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  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Ageing isn’t the same everywhere – why inflammation may be a lifestyle problem

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Samuel J. White, Associate Professor & Head of Projects, York St John University

    The Orang Asli age differently. Azami Adiputera/Shutterstock.com

    For years, scientists have believed that inflammation inevitably increases with age, quietly fuelling diseases like heart disease, dementia and diabetes. But a new study of Indigenous populations challenges that idea and could reshape how we think about ageing itself.

    For decades, scientists have identified chronic low-level inflammation – called “inflammaging” – as one of the primary drivers of age-related diseases. Think of it as your body’s immune system stuck in overdrive – constantly fighting battles that don’t exist, gradually wearing down organs and systems.

    But inflammaging might not be a universal feature of ageing after all. Instead, it could be a byproduct of how we live in modern society.

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    The research, published in Nature Aging, compared patterns of inflammation in four very different communities around the world. Two groups were from modern, industrialised societies – older adults living in Italy and Singapore.

    The other two were Indigenous communities who live more traditional lifestyles: the Tsimane people of the Bolivian Amazon and the Orang Asli in the forests of Malaysia.

    The researchers analysed blood samples from more than 2,800 people, looking at a wide range of inflammatory molecules, known as cytokines. Their goal was to find out whether a pattern seen in earlier studies – where certain signs of inflammation rise with age and are linked to disease – also appears in other parts of the world.

    The answer, it turns out, is both yes and no.

    Among the Italian and Singaporean participants, the researchers found a fairly consistent inflammaging pattern. As people aged, levels of inflammatory markers in the blood, such as C-reactive protein and tumour necrosis factor, rose together. Higher levels were linked to a greater risk of chronic diseases including kidney disease and heart disease.

    But in the Tsimane and Orang Asli populations, the inflammaging pattern was absent. The same inflammatory molecules did not rise consistently with age, and they were not strongly linked to age-related diseases.

    In fact, among the Tsimane, who face high rates of infections from parasites and other pathogens, inflammation levels were often elevated. Yet this did not lead to the same rates of chronic diseases that are common in industrialised nations.

    Despite high inflammatory markers, the Tsimane experience very low rates of conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and dementia.

    Inflammaging may not be universal

    These results raise important questions. One possibility is that inflammaging, at least as measured through these blood signals, is not a universal biological feature of ageing. Instead, it may arise in societies marked by high-calorie diets, low physical activity and reduced exposure to infections.

    In other words, chronic inflammation linked to ageing and disease might not simply result from an inevitable biological process, but rather from a mismatch between our ancient physiology and the modern environment.

    The study suggests that in communities with more traditional lifestyles – where people are more active, eat differently and are exposed to more infections – the immune system may work in a different way. In these groups, higher levels of inflammation might be a normal, healthy response to their environment, rather than a sign that the body is breaking down with age.

    Another possibility is that inflammaging may still occur in all humans, but it might appear in different ways that are not captured by measuring inflammatory molecules in the blood. It could be happening at a cellular or tissue level, where it remains invisible to the blood tests used in this research.

    Chronic low-level inflammation may be a lifestyle problem.
    Nattakorn_Maneerat/Shutterstock.com

    Why this matters

    If these findings are confirmed, they could have significant consequences.

    First, they challenge how we diagnose and treat chronic inflammation in ageing. Biomarkers used to define inflammaging in European or Asian populations might not apply in other settings, or even among all groups within industrialised nations.

    Second, they suggest that lifestyle interventions aimed at lowering chronic inflammation, such as exercise, changes in diet, or drugs targeting specific inflammatory molecules, might have different effects in different populations. What works for people living in cities might be unnecessary, or even ineffective, in those living traditional lifestyles.

    Finally, this research serves as an important reminder that much of our knowledge about human health and ageing comes from studies conducted in wealthy, industrialised nations. Findings from these groups cannot automatically be assumed to apply worldwide.

    The researchers are clear: this study is just the beginning. They urge scientists to dig deeper, using new tools that can detect inflammation not just in the blood, but within tissues and cells where the real story of ageing may be unfolding. Just as important, they call for more inclusive research that spans the full range of human experience, not just the wealthy, urbanised corners of the world.

    At the very least, this study offers an important lesson. What we thought was a universal truth about the biology of ageing might instead be a local story, shaped by our environment, lifestyle and the way we live.

    The authors 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. Ageing isn’t the same everywhere – why inflammation may be a lifestyle problem – https://theconversation.com/ageing-isnt-the-same-everywhere-why-inflammation-may-be-a-lifestyle-problem-260322

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Agatha Christie’s mid-century ‘manosphere’ reveals a different kind of dysfunctional male

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Gill Plain, Professor of English Literature and Popular Culture, University of St Andrews

    This piece contains spoilers for Towards Zero.

    Agatha Christie, a middle-class English crime writer who preferred to be known as a housewife, is the world’s bestselling novelist. Since her death in 1976, her work has been translated into over 100 languages and adapted for cinema, TV and even video games.

    Her writing is characterised by its cheerful readability and ruthless dissection of hypocrisy, greed and respectability. Christie is fascinated by power and its abuse, and explores this through the skilful deployment of recognisable character types. The suspects in her books are not just there for the puzzle – they also exemplify the attitudes, ideals and assumptions that shaped 20th-century British society.

    If we want to know about the mid-century “manosphere”, then, there is no better place to look than in the fiction of Agatha Christie. What did masculinity mean to this writer, and would we recognise it in the gender types and ideals of today? Some answers might be found through the recent BBC adaptation of Towards Zero, which confronts viewers with a range of dysfunctional male types.

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    Chief among these is Thomas Royde, a neurotic twitching figure driven to breakdown by the shame of having his word doubted. Gaslit by his pathologically perfect cousin Nevile, Thomas has been dispatched to the colonies, where he has compounded his injuries through financial failure. Broke and broken, the adaptation imagines him returning to the family home with trauma quite literally written on his body.

    This is not the Thomas Royde of Christie’s original 1944 novel. That figure was stoic, silent and perfectly capable of managing his failure to live up to the spectacular masculinity of cousin Nevile. Christie’s Thomas may have regretted his romantic losses and physical limitations, but the idea of exposing his pain in public would have horrified him.

    This is not a case of repression; rather it speaks to a world in which pain is respected, but simply not discussed. Thomas’s friends, we are told, “had learned to gauge his reactions correctly from the quality of his silences”. The stoical man of few words is a recurrent type within Christie’s fiction. It’s a mode of masculinity of which she approves – even while poking fun at it – and one recognised by her mid-20th century audience.

    These are men who embody ideal British middle-class values: steady, reliable, resilient, modest, good humoured and infinitely sensible. They find their fictional reward in happy unions, sometimes with sensible women, sometimes with bright young things who benefit from their calm assurance.

    Christie also depicted more dangerous male types – attractive adventurers who might be courageous, or reckless and deadly. These charismatic figures present a troubling mode of masculinity in her fiction, from the effortlessly charming Ralph in The Murder of Roger Ackroyd (1926), to Michael Rogers, the all too persuasive narrator of Endless Night (1967).

    Superficially, these two types of men might be mapped onto Christie’s own experiences. Her autobiography suggests that she was irresistibly drawn to something strange and inscrutable in her first husband, Archie. By contrast, her second husband, the archaeologist Max Mallowan, brought friendship and shared interests.

    Yet while it’s possible to see biographical resonances in these types, it is equally important to recognise them as part of a middle-class world view that set limits on acceptable masculinities. In my book, Agatha Christie: A Very Short Introduction, I explore these limits, examining a cultural climate riven with contradictions.

    A different time

    Mid-20th century culture insisted that men be articulate when discussing public matters – science, politics, sport – but those who extended this to the emotions were not to be trusted. They were seen to be glib, foolish or possibly dangerous.

    British masculinity acts rather than talks and does a decent job of work. As a result, work itself is a vital dimension of man-making in Christie’s novels, and in the fiction of contemporaries like Nigel Balchin, Hammond Innes and Nevil Shute.

    These writers witnessed the conflicting pressures on men, expected to be both soldiers and citizens, capable of combat and domestic breadwinning. They saw the damage caused by war, unemployment and the loss of father figures. But the answer wasn’t talking. Rather, the best medicine for wounded masculinity was the self-respect that comes with doing a good day’s work.

    This ideology still resonates within understandings of “healthy” masculinity, but there are limits to the problems that can be solved through a companionable post-work pint. Which brings us back to the BBC’s Towards Zero. Contemporary adaptations often speak to the preoccupations of their moment, and the plot is driven by one man’s all-consuming hatred of his ex-wife.

    With apologies for plot spoilers, perfect Nevile turns out to be a perfect misogynist, scheming against the woman who has – to his mind – humiliated him. But the world of his hatred is a long way from the online “manosphere” of our contemporary age.

    Quite aside from the technological gulf separating the eras, Christie does not imagine misogyny as an abusive mass phenomenon, a set of echo chambers which figure men as the victims of feminism. Rather, Nevile, like all Christie’s murderers, kills for reasons that can clearly be defined, detected and articulated: he is an isolated madman, not a cultural phenomenon.

    Towards Zero’s topicality – its preoccupation with celebrity, resentment of women and a manipulative gaslighting villain – does much to explain its adaptation, but it does not account for the radical revision of Thomas Royde. Is it an indication that stoicism is out of fashion? Or simply a desire to convert Christie’s cool-tempered fictions into melodramas appropriate for a social-media age?

    Whatever the thinking, there is a familiar consolation for Thomas’s pain. He might not get the girl of his dreams, but he does get something better: a steady, reliable woman whose modest virtues illustrate that, in Christie’s world, “ideal masculinity” is unexpectedly non-binary. Women can be just as stoic, reserved and resilient as men.

    Christie’s “manosphere”, then, has its share of haters, but they are isolated figures forced to disguise their resentments. They also, frequently, meet untimely ends – another reason why Christie remains a bestseller to this day.

    This article features references to books that have been included for editorial reasons, and may contain links to bookshop.org. If you buy something, The Conversation UK may earn a commission.

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

    – ref. Agatha Christie’s mid-century ‘manosphere’ reveals a different kind of dysfunctional male – https://theconversation.com/agatha-christies-mid-century-manosphere-reveals-a-different-kind-of-dysfunctional-male-254726

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: How Donald Trump’s economic policies, including uncertainty around tariffs, are damaging the US economy

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By John Whittaker, Senior Teaching Fellow in Economics, Lancaster University

    Donald Trump set a deadline of July 9 2025 for trade deals to be made before he hits some of the world’s biggest economies with his controversial tariffs. It’s impossible to predict what will happen on the day, but it is already clear that his economic policies are damaging American interests.

    Just look at the state of US government debt for example. Currently it stands at US$36 trillion (£26 trillion). And with total economic output (GDP) worth US$29 trillion per year, that debt is 123% of GDP, the highest it has been since 1946.

    Government debts are alarmingly high in other countries too (the UK’s is at 104% of GDP, with France at 116% and China at 113%), but the US is towards the top of the range.

    The recently passed budget reconciliation bill (what Trump calls the “big beautiful bill”) is projected to add US$3 trillion to that debt over the next decade. With these sorts of numbers, there is little prospect of putting US debt on a downward track.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    In 2024, the US government had to borrow an additional US$1.8 trillion to cover spending not supported by tax revenue (the budget deficit). This is equivalent to 6.2% of GDP, a number that is officially predicted to rise to 7.3% during the next 30 years.

    The predictable consequence of this fiscal profligacy and the chaotic tariff programme is the high rates of interest that the US government is having to pay for its borrowing.

    For instance, the interest rate on ten-year US government debt (otherwise known as its yield) has risen from 0.5% in mid-2020 to 4.3% now. And as government debt yields rise, so do interest rates on mortgages and corporate borrowing.

    The power of the dollar

    For decades, the United States has enjoyed a high level of trust in the strength, openness and stability of its economy.

    As a result, US bonds or “treasuries”, the financial assets that the government sells to raise money for public spending, have long been considered safe investments by financial institutions around the world. And the US dollar has been the dominant currency for international payments and debts.

    Sometimes referred to as “exorbitant privilege”, this status of the US dollar as the world’s reserve currency brings big advantages. It benefits US consumers by making imported goods cheaper (albeit contributing to the trade deficits (when US imports to a country are worth more than its exports) which bother the president so much).

    It also means the US government can borrow a lot of money before doubts arise about its ability to repay. Investors will generally buy as many bonds as the US govt needs to issue to pay for its spending.

    The dominance of the dollar in international transactions also brings political power, such as the ability to exclude Russia from major global payment systems.

    But this privilege is being eroded by the US president’s tariff agenda. Economic motives aside, it is the way they are being applied – their size and the unpredictability – that is really sapping investor confidence.

    It’s costly to adjust trading patterns and supply chains in response to tariffs. So when the scope of future tariffs is unknown, the rational response is to stop investing while awaiting greater certainty.

    The dollar has lost 8% in value since the beginning of the year, reflecting investor doubts about the US economy, and making imports even more expensive.

    Financial markets are vulnerable

    But perhaps the biggest danger to US financial markets is a sudden rise in yields on government debt. No investor wants to be left holding a bond when its yield rises because – as with all fixed-interest debt – the rise in yield causes the bond’s market value to fall. This is because new bonds are issued with a higher yield, making existing bonds less attractive and less valuable.

    A bond holder expecting a rise in yield therefore has an incentive to sell it before the rise occurs. But the rise in yield can become self-reinforcing if the scramble to sell becomes a stampede.

    Indeed, there was a jump in US yields after the increases in trade tariffs announced on “liberation day” in early April, with the yield on ten-year treasuries rising by 0.5% in just four days.

