Category: Africa

MIL-OSI Africa: CORRECTION: Bank Al-Maghrib signs up to The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), Establishing Morocco as its 17th Country of Presence

Source: APO

.

The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) is pleased to announce the entry of the Kingdom of Morocco into its growing network, with Bank Al-Maghrib officially signing the PAPSS membership agreement. As a result, Morocco becomes the 17^th country of presence, further solidifying the continent’s commitment to financial integration and intra-African trade under the banner of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Developed by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with the African Union and the AfCFTA Secretariat, PAPSS enables real-time, efficient, and cost-effective cross-border payments in local currencies. By welcoming Bank Al-Maghrib, PAPSS advances its mission of connecting African central banks and facilitating seamless cross-border trade, payment flows, and investment across the continent.

Mike Ogbalu III, Chief Executive Officer of PAPSS, lauded this latest milestone, stating: “We are delighted to welcome Bank Al-Maghrib to the PAPSS family. Morocco’s entry as our seventeenth country of presence demonstrates the growing momentum and trust in PAPSS as the solution for Africa’s cross-border payment challenges. With more countries joining, we are taking significant strides towards a truly unified African market, driving down transaction costs and empowering businesses and individuals across the continent.”

With Morocco’s addition, PAPSS is now present across seventeen countries, along with over 150 commercial banks and 14 switches, and continues to expand its reach and impact across Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

Follow us on:
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/44Aik9h
Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/3IgGUV3
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4eAlo9X
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/3Id35M5

About PAPSS:
The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System – PAPSS is a centralised Financial Market Infrastructure that enables the efficient flow of money securely across African borders, minimising risk and contributing to financial integration across the regions. PAPSS collaborates with African central banks to offer payment and settlement solutions that commercial banks and licensed payment service providers (switches, fintechs, aggregators, etc.) across the continent can connect to, making these services accessible to the public. To date, PAPSS has developed and launched 3 payment solutions: PAPSS Instant Payment System (IPS), PAPSS African Currency Marketplace (PACM), and the PAPSSCARD.

Afreximbank and the African Union (“AU”) first announced PAPSS at the Twelfth Extraordinary Summit of the African Union held on July 7, 2019, in Niamey, Niger Republic, therefore adopting PAPSS as a key instrument for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). Further, in its thirteenth (13th) extraordinary session, held on December 5, 2020, the assembly of the African Union directed Afreximbank and the AfCFTA secretariat to finalise, among others, work on the Pan-African Payments and Settlements System (PAPSS). The 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU further directed the AfCFTA and Afreximbank to deploy the system to cover the entire continent. PAPSS was officially launched in Accra, Ghana, on January 13, 2022, thus making it available for use by the public.

For more information, visit: www.PAPSS.com.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Petrosen Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to Speak at African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 as Senegal Unlocks Next Phase of Gas Development

Source: APO

Alioune Guèye, CEO of Senegal’s national oil company (NOC) Petrosen, has confirmed his participation as a speaker at African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies 2025, Africa’s premier energy event taking place from September 29 to October 3 in Cape Town. His participation follows a series of historic milestones for Senegal’s energy sector, signaling the country’s emergence as a key player in global gas and downstream development.

Petrosen has been instrumental in achieving first gas at the Greater Tortue Ahmeyim (GTA) LNG project – a landmark joint development between Senegal and Mauritania. Spearheaded by multinational oil and gas company bp and upstream oil company Kosmos Energy, alongside Petrosen and Mauritania’s NOC Société Mauritanienne des Hydrocarbures, the GTA project officially commenced operations on December 31, 2024. With gas flowing from deepwater reservoirs via subsea infrastructure to a floating LNG hub, the GTA development marks West Africa’s entry into the global LNG supply chain, with a capacity of 2.5 million tons per annum in its first phase.

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

Guèye’s participation at AEW: Invest in African Energies 2025 also comes as Petrosen courts new partners for the Yakaar-Teranga gas project – a 25 trillion cubic feet discovery – which is expected to reach a final investment decision in 2025. The project, co-operated with Kosmos Energy, will serve both domestic gas-to-power demand and LNG export ambitions.

Meanwhile, in 2024, the Sangomar offshore field produced 16.9 million barrels of oil – exceeding its 11.7-million-barrel target. Operated by petroleum exploration and production company Woodside Energy with Petrosen holding an 18% interest, Sangomar is expected to deliver up to 100,000 barrels per day, bolstering the country’s oil revenues and energy security. Production on the field began in June 2024, which represents Senegal’s first offshore oil development and a major step toward energy self-sufficiency.

In the downstream sector, Petrosen recently completed feasibility studies for the Senegal Fertilizer Company, a gas-fed urea plant with an annual production capacity of 100,000 tons. Designed to strengthen Senegal’s agricultural value chain and export competitiveness, the plant will utilize domestic gas and phosphate to produce urea and NPK compound fertilizers for regional and global markets – including Europe, the U.S. and Brazil.

“Senegal is at a critical juncture in its energy development as the country pursues large-scale oil and gas projects and positions itself as one of Africa’s most attractive energy investment destinations. Petrosen’s leadership across landmark projects like GTA, Yakaar-Teranga and Sangomar is sending a clear signal to global investors: Senegal is open for business, fiscally sound and committed to long-term value creation across the energy value chain,” states Tomás Gerbasio, VP of Commercial and Strategic Engagement, African Energy Chamber.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.

Media files

.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: United States (U.S.) Consulate Launches 29th American Space in Nigeria, Deepens People-to-People Ties

Source: APO

.

On Thursday, Acting U.S. Consul General JoEllen Gorg joined Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun to officially open the Ogun Tech Hub Window on America, the 29th American Space in Nigeria. This new center—the second in Abeokuta—was established through a partnership between the U.S. Consulate General, Ogun State Government, and GFA Technologies, a leading tech company that supports innovative startups.

The Ogun Tech Hub Window on America offers a vibrant, American-themed environment where young Nigerians can explore ideas, build leadership capacity, and sharpen their entrepreneurial and tech skills through interactive programs and workshops. The center also provides access to high-speed internet, computers, and a wide range of digital resources to support learning, research, and professional development. Visitors can also receive guidance on studying in the United States through various educational advising programs.

Delivering remarks at the ribbon cutting ceremony attended by alumni of U.S. government exchange programs, Ogun State government officials, and members of the local academic, business, and artistic community, Acting Consul General Gorg explained that the Window on America is designed to expand the already strong bonds of friendship and deepen educational and cultural ties between the United States and Nigeria.

“We are delighted to partner with the Ogun State Government and GFA Technologies to open the Ogun Tech Hub Window on America in Abeokuta,” Acting Consul General Gorg said. “This Window on America is a collaborative and technology-driven center dedicated to education, innovation, and partnership benefitting all residents of Ogun State and beyond.”

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun described the Ogun Tech Hub Window on America as a center for knowledge exchange, skills development, and peer-to-peer collaboration between young people in Ogun State and their counterparts in the United States. He underscored the importance of digital skills training offered at the Ogun Tech Hub Window on America in driving sustainable economic growth, generating employment, and enhancing the quality of life of citizens.

“This is the opening of a window to endless possibilities. I urge Ogun State residents to take full ownership of groundbreaking initiatives like the Ogun Tech Hub Window on America. It is not just a room—it is a realized vision, a democratized platform for global learning, connection, and opportunity,” Governor Abiodun added.

Co-Founder/Chief Executive Officer of GFA Technologies, Debo Omololu, lauded the U.S. government for the partnership that culminated in the opening of the Ogun Tech Hub Window on America. He expressed optimism that young people in Ogun State and its environs would benefit immensely from the resources and programs available at the center. “The Ogun Tech Hub is proud to join the global network of American Spaces. One of the core themes of our programming is to provide technological learning opportunities that drive digital transformation,” Omololu added.

Programs offered at the Window on America will showcase the depth and breadth of American culture, values, ideals, and perspectives on a variety of themes from employability workshops to digital skills, AI, robotics, drone technology and other STEM learning opportunities. Visitors to the Ogun Tech Hub Window on America will include students, teachers, entrepreneurs, academics, journalists, civic organizations, government officials, and community leaders, among many others.

In addition, the new center will offer access to academic and research resources via eLibraryUSA, a digital library with millions of publications, scholarly journals, eBooks, audio, video, and other multi-media content. Like all American Spaces around the world, programs and resources, including high speed internet access, offered at the Window on America are free of charge and open to everyone in the community.

There are more than 700 American Spaces in 140 countries around the world hosted by universities, libraries, tech hubs, as well as U.S. embassies and consulates. The network of American Spaces in Nigeria organizes over 4,400 programs annually that reach 100,000 Nigerians. Nigeria has more American Spaces than any other African country, with 29 locations across 24 cities. Addresses of American Spaces in Nigeria can be found here.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: WFP airdrops food to prevent catastrophe as hunger surges in conflict-hit parts of South Sudan

Source: World Food Programme

Photo: WFP/Peter Louis. WFP airdropping emergency food assistance to thousands of families in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State

Photo credit

JUBA, South Sudan – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) began airdropping emergency food assistance to thousands of families in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State, where surging conflict since March has forced families from their homes and pushed some communities to the brink of famine.

These distributions mark WFP’s first access in over four months to deliver life-saving food and nutrition assistance to more than 40,000 people facing catastrophic hunger in the most remote parts of Nasir and Ulang counties, areas only accessible by air.

“The link between conflict and hunger is tragically clear in South Sudan and we’ve seen this over the past few months in Upper Nile,” said Mary-Ellen McGroarty, WFP Country Director in South Sudan. “Without a major scale-up in assistance, the counties of Nasir and Ulang risk slipping into full-blown famine. We urgently need to get food to these families, and we are doing everything possible to reach those who need it most before the situation spirals.”

More than one million people across Upper Nile are facing acute hunger, including over 32,000 people already experiencing Catastrophic levels of hunger (IPC5) – the highest level of food insecurity. This figure has tripled since armed conflict flared in March, triggering mass displacement, including across the border into Ethiopia where WFP is providing life-saving food aid to around 50,000 people who have fled from Upper Nile in search of food and safety.

WFP aims to reach 470,000 people in Upper Nile and Northern Jonglei through the lean season – the hungriest time of year, which runs through August – but continued fighting and logistical constraints have hindered access and a comprehensive response. WFP has only been able to reach 300,000 people in Upper Nile so far this year.

The main river routes into the state must be reopened urgently in order to reach hungry families with sustained humanitarian support. These routes are the most cost-effective way to reach large swathes of Upper Nile and northern Jonglei states to deliver crucial assistance but have been blocked by active fighting since mid-April. WFP has 1,500MT of food ready to transport once river routes are operational again.

“Where we have been able to consistently deliver, we’ve seen real progress,” McGroarty said. “In the first half of this year, we pushed back catastrophic hunger in areas of Jonglei State through regular deliveries of food assistance, and we can do the same in Upper Nile. But if we can’t get the food to people, hunger will deepen and famine is a real and present threat.”

A global funding slowdown is worsening the already dire humanitarian situation in South Sudan. Nationwide, 7.7 million people – 57 percent of the population – are facing crisis, emergency, or catastrophic levels of hunger. An unprecedented 2.3 million children are at risk of malnutrition.

Due to funding gaps, WFP has prioritized assistance with reduced rations for only the most vulnerable 2.5 million people—just 30 percent of those in acute need – to stretch limited resources. WFP urgently needs US$274 million to continue life-saving operations through December.

Notes to editor:

Broadcast quality footage is available here.

# # #

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

Follow us on X, formerly Twitter, via @wfp_media @wfp_SouthSudan

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: 21 killed, three injured in Nigeria road accident

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

ABUJA, July 7 (Xinhua) — At least 21 people were killed and three others injured on Sunday when a truck and a bus collided in Nigeria’s northern Kano state.

The accident occurred on the Zaria-Kano highway in Kasuwar Dogo area due to the bus driver deviating from the route, said Mohammed Bature, Kano State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps.

The accident resulted in a fire that engulfed both vehicles, he said, adding that the victims were taken to a government hospital.

Fatal road accidents are common in Nigeria, mainly due to overloaded vehicles, poor road conditions and reckless driving. –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 –

July 7, 2025
Mexico beat US 2-1 to win 10th Gold Cup title

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Mexico defeated the United States 2-1 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas on Sunday to successfully defend their CONCACAF Gold Cup crown and capture their 10th title in a pulsating final that delivered drama from start to finish.

The U.S. went ahead just four minutes in when Sebastian Berhalter’s free-kick found Chris Richards, whose powerful header struck the underside of the crossbar and cannoned straight down, with the referee confirming the goal was good.

Mexico found the equalizer through Raul Jimenez in the 27th minute after the striker converted from close range.

He then dedicated the goal to the late Diogo Jota, his former Wolverhampton Wanderers teammate, by holding up a Mexico shirt with the Portuguese forward’s name on it.

“We came from behind and are leaving with the title,” Jimenez said. “It’s great and really important to clinch the crown a summer before the World Cup. It’s something we’ve been trying to do since the tournament began.”

Despite Mexico’s first-half dominance they struggled to capitalise on numerous golden opportunities.

Roberto Alvarado and 16-year-old Gilberto Mora both tested U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese, with Mora’s venomous long-range effort requiring a crucial save from the American shot-stopper.

The U.S. created chances through the slick combination play of Malik Tillman and Berhalter but could not breach Mexico’s resolute defence again.

Alex Freeman came closest when his header struck Mexico goalkeeper Luis Malagon in the face and Diego Luna blazed the rebound over the crossbar.

Mexico cranked up the pressure after the break and got the crucial second goal when Edson Alvarez powered home a header, though there was a nervous wait due to a VAR review for potential offside.

However, the goal stood and the Mexican contingent erupted with wild celebrations.

“I’m speechless. We spent 35 days in intense training, away from our families, with the intention of winning. There’s certainly room for improvement, but we’re leaving happy and with our feet firmly on the ground,” midfielder Alvarez said.

“When they first disallowed the goal, it was crazy. It threw me off balance, but I was really happy to see that it was valid.”

Patrick Agyemang had the chance to equalise in the dying minutes but his finish just missed the mark in a tense finale as Mexico held firm to secure their triumph.

Mexico’s victory secures back-to-back Gold Cup triumphs and brings them a record-extending 10th crown. Mexico also won the CONCACAF Nations Championship, the Gold Cup’s predecessor, three times.

(Reuters)

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: Bank Al-Maghrib signs up to The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) as Morocco becomes 17th Member Country to join the network

Source: APO – Report:

.

The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) is pleased to announce the entry of the Kingdom of Morocco into its growing network, with Bank Al-Maghrib officially signing the PAPSS membership agreement. As a result, Morocco becomes the 17^th country to join the PAPSS network, further solidifying the continent’s commitment to financial integration and intra-African trade under the banner of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Developed by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in partnership with the African Union and the AfCFTA Secretariat, PAPSS enables real-time, efficient, and cost-effective cross-border payments in local currencies. By welcoming Bank Al-Maghrib, PAPSS advances its mission of connecting African central banks and facilitating seamless cross-border trade, payment flows, and investment across the continent.

Mike Ogbalu III, Chief Executive Officer of PAPSS, lauded this latest milestone, stating: “We are delighted to welcome Bank Al-Maghrib to the PAPSS family. Morocco’s entry as our seventeenth central bank member demonstrates the growing momentum and trust in PAPSS as the solution for Africa’s cross-border payment challenges. With more countries joining, we are taking significant strides towards a truly unified African market, driving down transaction costs and empowering businesses and individuals across the continent.”

With Morocco’s addition, PAPSS now has seventeen countries among its membership, along with over 150 commercial banks and 14 switches, and continues to expand its reach and impact across Africa.

– on behalf of Afreximbank.

Follow us on:
LinkedIn: https://apo-opa.co/4ez1iNg
Twitter: https://apo-opa.co/4nOYznk
Facebook: https://apo-opa.co/4lfnRsQ
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/4lAZZzD

About PAPSS:
The Pan-African Payment and Settlement System – PAPSS is a centralised Financial Market Infrastructure that enables the efficient flow of money securely across African borders, minimising risk and contributing to financial integration across the regions. PAPSS collaborates with African central banks to offer payment and settlement solutions that commercial banks and licensed payment service providers (switches, fintechs, aggregators, etc.) across the continent can connect to, making these services accessible to the public. To date, PAPSS has developed and launched 3 payment solutions: PAPSS Instant Payment System (IPS), PAPSS African Currency Marketplace (PACM), and the PAPSSCARD.

Afreximbank and the African Union (“AU”) first announced PAPSS at the Twelfth Extraordinary Summit of the African Union held on July 7, 2019, in Niamey, Niger Republic, therefore adopting PAPSS as a key instrument for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA). Further, in its thirteenth (13th) extraordinary session, held on December 5, 2020, the assembly of the African Union directed Afreximbank and the AfCFTA secretariat to finalise, among others, work on the Pan-African Payments and Settlements System (PAPSS). The 35th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the AU further directed the AfCFTA and Afreximbank to deploy the system to cover the entire continent. PAPSS was officially launched in Accra, Ghana, on January 13, 2022, thus making it available for use by the public.

For more information, visit: www.PAPSS.com.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: How Nigeria Can Unleash its Economic Potential

Source: APO – Report:

.

