NewzIntel.com

Category: Africa

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Statement by Anita Kiki Gbeho, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary General, on South Sudan’s 14th anniversary of Independence

    Source: APO


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    As South Sudan approaches 14 years of independence, I reiterate the United Nations’ ongoing support to the country and its people.

    This year’s Independence Day offers South Sudan’s leaders a renewed opportunity to prioritize the rights, dignity and safety of every citizen by returning to consensus-based decision-making, amid significant challenges.

    At this critical juncture, finding common and constructive solutions to issues that affect all South Sudanese is essential for a peaceful democratic transition. We, therefore, urge everyone – political and security actors, youth, women, traditional leaders, the disabled, civil society and communities alike – to unite in the spirit of compromise and redouble efforts towards stability and security.

    Now, more than ever, collective action is needed to reduce tensions, resolve political differences and make tangible progress in implementing peace.

    We, as the UN, remain South Sudan’s steadfast partner as it strives to deliver lasting peace and prosperity for its people.

    Happy Independence Day!

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

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: President Ramkalawan Receives Distinguished Chinese Delegation as Nations Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation Framework

    Source: APO


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    The President of the Republic, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan received His Excellency Mr. Wang Xiaohui, Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Sichuan Provincial People’s Congress, for a courtesy call at State House Tuesday morning. The distinguished delegation, accompanied by H.E Ms. Lin Nan, Chinese Ambassador to Seychelles, engaged in comprehensive discussions to advance bilateral cooperation following the recent elevation of China-Seychelles relations to a Strategic Partnership.

    President Ramkalawan extended a warm welcome to H.E. Mr. Wang Xiaohui and his delegation, expressing profound satisfaction with the exemplary bilateral relations that continue to flourish between Seychelles and China. The President highlighted the transformative impact of the inaugural direct flight route from Chengdu to Seychelles, noting that “with the direct flight from Chengdu to Seychelles, its presence will attract local business investment and reinforce the trade element,” thereby opening new avenues for economic collaboration and cultural exchange.

    His Excellency Mr. Xiaohui conveyed his honour at visiting Seychelles, acknowledging President Ramkalawan’s distinguished visit to Sichuan Province the previous year as a cornerstone of their diplomatic relationship. Expressing gratitude for the exceptional hospitality accorded to the delegation, Mr. Xiaohui commended the robust relationship between China and Seychelles while articulating his province’s earnest desire to deepen collaborative efforts through innovative partnerships between Sichuan Province and the Republic of Seychelles.

    The substantive discussions centred on sustainable development initiatives facilitated through enhanced diplomatic ties, expanded economic collaboration, and enriched cultural exchange programs. Both parties explored diverse areas of mutual interest, including tourism development, trade facilitation and transportation infrastructure, educational partnerships, and sustainable fisheries management.

    This diplomatic engagement represents a pivotal moment in China-Seychelles relations, demonstrating both nations’ commitment to fostering prosperity through strategic cooperation. The meeting reinforces the shared vision of building lasting partnerships that will benefit both peoples while contributing to regional stability and development. The discussions laid the groundwork for future collaborative initiatives that will harness the unique strengths of both Seychelles and Sichuan Province, creating opportunities for mutual growth and development across multiple sectors.

    At the conclusion of the meeting, President Ramkalawan and H.E. Mr. Wang Xiaohui exchanged souvenir gifts as a sign of lasting friendship between their nations, symbolizing the enduring bonds and mutual respect that characterize the relationship between Seychelles and China.

    Also Present for the meeting was the Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Mrs. Vivienne Fock-Tave, Director General Bilateral Affairs, Ms. Lindy Ernesta, Third Secretary Bilateral Affairs Mrs. Louisa Lepathy.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of State House Seychelles.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Committee on Health Welcomes Findings of Section 59 Investigation Panel

    Source: APO


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    The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, has welcomed the findings of the Section 59 investigation panel, which has uncovered systemic racial discrimination in the implementation of fraud, waste and abuse systems by medical schemes and administrators.

    “The report paints a concerning picture of the disproportionate impact that medical schemes’ fraud, waste and abuse systems have had on black healthcare providers,” said Dr Dhlomo. “The statistical evidence presented by the panel’s expert, clearly demonstrates that black providers were significantly more likely to be found guilty of fraud, waste and abuse compared to their non-black counterparts.”

    The panel’s analysis revealed that across the three major schemes investigated – Discovery, GEMS and Medscheme – black providers were between 1.5 to 3.5 times more likely to be identified as guilty of fraud, waste and abuse. In certain disciplines, such as physiotherapy, psychology and social work, the risk ratios for black providers were even higher, reaching up to 12 times more likely to be found guilty.

    “These findings are deeply troubling and point to systemic flaws in the design and implementation of the fraud, waste and abuse systems,” continued Dr Dhlomo. “It is unacceptable that black healthcare providers have been subjected to such blatantly discriminatory treatment, which has undoubtedly had a devastating impact on their livelihoods and the communities they serve,” he said.

    The committee commends the panel for its thorough and independent investigation, and welcomes the recommendations made to the Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) to ensure the ongoing monitoring of the fraud, waste and abuse systems to prevent further discriminatory outcomes.

    Dr Dhlomo stated that he is in discussions with the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, about the report. The aim is to ensure that the Minister, the Department of Health, and the entities that the committee oversees and that have been implicated will be invited to provide a briefing to the committee on the findings, outcomes and recommendations presented in the report.

    “We cannot allow such systemic discrimination to continue unchecked, as it undermines the transformation of the healthcare sector and the constitutional right to equality,” said Dr Dhlomo.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: High-level Chinese delegation in historic visit to Parliament

    Source: APO


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    Uganda’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Thomas Tayebwa, has praised China’s growing partnership with Uganda, hailing it as historic and transformative.

    Parliament on Tuesday 08, July 2025 welcomed the high-level Chinese delegation led by H.E. Jiang Zuojun, the Vice-Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party, in a move expected to bolster legislative cooperation and economic collaboration between the two countries.

    While delivering his welcoming remarks, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa flanked by several Members of Parliament commended President Xi Jinping and President Yoweri Museveni for strengthening ties between Kampala and Beijing.

    “I want to appreciate H.E. Xi Jinping, the President of the People’s Republic of China, for the great friendship he has exhibited towards Uganda in particular and Africa at large. His good working relationship with H.E. President Museveni has ensured steady development of our country and our relations are at a level never seen before,” he said.

    Tayebwa also acknowledged China’s support in several critical sectors, including infrastructure, health, and trade. He specifically noted China’s contribution of anti-malaria drugs worth 8 million Yuan, 50,000 COVID-19 testing kits, and 600,000 vaccine doses at the height of the pandemic.

    “Indeed, China proved the old saying ‘a friend in need is a friend indeed’. This helped us to save our people,” Tayebwa noted.

    In the trade sector, the Deputy Speaker highlighted Uganda’s growing exports to China but expressed concern over the trade imbalance, with Uganda exporting goods worth US$54 million in 2024 compared to US$1.1 billion in imports.

    “I request for technical support so that we can meet the required standards in the short term,” he appealed.

    On behalf of the Chinese delegation, H.E. Jiang Zuojun reaffirmed Beijing’s commitment to Africa and Uganda, describing current China-Africa relations as the strongest in history.

    “Just as President Xi Jinping of China notes, the friendship of China and Africa transcends time and space and is passed down through generations. Now China-Africa friendship is at its best, elevating to a China-Africa community with a shared future for a new era,” Jiang said.

    He noted that Uganda is a key partner on the continent and that the partnership was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership following the 2023 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

    Speaking during the engagement, Hon. Nathan Nandala-Mafabi, MP for Budadiri County West, urged both sides to revisit previously abandoned trade partnerships, especially in Uganda’s top export coffee.

    “There was a company called China Uganda, which was formed to deal in coffee, and I would imagine that company should be revived if it is dead, for purpose of allowing coffee, which is our leading export, to enter the China market,” Nandala-Mafabi said, citing barriers in accessing the Chinese market.

    This meeting marks the first official visit by a delegation from the Central Committee of the China Zhi Gong Party to the Ugandan Parliament, and both sides pledged to deepen bilateral and legislative ties for mutual development.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Supporting flood-affected populations in Democratic Republic of Congo to recover

    Source: APO


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    Salima, a mother of four, was severely affected by the floods that hit Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in April 2025. She had previously fled violence and insecurity in the country’s eastern provinces to seek refuge in Kinshasa “A few days after I arrived, the rains caught us by surprise. We lost everything. The entire neighbourhood was heavily flooded. People had to flee to seek refuge elsewhere.”   

    Many of the flood-affected Kinshasa residents were provided with temporary shelter in Kinkole, a neighbourhood in Kinshasa where the government set up a site. More than 100 families were relocated to the shelters. With ambulances mobilized under the World Health Organization’s (WHO) SURGE system – a mechanism project for public health emergency preparedness and response – many patients, including pregnant women, were transferred promptly to referral health facilities, ensuring timely and appropriate care. 

    “Less than 24 hours after the disaster, we were on the ground for a rapid assessment of the situation,” said Dr Guy Kalambayi, Emergency Preparedness and Response Officer with WHO in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “We helped set up a care unit with the minimum resources needed to relieve the population. Our responsiveness was greatly appreciated by the communities, both in terms of addressing their immediate needs and safeguarding their health.”

    WHO supported the health authorities to develop public health situation analysis, provide health services to those affected, assess the health needs and provide safe drinking water to the displaced and the households hosting them. 

    By June 2025, more than 5000 people were still living at the Kinkole site, out of the over 10 000 people affected by the floods in the sprawling capital city and its surroundings.

    Over than two months after the devastating floods that affected at least five major cities in the country, the authorities, supported by WHO and partners, continue to assist those affected to recover from the disaster. 

    In total, about 1.5 million people were affected across the country by the floods, which also damaged more than 200 schools, over 100 health centres, as well as houses and markets. WHO provided essential medical supplies, including emergency medical equipment, to cover the health needs of 10 000 people for three months. WHO also supplied four tents for emergency shelter.

    “With access to health services disrupted by the disaster, it is critically important to care for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities or chronic conditions who require regular care,” says Dr Kalmbayi. 

    The authorities launched emergency efforts to repair damaged infrastructure and mobilize teams to coordinate humanitarian assistance. In Kinkole and elsewhere, the government and its partners are taking measures to ensure appropriate and dignified living conditions, providing continuity of health services and care, including vaccination and psychosocial support. 

    “We needed safe shelter, water and food. That’s what we received, not to mention the care we received with free medicines,” says Albertine, a medical student in Kinshasa affected by the disaster. 

    For Dr Emilia Sana, Flood Incident Manager at the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare, the coordinated response to the floods “marks a turning point towards a more effective multisectoral framework for our efforts, bringing key ministries together at the highest level.”

    WHO and partners continue to support the government strengthen outbreak prevention measures, including securing the supply of safe drinking water, sanitation and reinforcing of community-based disease surveillance systems.

    “We may have lost all our material possessions, but we are still alive and in good health. That’s what matters,” says Salima.

    The Democratic Republic of the Congo remains vulnerable to climate-linked disasters. Off-season rains in June, for instance, claimed at least 29 lives in three districts of Kinshasa, with more than 500 households affected.