    Damaged dollar?
    Dilok Klaisataporn/Shutterstock

    Fortunately, this rise was halted on April 10 when the tariffs were abruptly paused, allegedly in response to the fall in bond prices and an accompanying fall in share prices. The opinion of a senior central banker, that financial markets had been close to “meltdown”, was one of several such warnings.

    The dollar is unlikely to be quickly dislodged from its pedestal as the world’s reserve currency, as the alternatives are not attractive. The euro is not suitable because it is the currency of 20 EU countries, each with its own separate government debt. Nor is the Chinese yuan a likely contender, given the Chinese government involvement in managing the yuan exchange rate.

    But since March, foreign central banks have been selling off US treasuries, often choosing to hold gold instead.

    On Trump’s watch, the reputation of the US dollar as the ultimate safe asset has been tarnished, leaving the financial system more vulnerable – and borrowing more expensive.

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

    – ref. How Donald Trump’s economic policies, including uncertainty around tariffs, are damaging the US economy – https://theconversation.com/how-donald-trumps-economic-policies-including-uncertainty-around-tariffs-are-damaging-the-us-economy-259809

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: From glass and steel to rare earth metals, new materials have changed society throughout history

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Peter Mullner, Distinguished Professor in Materials Science and Engineering, Boise State University

    Steel played a large role in the Industrial Revolution. Monty Rakusen/DigitalVision via Getty Images

    Many modern devices – from cellphones and computers to electric vehicles and wind turbines – rely on strong magnets made from a type of minerals called rare earths. As the systems and infrastructure used in daily life have turned digital and the United States has moved toward renewable energy, accessing these minerals has become critical – and the markets for these elements have grown rapidly.

    Modern society now uses rare earth magnets in everything from national defense, where magnet-based systems are integral to missile guidance and aircraft, to the clean energy transition, which depends on wind turbines and electric vehicles.

    The rapid growth of the rare earth metal trade and its effects on society isn’t the only case study of its kind. Throughout history, materials have quietly shaped the trajectory of human civilization. They form the tools people use, the buildings they inhabit, the devices that mediate their relationships and the systems that structure economies. Newly discovered materials can set off ripple effects that shape industries, shift geopolitical balances and transform people’s daily habits.

    Materials science is the study of the atomic structure, properties, processing and performance of materials. In many ways, materials science is a discipline of immense social consequence.

    As a materials scientist, I’m interested in what can happen when new materials become available. Glass, steel and rare earth magnets are all examples of how innovation in materials science has driven technological change and, as a result, shaped global economies, politics and the environment.

    How innovation shapes society: Pressures from societal and political interests (orange arrows) drive the creation of new materials and the technologies that such materials enable (center). The ripple effects resulting from people using these technologies change the entire fabric of society (blue arrows).
    Peter Mullner

    Glass lenses and the scientific revolution

    In the early 13th century, after the sacking of Constantinople, some excellent Byzantine glassmakers left their homes to settle in Venice – at the time a powerful economic and political center. The local nobility welcomed the glassmakers’ beautiful wares. However, to prevent the glass furnaces from causing fires, the nobles exiled the glassmakers – under penalty of death – to the island of Murano.

    Murano became a center for glass craftsmanship. In the 15th century, the glassmaker Angelo Barovier experimented with adding the ash from burned plants, which contained a chemical substance called potash, to the glass.

    The potash reduced the melting temperature and made liquid glass more fluid. It also eliminated bubbles in the glass and improved optical clarity. This transparent glass was later used in magnifying lenses and spectacles.

    Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press, completed in 1455, made reading more accessible to people across Europe. With it came a need for reading glasses, which grew popular among scholars, merchants and clergy – enough that spectacle-making became an established profession.

    By the early 17th century, glass lenses evolved into compound optical devices. Galileo Galilei pointed a telescope toward celestial bodies, while Antonie van Leeuwenhoek discovered microbial life with a microscope.

    The glass lens of the Vera Rubin Observatory, which surveys the night sky.
    Large Synoptic Survey Telescope/Vera Rubin Observatory, CC BY

    Lens-based instruments have been transformative. Telescopes have redefined long-standing cosmological views. Microscopes have opened entirely new fields in biology and medicine.

    These changes marked the dawn of empirical science, where observation and measurement drove the creation of knowledge. Today, the James Webb Space Telescope and the Vera C. Rubin Observatory continue those early telescopes’ legacies of knowledge creation.

    Steel and empires

    In the late 18th and 19th centuries, the Industrial Revolution created demand for stronger, more reliable materials for machines, railroads, ships and infrastructure. The material that emerged was steel, which is strong, durable and cheap. Steel is a mixture of mostly iron, with small amounts of carbon and other elements added.

    Countries with large-scale steel manufacturing once had outsized economic and political power and influence over geopolitical decisions. For example, the British Parliament intended to prevent the colonies from exporting finished steel with the iron act of 1750. They wanted the colonies’ raw iron as supply for their steel industry in England.

    Benjamin Huntsman invented a smelting process using 3-foot tall ceramic vessels, called crucibles, in 18th-century Sheffield. Huntsman’s crucible process produced higher-quality steel for tools and weapons.

    One hundred years later, Henry Bessemer developed the oxygen-blowing steelmaking process, which drastically increased production speed and lowered costs. In the United States, figures such as Andrew Carnegie created a vast industry based on Bessemer’s process.

    The widespread availability of steel transformed how societies built, traveled and defended themselves. Skyscrapers and transit systems made of steel allowed cities to grow, steel-built battleships and tanks empowered militaries, and cars containing steel became staples in consumer life.

    White-hot steel pouring out of an electric arc furnace in Brackenridge, Penn.
    Alfred T. Palmer/U.S. Library of Congress

    Control over steel resources and infrastructure made steel a foundation of national power. China’s 21st-century rise to steel dominance is a continuation of this pattern. From 1995 to 2015, China’s contribution to the world steel production increased from about 10% to more than 50%. The White House responded in 2018 with massive tariffs on Chinese steel.

    Rare earth metals and global trade

    Early in the 21st century, the advance of digital technologies and the transition to an economy based on renewable energies created a demand for rare earth elements.

    Offshore turbines use several tons of rare earth magnets to transform wind into electricity.
    Hans Hillewaert/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

    Rare earth elements are 17 chemically very similar elements, including neodymium, dysprosium, samarium and others. They occur in nature in bundles and are the ingredients that make magnets super strong and useful. They are necessary for highly efficient electric motors, wind turbines and electronic devices.

    Because of their chemical similarity, separating and purifying rare earth elements involves complex and expensive processes.

    China controls the majority of global rare earth processing capacity. Political tensions between countries, especially around trade tariffs and strategic competition, can risk shortages or disruptions in the supply chain.

    The rare earth metals case illustrates how a single category of materials can shape trade policy, industrial planning and even diplomatic alliances.

    Mining rare earth elements has allowed for the widespread adoption of many modern technologies.
    Peggy Greb, USDA

    Technological transformation begins with societal pressure. New materials create opportunities for scientific and engineering breakthroughs. Once a material proves useful, it quickly becomes woven into the fabric of daily life and broader systems. With each innovation, the material world subtly reorganizes the social world — redefining what is possible, desirable and normal.

    Understanding how societies respond to new innovations in materials science can help today’s engineers and scientists solve crises in sustainability and security. Every technical decision is, in some ways, a cultural one, and every material has a story that extends far beyond its molecular structure.

    The National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, NASA, and other national and regional agencies have funded former research of Peter Mullner.

    – ref. From glass and steel to rare earth metals, new materials have changed society throughout history – https://theconversation.com/from-glass-and-steel-to-rare-earth-metals-new-materials-have-changed-society-throughout-history-258244

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Elon Musk says he may launch his own party: but US history tells us that’s not a recipe for success

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Matthew Mokhefi-Ashton, Lecturer in Politics and International Relations, Nottingham Trent University

    To paraphrase a very old joke, how do you make a small fortune in America? Start with a large fortune and fund a third political party. American political history is littered with the wrecks of challengers who thought they could break the two-party system and failed.

    This makes Elon Musk’s tease that he may launch his own new political party as an act of defiance following his falling out with Donald Trump even more intriguing.

    What do we mean by a two-party system though? Since the 1860s, the Democrats and Republicans have dominated the US political landscape, holding the presidency, Congress and the vast majority of elected positions. Attempts at third parties have usually floundered at the ballot box.

    Get your news from actual experts, straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily newsletter to receive all The Conversation UK’s latest coverage of news and research, from politics and business to the arts and sciences.

    Some have lasted only for a few electoral cycles, including the Progressive Party in the 1910s and the Citizens Party of the 1980s, while others like the Libertarian Party and Green Party have lasted decades and, in some cases, managed some electoral success at the local level.

    But this is where an important distinction has to be made between third parties and third-party candidates. Because the US system is so personality-driven rather than party focused compared to Europe, quite often third parties have been built around a single person.

    A good example is the previously mentioned Progressive Party. It was founded in 1912 by former president Theodore Roosevelt after he split from the Republicans. Without him it quickly faded away.

    The Reform Party was created by billionaire Ross Perot in 1995 after he managed to get 18.9% of the vote in the 1992 presidential election. While it continued without him for some years, it was a shell of its former self. Other parties like the Socialist, Libertarian and Green parties have sprung from more organic movements and thus have been more successful at a local or state level.

    When you look at recent polling though, it seems strange that the two parties continue to dominate. Public dissatisfaction with politics as usual seems at an all-time high. In a recent Pew Research poll when asked whether “I often wish there were more political parties to choose from” describes their views, 37% of respondents answered: “Very well” and 31% answered: “Somewhat well”.

    In another poll, 25% of respondents said that neither of the two main parties represented their interests.

    So if there is an appetite for some sort of change, why have so few challengers succeeded? The two main parties seem entrenched to the point where it resembles a cartel.

    Odds stacked against third-party insurgency

    The first and arguably most important reason is the electoral system. First past the post does not guarantee a two-party system (look at Britain, for instance). But political scientist Maurice Duverger argued that it does mean that the two main parties have a significant advantage. There are prizes for coming first and second, nothing for third place.

    Equally, many of the big prizes in American politics such as the presidency and state governorships are indivisible and cannot be shared. So it has become received wisdom that voting for anyone other than Democrats or Republicans is a wasted vote.

    In these cases, people either vote for what they perceive to be the lesser of two evils or stay at home, rather than voting for a candidate with no chance or that they may not support.

    The other multi-billion dollar elephant in the room is money. The sheer cost of running for elections in recent years means that any third party is unlikely to be able to raise the funds to be truly competitive. At the last election, the Democrats and Republicans spent hundreds of millions of dollars (which isn’t even counting all of the super-PAC money spent on their behalf).

    Whenever billionaires like Perot have attempted to self-fund a party, they have left themselves open to the accusation that it’s a vanity project, or lacks true mass appeal.

    There is also the fact that to run successfully you must have media coverage. The media tends to focus almost exclusively on the two main parties. This creates a “chicken and egg” situation where you need success to help raise money and media coverage, but it’s difficult to be successful without first having money and media coverage.

    The final reasons are that of the open primary and ideological flexibility of the main parties. Donald Trump briefly considered running as president for the Reform Party back in 2000. In 2016, the open primary system that both main parties use meant that he could impose himself on the Republican Party despite most of the party elite despising him.

    Why bother starting your own party when you can run for one that already exists? It could now be argued that the Republicans have effectively become the Trump or Maga party, although whether this will survive his presidency is open to debate.

    Money, money, money

    Elon Musk has, for the moment, money to burn. Whether he’s willing to invest in the long term to turn this into more than a vanity project remains to be seen.

    He also has charisma and a national platform to amplify his voice like few others. But, having been born outside America, he can’t run for president.

    If he’s serious about electoral success, he’d have to find someone to run, and that would mean, effectively, they’d lead his party. Musk’s public persona suggests that he does not play well with others.

    Founding a third party isn’t impossible, but unless there is a political earthquake it seems difficult to see how one could succeed.

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

    – ref. Elon Musk says he may launch his own party: but US history tells us that’s not a recipe for success – https://theconversation.com/elon-musk-says-he-may-launch-his-own-party-but-us-history-tells-us-thats-not-a-recipe-for-success-260480

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: At the confluence of three rivers: 800 years of Yuryevets (04.07.2025)

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    The oldest city in the Ivanovo region was founded by the Grand Duke of Vladimir Yuri Vsevolodovich to protect the eastern borders of North-Eastern Rus’. According to legend, an icon of St. George the Victorious appeared to him here. That is where the name of the city comes from.

    The picturesque views of Yuryevets, spread out on the hills at the confluence of the Volga, Nemda and Unzha, inspired I. Levitan, A. Savrasov, B. Kustodiev and other famous artists. Yuryevets is inextricably linked with the name of Andrei Tarkovsky – he studied here in elementary school and called the city “the birthplace of childhood”.

    On July 7, 2025, the Bank of Russia will issue into circulation a commemorative silver coin of 3 rubles denomination “800th Anniversary of the Founding of the City of Yuryevets” of the “Cities” series (catalog No. 5111-0522).

    The silver coin with a face value of 3 rubles (pure precious metal weight – 31.1 g, alloy fineness – 925) has the shape of a circle with a diameter of 39.0 mm.

    There is a raised edge around the circumference of both the front and back sides of the coin.

    On the obverse of the coin there is a relief image of the State Emblem of the Russian Federation, the inscriptions “RUSSIAN FEDERATION”, “BANK OF RUSSIA”, the coin denomination “3 RUBLES”, the date “2025”, the designation of the metal according to the Periodic Table of Elements of D.I. Mendeleyev, the alloy standard, the trademark of the St. Petersburg Mint and the mass of the precious metal in purity.

    On the reverse side of the coin there are relief images of the coat of arms of the city of Yuryevets and a view of Georgievskaya Square with a temple complex against the background of an image of the Volga, made using the laser matting technique; there are relief inscriptions: at the top left along the circumference – “YURYEVETS”, at the bottom in two lines – “800 YEARS”.