Over the past two years, Nigeria—Africa’s most populous country—has implemented difficult reforms to tackle long-standing obstacles weighing on the economy. While the reforms are starting to show results, poverty and food insecurity remain high, and the uncertain global environment presents additional challenges. As discussed in our latest annual economic health check of the West African nation, the right policies can help Nigeria realize its potential as an African and global economic powerhouse.

A difficult starting point

Upon taking office in 2023, the new government faced low growth and rising poverty. Between 2014 and 2023, real per capita GDP declined on average by 0.7 percent annually. In 2023, the poverty rate stood at 42 percent. This difficult situation was compounded by limited access to dollars, which meant that people had to turn to the parallel currency market and thereby pay a much higher price than the official rate. In the meantime, public finances were strained by an opaque fuel subsidy system, which also caused recurrent petrol scarcity. And central bank financing of the fiscal deficit pushed up inflation.

In response to these challenges, Nigerian policymakers have embarked on a series of bold reforms over the last two years. In 2023 the new government and the Central Bank of Nigeria liberalized the foreign exchange market, stopped central bank financing of the fiscal deficit, and reformed fuel subsidies. The government also strengthened revenue collection, which is still one of the world’s weakest.

Since these reforms were implemented, international reserves have increased, and anyone can now access foreign exchange in the official market. Nigeria successfully returned to international capital markets last December and was recently upgraded by rating agencies. A new domestic, private refinery is positioning Nigeria up the value chain in a fully deregulated market.

The work continues

While progress has been encouraging, significant challenges remain. Inflation still exceeds 20 percent. Poor infrastructure, especially for electricity, inhibits economic activity. Poverty and food insecurity remain high. Nigeria lacks an effective social safety net to cushion the impact of shocks on the most vulnerable.

In addition, the global environment is posing new challenges with elevated uncertainty and high borrowing costs. Nigeria is especially affected by volatile international oil prices since oil revenues account for a large proportion of government revenues—a figure that stood at 30 percent in 2024.

Policy priorities

To address these challenges, Nigeria should focus on three key priorities:

First, the country needs stronger and more sustained growth to lift millions of people out of poverty and food insecurity, which is what the authorities are focusing on. This does not happen overnight. In the meantime, making growth more inclusive also requires scaling up the existing cash transfer system.

Second, as an essential ingredient for economic development, Nigeria needs an effective budget framework. Delivering effective investments in people and infrastructure requires realistic budget assumptions, strong expenditure management, and transparent implementation and reporting—which, in turn, can strengthen accountability. For its part, monetary policy should continue to decisively tackle inflation and reduce economic uncertainty.

Third, the government should continue to increase domestic revenues. This is essential given Nigeria’s substantial funding needs in growth-enabling areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, including access to electricity, and climate adaptation. The government’s tax reforms will make it easier to pay taxes and ensure that everyone who owes taxes pays them. Over time, once the ongoing cost-of-living crisis abates and the cash transfer system is fully operational, there will be room to align tax rates with those in neighboring countries. For now, the share of revenue that goes to interest spending leaves too little for investment in people and infrastructure. It is therefore critical that the substantial financial savings from the removal of fuel subsidies flow to the government to fund priority spending.

Nigeria’s potential is beyond doubt but achieving it will require continued reforms and an effective social safety net to carry the most vulnerable along.

– on behalf of International Monetary Fund (IMF).

MIL OSI Africa –

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Africa: ”Early Testing Saves Lives,” First Lady stresses at Free Health Screening for vulnerable groups

Source: APO – Report:

.

First Lady, Mrs. Lordina Dramani Mahama, on Friday, addressed beneficiaries at a comprehensive free public health screening event, emphasising the vital importance of early testing and proactive health management, especially for vulnerable populations within the community.

The event, a collaboration between the Office of the First Lady and the Ghana AIDS Commission, provided essential health services to various community members, including hairdressers, tailors, head-porters (kayayee), and market women.

Addressing the gathering, Mrs. Mahama underscored the purpose of the outreach. “We are here for a very important reason. For the health of our people, especially young people, women, and vulnerable groups in our communities,” she stated. “We aim to raise awareness, offer free check-ups, provide medical advice and counselling, and help more people take care of their health.”

The First Lady said many people may be living with serious health conditions without realising it, making such screening exercises essential.

“Sometimes, people are living with these conditions and do not even know it. That is why today’s health screening is very important,” she explained. “It provides an opportunity to get tested free of charge, know about their health, and take the necessary steps to maintain their health.”

She stressed the life-saving potential of early detection. “Early testing saves lives. Knowing your health status early enables you to start treatment early and prevent serious complications. Testing early can also help us to protect our loved ones.”

“For example, when people living with HIV get to know their status early, they can receive the right care and support, which will make them live long and healthy lives. But this can only happen if you get tested.”

The free health services provided at the event included HIV and syphilis screening, BMI and nutrition counselling, blood pressure checks and assessments for other medical conditions, and breast cancer screening.

Beneficiaries received awareness training on HIV/AIDS preventive measures and the importance of early antenatal care to prevent mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy.

Directing her message towards the younger generation present, the First Lady called for greater health consciousness. “I want to address the young people here directly. You are the future of this country. Your energy, your dreams and your well-being matter,” she said.

“However, many young people today are falling ill, sometimes due to a lack of access to the right information, services, or support they need. That must change. And it starts with talking openly to people who can help you, and by having a medical check at least once a year.”

She encouraged attendees to take full advantage of the services offered free of charge. “Today, you can check your HIV status, your blood pressure and sugar levels, and even be screened for breast cancer, right here at this event, all for free… I therefore encourage you all to take advantage of these services. Feel free to ask any questions that come to mind. We are here for you.”

Mrs. Mahama also highlighted broader government efforts aimed at improving access to and outcomes in healthcare. She mentioned the recently launched Ghana Medical Trust Fund, also known as MahamaCares.

“When this fund is fully operational, it will bring relief to many people suffering from non-communicable diseases,” she noted, adding that it will help diagnose and treat conditions like heart illnesses, kidney disease, and various cancers.

She also referenced the upcoming Free Primary Healthcare Programme, which she said will “enhance awareness of the health status of our citizens and contribute to disease prevention.”

“Together, we can create a Ghana where every person knows their health status. Where every pregnant woman gets the care she needs, and where every child is born healthy and free from infection,” she stated.

– on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.

MIL OSI Africa –

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: How Nigeria Can Unleash its Economic Potential

Source: IMF – News in Russian

By Axel Schimmelpfennig and Christian Ebeke

July 7, 2025

Increasing revenues, establishing an effective budget framework, and scaling up the cash transfer system can all support Nigeria’s progress

Over the past two years, Nigeria—Africa’s most populous country—has implemented difficult reforms to tackle long-standing obstacles weighing on the economy. While the reforms are starting to show results, poverty and food insecurity remain high, and the uncertain global environment presents additional challenges. As discussed in our latest annual economic health check of the West African nation, the right policies can help Nigeria realize its potential as an African and global economic powerhouse.

A difficult starting point

Upon taking office in 2023, the new government faced low growth and rising poverty. Between 2014 and 2023, real per capita GDP declined on average by 0.7 percent annually. In 2023, the poverty rate stood at 42 percent. This difficult situation was compounded by limited access to dollars, which meant that people had to turn to the parallel currency market and thereby pay a much higher price than the official rate. In the meantime, public finances were strained by an opaque fuel subsidy system, which also caused recurrent petrol scarcity. And central bank financing of the fiscal deficit pushed up inflation.

In response to these challenges, Nigerian policymakers have embarked on a series of bold reforms over the last two years. In 2023 the new government and the Central Bank of Nigeria liberalized the foreign exchange market, stopped central bank financing of the fiscal deficit, and reformed fuel subsidies. The government also strengthened revenue collection, which is still one of the world’s weakest.

Since these reforms were implemented, international reserves have increased, and anyone can now access foreign exchange in the official market. Nigeria successfully returned to international capital markets last December and was recently upgraded by rating agencies. A new domestic, private refinery is positioning Nigeria up the value chain in a fully deregulated market.

The work continues

While progress has been encouraging, significant challenges remain. Inflation still exceeds 20 percent. Poor infrastructure, especially for electricity, inhibits economic activity. Poverty and food insecurity remain high. Nigeria lacks an effective social safety net to cushion the impact of shocks on the most vulnerable.

In addition, the global environment is posing new challenges with elevated uncertainty and high borrowing costs. Nigeria is especially affected by volatile international oil prices since oil revenues account for a large proportion of government revenues—a figure that stood at 30 percent in 2024.

Policy priorities

To address these challenges, Nigeria should focus on three key priorities:

First, the country needs stronger and more sustained growth to lift millions of people out of poverty and food insecurity, which is what the authorities are focusing on. This does not happen overnight. In the meantime, making growth more inclusive also requires scaling up the existing cash transfer system.

Second, as an essential ingredient for economic development, Nigeria needs an effective budget framework. Delivering effective investments in people and infrastructure requires realistic budget assumptions, strong expenditure management, and transparent implementation and reporting—which, in turn, can strengthen accountability. For its part, monetary policy should continue to decisively tackle inflation and reduce economic uncertainty.

Third, the government should continue to increase domestic revenues. This is essential given Nigeria’s substantial funding needs in growth-enabling areas such as agriculture, infrastructure, including access to electricity, and climate adaptation. The government’s tax reforms will make it easier to pay taxes and ensure that everyone who owes taxes pays them. Over time, once the ongoing cost-of-living crisis abates and the cash transfer system is fully operational, there will be room to align tax rates with those in neighboring countries. For now, the share of revenue that goes to interest spending leaves too little for investment in people and infrastructure. It is therefore critical that the substantial financial savings from the removal of fuel subsidies flow to the government to fund priority spending.

Nigeria’s potential is beyond doubt but achieving it will require continued reforms and an effective social safety net to carry the most vulnerable along.

****

Axel Schimmelpfennig is the IMF’s mission chief to Nigeria and an assistant director in the IMF’s African Department. Christian Ebeke is the IMF’s resident representative in Nigeria.

This article is based on the Staff Report for the 2025 Article IV Consultation with Nigeria.

https://www.imf.org/en/News/Articles/2025/07/07/cf-how-nigeria-can-unleash-its-economic-potential

MIL OSI

MIL OSI Russia News –

July 7, 2025

MIL-OSI: Shell second quarter 2025 update note

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

The following is an update to the second quarter 2025 outlook and gives an overview of our current expectations for the second quarter. Outlooks presented may vary from the actual second quarter 2025 results and are subject to finalisation of those results, which are scheduled to be published on July 31, 2025. Unless otherwise indicated, all outlook statements exclude identified items.

See appendix for the definition of the non-GAAP measure used and the most comparable GAAP measure.

Integrated Gas

$ billions	Q1’25	Q2’25 Outlook	Comment
Adjusted EBITDA:
Production (kboe/d)	927	900 – 940
LNG liquefaction volumes (MT)	6.6	6.4 – 6.8
Underlying opex	1.0	1.0 – 1.2
Adjusted Earnings:
Pre-tax depreciation	1.4	1.4 – 1.8
Taxation charge	0.8	0.3 – 0.6
Other Considerations:
Trading & Optimisation is expected to be significantly lower than Q1’25.

Upstream

$ billions	Q1’25	Q2’25 Outlook	Comment
Adjusted EBITDA:
Production (kboe/d)	1,855	1,660 – 1,760	Reflects scheduled maintenance and the completed sale of SPDC in Nigeria.
Underlying opex	2.2	1.9 – 2.5
Adjusted Earnings:
Pre-tax depreciation	2.2	2.0 – 2.6
Taxation charge	2.6	1.6 – 2.4
Other Considerations:
The share of profit / (loss) of joint ventures and associates in Q2’25 is expected to be ~$0.2 billion. Q2’25 exploration well write-offs are expected to be ~$0.2 billion.

Marketing

$ billions	Q1’25	Q2’25 Outlook	Comment
Adjusted EBITDA:
Sales volumes (kb/d)	2,674	2,600 – 3,000
Underlying opex	2.4	2.3 – 2.7
Adjusted Earnings:
Pre-tax depreciation	0.6	0.5 – 0.7
Taxation charge	0.4	0.2 – 0.6
Other Considerations:
Marketing adjusted earnings are expected to be higher than Q1’25.

Chemicals and Products

$ billions	Q1’25	Q2’25 Outlook	Comment
Adjusted EBITDA:
Indicative refining margin*	$6.2/bbl	$8.9/bbl
Indicative chemicals margin*	$126/tonne	$166/tonne	The Chemicals sub-segment adjusted earnings are expected to be a loss.
Refinery utilisation	85%	92% – 96%
Chemicals utilisation	81%	68% – 72%	Chemicals utilisation impacted by unplanned maintenance at Monaca.
Underlying opex	2.0	1.7 – 2.1
Adjusted Earnings:
Pre-tax depreciation	0.9	0.8 – 1.0
Taxation charge / (credit)	0.1	(0.3) – 0.2
Other Considerations:
Trading & Optimisation is expected to be significantly lower than Q1’25. The Chemicals & Products segment adjusted earnings is expected to be below break-even in Q2’25.

*See appendix

Renewables and Energy Solutions

$ billions	Q1’25	Q2’25 Outlook	Comment
Adjusted Earnings	—	(0.4) – 0.2	Trading & Optimisation is expected to be lower than Q1’25.

Corporate

$ billions	Q1’25	Q2’25 Outlook	Comment
Adjusted Earnings	(0.5)	(0.6) – (0.4)

Shell Group

$ billions	Q1’25	Q2’25 Outlook	Comment
CFFO:
Tax paid	2.9	2.8 – 3.6
Derivative movements	—	(1) – 3
Working capital	(2.7)	(1) – 4
Other Shell Group Considerations:
–

Guidance

The ‘Quarterly Databook’ contains guidance on Indicative Refining Margin, Indicative Chemicals Margin and full-year price and margin sensitivities.

Consensus

The company compiled consensus, managed by Vara Research, is expected to be published on July 23, 2025.

Appendix

Indicative Margins

Chemicals & Products	Q1’25	Q2’25 Updated Outlook
Indicative refining margin	$6.2/bbl	$8.9/bbl
Indicative chemicals margin	$126/tonne	$166/tonne

The formulas for Indicative refining margin (IRM) and Indicative chemicals margin (ICM) have been updated following the completion of the Singapore divestment. Applying the previous formula for Q2’25 the IRM would have been: $7.5/bbl and the ICM $143/tonne.

Volume Data

Operational Metrics	Q1’25	Q2’25 QPR Outlook	Q2’25 Updated Outlook
Integrated Gas
Production (kboe/d)	927	890 – 950	900 – 940
LNG liquefaction volumes (MT)	6.6	6.3 – 6.9	6.4 – 6.8
Upstream
Production (kboe/d)	1,855	1,560 – 1,760	1,660 – 1,760
Marketing
Sales volumes (kb/d)	2,674	2,600 – 3,100	2,600 – 3,000
Chemicals & Products
Refinery utilisation	85%	87% – 95%	92% – 96%
Chemicals utilisation	81%	74% – 82%	68% – 72%

Underlying Opex

Underlying operating expenses is a measure aimed at facilitating a comparative understanding of performance from period to period by removing the effects of identified items, which, either individually or collectively, can cause volatility, in some cases driven by external factors. For further details see the 1st Quarter 2025 unaudited results.

$ billions	Q1’25	Q1’25 Adjusted	Q2’25 Updated Outlook
Production and manufacturing expenses	5.5
Selling, distribution and administrative expenses	2.8
Research and development	0.2
Operating Expenses (Opex)	8.6	8.6
Less: Identified Items		0.1
Underlying Opex		8.5
of which:
Integrated Gas	1.0	1.0	1.0 – 1.2
Upstream	2.2	2.2	1.9 – 2.5
Marketing	2.4	2.4	2.3 – 2.7
Chemicals and Products	2.1	2.0	1.7 – 2.1
Renewables and Energy Solutions	0.7	0.7

Depreciation, depletion and amortisation

$ billions	Q1’25	Q1’25 Adjusted	Q2’25 Updated Outlook
Depreciation, Depletion & Amortisation	5.4	5.4
Less: Identified Items		0.3
Pre-tax depreciation (as Adjusted)		5.1
of which:
Integrated Gas	1.4	1.4	1.4 – 1.8
Upstream	2.2	2.2	2.0 – 2.6
Marketing	0.5	0.6	0.5 – 0.7
Chemicals and Products	1.1	0.9	0.8 – 1.0
Renewables and Energy Solutions	0.1	0.1

Taxation Charge

$ billions	Q1’25	Q1’25 Adjusted	Q2’25 Updated Outlook
Taxation Charge	4.1	4.1
Less: Identified Items and Cost of supplies adjustment		0.3
Taxation Charge (as Adjusted)		3.8
of which:
Integrated Gas	0.8	0.8	0.3 – 0.6
Upstream	3.0	2.6	1.6 – 2.4
Marketing	0.4	0.4	0.2 – 0.6
Chemicals and Products	—	0.1	(0.3) – 0.2
Renewables and Energy Solutions	—	0.1

Adjusted Earnings

The “Adjusted Earnings” measure aims to facilitate a comparative understanding of Shell’s financial performance from period to period by removing the effects of oil price changes on inventory carrying amounts and removing the effects of identified items. These items are in some cases driven by external factors and may, either individually or collectively, hinder the comparative understanding of Shell’s financial results from period to period. This measure excludes earnings attributable to non-controlling interest. For further details see the 1st Quarter 2025 unaudited results.