    “One of the key takeaways from this emergency, both in Kinshasa and other provinces, is that there is power in collaboration, particularly in managing potentially epidemic diseases and chronic conditions, thereby ensuring continuity of care. WHO’s support through providing medicines to the affected communities has been invaluable,” says Dr Sana of the Ministry of Public Health, Hygiene and Social Welfare. 

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of World Health Organization (WHO) – Democratic Republic of Congo.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: South Sudan’s longest cholera outbreak enters critical stage

    Source: APO


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    The outbreak – which started in September 2024 and was confirmed a month later – comes amidst a protracted humanitarian crisis exacerbated by rising intercommunal violence, climate shocks such as flooding and catastrophic hunger.  

    “Now, more than ever, collective action is needed to reduce tensions, resolve political differences and make tangible progress in implementing peace,” said Anita Kiki Gbeho, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan.  

    Alarming escalation

    Since the cholera outbreak was declared in October 2024, UN agencies and partners have documented over 80,000 cholera cases and 1,400 deaths.  

    This is in addition to regional outbreaks of mpox, hepatitis and measles among other communicable diseases.

    South Sudanese authorities, civil society and UN agencies held an inter-ministerial meeting on Monday to discuss what they called an “alarming escalation” in the spread of the outbreak. 

    “This is not merely a public health crisis, but a multi-sectoral emergency exacerbated by flooding, displacement, and limited access to basic services,” the ministers wrote in a communiqué released.  

    The group resolved to facilitate unimpeded humanitarian access to areas which already have outbreaks and to other areas at risk for outbreaks. The Government of South Sudan will coordinate these efforts.

    Partners will also work to preposition materials, improve water and sanitation infrastructure and coordinate proactive and reactive vaccination campaigns.  

    Time is running out

    With the peak of the rainy season on the horizon, the next eight weeks are critical in containing and mitigating the outbreak before severe flooding begins.  

    “Time is of the essence to prevent a further escalation of the outbreak,” the officials wrote.  

    Floods more than double the frequency of cholera outbreaks by imperiling access to clean water and impeding humanitarian access to affected areas. And with rising global temperatures making floods more severe, millions of South Sudanese who were not previously in regions of concern may now be at risk for cholera outbreaks.

    A preventable disease  

    Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by consuming contaminated water or food. Although highly communicable, it is preventable through proper hygiene, regular handwashing, safe food preparation and storage, improved sanitation infrastructure, and vaccination.

    Symptoms typically include watery diarrhoea. Most cases are mild to moderate and can be treated effectively with oral rehydration salts (ORS) mixed with clean, boiled water.

    However, in severe cases, cholera can be fatal—sometimes within hours—if not treated promptly.

    Infected individuals can also transmit the disease through their faeces for up to ten days, even if they show no symptoms.

    Need for additional funds

    In South Sudan, the already inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure and overstretched public health system has further deteriorated as a result of displacement and conflict. This has ripened the conditions for the spread of cholera.

    The UN and its partners are working quickly to preposition emergency supplies, especially in these previously low-risk areas, but they are hampered by funding shortfalls. Agencies estimate that they will need $1.69 billion – of which they have only received $368 million – to address the many intersecting humanitarian needs in the country.  

    Nevertheless, the group of ministers insisted that this outbreak is and must remain a priority for all involved.

    “Cholera response and flood preparedness must be treated as urgent national priorities,” they said in the communiqué.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: Crédit Agricole Assurances announces the successful sale of its whole stake in FDJ United

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Crédit Agricole Assurances announces the successful sale of its whole stake in FDJ United

    9 July 2025 – Crédit Agricole Assurances (“CAA”) announces the successful sale, via its wholly-owned subsidiaries Predica and Crédit Agricole Assurances Retraite, of its whole FDJ United stake of 6,110,156 shares (the “Shares”), representing approximately 3.3% of the share capital of FDJ United (the “Company”). These Shares have been offered as part of an accelerated bookbuilding offering to institutional investors (the “Placement”). The transaction priced at €30.00 per share.

    CAA has been a shareholder of FDJ United, an international gaming operator, since its IPO in November 2019 and has supported the Company throughout its development, including the successful recent acquisition of Kindred. CAA completed an initial sale of c. 4.1 million shares in November 2024 as part of its strategy of actively managing its investment portfolio. Upon completion of the Placement, CAA will no longer be a shareholder of the Company.

    Settlement of the Placement is expected to take place on 11 July 2025.

    FDJ United’s shares are listed on the regulated market of Euronext in Paris (ISIN code: FR0013451333).

    This press release does not constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase and the offering of the shares in FDJ United does not constitute a public offering (except to institutional investors) in any country, including in France.

    Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank and Morgan Stanley Europe SE acted as Global Coordinators and Bookrunners on the Placement.

    About Crédit Agricole Assurances
    Crédit Agricole Assurances, France’s leading insurer, is Crédit Agricole group’s subsidiary, which brings together all the insurance businesses of Crédit Agricole S.A. Crédit Agricole Assurances offers a range of products and services in savings, retirement, health, personal protection and property insurance. They are distributed by Crédit Agricole’s banks in France and in 9 countries worldwide, and are aimed at individual, professional, agricultural and business customers. At the end of 2024, Crédit Agricole Assurances had more than 6,700 employees. Its 2024 premium income (non-GAAP) amounted to 43.6 billion euros.
    www.ca-assurances.com

    Press contacts
    Géraldine Bailacq +33 (0)6 81 75 87 59
    Nicolas Leviaux +33 (0)6 19 60 48 53
    Julien Badé +33 (0)7 85 18 68 05
    service.presse@ca-assurances.fr

    Disclaimer

    This press release is for information purposes only and does not, and shall not, constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe any securities nor a solicitation to offer to purchase or to subscribe securities in any jurisdiction and does not constitute a public offer other than the offering to qualified investors in any jurisdiction, including France.

    The sale of FDJ United shares does not constitute a public offering other than to qualified investors in any jurisdiction, including in France.

    No communication and no information in respect of the sale by Crédit Agricole Assurances of FDJ shares may be distributed to the public in any jurisdiction where a registration or approval is required. No steps have been or will be taken in any jurisdiction where such steps would be required. The offer of sale of FDJ United shares on behalf of Crédit Agricole Assurances may be subject to specific legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. Crédit Agricole Assurances, its shareholders and affiliates take no responsibility for any violation of any such restrictions by any person.

    European Economic Area
    In member states of the European Economic Area, this press release is an advertisement and is not a prospectus with the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2017, as amended (the “Prospectus Regulation”).

    With respect to the member states of the European Economic Area other than France (the “Member States”), no action has been or will be taken in order to permit a public offer of the securities which would require the publication of a prospectus in one of such Member States. In Member States, this communication and any offer if made subsequently is directed exclusively at persons who are “qualified investors” within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation.

    France
    In France, the offer of FDJ United shares described in this press release will be carried out through a placement through an accelerated bookbuilding process to qualified investors only within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation and in accordance with applicable French laws and regulations. There will be no public offering in any country (including France) in connection with the shares of FDJ United, except to qualified investors only.

    United Kingdom
    In the United Kingdom, this communication is for distribution to, and is only directed at, persons in the United Kingdom that (i) are “investment professionals” falling within article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the “Order”), (ii) are persons falling within article 49(2)(a) to (d) (“high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.”) of the Order, or (iii) are located outside the United kingdom, or (iv) are persons to whom an invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Article 21 of the Order) in connection with the issue or sale of any securities may otherwise lawfully be communicated or cause to be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as “Relevant Persons”). This press release is only directed at Relevant Persons and are available only to Relevant Persons. Any person who is not a Relevant Person must act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

    Any investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to Relevant Persons and will be engaged in only with Relevant Persons. Any person who is not a Relevant Person shall not act or rely on this document or any of its contents.

    With respect to the United Kingdom, securities may not be offered or sold absent the publication of a prospectus in the United Kingdom or an exemption from such publication under the Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, as amended, as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal Act) 2018 (the “UK Prospectus Regulation”). As a consequence, this document is directed only at persons who are “qualified investors” as defined in point (e) of Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation.

    This press release is not a prospectus which has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority or any other United Kingdom regulatory authority for the purpose of Section 85 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

    United States
    This press release does not constitute or form part of any offer or solicitation to purchase or subscribe for securities in the United States. Securities referred to in this announcement have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent such registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. FDJ United shares have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act and neither Crédit Agricole Assurances, nor any of its shareholders or their respective affiliates intend to register any portion of the proposed offering in the United States or to conduct a public offering in the United States.

    Australia
    This press release is not a prospectus or product disclosure statement under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the “Corporations Act”) and does not constitute a recommendation to acquire, an invitation to apply for, an offer to apply for or buy, an offer to arrange the issue or sale of, or an offer for issue or sale of, any securities in Australia except as set out below. Interests may only be offered, issued, sold or distributed in Australia by way of or pursuant to an offer or invitation that does not need disclosure to investors either under Part 7.9 or Part 6D.2 of the Corporations Act, whether by reason of the investor being a ‘sophisticated investor’ or ‘wholesale client’ (as defined in section 708(8) and 761G of the Corporations Act respectively) or otherwise. Nothing in this press release constitutes an offer of interests or financial product advice to a ‘retail client’ (as defined in section 761G of the Corporations Act and applicable regulations). Accordingly, this press release has not been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commissions (“ASIC”). Neither the Placement nor the contents of this press release have been approved by ASIC or any regulatory body or agency in Australia.

    Canada, Japan and South Africa
    The FDJ United shares may not and will not be offered, sold or purchase in Canada, Japan or South Africa. The information contained in this press release does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in Canada, Japan or South Africa.

    The release, publication or distribution of this press release generally may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions and persons into whose possession this document or other information referred to herein should inform themselves about and observe any such restriction. No action has been taken to allow offer of FDJ United shares or distribution of this press release in any jurisdiction where any such action would be required. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

    Any investment decision to purchase FDJ United shares must be made solely on the basis of publicly available information regarding FDJ United. Such information is not the responsibility of Crédit Agricole Assurances and has not been independently verified by Crédit Agricole Assurances.

    The global coordinators and bookrunners are acting on behalf of Crédit Agricole Assurances (to the exclusion of all others) in connection with the placement and will not be liable to any person other than Crédit Agricole Assurances either for warranties given to clients of the global coordinators and bookrunners or for advice in connection with the placement.

    Neither the global coordinators and bookrunners nor any of its directors, officers, employees, advisors or agents accept any responsibility for, or make any representations or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this press release (or if any information has been omitted from this press release) or any other information relating to FDJ United, Crédit Agricole Assurances, their respective subsidiaries or associated companies, whether in written, oral, visual or electronic form, and however transmitted or made available, or any loss from the use of this press release or its contents or otherwise.

    Distribution, publication or release of this press release are forbidden in any jurisdiction where such distribution or release would be unlawful.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Spike in armed robbery incidents raises concerns for vital Singapore Strait trade route

    Source: International Chamber of Commerce

    Headline: Spike in armed robbery incidents raises concerns for vital Singapore Strait trade route

    Globally, the crime of piracy and armed robbery reached 90, the highest number of reported incidents since the first half of 2020, according to the newly released report by the ICC International Maritime Bureau (IMB) Piracy Reporting Centre.