    The side surface of the coin is ribbed.

    The coin is made in proof quality.

    The mintage of the coin is 3.0 thousand pieces.

    The issued coin is a legal tender in the territory of the Russian Federation and must be accepted at face value for all types of payments without restrictions.

    When using the material, a link to the Press Service of the Bank of Russia is required.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: Average monthly actual rates on loans provided by Moscow banks (MIACR, MIACR-IG, MIACR-B)

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Central Bank of Russia (2) –

    Average monthly actual rates on loans provided by Moscow banks (MIACR, MIACR-IG and MIACR-B) are calculated as the arithmetic mean for the month of the daily values of the MIACR, MIACR-IG and MIACR-B rates for the corresponding term.

    The MIACR, MIACR-IG and MIACR-B interbank lending market rates are calculated based on information on transactions concluded in the interbank lending market by credit institutions of Moscow and the Moscow Region that submit reports on form 0409701 “Report on transactions in the currency and money markets” to the Bank of Russia in accordance with Bank of Russia Instruction No. 4927-U of October 8, 2018 “On the list, forms and procedure for compiling and submitting reporting forms of credit institutions to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation”.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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  • MIL-OSI Russia: Marat Khusnullin: Road surface installation has begun at the interchange under construction at the intersection of the Central Ring Road and Dmitrovskoye Highway

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Construction of a transport interchange at the intersection of the third launch complex of the Central Ring Road and Dmitrovskoe Highway

    July 4, 2025

    Construction of a transport interchange at the intersection of the third launch complex of the Central Ring Road and Dmitrovskoe Highway

    July 4, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Construction of a transport interchange at the intersection of the third launch complex of the Central Ring Road and Dmitrovskoe Highway

    In the Moscow Region, the implementation of the infrastructure project for the construction of a transport interchange at the intersection of the third launch complex of the Central Ring Road and Dmitrovskoye Highway continues. At present, the construction of layers of road pavement has begun at the site, and earthworks here have been completed by 50% of the planned volume. This was reported by Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

    “The construction of new roads is inextricably linked with the modernization of the existing network, including the creation of modern interchanges. This ensures smooth integration of traffic flows, reduces the load on key nodes, minimizes congestion and improves traffic safety. An integrated approach to the development of road infrastructure allows us to avoid imbalances in the transport system and use each new facility as efficiently as possible. In the Moscow Region, we are implementing a project to build a transport interchange at the intersection of the Central Ring Road with Dmitrovskoye Highway. Currently, specialists are carrying out excavation work, 50% of which has already been completed. In parallel, the site has begun to install structural layers of the asphalt concrete road surface. In addition, the foundations and supports of all three future overpasses have been built and their superstructures have been partially installed,” said Marat Khusnullin.

    The Deputy Prime Minister added that transition plates and expansion joints are currently being installed on artificial structures.

    A complex of works is expected ahead, including the installation of asphalt concrete pavement layers, drainage structures and strengthening works. In addition, it is necessary to install metal span structures over the current section of the Central Ring Road with intensive traffic. A large volume of work on the installation of road safety elements is also envisaged.

    According to the Chairman of the Board of the state company Avtodor, Vyacheslav Petushenko, the project also includes the construction of four exits and the reconstruction of the A-107 Moscow Small Ring road.

    “As part of the reconstruction, a set of works will be carried out to change the longitudinal profile and geometric parameters of the road. This will improve its transport and operational characteristics. It is planned to replace all culverts to protect the roadway from water, preserve natural watercourses, and prevent flooding. It is also planned to install outdoor electric lighting lines for comfortable travel at night and in poor visibility. To improve road safety, a metal barrier fence will be installed. The total length of the reconstructed section is about 2.3 km. In general, the new interchange will improve the accessibility of adjacent areas, redistribute traffic flows from the A-107 “MMK” highway to the Central Ring Road and significantly improve the conditions for transit traffic bypassing Moscow,” said Vyacheslav Petushenko.

    About 230 people and 85 units of road construction equipment are involved in the construction of the interchange. The launch of vehicle traffic on the new facility is planned for 2026.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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  • MIL-OSI United Nations: The Republic of Korea contributes USD 37 million to WFP’s humanitarian assistance through the REACH initiative

    Source: World Food Programme

    SEVILLE, Spain – The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomes a USD 37 million contribution from the Republic of Korea (ROK) through a new joint initiative to support WFP’s humanitarian operations in crisis areas.

    Launched in 2025, the REACH initiative (Responding with Emergency Assistance for Conflict-affected Households) is designed to provide emergency support to vulnerable households impacted by conflict and disaster. The new initiative allows the Republic of Korea to support global humanitarian response in a more strategic and impactful way.

    The ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs and WFP held a meeting on the sidelines of the 4th Development Finance Conference in Seville, Spain, on 1 July, reaffirming their shared commitment to addressing global food crises. The meeting was attended by Rania Dagash-Kamara, WFP Assistant Executive Director for Partnerships and Innovation, and Jina Kim, Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the ROK.

    “The Republic of Korea-WFP REACH initiative is more than a funding mechanism – it is a strategic partnership built on trust and shared values,” said Rania Dagash-Kamara, WFP Assistant Executive Director. “The ROK’s continued solidarity helps WFP’s response in unprecedented humanitarian crises, delivering life-saving assistance to communities in places like Palestine, Sudan, and Syria.”

    Under the REACH initiative, WFP will deliver emergency relief, including food assistance, cash-based transfers, and nutrition support with a focus on helping vulnerable households stabilize their livelihoods. The initiative showcases ROK’s humanitarian leadership and commitment to global solidarity, playing a critical role in saving lives and delivering hope in times of crisis.

    In 2024, the Republic of Korea contributed over USD 200 million to WFP, becoming one of WFP’s top five government donors. Having once received assistance from WFP more than 60 years ago, ROK has transitioned into a leading donor – an inspiring testament to progress in the fight against hunger.

    #              #            #

    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 via @wfp_media and on Instagram via @worldfoodprogramme, @wfpkorea
     

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: 4 July 2025 Departmental update WHO welcomes IMF support to Jordan for pandemic preparedness and response

    Source: World Health Organisation

    WHO welcomes the approval by the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) of the first ever Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) agreement focused on Pandemic Preparedness and Response.

    On 25 June 2025, the Executive Board approved a new 30-month RSF arrangement to support Jordan’s efforts to address long-term vulnerabilities including strengthening capacity to respond to health emergencies and future pandemics. This support—amounting to up to US$ 700 million—will help enhance financial and policy capacity to mitigate those risks. In the context of declining external aid and a worldwide health financing crisis, this support represents a significant opportunity to boost domestic funding and invest in building resilient, sustainable health systems.

    “The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for new sources of financing to bolster health systems to make them more able to prevent and detect epidemics and pandemics, and to respond and withstand them when they strike,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “WHO is proud to be working with the IMF and the World Bank to unlock financing from the Resilience and Sustainability Trust, and support countries to put it to work for a safer world.”

    In the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis, the Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST) was established by the IMF in 2022 as a new loan-based funding mechanism. It aims to provide affordable, long-term financing to low- and lower-middle-income countries to address climate change and challenges preparing and responding to pandemics. The RST leverages Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) contributed by higher-income countries and offers financing with a 20-year maturity and a 10½-year grace period. While several RSF agreements have already been approved for climate-related purposes, this marks the first RSF arrangement approved by the IMF Executive Board specifically for pandemic preparedness and response and health-related objectives.

    In 2024 WHO signed an agreement with the IMF and the World Bank Group to provide technical support for the definition and implementation of country-level RSF arrangements. In Jordan, WHO collaborated closely with the Ministry of Health to identify relevant policy measures aimed at strengthening the financing and operational preparedness system. This includes efforts to consolidate the budgetary and overall governance framework that will serve as the foundation for future health emergency response. Moving forward, WHO teams across the Organization are committed to supporting the implementation of these reform measures in collaboration with the IMF, national authorities, and local partners as part of the RSF arrangement.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UNDRR welcomes milestone commitments to disaster risk reduction at FFD4

    Source: UNISDR Disaster Risk Reduction

    At the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) welcomed a landmark step forward for disaster resilience financing. 

    For the first time, the outcome document includes a dedicated paragraph (para 17) on disaster risk reduction (DRR), committing to scale up investment in DRR and promote risk-informed infrastructure development aligned with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.  The Compromiso de Sevilla further includes over 20 technical references to disaster and climate risk financing across its sections—a reflection of growing recognition of the financial imperative to reduce risk. 

    “This commitment reflects the growing consensus on the need for greater and smarter financing to achieve the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction,” said Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction and Head of UNDRR. 

    “Let us be clear: financing disaster risk reduction is not a cost—it is an investment. Every dollar invested in resilience saves multiple in avoided losses, reduced humanitarian needs, expedited recovery time, and protected livelihoods.” 

    UNDRR also used the platform to advance the Risk to Resilience Finance Initiative, a new programme designed to help vulnerable countries build national financial systems for DRR and scale up investment in disaster and climate resilience. The initiative, endorsed by Guatemala, Japan, Mexico, Peru, Portugal, Poland, UK, as well as UNCDF, and UNU-EHS, is now part of the Sevilla Platform for Action. 

    The initiative aims to support vulnerable countries over five years—particularly LDCs and SIDS— in developing national financing systems adapted to their context that ensure funding for DRR measures at all levels, promote risk-informed investment planning across sectors, and establish financial mechanisms to absorb disaster shocks and enable faster recovery. 

    In a side event co-hosted by UNDRR, Japan, Poland, Portugal, UK and UNCDF, government officials, financial institutions, and development partners discussed how to integrate disaster and climate risk into national budgeting and investment planning, for instance through debt swaps, integration of resilience criteria in infrastructure development, and the issuance of resilience bonds.  

    With DRR now firmly embedded in the Financing for Development agenda, UNDRR reiterated its commitment to working with all partners to accelerate the shift from risk to resilience, ensuring no development gain is lost to disaster. 

    Catalyzing investment in resilience

    The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction identifies investing in disaster risk reduction as one of its four priority actions. In response, UNDRR has intensified its work in this area. Our goal is to support countries in accessing more financing for prevention, while at the same time, helping the public and private sectors to de-risk investments and reorient financial flows for increased resilience.
    Learn more

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  • MIL-OSI United Nations: IOM and YG Entertainment Partner to Promote Peace and Clean Energy Through World Tour

    Source: International Organization for Migration (IOM)

    Geneva/Seoul, 4 July 2025 – The United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM) is proud to announce a new collaboration with YG Entertainment, one of the world’s leading K-pop entertainment companies, to promote renewable energy in crisis-affected communities as part of broader peacebuilding efforts. BLACKPINK, one of the most prominent female music groups globally, will use their world tour to help expand access to clean energy, demonstrating how creativity and innovation can advance sustainability and peace.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: In Dialogue with Haiti, Experts of the Human Rights Committee Welcome Efforts to Establish a New Constitution, Raise Questions on Measures to Combat Gang-Related Gender-Based Violence and Lynchings

    Source: United Nations – Geneva

    The Human Rights Committee today concluded its consideration of the second periodic report of Haiti on how it implements the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights . Committee Experts appreciated the referendum to establish a new national Constitution, while raising questions as to how the State was tackling the high level of violence against women and girls perpetuated by gang members and lynchings carried out by citizens, against a backdrop of distrust in the police.

    One Committee Expert said they saw the referendum to establish a new Constitution in a positive light, as an attempt to reestablish the institutionality of the country.

    Another Expert said that the scale of violence against women and girls was reportedly considerable, with sexual violence, including rape of children as young as five years old, gang rape, and forced prostitution, used as a weapon of control by gangs. According to reports, the judiciary were not sensitive to cases of gender-based violence and victims were hesitant to report cases. What measures were taken to encourage women to file complaints? Was there a fund to help survivors of violence? How were they supported by State services?

    Lynchings continued to be regular and numerous, another Expert said, citing reports of more than 500 cases in 2023. These were often the work of self-defence groups in or around Port-au-Prince, who did not trust the police, mainly due to corruption. Was this violence investigated, including when the police were accused of supporting or encouraging it? Had the perpetrators of lynchings, stonings and mutilations been prosecuted and punished proportionately? How could trust be restored between the police and the civilian population?

    Pedrica Saint Jean, Minister for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights and head of the delegation, introducing the report, said from 2020 to 2025, Haiti was confronted with repeated political crises, marked by lockdown operations and successive protests. The COVID-19 pandemic, frequent floods and the earthquake of 14 August 2021, which devastated part of the Great South region, were additional challenges faced by the country. This complex situation was further aggravated by the assassination of the Haitian President on 6 July 2021.

    Ms. Saint Jean said an agreement for a peaceful transition was reached on 3 April 2024, establishing a transition period with a nine-member Transitional Presidential Council and a Prime Minister, with the aim of restoring security, continuing constitutional reform, and organising democratic elections.

    The delegation said several strategies had been undertaken to combat gender-based violence, including a national strategy that spanned from 2017 to 2024. An assessment of the strategy was almost completed. A gender-based violence cell had been established to train police officers to take the needs of female victims of violence into account. The Office to Combat Gender-Based Violence streamlined services for victims, enabling them to receive legal, psychosocial and medical assistance in one place. In areas with armed gangs, women were typically the primary victims. Violence was used as a weapon of repression.

    The delegation also said the Government had always condemned lynchings, which were not part of the country’s culture. Incidents needed to be reported at a police station so perpetrators could be incarcerated and tried for their crimes. The community police were carrying out an awareness raising campaign to progressively build trust with the general population. Training sessions were being organised for police officers, with a view to protecting the population. When complaints were made against the police force, the national inspector for the police carried out investigations and measures were taken as necessary.