$ billions	Q1’25	Q1’25 Adjusted	Q2’25 Updated Outlook
Income/(loss) attributable to Shell plc shareholders	4.8	4.8
Add: Current cost of supplies adjustment attributable to Shell plc shareholders		—
Less: Identified items attributable to Shell plc shareholders		(0.8)
Adjusted Earnings		5.6
of which:
Renewables and Energy Solutions	(0.2)	—	(0.4) – 0.2
Corporate	(0.5)	(0.5)	(0.6) – (0.4)

Enquiries

Media International: +44 (0) 207 934 5550

Media U.S. and Canada: Contact form

Cautionary Note

The companies in which Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this announcement “Shell”, “Shell Group” and “Group” are sometimes used for convenience to reference Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words “we”, “us” and “our” are also used to refer to Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These terms are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular entity or entities. ‘‘Subsidiaries’’, “Shell subsidiaries” and “Shell companies” as used in this announcement refer to entities over which Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. The terms “joint venture”, “joint operations”, “joint arrangements”, and “associates” may also be used to refer to a commercial arrangement in which Shell has a direct or indirect ownership interest with one or more parties. The term “Shell interest” is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

The numbers presented in this announcement may not sum precisely to the totals provided and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures due to rounding.

Forward-Looking statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Shell to market risks and statements expressing management’s expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “aim”; “ambition”; ‘‘anticipate’’; “aspire”; “aspiration”; ‘‘believe’’; “commit”; “commitment”; ‘‘could’’; “desire”; ‘‘estimate’’; ‘‘expect’’; ‘‘goals’’; ‘‘intend’’; ‘‘may’’; “milestones”; ‘‘objectives’’; ‘‘outlook’’; ‘‘plan’’; ‘‘probably’’; ‘‘project’’; ‘‘risks’’; “schedule”; ‘‘seek’’; ‘‘should’’; ‘‘target’’; “vision”; ‘‘will’’; “would” and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this announcement, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell’s products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks, including climate change; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, judicial, fiscal and regulatory developments including tariffs and regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; (m) risks associated with the impact of pandemics, regional conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war and the conflict in the Middle East, and a significant cyber security, data privacy or IT incident; (n) the pace of the energy transition; and (o) changes in trading conditions. No assurance is provided that future dividend payments will match or exceed previous dividend payments. All forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Shell plc’s Form 20-F and amendment thereto for the year ended December 31, 2024 (available at www.shell.com/investors/news-and-filings/sec-filings.html and www.sec.gov). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward-looking statements contained in this announcement and should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this announcement, July 7, 2025. Neither Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement.

Shell’s net carbon intensity
Also, in this announcement we may refer to Shell’s “net carbon intensity” (NCI), which includes Shell’s carbon emissions from the production of our energy products, our suppliers’ carbon emissions in supplying energy for that production and our customers’ carbon emissions associated with their use of the energy products we sell. Shell’s NCI also includes the emissions associated with the production and use of energy products produced by others which Shell purchases for resale. Shell only controls its own emissions. The use of the terms Shell’s “net carbon intensity” or NCI is for convenience only and not intended to suggest these emissions are those of Shell plc or its subsidiaries.

Shell’s net-zero emissions target
Shell’s operating plan and outlook are forecasted for a three-year period and ten-year period, respectively, and are updated every year. They reflect the current economic environment and what we can reasonably expect to see over the next three and ten years. Accordingly, the outlook reflects our Scope 1, Scope 2 and NCI targets over the next ten years. However, Shell’s operating plan and outlook cannot reflect our 2050 net-zero emissions target, as this target is outside our planning period. Such future operating plans and outlooks could include changes to our portfolio, efficiency improvements and the use of carbon capture and storage and carbon credits. In the future, as society moves towards net-zero emissions, we expect Shell’s operating plans and outlooks to reflect this movement. However, if society is not net zero in 2050, as of today, there would be significant risk that Shell may not meet this target.

Forward-Looking Non-GAAP measures

This announcement may contain certain forward-looking non-GAAP measures such as Adjusted Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA, Cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements, Cash capital expenditure, Net debt and Underlying operating expense.

Adjusted Earnings and Adjusted EBITDA are measures used to evaluate Shell’s performance in the period and over time.
The “Adjusted Earnings” and Adjusted EBITDA are measures which aim to facilitate a comparative understanding of Shell’s financial performance from period to period by removing the effects of oil price changes on inventory carrying amounts and removing the effects of identified items.
Adjusted Earnings is defined as income/(loss) attributable to shareholders adjusted for the current cost of supplies and excluding identified items. “Adjusted EBITDA (CCS basis)” is defined as “Income/(loss) for the period” adjusted for current cost of supplies; identified items; tax charge/(credit); depreciation, amortisation and depletion; exploration well write-offs and net interest expense. All items include the non-controlling interest component.
Cash flow from operating activities excluding working capital movements is a measure used by Shell to analyse its operating cash generation over time excluding the timing effects of changes in inventories and operating receivables and payables from period to period. Working capital movements are defined as the sum of the following items in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows: (i) (increase)/decrease in inventories, (ii) (increase)/decrease in current receivables, and (iii) increase/(decrease) in current payables. Cash capital expenditure is the sum of the following lines from the Consolidated Statement of Cash flows: Capital expenditure, Investments in joint ventures and associates and Investments in equity securities. Net debt is defined as the sum of current and non-current debt, less cash and cash equivalents, adjusted for the fair value of derivative financial instruments used to hedge foreign exchange and interest rate risks relating to debt, and associated collateral balances. Underlying operating expenses is a measure of Shell’s cost management performance and aimed at facilitating a comparative understanding of performance from period to period by removing the effects of identified items, which, either individually or collectively, can cause volatility, in some cases driven by external factors. Underlying operating expenses comprises the following items from the Consolidated statement of Income: production and manufacturing expenses; selling, distribution and administrative expenses; and research and development expenses and removes the effects of identified items such as redundancy and restructuring charges or reversals, provisions or reversals and others.

We are unable to provide a reconciliation of these forward-looking non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures because certain information needed to reconcile those non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP financial measures is dependent on future events some of which are outside the control of Shell, such as oil and gas prices, interest rates and exchange rates. Moreover, estimating such GAAP measures with the required precision necessary to provide a meaningful reconciliation is extremely difficult and could not be accomplished without unreasonable effort. Non-GAAP measures in respect of future periods which cannot be reconciled to the most comparable GAAP financial measure are calculated in a manner which is consistent with the accounting policies applied in Shell plc’s consolidated financial statements.
The contents of websites referred to in this announcement do not form part of this announcement.

We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this announcement that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov.

LEI number of Shell plc: 21380068P1DRHMJ8KU70

The MIL Network –

July 7, 2025

MIL-Evening Report: A test of political courage: Yoorrook’s final reports demand action, not amnesia
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jeremie M Bracka, Law Lecturer and Transitional Justice Academic, RMIT University

Australia’s colonial era may be formally over but its legacies of inequality, land dispossession and systemic racism continue to shape daily life for First Peoples.

Last week, the Victorian Yoorrook Justice Commission delivered its two final reports to the Victorian governor, concluding the most ambitious effort yet to reckon with these injustices.

The reports, Yoorrook for Transformation and Yoorrook Truth Be Told, contain 100 detailed recommendations across five volumes. They deliver a devastating account of dispossession, family separation, cultural erasure and structural racism, past and present.

Their scope is historic. But the question remains: will they change anything?

A bold innovation in truth-telling

Yoorrook is not just another inquiry.

Established in 2021, it is Australia’s first formal truth commission and the only one globally to be established alongside a Treaty process in a settler-colonial democracy.

It was designed by the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and has been led and shaped by Aboriginal communities.

Its mandate is wide: to investigate both historical and ongoing injustices across all areas of life from land, law, health and education to housing, finance and child protection.

Over the past four years, Yoorrook has compelled testimony from ministers and senior bureaucrats, visited prisons and out-of-home care facilities, and travelled across the state to conduct on-country truth-telling with Elders.

In the words of one witness, Aunty Stephanie Charles:

Our Land, Our Language, Our
Lore and Our Lives have been denied
for far too long. In order to move
forward these must be recognised
an respected. This is Yoo-rrook.

Why truth commissions matter

Truth commissions emerged most famously in South Africa, where they were used to document atrocities during apartheid.

In recent years, however, they’ve also appeared in stable democracies grappling with colonial legacies: Canada’s commission on residential schools, Belgium’s commission on its African empire, and multiple United States commissions examining slavery, segregation and systemic racism.

In postcolonial states such as Australia, truth-telling is particularly powerful and necessary, because harm has not only been inflicted but denied.

As anthropologist W.E.H. Stanner put it in 1968, Australia has long maintained a “great Australian silence” – a wilful forgetting of how the nation was built on the dispossession of others.

Yoorrook challenges this silence. It has created an official record of Victoria’s colonial and ongoing harms, and opened a rare space for Indigenous people to define harm on their own terms, including what justice and healing should look like.

Structural injustice laid bare

The commission’s final reports lay out both stories and statistics. These include:
- in the past, Victoria explicitly authorised child removals on racial grounds and controlled every aspect of Aboriginal life under protectionist laws
- today, the state still removes Aboriginal children at more than 20 times the rate of non-Indigenous children
- Aboriginal people remain vastly over-represented in police custody, prison populations and cases of public housing exclusion.
Yoorrook is connecting these dots, showing how the injustices of colonisation did not end but evolved into contemporary legal and institutional forms.

Importantly, the commission has not shied away from naming these harms. It has condemned Victoria’s systemic racism – including alleged genocide – and called for radical change not just recognition.

Among its recommendations are calls to return land and water to Traditional Owners, to embed First Peoples’ control over education and child protection, and to establish reparations and shared governance structures across public institutions.

Will this lead to real change?

Yoorrook’s reports could be transformative if acted on – but this is far from guaranteed.

The Canadian experience is instructive. While its Truth and Reconciliation Commission garnered attention, many Canadians today are unfamiliar with its findings and progress on its recommendations has been slow.

In Australia, there’s a similar risk that Yoorrook may preach to the choir while political leaders move on. Despite a public apology in 2008, most recommendations of the 1991 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody remain unfulfilled.

Since then, more than 500 additional Indigenous people have died in custody.

We must resist the cycle of “truth without justice.”

In recent hearings, Yoorrook commissioners pressed ministers to move beyond rhetoric. While several public apologies were made, including from Victoria’s attorney-general and the police minister, the commission rightly warned apologies without action are hollow.

Where to from here?

The failure of the Voice referendum in 2023 showed just how contested questions of history, race and recognition remain in Australia.

But it also underscored the need for renewed engagement with the truth, not just in parliaments but in homes, schools, workplaces and media.

Yoorrook’s challenge is not only to shape policy but to shift public consciousness. In this sense, it must speak to all Victorians.

Without broader buy-in, even the best-designed truth commission risks being forgotten.

A test of political courage

Yoorrook has done its part. It has listened to more than 1,500 voices. It has built the record. It has made the case for transformation.

Now, the Victorian government and indeed all of us must decide what to do with that truth. Will we confront it? Will we act on it? Or will we retreat once more into silence?

Yoorrook has narrowed the range of permissible lies in this country. But narrowing lies is not the same as achieving justice. That next step is ours to take.

Jeremie M Bracka was awarded the Malcolm Moore Industry Research Grant to support the implementation of the Final Reports of the Yoorrook Justice Commission.

– ref. A test of political courage: Yoorrook’s final reports demand action, not amnesia – https://theconversation.com/a-test-of-political-courage-yoorrooks-final-reports-demand-action-not-amnesia-260580
MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –
July 7, 2025
Israel’s Netanyahu says he believes Trump can help seal ceasefire deal

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he believed his discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday would help advance talks on a Gaza hostage release and ceasefire deal, as Trump predicted an agreement could be reached this week.

Israeli negotiators taking part in the ceasefire talks that resumed in Doha on Sunday have clear instructions to achieve a ceasefire agreement under conditions that Israel has accepted, Netanyahu said on Sunday before flying to Washington.

“I believe the discussion with President Trump can certainly help advance these results,” he said, adding his determination to ensure the return of hostages held in Gaza and to remove the threat of the Palestinian militant group Hamas to Israel.

It will be Netanyahu’s third visit to the White House since Trump returned to power nearly six months ago.

Trump said he believed a hostage release and ceasefire deal could be reached this week, which could lead to the release of “quite a few hostages.”

“I think there’s a good chance we have a deal with Hamas during the week,” Trump told reporters before flying back to Washington after a weekend golfing in New Jersey.

Public pressure is mounting on Netanyahu to secure a permanent ceasefire and end the war in Gaza, a move opposed by some hardline members of his right-wing coalition. Others, including Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, have expressed support.

Palestinian group Hamas said on Friday it had responded to a U.S.-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal in a “positive spirit”, a few days after Trump said Israel had agreed “to the necessary conditions to finalize” a 60-day truce.

But in a sign of the potential challenges still facing the two sides, a Palestinian official from a militant group allied with Hamas said concerns remained over humanitarian aid, passage through the Rafah crossing in southern Israel to Egypt and clarity over a timetable for Israeli troop withdrawals.

The first session of indirect Hamas-Israel ceasefire talks in Qatar ended inconclusively, two Palestinian sources familiar with the matter said early on Monday, adding that the Israeli delegation didn’t have a sufficient mandate to reach an agreement with Hamas.

Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that changes sought by Hamas to the ceasefire proposal were “not acceptable to Israel”. However, his office said the delegation would still fly to Qatar to “continue efforts to secure the return of our hostages based on the Qatari proposal that Israel agreed to.”

Netanyahu has repeatedly said Hamas must be disarmed, a demand the militant group has so far refused to discuss.

Netanyahu said he believed he and Trump would also build on the outcome of the 12-day air war with Iran last month and seek to further ensure that Tehran never has a nuclear weapon. He said recent Middle East developments had created an opportunity to widen the circle of peace.

HOSTAGES

On Saturday evening, crowds gathered at a public square in Tel Aviv near the defence ministry headquarters to call for a ceasefire deal and the return of around 50 hostages still held in Gaza. The demonstrators waved Israeli flags, chanted and carried posters with photos of the hostages.

The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Gaza’s health ministry says Israel’s retaliatory military assault on the enclave has killed over 57,000 Palestinians. It has also caused a hunger crisis, displaced the population, mostly within Gaza, and left the territory in ruins.

Around 20 of the remaining hostages are believed to be still alive. A majority of the original hostages have been freed through diplomatic negotiations, though the Israeli military has also recovered some.

(Reuters)

July 7, 2025
Israel’s Netanyahu says he believes Trump can help seal ceasefire deal

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he believed his discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday would help advance talks on a Gaza hostage release and ceasefire deal, as Trump predicted an agreement could be reached this week.

Israeli negotiators taking part in the ceasefire talks that resumed in Doha on Sunday have clear instructions to achieve a ceasefire agreement under conditions that Israel has accepted, Netanyahu said on Sunday before flying to Washington.

“I believe the discussion with President Trump can certainly help advance these results,” he said, adding his determination to ensure the return of hostages held in Gaza and to remove the threat of the Palestinian militant group Hamas to Israel.

It will be Netanyahu’s third visit to the White House since Trump returned to power nearly six months ago.

Trump said he believed a hostage release and ceasefire deal could be reached this week, which could lead to the release of “quite a few hostages.”

“I think there’s a good chance we have a deal with Hamas during the week,” Trump told reporters before flying back to Washington after a weekend golfing in New Jersey.

Public pressure is mounting on Netanyahu to secure a permanent ceasefire and end the war in Gaza, a move opposed by some hardline members of his right-wing coalition. Others, including Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, have expressed support.

Palestinian group Hamas said on Friday it had responded to a U.S.-backed Gaza ceasefire proposal in a “positive spirit”, a few days after Trump said Israel had agreed “to the necessary conditions to finalize” a 60-day truce.

But in a sign of the potential challenges still facing the two sides, a Palestinian official from a militant group allied with Hamas said concerns remained over humanitarian aid, passage through the Rafah crossing in southern Israel to Egypt and clarity over a timetable for Israeli troop withdrawals.

The first session of indirect Hamas-Israel ceasefire talks in Qatar ended inconclusively, two Palestinian sources familiar with the matter said early on Monday, adding that the Israeli delegation didn’t have a sufficient mandate to reach an agreement with Hamas.

Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that changes sought by Hamas to the ceasefire proposal were “not acceptable to Israel”. However, his office said the delegation would still fly to Qatar to “continue efforts to secure the return of our hostages based on the Qatari proposal that Israel agreed to.”

Netanyahu has repeatedly said Hamas must be disarmed, a demand the militant group has so far refused to discuss.

Netanyahu said he believed he and Trump would also build on the outcome of the 12-day air war with Iran last month and seek to further ensure that Tehran never has a nuclear weapon. He said recent Middle East developments had created an opportunity to widen the circle of peace.

HOSTAGES

On Saturday evening, crowds gathered at a public square in Tel Aviv near the defence ministry headquarters to call for a ceasefire deal and the return of around 50 hostages still held in Gaza. The demonstrators waved Israeli flags, chanted and carried posters with photos of the hostages.

The latest bloodshed in the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Gaza’s health ministry says Israel’s retaliatory military assault on the enclave has killed over 57,000 Palestinians. It has also caused a hunger crisis, displaced the population, mostly within Gaza, and left the territory in ruins.