    A total of 90 cases of piracy and armed robbery against ships were recorded in the first half of 2025 – a 50% increase compared to the same period in 2024.   

    Of the incidents reported, 79 vessels were boarded, six attempted attacks, four hijackings and one vessel fired upon. Concern for crew wellbeing continues with 40 crew taken hostage, 16 kidnapped, five threatened and three each assaulted and injured. The Singapore Straits recorded 57 incidents and accounts for roughly 63% of total globally reported incidents. Fifteen incidents were reported in these waters during the first half of 2024.  

    The boarding of large vessels exceeding 150,000 DWT in this narrow and congested waterway remains a significant concern, particularly given the 95% success rate of boardings in the Singapore Strait. Although relatively low level incidents, this risk is further compounded by the continued use of guns and knives in 34 of the 57 reported incidents. Crew safety and wellbeing also remain fragile, with 13 crew members held hostage during incidents, five threatened, three injured, and one assaulted.

    “The Singapore Strait is a critical shipping route, with ships carrying roughly 30% of global trade,” said IMB Director Michael Howlett.

    “This rise in incidents is deeply concerning as it puts the safety of our seafarers and the security of international commerce at risk.” 

    Despite lower incident numbers, the Gulf of Guinea continues to pose significant risks to crew safety and remains a region where continued caution is essential. The region recorded 12 incidents and accounted for 87% of all crew kidnappings globally in the first half of 2025.  

    While no new incidents have been reported off Somalia since April 2025, Somalia waters maintain a continued threat of potential piratical incidents, particularly as the Southwest Monsoon subsides in the coming months.  

    The IMB continues to encourage all seafarers transiting waters known for piratical and armed robbery incidents to exercise vigilance and follow the recommended practices outlined in the latest Best Management Practices. 

    About the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre  

    Since its founding in 1991, IMB’s Piracy Reporting Centre has served as a crucial, 24-hour point of contact to report crimes of piracy and lend support to ships under threat. Quick reactions and a focus on coordinating with response agencies, sending out warning broadcasts and email alerts to ships have all helped bolster security on the high seas. The data gathered by the Centre also provides key insights on the nature and state of modern piracy.  

    IMB encourages all shipmasters and owners to report all actual, attempted and suspected global piracy and armed robbery incidents to the Piracy Reporting Centre as a vital first step to ensuring adequate resources are allocated by authorities to tackle maritime piracy.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Video: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS TO HOST PRE-BUDGET VOTE BRIEFING

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    MINISTRY OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS
    Republic of South Africa
    ____________________________________________________________________________
    MEDIA ADVISORY
    08 July 2025
    DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS TO HOST PRE-BUDGET
    VOTE BRIEFING
    The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Angie Motshekga, accompanied by
    Deputy Ministers Maj Gen (Ret) Bantu Holomisa and Mr Richard Mkhungo, and
    supported by the Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), General
    Rudzani Maphwanya, will host a media briefing ahead of the tabling of the Department’s
    2025 Budget Vote.
    This pre-budget briefing will offer members of the media an opportunity to gain insight
    into the Department’s strategic outlook, key priorities for the 2025/26 financial year, and
    expectations from the Budget Vote presentation. The leadership will also reflect on
    progress made over the past year and share forward-looking commitments aligned with
    the Medium-Term Development Plan (2025–2030).
    Details of the Briefing are as follows:
    Date: Wednesday, 9 July 2025
    Time: 09:00 – 09:45
    Venue: Imbizo Media Room, Parliament, 120 Plein Street, Cape Town

    Ends.

    For media enquiries, please contact:
    Onicca Kwakwa
    Ministry Spokesperson
    Mmaneo.Kwakwa@dod.mil.za
    066 308 2630
    Issued by: Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans

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

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Video: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS TO HOST PRE-BUDGET VOTE BRIEFING

    Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

    MINISTRY OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS
    Republic of South Africa
    ____________________________________________________________________________
    MEDIA ADVISORY
    08 July 2025
    DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE AND MILITARY VETERANS TO HOST PRE-BUDGET
    VOTE BRIEFING
    The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans, Ms Angie Motshekga, accompanied by
    Deputy Ministers Maj Gen (Ret) Bantu Holomisa and Mr Richard Mkhungo, and
    supported by the Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), General
    Rudzani Maphwanya, will host a media briefing ahead of the tabling of the Department’s
    2025 Budget Vote.
    This pre-budget briefing will offer members of the media an opportunity to gain insight
    into the Department’s strategic outlook, key priorities for the 2025/26 financial year, and
    expectations from the Budget Vote presentation. The leadership will also reflect on
    progress made over the past year and share forward-looking commitments aligned with
    the Medium-Term Development Plan (2025–2030).
    Details of the Briefing are as follows:
    Date: Wednesday, 9 July 2025
    Time: 09:00 – 09:45
    Venue: Imbizo Media Room, Parliament, 120 Plein Street, Cape Town

    Ends.

    For media enquiries, please contact:
    Onicca Kwakwa
    Ministry Spokesperson
    Mmaneo.Kwakwa@dod.mil.za
    066 308 2630
    Issued by: Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans

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

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: A Year On, Guinean Activists Still Missing

    Source: APO – Report:

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    Guinea’s military authorities should credibly investigate the disappearances of two political activists, make their whereabouts known, and either charge them with a recognizable crime or release them immediately, Human Rights Watch said today.

    One year ago, security forces arbitrarily detained three members of the opposition coalition National Front for the Defense of the Constitution (Front National pour la Défense de la Constitution, FNDC), Oumar Sylla (known as Foniké Menguè), Mamadou Billo Bah, and Mohamed Cissé, in Conakry, Guinea’s capital, and transferred them to an unidentified location. Human Rights Watch received credible information, confirmed by national and international media, that security forces had tortured the three men. Cissé was released on July 10, 2024, while Sylla and Bah remain missing.

    “It’s been one year since Sylla and Bah went missing, and the Guinean authorities have yet to carry out a credible investigation,” said Ilaria Allegrozzi, senior Sahel researcher at Human Rights Watch. “Guinean authorities should thoroughly and independently investigate the disappearances and prosecute those responsible.”

    The authorities have opened an investigation into the disappearance of the three men. But they have denied any responsibility and failed to acknowledge the men’s detention or disclose their whereabouts, despite requests for information by lawyers representing the men, and by international and national human rights organizations.

    On July 9, 2024, dozens of soldiers, gendarmes, and armed men in civilian clothes, stormed Sylla’s home and arbitrarily detained him and the others. The security forces repeatedly beat the three political activists, then took them to the gendarmerie headquarters in Conakry, and then to an army camp on Kassa island, off Conakry’s coast.

    The FNDC has been calling for the restoration of democratic rule in Guinea following a military coup in September 2021. In August 2022, Guinea’s junta, headed by Gen. Mamady Doumbouya, dissolved the FNDC on politically motivated grounds, but it has continued its activities.

    On the morning of his disappearance, Sylla, who is the FNDC coordinator, had urged his supporters to go out and protest on July 11, 2024, against media shutdowns by the authorities and the high cost of living.

    Sylla was one of a number of people arrested in 2022 on charges of “illegal protest and destruction of public and private buildings” following violent demonstrations in Conakry in which at least five people were killed. Bah, the FNDC outreach coordinator, was previously arrested in January 2023 on charges of “complicity in the destruction of public and private property, assault, and battery” for taking part in protests. Both were released in May 2023 and cleared of all charges.

    Since taking power, the junta has suspended independent media outlets, arbitrarily arrested and forcibly disappeared journalists and political opponents. Security forces have used excessive force, including tear gas and gunfire, to disperse peaceful protesters, leading to dozens of deaths since January 2024.

    On June 21, gunmen abducted and tortured Mohamed Traoré, a prominent lawyer and former bar association president, in apparent reprisal against his decision to resign from the National Transitional Council, the junta’s leading transitional body.

    The military authorities promised to hold elections before the end of 2024, but failed to meet the deadline, sparking opposition-led protests in Conakry in January. Following the protests, officials announced a new election timeline. Gen. Doumbouya has set September 21 as the date for a constitutional referendum and Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah announced in May that presidential elections would take place in December.

    “Four years into military rule, the suppression of rights and freedoms has only intensified,” said a prominent FNDC member who is in hiding. “The government has stifled free expression and assembly; it has incapacitated the political opposition through arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearance, harassment, and intimidation. Enough is enough.”

    Enforced disappearances under international law occur when people acting on behalf of the government arrest, detain, or abduct people and then refuse to acknowledge the act or conceal their whereabouts or what happened to them. International law prohibits enforced disappearances, which violate fundamental rights to liberty and security and the right to be free from torture or cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment.

    The International Convention for the Protection on All Persons from Enforced Disappearances provides that “no one shall be subjected to enforced disappearance” and imposes an absolute ban on secret detention. It also requires countries to end abusive practices that facilitate enforced disappearances including arbitrary incommunicado detention, torture, and extrajudicial executions.

    Guinea is not a party to the treaty but is still bound by international human rights law prohibiting unlawful arrests, abduction, arbitrary detention, ill-treatment of detainees, and other due process violations. It guarantees victims of abuse the right to an effective remedy.

    “When authorities deny knowledge of the detentions, they deprive detainees of any protections and make them vulnerable to even worse crimes, like torture,” Allegrozzi said. “The authorities should take immediate, concrete steps by credibly investigating the disappearances and ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.”

    – on behalf of Human Rights Watch (HRW).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio Launches National Water Security and WASH Access Project, Calls for Collective Action on Clean Water and Sanitation

    Source: APO – Report:

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    His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has officially launched the Water Security and WASH Access Project, a landmark $180 million, World Bank-funded initiative under the theme “Securing Water, Enabling Dignity, and Advancing Development.” The 10-year Multiphase Programmatic Approach aims to reach 4 million people by 2035, achieving 90% national WASH coverage.

    In his keynote address, President Bio described the launch as a historic milestone in Sierra Leone’s ongoing quest for equity, dignity, and sustainable development. He emphasized that access to safe water and sanitation is a fundamental right, not a privilege.

    “My government is guided by the belief that access to safe water and sanitation is not a favour extended to the few, but a right guaranteed to all,” the President declared. “That is why WASH is at the heart of our National Development Plan and central to our Human Capital Development agenda.”

    The President decried the daily challenges faced by citizens, stating that no child should have to walk miles for water before school, no mother should risk infection during childbirth due to lack of clean water, and no community should endure the indignity of open defecation or waterborne diseases in the 21st century.

    He affirmed that the new WASH programme marks a decisive step to break the cycle of deprivation. Structured in three progressive phases, the initiative provides a coherent roadmap to achieving water security and sanitation access nationwide. Each phase, he assured, will be robustly monitored, implemented with transparency, and tied to incentive-based delivery mechanisms.

    President Bio said the programme envisions a future where water poverty is eradicated, girls stay in school thanks to improved sanitation, health facilities are safe and functional, ecosystems are protected, and 5,000 jobs, including 2,000 for women, are created through a gender-responsive recovery.