    In concluding remarks, Ms. Saint Jean thanked the Committee for the kindness it had shown to the Haitian delegation, and the Experts for their insights. Haiti had taken due note of all recommendations and was determined to take further steps to develop effective, concrete responses to the Committee’s concerns relating to the implementation of the Covenant. Everybody was working to see the day when Haiti could leave the crisis behind.

    Changrok Soh, Committee Chairperson, in concluding remarks, said the Committee acknowledged the profound political, economic and humanitarian challenges facing Haiti, which had hampered efforts to protect human rights. Haiti was encouraged to take this opportunity to advance necessary reforms to ensure that the rights enshrined in the Covenant were fully recognised for all Haitians.

    The delegation of Haiti was made up of representatives of the Ministry for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights; the Ministry of Justice and Public Security; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Ministry of Social Affairs and Work; the Cabinet; the Government of Port-au-Prince; the Prime Minister’s Office; the Haitian National Police; the Anti-Violence Unit; and the Permanent Mission of Haiti to the United Nations Office at Geneva. Some members of the delegation were unable to attend the meeting in person due to travel restrictions.

    The Human Rights Committee’s one hundred and forty-fourth session is being held from 23 June to 17 July 2025. All the documents relating to the Committee’s work, including reports submitted by States parties, can be found on the session’s webpage . Meeting summary releases can be found here . The webcast of the Committee’s public meetings can be accessed via the UN Web TV webpage .

    The Committee will next meet in public at 3 p.m., Monday 7 July to begin its consideration of the fourth periodic report of Viet Nam (CCPR/C/VNM/4). 

    Report

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

    Presentation of Report

    PEDRICA SAINT JEAN, Minister for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights and head of the delegation , said between 2020 to 2025, Haiti had experienced both positive and negative developments. From a positive perspective, the Government had multiplied efforts in many areas to improve the rule of law and respect for human rights. However, the country had been plagued by unprecedent insecurity that required the intervention of a foreign force, through the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission on October 2, 2024. This force intervened in the context of an agreement signed between Haiti and Kenya on police and security cooperation in March 2024, following the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2699.

    From 2020 to 2025, Haiti was confronted with repeated political crises, marked by lockdown operations and successive protests which accompanied them. The COVID-19 pandemic, frequent floods and the earthquake of 14 August 2021, which devastated part of the Great South region, were additional challenges faced by the country. This complex situation was further aggravated by the assassination of the Haitian President on 6 July 2021.

    An agreement for a peaceful transition was reached on 3 April 2024, establishing a transition period with a nine-member Transitional Presidential Council and a Prime Minister, with the aim of restoring security, continuing constitutional reform, and organising democratic presidential elections. The Council was also tasked with economic and judicial reforms and combating corruption. The agreement provided for the establishment of three key bodies, including the Body for the Control of Government Action, in charge of controlling the acts of the Executive, since Parliament was currently non-existent; the National Security Council, to respond to the various aspects of the country’s security crisis; and the National Conference, accompanied by a steering committee. The Government had already established the National Security Council and the National Conference and its steering committee. The referendum decree, resulting from the work of the National Conference and the steering committee, would allow Haiti to have a new Constitution. Currently, efforts were underway to strengthen the capacities of the Haitian National Police and the Armed Forces of Haiti, which had a budget increase of 11 per cent in 2024-2025. An agreement was concluded with Colombia to monitor the Haitian coast, to curb the illicit trafficking of firearms.

    The Government had attached great importance to the judicial reform already initiated by its predecessors. Six new Courts of First Instance and the corresponding Public Prosecutor’s Offices were created between September 2024 and April 2025. The law of 10 September 2018 created the National Council for Legal Assistance and established legal aid offices in 18 jurisdictions in Haiti, aiming to provide free legal assistance to those who were financially struggling. The Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure had previously been criticised by civil society in 2020. Following the revision of the two texts by a special commission, they were adopted on 24 June 2025. This marked an important step in the fight against insecurity, corruption and impunity.

    Two other important decrees had been adopted in the context of judicial reform. The first, adopted on 16 April 2025, which created two specialised judicial poles: one for the repression of complex financial crimes and offences and the other for the repression of mass crimes and sexual violence. The second decree of 4 May 2023 sanctioned money laundering, terrorist financing and the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in Haiti.

    Despite Government efforts, due to the deteriorating security situation, the majority of prisons in Port-au-Prince had been vandalised, leading to the uncontrolled release of a number of detainees. The Government had been forced to relocate several jurisdictions to allow the resumption of judicial activities in minimum security conditions and the normal application of appropriate sentences and sanctions.

    The Haitian State aimed to follow up on complaints against police officers for excessive use of force, and it organised human rights training sessions for police personnel. However, it was regrettable that, despite the Government’s efforts, some citizens, driven by anger at the atrocities committed by criminal groups, resorted to extreme methods, including the lynching of captured gang members, instead of handing them over to the authorities. The Government recognised the severity of these acts and strongly condemned all forms of mob justice.

    The crisis in the country led to an increase in gender-based violence, particularly for displaced persons in camps. The Haitian State was working to protect and facilitate access to justice for survivors of violence, including through the creation of the Office for Combatting Gender-Based Violence as well as the organization of training adapted to the needs of survivors for police officers and judges. Medical, legal and psychosocial assistance were also offered to women and girls at internal displacement camps.

    Article 262 of the Penal Code, adopted by decree on 23 June 2025, punished the perpetrators of acts of torture and barbarism, with sentences ranging from 15 to 20 years in prison. Prison overcrowding remained a major problem, especially with the destruction of the main prisons in March 2024. Instructions had been issued to the Public Prosecutor’s Offices and Courts of First Instance to carry out regular criminal hearings, with the aim of relieving overcrowding in the prisons in provincial cities.

    The Transitional Presidential Council was making every effort to organise general elections in 2025 and to install a President elected on 7 February 2026. Despite its efforts, the Haitian State was aware that the implementation of the provisions of the Covenant had not yet reached a satisfactory level. However, Haiti pledged to do everything in its power to implement the provisions on the Covenant.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert acknowledged how difficult it was for the State party to participate in person in the dialogue and expressed gratitude to the delegation in Geneva. The Committee was aware of the grave humanitarian crisis suffered by Haiti for decades, compounded with the assassination of the President in 2021. In that context, the Committee noted an increase in widespread human rights violations and growing control of armed gangs in significant parts of Port-au-Prince, leaving the population more vulnerable to violence and human rights abuses, and leading to the displacement of more than one million people.

    Were courts in Haiti directly applying the Covenant? Could examples be provided? Were courses on international human rights law and the Covenant provided in training to judges? The Committee had been informed of situations where civil servants had opposed the execution of orders handed down by judges to free individuals. Could this be explained? What role did these civil servants play in the judicial system? Had steps been taken to ratify the Optional Protocol of the Covenant on individual communications? In May 2025, a bill of law was presented on the development of a new constitution, with a decree adopted to hold a referendum on the issue. Was this bill in line with the rights enshrined in the Covenant? Was it realistic to carry out a referendum in the context of violence? When was the state of emergency ordered? Was it still in force? Which articles of the Covenant were suspended?

    Did the current budget of the Office for Citizen Protection allow it to carry out its functions and extend its activities to the most remote parts of the country? Were there plans to expand the powers of the Office to allow it to consider human rights violations that had their origin in the acts of private entities?

    What steps had been taken to end discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons? Were there laws in place to punish acts of discrimination against these groups? Had the State taken actions been to allow these people to carry out public demonstrations and to protect them? Had it adopted measures to change discriminatory cultural attitudes in Haitian society, to end stigmatisation of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons? 

    Another Expert said despite the crisis in the country, Haiti remained bound by its international obligations. The dialogue would address problems such as insecurity, the deep humanitarian crisis that the population was experiencing, the endemic violence of gangs, the forced displacement of the population, the dysfunction of the justice system, chronic impunity and serious challenges to the rule of law. All these problems were linked to corruption. The report published in 2023 by the United Nations Expert on Human Rights in Haiti stated that corruption in Haiti was “public enemy number one” and found that more than 90 per cent of Haitian civil servants did not comply with the national anti-corruption law. The Anti-Corruption Unit and the Central Financial Intelligence Unit, which were suspected of lacking independence, had brought nearly 100 major cases of corruption to justice, but these had not led to any convictions.

    Did the State plan to set up a financial prosecutor’s office or judges specialised in the fight against corruption? Could more information be provided on the decree adopted on the creation of financial judicial units? What measures were being taken to support the work of the Anti-Corruption Unit and the Central Financial Intelligence Unit and to ensure that the cases referred were followed up independently?

    Haiti had expressed its commitment to ensuring accountability for the serious violations committed during Jean-Claude Duvalier’s presidency. However, a case assessing these violations had been in the courts of cassation since 2014, and there had not been any progress. What explained the delay? Could the delegation enlighten the Committee on the situation of Jean Gabriel Robert, who was convicted in absentia in the case of the “Raboteau massacre”?

    Information showed that the scale of violence against women and girls was considerable, with sexual violence, including rape, which was sometimes perpetrated against children as young as five years old; gang rape; and forced prostitution, used as a weapon of control by gangs. According to reports, the judiciary were not sensitive to cases of gender-based violence and victims were hesitant to report cases. What measures were taken to encourage women to file complaints? Was there a fund to help survivors of violence? How were they supported by State services?

    According to information received by the Committee, lynchings continued to be regular and numerous, with more than 500 in 2023. These were often the work of self-defence groups in or around Port-au-Prince, who did not trust the police, mainly due to corruption. In addition, the 2024 report of the United Nations Expert on Human Rights in Haiti noted that police were passive, and it appeared that some murders were encouraged, supported or facilitated by the police forces. Was this violence investigated, including when the police were accused of supporting or encouraging it? Had the perpetrators of lynchings, stonings and mutilations been prosecuted and punished proportionately? How could trust be restored between the police and the civilian population?

    Another Expert said specific steps had not been taken to combat impunity. What hope existed, looking forward to the immediate and long-term future, regarding a reversal of the situation? There were several cases in which there had been impunity for human rights violations. Attacks against the population in the La Saline suburb in 2018 had not been condemned by the Government and no steps had been taken to provide support to victims. What measures had been taken against the involvement of political agents in these cases? Why was the La Saline case withdrawn from the original judge?

    Data showed that 28 percent of civil servants in Haiti were women. In 2019 a strategy was presented to ensure equality for women by 2030. What progress had been made? How would the State party solve the problem of the low rate of political representation of women in Haiti?

    What actions were being taken to guaranteed women’s access to health care, in situations where criminal groups took control of health centres? How was access to medicines ensured?

    Another Expert asked what Haiti’s prospects were looking forward? What urgent measures were envisaged to protect women and girls in areas under gang control? What mechanisms had been established to guarantee security and safety for survivors of sexual violence, and to encourage the reporting of cases? Could Haiti provide updated information on the draft law preventing violence against women and girls? Was there a timeline for its adoption? What had been done to bolster the amount of medical, legal and psychosocial services for survivors, particularly in areas under gang control? What measures were envisaged to protect the right to life of those in extreme poverty? Was there an intersectional strategy to prevent avoidable deaths linked to poverty?

    What measures were taken to protect civilians living in areas under the control of armed gangs? What had been the result of the assistance from Kenya? Was it meeting the challenges? What guarantees existed when it came to the investigation of its own officers by the Haitian police? How was it ensured that the police did not carry out disproportionate use of force during protests? How was action being bolstered in areas under gang control?

    Was there a road map regarding ratification of the Covenant’s Second Optional Protocol concerning the death penalty? How did the State party intend to ensure that those who had served their sentence were properly released? Had the system for monitoring judicial cases been reactivated? What efforts were underway to improve detention conditions? Were construction projects for new prisons still planned? How many women had access to shelters in the last three years? What measures were envisaged to guarantee all police stations should have trained personnel, particularly in areas most affected by police insecurity?

    Responses by the Delegation

    PEDRICA SAINT JEAN, Minister for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights and head of the delegation , said the Government had priorities outlined in the April 2024 agreement on the peaceful transition, including combatting insecurity, conducting the referendum and bringing the country to elections to appoint a robust Government. To combat insecurity, the budget allocated to the police and armed forces had been increased, allowing them to better contain the problems they were confronting. The police, the Haitian armed forces, and the security mission needed to work together to combat insecurity to allow for the milestone referendum to be held. Nine electoral commissioners were currently out in the field assessing the requirements. Haiti was not waiting for the security issues to subside before moving to the referendum.

    Haiti was doing its utmost to implement its commitments under the Covenant through a raft of measures. Six new courtrooms had been established in the country, allowing proximity between those needing to access the justice system and the infrastructure in place. Bureaus had been established to work on specific criminal areas, including mass crimes which had remained unpunished. For some time, courts had not been operational because they were in the hands of gangs. Two bureaus would be responsible for crimes of sexual violence, and another was responsible for financial crimes. Some 34 new judges and prosecutors had been appointed to support the justice system.

    The method of choosing judges for the Anti-Corruption Unit had not hindered its independence. Cases were currently going ahead at the Court of First Instance. Three prisons had been built to international standards, with one dedicated to female inmates. Institutional measures had been put in place to freeze the funds of certain agencies which were found to be corrupt but had impunity from the Anti-Corruption Unit, and those responsible were being brought before the court.

    The Government of Haiti had always condemned lynchings, which were not part of the country’s culture. Incidents needed to be reported at a police station so perpetrators could be incarcerated and tried for their crimes.

    The delegation said several assessment missions had been established to gain an understanding of the situation of detention centres and propose tangible solutions. One of the main challenges was the provision of food, due to lack of access to main roads. To address this situation, the Justice Ministry sought to ensure that providers of food should be placed directly in situ. In the last few months, prisons had greater autonomy and managed their needs themselves, providing a better and tailored approach to local realities.

    Haiti had done a lot to combat gender-based violence. This phenomenon was topical in Haiti, particularly when it came to displaced women. Several strategies had been undertaken to combat gender-based violence, including a national strategy that spanned from 2017 to 2024. An assessment of the strategy was almost completed. A gender-based violence cell had been established within the police, to train police officers to take the needs of female victims of violence into account. The Office to Combat Gender-Based Violence streamlined services for victims, enabling them to receive legal, psychosocial and medical assistance in one place. Psychosocial support services had been set up for women victims in internal displacement camps. Several initiatives had been adopted to bolster protections for minors, including host families and prevention and readaptation programmes for children recruited by armed games. Training and awareness raising sessions were organised for judges.

    In areas with armed gangs, women were typically the primary victims. The number of victims was increasing, particularly against younger women, but violence by armed gangs was also affecting children and the elderly. Violence was used as a weapon of repression. There were still people in Haiti who did not want to report. During times of political turbulence, the phenomenon of violence against women was heightened. There was a need for awareness raising to eradicate the phenomenon. Women should not be used as an instrument to place pressure on the Government.

    Incest had never been part of Haitian culture, but it did not mean this phenomenon did not exist. When incest occurred, people usually preferred to solve the issue in the family. Attention needed to be paid to the phenomenon of incest involving displaced people. The State sanctioned based on the relevant 2006 decree and used case law when dealing with these offences. It was important to continue legislating to bring tangible solutions to this phenomenon.

    For 15 years, judges had been receiving training on the Covenant from the Government and the Haitian police.

    Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons had been looked down on in Haiti; they were formerly not given the right to complain. While progress was not significant, these people were now considered to be fully fledged citizens who needed to be protected by the State and to enjoy their full human rights.

    Quotas had been implemented calling for at least 30 per cent of decision-making posts to be held by women. This issue had been poorly addressed. In the new Constitution, the State was advocating for parity. Until there was a critical mass of women in decision-making posts, the problems they faced would persist. A series of consultations had been launched with officials to create incentive measures to promote equality regarding candidate lists.

    The law on the organization of the Ministry on the Status of Women had not properly been reformed, which was why the Ministry had difficulties in playing its primary role. The Ministry submitted a law on its reorganization to ensure it could achieve its goals. By the start of next year, the State would launch its first national action plan covering the participation of women in restoring peace and security in Haiti. Work was being done with survivors in internal displacement camps to transform them into fully-fledged actors. Women, including young girls and survivors of violence in these camps, had been appointed as peace ambassadors, to sensitise the message of peace throughout Haiti.

    Haiti was relying on the work of the Multinational Security Support Mission and the international community to help the police and armed forces overcome the corruption and security issues in the country.

    Follow-up Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert asked follow-up questions, including on the functions to be undertaken by the bureaus on mass crimes, sexual crimes and financial crimes. This was a fantastic idea, but the bureaus needed to have the resources to operate properly. Other questions were asked on measures planned to restore the trust between the police and the justice system; lynchings committed by the police force; steps to tackle the circulation of weapons; and the mandate of the Office for Citizens’ Protection.

    An Expert said they saw the referendum to establish a new Constitution in a positive light, as an attempt to reestablish the institutionality of the country. Who drafted this bill? Did it go through various sectors, with participation from civil society? What did the “green and red zones” mean? Were green zones under Government control? Did red zones mean there was no State control? What happened if there was a referendum in the red zones?

    More questions were asked on how the long tradition of impunity could be alleviated; alternative measures to detention; detention beyond the lengths of sentences; efforts to prevent discrimination against women; and access to voluntary interruption of pregnancy. What was the Government’s perception of the processes involving the participation of the international community that aimed to improve the situation for the population of Haiti?

    According to information received by the Committee, around 40 per cent of births enjoyed the proper medical support. How did midwives treat risky pregnancies? Did the State intend to include the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol in the planned reform of the draft Constitution?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said the death penalty was abolished in Haiti through a decree adopted in 1987.

    Regarding the red and green zones, there were currently zones under gang control, where the State was doing everything possible to convert them to green zones. Green zones were placed where the State could provide appropriate services to the population. The police were trying to gain access to the red zones to bring about peace and security. Progress had been made in penetrating many of the red zones; it was expected that there would be further progress in this area.

    The referendum was a compulsory, milestone measure to lay the groundwork for national elections and allow the population to get their new Constitution. All different sectors of society had been consulted in the drafting of the new Constitution.

    Haiti had implemented measures that aimed to provide a structure to prevent the free circulation of weapons, including weapons of mass destruction.

    The delegation said there was a legal bureau on mass crimes and sexual violence in Port-au-Prince and another on financial crimes. The bureaus were comprised of 10 judges who worked with the police and financial oversight and regulatory bodies. Their operations were ensured by donors from the international community and the State.

    The community police were carrying out an awareness raising campaign to progressively build trust with the general population. Training sessions were being organised for police officers, with a view to protecting the population. When complaints were made against the police force, the national inspector for the police carried out investigations and measures were taken as necessary.

    Haiti had a plan to set up scanners at customs to prevent the flow of illegal weapons into the country. Controls at the border with the Dominican Republic and checks of containers coming from the United Staes had been strengthened, and strict checks were being conducted on private vehicles, including motorbikes. Authorities had also suspended land imports from the Dominican Republic, ensuring seizures of illegal imports. Despite this, Haiti was facing increased criminal activity and corruption, with the need for increased international support to reduce the weapons flow into Haiti.

    Green zones were safe zones while red zones were ones where there was a heightened risk.

    A draft of the new Constitution had been shared across different sectors to receive their inputs, which had been sent to the Committee responsible for the drafting of the new Constitution.

    Haitian midwives played a key role in early detection of illnesses and in responding to complications during birth. They carried out post monitoring operatives in rural areas, while caesarean procedures were performed by obstetric doctors.

    Questions by Committee Experts

    A Committee Expert asked if there were obstacles preventing Haiti from ratifying the Covenant’s Second Optional Protocol? Murderous attacks by gangs against ambulances had been reported, and health staff had fled the country. Did the Government have any plans to confront these problems? Haiti had an astonishing overcrowding rate in its prisons, at allegedly over 300 per cent. There was a lack of access to the appellate procedure for all inmates and for persons with disabilities. How did Haiti plan to resolve this problem?

    Another Expert appreciated Haiti’s delegation comprised of high-level women. It was reported that police agents or persons acting with their complicity tortured inmates on a daily basis in prisons and police custody facilities. Why had the perpetrators of cases of torture not been prosecuted and brought to justice? Had there been capacity building of law enforcement in the area of torture? Why had the State not ratified the Convention against Torture?

    Reports received by the Committee stated that forced evictions had become widespread since the earthquake in 2010, but this was denied by the State. It was alleged that these evictions affected a wide number of families and were not addressed by the State. What information was available about three resident families who had not taken up possession of reconstructed homes? Which Government civil servants were responsible for these families’ forced evictions? How had the Government taken steps to prosecute those involved?

    Hurricane Matthew had affected more than 2.6 million people, including 600,000 children; what measures had been taken to protect them? Could information be provided on the distribution of financial aid and the resources used to reconstruct infrastructure following this natural disaster? During the imposed state of emergency, was it only economic rights which were affected? What solutions were available for those still awaiting assistance from the damage 10 years ago? What resources had been allocated to address housing issues?

    A Committee Expert asked about the implementation of the National Plan to Combat Child Labour, adopted in 2019; what was the duration of the plan? Was it still in force or had a new plan been adopted? Could data on the number of children exploited and those in situations of begging be provided? What work had been done specifically on the exploitation of children by the Committee to Combat Human Trafficking?

    Various reports had documented violence against children, who were recruited and used by the gangs and injured or killed as a result. An even more severe impact was felt by children with disabilities. The Secretary-General’s report had outlined 383 grave violations against children in 2024. In December 2024, the gangs had committed a high number of abductions, including of 17 girls and 10 boys. What measures had been taken by the State to combat these grave violations? To help minors, child soldiers and victims of armed groups, a Commission had been created to support the creation of a national network of shelters and rehabilitation centres. How did the State ensure that the Commission had the human and financial resources necessary to support its functions? What did its work consist of? Was the National Committee for Combatting Human Trafficking able to carry out its functions? What measures had been adopted along the Dominican-Haitian border to prevent trafficking of children who were then sold in the Dominican Republic?

    It was understood that a commission to implement criminal reform was created in July 2024. What were the main reforms being carried out? What measures had been adopted to deal with the firebomb attacks on judges? How was the safety and security of judges being ensured? What was the current situation of the National Council for Legal Assistance? Regarding the appointment of judges in the Cassation Council, how was it ensured that the involvement of the Senate did not affect the Council’s independence? What role did the Council play in combatting corruption in the judicial sphere?

    Another Committee Expert said people who were displaced often lost their identification documents. What was the State party doing to resolve this issue? Two journalists reporting on insecurity in Haiti had been executed in 2022. The Committee had also received information that five journalists were murdered in 2024, with no investigations carried out. Gang violence had also led to the closure and restriction of media, including the suspension of popular programmes on suspicion of serving as platforms for gangs. Journalists had also been threatened by gangs. How could elections take place if the State could not facilitate the free circulation of ideas? How did Haiti intend to combat impunity surrounding executions or ill-treatment of journalists? What was done to protect human rights defenders? How was it ensured that social media platforms were regulated?

    In March 2025, anti-Government protests were held to decry the security context and inaction by the State. What measures had been taken to establish the responsibility of police directly involved in the use of force in suppressing peaceful demonstrations? What had been done to guarantee the work of non-governmental organizations in full security and free from harassment?

    Responses by the Delegation

    The delegation said overcrowding in prisons remained a major issue for the Government which it was working to address. Instructions had been issued to the prosecution offices and tribunals of the Courts of First Instance to encourage the holding of more criminal sessions, including sessions in which a jury was not present, with a view to relieving overcrowding in provincial prisons. In 2023 and2024, this occurred in 14 jurisdictions, leading to 159 convictions. In 2024, the total number of people detained in the country was around 12,000. The State had managed to capture around 12 prisoners who had escaped. The drop in the number of detainees in 2025 was explained primarily due to the escapes that followed the armed attacks carried out against certain penitentiary infrastructure. Courts had been actively engaged to implement non-custodial measures when appropriate, as a means of alleviating prison overcrowding. The Government recognised the need to prevent arbitrary arrests. Men, women and children were placed in different prisons. Despite the State’s efforts, there was only one police officer per every 14 detainees.

    The Government remained committed to improving prison conditions, despite security constraints. The mortality rate had dropped between 2024 and 2025 thanks to coordinated action to provide medical care and humanitarian aid. Healthcare services had been established in several penitentiaries. In 2017, a Presidential Commission was established to shed light on deaths in the Port-au-Prince prison. It highlighted aggravating factors including severe overcrowding, insufficient hygiene and a lack of medical support, among others. Measures were implemented to improve nutrition, detention conditions and investigate causes of deaths.

    The internal regulations of the penitentiary administration outlawed all forms of torture and inhumane treatment. Finances had been provided to the National Anti-Trafficking Committee to support the implementation of its national action plan. A protocol had been signed to guarantee legal aid to victims of trafficking. Some 100 students from the University of Haiti had received training on the issue of human trafficking. Several human traffickers had been prosecuted, however following the mass escapes in March 2024, a number of these traffickers were unfortunately able to escape.

    The Constitution guaranteed that judges could not be dismissed. In the judicial hierarchy in Haiti, the Constitution had the highest ranking, followed by international conventions. In Haiti, the Constitution outlawed the death penalty in all areas, meaning there was no need to fear its reinstation. The ratification of the Second Optional Protocol could be discussed when the legislature was functional.

    Families who were forcibly evicted due to the development of road infrastructure or for airport security purposes had a right to fixed compensation, as well as the right to appeal decisions blocking their access to redress.

    A State project had been launched to combat domestic labour by children, in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The project had been launched in 16 regions in the country and included a concrete list of jobs banned for children. Twenty-three surveys of young people had been conducted, allowing them to express themselves on themes including domestic labour, birth registration, violence against children, and education. A social protection project ensured monetary transfers for children under the age of five, pregnant women and persons with disabilities. The project was financed by the World Bank and allowed vulnerable families to provide care to their children. Around 25,000 homes received regular monetary transfers to the value of 40 United States dollars per month.

    A professional training programme had been launched in conjunction with the International Labour Organization, allowing for the training of more than 800 vulnerable teenagers in various technical and farming activities. Some 9,200 children had received support for school re-enrolment. Four thousand vulnerable homes at risk of family separation received monetary transfers to support income-generating activities, as well as financial education. A pilot programme had been launched in targeted communes with the United Nations Children’s Fund, which had developed a foster programme for children taken out of situations of domesticity to support their reintegration.

    Legal assistance officers had been established in 12 jurisdictions and the rollout was ongoing. A decision would be made on the draft Constitution based on a participatory process. A Commission had been established to follow up on gender-based violence cases in the country.

    Steps had been taken to prevent the phenomenon of forced evictions, but results were still limited. The Government had not been encouraging forced evictions and had taken new steps to support victims. Demolished homes had been rebuilt and several previous owners had already taken ownership of their new homes. Authorities ensured that no one living in camps or informal housing was evicted without a humane alternative provided.

    The Haitian State reiterated its commitment to freedom of the press and its respect for the work of human rights defenders. Efforts were made to ensure journalists could freely conduct their work, including by strengthening protection mechanisms. Haitian authorities reaffirmed their desire to shed light on the murders of several journalists, which were currently at being investigated by the Public Prosecutor.

    The courts did not all apply the Covenant in the same way, but it was often evoked in individual cases. Alternative measures to prison were allowed for in the new Criminal Code, which had been adopted in June 2025. Judges were equipped with armed vehicles and would have security details at their disposal for their personal safety. The police force was taking steps to bolster security in zones with a heightened level of insecurity and ensure that the referendum could take place. The Government was engaged in an intense campaign to fight the armed violence being perpetrated by gangs.

    Follow-up Questions by Committee Experts

    Committee Experts asked follow-up questions regarding identification papers, which more than 70 per cent of the population did not have, as well as the role of the Government Commissioners within the courts of justice.

    A Committee Expert expressed hope that the programme being laid out by the State for elections would bring about the enjoyment of rights by the population. It seemed impossible to bring this about given the current insecurity in Haiti. Was the State in a position to achieve peace given the current context? The context in Haiti required international, shared responsibility, with involvement from all States parties.

    Closing Statements

    PEDRICA SAINT JEAN, Minister for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights and head of the delegation , thanked the Committee for the kindness it had shown to the Haitian delegation, and the Experts for their insights. Haiti had taken due note of all recommendations and was determined to take further steps to develop effective, concrete responses to the Committee’s concerns relating to the implementation of the Covenant. One day, in the not-too-distant future, the country would exit the crisis. Everybody was working to see the day when Haiti could leave the crisis behind. Despite the efforts it had made, the Haitian State was aware that the implementation of the Covenant and progress in bolstering of the rule of law had not yet reached a satisfactory level. Haiti had a massive raft of problems to resolve, including travel restrictions, which had prevented some members of the delegation from traveling to Geneva. The State of Haiti was committed to doing its utmost to implement the provisions of the Covenant.

    CHANGROK SOH, Committee Chairperson, expressed sincere gratitude to all who had contributed to the dialogue. The Committee acknowledged the profound political, economic and humanitarian challenges facing Haiti, which had hampered efforts to protect human rights. The Committee underscored the importance of continued diligence and commitment to the rights enshrined in the Covenant, especially in times of crisis. During the dialogue, the Committee had raised serious issues regarding the right to life, gang violence, lynchings, protection of vulnerable populations, corruption, protection of journalists and the need to combat impunity, among other concerns. Despite these challenges, the Committee appreciated the State party’s willingness to engage in dialogue. Haiti was encouraged to take this opportunity to advance necessary reforms to ensure that the rights enshrined in the Covenant were fully recognised for all Haitians.

    ___________

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

    CCPR25.015E

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Denis Manturov assessed the prospects for lithium mining in the Republic of Tyva

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

    Denis Manturov’s working visit to Tuva

    July 4, 2025

    Denis Manturov’s working visit to Tuva

    July 4, 2025

    Denis Manturov’s working visit to Tuva

    July 4, 2025

    Previous news Next news

    Denis Manturov’s working visit to Tuva

    First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, as part of a working visit to the Republic of Tyva, visited a construction materials production facility, reviewed an exhibition of key industrial enterprises in the region, and held a working meeting with the head of the republic, Vladislav Khovalyg.

    OOO Vostok is engaged in the construction of housing and social institutions. With the help of the individual development program, the enterprise has established the production of reinforced concrete products and building blocks. The volume of goods shipped in 2024 reached more than 5 billion rubles. The share of Russian equipment at the enterprise is 75%.

    At the industrial products exhibition, Denis Manturov got acquainted with the production potential of the region and the work of existing enterprises. One of them is JSC Tekhmashservis (part of the Rostec State Corporation), where in November 2023, thanks to government support measures, a plant for the production of emulsion explosives for the development of deposits was put into operation. The company cooperates with local mining enterprises and supplies them with products. The plant’s capacity is 5 thousand tons per year.

    The First Deputy Prime Minister and the head of the republic also flew over a number of deposits by helicopter, including Tastygskoye and Kyzyl-Tashtygskoye. Denis Manturov emphasized that the development of the Tastygskoye deposit for the production of lithium concentrate is not only a promising direction for supplies to the domestic market, but also has export potential. The Tastyg deposit in Tyva is one of the largest lithium deposits in Russia and one of the key ones for ensuring Russia’s technological sovereignty in the field of modern capacious power sources and energy storage.

    At a meeting with Vladislav Khovalyg, Denis Manturov recommended that the region more actively use the tools of the Industrial Development Fund, including to attract local investors. In addition, the First Deputy Prime Minister instructed the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade, together with the government of the republic and the management companies of private industrial parks, to work out the issue of their inclusion in the register of the Ministry of Industry and Trade. This will allow companies to apply for support measures from the ministry in the future.

    Vladislav Khovalyg reported to Denis Manturov on the start of the development of a preliminary feasibility study for the creation of the Central Eurasian Transport Corridor (CETC). At SPIEF-2025, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Khakassia and Tuva signed a memorandum, according to which the Center for Strategic Research Foundation began assessing the prospective cargo base. The technical specifications were approved by a working group formed on the initiative of Denis Manturov.

    Let us recall that the order to determine the feasibility of forming the Central Eurasian Transport Corridor was given by President Vladimir Putin within the framework of new strategic directions of Russia’s development. The Central Eurasian Transport Corridor provides an additional opportunity for the transit of goods to the Northern Sea Route via the Yenisei River and creates the basis for the northern branch of the New Silk Road.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Financial news: 50 years of Novy Urengoy (04.07.2025)

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

    Source: Central Bank of Russia –

    Novy Urengoy is one of the young cities of the country and the industrial center of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. Its construction began simultaneously with the development of the Urengoy gas field, which was the largest in the world at the time of its discovery.

    On July 7, 2025, the Bank of Russia will issue into circulation a commemorative silver coin of 3 rubles denomination “50th Anniversary of the Founding of Novy Urengoy” of the “Cities” series (catalog No. 5111-0523).

    The silver coin with a face value of 3 rubles (pure precious metal weight – 31.1 g, alloy fineness – 925) has the shape of a circle with a diameter of 39.0 mm.

    There is a raised edge around the circumference of both the front and back sides of the coin.

    On the obverse of the coin there is a relief image of the State Emblem of the Russian Federation, the inscriptions “RUSSIAN FEDERATION”, “BANK OF RUSSIA”, the coin denomination “3 RUBLES”, the date “2025”, the designation of the metal according to the Periodic Table of Elements of D.I. Mendeleyev, the alloy standard, the trademark of the St. Petersburg Mint and the mass of the precious metal in purity.

    On the reverse side of the coin there is a relief image of a stele against a background of a laser-matted image of drilling operations against a drilling rig; at the top left is a relief inscription in two lines “50 YEARS”; along the circumference is a national ornament made using the laser-matted technique.

    The side surface of the coin is ribbed.

    The coin is made in proof quality.

    The mintage of the coin is 3.0 thousand pieces.

    The issued coin is a legal tender in the territory of the Russian Federation and must be accepted at face value for all types of payments without restrictions.

    When using the material, a link to the Press Service of the Bank of Russia is required.

    Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

    Please Note; This Information is Raw Content Directly from the Information Source. It is access to What the Source Is Stating and Does Not Reflect

    HTTPS: //VVV.KBR.ru/Press/PR/? File = 638872180094114710KOins.HTM

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saturday, July 5, 2025

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Note: All times local

    Calgary, Alberta

    11:00 a.m. The Prime Minister will attend the Calgary Stampede pancake breakfast. 

    Note for media:

    • Pooled photo opportunity

    12:15 p.m. The Prime Minister will attend an event hosted by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce. 

    Closed to media

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: AGF Reports June 2025 Assets Under Management and Fee-Earning Assets

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, July 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AGF Management Limited reported total assets under management (AUM) and fee-earning assets1 of $55.0 billion as at June 30, 2025.

               
    AUM

    ($ billions)

    		 June 30,
    2025    		 May 31,
    2025    		 % Change
    Month-Over-
    Month    		 June 30,
    2024    		 % Change
    Year-Over-
    Year
    Total Mutual Fund $ 32.0 $ 31.0   $ 27.2  
    Exchange-traded funds + Separately managed accounts $ 3.0 $ 2.8   $ 1.9  
    Segregated accounts and Sub-advisory $ 6.6 $ 6.4   $ 6.4  
    AGF Private Wealth $ 8.7 $ 8.6   $ 7.9  
    Subtotal
    (before AGF Capital Partners AUM and fee-earning assets1)    		 $ 50.3 $ 48.8   $ 43.4  
    AGF Capital Partners $ 2.6 $ 2.6   $ 2.7  
    Total AUM $ 52.9 $ 51.4 2.9 % $ 46.1 14.8 %
    AGF Capital Partners fee-earning assets1 $ 2.1 $ 2.1   $ 2.1  
    Total AUM and fee-earning assets1 $ 55.0 $ 53.5 2.8 % $ 48.2 14.1 %
               
    Average Daily Mutual Fund AUM $ 31.3 $ 30.6   $ 27.3  

    1 Fee-earning assets represent assets in which AGF has carried interest ownership and earns recurring fees but does not have ownership interest in the managers.

    Mutual Fund AUM by Category

    ($ billions)

    		 June 30,
    2025    		 May 31,
    2025    		 June 30,
    2024
    Domestic Equity Funds $ 4.6 $ 4.5 $ 4.2
    U.S. and International Equity Funds $ 20.2 $ 19.5 $ 16.3
    Domestic Balanced Funds $ 0.1 $ 0.1 $ 0.1
    U.S. and International Balanced Funds $ 1.5 $ 1.4 $ 1.5
    Domestic Fixed Income Funds $ 2.0 $ 2.0 $ 1.7
    U.S. and International Fixed Income Funds $ 3.3 $ 3.2 $ 3.1
    Domestic Money Market $ 0.3 $ 0.3 $ 0.3
    Total Mutual Fund AUM $ 32.0 $ 31.0 $ 27.2
           

    AGF Capital Partners AUM and fee-earning assets

    ($ billions)

    June 30,
    2025

    May 31,
    2025

    June 30,
    2024
    AGF Capital Partners AUM $ 2.6 $ 2.6 $ 2.7
    AGF Capital Partners fee-earning assets $ 2.1 $ 2.1 $ 2.1
    Total AGF Capital Partners AUM and fee-earning assets $ 4.7 $ 4.7 $ 4.8

    About AGF Management Limited

    Founded in 1957, AGF Management Limited (AGF) is an independent and globally diverse asset management firm. Our companies deliver excellence in investing in the public and private markets through three business lines: AGF Investments, AGF Capital Partners and AGF Private Wealth.

    AGF brings a disciplined approach, focused on incorporating sound, responsible and sustainable corporate practices. The firm’s collective investment expertise, driven by its fundamental, quantitative and private investing capabilities, extends globally to a wide range of clients, from financial advisors and their clients to high-net worth and institutional investors including pension plans, corporate plans, sovereign wealth funds, endowments and foundations.

    Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, AGF has investment operations and client servicing teams on the ground in North America and Europe. With $55 billion in total assets under management and fee-earning assets, AGF serves more than 815,000 investors. AGF trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol AGF.B.

    AGF Management Limited shareholders, analysts and media, please contact:

    Nick Smerek
    VP, Financial Planning & Analysis
    416-865-4337, InvestorRelations@agf.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: South Africa: African Development Bank Country Focus Report highlights urgent need for economic transformation as GDP growth remains subdued

    Source: African Development Bank Group
    South Africa’s GDP growth declined to 0.6% in 2024 from 0.7% in 2023, underscoring the need for critical action and strategic reforms to unlock the country’s vast capital resources and accelerate economic growth, the African Development Bank emphasized in its Country Focus report launched on Wednesday.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Neguse, Bennet Joint Statement on NOAA Budget Cuts 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

    Washington, DC — Following the release of the White House’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal, Congressman Joe Neguse and Senator Michael Bennet issued the following joint statement condemning the proposed cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and its Cooperative Institutes (CIs).

    “Our Cooperative Institutes here in Colorado are vital to not only our state, but our country. These institutes — the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) and the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA) —employ hundreds of people in Colorado and protect millions across the nation through research on weather, drought, and fire events. These senseless proposed funding cuts would have devastating impacts felt nationwide and undermine the science our research communities rely on for generations to come.”

    “The critical work that researchers are doing everyday at NOAA and its Cooperative Institutes cannot be overstated. Their work is imperative to the personal safety and daily lives of all Americans. To eliminate funding for NOAA and its CI’s would be reckless and short-sighted. We urge the Department of Commerce to reverse any plans to eliminate funding for these critical institutions that diminish the strength of our national labs, and we will strongly oppose these dangerous proposals in the House and Senate.” 

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: The Gambia’s Good Market is now open: A pop-up event empowering Gambian entrepreneurs

    Source: APO

    The Gambia’s Good Market was officially opened today at UN75 Kotu Park through a collaborative effort led by the European Union Youth Empowerment Project – Tourism and Creative Industries and the International Trade Centre. 

    The Gambia`s Good Market is an initiative that gives Gambian youth and women entrepreneurs, especially those in the tourism and creative industries, a platform to showcase and sell their products. It aims to promote Made-in-The-Gambia products and services, strengthen market access for small businesses in the tourism and creative industries and connect entrepreneurs to customers. The initiative seeks to promote sustainable and inclusive tourism and was made possible in partnership with the Gambia Start-up Chamber of Commerce, Gambia Women’s Chamber of Commerce, ITC SheTrades Gambia Hub, the Ministry of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

    The Minister of Trade, Industry, Regional Integration and Employment, Hon. Baboucarr O. Joof, emphasized the importance of the market during his remarks. He said, “The Gambia’s Good Market is a landmark initiative. It is designed to drive sustainable growth in The Gambia’s tourism and trade sectors, provide economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs, and elevate the visibility of ‘Made in The Gambia’ products on both regional and global stages.”

    Speaking at the opening ceremony, the European Union Ambassador to The Gambia, Her Excellency Immaculada Roca i Cortés, highlighted that the EU Youth Empowerment Project – Tourism and Creative Industries is a flagship programme for the EU, delivering the EU/The Gambia join  agenda on inclusive economic growth through partnerships with the private sector and promotion of innovation and translating the ambitious objectives of the National Development Plan into concreate actions. She also underscored the focus of the platform on empowering Gambian youth and women – who are priority beneficiaries for the EU. “Through initiatives like the EU YEP Tourism and Creative Industries Programme, the European Union aims at expanding access to skills, tools, and markets for young innovators. Our goal is clear: to enhance the competitiveness of MSMEs and unlock sustainable employment,” she shared.

    The Senior Technical Expert on Tourism and Creative Industries at the International Trade Centre, Daouda Niang, highlighted that market access remains one of the biggest barriers for small businesses and reaffirmed ITC’s commitment to curbing this challenge.

    “The Gambia’s Good Market is one of our flagship initiatives designed to provide young people and women with a platform to access markets, build networks, make sales and expand their customer base. This market, which is 100% made in The Gambia, provides a unique opportunity for both locals and tourists an opportunity to experience the creativity and products of Gambian youth and women entrepreneurs,” Niang stated.

    Also speaking at the event, Kumbale Goode, Board Chairperson of the Gambia StartUp Chamber of Commerce (GSCC), stressed the market’s role in promoting local enterprise and economic development. “The Gambia’s Good Market fosters business growth, generates decent employment and deepens cross-sectoral linkages within the economy. We have about 30 businesses showcasing Made in The Gambia products,” she said

    The Gambia Good Market will be held every last Saturday of the month, coinciding with key festive events such as Koriteh, Easter, and Christmas.

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Trade Centre.

    Media files

    .

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI: PFMCrypto Launches $1M+ Rewards Campaign with AI-Powered 1-Day XRP Mining Contracts

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, England, July 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PFMCrypto, the world’s leading crypto asset management platform, has officially launched its innovative “1-Day Contract,” offering new users a flexible, low-risk entry point to experience the platform’s capabilities. The product debut is backed by a major promotional campaign featuring over $1 million in giveaways, including a $10 bonus for every new registrant.

    PFM Crypto Launches $1M+ Giveaway with New 1-Day XRP Mining Contract.
    Click here to explore more about PFMCrypto.

    What Is PFM Crypto XRP Mining Contract—and Why Now?
    Unlike traditional mining that relies on proof-of-work (PoW), XRP uses a consensus protocol, making conventional mining methods infeasible. PFMCrypto addresses this challenge by introducing a simulated cloud mining model that allows users to earn XRP rewards through mining contracts.

    PFMCrypto is a remote digital asset mining platform where users rent computing power from PFMCrypto’s high-performance, environmentally friendly mining facilities. Supporting a range of cryptocurrencies—including XRP, DOGE, BTC, LTC, and SOL—the platform eliminates technical and financial barriers, making passive income more accessible than ever.

    With the launch of the “1-Day Contract,” PFM Crypto expands from a high-performance VIP platform to a global solution welcoming retail traders and everyday investors.

    The platform currently supports over 9.2 million users in 192 countries, offers over 10 different contract options, giving users the freedom to select the plan that best suits their needs.
    Examples include:
    $10 Mining Contract – 1-day term – Earn $0.60 daily
    $100 Mining Contract – 2-day term – Earn $3.00 daily + $2 bonus
    $1,000 Mining Contract – 9-day term – Earn $13.10 daily
    $5,000 Mining Contract – 30-day term – Earn $78.50 daily
    These innovative plans enable long-term Cryptocurrency holders to remain invested during sideways or corrective markets while enjoying consistent returns.

    Click here to explore more mining contracts.

    “1-Day Contract” Launch Details
    The new product is now available across PFM Crypto’s web and mobile platforms. Priced at just $10 with $0.66 daily returns, it offers an easy and affordable way for users to tap into the PFM Crypto ecosystem.

    $1M+ Community Rewards Campaign
    To celebrate the launch, PFM Crypto has introduced a board-approved rewards initiative exceeding $1 million. The program provides true barrier-free access—all new users receive a $10 bonus credited instantly to their account.

    Click here to become a new user of PFMCrypto.

    Highlights of the Limited-Time Campaign
    –  Intensive 24-Hour Mining Window: A short-term format designed for rapid gains, allowing users to mine XRP, DOGE, BTC, LTC, and SOL in an optimized time frame, and get mining income every day
    –  $1M in Mining Rewards: Structured reward tiers of $10 / $35 / $1,800 / $4,800, incentivizing participation from both new and returning users.
    –  Enhanced Daily Yields: Users will enjoy elevated mining returns for the duration of the campaign.
    This bold campaign is designed to boost platform adoption, drive community engagement, and showcase PFMCrypto’s core value proposition.

    Click here to view the limited-time mining campaign.

    Why This Matters for Crypto Investors
    PFMCrypto blends AI innovation, financial technology, and real-world utility—a rare combination that resonates strongly with modern crypto investors. The platform delivers daily returns without requiring technical knowledge or active trading.

    Why PFMCrypto Is Ideal for XRP Mining—Both Beginners and Pros:
    –  No Equipment Needed: Instant access to institutional-grade mining infrastructure
    –  Zero Maintenance Fees: PFM Crypto covers electricity, cooling, and upkeep
    –  $10 Welcome Bonus: All new users receive a sign-up reward and login incentives
    –  Daily Payouts + Capital Protection: Earn income daily with your principal returned at maturity
    By focusing on measurable performance over hype, PFM Crypto has positioned itself as a serious, value-driven solution in the evolving crypto landscape.

    About PFM Crypto
    Operated by FCA-regulated Precision Financial Management Ltd (Company No. 11719896), PFM Crypto represents a new class of digital asset platforms—data-driven, results-oriented, and globally trusted. Since its founding in 2018, the Leyland-based company has emerged as one of the most promising crypto investment platforms for investors seeking consistent, real-world returns.

    For full campaign details and to participate: https://pfmcrypto.net 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: PFMCrypto Launches $1M+ Rewards Campaign with AI-Powered 1-Day XRP Mining Contracts

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, England, July 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — PFMCrypto, the world’s leading crypto asset management platform, has officially launched its innovative “1-Day Contract,” offering new users a flexible, low-risk entry point to experience the platform’s capabilities. The product debut is backed by a major promotional campaign featuring over $1 million in giveaways, including a $10 bonus for every new registrant.

    PFM Crypto Launches $1M+ Giveaway with New 1-Day XRP Mining Contract.
    Click here to explore more about PFMCrypto.

    What Is PFM Crypto XRP Mining Contract—and Why Now?
    Unlike traditional mining that relies on proof-of-work (PoW), XRP uses a consensus protocol, making conventional mining methods infeasible. PFMCrypto addresses this challenge by introducing a simulated cloud mining model that allows users to earn XRP rewards through mining contracts.

    PFMCrypto is a remote digital asset mining platform where users rent computing power from PFMCrypto’s high-performance, environmentally friendly mining facilities. Supporting a range of cryptocurrencies—including XRP, DOGE, BTC, LTC, and SOL—the platform eliminates technical and financial barriers, making passive income more accessible than ever.

    With the launch of the “1-Day Contract,” PFM Crypto expands from a high-performance VIP platform to a global solution welcoming retail traders and everyday investors.

    The platform currently supports over 9.2 million users in 192 countries, offers over 10 different contract options, giving users the freedom to select the plan that best suits their needs.
    Examples include:
    $10 Mining Contract – 1-day term – Earn $0.60 daily
    $100 Mining Contract – 2-day term – Earn $3.00 daily + $2 bonus
    $1,000 Mining Contract – 9-day term – Earn $13.10 daily
    $5,000 Mining Contract – 30-day term – Earn $78.50 daily
    These innovative plans enable long-term Cryptocurrency holders to remain invested during sideways or corrective markets while enjoying consistent returns.

    Click here to explore more mining contracts.

    “1-Day Contract” Launch Details
    The new product is now available across PFM Crypto’s web and mobile platforms. Priced at just $10 with $0.66 daily returns, it offers an easy and affordable way for users to tap into the PFM Crypto ecosystem.

    $1M+ Community Rewards Campaign
    To celebrate the launch, PFM Crypto has introduced a board-approved rewards initiative exceeding $1 million. The program provides true barrier-free access—all new users receive a $10 bonus credited instantly to their account.

    Click here to become a new user of PFMCrypto.

    Highlights of the Limited-Time Campaign
    –  Intensive 24-Hour Mining Window: A short-term format designed for rapid gains, allowing users to mine XRP, DOGE, BTC, LTC, and SOL in an optimized time frame, and get mining income every day
    –  $1M in Mining Rewards: Structured reward tiers of $10 / $35 / $1,800 / $4,800, incentivizing participation from both new and returning users.
    –  Enhanced Daily Yields: Users will enjoy elevated mining returns for the duration of the campaign.
    This bold campaign is designed to boost platform adoption, drive community engagement, and showcase PFMCrypto’s core value proposition.

    Click here to view the limited-time mining campaign.

    Why This Matters for Crypto Investors
    PFMCrypto blends AI innovation, financial technology, and real-world utility—a rare combination that resonates strongly with modern crypto investors. The platform delivers daily returns without requiring technical knowledge or active trading.

    Why PFMCrypto Is Ideal for XRP Mining—Both Beginners and Pros:
    –  No Equipment Needed: Instant access to institutional-grade mining infrastructure
    –  Zero Maintenance Fees: PFM Crypto covers electricity, cooling, and upkeep
    –  $10 Welcome Bonus: All new users receive a sign-up reward and login incentives
    –  Daily Payouts + Capital Protection: Earn income daily with your principal returned at maturity
    By focusing on measurable performance over hype, PFM Crypto has positioned itself as a serious, value-driven solution in the evolving crypto landscape.

    About PFM Crypto
    Operated by FCA-regulated Precision Financial Management Ltd (Company No. 11719896), PFM Crypto represents a new class of digital asset platforms—data-driven, results-oriented, and globally trusted. Since its founding in 2018, the Leyland-based company has emerged as one of the most promising crypto investment platforms for investors seeking consistent, real-world returns.

    For full campaign details and to participate: https://pfmcrypto.net 

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Commission to cut EU Taxonomy red tape for companies

    Source: European Commission

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 04 Jul 2025 The European Commission has adopted a set of measures to simplify the application of EU Taxonomy. This will reduce the administrative burden for EU companies, thus enhancing EU competitiveness while preserving core climate and environmental goals.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – European Oceans Pact and the emissions trading system covering buildings, road transport and additional sectors (ETS2). – E-002014/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    All sectors, including waterborne activities, need to contribute to the EU climate neutrality goal by 2050.

    The Commission announced in the European Ocean Pact[1] that it will propose measures to decarbonise and modernise the fisheries fleet, supported by the Energy Transition Partnership for the fisheries and aquaculture sector.

    In addition, it recalled the importance of the recent extension of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) to maritime and the implementation of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation[2] to accelerate the decarbonisation of the EU maritime transport sector.

    Furthermore, the Commission is launching a study on greenhouse gas emission reduction costs and pathways for EU fisheries to achieve net zero by 2050[3].

    The ETS2 — which will be fully operational from 2027 onwards — will cover and address the CO2 emissions from fuel combustion in buildings, road transport and industry not covered by the existing EU ETS.

    While emissions from waterborne activities are not included in its scope, Member States can decide, on a voluntary basis, to opt-in additional emissions. Some Member States, including Austria, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden, have already decided to include, within the scope of ETS2, emissions from some smaller vessels, inland navigation and/or fishing.

    In addition, the Commission will examine, no later than end of 2026, the feasibility and economic, environmental and social impacts of including ships below 5 000 gross tonnage within the scope of the ETS Directive[4].

    The Commission will notably build its analysis on its recent report[5] looking at the potential inclusion of small ships, including fishing vessels, in the scope of the EU regulation for the Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of maritime emissions.

    • [1]  COM(2025) 281 final — https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=comnat:COM_2025_0281_FIN.
    • [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/1805/oj/eng.
    • [3] The study is expected to be published by the end of 2025 and will explore complementary scenarios, including the introduction of fisheries into the MRV and ETS systems.
    • [4] Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC (OJ L 275, 25.10.2003, p. 32).
    • [5]  COM(2025) 109 final — https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52025DC0109&qid=1749048682099.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EU invests €852 million in six innovative electric vehicle battery projects

    Source: EuroStat – European Statistics

    European Commission Press release Brussels, 04 Jul 2025 Today, the European Commission announced that six pioneering electric vehicle (EV) battery cell manufacturing projects will receive a total of €852 million in grants from the Innovation Fund, using revenues from the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Spain: EIB and Castilla y León regional government sign €74 million loan to finance projects related to agriculture, forestry, and climate change adaptation and mitigation in rural areas

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • This is the first tranche of a total approved loan of €245 million to co-finance projects under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
    • The financing will enable the Castilla y León regional government to co-finance projects to modernise farms, recover forest land and facilitate climate change mitigation and adaptation in rural areas.
    • The agreement stands out for its contribution to climate action and environmental sustainability, support for agriculture and the bioeconomy, and promotion of cohesion, all of which are EIB Group strategic priorities.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a €74 million loan with the government of the Spanish region of Castilla y León (Junta de Castilla y León) to co-finance rural and agricultural and forestry sector investment under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) operational plan for 2023-2027. This is the first tranche of total approved EIB financing of €245 million.

    The EIB loan and Junta de Castilla y León co-financing will provide support for projects to modernise farms across the region, as well as for climate change adaptation and natural resource management. They will also make it easier to access financing for forest land planting and recovery projects and agroforestry land conversions. In addition, the loan will back climate change mitigation and adaptation investment in rural areas and the LEADER local development programme.

    The agreement highlights the commitment of the European Investment Bank Group (EIB Group) to climate action and environmental sustainability, economic, social and territorial cohesion, and support for agriculture and the bioeconomy, three of the eight priorities set out in the Group’s Strategic Roadmap for 2024-2027. All of the operations will take place within the Castilla y León region.

    This co-financing agreement under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development comes in addition to the agreement to support the dual green and digital transition, education and innovation in the region signed by the Junta de Castilla y León and the EIB in June 2024. The 2024 agreement was signed under the 2021-2027 operational plan of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and other EU funds.

    Background information

    EIB

    The European Investment Bank (ElB) is the long-term lending institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. Built around eight core priorities, we finance investments that contribute to EU policy objectives by bolstering climate action and the environment, digitalisation and technological innovation, security and defence, cohesion, agriculture and bioeconomy, social infrastructure, the capital markets union, and a stronger Europe in a more peaceful and prosperous world.

    The EIB Group, which also includes the European Investment Fund (EIF), signed nearly €89 billion in new financing for over 900 high-impact projects in 2024, boosting Europe’s competitiveness and security.

    All projects financed by the EIB Group are in line with the Paris Agreement, as pledged in its Climate Bank Roadmap. Almost 60% of the EIB Group’s annual financing supports projects directly contributing to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and a healthier environment.

    In Spain, the EIB Group signed €12.3 billion of new financing for more than 100 high-impact projects in 2024. This financing is contributing to the country’s green and digital transition, economic growth, competitiveness and improved services for residents.

    High-quality, up-to-date photos of the organisation’s headquarters for media use are available here.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: EIB Global steps up support for Montenegro’s economic development

    Source: European Investment Bank

    EIB

    • EIB has signed a Host Country Agreement with the government of Montenegro  
    • EIB will provide a loan of €18 million loan and a grant of €2.3 million for the Montenegro’s education system  
    • Montenegro will use the loan for nationwide school renovations, while UNOPS will deploy the grant to provide technical assistance

    Today at the European Investment Bank (EIB Global)’s Headquarters in Luxembourg, EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot and Montenegro’s Minister of Finance Novica Vukovic signed a Host Country Agreement between the EIB and Montenegro. This milestone reaffirms EIB Global’s commitment to supporting Montenegro on its path towards convergence with the EU, while paving the way for an EIB Representative to be based in the country for closer collaboration in the future.

    In the presence of Montenegro’s Minister of Education Andjela Jaksic-Stojanovic and UNOPS Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Executive Director for Delivery and Partnerships Kirstine Damkjaer, EIB Global signed a €20.3 million for the Montenegrin education sector. These funds comprise of an €18 million loan to the Montenegrin government and a grant to the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) for €2.3 million for technical assistance ensuring that the funds are used a strategically and impactfully.

    The loan will go towards the renovation and digitalisation of pre-primary, primary and secondary schools in Montenegro, as well as to energy-efficiency improvements and the installation of new equipment for vocational training. Provided under the EIB’s Economic Resilience Initiative, the grant will be used by UNOPS to deliver technical support to the Montenegrin Ministry of Education in assessing existing school infrastructure and preparing key investment projects, while ensuring a strategic and impactful deployment of funds

    “The Host Country Agreement signed today formalises the strong EIB support to Montenegro and marks a new chapter in our longstanding cooperation. This, alongside today’s new financing for Montenegro’s education sector, is set to bolster the country’s economic resilience. By creating a cutting-edge learning environment, we will deliver immediate and lasting benefits for students and teachers across Montenegro, while fostering youth employability and economic sustainability in response to evolving market demands.,” EIB Vice-President Robert de Groot said.

    “Today’s signing of the loan agreement to improve education infrastructure, along with a Host Country Agreement establishing the EIB’s presence in Montenegro, strongly reaffirms the strategic partnership and mutual trust we have built over the years. These investments are not just about renovating schools – they are about investing in people, in knowledge, and in Montenegro’s future. The EIB’s physical presence in our country will further strengthen cooperation and ensure more effective implementation of development projects that serve our citizens and accelerate our path toward EU integration.”, said Finance Minister Novica Vuković.

    The new accords bring total EIB Global support for education in Montenegro to €55 million since 2019, including an EU grant for €11 million provided under the Western Balkans Investment Framework. One result of previous financing in this area is the opening of Vladimir Nazor primary school in Podgorica

    “The project entitled “Enhancing the Montenegrin Education System,” implemented by the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance and the European Investment Bank, is already producing tangible results. We are building new schools, renovating existing facilities, modernizing vocational schools, and investing in advanced equipment and infrastructure. This represents the most comprehensive investment in education infrastructure in the history of our country. My special thanks go to the EIB and UNOPS for their continued trust, support, and commitment to our shared vision for the future of education in Montenegro,” said Education Minister Andjela Jakšić-Stojanović.

    UNOPS has years of experience working with the Montenegrin government to advance a range of areas including education.        

    “This agreement marks a milestone in UNOPS’ partnership with the EIB and the Government of Montenegro. UNOPS is proud to play a role in driving a transformative shift in Montenegro’s education system to ensure that appropriate infrastructure addresses the needs of people and becomes the enabler of key reforms in the country,” said Kirstine Damkjaer, UNOPS Deputy Executive Director for Delivery and Partnerships Kirstine Damkjaer.

    “With this new investment, the European Union is helping Montenegro improve everyday conditions of pupils and teachers across the country. Renovated classrooms, energy-efficient buildings, and modern equipment are not only vital for quality education — they also support long-term economic development and social cohesion. This is a strategic investment in Montenegro’s future, and a clear sign of our continued partnership on the path to EU membership.”, said EU Ambassador to Montenegro Johan Sattler.

    Background information

    About the EIB and EIB Global

    The EIB is the long-term financing institution of the European Union, owned by its Member States. It makes long-term finance available for sound investment in order to contribute towards EU policy goals. The EIB supports projects in four priority areas: infrastructure, innovation, climate and environment, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). EIB Global is the EIB Group’s specialised arm devoted to increasing the impact of international partnerships and development finance, and a key partner of Global Gateway. It aims to support €100 billion of investment by the end of 2027 – around one-third of the overall target of this EU initiative. Within Team Europe, EIB Global fosters strong, focused partnerships alongside fellow development finance institutions and civil society. EIB Global brings the EIB Group closer to local people, companies and institutions through its offices around the world.

    About the EIB in Montenegro

    The EU bank has been an active partner of Montenegro, providing almost €1.1 billion in loans to the country, mostly in support of SMEs, education and transport infrastructure. For more information on EIB projects in Montenegro, visit https://www.eib.org/en/projects/regions/enlargement/the-western-balkans/montenegro/index.htm. 

    About the Economic Resilience Initiative (ERI)

    The Economic Resilience Initiative, which backs the grant awareded, was established by the EIB in 2016 to channel donors’ resources to impactful projects in the Southern Neighbourhood and Western Balkans to help meet the challenges posed by forced displacement and migration. ERI has measurable economic, social and environmental outcomes that contribute to sustainable development goals relating to clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, and sustainable cities and communities.

    About UNOPS

    UNOPS offers practical solutions across peace and security, humanitarian and development operations. We help the United Nations, governments and other partners, such as the European Union, its Member States and financial institutions like the European Investment Bank, to manage projects, and deliver sustainable infrastructure and procurement across the world.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Enforcement of the Digital Markets Act in the context of EU-US trade negotiations – P-002647/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-002647/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Stéphanie Yon-Courtin (Renew), Alexandra Geese (Verts/ALE), Pierre Jouvet (S&D), Nathalie Loiseau (Renew), Laura Ballarín Cereza (S&D), Anna Cavazzini (Verts/ALE), Petras Auštrevičius (Renew), Kim Van Sparrentak (Verts/ALE), Robert Biedroń (S&D), Elisabeth Grossmann (S&D), Helmut Brandstätter (Renew), Bart Groothuis (Renew), Rasmus Andresen (Verts/ALE), Laurence Farreng (Renew), Irena Joveva (Renew), Marie-Pierre Vedrenne (Renew), Valérie Devaux (Renew), Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová (Renew), Ľubica Karvašová (Renew), Jean-Marc Germain (S&D), Lena Schilling (Verts/ALE), Christophe Grudler (Renew), Pascal Canfin (Renew), Katarina Barley (S&D), Fabienne Keller (Renew)

    The Digital Markets Act (DMA) became fully applicable in March 2024 and constitutes a cornerstone of the EU’s digital regulatory framework, ensuring fair competition and contestability in digital markets.

    However, recent media reports[1] suggest that the EU and the United States are discussing exempting US companies from DMA enforcement in their negotiations on tariffs and a reciprocal trade agreement. While Commission President von der Leyen stated that ‘the sovereignty of our decision-making process is untouchable’, the Commission’s spokesperson has not clearly ruled out temporary enforcement concessions. Senior officials from the Commission’s Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security have suggested that, while ‘regulatory autonomy’ remains a red line, flexibility in application could still be explored.

    Such a move raises serious concerns about the integrity of the EU’s regulatory framework and the equal treatment of companies subject to the DMA. It would set a dangerous precedent for external interference in EU legislation.

    • 1.Can the Commission clearly, unequivocally and publicly confirm that it will neither delay nor suspend the enforcement of the DMA for US companies and will not use it as a trade instrument?
    • 2.How will the Commission ensure the uniform and timely application of the DMA, regardless of trade talks?
    • 3.How will Parliament be kept fully informed, directly by the Commission, of any such discussions with non-EU countries, rather than learning about them through the media?

    Submitted: 30.6.2025

    • [1] https://www.wsj.com/economy/trade/u-s-eu-near-deal-on-non-tariff-trade-irritants-455c42f1.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Written question – Application of the Digital Markets Act – reports about a common committee with tech companies – P-002678/2025

    Source: European Parliament

    Priority question for written answer  P-002678/2025
    to the Commission
    Rule 144
    Matthias Ecke (S&D)

    German newspaper Handelsblatt last week reported on a potential ‘deal’ between negotiators from the US and the Commission in order to prevent an escalation of the trade conflict, citing EU negotiating circles. US tech companies are to be given a say in the application of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in future, in the form of a common committee.

    Such a step would significantly undermine the regulation of tech companies. In times where US tech giants are introducing new features (for example, Google’s AI summaries at the top of its search results), Europe must enforce its existing legislation to protect competition, innovation and consumer choice, instead of inviting the target of the regulatory measure to (re-)shape it.

    With regard to our aim of digital sovereignty, I would like to ask the Commission:

    • 1.Can you explain the state of play regarding these negotiations?
    • 2.Can you guarantee that DMA enforcement will be exclusively based on the procedures laid down in the regulation, without the forming of any body which includes (and gives a say to) the regulated entities?
    • 3.Is the Commission assessing Google’s use of AI summaries at the top of its search results under the DMA?

    Submitted: 1.7.2025

    Last updated: 4 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI: Countdown to Launch: Lightchain AI Begins Final Presale Phase

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SHREWSBURY, United Kingdom, July 04, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lightchain AI, a next-generation blockchain infrastructure platform designed for decentralized artificial intelligence, has announced the start of its Final Bonus Round, following the successful close of its structured presale which raised $21.1 million.

    This final round offers LCAI tokens at a fixed price of $0.007125, providing early supporters and new contributors a last opportunity to participate before the upcoming mainnet launch in July 2025. The structured presale, which included 15 stages and attracted a wide base of early supporters, has helped Lightchain AI build strong traction heading into its network deployment phase.

    Milestone Reflects Growing Confidence in On-Chain AI Infrastructure

    Lightchain AI’s architecture is centered around its proprietary Artificial Intelligence Virtual Machine (AIVM) and Proof-of-Intelligence (PoI) consensus. These technologies allow AI workloads to be executed directly on-chain while maintaining decentralization, transparency, and efficiency. The platform’s consensus mechanism rewards validators for completing meaningful AI computational tasks—transforming network security into a driver for decentralized intelligence.

    The funds raised have been strategically allocated to validator onboarding, ecosystem tools, infrastructure expansion, and grant programs. The team also removed the previously reserved 5% Team Allocation, redirecting it toward builder incentives and network growth to maintain decentralization and transparency.

    Developer Ecosystem and Validator Activity Expanding

    The Lightchain Developer Portal is now live, providing access to SDKs, APIs, and documentation for developers building AI-integrated dApps. A $150,000 grant program is underway to support early builders and technical contributors. The platform’s staking mechanism is fully deployed, enabling validators to simulate reward mechanisms as they prepare for the full network rollout.

    Additionally, Lightchain AI has begun opening access to its public GitHub repositories, ensuring that development efforts remain open and verifiable by the community.

    Final Phase Opens Ahead of Mainnet

    Lightchain AI’s Bonus Round comes with fixed pricing and access to ecosystem incentives and governance tools. It also provides contributors early entry into validator opportunities and token-based rewards structures designed to support long-term network alignment.

    “Crossing $21 million raised is an important validation of our technology and community-first approach,” said a Lightchain AI spokesperson. “This final round is about more than tokens—it’s about expanding our ecosystem and empowering builders as we head toward mainnet.”

    Key Launch Milestones Ahead

    • Mainnet Launch – July 2025
    • Developer Grant Applications – Opening Q3 2025
    • Validator Participation – Ongoing
    • Public GitHub Access – Rolling release through Q3

    To Learn More or Join the Final Bonus Round

    Website: https://lightchain.ai
    Whitepaper: https://lightchain.ai/lightchain-whitepaper.pdf
    Twitter/X: https://x.com/LightchainAI
    Telegram: https://t.me/LightchainProtocol

    Contact:
    SHAJAN SKARIA
    media@lightchain.ai

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    The MIL Network –