Around 20 of the remaining hostages are believed to be still alive. A majority of the original hostages have been freed through diplomatic negotiations, though the Israeli military has also recovered some.

(Reuters)

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI: Capgemini to acquire WNS to create a global leader in Agentic AI-powered Intelligent Operations
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Media relations:
Victoire Grux
Tel.: +33 6 04 52 16 55
victoire.grux@capgemini.com

Investor relations:
Vincent Biraud
Tel.: +33 1 47 54 50 87
vincent.biraud@capgemini.com

Capgemini to acquire WNS to create a global leader in Agentic AI-powered Intelligent Operations
- Creation of a leader in Intelligent Operations to capture enterprise investment in Agentic AI to transform their end-to-end business processes
- Acquisition of a leading player in Digital BPS (Business Process Services) to combine capabilities and scale to address the strategic opportunity driven by Agentic AI
- Transaction immediately accretive to Capgemini’s revenue growth and operating margin
- Expected accretion to Capgemini’s normalized EPS of 4% before synergies in 2026, and 7% post-synergies in 2027
- Definitive transaction agreement entered into pursuant to which Capgemini will acquire WNS for a cash consideration of 76.50 USD per share
- Transaction unanimously approved by the board of directors of both companies and expected to close by the end of the year
Paris, July 7, 2025 – Capgemini (Euronext Paris: CAP), a global business and technology transformation partner, and WNS (NYSE: WNS), a leading digital-led business transformation and services company, today announced that they have entered into a definitive transaction agreement pursuant to which Capgemini will acquire WNS for a cash consideration of 76.50 USD per WNS share, which represents a premium of 28% to the last 90-day average¹ share price, of 27% to the last 30-day average¹ share price and a premium of 17% to the last closing share price on July 3, 2025. The total cash consideration will amount to $3.3 billion, excluding WNS net financial debt². The transaction will be accretive to Capgemini’s normalized EPS by 4% before synergies in 2026 and 7% post synergies in 2027. The transaction has been unanimously approved by both Capgemini’s and WNS’ Boards of Directors.

“Enterprises are rapidly adopting Generative AI and Agentic AI to transform their operations end-to-end. Business Process Services will be the showcase for Agentic AI. Capgemini’s acquisition of WNS will provide the Group with the scale and vertical sector expertise to capture that rapidly emerging strategic opportunity created by the paradigm shift from traditional BPS to Agentic AI-powered Intelligent Operations,” comments Aiman Ezzat, Chief Executive Officer of Capgemini. “Together we will create a leader in Intelligent Operations, uniquely positioned to support organizations in their AI-powered business process transformation, blending the critical capabilities needed from consulting, technology and platforms to deep process and industry expertise. This will address the client needs for Agentic AI-driven process transformation to deliver efficiency and agility through hyper-automation while achieving superior business outcomes.

WNS brings to the Group its high growth, margin accretive and resilient Digital Business Process Services, which is the springboard to Intelligent Operations, while further increasing our exposure to the US market. Immediate cross-selling opportunities will be unlocked through the integration of our complementary offerings and clients. I am looking forward to welcoming the WNS global team to Capgemini.”

“As a recognized leader in the Digital Business Process Services space, we see the next wave of transformation being driven by intelligent, domain-centric operations that unlock strategic value for our clients. Organizations that have already digitized are now seeking to reimagine their operating models by embedding AI at the core—shifting from automation to autonomy,” said Keshav R. Murugesh, Chief Executive Officer of WNS. “By combining our deep domain and process expertise with Capgemini’s global reach, cutting-edge Gen AI and Agentic AI capabilities, a robust partner ecosystem, and advanced technology platforms, we are creating a powerful proposition that accelerates enterprise reinvention. WNS’ complementary portfolio of horizontal and industry-specific solutions will significantly enhance Capgemini’s rapidly growing Business Services footprint, enabling next-generation, data-driven operations across sectors. Just as importantly, our shared values, cultural alignment, and complementary client relationships ensure a seamless integration—unlocking exciting opportunities for innovation, co-creation, and growth across all stakeholder groups.”

“WNS and Capgemini share a bold, future-focused vision for Intelligent Operations. I’m confident that Capgemini is the ideal partner at the right time in WNS’ journey to extend our capabilities, accelerate innovation, and establish a leadership position in this rapidly evolving market,” said Timothy L. Main, Chairman of WNS Board of Directors. “This marks a pivotal chapter in WNS’ growth—enhancing the resilience and agility of our clients through advanced AI-driven solutions, creating sustained value for our investors, and opening up new avenues for our employees to thrive within a global technology powerhouse.”

WNS, a leader in the resilient high-growth and margin accretive Digital BPS market

WNS is a leading and trusted business transformation and services partner that uniquely blends deep industry knowledge with business process management, technology, analytics and AI expertise to create market differentiation for clients. With digital-led transformation solutions deployed to clients across 8 industries where it deploys its highly automated platforms to deliver stronger business outcomes, WNS is a leader in Digital Business Process Services (BPS). This operating model enables strategic engagements that are critical to clients’ daily operations materialized in long-term contracts with recurring revenues streams. Through an expanded ecosystem of partners and network of delivery centers, WNS serves a large portfolio of blue-chip clients, such as³ United Airlines, Aviva, M&T Bank, Centrica and McCain Foods.

The high-quality business model of WNS, supported by non-linear pricing models and superior profitability has driven a c.+9% constant currency revenue growth on average over the last 3 fiscal years⁴, to reach $1,266 million of revenue⁵ in fiscal year 2025⁴ with an 18.7%⁶ operating margin.

Global organizations are in constant need of strategic partners to support their transformation to enhance efficiency and accelerate growth. This continues to be a key driver of the Digital BPS market and WNS targets revenue growth of +7% to +11% for FY2026.

Immediate unlocking of value

This transaction will position Capgemini as a leader in Digital BPS blending horizontal and vertical process expertise, with a global footprint. With combined revenues of €1.9 billion in 2024 in Digital BPS, this will strengthen Capgemini’s ability to accompany clients on their business and technology transformation journeys.

The mix of WNS and Capgemini’s complementary offerings and clients will immediately unlock cross-selling opportunities. It will also lay down the foundations to build the capabilities to seize the Intelligent Operations strategic market opportunity.

Intelligent Operations – Agentic AI creates a paradigm shift that opens a strategic opportunity

The largest opportunity for global organizations to create value with Gen AI and Agentic AI lies in the fundamental redesign of their operations and business processes. It will attract a significant share of their AI investments as they seek to become AI-powered companies to lead their market. This is creating demand for a new type of business process services: Intelligent Operations.

Intelligent Operations answers these business needs, providing a consulting-led approach to transform and operate horizontal and vertical business processes leveraging Gen AI and Agentic AI. It addresses clients’ goal of efficiency, speed and agility through process hyper-automation, while significantly improving business outcomes by combining data, AI and digital.

AI technologies trigger a paradigm shift in delivering business process services: from labor-intensive services to being consulting-led and tech-driven. In parallel, client focus has shifted from efficiency gains toward end-to-end value creation and business outcomes, opening opportunities to add non-linear revenues (i.e. transaction-based, subscription-based or outcome-based models). This is creating a rapidly growing market opportunity.

Combining the capabilities and scale required to lead in Intelligent Operations

Both Capgemini and WNS are already pioneering Intelligent Operations. Capgemini with its consulting-led end-to-end transformation of processes, advanced AI tools and technology stacks, and BPS platforms, while WNS has developed a set of sector-specific AI-led solutions recently augmented by the acquisition of Kipi.ai⁷ to strengthen its data, analytics and AI capabilities.

The combination of Capgemini and WNS will act as a catalyst to lead in Intelligent Operations providing the required scale and unique set of capabilities from Strategy & Transformation consulting, to horizontal and sector expertise, platform offerings to deep AI and technology capabilities.

This combination will also leverage the significant investments made by Capgemini in AI through training, offers and its 25 strategic partnerships, including Microsoft, Google, AWS, Mistral AI and NVIDIA. The Group’s leadership is recognized by its clients, with over €900 million of Gen AI bookings in 2024, and by market analysts such as Forrester, IDC and ISG.

This transaction will reinforce Capgemini as a business and transformation partner to those enterprises who want to become AI-powered businesses.

Value creation

Based on calendar year 2024 published information, the combined entities would have generated a revenue of €23.3 billion at a 13.6% operating margin⁶ in 2024.

The Group expects accretion to normalized EPS, before synergies from the combination, of 4% in 2026.

Capgemini expects revenue synergies run-rate of €100 million to €140 million by the end of 2027. Costs and operating model synergies are anticipated to reach an annual pretax run-rate of between €50 million and €70 million by the end of 2027.

With the benefits of these synergies, the accretion on normalized earnings per share should reach 7% in 2027.

Smooth integration

WNS and Capgemini have a natural cultural fit and share common values that will facilitate a smooth integration of the teams, helped by the Group’s track record of successful integrations. Furthermore, the integration will be straightforward into Capgemini’s Global Business Services activities.

Key transaction terms and timeline

The contemplated transaction will be implemented by way of a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under the laws of Jersey. The transaction has been unanimously approved by both Capgemini’s and WNS’ Boards of Directors.

The transaction is subject to approval by the Royal Court of Jersey and WNS’ shareholders, as well as to receipt of customary regulatory approvals and other conditions. The closing of the transaction is expected to occur by the end of the year.

Full details of the terms and conditions of the transaction are set out in the transaction agreement, which may be obtained, free of charge, on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov) when available, and WNS’ website at https://www.WNS.com.

Financing

Capgemini has secured a bridge financing of €4.0 billion, covering the purchase of securities ($3.3 billion), as well as the gross debt and similar obligations⁸ of around $0.4 billion and the €0.8 billion Capgemini bond redeemed in June 2025.

The Group plans to refinance the bridge with available cash for around €1.0 billion and the balance by debt issuance.

Q2 and H1 2025 performance

The Group expects Q2 2025 year-on-year growth at constant currency to be slightly better than the -0.4% reported in Q1 2025. The Group also expects for H1 2025 the operating margin to be stable year-on-year at 12.4%.

Due to the nature and timing of this announcement, the actual Q2 and H1 2025 performance may slightly differ from the above-mentioned expectations. H1 2025 publication will take place as planned on July 30, 2025.

Outlook

Capgemini’s financial targets for 2025 do not take into account this transaction and are therefore unchanged:
- Revenue growth of -2.0% to +2.0% at constant currency;
- Operating margin of 13.3% to 13.5%;
- Organic free cash flow of around €1.9 billion.
Conference call

Aiman Ezzat, Chief Executive Officer, accompanied by Nive Bhagat, Chief Financial Officer, will comment on this announcement during two audio webcasts (in English only) to be held today:
- at 8.00 a.m. Paris time (CET)
  - for “listen-only” participants: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/npdpfjyy
    
    for investors and financial analysts who wish to take part in the Q&A session, please pre-register on the following link to receive the dial-in information
- and at 3.00 p.m. Paris time (CET)
  - for “listen-only” participants: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/y5nk6iup
    
    for investors and financial analysts who wish to take part in the Q&A session, please pre-register on the following link to receive the dial-in information
Replays of both calls will be available, from the same links, shortly after the event and for a period of one year.

All documents relating to this publication will be posted on the Capgemini investor website at https://investors.capgemini.com/en/.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute or form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. In connection with the Transaction, WNS will provide to its shareholders and file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a circular relating to the Transaction (the “scheme document”) and may also file other documents with the SEC.

The scheme document will contain the full terms and conditions of the Transaction, including details with respect to the WNS shareholder vote in respect of the Transaction and will be sent or otherwise disseminated to WNS’ shareholders and will contain important information about the Transaction and related matters. Any decision in respect of, or other response to, the Transaction should be made only on the basis of the information contained in the scheme document.

SHAREHOLDERS OF WNS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE SCHEME DOCUMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION.

The scheme document and other relevant documents may be obtained, free of charge, on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov), when available. WNS’ shareholders may obtain free copies of the scheme document once it is available from WNS by going to WNS’ website at https://www.wns.com.

PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION

Capgemini, WNS and certain of their respective directors and officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of WNS’ shareholders in connection with the Transaction. Additional information regarding the foregoing persons, including their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the scheme document and other relevant documents to be filed with the SEC. WNS’ shareholders and other interested persons may obtain, without charge, more detailed information regarding the directors and officers of WNS in WNS’ periodic reports filed with the SEC available on WNS’ website at https://www.wns.com, and regarding the directors and officers of Capgemini in Capgemini’s most recent Universal Registration Document (Document d’Enregistrement Universel) available on Capgemini’s website (https://www.capgemini.com/us-en/).

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain information in this announcement, as well as oral statements made regarding the Transaction, and other information published by WNS, Capgemini or any member of the Capgemini Group contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements”, including, but not limited to, the acceleration of Capgemini and WNS’ growth and the value-additive nature of the Transaction for Capgemini shareholders. The words “anticipates”, “expects”, “believes”, “intends, “estimates”, “plans”, “projects”, “may”, “would”, “will”, “should”, “continue”, or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and on numerous assumptions regarding the business strategies and the environment in which Capgemini, any member of the Capgemini Group, including WNS and its subsidiaries following the Transaction (“Post-Transaction Group”) shall operate in the future and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those statements. The forward looking statements contained in this announcement relate to Capgemini, any member of the Capgemini Group or the Post-Transaction Group’s future prospects, developments and business strategies, the expected timing and scope of the Transaction and other statements other than historical facts. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect such forward-looking statements, please refer, without limitations, to the risks identified in Capgemini’s most recent Universal Registration Document (Document d’Enregistrement Universel) available on Capgemini’s website (https://www.capgemini.com/us-en/). Factors which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and future prospects include, but are not limited to, the following risks relating to the Transaction, including in respect of the satisfaction of closing conditions to the Transaction on a timely basis or at all, including the ability to obtain required regulatory approvals and the required scheme shareholder approval; unanticipated difficulties and/or expenditures relating to the Transaction and any related financing; uncertainties as to the timing of the Transaction; litigation relating to, or other challenges to, the Transaction; the impact of the Transaction on each company’s business operations (including the threatened or actual loss of employees, clients or suppliers); the inability to obtain, or delays in obtaining cost savings and synergies from the Transaction; incurrence of unexpected costs and expenses in connection with the Transaction; risks related to changes in the financial, equity and debt markets; and risks related to political, economic and market conditions. In addition, the risks to which WNS’ business is subject, including those risks described in WNS’ periodic reports filed with the SEC, could adversely affect the Transaction and, following the completion of the Transaction, the Company’s operations and future prospects. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Capgemini and WNS to predict or assess the impact of every factor that may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Specifically, statements of estimated cost savings and synergies relate to future actions and circumstances which, by their nature involve, risks, uncertainties and contingencies. As a result, the cost savings and synergies referred to may not be achieved, may be achieved later or sooner than estimated, or those achieved could be materially different from those estimated. Due to the scale of the Post-Transaction Group, there may be additional changes to the Post-Transaction Group’s operations. As a result, and given the fact that the changes relate to the future, the resulting cost synergies may be materially greater or less than those estimated.

Forward-looking statements contained herein are only based upon currently available information and speak only as of the date of this announcement, and Capgemini expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Capgemini’s expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results and should not be relied upon for any reason.

The anticipated financial impact of the acquisition of WNS and any references to future financial performance should not be viewed as management guidance. Actual results may differ from the statements set forth herein and such differences may be material.

ABOUT CAPGEMINI

Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2024 global revenues of €22.1 billion.

Get the Future You Want | www.capgemini.com

ABOUT WNS

WNS is a digital-led business transformation and services company. WNS combines deep domain expertise with talent, technology, and AI to co-create innovative solutions for over 600 clients across various industries. WNS delivers an entire spectrum of solutions including industry-specific offerings, customer experience services, finance and accounting, human resources, procurement, and research and analytics to re-imagine the digital future of businesses. As of March 31, 2025, WNS had 64,505 professionals across 64 delivery centers worldwide including facilities in Canada, China, Costa Rica, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Poland, Romania, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

For more information, visit www.wns.com

¹ Volume-weighted average
² Net financial debt of WNS was negligible as at March 31, 2025
³ Clients of WNS based on public domain information
⁴ WNS fiscal year ends March 31. Last 3 fiscal years end March 2025.
⁵ Revenue represents revenue less repair payments
⁶ WNS “Adjusted operating profit” restated to expense amortization of intangible assets (software) above operating margin to conform to Capgemini’s definition of operating margin.
⁷ See https://ir.wns.com/news-releases/news-release-details/wns-acquires-kipiai-expand-data-analytics-ai-capabilities
⁸ Including considerations to be paid in connection with Restricted Share Units

Attachment
- Capgemini_-_2025-07-07_-_Capgemini_to_acquire_WNS_to_create_a_global_leader_in_Intelligent_Operations
The MIL Network –
July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI: Capgemini to acquire WNS to create a global leader in Agentic AI-powered Intelligent Operations
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Media relations:
Victoire Grux
Tel.: +33 6 04 52 16 55
victoire.grux@capgemini.com

Investor relations:
Vincent Biraud
Tel.: +33 1 47 54 50 87
vincent.biraud@capgemini.com

Capgemini to acquire WNS to create a global leader in Agentic AI-powered Intelligent Operations
- Creation of a leader in Intelligent Operations to capture enterprise investment in Agentic AI to transform their end-to-end business processes
- Acquisition of a leading player in Digital BPS (Business Process Services) to combine capabilities and scale to address the strategic opportunity driven by Agentic AI
- Transaction immediately accretive to Capgemini’s revenue growth and operating margin
- Expected accretion to Capgemini’s normalized EPS of 4% before synergies in 2026, and 7% post-synergies in 2027
- Definitive transaction agreement entered into pursuant to which Capgemini will acquire WNS for a cash consideration of 76.50 USD per share
- Transaction unanimously approved by the board of directors of both companies and expected to close by the end of the year
Paris, July 7, 2025 – Capgemini (Euronext Paris: CAP), a global business and technology transformation partner, and WNS (NYSE: WNS), a leading digital-led business transformation and services company, today announced that they have entered into a definitive transaction agreement pursuant to which Capgemini will acquire WNS for a cash consideration of 76.50 USD per WNS share, which represents a premium of 28% to the last 90-day average¹ share price, of 27% to the last 30-day average¹ share price and a premium of 17% to the last closing share price on July 3, 2025. The total cash consideration will amount to $3.3 billion, excluding WNS net financial debt². The transaction will be accretive to Capgemini’s normalized EPS by 4% before synergies in 2026 and 7% post synergies in 2027. The transaction has been unanimously approved by both Capgemini’s and WNS’ Boards of Directors.

“Enterprises are rapidly adopting Generative AI and Agentic AI to transform their operations end-to-end. Business Process Services will be the showcase for Agentic AI. Capgemini’s acquisition of WNS will provide the Group with the scale and vertical sector expertise to capture that rapidly emerging strategic opportunity created by the paradigm shift from traditional BPS to Agentic AI-powered Intelligent Operations,” comments Aiman Ezzat, Chief Executive Officer of Capgemini. “Together we will create a leader in Intelligent Operations, uniquely positioned to support organizations in their AI-powered business process transformation, blending the critical capabilities needed from consulting, technology and platforms to deep process and industry expertise. This will address the client needs for Agentic AI-driven process transformation to deliver efficiency and agility through hyper-automation while achieving superior business outcomes.

WNS brings to the Group its high growth, margin accretive and resilient Digital Business Process Services, which is the springboard to Intelligent Operations, while further increasing our exposure to the US market. Immediate cross-selling opportunities will be unlocked through the integration of our complementary offerings and clients. I am looking forward to welcoming the WNS global team to Capgemini.”

“As a recognized leader in the Digital Business Process Services space, we see the next wave of transformation being driven by intelligent, domain-centric operations that unlock strategic value for our clients. Organizations that have already digitized are now seeking to reimagine their operating models by embedding AI at the core—shifting from automation to autonomy,” said Keshav R. Murugesh, Chief Executive Officer of WNS. “By combining our deep domain and process expertise with Capgemini’s global reach, cutting-edge Gen AI and Agentic AI capabilities, a robust partner ecosystem, and advanced technology platforms, we are creating a powerful proposition that accelerates enterprise reinvention. WNS’ complementary portfolio of horizontal and industry-specific solutions will significantly enhance Capgemini’s rapidly growing Business Services footprint, enabling next-generation, data-driven operations across sectors. Just as importantly, our shared values, cultural alignment, and complementary client relationships ensure a seamless integration—unlocking exciting opportunities for innovation, co-creation, and growth across all stakeholder groups.”

“WNS and Capgemini share a bold, future-focused vision for Intelligent Operations. I’m confident that Capgemini is the ideal partner at the right time in WNS’ journey to extend our capabilities, accelerate innovation, and establish a leadership position in this rapidly evolving market,” said Timothy L. Main, Chairman of WNS Board of Directors. “This marks a pivotal chapter in WNS’ growth—enhancing the resilience and agility of our clients through advanced AI-driven solutions, creating sustained value for our investors, and opening up new avenues for our employees to thrive within a global technology powerhouse.”

WNS, a leader in the resilient high-growth and margin accretive Digital BPS market

WNS is a leading and trusted business transformation and services partner that uniquely blends deep industry knowledge with business process management, technology, analytics and AI expertise to create market differentiation for clients. With digital-led transformation solutions deployed to clients across 8 industries where it deploys its highly automated platforms to deliver stronger business outcomes, WNS is a leader in Digital Business Process Services (BPS). This operating model enables strategic engagements that are critical to clients’ daily operations materialized in long-term contracts with recurring revenues streams. Through an expanded ecosystem of partners and network of delivery centers, WNS serves a large portfolio of blue-chip clients, such as³ United Airlines, Aviva, M&T Bank, Centrica and McCain Foods.

The high-quality business model of WNS, supported by non-linear pricing models and superior profitability has driven a c.+9% constant currency revenue growth on average over the last 3 fiscal years⁴, to reach $1,266 million of revenue⁵ in fiscal year 2025⁴ with an 18.7%⁶ operating margin.

Global organizations are in constant need of strategic partners to support their transformation to enhance efficiency and accelerate growth. This continues to be a key driver of the Digital BPS market and WNS targets revenue growth of +7% to +11% for FY2026.

Immediate unlocking of value

This transaction will position Capgemini as a leader in Digital BPS blending horizontal and vertical process expertise, with a global footprint. With combined revenues of €1.9 billion in 2024 in Digital BPS, this will strengthen Capgemini’s ability to accompany clients on their business and technology transformation journeys.

The mix of WNS and Capgemini’s complementary offerings and clients will immediately unlock cross-selling opportunities. It will also lay down the foundations to build the capabilities to seize the Intelligent Operations strategic market opportunity.

Intelligent Operations – Agentic AI creates a paradigm shift that opens a strategic opportunity

The largest opportunity for global organizations to create value with Gen AI and Agentic AI lies in the fundamental redesign of their operations and business processes. It will attract a significant share of their AI investments as they seek to become AI-powered companies to lead their market. This is creating demand for a new type of business process services: Intelligent Operations.

Intelligent Operations answers these business needs, providing a consulting-led approach to transform and operate horizontal and vertical business processes leveraging Gen AI and Agentic AI. It addresses clients’ goal of efficiency, speed and agility through process hyper-automation, while significantly improving business outcomes by combining data, AI and digital.

AI technologies trigger a paradigm shift in delivering business process services: from labor-intensive services to being consulting-led and tech-driven. In parallel, client focus has shifted from efficiency gains toward end-to-end value creation and business outcomes, opening opportunities to add non-linear revenues (i.e. transaction-based, subscription-based or outcome-based models). This is creating a rapidly growing market opportunity.

Combining the capabilities and scale required to lead in Intelligent Operations

Both Capgemini and WNS are already pioneering Intelligent Operations. Capgemini with its consulting-led end-to-end transformation of processes, advanced AI tools and technology stacks, and BPS platforms, while WNS has developed a set of sector-specific AI-led solutions recently augmented by the acquisition of Kipi.ai⁷ to strengthen its data, analytics and AI capabilities.

The combination of Capgemini and WNS will act as a catalyst to lead in Intelligent Operations providing the required scale and unique set of capabilities from Strategy & Transformation consulting, to horizontal and sector expertise, platform offerings to deep AI and technology capabilities.

This combination will also leverage the significant investments made by Capgemini in AI through training, offers and its 25 strategic partnerships, including Microsoft, Google, AWS, Mistral AI and NVIDIA. The Group’s leadership is recognized by its clients, with over €900 million of Gen AI bookings in 2024, and by market analysts such as Forrester, IDC and ISG.

This transaction will reinforce Capgemini as a business and transformation partner to those enterprises who want to become AI-powered businesses.

Value creation

Based on calendar year 2024 published information, the combined entities would have generated a revenue of €23.3 billion at a 13.6% operating margin⁶ in 2024.

The Group expects accretion to normalized EPS, before synergies from the combination, of 4% in 2026.

Capgemini expects revenue synergies run-rate of €100 million to €140 million by the end of 2027. Costs and operating model synergies are anticipated to reach an annual pretax run-rate of between €50 million and €70 million by the end of 2027.

With the benefits of these synergies, the accretion on normalized earnings per share should reach 7% in 2027.

Smooth integration

WNS and Capgemini have a natural cultural fit and share common values that will facilitate a smooth integration of the teams, helped by the Group’s track record of successful integrations. Furthermore, the integration will be straightforward into Capgemini’s Global Business Services activities.

Key transaction terms and timeline

The contemplated transaction will be implemented by way of a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under the laws of Jersey. The transaction has been unanimously approved by both Capgemini’s and WNS’ Boards of Directors.

The transaction is subject to approval by the Royal Court of Jersey and WNS’ shareholders, as well as to receipt of customary regulatory approvals and other conditions. The closing of the transaction is expected to occur by the end of the year.

Full details of the terms and conditions of the transaction are set out in the transaction agreement, which may be obtained, free of charge, on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov) when available, and WNS’ website at https://www.WNS.com.

Financing

Capgemini has secured a bridge financing of €4.0 billion, covering the purchase of securities ($3.3 billion), as well as the gross debt and similar obligations⁸ of around $0.4 billion and the €0.8 billion Capgemini bond redeemed in June 2025.

The Group plans to refinance the bridge with available cash for around €1.0 billion and the balance by debt issuance.

Q2 and H1 2025 performance

The Group expects Q2 2025 year-on-year growth at constant currency to be slightly better than the -0.4% reported in Q1 2025. The Group also expects for H1 2025 the operating margin to be stable year-on-year at 12.4%.

Due to the nature and timing of this announcement, the actual Q2 and H1 2025 performance may slightly differ from the above-mentioned expectations. H1 2025 publication will take place as planned on July 30, 2025.

Outlook

Capgemini’s financial targets for 2025 do not take into account this transaction and are therefore unchanged:
- Revenue growth of -2.0% to +2.0% at constant currency;
- Operating margin of 13.3% to 13.5%;
- Organic free cash flow of around €1.9 billion.
Conference call

Aiman Ezzat, Chief Executive Officer, accompanied by Nive Bhagat, Chief Financial Officer, will comment on this announcement during two audio webcasts (in English only) to be held today:
- at 8.00 a.m. Paris time (CET)
  - for “listen-only” participants: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/npdpfjyy
    
    for investors and financial analysts who wish to take part in the Q&A session, please pre-register on the following link to receive the dial-in information
- and at 3.00 p.m. Paris time (CET)
  - for “listen-only” participants: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/y5nk6iup
    
    for investors and financial analysts who wish to take part in the Q&A session, please pre-register on the following link to receive the dial-in information
Replays of both calls will be available, from the same links, shortly after the event and for a period of one year.

All documents relating to this publication will be posted on the Capgemini investor website at https://investors.capgemini.com/en/.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute or form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. In connection with the Transaction, WNS will provide to its shareholders and file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a circular relating to the Transaction (the “scheme document”) and may also file other documents with the SEC.

The scheme document will contain the full terms and conditions of the Transaction, including details with respect to the WNS shareholder vote in respect of the Transaction and will be sent or otherwise disseminated to WNS’ shareholders and will contain important information about the Transaction and related matters. Any decision in respect of, or other response to, the Transaction should be made only on the basis of the information contained in the scheme document.

SHAREHOLDERS OF WNS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE SCHEME DOCUMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION.

The scheme document and other relevant documents may be obtained, free of charge, on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov), when available. WNS’ shareholders may obtain free copies of the scheme document once it is available from WNS by going to WNS’ website at https://www.wns.com.

PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION

Capgemini, WNS and certain of their respective directors and officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of WNS’ shareholders in connection with the Transaction. Additional information regarding the foregoing persons, including their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the scheme document and other relevant documents to be filed with the SEC. WNS’ shareholders and other interested persons may obtain, without charge, more detailed information regarding the directors and officers of WNS in WNS’ periodic reports filed with the SEC available on WNS’ website at https://www.wns.com, and regarding the directors and officers of Capgemini in Capgemini’s most recent Universal Registration Document (Document d’Enregistrement Universel) available on Capgemini’s website (https://www.capgemini.com/us-en/).

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain information in this announcement, as well as oral statements made regarding the Transaction, and other information published by WNS, Capgemini or any member of the Capgemini Group contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements”, including, but not limited to, the acceleration of Capgemini and WNS’ growth and the value-additive nature of the Transaction for Capgemini shareholders. The words “anticipates”, “expects”, “believes”, “intends, “estimates”, “plans”, “projects”, “may”, “would”, “will”, “should”, “continue”, or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and on numerous assumptions regarding the business strategies and the environment in which Capgemini, any member of the Capgemini Group, including WNS and its subsidiaries following the Transaction (“Post-Transaction Group”) shall operate in the future and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those statements. The forward looking statements contained in this announcement relate to Capgemini, any member of the Capgemini Group or the Post-Transaction Group’s future prospects, developments and business strategies, the expected timing and scope of the Transaction and other statements other than historical facts. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect such forward-looking statements, please refer, without limitations, to the risks identified in Capgemini’s most recent Universal Registration Document (Document d’Enregistrement Universel) available on Capgemini’s website (https://www.capgemini.com/us-en/). Factors which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and future prospects include, but are not limited to, the following risks relating to the Transaction, including in respect of the satisfaction of closing conditions to the Transaction on a timely basis or at all, including the ability to obtain required regulatory approvals and the required scheme shareholder approval; unanticipated difficulties and/or expenditures relating to the Transaction and any related financing; uncertainties as to the timing of the Transaction; litigation relating to, or other challenges to, the Transaction; the impact of the Transaction on each company’s business operations (including the threatened or actual loss of employees, clients or suppliers); the inability to obtain, or delays in obtaining cost savings and synergies from the Transaction; incurrence of unexpected costs and expenses in connection with the Transaction; risks related to changes in the financial, equity and debt markets; and risks related to political, economic and market conditions. In addition, the risks to which WNS’ business is subject, including those risks described in WNS’ periodic reports filed with the SEC, could adversely affect the Transaction and, following the completion of the Transaction, the Company’s operations and future prospects. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Capgemini and WNS to predict or assess the impact of every factor that may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Specifically, statements of estimated cost savings and synergies relate to future actions and circumstances which, by their nature involve, risks, uncertainties and contingencies. As a result, the cost savings and synergies referred to may not be achieved, may be achieved later or sooner than estimated, or those achieved could be materially different from those estimated. Due to the scale of the Post-Transaction Group, there may be additional changes to the Post-Transaction Group’s operations. As a result, and given the fact that the changes relate to the future, the resulting cost synergies may be materially greater or less than those estimated.

Forward-looking statements contained herein are only based upon currently available information and speak only as of the date of this announcement, and Capgemini expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Capgemini’s expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results and should not be relied upon for any reason.

The anticipated financial impact of the acquisition of WNS and any references to future financial performance should not be viewed as management guidance. Actual results may differ from the statements set forth herein and such differences may be material.

ABOUT CAPGEMINI

Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2024 global revenues of €22.1 billion.

Get the Future You Want | www.capgemini.com

ABOUT WNS

WNS is a digital-led business transformation and services company. WNS combines deep domain expertise with talent, technology, and AI to co-create innovative solutions for over 600 clients across various industries. WNS delivers an entire spectrum of solutions including industry-specific offerings, customer experience services, finance and accounting, human resources, procurement, and research and analytics to re-imagine the digital future of businesses. As of March 31, 2025, WNS had 64,505 professionals across 64 delivery centers worldwide including facilities in Canada, China, Costa Rica, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Poland, Romania, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

For more information, visit www.wns.com

¹ Volume-weighted average
² Net financial debt of WNS was negligible as at March 31, 2025
³ Clients of WNS based on public domain information
⁴ WNS fiscal year ends March 31. Last 3 fiscal years end March 2025.
⁵ Revenue represents revenue less repair payments
⁶ WNS “Adjusted operating profit” restated to expense amortization of intangible assets (software) above operating margin to conform to Capgemini’s definition of operating margin.
⁷ See https://ir.wns.com/news-releases/news-release-details/wns-acquires-kipiai-expand-data-analytics-ai-capabilities
⁸ Including considerations to be paid in connection with Restricted Share Units

Attachment
- Capgemini_-_2025-07-07_-_Capgemini_to_acquire_WNS_to_create_a_global_leader_in_Intelligent_Operations
The MIL Network –
July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI: Capgemini to acquire WNS to create a global leader in Agentic AI-powered Intelligent Operations
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

Media relations:
Victoire Grux
Tel.: +33 6 04 52 16 55
victoire.grux@capgemini.com

Investor relations:
Vincent Biraud
Tel.: +33 1 47 54 50 87
vincent.biraud@capgemini.com

Capgemini to acquire WNS to create a global leader in Agentic AI-powered Intelligent Operations
- Creation of a leader in Intelligent Operations to capture enterprise investment in Agentic AI to transform their end-to-end business processes
- Acquisition of a leading player in Digital BPS (Business Process Services) to combine capabilities and scale to address the strategic opportunity driven by Agentic AI
- Transaction immediately accretive to Capgemini’s revenue growth and operating margin
- Expected accretion to Capgemini’s normalized EPS of 4% before synergies in 2026, and 7% post-synergies in 2027
- Definitive transaction agreement entered into pursuant to which Capgemini will acquire WNS for a cash consideration of 76.50 USD per share
- Transaction unanimously approved by the board of directors of both companies and expected to close by the end of the year
Paris, July 7, 2025 – Capgemini (Euronext Paris: CAP), a global business and technology transformation partner, and WNS (NYSE: WNS), a leading digital-led business transformation and services company, today announced that they have entered into a definitive transaction agreement pursuant to which Capgemini will acquire WNS for a cash consideration of 76.50 USD per WNS share, which represents a premium of 28% to the last 90-day average¹ share price, of 27% to the last 30-day average¹ share price and a premium of 17% to the last closing share price on July 3, 2025. The total cash consideration will amount to $3.3 billion, excluding WNS net financial debt². The transaction will be accretive to Capgemini’s normalized EPS by 4% before synergies in 2026 and 7% post synergies in 2027. The transaction has been unanimously approved by both Capgemini’s and WNS’ Boards of Directors.

“Enterprises are rapidly adopting Generative AI and Agentic AI to transform their operations end-to-end. Business Process Services will be the showcase for Agentic AI. Capgemini’s acquisition of WNS will provide the Group with the scale and vertical sector expertise to capture that rapidly emerging strategic opportunity created by the paradigm shift from traditional BPS to Agentic AI-powered Intelligent Operations,” comments Aiman Ezzat, Chief Executive Officer of Capgemini. “Together we will create a leader in Intelligent Operations, uniquely positioned to support organizations in their AI-powered business process transformation, blending the critical capabilities needed from consulting, technology and platforms to deep process and industry expertise. This will address the client needs for Agentic AI-driven process transformation to deliver efficiency and agility through hyper-automation while achieving superior business outcomes.

WNS brings to the Group its high growth, margin accretive and resilient Digital Business Process Services, which is the springboard to Intelligent Operations, while further increasing our exposure to the US market. Immediate cross-selling opportunities will be unlocked through the integration of our complementary offerings and clients. I am looking forward to welcoming the WNS global team to Capgemini.”

“As a recognized leader in the Digital Business Process Services space, we see the next wave of transformation being driven by intelligent, domain-centric operations that unlock strategic value for our clients. Organizations that have already digitized are now seeking to reimagine their operating models by embedding AI at the core—shifting from automation to autonomy,” said Keshav R. Murugesh, Chief Executive Officer of WNS. “By combining our deep domain and process expertise with Capgemini’s global reach, cutting-edge Gen AI and Agentic AI capabilities, a robust partner ecosystem, and advanced technology platforms, we are creating a powerful proposition that accelerates enterprise reinvention. WNS’ complementary portfolio of horizontal and industry-specific solutions will significantly enhance Capgemini’s rapidly growing Business Services footprint, enabling next-generation, data-driven operations across sectors. Just as importantly, our shared values, cultural alignment, and complementary client relationships ensure a seamless integration—unlocking exciting opportunities for innovation, co-creation, and growth across all stakeholder groups.”

“WNS and Capgemini share a bold, future-focused vision for Intelligent Operations. I’m confident that Capgemini is the ideal partner at the right time in WNS’ journey to extend our capabilities, accelerate innovation, and establish a leadership position in this rapidly evolving market,” said Timothy L. Main, Chairman of WNS Board of Directors. “This marks a pivotal chapter in WNS’ growth—enhancing the resilience and agility of our clients through advanced AI-driven solutions, creating sustained value for our investors, and opening up new avenues for our employees to thrive within a global technology powerhouse.”

WNS, a leader in the resilient high-growth and margin accretive Digital BPS market

WNS is a leading and trusted business transformation and services partner that uniquely blends deep industry knowledge with business process management, technology, analytics and AI expertise to create market differentiation for clients. With digital-led transformation solutions deployed to clients across 8 industries where it deploys its highly automated platforms to deliver stronger business outcomes, WNS is a leader in Digital Business Process Services (BPS). This operating model enables strategic engagements that are critical to clients’ daily operations materialized in long-term contracts with recurring revenues streams. Through an expanded ecosystem of partners and network of delivery centers, WNS serves a large portfolio of blue-chip clients, such as³ United Airlines, Aviva, M&T Bank, Centrica and McCain Foods.

The high-quality business model of WNS, supported by non-linear pricing models and superior profitability has driven a c.+9% constant currency revenue growth on average over the last 3 fiscal years⁴, to reach $1,266 million of revenue⁵ in fiscal year 2025⁴ with an 18.7%⁶ operating margin.

Global organizations are in constant need of strategic partners to support their transformation to enhance efficiency and accelerate growth. This continues to be a key driver of the Digital BPS market and WNS targets revenue growth of +7% to +11% for FY2026.

Immediate unlocking of value

This transaction will position Capgemini as a leader in Digital BPS blending horizontal and vertical process expertise, with a global footprint. With combined revenues of €1.9 billion in 2024 in Digital BPS, this will strengthen Capgemini’s ability to accompany clients on their business and technology transformation journeys.

The mix of WNS and Capgemini’s complementary offerings and clients will immediately unlock cross-selling opportunities. It will also lay down the foundations to build the capabilities to seize the Intelligent Operations strategic market opportunity.

Intelligent Operations – Agentic AI creates a paradigm shift that opens a strategic opportunity

The largest opportunity for global organizations to create value with Gen AI and Agentic AI lies in the fundamental redesign of their operations and business processes. It will attract a significant share of their AI investments as they seek to become AI-powered companies to lead their market. This is creating demand for a new type of business process services: Intelligent Operations.

Intelligent Operations answers these business needs, providing a consulting-led approach to transform and operate horizontal and vertical business processes leveraging Gen AI and Agentic AI. It addresses clients’ goal of efficiency, speed and agility through process hyper-automation, while significantly improving business outcomes by combining data, AI and digital.

AI technologies trigger a paradigm shift in delivering business process services: from labor-intensive services to being consulting-led and tech-driven. In parallel, client focus has shifted from efficiency gains toward end-to-end value creation and business outcomes, opening opportunities to add non-linear revenues (i.e. transaction-based, subscription-based or outcome-based models). This is creating a rapidly growing market opportunity.

Combining the capabilities and scale required to lead in Intelligent Operations

Both Capgemini and WNS are already pioneering Intelligent Operations. Capgemini with its consulting-led end-to-end transformation of processes, advanced AI tools and technology stacks, and BPS platforms, while WNS has developed a set of sector-specific AI-led solutions recently augmented by the acquisition of Kipi.ai⁷ to strengthen its data, analytics and AI capabilities.

The combination of Capgemini and WNS will act as a catalyst to lead in Intelligent Operations providing the required scale and unique set of capabilities from Strategy & Transformation consulting, to horizontal and sector expertise, platform offerings to deep AI and technology capabilities.

This combination will also leverage the significant investments made by Capgemini in AI through training, offers and its 25 strategic partnerships, including Microsoft, Google, AWS, Mistral AI and NVIDIA. The Group’s leadership is recognized by its clients, with over €900 million of Gen AI bookings in 2024, and by market analysts such as Forrester, IDC and ISG.

This transaction will reinforce Capgemini as a business and transformation partner to those enterprises who want to become AI-powered businesses.

Value creation

Based on calendar year 2024 published information, the combined entities would have generated a revenue of €23.3 billion at a 13.6% operating margin⁶ in 2024.

The Group expects accretion to normalized EPS, before synergies from the combination, of 4% in 2026.

Capgemini expects revenue synergies run-rate of €100 million to €140 million by the end of 2027. Costs and operating model synergies are anticipated to reach an annual pretax run-rate of between €50 million and €70 million by the end of 2027.

With the benefits of these synergies, the accretion on normalized earnings per share should reach 7% in 2027.

Smooth integration

WNS and Capgemini have a natural cultural fit and share common values that will facilitate a smooth integration of the teams, helped by the Group’s track record of successful integrations. Furthermore, the integration will be straightforward into Capgemini’s Global Business Services activities.

Key transaction terms and timeline

The contemplated transaction will be implemented by way of a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under the laws of Jersey. The transaction has been unanimously approved by both Capgemini’s and WNS’ Boards of Directors.

The transaction is subject to approval by the Royal Court of Jersey and WNS’ shareholders, as well as to receipt of customary regulatory approvals and other conditions. The closing of the transaction is expected to occur by the end of the year.

Full details of the terms and conditions of the transaction are set out in the transaction agreement, which may be obtained, free of charge, on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov) when available, and WNS’ website at https://www.WNS.com.

Financing

Capgemini has secured a bridge financing of €4.0 billion, covering the purchase of securities ($3.3 billion), as well as the gross debt and similar obligations⁸ of around $0.4 billion and the €0.8 billion Capgemini bond redeemed in June 2025.

The Group plans to refinance the bridge with available cash for around €1.0 billion and the balance by debt issuance.

Q2 and H1 2025 performance

The Group expects Q2 2025 year-on-year growth at constant currency to be slightly better than the -0.4% reported in Q1 2025. The Group also expects for H1 2025 the operating margin to be stable year-on-year at 12.4%.

Due to the nature and timing of this announcement, the actual Q2 and H1 2025 performance may slightly differ from the above-mentioned expectations. H1 2025 publication will take place as planned on July 30, 2025.

Outlook

Capgemini’s financial targets for 2025 do not take into account this transaction and are therefore unchanged:
- Revenue growth of -2.0% to +2.0% at constant currency;
- Operating margin of 13.3% to 13.5%;
- Organic free cash flow of around €1.9 billion.
Conference call

Aiman Ezzat, Chief Executive Officer, accompanied by Nive Bhagat, Chief Financial Officer, will comment on this announcement during two audio webcasts (in English only) to be held today:
- at 8.00 a.m. Paris time (CET)
  - for “listen-only” participants: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/npdpfjyy
    
    for investors and financial analysts who wish to take part in the Q&A session, please pre-register on the following link to receive the dial-in information
- and at 3.00 p.m. Paris time (CET)
  - for “listen-only” participants: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/y5nk6iup
    
    for investors and financial analysts who wish to take part in the Q&A session, please pre-register on the following link to receive the dial-in information
Replays of both calls will be available, from the same links, shortly after the event and for a period of one year.

All documents relating to this publication will be posted on the Capgemini investor website at https://investors.capgemini.com/en/.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

This announcement is for information purposes only and is not intended to and does not constitute or form part of, an offer, invitation or the solicitation of an offer to purchase, otherwise acquire, subscribe for, sell or otherwise dispose of any securities or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. In connection with the Transaction, WNS will provide to its shareholders and file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a circular relating to the Transaction (the “scheme document”) and may also file other documents with the SEC.

The scheme document will contain the full terms and conditions of the Transaction, including details with respect to the WNS shareholder vote in respect of the Transaction and will be sent or otherwise disseminated to WNS’ shareholders and will contain important information about the Transaction and related matters. Any decision in respect of, or other response to, the Transaction should be made only on the basis of the information contained in the scheme document.

SHAREHOLDERS OF WNS ARE ADVISED TO READ THE SCHEME DOCUMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION.

The scheme document and other relevant documents may be obtained, free of charge, on the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov), when available. WNS’ shareholders may obtain free copies of the scheme document once it is available from WNS by going to WNS’ website at https://www.wns.com.

PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION

Capgemini, WNS and certain of their respective directors and officers may be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies of WNS’ shareholders in connection with the Transaction. Additional information regarding the foregoing persons, including their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be set forth in the scheme document and other relevant documents to be filed with the SEC. WNS’ shareholders and other interested persons may obtain, without charge, more detailed information regarding the directors and officers of WNS in WNS’ periodic reports filed with the SEC available on WNS’ website at https://www.wns.com, and regarding the directors and officers of Capgemini in Capgemini’s most recent Universal Registration Document (Document d’Enregistrement Universel) available on Capgemini’s website (https://www.capgemini.com/us-en/).

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain information in this announcement, as well as oral statements made regarding the Transaction, and other information published by WNS, Capgemini or any member of the Capgemini Group contain statements which are, or may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements”, including, but not limited to, the acceleration of Capgemini and WNS’ growth and the value-additive nature of the Transaction for Capgemini shareholders. The words “anticipates”, “expects”, “believes”, “intends, “estimates”, “plans”, “projects”, “may”, “would”, “will”, “should”, “continue”, or the negative of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward looking statements are prospective in nature and are not based on historical facts, but rather on current expectations and on numerous assumptions regarding the business strategies and the environment in which Capgemini, any member of the Capgemini Group, including WNS and its subsidiaries following the Transaction (“Post-Transaction Group”) shall operate in the future and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by those statements. The forward looking statements contained in this announcement relate to Capgemini, any member of the Capgemini Group or the Post-Transaction Group’s future prospects, developments and business strategies, the expected timing and scope of the Transaction and other statements other than historical facts. For a discussion of some of the risks and important factors that could affect such forward-looking statements, please refer, without limitations, to the risks identified in Capgemini’s most recent Universal Registration Document (Document d’Enregistrement Universel) available on Capgemini’s website (https://www.capgemini.com/us-en/). Factors which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations and future prospects include, but are not limited to, the following risks relating to the Transaction, including in respect of the satisfaction of closing conditions to the Transaction on a timely basis or at all, including the ability to obtain required regulatory approvals and the required scheme shareholder approval; unanticipated difficulties and/or expenditures relating to the Transaction and any related financing; uncertainties as to the timing of the Transaction; litigation relating to, or other challenges to, the Transaction; the impact of the Transaction on each company’s business operations (including the threatened or actual loss of employees, clients or suppliers); the inability to obtain, or delays in obtaining cost savings and synergies from the Transaction; incurrence of unexpected costs and expenses in connection with the Transaction; risks related to changes in the financial, equity and debt markets; and risks related to political, economic and market conditions. In addition, the risks to which WNS’ business is subject, including those risks described in WNS’ periodic reports filed with the SEC, could adversely affect the Transaction and, following the completion of the Transaction, the Company’s operations and future prospects. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Capgemini and WNS to predict or assess the impact of every factor that may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Specifically, statements of estimated cost savings and synergies relate to future actions and circumstances which, by their nature involve, risks, uncertainties and contingencies. As a result, the cost savings and synergies referred to may not be achieved, may be achieved later or sooner than estimated, or those achieved could be materially different from those estimated. Due to the scale of the Post-Transaction Group, there may be additional changes to the Post-Transaction Group’s operations. As a result, and given the fact that the changes relate to the future, the resulting cost synergies may be materially greater or less than those estimated.

Forward-looking statements contained herein are only based upon currently available information and speak only as of the date of this announcement, and Capgemini expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Capgemini’s expectations with regard thereto or change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results and should not be relied upon for any reason.

The anticipated financial impact of the acquisition of WNS and any references to future financial performance should not be viewed as management guidance. Actual results may differ from the statements set forth herein and such differences may be material.

ABOUT CAPGEMINI

Capgemini is a global business and technology transformation partner, helping organizations to accelerate their dual transition to a digital and sustainable world, while creating tangible impact for enterprises and society. It is a responsible and diverse group of 340,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong over 55-year heritage, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to unlock the value of technology to address the entire breadth of their business needs. It delivers end-to-end services and solutions leveraging strengths from strategy and design to engineering, all fueled by its market leading capabilities in AI, generative AI, cloud and data, combined with its deep industry expertise and partner ecosystem. The Group reported 2024 global revenues of €22.1 billion.

Get the Future You Want | www.capgemini.com

ABOUT WNS

WNS is a digital-led business transformation and services company. WNS combines deep domain expertise with talent, technology, and AI to co-create innovative solutions for over 600 clients across various industries. WNS delivers an entire spectrum of solutions including industry-specific offerings, customer experience services, finance and accounting, human resources, procurement, and research and analytics to re-imagine the digital future of businesses. As of March 31, 2025, WNS had 64,505 professionals across 64 delivery centers worldwide including facilities in Canada, China, Costa Rica, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, Poland, Romania, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

For more information, visit www.wns.com

¹ Volume-weighted average
² Net financial debt of WNS was negligible as at March 31, 2025
³ Clients of WNS based on public domain information
⁴ WNS fiscal year ends March 31. Last 3 fiscal years end March 2025.
⁵ Revenue represents revenue less repair payments
⁶ WNS “Adjusted operating profit” restated to expense amortization of intangible assets (software) above operating margin to conform to Capgemini’s definition of operating margin.
⁷ See https://ir.wns.com/news-releases/news-release-details/wns-acquires-kipiai-expand-data-analytics-ai-capabilities
⁸ Including considerations to be paid in connection with Restricted Share Units

Attachment
- Capgemini_-_2025-07-07_-_Capgemini_to_acquire_WNS_to_create_a_global_leader_in_Intelligent_Operations
The MIL Network –
July 7, 2025
Israel attacks Houthi targets in three Yemeni ports and power plant

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Israel has attacked Houthi targets in three Yemeni ports and a power plant, the Israeli military said early on Monday, marking the first Israeli attack on Yemen in almost a month.

The strikes on Hodeidah, Ras Isa and Salif ports, and Ras Qantib power plant were due to repeated Houthi attacks on Israel, the military added.

Hours after the strikes, the Israeli military said two missiles were launched from Yemen and attempts were made to intercept them, but the results of interception were still under review.

The Israeli ambulance service said it had not received any calls regarding missile impacts or casualties following the launches from Yemen.

Since the start of the war in Gaza in October 2023, the Iran-aligned Houthis have fired at Israel and at shipping in the Red Sea, disrupting global trade, in what it says are acts of solidarity with the Palestinians.

Most of the dozens of missiles and drones fired toward Israel have been intercepted or fallen short. Israel has carried out a series of retaliatory strikes.

Israel also attacked Galaxy Leader ship in Ras Isa port, which was seized by Houthis in late 2023, the military added on Monday.

“The Houthi terrorist regime’s forces installed a radar system on the ship, and are using it to track vessels in international maritime space, in order to promote the Houthi terrorist regime’s activities,” the military said.

The Houthi military spokesperson said following the attacks that Houthis’ air defences confronted the Israeli attack ‘by using a large number of domestically produced surface-to-air missiles’.

Residents told Reuters that the Israeli strikes on the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah put the main power station out of service, leaving the city in darkness.

There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported that Israel launched a series of strikes on Hodeidah, shortly after the Israeli military issued an evacuation warning for people at the three Yemeni ports.

The assault comes hours after a ship was attacked off of Hodeidah and the ship’s crew abandoned it as it took on water.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but security firm Ambrey said the vessel fits the typical profile of a Houthi target.

Israel has severely hurt other allies of Iran in the region – Lebanon’s Hezbollah and the Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The Tehran-backed Houthis and pro-Iranian armed groups in Iraq are still standing.

The group’s leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, created the force challenging world powers from a group of ragtag mountain fighters in sandals.

Under the direction of al-Houthi, the group has grown into an army of tens of thousands of fighters and acquired armed drones and ballistic missiles. Saudi Arabia and the West say the arms come from Iran, though Tehran denies this.

(Reuters)

July 7, 2025
Trump says US nears trade deals as tariff deadline delayed

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

The United States is close to finalizing several trade pacts in coming days and will notify other countries of higher tariff rates by July 9, President Donald Trump said on Sunday, with the higher rates set to take effect on August 1.

Since taking office, Trump has set off a global trade war that has roiled financial markets and sent policymakers scrambling to protect their economies, through efforts such as deals with the United States and other countries.

In April Trump unveiled a base tariff rate of 10% on most countries and additional duties of up to 50%, but later gave a three-week reprieve until Wednesday for all but 10% of them.

Trump, whose remarks to reporters on Sunday came just before his return to Washington from a weekend golfing in New Jersey, had flagged the August 1 date earlier, but it was unclear if all tariffs would increase then.

Asked to clarify, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told reporters the higher tariffs would take effect on August 1, but Trump was “setting the rates and the deals right now.”

In a posting on his Truth Social website, Trump later said the U.S. would start delivering tariff letters from 12:00 pm ET (1600 GMT) on Monday.

In a separate post, he rolled out a wholly new tariff policy, calling for countries “aligning themselves with the Anti-American policies” of the BRICS developing nations to be charged an extra 10% tariff, with no exceptions to be granted.

The first BRICS summit in 2009 was attended by leaders from Brazil, China, India and Russia, with South Africa joining later while Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were included last year.

Trump has close ties to leaders of some of those countries, such as Saudi Arabia and UAE, and has been touting the prospect of a trade deal with India for weeks.

On Sunday, BRICS leaders condemned attacks on Gaza and Iran, called for reforms to global institutions and warned that the rise in tariffs threatened global trade.

It was not immediately clear if Trump’s tariff threat would derail trade talks with India, Indonesia and other BRICS nations, however.

Earlier on Sunday, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told CNN’s “State of the Union” that several big trade agreements would be announced in the next days, adding that European Union talks had made good progress.

Trump would also send letters to 100 smaller countries with which the United States does not have much trade, notifying them of higher tariff rates, he added.

“President Trump’s going to be sending letters to some of our trading partners saying that if you don’t move things along, then on August 1 you will boomerang back to your April 2 tariff level,” Bessent said.

“So I think we’re going to see a lot of deals very quickly.”

Kevin Hassett, who heads the White House National Economic Council, told CBS’s “Face the Nation” program there might be wiggle room for countries engaged in earnest negotiations.

“There are deadlines, and there are things that are close, and so maybe things will push back past the deadline,” Hassett said, adding that Trump would decide.

‘I HEAR GOOD THINGS’

Stephen Miran, chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers, told ABC News’ “This Week” program that countries needed to make concessions to get lower tariff rates.

“I hear good things about the talks with Europe. I hear good things about the talks with India,” Miran said. “And so I would expect that a number of countries that are in the process of making those concessions … might see their date rolled.”

Bessent told CNN the Trump administration was focused on 18 important trading partners that account for 95% of the U.S. trade deficit. But he said there had been “a lot of foot-dragging” among countries in finalizing trade deals.

Thailand, keen to avert a 36% tariff, is now offering greater market access for U.S. farm and industrial goods and more purchases of U.S. energy and Boeing BA.N jets, Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira told Bloomberg News on Sunday.

India and the United States are likely to make a final decision on a mini trade deal in the next 24 to 48 hours, local Indian news channel CNBC-TV18 reported on Sunday, with average tariffs of 10% on Indian goods shipped to the U.S., it said.

Hassett told CBS News that framework agreements already reached with Britain and Vietnam offered guidelines for other countries. He said Trump’s pressure was prompting countries to move production to the United States.

The Vietnam deal was “fantastic,” Miran said.

“It’s extremely one-sided. We get to apply a significant tariff to Vietnamese exports. They’re opening their markets to ours, applying zero tariff to our exports.”

(Reuters)

July 7, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: NZDF not considering recruiting personnel from Pacific nations

By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is not considering recruiting personnel from across the Pacific as talk continues of Australia doing so for its Defence Force (ADF).

In response to a question from The Australian at the National Press Club in Canberra about Australia’s plans to potentially recruit from the Pacific Islands into the ADF, Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said he “would like to see it happen”.

“Whether Australia does it or not depends on your own policies. We will not push it.”

RNZ Pacific asked the NZDF under the Official Information Act (OIA) for all correspondence sent and received regarding any discussion on recruiting from the Pacific, along with other related questions.

The OIA request was declined as the information did not exist.

“Defence Recruiting has not and is not considering deliberate recruiting action from across the Pacific,” the response from the NZDF said.

Australia Defence Association executive director Neil James said citizenship needed to be a prerequisite to Pacific recruitment.

Australian citizen
“Even a New Zealander serving in the Australian military has to become an Australian citizen,” James said.

“They can start off being an Australian resident, but they’ve got to be on the path to citizenship.

”They’ve got to be capable of getting permanent residency in Australia and citizenship.

“And then you’ve got to tackle the moral problem — it’s pretty hard to ask foreigners to fight for your country when your own people won’t do it.”

James said he thought people might be “jumping at hairs” at Rabuka’s comments.

Unlike Samoa’s acting prime minister, who has voiced concern over a brain drain, both Papua New Guinea and Fiji have made it clear they have people to spare.

Ross Thompson, a managing director at People In, the largest approved employer in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme, said if the recruitment drive does go ahead, PNG nationals would return home with a wider skill set.

‘Brain gain, not drain’
“This would be a brain gain, rather than be a drain on PNG.”

He’s spoken with people in PNG who welcome the proposal.

”PNG, its population is over 10 million . . . We’re proposing from PNG around 1000 could be recruited every year.”

Minister Rabuka joked Fiji could plug Australia’s personnel hole on its own.

“If it’s open [to recruiting Fijians] . . . [we will offer] the whole lot . . . 5000,” he said, while noting that Fiji was able to easily fill its quota under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.

“The villages are emptying out into the cities. What we would like to do is to reduce those who are ending up in settlements in the cities and not working, giving way to crime and becoming first victims to the sale of drugs and AIDS and HIV from frequently used or commonly used needles.”

Thompson was also a captain in the Queen’s Gurkha Engineers of the British Army and said he was proud to have served alongside Fijians.

Honour serving
“I had the honour to serve with a number of Fijians while deployed overseas; they’re fantastic soldiers.

“This is something that’s been going on since the Second World War and it’s a big part of the British Army.”

From a recruitment perspective, he said PNG and Fiji would be a good starting point before extending to any other Pacific nations.

”PNG has a strong history with the Australian Defence Force. There’s a number of programmes that are currently ongoing, on shared military exercises, there’s PNG officers that are serving in the ADF now, or on secondment to the ADF.

“So I think those two countries are definitely good to look up from a pilot perspective.”

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

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 7, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: NZDF not considering recruiting personnel from Pacific nations

By Caleb Fotheringham, RNZ Pacific journalist

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is not considering recruiting personnel from across the Pacific as talk continues of Australia doing so for its Defence Force (ADF).

In response to a question from The Australian at the National Press Club in Canberra about Australia’s plans to potentially recruit from the Pacific Islands into the ADF, Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka said he “would like to see it happen”.

“Whether Australia does it or not depends on your own policies. We will not push it.”

RNZ Pacific asked the NZDF under the Official Information Act (OIA) for all correspondence sent and received regarding any discussion on recruiting from the Pacific, along with other related questions.

The OIA request was declined as the information did not exist.

“Defence Recruiting has not and is not considering deliberate recruiting action from across the Pacific,” the response from the NZDF said.

Australia Defence Association executive director Neil James said citizenship needed to be a prerequisite to Pacific recruitment.

Australian citizen
“Even a New Zealander serving in the Australian military has to become an Australian citizen,” James said.

“They can start off being an Australian resident, but they’ve got to be on the path to citizenship.

”They’ve got to be capable of getting permanent residency in Australia and citizenship.

“And then you’ve got to tackle the moral problem — it’s pretty hard to ask foreigners to fight for your country when your own people won’t do it.”

James said he thought people might be “jumping at hairs” at Rabuka’s comments.

Unlike Samoa’s acting prime minister, who has voiced concern over a brain drain, both Papua New Guinea and Fiji have made it clear they have people to spare.

Ross Thompson, a managing director at People In, the largest approved employer in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility Scheme, said if the recruitment drive does go ahead, PNG nationals would return home with a wider skill set.

‘Brain gain, not drain’
“This would be a brain gain, rather than be a drain on PNG.”

He’s spoken with people in PNG who welcome the proposal.

”PNG, its population is over 10 million . . . We’re proposing from PNG around 1000 could be recruited every year.”

Minister Rabuka joked Fiji could plug Australia’s personnel hole on its own.

“If it’s open [to recruiting Fijians] . . . [we will offer] the whole lot . . . 5000,” he said, while noting that Fiji was able to easily fill its quota under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme.

“The villages are emptying out into the cities. What we would like to do is to reduce those who are ending up in settlements in the cities and not working, giving way to crime and becoming first victims to the sale of drugs and AIDS and HIV from frequently used or commonly used needles.”

Thompson was also a captain in the Queen’s Gurkha Engineers of the British Army and said he was proud to have served alongside Fijians.

Honour serving
“I had the honour to serve with a number of Fijians while deployed overseas; they’re fantastic soldiers.

“This is something that’s been going on since the Second World War and it’s a big part of the British Army.”

From a recruitment perspective, he said PNG and Fiji would be a good starting point before extending to any other Pacific nations.

”PNG has a strong history with the Australian Defence Force. There’s a number of programmes that are currently ongoing, on shared military exercises, there’s PNG officers that are serving in the ADF now, or on secondment to the ADF.

“So I think those two countries are definitely good to look up from a pilot perspective.”

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

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: We don’t need deep-sea mining, or its environmental harms. Here’s why

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Justin Alger, Associate Professor / Senior Lecturer in Global Environmental Politics, The University of Melbourne

Potato-sized polymetallic nodules from the deep sea could be mined for valuable metals and minerals. Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Deep-sea mining promises critical minerals for the energy transition without the problems of mining on land. It also promises to bring wealth to developing nations. But the evidence suggests these promises are false, and mining would harm the environment.

The practice involves scooping up rock-like nodules from vast areas of the sea floor. These potato-sized lumps contain metals and minerals such as zinc, manganese, molybdenum, nickel and rare earth elements.

Technology to mine the deep sea exists, but commercial mining of the deep sea is not happening anywhere in the world. That could soon change. Nations are meeting this month in Kingston, Jamaica, to agree to a mining code. Such a code would make way for mining to begin within the next few years.

On Thursday, Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, released research into the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining. It aims to promote better environmental management of deep-sea mining, should it proceed.

We have previously challenged the rationale for deep-sea mining, drawing on our expertise in international politics and environmental management. We argue mining the deep sea is harmful and the economic benefits have been overstated. What’s more, the metals and minerals to be mined are not scarce.

The best course of action is a ban on international seabed mining, building on the coalition for a moratorium.

The Metals Company spent six months at sea collecting nodules in 2022, while studying the effects on ecosystems.

Managing and monitoring environmental harm

Recent advances in technology have made deep-sea mining more feasible. But removing the nodules – which also requires pumping water around – has been shown to damage the seabed and endanger marine life.

CSIRO has developed the first environmental management and monitoring frameworks to protect deep sea ecosystems from mining. It aims to provide “trusted, science-based tools to evaluate the environmental risks and viability of deep-sea mining”.

Scientists from Griffith University, Museums Victoria, the University of the Sunshine Coast, and Earth Sciences New Zealand were also involved in the work.

The Metals Company Australia, a local subsidiary of the Canadian deep-sea mining exploration company, commissioned the research. It involved analysing data from test mining the company carried out in the Pacific Ocean in 2022.

The company has led efforts to expedite deep-sea mining. This includes pushing for the mining code, and exploring commercial mining of the international seabed through approval from the US government.

In a media briefing this week, CSIRO Senior Principal Research Scientist Piers Dunstan said the mining activity substantially affected the sea floor. Some marine life, especially that attached to the nodules, had very little hope of recovery. He said if mining were to go ahead, monitoring would be crucial.

We are sceptical that ecological impacts can be managed even with this new framework. Little is known about life in these deep-water ecosystems. But research shows nodule mining would cause extensive habitat loss and damage.

Do we really need to open the ocean frontier to mining? We argue the answer is no, on three counts.

How does deep-sea mining work? (The Guardian)

1. Minerals are not scarce

The minerals required for the energy transition are abundant on land. Known global terrestrial reserves of cobalt, copper, manganese, molybdenum and nickel are enough to meet current production levels for decades – even with growing demand.

There is no compelling reason to extract deep-sea minerals, given the economics of both deep-sea and land-based mining. Deep-sea mining is speculative and inevitably too expensive given such remote, deep operations.

Claims about mineral scarcity are being used to justify attempting to legitimise a new extractive frontier in the deep sea. Opportunistic investors can make money through speculation and attracting government subsidies.

2. Mining at sea will not replace mining on land

Proponents claim deep-sea mining can replace some mining on land. Mining on land has led to social issues including infringing on indigenous and community rights. It also damages the environment.

But deep-sea mining will not necessarily displace, replace or change mining on land. Land-based mining contracts span decades and the companies involved will not abandon ongoing or planned projects. Their activities will continue, even if deep-sea mining begins.

Deep-sea mining also faces many of the same challenges as mining on land, while introducing new problems. The social problems that arise during transport, processing and distribution remain the same.

And sea-based industries are already rife with modern slavery and labour violations, partly because they are notoriously difficult to monitor.

Deep-sea mining does not solve social problems with land-based mining, and adds more challenges.

Hidden Gem was the world’s first deep-sea mineral production vessel with seabed-to-surface nodule collection and transport systems.
Photo by Charles M. Vella/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

3. Common heritage of humankind and the Global South

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the international seabed is the common heritage of humankind. This means the proceeds of deep-sea mining should be distributed fairly among all countries.

Deep-sea mining commercial partnerships between developing countries in the Global South and firms from the North have yet to pay off for the former. There is little indication this pattern will change.

For example, when Canadian company Nautilus went bankrupt in 2019, it saddled Papua New Guinea with millions in debt from a failed domestic deep-sea mining venture.

The Metals Company has partnerships with Nauru and Tonga but the latest deal with the US creates uncertainty about whether their agreements will be honoured.

European investors took control of Blue Minerals Jamaica, originally a Jamaican-owned company, shortly after orchestrating its start up. Any profits would therefore go offshore.

Australian Gerard Barron is Chairman and CEO of The Metals Company, formerly DeepGreen.
Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

A wise investment?

It is unclear whether deep-sea mining will ever be a good investment.

Multiple large corporate investors have pulled out of the industry, or gone bankrupt. And The Metals Company has received delisting notices from the Nasdaq stock exchange due to poor financial performance.

Given the threat of environmental harm, the evidence suggests deep-sea mining is not worth the risk.

Justin Alger receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

D.G. Webster receives funding from the National Science Foundation in the United States and various internal funding sources at Dartmouth University.

Jessica Green receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Kate J Neville receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Stacy D VanDeveer and Susan M Park do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. We don’t need deep-sea mining, or its environmental harms. Here’s why – https://theconversation.com/we-dont-need-deep-sea-mining-or-its-environmental-harms-heres-why-260401

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Analysis: We don’t need deep-sea mining, or its environmental harms. Here’s why

Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Justin Alger, Associate Professor / Senior Lecturer in Global Environmental Politics, The University of Melbourne

Potato-sized polymetallic nodules from the deep sea could be mined for valuable metals and minerals. Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Deep-sea mining promises critical minerals for the energy transition without the problems of mining on land. It also promises to bring wealth to developing nations. But the evidence suggests these promises are false, and mining would harm the environment.

The practice involves scooping up rock-like nodules from vast areas of the sea floor. These potato-sized lumps contain metals and minerals such as zinc, manganese, molybdenum, nickel and rare earth elements.

Technology to mine the deep sea exists, but commercial mining of the deep sea is not happening anywhere in the world. That could soon change. Nations are meeting this month in Kingston, Jamaica, to agree to a mining code. Such a code would make way for mining to begin within the next few years.

On Thursday, Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, released research into the environmental impacts of deep-sea mining. It aims to promote better environmental management of deep-sea mining, should it proceed.

We have previously challenged the rationale for deep-sea mining, drawing on our expertise in international politics and environmental management. We argue mining the deep sea is harmful and the economic benefits have been overstated. What’s more, the metals and minerals to be mined are not scarce.

The best course of action is a ban on international seabed mining, building on the coalition for a moratorium.

The Metals Company spent six months at sea collecting nodules in 2022, while studying the effects on ecosystems.

Managing and monitoring environmental harm

Recent advances in technology have made deep-sea mining more feasible. But removing the nodules – which also requires pumping water around – has been shown to damage the seabed and endanger marine life.

CSIRO has developed the first environmental management and monitoring frameworks to protect deep sea ecosystems from mining. It aims to provide “trusted, science-based tools to evaluate the environmental risks and viability of deep-sea mining”.

Scientists from Griffith University, Museums Victoria, the University of the Sunshine Coast, and Earth Sciences New Zealand were also involved in the work.

The Metals Company Australia, a local subsidiary of the Canadian deep-sea mining exploration company, commissioned the research. It involved analysing data from test mining the company carried out in the Pacific Ocean in 2022.

The company has led efforts to expedite deep-sea mining. This includes pushing for the mining code, and exploring commercial mining of the international seabed through approval from the US government.

In a media briefing this week, CSIRO Senior Principal Research Scientist Piers Dunstan said the mining activity substantially affected the sea floor. Some marine life, especially that attached to the nodules, had very little hope of recovery. He said if mining were to go ahead, monitoring would be crucial.

We are sceptical that ecological impacts can be managed even with this new framework. Little is known about life in these deep-water ecosystems. But research shows nodule mining would cause extensive habitat loss and damage.

Do we really need to open the ocean frontier to mining? We argue the answer is no, on three counts.

How does deep-sea mining work? (The Guardian)

1. Minerals are not scarce

The minerals required for the energy transition are abundant on land. Known global terrestrial reserves of cobalt, copper, manganese, molybdenum and nickel are enough to meet current production levels for decades – even with growing demand.

There is no compelling reason to extract deep-sea minerals, given the economics of both deep-sea and land-based mining. Deep-sea mining is speculative and inevitably too expensive given such remote, deep operations.

Claims about mineral scarcity are being used to justify attempting to legitimise a new extractive frontier in the deep sea. Opportunistic investors can make money through speculation and attracting government subsidies.

2. Mining at sea will not replace mining on land

Proponents claim deep-sea mining can replace some mining on land. Mining on land has led to social issues including infringing on indigenous and community rights. It also damages the environment.

But deep-sea mining will not necessarily displace, replace or change mining on land. Land-based mining contracts span decades and the companies involved will not abandon ongoing or planned projects. Their activities will continue, even if deep-sea mining begins.

Deep-sea mining also faces many of the same challenges as mining on land, while introducing new problems. The social problems that arise during transport, processing and distribution remain the same.

And sea-based industries are already rife with modern slavery and labour violations, partly because they are notoriously difficult to monitor.

Deep-sea mining does not solve social problems with land-based mining, and adds more challenges.

Hidden Gem was the world’s first deep-sea mineral production vessel with seabed-to-surface nodule collection and transport systems.
Photo by Charles M. Vella/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

3. Common heritage of humankind and the Global South

Under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the international seabed is the common heritage of humankind. This means the proceeds of deep-sea mining should be distributed fairly among all countries.

Deep-sea mining commercial partnerships between developing countries in the Global South and firms from the North have yet to pay off for the former. There is little indication this pattern will change.

For example, when Canadian company Nautilus went bankrupt in 2019, it saddled Papua New Guinea with millions in debt from a failed domestic deep-sea mining venture.

The Metals Company has partnerships with Nauru and Tonga but the latest deal with the US creates uncertainty about whether their agreements will be honoured.

European investors took control of Blue Minerals Jamaica, originally a Jamaican-owned company, shortly after orchestrating its start up. Any profits would therefore go offshore.

Australian Gerard Barron is Chairman and CEO of The Metals Company, formerly DeepGreen.
Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

A wise investment?

It is unclear whether deep-sea mining will ever be a good investment.

Multiple large corporate investors have pulled out of the industry, or gone bankrupt. And The Metals Company has received delisting notices from the Nasdaq stock exchange due to poor financial performance.

Given the threat of environmental harm, the evidence suggests deep-sea mining is not worth the risk.

Justin Alger receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

D.G. Webster receives funding from the National Science Foundation in the United States and various internal funding sources at Dartmouth University.

Jessica Green receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Kate J Neville receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Stacy D VanDeveer and Susan M Park do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. We don’t need deep-sea mining, or its environmental harms. Here’s why – https://theconversation.com/we-dont-need-deep-sea-mining-or-its-environmental-harms-heres-why-260401

MIL OSI Analysis –

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI Video: President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers an intervention during the 2nd session of the XVII BRICS Summit

Source: Republic of South Africa (video statements)

His Excellency President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers an intervention during the second session of the XVII BRICS Summit held under theme: “Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic-Financial Affairs, and Artificial Intelligence”.

Stay updated, South Africa! Subscribe to The Presidency’s Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@PresidencyZA/?sub_confirmation=1.

Checkout more: http://www.thepresidency.gov.za

Get Social
Facebook ► https://www.facebook.com/PresidencyZA
Instagram ► https://www.instagram.com/presidencyza/?hl=en
Twitter ► @PresidencyZA

#ThePresidencyofSouthAfrica #PresidencyZA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP4cez0eDno

MIL OSI Video –

July 7, 2025
BRICS: Indonesia joins as full member, 10 countries welcomed as partners

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Leaders of the BRICS nations on Sunday welcomed Indonesia as a full member of the group, along with the inclusion of 10 countries — Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand, Cuba, Vietnam, Uganda, and Uzbekistan — as partner countries.

In a joint declaration issued at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the leaders said, “We welcome the Republic of Indonesia as a BRICS member, as well as the Republic of Belarus, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Cuba, the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Malaysia, the Kingdom of Thailand, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Republic of Uganda, and the Republic of Uzbekistan as BRICS partner countries.”

The declaration also highlighted key initiatives adopted during the summit, including the BRICS Leaders’ Framework Declaration on Climate Finance, the BRICS Leaders’ Statement on the Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence, and the launch of the BRICS Partnership for the Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases.

During the BRICS session on ‘Peace and Security and Reform of Global Governance,’ Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised that the expansion demonstrates BRICS’ ability to evolve with changing times. He called for urgent reforms in global institutions such as the United Nations Security Council, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and Multilateral Development Banks.

“The expansion of BRICS and the inclusion of new partners reflect its ability to evolve with the times. Now, we must demonstrate the same determination to reform institutions like the UN Security Council, the WTO, and Multilateral Development Banks. In the age of AI, where technology evolves every week, it’s unacceptable for global institutions to go eighty years without reform. You can’t run 21st-century software on 20th-century typewriters,” the Prime Minister said.

BRICS was originally established as BRIC after the leaders of Russia, India, China, and Brazil met during the G8 Outreach Summit in 2006. The grouping formalised its cooperation with the first BRIC Summit in Russia in 2009. South Africa joined in 2010, expanding the group to BRICS.

A further expansion took place in 2024 with Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE becoming full members from January 1. Indonesia became a full member in January 2025, while Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan were inducted as BRICS partner countries.

(ANI)

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI United Nations: Secretary-General’s remarks at the 17th BRICS Summit Session on “Strengthening Multilateralism, Economic-Financial Affairs and Artificial Intelligence” [as delivered] 

Source: United Nations secretary general

Prezado Presidente Lula, muito obrigado pelo seu amável convite e pela sua hospitalidade tão amiga.

Excellencies,

Artificial intelligence is reshaping economies and societies.

The fundamental test is how wisely we will guide this transformation.

How we minimize the risks and maximize the potential for good.

I am particularly concerned with the weaponization of AI, in a world where peace is more necessary than ever.

Peace in Palestine, based on building the two-State solution, starting by an immediate, permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, free and unimpeded humanitarian aid delivery, and the ending of the crippling annexation and violence in the West Bank.

A just and sustainable peace in Ukraine, in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions.

Silencing the guns in Sudan, where civilians have also suffered too much.
And the list goes on, from the DRC to Somalia, from the Sahel to Myanmar.

Excellencies,

Artificial intelligence needs a multilateral response grounded in equity and human rights.

The Pact for the Future, approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations, calls for a new architecture of trust and cooperation – starting with the establishment by the UN of an Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence.

This Panel should provide impartial, evidence-based guidance available to all Member States.

The Pact also calls for a periodic Global Dialogue on AI within the UN, with all the Member States and relevant stakeholders.

The AI can’t be a club of the few, but must benefit all, and in particular, developing countries which must have a real voice in global AI governance.

I will also soon present a report outlining innovative voluntary financing options to support AI capacity-building in developing countries, and I urge the BRICS’ support and your support for these efforts.

But we cannot govern AI effectively – and fairly – without confronting deeper, structural imbalances in our global system.

We are in a multipolar era.

Power relations are shifting.

A multipolar world requires multilateral governance – with global institutions tuned for the times, in particular the Security Council and the international financial architecture.

They were designed for a bygone age, a bygone world, with a bygone system of power relations.

The reform of the Security Council is crucial.

The message from the Financing for Development Conference last week in Sevilla was clear:

Ensuring that developing countries have a greater participation in global economic governance and its institutions;

Putting into place an effective debt restructuring mechanism;

And tripling the lending capacity of multilateral development banks, in particular, with concessional funding and in local currencies.

All this is crucial for countries, especially in the Global South – to bridge the digital divide and fully harness artificial intelligence’s potential, making AI a powerful driver for inclusive growth and sustainable development.

Excellencies,

At a time when multilateralism is being undermined, let us remind the world that cooperation is humanity’s greatest innovation.

That begins with trust, and trust begins with all countries respecting International Law without exceptions.

Let us rise to this moment – and reform and modernize multilateralism, including the UN and all the systems and institutions to make it work for everyone, everywhere.

Thank you.

MIL OSI United Nations News –

July 7, 2025
BRICS leaders back India, Brazil for bigger UN Security Council role

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Leaders of BRICS nations have reiterated their support for “comprehensive” reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council, to make it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient.

In a joint declaration at the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, China and Russia — as permanent members of the UN Security Council — reaffirmed their support for the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the UN, including the Security Council.

“We reiterate our support for a comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including its Security Council, with a view to making it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, and to increase the representation of developing countries in the Council’s membership so that it can adequately respond to prevailing global challenges and support the legitimate aspirations of emerging and developing countries from Africa, Asia and Latin America, including BRICS countries, to play a greater role in international affairs, in particular in the United Nations, including its Security Council. We recognise the legitimate aspirations of African countries, as reflected in the Ezulwini Consensus and Sirte Declaration,” the declaration said.

“We stress that United Nations Security Council reform must lead to an amplified voice for the Global South. China and Russia, as permanent members of the UN Security Council, reiterate their support for the aspirations of Brazil and India to play a greater role in the United Nations, including its Security Council,” it added.

India has long sought a permanent seat in the Security Council to better represent the interests of the developing world. The UNSC comprises 15 member states, including five permanent members with veto power and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms.

BRICS leaders also expressed serious concerns over the rise of unilateral tariffs and non-tariff measures that distort trade and violate World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. They reiterated their support for a rules-based, open, transparent, fair, inclusive, equitable, non-discriminatory, consensus-based multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core, with special and differential treatment (S&D T) for its developing members.

The bloc recalled commitments made at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference and reaffirmed at the 13th to work towards the necessary reform of the organisation to ensure its relevance and restore the credibility of the multilateral trading system.

They expressed commitment to restoring an accessible, effective, fully functioning, two-tier binding WTO dispute settlement system and extended support for Ethiopia and Iran’s bids to join the WTO. The group also welcomed the BRICS Declaration on WTO Reform and Strengthening of the Multilateral Trading System, adopted by trade ministers.

The leaders condemned the imposition of unilateral coercive measures that violate international law and reiterated that such measures — including unilateral economic sanctions and secondary sanctions — have far-reaching negative impacts on human rights, including the rights to development, health and food security.

“We call for the elimination of such unlawful measures, which undermine international law and the principles and purposes of the UN Charter. We reaffirm that BRICS member states do not impose or support non-UN Security Council authorised sanctions that are contrary to international law,” the declaration said.

BRICS leaders also voiced concern over ongoing conflicts in various regions and the current state of polarisation and fragmentation in the global order. They expressed alarm at the increasing global military spending, which they said comes at the cost of financing development in the Global South.

The BRICS Summit, hosted by Brazil, has brought together leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, along with new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE and Indonesia.

ANI

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Gaza ceasefire talks begin in Qatar as Netanyahu heads to Washington

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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for an official visit to Washington on Sunday, calling the trip a “great opportunity” to expand the circle of peace in the Middle East.

Speaking before boarding his flight, Netanyahu said there were new prospects for Israel to reach normalization agreements with Arab countries “far beyond what we could previously imagine.”

Netanyahu has made expanding normalization efforts a central goal of his foreign policy. Under the 2020 Abraham Accords, Israel signed normalization agreements with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco. The country has peace agreements also with Egypt and Jordan.

“We have already transformed the face of the Middle East beyond recognition,” he said, referring to Israel’s military offensive in the Gaza Strip and the cross-border fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as conflicts with Iran, Yemen and Syria.

Earlier on Sunday, an Israeli delegation was sent to Qatar to resume indirect negotiations with Hamas over a ceasefire-for-hostages deal, according to an Israeli official.

Netanyahu said the delegation had received “clear instructions” to work toward a ceasefire under terms already accepted by Israel. He added that his upcoming meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump “can certainly help promote the outcome we all hope for.”

Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, which begins Monday, is his third since Trump returned to office in January.

The trip comes amid growing public pressure in Israel for a long-term ceasefire that would end the war in Gaza and secure the return of around 50 hostages, at least 20 of whom are believed to be alive. Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners have pushed him to continue the military campaign and establish a permanent Israeli control over parts of the Palestinian enclave.

Hamas announced on Friday it had responded “in a positive spirit” to a U.S.-backed proposal for a 60-day truce. Trump said Israel had agreed “to the necessary conditions to finalize” the deal.

Since Israel resumed its military campaign in Gaza on March 18, at least 6,860 Palestinians have been killed and 24,220 others wounded, according to figures released Sunday by Gaza health authorities. That brings the total death toll in Gaza since the war began in October 2023 to 57,418, with 136,261 injured.

MIL OSI China News –

July 7, 2025
PM Modi meets Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim, Cuba’s President Diaz-Canel on sidelines of BRICS

Source: Government of India

Source: Government of India (4)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday held a bilateral meeting with his Malaysian counterpart, Anwar Ibrahim, on the sidelines of the 17th BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

PM Modi also met Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel on the sidelines of the summit. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and other officials were present at the meeting.

The BRICS Summit, hosted by Brazil, has brought together leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, along with new members Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, the UAE and Indonesia.

Brazil assumed the BRICS Chairship on January 1, 2025, with the theme ‘Strengthening Global South Cooperation for More Inclusive and Sustainable Governance’.

India will host the 18th BRICS Summit in 2026.

-ANI

July 7, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Kenya: Call for bids for provision of packaged natural mineral water
Source: United Kingdom – Government Statements

World news story

Kenya: Call for bids for provision of packaged natural mineral water

The British High Commission Nairobi is inviting bids for the supply of packaged natural mineral water.
On behalf of the Secretary of State for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the British High Commission (BHC) in Nairobi are seeking the services for the provision of packaged natural mineral water at British High Commission Nairobi. We are therefore looking for a Supplier that has the relevant professional skills, experience, technical resources and financial capability to provide supply packaged natural mineral water.

Full details on the requirements, including instructions for interested bidders and registration are available via the FCDO’s e-Procurement portal, which requires registration. Registering is quick, easy, free and is the only way in which one is able to review the tender documents

Competent and financially stable suppliers are invited to access the invitation to tender documents by following these steps:

Open the https://fco.bravosolution.co.uk website, register and sign in

Navigate to provision of packaged natural mineral water at the British High Commission Nairobi CPG/12632/2025. ITT 7148. Project 12632

Contact the Regional Procurement Manager; Thabang.Mokoena@fcdo.gov.uk for any queries. Kindly note that the responses are required to be in English.

Deadlines

Please note that the invitation to tender documents should be completed and uploaded on the BRAVOSolution e-Procurement Portal by 15:00 EAT on 28 July 2025.

Disclaimer

The BHC reserves the right not to select any service provider and will only reply to the best-suited organisation.

The BHC will not meet any expenses incurred in preparing your Invitation to tender documents.

Share this page

The following links open in a new tab

Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)

Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

Updates to this page

Published 6 July 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
July 7, 2025

Category: Africa

A bold innovation in truth-telling

Why truth commissions matter

Structural injustice laid bare

Will this lead to real change?

Where to from here?

A test of political courage

Managing and monitoring environmental harm

1. Minerals are not scarce

2. Mining at sea will not replace mining on land

3. Common heritage of humankind and the Global South

A wise investment?

Managing and monitoring environmental harm

1. Minerals are not scarce

2. Mining at sea will not replace mining on land

3. Common heritage of humankind and the Global South

A wise investment?

Kenya: Call for bids for provision of packaged natural mineral water

Deadlines

Disclaimer

Share this page

Updates to this page