    He also announced plans to establish a Water Administration House to consolidate oversight, regulation, and coordination within the sector. The President reaffirmed his government’s support to strengthen the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, to enforce standards, attract investment, and coordinate stakeholders.

    “This multiphase programmatic approach is a shining example of what is possible when national ownership meets international solidarity,” he said, adding that the project aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation for All.

    President Bio acknowledged the efforts of the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, the WASH sector public servants, GUMA Valley Water Company, SALWACO, EWRC, and the National Water Resources Management Agency (NWRMA), calling on all stakeholders to deliver with integrity and excellence.

    “As your President, I reaffirm my full commitment to this agenda. We will ensure the programme is fully resourced and that every Sierra Leonean, in both rural hamlets and urban wards, feels the impact of this transformative investment,” he declared. “Water is not just a development commodity; it is a symbol of justice, a foundation of peace, and a building block of national resilience.”

    World Bank Country Manager Dr Abdu Muwonge praised President Bio for his strong advocacy on behalf of the country, recalling how, President Bio personally made a plea in Washington for investment in Sierra Leone’s WASH sector two years ago, which, he noted, resulted in funding this transformative initiative.

    Dr Muwonge urged a holistic and inclusive strategy, strengthening the capacity of sector institutions such as GUMA, SALWACO, and local councils, while calling for nationwide engagement in the stewardship of water resources.

    Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Dr Sao-Kpato Hannah Max-Kyne, described the occasion as a defining moment in delivering President Bio’s development vision and called for national collaboration on implementation and the development of a clear, focused roadmap to address WASH sector challenges.

    – on behalf of State House Sierra Leone.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Eritrea: Ministry of Agriculture Distributes Chickens to Farmers

    Source: APO – Report:

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    The Ministry of Agriculture branch in the Southern Region has distributed chickens to 353 disadvantaged farmers at fair prices. The beneficiaries, from the administrative areas of Hakir, Kisad-Emba, and Mai-Goduf in Senafe sub-zone, received 25 chickens each. The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to ensure access to nutritious food for all, everywhere.

    Mr. Bereke Misgina, head of the agriculture office in the sub-zone, indicated that the chicken distribution program will continue in other administrative areas within the sub-zone. He also urged the recipient farmers to ensure proper care of the chickens and to work diligently to expand their poultry activities, thereby improving their livelihoods.

    The beneficiaries expressed their appreciation for the support and reaffirmed their commitment to expanding poultry farming initiatives. They also pledged to contribute to market stabilization by increasing the availability of poultry products.

    – on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Eritrea: Youth Organizations Week in Anseba Region

    Source: APO – Report:

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    The ninth Youth Organizations Week was enthusiastically conducted in which all the sub-zones of the Anseba Region took part under the theme “Our Knowledge, Profession and Capacity for Our Society.” The event took place in the Asneda administrative area, Asmat sub-zone, from 1 to 5 July.

    The week featured educational based cultural and artistic competitions and saw participation from 839 youth competitors representing 21 villages, with over 20,000 youth in attendance.

    Commending the strong spirit of competitiveness, Mr. Azazi Bereketeab, head of the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students branch in Anseba Region, expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the successful implementation of the program.

    Ambassador Abdella Musa, Governor of the region, noted the event’s significant contribution to promoting unity, harmony, and nationalism among the youth. He encouraged the winners to nurture and further develop their talents, and urged others to follow their example.

    Awards were presented to winners in various competitions. Elaberet was declared the overall winner of the event.

    – on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Three killed in Houthi attack on cargo ship in Red Sea

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    Aden, Yemen, July 9 (Xinhua) — Three sailors were killed and two others were wounded when Yemeni Houthi militants attacked a Liberian-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea, a Yemeni navy spokesman told Xinhua on Tuesday.

    The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Houthi militants attacked the Greek-owned vessel Eternity C at 20:00 local time /1700 GMT/ on Monday in the Red Sea, just hours after the group claimed responsibility for the sinking of another ship, the bulk carrier Magic Seas.

    The official said Houthi militants boarded the Eternity C in an attempt to seize the vessel, sparking violent clashes with the ship’s crew that left three sailors dead and two others wounded.

    The collision caused significant damage to the ship’s turret, leaving the vessel adrift and the surviving crew members forced to abandon ship, the official said.

    The latest incident was the second major attack since the Houthi group claimed to have sunk the Magic Seas, also a Liberian-flagged vessel.

    The Magic Seas was carrying about 17,000 metric tons of ammonium nitrate, a chemical commonly used in the production of fertilizers and explosives, a Yemeni official said.

    Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saria said on Monday that the attack on the Magic Seas was in response to the shipowner’s “repeated violations” of a Houthi ban on entering Israeli ports.

    The Houthi group has so far made no statements or comments regarding the Eternity C attack. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • Latest Red Sea attack on Greek ship kills four crew, wounds two

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    A drone and speedboat attack off Yemen killed four seafarers on a Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated bulk carrier, an official with knowledge of the matter said on Tuesday, the second incident in a day, following months of calm.

    Traffic in the Red Sea, a key waterway for oil and commodities, has dropped since Yemen’s Houthi militia aligned with Iran began targeting ships in 2023 in what it called solidarity with Palestinians under assault in Israel’s war in Gaza.

    The deaths on the Eternity C, the first involving shipping in the Red Sea since June 2024, take to eight the total of seafarers killed in the Red Sea attacks.

    One more injured crew died on board after the attack, a source with knowledge of the matter said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

    The Houthis have not commented on the Eternity C, but hours earlier claimed responsibility for a strike on another Liberia-flagged, Greek-operated bulk carrier, the MV Magic Seas, off southwest Yemen on Sunday, saying the vessel sank.

    “After several months of calm, the resumption of deplorable attacks in the Red Sea constitutes a renewed violation of international law and freedom of navigation,” IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said on Tuesday.

    The U.S. State Department condemned the “unprovoked Houthi terror attack on the civilian cargo vessels MV Magic Seas and MV Eternity C”, as demonstrating the threats the Houthis posed to freedom of navigation and regional security.

    Washington “will continue to take necessary action to protect freedom of navigation and commercial shipping,” it added in a statement.

    The Eternity C’s operator, Cosmoship Management, was not immediately available to comment.

    Eternity C, with 21 Philippine nationals and a Russian making up a crew of 22, was adrift and listing after the attack with sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades fired from manned speed boats, maritime security sources told Reuters.

    Greece was in diplomatic talks with Saudi Arabia over the incident, sources said, as two maritime security firms, including Greece-based Diaplous, prepared to mount a rescue mission for the crew trapped on Eternity C.

    An official with Aspides, the European Union’s mission assigned to help protect Red Sea shipping, also said at least two other crew were injured. Earlier, Liberia’s shipping delegation told a U.N. meeting that two crew were killed.

    The Houthis released a video they said depicted their attack on the Magic Seas, including the Mayday call, explosions, and the vessel’s ultimate submersion. Reuters could not independently verify the footage.

    The vessel’s manager said the information about the sinking could not be verified.

    But Joshua Hutchinson, managing director of maritime security firm Ambrey, told Reuters it had a response vessel in the area and confirmed the Magic Seas had gone down.

    All crew on the Magic Seas were rescued by a passing merchant vessel and arrived safely in Djibouti on Monday, Djibouti authorities said.

    Since November 2023, the Houthis have disrupted commerce by launching hundreds of drones and missiles at vessels in the Red Sea, saying they were targeting ships linked to Israel.

    While the Houthis struck a ceasefire with Washington in May, the militia has vowed to keep attacking ships it says are connected with Israel.

    “Just as Liberia was processing the shock and grief of the attack against Magic Seas, we received a report that Eternity C again has been attacked … causing the death of two seafarers,” Liberia’s delegation told a session of the International Maritime Organization.

    ‘ELEVATED RISKS’

    Both vessels attacked were part of commercial fleets whose sister vessels have called at Israeli ports over the past year.

    “The pause in Houthi activity did not necessarily indicate a change in underlying intent,” said Ellie Shafik, head of intelligence with the Britain-based maritime risk management company Vanguard Tech.

    “As long as the conflict in Gaza persists, vessels with affiliations, both perceived and actual, will continue to face elevated risks.”

    The Philippines has urged its seafarers, who form one of the world’s largest groups of merchant mariners, to exercise their right to refuse to sail in “high-risk, war-like” areas, including the Red Sea after the latest strikes, its department of migrant workers said.

    Shipping traffic through the region has shrunk about half from normal levels since the first Houthi attacks in 2023, said Jakob Larsen, chief safety and security officer with shipping association BIMCO.

    “This reduction in traffic has persisted due to the ongoing unpredictability of the security situation,” Larsen said. “As such, BIMCO does not anticipate the recent attacks will significantly alter current shipping patterns.”

    Monday’s attack on Eternity C, 50 nautical miles southwest of Yemen’s port of Hodeidah, was the second on merchant vessels in the region since November 2024, an official at Aspides said.

    On Monday, Israel’s military said it had struck Houthi targets at three Yemeni ports and a power plant, in its first attack on Yemen in a month.

    The Houthis say their attacks are an act of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza where Israel’s military assault since late 2023 has killed more than 57,000 people, Gaza authorities say.

    The Israeli assault has unleashed a hunger crisis, internally displaced the entire population of Gaza and spurred accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice and of war crimes at the International Criminal Court.

    Israel denies the accusations.

    The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered in October 2023, when Palestinian Hamas militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 and taking about 250 hostages, Israeli tallies show.

    (Reuters)

  • Trump says steep copper tariffs in store as he broadens his trade war

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would impose a 50% tariff on imported copper and soon introduce long-threatened levies on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, broadening his trade war that has rattled markets worldwide.

    One day after he pressured 14 trading partners, including powerhouse U.S. suppliers like South Korea and Japan, with fresh tariff letters, Trump reiterated his threat of 10% tariffs on products from Brazil, India and other members of the BRICS group of countries.

    He also said trade talks have been going well with the European Union and China, though he added he is only days away from sending a tariff letter to the EU.

    Trump’s remarks, made during a White House cabinet meeting, could inject further instability into a global economy that has been shaken by the tariffs he has imposed or threatened on imports to the world’s largest consumer market.

    U.S. copper futures jumped more than 10% after Trump’s announcement of new duties on a metal that is critical to electric vehicles, military hardware, the power grid and many consumer goods. They would join duties already in place for steel, aluminum and automobile imports, though it was unclear when the new tariffs might take effect.

    U.S. pharmaceutical stocks also slid following Trump’s threat of 200% tariffs on drug imports, which he said could be delayed by about a year.

    Other countries, meanwhile, said they would try to soften the impact of Trump’s threatened duties after he pushed back a Wednesday deadline to August 1.

    Trump’s administration promised “90 deals in 90 days” after he unveiled an array of country-specific duties in early April. So far only two agreements have been reached, with the United Kingdom and Vietnam. Trump has said a deal with India is close.

    Trump said countries have been clamoring to negotiate.

    “It’s about time the United States of America started collecting money from countries that were ripping us off … and laughing behind our back at how stupid we were,” he said.

    He said late Tuesday that “a minimum of seven” tariff notices would be released on Wednesday morning, and more in the afternoon. He gave no other details in his Truth Social post.

    Trading partners across the globe say it has been difficult to negotiate even framework agreements with the U.S. given the haphazard way new tariffs are announced, complicating their internal discussions about concessions.

    HIGHEST LEVELS SINCE 1934

    Following Trump’s announcement of higher tariffs for imports from the 14 countries, U.S. research group Yale Budget Lab estimated consumers face an effective U.S. tariff rate of 17.6%, up from 15.8% previously and the highest in nine decades.

    Trump’s administration has been touting those tariffs as a significant revenue source. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington has taken in about $100 billion so far and could collect $300 billion by the end of the year. The United States has taken in about $80 billion annually in tariff revenue in recent years.

    The S&P 500 finished slightly lower on Tuesday, a day after Wall Street markets sold off sharply following Trump’s new tariffs announcement.

    Trump said he will “probably” tell the European Union within two days what rate it can expect for its exports to the U.S., adding that the 27-member bloc had been treating his administration “very nicely” in trade talks.

    The EU, the largest bilateral trade partner of the U.S., aims to strike a deal before August 1 with concessions for key export industries such as aircraft, medical equipment and spirits, according to EU sources. Brussels is also considering an arrangement that would protect European automakers with large U.S. production facilities.

    However, German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil warned that the EU was prepared to retaliate if necessary.

    “If we don’t reach a fair trade deal with the U.S., the EU is ready to take counter measures,” he said in the lower house of parliament.

    Japan, which faces a possible 25% tariff – up from 24% first threatened in April – wants concessions for its large automobile industry and will not sacrifice its agriculture sector, a powerful domestic lobby, for the sake of an early deal, top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa said on Tuesday.

    South Korea, which also faces a possible 25% tariff, said it planned to intensify trade talks over the coming weeks “to reach a mutually beneficial result.”

    Washington and Beijing agreed to a trade framework in June, but with many of the details still unclear, traders and investors are watching to see if it unravels before a separate, U.S.-imposed August 12 deadline or leads to a lasting detente.

    “We have had a really good relationship with China lately, and we’re getting along with them very well. They’ve been very fair on our trade deal, honestly,” Trump said, adding that he has been speaking regularly with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

    Trump said the United States would impose tariffs of 25% on goods from Tunisia, Malaysia and Kazakhstan; 30% on South Africa and Bosnia and Herzegovina; 32% on Indonesia; 35% on Serbia and Bangladesh; 36% on Cambodia and Thailand; and 40% on Laos and Myanmar.

    (Reuters)

  • Trump says BRICS nations to get 10% tariff ‘pretty soon’

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday the U.S. would “pretty soon” charge a 10% tariff on imports from BRICS countries, drawing another complaintfrom Brazil PresidentLuiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who just hosted the bloc’s annual summit.

    Trump, who raised the tariff threat on Sunday, said in a Tuesday cabinet meeting at the White House that the duty was on the way: “Anybody that’s in BRICS is getting a 10% charge pretty soon … If they’re a member of BRICS, they’re going to have to pay a 10% tariff … and they won’t be a member long.”

    The BRICS group expanded last year beyond Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa to include members such as Iran and Indonesia. Leaders at the summit in Rio de Janeiro voiced indirect criticism of U.S. military and trade policies.

    Asked about Trump‘s tariff threat, Lula told journalists at the BRICS summit on Monday that the world does not want an emperor. After a state visit from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Lula on Tuesday expressed further disagreement.

    “We will not accept any complaints about the BRICS summit. We do not agree with the U.S. president insinuating he’s going to put tariffs on BRICS countries,” he told journalists in Brasilia.

    Trump gave no specific date for the BRICS tariff to kick in. On Monday, a source familiar with the matter said the Trump administration would charge the tariff only if countries adopted anti-American policies, differentiating actions from statements like the one adopted by the BRICS leaders on Sunday.

    Trump claimed without evidence on Tuesday that the group was set up to hurt the United States and he U.S. dollar’s role as the world’s reserve currency. He said he would not allow that to happen.

    “BRICS was set up to degenerate our dollar and take our dollar … take it off as the standard,” he said. “And that’s okay if they want to play that game, but I can play that game too.”

    Trump said losing the dollar’s role as the world’s reserve currency would be like “losing a war, a major world war. We would not be the same country any longer.”

    Brazil in February nixed plans for a common currency agenda during its presidency year.

    (REUTERS)

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Four killed, 27 injured in fire at Cairo TV building

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: People’s Republic of China in Russian – People’s Republic of China in Russian –

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    CAIRO, July 9 (Xinhua) — At least four people were killed and 27 others were injured in a major fire that broke out at the Telecom Egypt building in central Cairo on Monday, Egypt’s Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

    The injured were taken to nearby hospitals, while several others were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation, the ministry said in a statement.

    A fire that started on Monday afternoon at a key telecommunications facility owned by Telecom Egypt in Cairo’s Ramses district has caused temporary disruptions to telephone and internet service in parts of the capital and other regions.

    Egypt’s Communications and Information Technology Minister Amr Talaat said on Tuesday that services would be gradually restored within 24 hours.

    Meanwhile, Egypt’s Civil Aviation Ministry announced that flights at Cairo International Airport had resumed in full following overnight delays caused by communication disruptions.

    “All affected flights have departed and operations at all Cairo airport terminals have returned to normal,” the ministry said in a statement.

    A security source told the official MENA news agency that a preliminary investigation suggests the fire was caused by a short circuit, noting that forensic lab experts will collect evidence from the scene to determine the exact cause. –0–

    Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI: HERE and Genesys Partner to Tackle Distracted Driving and Deliver Next-Generation Navigation Experiences in India

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    • Strategic collaboration brings dynamic maps, real-time traffic updates and integrated safety features to Indian vehicles
    • Partnership supports India’s automotive shift toward software-defined, connected driving experiences

    Mumbai, India – HERE Technologies, the global leader in digital mapping and location data, and Genesys International, a leading Indian geospatial solutions company, have joined forces to radically improve the in-car navigation experience and strengthen road safety efforts across India.

    Together, HERE and Genesys International are planning to develop a next-generation, in-car navigation system that targets distracted driving. The companies are focused on providing Indian drivers with a seamless digital cockpit user experience with rich features that include live map and navigation capabilities, road hazard alerts and real-time traffic information from HERE, alongside integrated Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) functions from Genesys International.

    Approximately 80,000 people are killed in road crashes every year across India, with more than 3,000 fatalities attributed to mobile phone use, according to India’s Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. This presents a clear opportunity to integrate in-car navigation and the vehicle systems to reduce driver distraction, enhance safety and deliver advanced user experiences.

    A recent HERE survey involving a representative sample of road users across India revealed 98% of respondents expressed concerns about road safety. Furthermore, 91% of respondents believed ADAS functions are key for road safety. The shift toward Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) and the broader digital transformation in the automotive sector is creating momentum for change. As automakers in India look to match global trends, embedded navigation systems that work seamlessly with a vehicle’s safety and infotainment platforms are becoming essential.

    “There is a clear call from road users in India for more accessible and advanced vehicle safety technologies, including ADAS,” said Deon Newman, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Asia Pacific, at HERE Technologies. “Our collaboration with Genesys International bridges global expertise and local innovation enabling automakers to integrate intelligent, ADAS-ready solutions that support safer, smarter, and more connected driving experiences in India.

    In recent years, Indian automotive manufacturers have begun offering digital navigation systems in newer models. However, solutions have faced challenges in keeping pace with the expectations of today’s drivers. To address this gap, this partnership combines HERE Navigation’s customizable, digital cockpit-ready software with ADAS from Genesys International to deliver a dynamic, intuitive and safe in-vehicle experience. Powered by AI, HERE’s mapping architecture provides real-time updates on road conditions, speed limits, real-time traffic, optimized routes for EV, and charging stations, ensuring precise, context-aware guidance for drivers.

    Commenting on this partnership, Sajid Malik, Chairman & Managing Director of Genesys International Corporation, said: “This partnership with HERE is a significant step in our effort to improve the safety and intelligence of India’s roads. We are combining our India-specific ADAS map technology with HERE’s worldwide navigation platform to assist automakers in offering truly connected, context-aware driving experiences. This strategic partnership supports India’s automotive transition to software-defined, connected mobility by providing Indian cars with integrated safety features, dynamic maps, and real-time traffic updates.”

    HERE has a strong presence in India, with over 3,000 employees working across offices in three major Indian cities. Committed to the principle of “Made in India, for India”, this partnership reinforces the commitment of both companies to support OEMs in shaping the future of mobility in India – one that prioritizes safety, convenience, and real-time intelligence.

    Looking ahead, HERE and Genesys International plan to jointly innovate on advanced mobility solutions focused on keeping drivers safe on the roads in India. As part of their long-term vision and commitment to India, both companies will explore the establishment of a dedicated mobility innovation center in India, where local teams will co-develop and pilot solutions that directly addresses the challenges Indian drivers face daily.

    Customers of HERE include nearly every global automaker, leaders in transportation and logistics, and public sector agencies worldwide. HERE is the global market leader for automotive-grade maps designed to power navigation, advanced driving assistance, EV and automated driving systems. More than 54 million vehicles today rely on maps from HERE for advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and automated driving functions. HERE location data and software services have now been used in 222+ million vehicles globally.

    Genesys International Corporation Ltd. is a leading provider of advanced mapping, surveying, and geospatial solutions. With over 23 years of domain expertise and 2,000+ professionals, Genesys delivers high-precision 3D mapping, ADAS-ready HD maps, and cutting-edge digital twin and AI-driven platforms. Headquartered in Mumbai with multiple production centers, Genesys serves a global client base—including Fortune 500 companies and SMEs—across automotive, infrastructure, utilities, and e-governance sectors. As one of the world’s largest LiDAR acquisition and processing firms, Genesys has mapped over 2 million kilometers, powering critical applications in navigation, autonomous systems, and smart mobility, shaping the future of connected, safe, and sustainable transportation.

    Media Contacts

    Genesys International Corporation

    investors@igenesys.com

    Branding Edge

    Shreeya Namjoshi

    +91 7715836283

    shreeya@Brandingedgestrategies.com

    HERE Technologies

    Vanessa Lee

    +65 9188 6199

    Vanessa.lee@here.com

    About Genesys International Corporation

    Genesys International Corporation Ltd is a premier advanced mapping company. With a team of over 2,000 professionals along with the nationwide Genesys constellation of sensors, the company is building the new India map stack. Genesys International has unique expertise, encompassing an understanding of emerging consumer applications related to mapping technology and the capability to provide cutting-edge solutions on the enterprise and government markets.

    About HERE Technologies
    HERE has been a pioneer in mapping and location technology for 40 years. Today, HERE’s location platform is recognized as the most complete in the industry, powering location-based products, services and custom maps for organizations and enterprises across the globe. From autonomous driving and seamless logistics to new mobility experiences, HERE allows its partners and customers to innovate while retaining control over their data and safeguarding privacy. Find out how HERE is moving the world forward at here.com. 

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • PM Modi departs for Namibia after concluding Brazil visit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday departed for Namibia after concluding his two-day visit to Brazil, where he attended the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro and held wide-ranging discussions with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

    PM Modi is on a five-nation visit, with Namibia being his final stop.

    In a post on X, the Prime Minister said, “Held fruitful talks with President Lula, who has always been passionate about the India-Brazil friendship. Our talks included ways to deepen trade ties and diversify bilateral trade. We both agree that there is immense scope for such linkages to thrive in the coming times.”

    “Clean energy, sustainable development and overcoming climate change were also prominent topics of discussion. Other areas where we will work even more closely include defence, security, AI and agriculture. India-Brazil cooperation in space, semiconductors and DPI will benefit our people,” PM Modi added.

  • MIL-OSI Video: BRICS, Bosnia & Herzegovina & other topics – Daily Press Briefing (8 July 2025) | United Nations

    Source: United Nations (video statements)

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

    Highlights:
    Secretary-General/BRICS
    Bosnia And Herzegovina
    Haiti
    Occupied Palestinian Territory
    Ukraine
    South Sudan
    Somalia
    Briefings Tomorrow

    SECRETARY-GENERAL/BRICS
    The Secretary-General is wrapping up his visit to Rio de Janeiro, where he was attending the BRICS Summit. He held a number of bilateral meetings today, notably with the Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China, Li Qiang. They discussed cooperation between the United Nations and China, sustainable development, climate change and financing.
    And yesterday afternoon, on the margins of the BRICS, the Secretary-General also met the Iranian Foreign Minister, Seyed Abbas Araghchi. The Secretary-General noted the importance of the consolidation of the ceasefire to lay the groundwork for the resumption of negotiations.
    He also held a bilateral meeting with the Foreign Minister of Türkiye, Hakan Fidan. They exchanged views on the war in Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and the next round of meetings on Cyprus.
    The Secretary-General is leaving Rio later today and will be back in New York at daybreak tomorrow.

    BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
    This morning, the General Assembly held a ceremony in solidarity and reflection on the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica, as mandated by the General Assembly.
    Courtenay Rattray, the Secretary-General’s Chef de Cabinet, delivered remarks on the Secretary-General’s behalf, saying that we must remember the more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys who were killed at Srebrenica, and we pay tribute to the strength, to the dignity and the courage of the survivors and their families.
    Thirty years ago, the Secretary-General said in his message, the United Nations and the world failed the people of Srebrenica. This collective failure, he added, was the result of policies, propaganda, and international indifference.
    Today, he said, we remember, and we must also confront reality.
    After Srebrenica, the world said – once again – “Never Again”. Hate speech is on the rise again – fueling discrimination, extremism, and violence. We see the glorification of war criminals. We see the same dangerous currents that once led to atrocity crimes. The Secretary-General said we cannot ignore these warning signs.

    As a note, Rosemary DiCarlo, the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, will be representing the Secretary-General at the official remembrance in Srebrenica that takes place this Friday.

    HAITI
    Turning to Haiti, where the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs report that armed attacks in the Centre department last week displaced more than 16,000 human beings. Most have found refuge with host families, while 2 per cent of them have settled in seven informal displacement sites that were created in the wake of these incidents.
    These developments reflect the continued deterioration of the security situation in Haiti, which is compounding humanitarian needs in a country where more than 1.3 million people are already internally displaced. Half of those are children. Overall, 6 million people in Haiti need humanitarian assistance, amid persistent insecurity and the gradual collapse of essential services.
    Displaced women and girls face particular risks.
    They face severe risks to their safety, including exposure to sexual and gender-based violence, with cases reported in some displacement sites.
    Despite major challenges, humanitarian partners continue to deliver life-saving assistance to the most vulnerable in Haiti. From January to March, more than 720,000 people received emergency food assistance, 25,000 people received emergency shelter kits, and 35,000 benefited from essential non-food items. Nearly 170,000 people gained access to safe drinking water, and 55,000 accessed emergency sanitation facilities.
    However, as we said yesterday, the lack of funding is significantly impacting our ability and our partners’ ability to meet the growing needs of the Haitian people. And as I said, unfortunately, the Haitian humanitarian appeal remains the least funded of all of our humanitarian appeals, which are almost all underfunded. Out of the $908 million we need, we have less than $75 million in the bank.
    OCHA remains committed to working closely with humanitarian partners, national authorities and others to increase funding levels, coordinate the delivery of assistance, facilitate humanitarian access, and ensure that the needs of Haiti’s most vulnerable people are addressed.

    Full Highlights: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/ossg/noon-briefing-highlight?date%5Bvalue%5D%5Bdate%5D=08+July+2025

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mzYocjcMe0

    MIL OSI Video –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: South Sudan’s longest cholera outbreak enters critical stage

    Source: United Nations 2

    The outbreak – which started in September 2024 and was confirmed a month later – comes amidst a protracted humanitarian crisis exacerbated by rising intercommunal violence, climate shocks such as flooding and catastrophic hunger.  

    “Now, more than ever, collective action is needed to reduce tensions, resolve political differences and make tangible progress in implementing peace,” said Anita Kiki Gbeho, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in South Sudan.  

    Alarming escalation

    Since the cholera outbreak was declared in October 2024, UN agencies and partners have documented over 80,000 cholera cases and 1,400 deaths.  

    This is in addition to regional outbreaks of mpox, hepatitis and measles among other communicable diseases.

    South Sudanese authorities, civil society and UN agencies held an inter-ministerial meeting on Monday to discuss what they called an “alarming escalation” in the spread of the outbreak. 

    “This is not merely a public health crisis, but a multi-sectoral emergency exacerbated by flooding, displacement, and limited access to basic services,” the ministers wrote in a communiqué released.  

    The group resolved to facilitate unimpeded humanitarian access to areas which already have outbreaks and to other areas at risk for outbreaks. The Government of South Sudan will coordinate these efforts.

    Partners will also work to preposition materials, improve water and sanitation infrastructure and coordinate proactive and reactive vaccination campaigns.  

    Time is running out

    With the peak of the rainy season on the horizon, the next eight weeks are critical in containing and mitigating the outbreak before severe flooding begins.  

    “Time is of the essence to prevent a further escalation of the outbreak,” the officials wrote.  

    Floods more than double the frequency of cholera outbreaks by imperiling access to clean water and impeding humanitarian access to affected areas. And with rising global temperatures making floods more severe, millions of South Sudanese who were not previously in regions of concern may now be at risk for cholera outbreaks.

    A preventable disease  

    Cholera is an acute diarrhoeal infection caused by consuming contaminated water or food. Although highly communicable, it is preventable through proper hygiene, regular handwashing, safe food preparation and storage, improved sanitation infrastructure, and vaccination.

    Symptoms typically include watery diarrhoea. Most cases are mild to moderate and can be treated effectively with oral rehydration salts (ORS) mixed with clean, boiled water.

    However, in severe cases, cholera can be fatal—sometimes within hours—if not treated promptly.

    Infected individuals can also transmit the disease through their faeces for up to ten days, even if they show no symptoms.

    Need for additional funds

    In South Sudan, the already inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure and overstretched public health system has further deteriorated as a result of displacement and conflict. This has ripened the conditions for the spread of cholera.

    The UN and its partners are working quickly to preposition emergency supplies, especially in these previously low-risk areas, but they are hampered by funding shortfalls. Agencies estimate that they will need $1.69 billion – of which they have only received $368 million – to address the many intersecting humanitarian needs in the country.  

    Nevertheless, the group of ministers insisted that this outbreak is and must remain a priority for all involved.

    “Cholera response and flood preparedness must be treated as urgent national priorities,” they said in the communiqué. 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Islamic Republic of Mauritania: Fourth Reviews Under the Arrangements Under the Extended Credit Facility, and the Extended Fund Facility, Third Review Under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility, and Request for Rephasing of Access-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Islamic Republic of Mauritania

    Source: International Monetary Fund

    International Monetary Fund. Middle East and Central Asia Dept. “Islamic Republic of Mauritania: Fourth Reviews Under the Arrangements Under the Extended Credit Facility, and the Extended Fund Facility, Third Review Under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility, and Request for Rephasing of Access-Press Release; Staff Report; and Statement by the Executive Director for the Islamic Republic of Mauritania”, IMF Staff Country Reports 2025, 170 (2025), accessed July 8, 2025, https://doi.org/10.5089/9798229015813.002

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Remarks of Commissioner Kristin N. Johnson at George Washington University

    Source: US Commodity Futures Trading Commission

    Thank you to the George Washington University Regulatory Studies Center, Roger Nober, Susan Dudley, and the organizers of today’s event for allowing me to join virtually. As many of you are aware, I have spent the last several years engaging regulators and market participants from jurisdictions around the world on issues at the core of today’s discussion.[1]
    How might advances in artificial intelligence (AI) increase inclusion and customer experiences and democratize access to financial services, improve the accuracy and efficiency of financial services, and potentially reduce transaction costs as well as the costs of compliance? 
    These issues, among several other potential benefits and risks associated with the adoption of innovative technologies, are top of mind for me and many other senior regulators, chief executive officers, chief technology officers, chief information security officers, chief compliance officers, and chief risk managers around the world.
    According to an International Monetary Fund paper exploring the benefits and risks of AI in finance, AI and machine learning (ML) technologies alongside other
    [r]ecent technological advances in computing and data storage power, big data, and the digital economy are facilitating rapid AI/ML deployment in a wide range of sectors, including finance. The COVID-19 crisis has accelerated the adoption of these systems due to the increased use of digital channels.
    AI/ML systems are changing the financial sector landscape. Competitive pressures are fueling rapid adoption of AI/ML in the financial sector by facilitating gains in efficiency and cost savings, reshaping client interfaces, enhancing forecasting accuracy, and improving risk management and compliance. AI/ML systems also offer the potential to strengthen prudential oversight and to equip [regulators]  with new tools. . . .[2]
    Indisputably, AI is rapidly transforming the financial sector, particularly in the areas of compliance, market surveillance, and regulatory enforcement. What once seemed the creative imaginings of science fiction or fantasy novels and films—forward-looking notions of a futuristic world—has now become a practical and increasingly essential tool across the financial market ecosystem. Market participants and regulators alike are leveraging AI and ML to improve risk management, detect misconduct, and strengthen the integrity of the markets.
    Let’s explore the use of AI in compliance, bad actors’ potential misuse of AI, opportunities for supervisory technology (suptech) in enforcement, and a path forward.
    AI and Industry Compliance
    Financial institutions have been at the forefront of AI adoption, especially in compliance functions. AI is widely used in anti-money laundering (AML) efforts, where algorithms analyze transaction patterns across millions of credit card statements, bank statements, and account details to detect anomalies that may go unnoticed by traditional systems. ML models have dramatically reduced false positives in AML alerts[3]; this has long been a challenge for compliance teams who may now rely on AI to learn by reviewing training data and distinguish between benign and suspicious activity more precisely and more efficiently.
    AI also supports compliance with complex cross-border financial regulations. Financial services firms deploy ML to monitor transactions for potential sanctions violations, helping ensure that transactions align with regulatory requirements based on origin, amount, frequency, and other risk factors.[4]
    Some firms have also embraced AI in communications surveillance, using platforms that offer digital communications governance to review internal communications for signs of fraud or misconduct. By automating these reviews, firms are better equipped to identify red flags early and maintain robust compliance programs.
    A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report released in May of 2025—Artificial Intelligence: Use and Oversight in Financial Services—identifies six increasingly common activities for which financial services firms may choose to integrate AI models, including automated trading, countering threats and illicit finance, credit decisions, customer service, investment decisions, and risk management.[5]
    The GAO report indicated that AI may be used to “detect and mitigate cyber threats through real-time investigation of potential attacks, flagging and blocking of new ransomware, and identification of compromised accounts and files” as well as to “identify fake IDs, recognize different photos of the same person, and screen clients against sanctions and other lists; analyze transaction data … and unstructured data (such as email, text, and audio data) to detect evidence of possible money laundering, terrorist financing, bribery, tax evasion, insider trading, market manipulation, and other fraudulent or illegal activities.”[6]
    For many of these use cases, financial services firms rely on generative AI. However, for use cases that require a high degree of reliability or explainability—the ability to understand how and why an AI system produces decisions, predictions, or recommendations—firms are rightly reticent to employ generative AI models.
    Regulators Use of AI for SupTech 
    The benefits of AI are not limited to the private sector. U.S. regulatory agencies—including the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Federal Reserve), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)—have begun integrating AI tools into their supervisory functions.
    These agencies use AI to analyze vast quantities of financial data, identify outliers, and detect emerging risks.[7] For example, AI can flag inconsistencies in data submissions from financial institutions, or surface patterns that indicate potential regulatory violations. This use of AI, often referred to as “suptech” (supervisory technology), enhances regulators’ ability to carry out their oversight responsibilities efficiently and proactively.
    Over the course of last year, the CFTC undertook extraordinary efforts to begin to clarify the Commission’s understanding of registrants’ use of AI and the potential benefits and limitations of the Commission’s implementation of AI for supervisory, surveillance, and enforcement purposes. In January of 2024, I worked with Commission staff to issue a Request for Comment distributed to our market participants to better understand the real-time adoption of AI models.[8] Following the Request for Comment, in December of 2024, the Commission issued a staff advisory on Use of Artificial Intelligence in CFTC-Regulated Markets.[9] One of the most significant takeaways from the staff advisory, which was echoed in executive orders issued by the prior administration, underscore the obligation for CFTC-regulated entities to maintain compliance with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements whether they choose to deploy AI or any other technology.
    Addressing the Dark Side of AI
    While AI has the potential to enhance compliance and supervision, it also introduces new risks. Alongside the promise of AI, we must consider the limitations and potential perils of implementing AI quickly without appropriate guardrails. Many of you in the room today, former Commissioner Berkovitz and Professor Cary Coglianese, among others, have participated in joint studies published by the Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS) or independently published or presented on these limits. 
    In previous speeches, I have outlined concerns regarding the implementation of AI models without effective guardrails and governance interventions. 
    In a speech earlier this summer, I began to explore the specific concerns that may emerge as firms and regulators integrate agentic AI.[10] The discussion today, in fact, may largely focus on the integration of agentic AI models in compliance, surveillance, and enforcement. If so, I am hopeful that, in parallel to efforts to explore the benefits, panelists examining “AI’s Role in Regulation Post-Chevron” and “Regulatory Functions Most Amenable to AI-Drive Process Improvement” will also examine important concerns such as the limits of synthetic data, ghosts or hallucinations, data leakage, increasingly undetectable video and voice deepfakes, data accuracy, data security, and data integrity, among others.
    Some bad actors are paving the road for regulators and enforcement actions using AI technology. . But, in many cases, the bad actions are simply traditional, garden variety fraud with an AI white-label. 
    “AI washing”—the practice of exaggerating or misrepresenting AI capabilities to attract investors or customers[11]—is among the most concerning marketing and solicitation issues that financial market regulators currently face. Firms may claim to use advanced AI models to generate high returns when, in reality, they rely on rudimentary trading bots or nonexistent systems.[12]
    Enforcement in Action
    The CFTC has actively pursued enforcement actions against fraudulent actors who misuse or misrepresent AI. In a landmark case, the Commission obtained a $1.7 billion penalty—its largest ever—against a South African company that defrauded investors through a fraudulent multilevel marketing scheme.[13] The company falsely claimed to use a proprietary AI trading bot to generate high returns on Bitcoin investments. In reality, there was no proprietary trading bot and the firm engaged in minimal trading activity, most of which was unprofitable, and misappropriated investor funds.
    This and other cases underscore the CFTC’s ability to tackle AI-related misconduct using existing legal tools. The Commodity Exchange Act (CEA) provides a robust and flexible framework that prohibits fraudulent and manipulative practices regardless of the underlying technology. For example, CEA Section 4c(a) outlaws disruptive practices such as spoofing,[14] while CEA Section 6(c)(1) and Regulation 180.1 give the Commission broad anti-fraud and anti-manipulation authority.[15] These provisions are intentionally technology-neutral, allowing the CFTC to remain agile as new innovations emerge.
    The Commission has demonstrated, through its prior enforcement actions, that markets and market participants engaged in activities that are regulated by the Commission are expected to comply with applicable statutory and regulatory requirements, even when such activities occur with cryptocurrencies or through the use of AI. The technology-neutral approach of the CEA and CFTC regulations allows these provisions to be used to combat fraud in any shape, manner, or form.
    The Strategic Importance of Suptech
    A recent survey by the Financial Stability Institute (FSI) and the Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub found that only 3 out of 50 supervisory authorities surveyed did not have ongoing suptech initiatives.[16] Those with a comprehensive suptech strategy were significantly more likely to deploy tools critical to supervision.[17]
    This underscores the importance of not only embracing AI on a case-by-case basis, but also developing cohesive strategies for integrating AI into regulatory and supervisory workflows. By investing in data infrastructure, fostering inter-agency collaboration, and recruiting AI-savvy talent, regulators can better equip themselves to meet the demands of increasingly complex markets.
    Finding a Pathway Forward
    I am looking forward to exploring the following principles and their role in our principles-based regulatory framework that I outlined in a speech last year. [18] As I have previously explained, there are many things that the Commission can do immediately to enhance our understanding of AI and help guide the development of effective guardrails that foster responsible development of AI.[19]
    Heightened Penalties
    As a CFTC Commissioner, I am also deeply concerned about the potential for abuse of AI technologies to facilitate fraud in our markets. As we examine the development of and limitations on the legitimate uses of AI in our markets, it is also important for the CFTC to emphasize that any misuse of these technologies will draw sharp penalties.
    In fact, I continue to call for the Commission to consider introducing heightened penalties for those who intentionally use AI technologies to engage in fraud, market manipulation, or the evasion of our regulations.
    In many instances, our statutes provide for heightened civil monetary penalties where appropriate.
    I propose that the use of AI in our markets to commit fraud and other violations of our regulations may, in certain circumstances, warrant a heightened civil monetary penalty.
    Bad actors who would use AI to violate our rules must be put on notice and sufficiently deterred from using AI as a weapon to engage in fraud, market manipulation, or to otherwise disrupt the operations or integrity of our markets. We must make it clear that the lure of using AI to engage in new malicious schemes will not be worth the cost.
    Recommendation for an Inter-Agency Task Force
    At the end of 2023, the previous administration announced the creation of an AI Safety Institute, which was to be established within the National institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), housed within the Commerce Department.[20]
    Shortly thereafter, I proposed the creation of an inter-agency task force composed of financial regulators including the CFTC, SEC, Federal Reserve, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, FDIC, Federal Housing Finance Agency, and NCUA to develop guidelines, tools, benchmarks, and best practices for the use and regulation of AI in the financial services industry.[21]
    Addressing the perils of AI, while harnessing its promise, is a challenge that will require a whole-of-government approach, with regulators working together across diverse agencies. I continue to advocate for agencies working together to provide their essential experience and expertise to help guide the development of AI standards for the financial industry.
    Conclusion
    The CFTC, in particular, is well positioned to lead in this space. Its principles-based and technology-neutral approach to regulation allows for flexible oversight that supports innovation while safeguarding market integrity. The Commission’s mission—to foster open, transparent, competitive, and financially sound markets—naturally aligns with the adoption of cutting-edge technology.
    AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it is a central feature of modern financial markets. Used responsibly, AI enhances compliance, improves oversight, and enables faster and more effective enforcement. The CFTC’s technology-neutral framework allows it to keep pace with innovation while maintaining essential investor protections and market integrity.
    Thanks again for allowing me to share my thoughts with you today. I anticipate you will have an energetic, generative, and thoughtful discussion on the panels and following the presentations this afternoon.

    [1] The views I share today are my own and not the views of the Commission, my fellow Commissioners or the CFTC staff.

    [7] Id. at 33, 35.

    [14] 7 U.S.C. § 6c(a).

    [15] 7 U.S.C. § 9(1); 17 C.F.R. § 180.1.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Deputy Representative of UN Secretary-General in Libya Meets Ambassador of Qatar

    Source: Government of Qatar

    Tripoli, July 08, 2025

    HE Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Political Affairs for Libya in the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Stephanie Koury met with HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Libya Dr. Khalid Mohammed bin Zabin Al Dosari.

    The meeting discussed the latest developments in Libya.

    HE Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Libya reaffirmed during the meeting the State of Qatar’s firm and supportive position in support of Libya’s unity and sovereignty, as well as its commitment to backing all international efforts aimed at achieving security, stability, and development in the country.

    His Excellency also reiterated the State of Qatar’s support for the Libyan political process, relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, and all peaceful solutions that preserve Libya’s unity, stability, and sovereignty, while fulfilling the aspirations of the brotherly Libyan people for development and prosperity through free and fair elections.

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Gaza Negotiations Aim to Bridge Gap Between Parties on Negotiation Framework

    Source: Government of Qatar

    Doha, July 08, 2025

    Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Majed bin Mohammed Al Ansari affirmed that the indirect negotiations between Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), currently hosted in Doha, aim to bridge the gap between the two parties regarding the negotiation framework that precedes the actual negotiation process.

    During the weekly press briefing organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Al Ansari stated that the Palestinian and Israeli delegations are present in Doha, and discussions are currently taking place with each delegation separately, with the aim of creating a suitable environment for agreement on the main issues between the two sides.

    He noted that it is too early to draw any conclusions about these negotiations, except that the talks are ongoing and the parties are engaged.

    He expressed the State of Qatar’s appreciation for the support of the United States in this regard, noting that the Qatari and Egyptian mediation teams are working around the clock in Doha to reach an appropriate negotiation framework.

    The Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated Qatar’s firm stance and categorical rejection of any plan aimed at displacing the Palestinian people from their land.

    He pointed out that some of the statements heard in the media regarding displacement contradict international and humanitarian laws.

    He called on the international community to support the rejection of the displacement of the Palestinian people, noting that there is an international consensus against any forced displacement of Palestinians from their land.

    Al Ansari explained that it is premature to present a vision regarding the outcome of the ongoing negotiations or a specific timeline, pointing out that there is positive engagement from both sides so far.

    He said that the ultimate goal is undoubtedly to end this senseless war and the humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip. All mediation efforts by the mediators are aimed at achieving that.

    He added that the current discussions are specifically focused on the proposed truce, its conditions, and the guarantees that can be provided to reach positive outcomes, and what this truce could lead to in terms of resuming negotiations for a final resolution to this crisis and humanitarian disaster.

    He noted the statements made by HE the U.S. President Donald Trump supporting the achievement of an agreement regarding the situation in Gaza, stressing the importance of building on that through joint mediation efforts with the United States and the Arab Republic of Egypt.

    The Advisor to the Prime Minister and Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that the current focus is on ensuring the success of these talks, maintaining their confidentiality, and continuing the engagement of both parties to ultimately reach a final agreement.

    He stated that Qatar welcomes the visit of the U.S. President envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff, at any time, noting that such a visit would support the ongoing consultations between the negotiating parties currently in Doha.

    Al Ansari said that any escalation on the ground complicates the mediators mission. The Israeli escalation in the Gaza Strip is significant, and the operations that have led to the martyrdom of hundreds of Palestinians on a daily or near-daily basis since the collapse of the previous truce constitute a full-fledged humanitarian catastrophe unfolding before the eyes and ears of the entire world.

    As for media leaks, He added that, some of them lead to a negative media stream at times, which may result in a shift in positions inside the negotiation room, stressing that Qatar is keen to keep this process in its proper place and to provide information when it is mature and ready to be shared. 

    The Advisor to the Prime Minister and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted the recent receipt of the Tipperary International Peace Award by HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani last Tuesday during a ceremony held in the Republic of Ireland.

    He emphasized the great significance of this international award, noting that previous recipients include former US President Bill Clinton, the late Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, and many other peacemakers who received the award under various circumstances.

    He added that the official statements accompanying the award indicate that it was presented in recognition of the major roles played by the State of Qatar, particularly through its diplomacy led by the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, in peace negotiations in Gaza, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Sudan, and other regions. The award also acknowledges Qatar’s active engagement in the field of peacebuilding.

    The Advisor also noted that, in his acceptance speech, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs praised the wise leadership of HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and expressed his pride in serving as a leader in Qatar’s foreign policy over the past decade under His Highness’s guidance. He reaffirmed that the State of Qatar remains committed to its role in advancing peace efforts.

    He added that the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs met in Dublin with Irish President Michael D. Higgins, as well as with Simon Harris, who serves as the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Defense of Ireland. His Excellency also visited the Irish National War Memorial Gardens.

    Al Ansari noted that on Wednesday, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs received a phone call from Antonio Tajani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy, during which they discussed the latest developments in the region, particularly in Gaza and the occupied

    Palestinian territories, as well as efforts to reach a broader agreement with Iran on its nuclear program, and other matters of mutual concern.

    He explained that on Tuesday, the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs met with his Egyptian counterpart, Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, with discussions focused primarily on bilateral relations and joint mediation efforts by Qatar and Egypt to end the catastrophic war in Gaza.

    He also mentioned that a round of political consultations was held on Monday in Sofia, the capital of Bulgaria, between the foreign ministries of Qatar and Bulgaria. The Qatari delegation was led by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, while the Bulgarian side was headed by HE Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Anguelieva.

    He also noted that, on the sidelines of these consultations, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs met with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and with Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev.

    He also said that, on Thursday in Doha, the fourth round of political consultations between the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Union External Action Service was held. The Qatari side was led by HE Minister of State for Foreign Affair Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi, and the European side by HE Olof Skoog, who serves as Deputy Secretary-General for Political Affairs at the European External Action Service.

    Finally, he mentioned that on Friday, HE President Nicolas Maduro of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela met HE Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi. HE Al Khulaifi also met during the visit with HE Vice President of Venezuela Dr. Delcy Eloina Rodriguez Gomez, where discussions focused on regional developments in general, and the latest developments in the Middle East and Latin America. 

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Tanzania advances avocado sector with support from Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO’s) One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative

    Source: APO

    The United Republic of Tanzania is promoting avocado as a key driver of sustainable agricultural transformation under the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative. Led by the Government and supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the initiative is helping to strengthen the avocado value chain through innovation, investment, and inclusive development.

    Tanzania is one of more than 30 African countries participating in OCOP, a global initiative that supports countries to promote one Special Agricultural Product with unique qualities and market potential. Avocado was selected as Tanzania’s OCOP crop in line with national strategies to develop high-value horticultural exports.

    The country is currently one of Africa’s top three producers of avocado, with Kenya and South Africa. Smallholder farmers account for about 90 percent of this production, highlighting the crop’s role in supporting rural livelihoods. Avocados are grown across many parts of the country, including Arusha, Kilimanjaro, Mbeya, Songwe, Njombe, Kagera, Kigoma, Rukwa, Tanga, Manyara and Ruvuma. National efforts have focused on increasing production, improving quality and expanding access to international markets.

    Avocado: a strategic crop for growth

    Recent data from the Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) shows that avocado exports increased by 74 percent between 2021 and 2023, rising from 15,432 tonnes to 26,826 tonnes. Over the same period, export earnings grew from USD 44.3 million to USD 77.3 million. In November 2024, Tanzania’s first shipment of avocados arrived in China, opening access to a new Asian market.

    The OCOP initiative complements Tanzania’s national plans by promoting sustainable production and green value chain development. It encourages countries to build more inclusive and resilient agrifood systems through improved practices in production, storage, processing and marketing.

    Tanzania has set a national target to increase avocado production from 190,000 tonnes in 2018 to 290,000 tonnes by 2025. Reaching this goal will require further investment in quality seedling production, irrigation systems, storage and processing infrastructure, and harvesting technologies. Strengthening the capacity of extension workers is also a priority.

    Transforming agrifood systems

    The OCOP initiative provides a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration across countries. To date, 33 African countries are participating, each focusing on one special agricultural product. The initiative is country-led, with FAO offering technical support and facilitating partnerships.

    The OCOP initiative is aligned with FAO’s vision for more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life, leaving noone behind.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Building Resilient Food Systems in Sierra Leone: Sustainable Agriculture, Community Empowerment, and Strategic Partnerships for Long-Term Food Security

    Source: APO

    The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL), through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) working with its development partners, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Bank, is implementing a Food Systems Resilience Programme.

    This programme seeks to reduce food and nutrition insecurity and enhance the resilience of food systems for vulnerable communities in Sierra Leone. It focuses on rehabilitating Inland Valley Swamps (IVS) and on restocking livestock.

    Global Context: Impact of the Russia-Ukraine Conflict on Food Supply Chains and the Lasting Effects of COVID-19

    The Russia-Ukraine conflict has significantly disrupted production and supply chains, impacting much of Africa and beyond as the two countries are major global producers of commodities such as oil, gas, cereals, oil grains, and fertilizer. Commodity prices for fuel, wheat, oil palm, and fertilizer have soared. This comes on the back of increases in shipping costs and disruption in the global food supply chain due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, which has kept global food prices higher than pre-pandemic levels.

    The government developed a Quick Action Food Security Response Plan (QA-FSRP) outlining the much-needed interventions to support the government’s ability to respond to potential food security threats from the Russia-Ukraine crisis. It focuses on short-term measures, as well as lays the foundation for medium to long-term investment to boost agriculture productivity. This plan outlines both immediate interventions and lays the foundation for medium- to long-term investments to boost agricultural productivity.

    Empowering Farmers through Critical Support and Capacity Building

    The primary objective of this component is to strengthen the legacy Inland Valley Swamps developed by sister projects that are not being properly utilized to intensify rice and vegetable production by rehabilitation.

    One of the key achievements is the provision of critical agricultural inputs coupled with capacity building to all beneficiaries with technical support from the MAFS Agricultural Engineering division to actualize the rehabilitation and cultivation of 850 ha of Inland Valley Swamp across the six districts in Sierra Leone. This approach warranted the timely completion of cultivation across all the beneficiary farming groups with a huge prospect of high yield during harvest.

    Another key success story is the introduction of cash-based support to for targeted farmers based on measured work. This approach has empowered farmers to make choices based on their priorities, needs, and preferences, to exercise greater control over their own lives.  

    Lessons learned and Solutions

    One of the programme’s key achievements is the provision of critical agricultural inputs, paired with capacity-building support for all beneficiaries, facilitated by technical assistance from the Agricultural Engineering division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. This support enabled the successful rehabilitation and cultivation of 850 hectares of Inland Valley Swamp across six districts in Sierra Leone. The intervention has resulted in timely planting across all beneficiary groups, with promising high yields anticipated during harvest. Additionally, the IVS intervention in peri-urban areas like Bo has mitigated the effects of flooding, thanks to reconstructed waterways and drainage canals. 

    Empowering Farmers with Cash-Based Support

    A key component of the programme is the conditional cash transfer model, which gave farmers the freedom to buy what they needed most, whether it is medicine, food, schoolbooks, clothes, or many other things. For instance, in one of the IVS sites in the Daru community after the disbursement of cash to farmers, qualitative evidence showed that farmers who successfully received their cash support used some of it to purchase food, pay school fees, buy mobile phones, and pay hospital bills for their children.

    Community Involvement and Stakeholder Engagement for Sustainable Impact

    The active involvement of community and chiefdom stakeholders makes it easier to organize and establish any structure and create ownership and sustainability. When community members are given the space to act and are involved in the design of the activity, they bring innovative ideas and demonstrate willingness and commitment to see it through. This is visible in this project through the involvement of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, local community members, and district stakeholders in the formal handing over of agricultural inputs, collaboration in project implementation, and involvement in key decision-making platforms such as the project stakeholder engagement and inception workshops. Women and youth have also demonstrated a strong willingness to learn skills and accept changes.

    Recommendations to Peers

    Providing training alongside inputs can promote the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, leading to long-term environmental benefits. Additionally, the involvement of government technical staff in monitoring and training beneficiaries during the IVS rehabilitation and cultivation exercise proved highly valuable. These staff members are expected to maintain a consistent presence in the communities for ongoing monitoring after the project concludes, ensuring continuity.

    Furthermore, the use of a community-based model, in which beneficiary farming groups were actively involved in the rehabilitation and cultivation of IVS paddy fields is a clear testament to the sustainability of the project.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Regional Office for Africa.

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    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Enforcement of CJEU judgments of 4 October 2024 – E-002615/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Question for written answer  E-002615/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Cristina Maestre (S&D), Eric Sargiacomo (S&D)

    On 4 October 2024, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled that, so as not to mislead consumers, agricultural products imported into the EU must be labelled to distinguish between those from Western Sahara and from Morocco. In October, moreover, the suspension period for the rulings annulling the trade agreements on fisheries and agriculture concluded between the European Union and Morocco will lapse.

    Considering the above:

    • 1.What is the European Commission’s strategy to ensure compliance with the obligation to label products from Western Sahara?
    • 2.What measures will the European Commission propose to ensure that the new agricultural agreement with Morocco effectively protects EU tomato producers from competition and the lack of reciprocity in respect of Moroccan tomato imports?

    Submitted: 30.6.2025

    Last updated: 8 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –