaged licencing and training of social service providers, and setting norms and standards for social work.

    Complaints of hate speech against religious communities were handled by the Ombudsperson’s Office.  The State party was currently negotiating agreements with several religious communities.

    Although public statements related to laws on foreign agents had been made, no draft laws on foreign agents had been submitted to Parliament.  The State party promoted freedom of expression.

    Closing Statements

    BLAGOJE GLEDOVIĆ, Director General of the Directorate for the International Cooperation and International Legal Aid, Ministry of Justice of Montenegro, and alternative head of the delegation, said the exchange with the Committee had been lively and exhaustive.  Over the reporting period, the State party had undertaken several reforms to promote civil and political rights and to meet the requirements for accession to the European Union.  Significant efforts had been made by public servants and civil society to achieve Montenegro’s membership of the Union.  Montenegro remained committed to the implementation of the Covenant through national legislation and all other available measures.  The State party looked forward to receiving the Committee’s recommendations, which it would carefully consider and strive to implement.

    CHANGROK SOH, Committee Chairperson, thanked the delegation for engaging in dialogue with the Committee.  Discussions had covered a wide range of topics related to the implementation of the Covenant by the State party, highlighting the progress made and challenges faced.  The Committee was committed to fulfilling its mandate to ensure the highest standard of implementation of the Covenant in Montenegro.  Mr. Soh thanked all persons who had contributed to the dialogue.

     

    Produced by the United Nations Information Service in Geneva for use of the media; 
    not an official record. English and French versions of our releases are different as they are the product of two separate coverage teams that work independently.

     

     

    CCPR25.002E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Nigerian Man Extradited to the United States to Face Computer Intrusion and Theft Charges

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Defendant allegedly conspired to use stolen taxpayer information to file over 1,000 fraudulent tax returns seeking millions of dollars in tax refunds

    BOSTON – A Nigerian national living in Mexico has been extradited to the United States for his role in a scheme to break into Massachusetts tax preparation firms’ computer networks and to file fraudulent tax returns.

    Matthew A. Akande, 36, was arrested in October 2024 at Heathrow Airport in the United Kingdom at the request of the United States and extradited to the United States on March 5, 2025. He appeared in federal court in Boston today. Akande was indicted by a federal grand jury in July 2022 with one count of conspiracy to obtain unauthorized access to protected computers in furtherance of fraud and to commit theft of government money and money laundering; one count of wire fraud; four counts of unauthorized access to protected computers in furtherance of fraud; 13 counts of theft of government money; and 14 counts of aggravated identity theft.

    Co-conspirator, Kehinde H. Oyetunji, 33, a Nigerian national living in North Dakota, pleaded guilty in December 2022 to one count of conspiracy to obtain unauthorized access to protected computers in furtherance of fraud and to commit theft of government money and money laundering. Oyetunji’s sentencing hearing has not yet been scheduled by the Court.

    Between in or about June 2016 and June 2021, Akande, Oyetunji and others are alleged to have worked together to steal money from the United States government using taxpayers’ personally identifiable information (PII) to file fraudulent tax returns in the taxpayers’ names. In addition, between in or about February 2020, the scheme involved stealing taxpayers’ PII from Massachusetts tax preparation firms via phishing attacks and computer intrusions.

    To carry out the scheme, Akande is alleged to have caused fraudulent phishing emails to be sent to five Massachusetts tax preparation firms. The emails purported to be from a prospective client seeking the tax preparation firms’ services but in truth were used to trick the firms into downloading remote access trojan malicious software (RAT malware), including malware known as Warzone RAT. Akande allegedly used the RAT malware to obtain the PII and prior year tax information of the tax preparation firms’ clients, which Akande then used to cause fraudulent tax returns to be filed seeking refunds. The tax returns directed that the fraudulent tax refunds be deposited in bank accounts allegedly opened by Oyetunji and others. Once the refunds were issued, Oyetunji and others withdrew the stolen money in cash in the United States and then transferred a portion to third parties in Mexico, allegedly at Akande’s direction, while keeping a portion for themselves. In total, Akande and his coconspirators are alleged to have filed more than 1,000 fraudulent tax returns seeking over $8.1 million in fraudulent tax refunds over approximately five years. They are alleged to have successfully obtained over $1.3 million in fraudulent tax refunds.

    Federal authorities encourage all businesses that suspect they have been the target and/or victim of a cyberattack to file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. Taxpayers and tax preparation firms that suspect they have been the target and/or victim of a phishing attack can also forward phishing email(s) to phishing@irs.gov.

    The charge of conspiracy provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of wire fraud provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of unauthorized access to protected computers in furtherance of fraud provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of theft of government money provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. The charge of aggravated identity theft provides for a mandatory sentence of two years in prison to be served consecutive to any other sentence imposed, one year of supervised release and a fine of $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss, whichever is greater. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

    United States Attorney Leah B. Foley; Jodi Cohen, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division; and Thomas Demeo, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigations in Boston made the announcement. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs coordinated with authorities in the United Kingdom to secure the extradition of Akande. Assistant U.S. Attorney David M. Holcomb of the Securities, Financial & Cyber Fraud Unit is prosecuting the case.

    The details contained in the charging documents are allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Consistently high levels of corruption in Greece – E-000817/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-000817/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Emmanouil Fragkos (ECR)

    According to Transparency International, Greece continues to rank 59th out of 180 countries in terms of its corruption perception, with its score stable compared to last year (49 points out of 100), putting it on a par with Namibia and Slovakia. Unfortunately, Greeks feel let down by by rigged public tenders/competitions, monopolies and the sense that, without connections, applications are not processed in a fair manner. The results of the 2024 Eurobarometer survey showed that 54 % of respondents believe that corruption is the reason they were unsuccessful in a public tender/competition. It should be noted that corruption is a key cause of brain drain and Greece is among the highest-ranking countries for anxiety and depression Europe-wide. The states with the lowest corruption perception among citizens are Denmark with 90 points and Finland with 88 points.

    In view of the above, can the Commission answer the following:

    • 1.What action plan does it intend to follow in order to put pressure on the Government to improve the fight against corruption, since it does not seem to be a priority?
    • 2.In its structured bilateral dialogue on the rule of law with the Government, will it examine the timeline for and the deployment of the necessary human and financial resources to ensure the proper implementation of the Code of Criminal Procedure?
    • 3.How is it currently monitoring corruption in Greece?

    Submitted: 23.2.2025

    Last updated: 5 March 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Syrians’ hopes for a better future depend on justice for the disappeared, Human Rights Council hears

    Source: United Nations 2

    Human Rights

    The people of Syria’s painful search for a peaceful future took centre stage at the UN on Wednesday as one leading representative of the families of the country’s forcibly disappeared spoke of the continuing pain of not knowing their fate.

    Yasmen Almashan, a founding member of the Caesar Families Association, lost five of her six brothers between 2012 and 2014 during the early years of the Syrian civil war.

    Today, Ms. Almashan advocates for the truth about what happened to Syria’s more than 130,000 missing persons. This quest would be greatly helped by the creation of a national transitional justice policy for Syria, by the country’s caretaker authorities, she told the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

    “Participation of victims is key for transition justice programmes to succeed and reinforce a culture of human rights in countries which suffer from dictatorships, or which go through transition periods,” she said.

    “The victims can facilitate contacts between parts of society and assure an environment of peace and justice in Syria,” she insisted.

    A decade ago, the Assad regime refused to allow an exhibition of photos from the infamous Caesar Files to go ahead on the sidelines of the Human Rights Council, which featured graphic images smuggled out of Syria of prisoners who had been tortured.  

    Ms. Almashan has previously explained how her second brother was arrested in March 2012 and then tortured in a detention centre. He was identified in the Caesar Files – named after a former Syrian military photographer codenamed Caesar.

    It was in part thanks to the Syrian NGO’s persistent lobbying that the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 77/301 in June 2023, establishing the Independent Institution for the Missing in Syria and ensuring victim participation in its work.

    Addressing past atrocities 

    Spearheading renewed calls for transitional justice, UN human rights chief Volker Türk welcomed efforts by Member States to address past atrocities to benefit future generations.

    In Guatemala, victim-driven coalitions have secured the conviction of 31 military and paramilitary personnel for crimes against humanity and genocide.

    The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also stressed the importance of an inclusive approach to transitional justice which should be victim-centered, inclusive, gender-responsive and innovative.

    Reminding the Council that 2024 saw the highest number of active conflicts since the Second World War, Mr. Türk also welcomed Colombia’s efforts to resolve animosity between parties formerly involved in the country’s decades-long civil war. Measures include offering psychosocial support for victims, addressing land distribution problems, promoting rural development and restoring indigenous territories’ ecosystems.

    In Kenya, survivors of sexual violence can advocate for justice through a national network for reparations, the High Commissioner added, while in Chad, victims last year received reparations thanks to the perseverance of civil society groups.

    UN Human Rights Council /Marie Bambi

    Sofija Todorović, Programme Director, Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR), Serbia, address the Human Rights Council meeting on transitional justice.

    Empowering young people

    Echoing that message, Sofija Todorovic, Programme Director of Serbian NGO Youth Initiative for Human Rights, insisted that young people should not be left out of conversations about building a more just future for their countries.

    “It is our duty to stand behind them. We must equip them with the tools and opportunities to create the future they deserve. The rest, they will do themselves,” Ms. Todorovic said.

    Genocide prevention calls

    Also at the Council on Wednesday, UN human rights deputy chief Nada Al-Nashif warned Member States that international law principles protecting humanity from atrocities were under threat. 

    “We are living through dangerous times as deep divisions and extreme views feed both conflict and violence” in several regions of the world, Ms. Al-Nashif said.  

    Genocide is preceded by “clear patterns of discrimination of exclusion and incitement to hatred based on race, ethnicity, religion or other characteristics,” she said.

    Strained global norms

    “The global norms that protect us all, starting with the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, are under unprecedented strain,” she continued, stressing that the UN was set up in the aftermath of the Holocaust to avoid another genocide.

    Arms sales and transfers, the provision of military, logistical or financial support to parties to conflicts violating international law are “obvious examples” of indicators that states may be contributing to such crimes, she stressed.

    “Genocide happens when humanity’s moral compass fails, when hateful ideologies proliferate, and when the dehumanization of an entire group of people is allowed to take root and to spread,” Ms. Al-Nashif said.  

    “Together, let’s move towards a world in which genocide, and other atrocity crimes are inconceivable. Or if all else fails, then they are punished.” 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN report reveals brutal attacks targeting Muslims, refugees in Central African Republic

    Source: United Nations 2

    Human Rights

    A UN report released on Wednesday has uncovered a pattern of grave human rights violations committed by armed groups in southeast Central African Republic (CAR), targeting Muslim communities and Sudanese refugees.

    Investigations by the UN human rights office (OHCHR) and the UN peacekeeping mission in the country, MINUSCA, found evidence of summary executions, sexual violence and torture.

    Other violations included cruel and degrading treatment, forced labour, and looting of homes and shops.

    Decades of instability

    CAR has been plagued by decades of instability and communal violence along religious and ethnic lines. UN assessments suggest that one in five people are displaced internally or outside the country’s borders due to the conflict.

    The fighting has also taken a terrible toll on vital infrastructure, including schools and hospitals.

    The civil war in Sudan and tensions in southern Chad, have led to an influx of refugees, asylum seekers and returnees to already overwhelmed areas of CAR. 

    Climate of terror

    The report detailed two waves of attacks in the Mbomou and Haut-Mbomou prefectures, in October 2024 and January 2025, in which at least 24 people were killed, including victims who had been summarily executed.

    The attacks were directed and coordinated by elements of Wagner Ti Azandé (WTA), an armed group with ties to the national army. WTA originally belonged to another armed group called Azandé Ani Kpi Gbé (Azanikpigbe), whose members were also involved in the attacks.

    In early October, both groups attacked the towns of Dembia and Rafaï, in the Mbomou prefecture, mainly targeting the Fulani pastoral community and other Muslims, as well as a camp for Sudanese refugees and asylum-seekers.

    In Dembia, WTA and Azanikpigbe fighters publicly executed a 36-year-old Fulani man, “creating a climate of terror among the population”, according to the report, while seven other Fulani men were tied up and thrown alive into the Ouara River.

    Attackers also carried out widespread sexual violence, with at least 24 victims, including 14 women and seven girls who were raped.

    On January 21, a separate attack on a Fulani camp near Mboki, in Haut-Mbomou, left at least 12 dead.

    Call for accountability

    Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, underscored the need to bring perpetrators to justice.

    “These horrible crimes must not go unpunished. Accountability is fundamental to ensuring such violations never happen again,” he said, calling for the ties between the WTA group and the national army to be clarified and for full transparency regarding the group’s actions and its lawfulness.

    “If this is not possible, the group should be disarmed.”

    According to the report, at least 14 WTA members were arrested in Mboki and Bangui after the attack on the Fulani camp near Mboki.

    Limited State presence

    The report also highlighted the limited presence of State security forces in parts of the prefectures of Mbomou and Haut-Mbomou, fuelling the climate of impunity.

    Valentine Rugwabiza, the head of MINUSCA, warned that despite continued efforts by the Government – with support from the Mission – the situation in the two regions remains deeply concerning.

    “Failure to adequately respond to these crimes would undermine the hard-earned security gains and further erode social cohesion in areas where efforts have been made with communities to defuse tensions and promote peaceful coexistence,” she said.

    MINUSCA/Hervé Serefio

    MINUSCA peacekeepers on patrol in Mbomou prefecture, southeast Central African Republic. (file)

    Response and ongoing efforts

    In response to the violence, MINUSCA has intensified efforts to protect civilians and support the restoration of State authority in the affected regions.

    Since October 2024, the Mission has deployed forces to Dembia, setting up a temporary operational base. In January, it also advocated for more Central African armed forces (FACA) troops to reinforce security.

    In addition, it facilitated a visit by the regional governor to Dembia in November, helping promote dialogue and reconciliation among the region’s communities.

    The Central African Government has also taken steps to address the violence, including arresting some WTA members. It has also announced plans to establish a Tribunal of Grande Instance in Zémio for affected communities to access justice and combat impunity.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. Justice Department Launches Investigation of University of California Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

    Source: US State of North Dakota

    The Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism announced that the Justice Department has opened a civil pattern or practice investigation into the University of California (UC) under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The investigation will assess whether UC has engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on race, religion and national origin against its professors, staff and other employees by allowing an Antisemitic hostile work environment to exist on its campuses.

    “This Department of Justice will always defend Jewish Americans, protect civil rights, and leverage our resources to eradicate institutional Antisemitism in our nation’s universities,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.

    “Our country has witnessed a disturbing rise of Antisemitism at educational institutions in California and nationwide,” said Acting Associate Attorney General and Department of Justice Chief of Staff Chad Mizelle. “The Department of Justice is committed to upholding Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and protecting Jewish Americans as we investigate this potential pattern of discrimination.”

    Leading Task Force member and Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Leo Terrell said, “Following the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attacks in Israel, there has been an outbreak of antisemitic incidents at leading institutions of higher education in America, including at my own alma mater at the UCLA campus of UC. The impact upon UC’s students has been the subject of considerable media attention and multiple federal investigations. But these campuses are also workplaces, and the Jewish faculty and staff employed there deserve a working environment free of antisemitic hostility and hate. The President, the Attorney General and this Task Force are committed to combatting antisemitism for all Jewish Americans.”

    The employment discrimination investigation will be conducted pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, and religion. Under Title VII, the Justice Department has the authority to initiate investigations against state and local government employers where it has reason to believe that a “pattern or practice” of employment discrimination exists.

    Collaboration between the Justice Department and other federal agencies plays an important role in combating antisemitism in schools and college campuses. The Department coordinates with other federal agencies as part of the multi-agency Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, as well as when sharing enforcement jurisdiction with other agencies. For state and local governments and related entities like public universities, the Department of Justice shares enforcement authority under Title VII with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC receives, investigates, and conciliates EEOC charges against state- and local-government employers, before referring those charges to the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice for potential litigation.

    “The EEOC is committed to partnering with the Department of Justice to stamp out the scourge of anti-Semitism on campus workplaces,” said EEOC Acting Chair Andrea Lucas.

    If you have been discriminated against, you can file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division, at Contact the Civil Rights Division | Department of Justice (https://civilrights.justice.gov). If you work for an university or college and have experienced anti-Semitic harassment at work, you can file a charge with the EEOC, at How to File a Charge of Employment Discrimination | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (https://www.eeoc.gov/how-file-charge-employment-discrimination). Learn more about addressing anti-Semitism at work here: What To Do If You Face Antisemitism at Work.

    President Trump’s Executive Order can be found here: Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism – The White House.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: U.S. Justice Department Launches Investigation of University of California Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

    Source: United States Attorneys General 2

    The Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism announced that the Justice Department has opened a civil pattern or practice investigation into the University of California (UC) under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The investigation will assess whether UC has engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on race, religion and national origin against its professors, staff and other employees by allowing an Antisemitic hostile work environment to exist on its campuses.

    “This Department of Justice will always defend Jewish Americans, protect civil rights, and leverage our resources to eradicate institutional Antisemitism in our nation’s universities,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.

    “Our country has witnessed a disturbing rise of Antisemitism at educational institutions in California and nationwide,” said Acting Associate Attorney General and Department of Justice Chief of Staff Chad Mizelle. “The Department of Justice is committed to upholding Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and protecting Jewish Americans as we investigate this potential pattern of discrimination.”

    Leading Task Force member and Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Leo Terrell said, “Following the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attacks in Israel, there has been an outbreak of antisemitic incidents at leading institutions of higher education in America, including at my own alma mater at the UCLA campus of UC. The impact upon UC’s students has been the subject of considerable media attention and multiple federal investigations. But these campuses are also workplaces, and the Jewish faculty and staff employed there deserve a working environment free of antisemitic hostility and hate. The President, the Attorney General and this Task Force are committed to combatting antisemitism for all Jewish Americans.”

    The employment discrimination investigation will be conducted pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, and religion. Under Title VII, the Justice Department has the authority to initiate investigations against state and local government employers where it has reason to believe that a “pattern or practice” of employment discrimination exists.

    Collaboration between the Justice Department and other federal agencies plays an important role in combating antisemitism in schools and college campuses. The Department coordinates with other federal agencies as part of the multi-agency Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, as well as when sharing enforcement jurisdiction with other agencies. For state and local governments and related entities like public universities, the Department of Justice shares enforcement authority under Title VII with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC receives, investigates, and conciliates EEOC charges against state- and local-government employers, before referring those charges to the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice for potential litigation.

    “The EEOC is committed to partnering with the Department of Justice to stamp out the scourge of anti-Semitism on campus workplaces,” said EEOC Acting Chair Andrea Lucas.

    If you have been discriminated against, you can file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division, at Contact the Civil Rights Division | Department of Justice (https://civilrights.justice.gov). If you work for an university or college and have experienced anti-Semitic harassment at work, you can file a charge with the EEOC, at How to File a Charge of Employment Discrimination | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (https://www.eeoc.gov/how-file-charge-employment-discrimination). Learn more about addressing anti-Semitism at work here: What To Do If You Face Antisemitism at Work.

    President Trump’s Executive Order can be found here: Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism – The White House.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Security News: U.S. Justice Department Launches Investigation of University of California Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

    Source: United States Department of Justice 2

    The Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism announced that the Justice Department has opened a civil pattern or practice investigation into the University of California (UC) under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The investigation will assess whether UC has engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination based on race, religion and national origin against its professors, staff and other employees by allowing an Antisemitic hostile work environment to exist on its campuses.

    “This Department of Justice will always defend Jewish Americans, protect civil rights, and leverage our resources to eradicate institutional Antisemitism in our nation’s universities,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi.

    “Our country has witnessed a disturbing rise of Antisemitism at educational institutions in California and nationwide,” said Acting Associate Attorney General and Department of Justice Chief of Staff Chad Mizelle. “The Department of Justice is committed to upholding Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and protecting Jewish Americans as we investigate this potential pattern of discrimination.”

    Leading Task Force member and Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Leo Terrell said, “Following the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attacks in Israel, there has been an outbreak of antisemitic incidents at leading institutions of higher education in America, including at my own alma mater at the UCLA campus of UC. The impact upon UC’s students has been the subject of considerable media attention and multiple federal investigations. But these campuses are also workplaces, and the Jewish faculty and staff employed there deserve a working environment free of antisemitic hostility and hate. The President, the Attorney General and this Task Force are committed to combatting antisemitism for all Jewish Americans.”

    The employment discrimination investigation will be conducted pursuant to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, and religion. Under Title VII, the Justice Department has the authority to initiate investigations against state and local government employers where it has reason to believe that a “pattern or practice” of employment discrimination exists.

    Collaboration between the Justice Department and other federal agencies plays an important role in combating antisemitism in schools and college campuses. The Department coordinates with other federal agencies as part of the multi-agency Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, as well as when sharing enforcement jurisdiction with other agencies. For state and local governments and related entities like public universities, the Department of Justice shares enforcement authority under Title VII with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC receives, investigates, and conciliates EEOC charges against state- and local-government employers, before referring those charges to the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice for potential litigation.

    “The EEOC is committed to partnering with the Department of Justice to stamp out the scourge of anti-Semitism on campus workplaces,” said EEOC Acting Chair Andrea Lucas.

    If you have been discriminated against, you can file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division, at Contact the Civil Rights Division | Department of Justice (https://civilrights.justice.gov). If you work for an university or college and have experienced anti-Semitic harassment at work, you can file a charge with the EEOC, at How to File a Charge of Employment Discrimination | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (https://www.eeoc.gov/how-file-charge-employment-discrimination). Learn more about addressing anti-Semitism at work here: What To Do If You Face Antisemitism at Work.

    President Trump’s Executive Order can be found here: Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism – The White House.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Mice with woolly mammoth traits could pave the way for the resurrection of an ice age giant

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Timothy Hearn, Senior Lecturer in Bioinformatics, Anglia Ruskin University

    A US biotech company has genetically modified mice to have traits from the extinct woolly mammoth. Researchers at Colossal Laboratories and Biosciences endowed their mice with the thick, shaggy hair of the mammoth and its efficient fat metabolism, which helped it survive in icy conditions.

    Colossal’s ultimate goal is to introduce these woolly mammoth traits, along with others, into modern elephants. This general area of science has become known as de-extinction.

    However, elephants have long gestation (pregnancy) periods, exhibit complex social behaviour, and experimentation on them raises significant ethical challenges, including the issue of animal welfare. Therefore, the researchers have chosen mice for the initial experiments.

    Mice breed quickly, and their genes are easier to modify, which allows
    scientists to test and refine their methods in an animal they understand well.

    Instead of trying to clone a dead mammoth, Colossal is trying to transform an modern elephant into a mammoth. The process begins with ancient DNA. Colossal’s team extracted genetic material from woolly mammoth remains preserved in Arctic permafrost – a natural archive that has safeguarded genetic secrets for thousands of years.

    By comparing this ancient DNA with that of modern elephants, the researchers identified the specific genes responsible for the mammoth’s distinctive woolly coat and its rapid fat metabolism.

    The next step was to use a powerful gene editing tool
    called Crispr. This molecular technique enables scientists to make precise modifications (changes) in an organism’s DNA. In the laboratory, the researchers applied Crispr to edit the DNA of mouse embryos, introducing the mammoth versions of the genes that control hair texture and fat metabolism.

    Many experiments were needed and a large number of mouse embryos underwent testing to ensure the genetic modifications were successful. However, the work clearly demonstrated that these complex genetic traits could be replicated in a living model.

    This is a process that would be far more difficult, and ethically challenging, if
    attempted directly in elephants. However, the success in mice provides a critical proof of concept.

    In an elephant, the process would involve editing early-stage embryos and implanting them into a surrogate elephant mother. For now, the work in mice offers a safer, efficient and more cost-effective way to test and perfect the scientists’ gene editing approaches.

    Although the prospect of an elephant with woolly mammoth characteristics may still
    be a distant goal, the current work with mice is an essential early milestone. By focusing on a manageable animal, the scientists can gather vital data and refine their techniques without the immediate complications that would arise from working with larger, more complex animals.

    This methodical progression – from mice to elephants – ensures that each step is
    shown to be effective before moving on to the next. Such incremental progress in science can eventually lead to groundbreaking advances.

    Although the whole concept of bringing the mammoth back might sound like science fiction, Colossal envisions a future where de-extinction and genetic enhancement play a key role in restoring natural ecosystems.

    Their research could pave the way for reviving other species, such as the thylacine – a carnivore that lived on the island of Tasmania – or the dodo, which once roamed Mauritius. The work might even contribute to the survival of current endangered species by enhancing their natural defences, such as introducing genes that confer immunity to disease.

    As habitats shrink and species become increasingly endangered, innovative conservation strategies are urgently needed. Gene editing, as demonstrated in these experiments, could provide a complementary tool to traditional conservation methods.

    By bestowing modern species with traits that once helped extinct animals survive in extreme conditions, scientists hope to improve their resilience to a changing environment.

    Timothy Hearn 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. Mice with woolly mammoth traits could pave the way for the resurrection of an ice age giant – https://theconversation.com/mice-with-woolly-mammoth-traits-could-pave-the-way-for-the-resurrection-of-an-ice-age-giant-251561

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –