NewzIntel.com

Category: Climate Change

  • MIL-OSI USA: Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Ensures Accountability and Prioritizes Public Safety in Federal Hiring

    US Senate News:

    Source: US Whitehouse
    ESTABLISHING POLICIES THAT DRIVE ACCOUNTABLE HIRING: Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a Presidential Memorandum that requires many federal hires to be approved by an agency’s presidentially appointed leadership, to end incompetence and “equity” over results.
    This prohibits filling vacant federal civilian positions or creating new ones without approval from agency leadership, with certain exceptions.
    Exemptions from the policy for immigration enforcement, national security, and public safety positions shall remain, which apply to roles like Department of Veterans Affairs medical personnel, food safety inspectors, firefighters, air traffic controllers, and National Weather Service employees.

    This Memorandum provides that the policy applies through October 15, 2025.
    The Memorandum allows hiring that is directly approved by senior agency leadership appointed by the President.
    This ensures democratic accountability, rather than hiring being driven by the bureaucracy, and that hiring decisions are based on agency priorities.

    It also clarifies that any hiring of employees be consistent with the Merit Hiring Plan issued by the Administration on May 29, 2025.
    PROMOTING FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY: President Trump is strengthening accountable hiring practices to ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently.
    In the last two years of the Biden Administration, government was directly responsible for the creation of more than 1 in every 4 jobs.
    President Trump is committed to reversing this trend by prioritizing private-sector job growth and maintaining oversight of hiring by presidentially appointed leadership.
    This ensures the Federal workforce remains focused on essential functions and fully aligned with administration priorities. 

    REFORMING THE FEDERAL BUREAUCRACY: The American people elected President Trump to drain the swamp and end ineffective government programs that empower government without achieving measurable results.
    The government wastes billions of dollars each year on duplicative programs and frivolous expenditures that fail to align with American values or address the needs of the American people.
    The Trump Administration is committed to streamlining the Federal Government, eliminating unnecessary programs, and reducing bureaucratic inefficiency.
    President Trump launched a 10-to-1 deregulation initiative, ensuring every new rule is justified by clear benefits.
    President Trump authorized buyout programs to encourage federal employees to leave voluntarily.
    Through these actions, President Trump is keeping his promise to restore efficiency and accountability in the Federal Government.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI New Zealand: Future leaders build resilience in 72-hour national design-athon – BRANZ

    Source: BRANZ

    8 July 2025 – Future leaders build resilience in 72-hour national design-athon
    Some of New Zealand’s brightest students have competed in a 72-hour ‘design-athon’ event to create resilient housing that can withstand multiple disasters.
    The BRANZ (Building Research Association of New Zealand) event called ArchEngBuild featured 40 final-year students from across the country in architecture, engineering, construction management, landscape architecture, and sustainable engineering.
    The students met for the first time at the University of Auckland and were split into ten teams to compete for the $12,000 cash prize.
    This year’s brief was to design a resilient, sustainable and affordable community building concept that safeguards people from hazards like flooding, earthquakes, fire and high winds. It also needed to be adaptable to different family needs and quickly reinstated if disaster struck.
    The hypothetical site for the development was at the bottom of the Auckland Domain, an area hit hard by the Auckland Anniversary flooding in 2023.
    Flood-resilience was a strong feature of the winning team’s design which included water retention ponds and timber buildings on stilts. However, it was the focus on community that stood out for the judges.
    The winners developed a housing concept called Rauhītia, which means to gather, shelter and care for collectively.
    The largely modular design featured a mixture of townhouses, apartments and standalone homes as well as a community facility and childcare centre to encourage multigenerational living and togetherness.
    The winning students are:
    Enoch Shi, University of Auckland architecture student
    Beatrice Hong, Otago Polytechnic, construction management
    Bella Mercardo – Victoria University of Wellington, sustainable engineering
    Shivam Bansal University of Auckland, structural engineering
    The winners were announced by BRANZ Board Chair Nigel Smith at a prizegiving event at the University of Auckland.
    “This event wasn’t just about meeting a brief-it was about reimagining the future of resilience in our built environment.
    “The competition challenged students to work collaboratively to push the boundaries of what’s possible in designing buildings that don’t just withstand disaster, but adapt and thrive in the face of New Zealand’s unique environmental challenges.
    “This focus is critical-not for some distant future, but for projects that urgently demand fresh thinking today,” said Nigel Smith.
    Architecture student Enoch Shi contributed the winning result to strong teamwork and a clear focus on community at the core of their concept.
    “When we started the project, we asked ourselves – what does resilience mean to us? It can mean different things, but for us it really meant creating communities that protect and serve each other. Research shows the communities that are more bonded together are much more prepared in the face of disaster,” Enoch said.
    The judges were impressed by the strong interdisciplinary collaboration under intense time-pressure pressure.
    “The main theme this year was resilience. It was about building for hazards, but the winning team understood that it is about community at its heart. Their project provided a great base for a diverse population and a healthy community a mixture of housing technologies like medium density and townhouses,” said Ferdinand Oswald, Senior Lecturer of Architectural Technology, University of Auckland.
    Overall, the judges were impressed with all of the students’ optimism and creativity in solving some of today’s biggest challenges – including resilience, sustainability and affordability in our buildings.
    These are key focus areas for BRANZ through its independent research and testing to support better buildings in Aotearoa New Zealand.
    “These students are going to change the building industry,” said BRANZ Chief Executive Claire Falck.
    “They are hitting the real world with the right attitude and focus on collaboration and innovation to overcome the significant challenges facing our industry and communities.”
    BRANZ is proud to fund ArchEngBuild, through the Building Research Levy, along with industry sponsorship from:
    Concrete New Zealand,
    Metals New Zealand,
    the Timber Design Society,
    Southbase,
    And, new sponsors this year: The Sustainable Steel Council
    The 2025 judging panel included:
    Ferdinand Oswald – Senior Lecturer of Architectural Technology at The University of Auckland
    Craig Hopkins – CEO of Generation Homes
    Ana Petrovic – Senior Structural Engineer at AECOM
    Anne Carrington – Senior Associate with Warren & Mahoney Architects, and
    Andrew Norriss – Landscape Architect Director – HoneStudio
    BRANZ is committed to a future where all New Zealanders can live in safe, healthy and sustainable homes. Find out more: branz.co.nz

    MIL OSI New Zealand News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Amid Trump’s assault on public lands, California conserves over one million acres of land and coastal waters in just one year

    Source: US State of California Governor

    Jul 7, 2025

    What you need to know: California added area the equivalent of Glacier National Park to its conserved lands and coastal waters in just the last year – marking significant progress toward its goal of 30% conservation by 2030.

    SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced California protected over one million acres of land and coastal waters in the last year, marking significant progress toward the state’s goal of conserving 30% of its lands and coastal waters by 2030. The amount of land and water protected in the last year is equivalent to the size of Glacier National Park.

    Today’s announcement comes as the Trump administration continues its assault on public lands and National Parks. Last month, the Newsom administration sent a letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior warning of public safety risks and reduced access due to major cuts proposed to staff and programs that support National Parks and other federal public lands. In contrast, California is expanding access to the outdoors, investing in communities and laying the groundwork for further expansion.

    The state’s 2025 30×30 Progress Report released today marks the halfway point toward the state’s goal of conserving 30% of its lands and coastal waters by 2030. The report shows significant progress: as of June 2025, 26.1% of California’s lands and 21.9% of its coastal waters are now under long-term conservation and care, bringing the state well within reach of its 30×30 target.

    “President Trump and radical Republicans may not see the value of protecting our lands and waters but California does. We’ve conserved millions of acres of lands and coastal waters – adding an area equivalent to Glacier National Park in just the last year – and bolstered our partnerships with tribal nations and local communities. We’re proving that conservation isn’t just good for nature. It’s critical for people, too.”

    Governor Gavin Newsom

    Since Governor Newsom launched California’s 30×30 initiative in 2020, and with the passage of Senate Bill 337 in 2023, the state has made historic investments and thousands of Californians have come together to protect the landscapes that make California unique. The 2025 report shows:

    • An additional 853,000 acres of land and 191,000 acres of coastal waters were counted as conserved over the past year — equivalent in size to Glacier National Park.
    • Significant progress on 104 of the 112 action steps in the Pathways to 30×30 strategy, the state’s roadmap released in 2022 to guide implementation.
    • For the first time, major additions to marine conservation areas, following extensive tribal consultation, scientific guidance, and public input.

    “This progress report reflects years of hard work by thousands of Californians, from tribal leaders to ranchers, scientists to surfers,” said California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot. “But it’s a midpoint, not a finish line but through continued work together we will achieve this important target.” 

    Key 2025 highlights include:

    • California funds record levels of conservation, including Wildlife Conservation Board grants supporting the acquisition of ~50,000 acres, with approximately $180 million state dollars leveraging around $120 million of funding from other sources. These investments conserve key wildlife corridors, wetlands and creeks; build infrastructure that ensures access to nature for all; and returns ancestral lands to California Native American tribes.
    • Increased tribal partnership through historic levels of ancestral land return, co-management agreements, and bringing beneficial fire back to the landscape to restore healthy forests. More than 150 years after California banned the practice of cultural burning, California can now enter into agreements with federally recognized tribes—honoring tribal sovereignty, healing historical wrongs, and benefiting biodiversity. The Karuk Tribe established the first agreement in February 2025, which empowered tribal cultural fire practitioners to conduct burns using Traditional Ecological Knowledge.
    • Passage of Proposition 4, the $10 billion Climate Bond approved by voters in November, which will drive continued progress on 30×30, climate resilience and wildfire preparedness.
    • The launch of a new marine conservation framework, adding thousands of acres of coastal waters as 30×30 Conservation Areas. This action plan identifies new potential 30×30 designations and engages with previously designated areas to ensure meaningful biodiversity outcomes and balanced sustainable ocean uses, where appropriate.
    • Recognition of California’s Marine Protected Area Network, a critical component of our 30×30 strategy in coastal waters, as the international gold standard for marine conservation. This network was officially accepted to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas, a high-profile international certification that recognizes the most successful examples of biodiversity conservation worldwide. 

    The progress outlined in the report reflects the work, leadership and deep collaboration among tribal governments, local communities, landowners, conservation organizations, scientists, and public agencies. Over the past three years, California has allocated more than $1.3 billion in state funding to support 30×30 implementation. This is on top of the state’s historic investment of more than $1 billion for expanding parks and nature access, including to Californians who live in underserved communities.

    Press releases, Recent news

    Recent news

    Jul 7, 2025

    News SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments: Thanne Berg, of Albany, has been appointed Deputy Director of Site Mitigation and Restoration Program at the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. Berg has been Acting…

    Jul 7, 2025

    News Recovery moves into next phase with focused plan to fast-track reconstruction and support impacted communities What you need to know: Governor Newsom has announced that debris removal for the Los Angeles firestorm is now substantially complete just six months…

    Jul 4, 2025

    News Sacramento, California – Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring July 4, 2025, as “Independence Day” in the State of California.The text of the proclamation and a copy can be found below: PROCLAMATIONEach year on the Fourth of July, we…

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Dramatic Reduction in Emissions Must Start Now, Secretary-General Tells BRICS Conference, Calling Impact on Human Health ‘Atrocious’

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the BRICS [Brazil, Russian Federation, India, China and South Africa] Summit session titled “Environment, COP30 and Global Health”, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, today:

    Our environment is being attacked on all fronts:  pollution poisoning land and water; biodiversity destroyed at an appalling rate; and of course, the climate crisis.

    Across the world, lives and livelihoods are being ripped apart, and sustainable development gains left in tatters — as disasters accelerate.

    The impact on human health is atrocious:  Extreme heat kills.  So does water contamination.  Destroyed lands and harvests push up prices and aggravate hunger.  Our changing climate inflames the spread of disease — from malaria to dengue fever.

    The vulnerable and the poorer pay the highest price.  And we absolutely need to tackle the point where climate and health meet.  And that is where the World Health Organization’s (WHO) role is fundamental.

    As we speak, emissions keep rising.  The 1.5°C limit is on a knife’s edge.  We absolutely need a dramatic reduction in emissions — starting now.

    The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities must apply, but all countries must make an extra effort.  And we must accelerate the pace of the energy transformation with justice, in order to make sure that all countries can benefit.

    Renewables already largely match fossil fuels in global installed power capacity.  And clean energy investments are racing ahead of fossil fuels.  Renewables are the cheapest and fastest new electricity almost everywhere.  And we can’t forget the 700 million people still without electricity in the world.

    Renewables boost energy security and sovereignty, liberating countries from volatile fossil fuel markets, connecting people to power in the most remote locations and powering sustainable development.  And renewables and electrification don’t churn out toxic air pollution — which today kills 7 million people every year.

    We need Governments to build on the progress of last year’s biodiversity COP, particularly reaching an ambitious agreement on finance.  We need a legally binding treaty on plastic pollution — this year.  And we need to make COP30 [thirtieth Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change] a success.  I urge you to demonstrate how multilateralism counts, addressing the world’s needs in these difficult and divided times.

    And to come forward by September with ambitious new national climate plans — or nationally determined contributions that show the way:

    That cover all emissions and the whole economy; align with the 1.5°C limit; and advance the global energy transition goals agreed at COP28.

    We need to tackle injustices in the critical minerals value chain, and to ensure developing countries receive maximum benefit from their resources, as recommended by the United Nations Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals.  And we need you standing firm on finance for a just, equitable transition.

    Developed countries must keep their promises, including the $40 billion a year for adaptation starting in 2025.  Adaptation needs are particularly dramatic in developing countries that barely contribute to climate change.

    We must ensure that the $300 billion a year by 2035 for developing countries agreed in Baku is delivered, and chart a course to raising $1.3 trillion a year, including new and innovative sources of finance and a credible price on carbon.

    We must bolster South-South cooperation and improve new models such as the Just Energy Transition Partnerships.  And we must fill the coffers of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.

    Allow me a story.  When this Fund was created, the pledging conference that took place in COP resulted in a sum that corresponded to the contract salary of the best well-paid basketball player in the United States.  This shows that we must be serious when we talk about the Loss and Damage Fund.

    But, the problem goes far beyond climate finance.  As I said yesterday, we must invest in the reform of the international financial architecture and institutions, take action on debt relief, and triple the finance and capacity of the multilateral development banks to the benefit of developing countries.

    This is a moment of profound peril and possibility.  I urge the BRICS countries to be a pillar of the world’s response in solidarity — for people, planet and prosperity.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: UN warns of worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan as displacement, hunger and disease escalate

    Source: United Nations 2

    The situation is particularly dire in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur province, which has witnessed some of the worst episodes of the ongoing conflict between rival militaries.

    Those remaining in El Fasher are facing “extreme shortages” of food and clean water, with markets repeatedly disrupted, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists at the regular news briefing in New York.

    Across the city, nearly 40 per cent of children under five are suffering from acute malnutrition, including 11 per cent with severe acute malnutrition.

    Most of the surrounding water infrastructure has also been destroyed or rendered non-functional due to minimal maintenance and fuel shortages, Mr. Dujarric added.  

    El Fasher displacement

    Since April 2023, an estimated 780,000 people have been displaced from El Fasher town and the nearby Zamzam displacement camps, including nearly 500,000 in April and May of this year.

    Famine conditions have been confirmed in the area since last August.

    About three-quarters of Zamzam camp’s residents fled to various locations across Tawila, where the UN and its partners have scaled up critical humanitarian assistance.

    Cholera outbreak continues

    Mr. Dujarric further warned that the breakdown of water and sanitation services, combined with low vaccination coverage, has sharply increased the risk of disease outbreaks, including cholera.

    So far this year, Sudan has reported more than 32,000 suspected cholera cases.

    According to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) cholera cases continue to rise across Darfur, with over 300 suspected cases and more than two dozen deaths reported in South Darfur state last week alone.

    “Conflict and collapsing infrastructure continue to drive the spread of the disease and impede response efforts,” Mr. Dujarric stressed.

    Unprecedented and complex crisis

    Since war erupted between the former allies-turned-rivals, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023, tens of thousands of civilians have been killed and more than 12 million forced to flee their homes – including approximately four million as refugees in neighbouring countries.

    The crisis is unfolding against a backdrop of extreme vulnerability, as the country remains highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change and disasters.

    From severe droughts to deadly floods, the compounded effects of conflict and environmental instability are pushing communities to the brink, leaving them struggling to survive. Famine has already been declared in some parts of the country, putting millions of lives at risk.

    Lack of resources hamstring response

    Despite growing needs, the $4.2 billion humanitarian response plan for 2025, which aims to assist around 21 million of the most vulnerable people, remains only 21 per cent funded, having received $896 million received so far.

    Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, underscored the gravity of the situation in El Fasher.

    Civilians in the area remain cut off from aid and face the risk of starvation, he said in a post on social media.

    Appealing for an urgent humanitarian pause, he warned that that “every day without access costs lives.” 

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI: Jennifer Wolfenbarger Joins Franklin Electric as Chief Financial Officer, Bringing Extensive Financial Leadership in Global Operations

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORT WAYNE, Ind., July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ: FELE) announced today that Jennifer Wolfenbarger has been appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Accounting Officer. As a core member of the executive leadership team, Wolfenbarger will help shape the company’s financial future by enabling growth and overseeing fiscal accountability for the entire organization.

    Wolfenbarger has served in divisional CFO roles at some of the country’s most recognizable and growth-minded manufacturing companies, including Caterpillar, Stryker and most recently Owens Corning. In her role at Owens Corning, Wolfenbarger oversaw strategic planning, investor relations, compliance and financial reporting for the company’s $4 billion global insulation business. This included 50 manufacturing and distribution sites around the world.

    “Jennifer’s experience is exceptional, and we could not have selected a more well-rounded and dynamic candidate to fill this position,” said Joe Ruzynski, CEO of Franklin Electric. “She is value-driven to the core, and her passion for implementing continuous improvement will be an incredible asset to our people, our shareholders and our customers.”

    Throughout Wolfenbarger’s career, she has lent her financial expertise to her community, serving as the Treasurer on three not-for-profit boards. While at Owens Corning, she was the executive sponsor for the company’s Latin America Women’s Initiative Network, and she often mentors at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business, providing professional guidance. Her career has taken her to the United Kingdom, Brazil, the Netherlands, Maryland, Michigan, South Carolina, Georgia, Illinois and Ohio. She is excited to be returning to her Indiana roots in her new role and will be relocating to the Fort Wayne area.

    “This is an incredible opportunity to support Franklin Electric’s commitment to growth and innovation,” said Wolfenbarger. “I’m thrilled to work alongside a highly talented and dedicated global team that values collaboration, teamwork, growth and development.”

    About Franklin Electric
    Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and energy. Recognized as a technical leader in its products and services, Franklin Electric serves customers worldwide in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and fueling applications. Franklin Electric is proud to be recognized in Newsweek’s lists of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024, Most Trustworthy Companies 2024, and Greenest Companies 2025; Best Places to Work in Indiana 2024; and America’s Climate Leaders 2024 by USA Today.

    “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including those relating to market conditions or the Company’s financial results, costs, expenses or expense reductions, profit margins, inventory levels, foreign currency translation rates, liquidity expectations, business goals and sales growth, involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties with respect to general economic and currency conditions, various conditions specific to the Company’s business and industry, weather conditions, new housing starts, market demand, competitive factors, changes in distribution channels, supply constraints, effect of price increases, raw material costs, technology factors, integration of acquisitions, litigation, government and regulatory actions, the Company’s accounting policies, future trends, epidemics and pandemics, and other risks which are detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, included in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, Exhibit 99.1 attached thereto and in Item 1A of Part II of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

    Contact:   Jill Hart
        Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
        260.824.2900

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Franklin Electric Appoints Daniela Williams as Chief Human Resources Officer to Lead Talent and Culture Strategy

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    FORT WAYNE, Ind., July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Franklin Electric Co., Inc. (NASDAQ: FELE) announced that Daniela Williams will join its executive leadership team as Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), bringing a proven track record of driving growth for global organizations.

    In her new role, Williams will be setting the strategic direction for talent acquisition and management at Franklin Electric, overseeing all aspects of employee relations, compensation, benefits, development and compliance. She will serve on the Company’s executive leadership team, reporting to the CEO.

    “Daniela has a well-established reputation for leading and managing talent at a global scale,” said Joe Ruzynski, CEO of Franklin Electric. “Her expertise spans HR technology, talent development, analytics and global workforce strategy, and she’ll play a critical role in ensuring we are organized to serve our customers well into the future. We are thrilled to have Daniela join Franklin Electric and lead our Human Resource team as we invest in our people and processes to drive our growth initiatives.”

    Williams joins Franklin Electric with an extensive resume of leading people and culture at top automotive supply and manufacturing companies. In her previous role at automotive technology firm Visteon Corporation, Williams oversaw all HR functions and global talent acquisition. She also launched the company’s first Women’s Leadership Program with a focus on accelerating leadership skills across the company to ensure a pipeline of leaders ready to drive the business forward. Throughout her career, she has used her talents to lead outreach efforts, including mentoring programs as well as serving on the Advisory Council for Project Pathways, a STEM program for Detroit public schools.

    “My focus has always been on supporting decisions that contribute to growth, profitability, building great teams, and long‑term success,” said Williams. “Franklin Electric is clearly an organization dedicated to fostering talent, and I’m excited to bring my experience in workforce strategies to this innovative organization.”

    About Franklin Electric
    Franklin Electric is a global leader in the production and marketing of systems and components for the movement of water and energy. Recognized as a technical leader in its products and services, Franklin Electric serves customers worldwide in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial, municipal, and fueling applications. Franklin Electric is proud to be recognized in Newsweek’s lists of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2024, Most Trustworthy Companies 2024, and Greenest Companies 2025; Best Places to Work in Indiana 2024; and America’s Climate Leaders 2024 by USA Today.

    “Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein, including those relating to market conditions or the Company’s financial results, costs, expenses or expense reductions, profit margins, inventory levels, foreign currency translation rates, liquidity expectations, business goals and sales growth, involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, risks and uncertainties with respect to general economic and currency conditions, various conditions specific to the Company’s business and industry, weather conditions, new housing starts, market demand, competitive factors, changes in distribution channels, supply constraints, effect of price increases, raw material costs, technology factors, integration of acquisitions, litigation, government and regulatory actions, the Company’s accounting policies, future trends, epidemics and pandemics, and other risks which are detailed in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings, included in Item 1A of Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, Exhibit 99.1 attached thereto and in Item 1A of Part II of the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made herein are based on information currently available, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

    Contact:   Jill Hart
        Franklin Electric Co., Inc.
        260.824.2900

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Ahead of Flood Anniversaries, Welch Talks FEMA Reform in Barre and Montpelier 

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont)
    Welch held a Listening Session in Barre with flood-impacted Vermonters 
    BARRE, VT — Today, U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) met with flood-impacted Vermonters and community leaders in Barre and Montpelier and discussed the need to pass legislation to reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Last week, Senator Welch visited Killington, Ludlow, and Weston; he will visit Hardwick, Lyndon, Barton, and Burke in the coming weeks. 
    Senator Welch recently unveiled the Disaster Assistance Improvement and Decentralization (AID) Act. He will file the new legislation this week, coinciding with the anniversary of the July 2023 and July 2024 floods. 
    “The dangers of climate change are real and urgent, as so many Vermonters experienced firsthand. Vermont was hit with catastrophic flooding in July of 2023 and again in July of 2024—and communities and states across America have been hit by devastating disasters, most recently the tragic floods in Texas and North Carolina. FEMA does lifesaving and critical work after a disaster, and it is important the agency is fully supported. But FEMA also needs commonsense reforms, which is something I heard in Barre, Montpelier, and across Vermont. I will keep fighting to strengthen FEMA for disaster-impacted communities across America,” said Senator Welch.  
    The Disaster AID Act will cut red tape and empower state and local governments, make the delivery of disaster aid more efficient and effective, provide assistance to small towns and communities impacted by natural disasters, and block the White House from withholding funding for disaster recovery.  
    Barre: Senator Welch started the day with a Listening Session at the Barre Social Club, where he was joined by Mayor Thom Lauzon and Michele Braun of the Friends of the Winooski River. Senator Welch spoke with flood-impacted Vermonters and community members about Barre’s recovery from July 2023 floods and the importance of reforming and protecting FEMA.  
    Photo Caption: Senator Welch speaks with Vermonters at his Listening Session in Barre. 
    In Barre, Senator Welch also celebrated the opening of the Vermont Innovation, Efficiency, Weatherization (VIEW) Center, a new weatherization training center funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act. Senator Welch championed weatherization funding and helped pass the Inflation Reduction Act as a member of the House of Representatives. Vermont’s weatherization assistance program helps eligible Vermont households with energy audits, heating system check-ups, energy efficient lighting and appliance upgrades, and weatherization renovation services. 
    Photo Caption: Senator Welch celebrates the opening of the VIEW training center 
    Montpelier: Senator Welch met with community leaders, city officials, businesses, and the Montpelier Commission on Recovery and Resilience. Attendees discussed red tape in FEMA’s Public Assistance program, and ways we can improve long-term flood recovery for Montpelier and communities across Vermont.  
    Photo Caption: Senator Welch meets with the Montpelier Commission on Recovery and Resilience 
    Senator Welch has been outspoken in opposing any attempt by the Trump Administration to dismantle FEMA. Earlier this year, Senator Welch published a guest essay in The New York Times entitled: “Don’t Kill FEMA. Fix It.” In his op-ed, Senator Welch outlined why President Trump’s actions to undermine and potentially dissolve FEMA are misguided—but also committed to working with the President on good faith efforts to reform the agency’s long-term recovery process.    
    In December 2024, Senator Welch helped shape and pass a comprehensive disaster aid package, which delivered more than $100.4 billion of relief for states like Vermont recovering from climate disasters. The disaster aid package contained many of Senator Welch’s top priorities for the State: dedicated help for Vermont’s flood-impacted farmers, flexible spending through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Relief fund, money for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, and support for businesses, among many other important provisions.   

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-Evening Report: A top court has urged nations to clamp down on fossil fuel production. When will Australia finally start listening?

    Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wesley Morgan, Research Associate, Institute for Climate Risk and Response, UNSW Sydney

    GREG WOOD/AFP via Getty Images

    As Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen tours the Pacific this week to spruik his government’s commitment to climate action, fossil fuel exporters such as Australia are under unprecedented scrutiny.

    In a landmark ruling on Friday, Latin America’s highest human rights court found countries in that region are legally obliged to protect people from climate harms. The obligation includes tougher government regulations for fossil fuel extraction.

    The finding applies to nations in the Organization of American States. But it adds to a growing number of international rulings clarifying nations’ legal obligations to tackle the climate crisis – especially if they export fossil fuels.

    And it echoes long-held concerns from Australia’s Pacific neighbours: that climate change is an existential threat, and coal and gas exporters have a responsibility to act.

    A legal tide is building

    Australia is a major fossil-fuel exporter. When coal and gas mined in Australia is burned overseas, emissions are three times those of our entire domestic economy.

    Since 2000, Australia has approved more than 700 oil, gas and coal projects. This includes federal approval in May for Woodside’s North West Shelf project – a huge expansion of gas production off Western Australia.

    Emissions from these projects damage Earth’s climate, increasing the risk of harm to people around the world.

    As climate change worsens, the United Nations and others are calling on countries to phase out fossil fuel production. A string of litigation involving human rights and the environment is adding to the pressure.

    In a ruling handed down late last week, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights said people have the right to a stable climate and that states should regulate fossil fuel extraction and exploration.

    The ruling was delivered in Spanish. According to an English translation, it said nation-states should require fossil-fuel companies to:

    take effective measures to combat climate change and related human rights impacts, to conduct appropriate due diligence, to adopt transition plans, and to provide accurate information regarding the impacts of their operations on climate change and human rights.

    The ruling was an “advisory opinion”, and not legally binding. But it establishes the law on human rights obligations for the nations involved, and interpretations of international law for other nations.

    Pictured: judges from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.
    JOHAN ORDONEZ/AFP via Getty Images

    It comes as the International Court of Justice weighs up a request from the United Nations General Assembly, to clarify countries’ obligations under international law to protect Earth’s climate and environment from greenhouse gas emissions.

    The campaign for the case was launched in 2019 by a group of law students at the University of the South Pacific.

    This ruling will apply directly to Australia. Judges in the case are likely to take into account the findings of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights – and Australian policymakers will be watching closely.

    International law is catching up with the science

    Key instruments of international law, such as the UN Human Rights Conventions, were developed in the decades before a scientific consensus on global warming.

    But the science has moved on. And it’s now clear that nations have legal obligations to prevent human rights harms arising from climate change.

    In 2022, the UN Human Rights Committee found Australia was failing to meet its obligations to protect Indigenous Torres Strait Islanders from the adverse impacts of climate change.

    In May this year, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, Elisa Morgera, called on nations to end new fossil fuel projects and begin phasing out of fossil fuel production this decade, to protect human rights.

    Australia has argued only the Paris Agreement – which requires countries to set targets to cut domestic emissions – should apply when it comes to mitigating climate change. It has also argued protecting human rights does not extend to obligations to tackle climate change by cutting emissions.

    Such arguments have now been rejected by international courts and tribunals. Continuing to approve new fossil fuel projects, with no plan to phase out fossil fuel production, puts Australia in violation of international legal obligations.

    Australia’s obligations are also being considered in domestic cases. For instance, the Federal Court is next week due to hand down a decision on the government’s obligations to cut emissions to protect Torres Strait Islanders from climate impacts. If successful, the case may force the federal government to rapidly reduce emissions.

    The law is not on Australia’s side

    On his trip to the Pacific this week, Chris Bowen will emphasise Australia’s commitment to tackling climate change, and progress discussions on the joint Australia–Pacific bid to host the global COP31 climate talks next year. He told the media:

    Australia and the Pacific’s joint bid for COP31 is about ensuring that the region’s voice shapes global climate action for the benefit of the Australian and Pacific people.

    I look forward to deepening our cooperation with Pacific neighbours; not only to build a fairer, cleaner energy future, but to bring COP31 home for our region in 2026.

    People in the Pacific now know international law is on their side. Ultimately, a managed shift away from fossil fuels is inevitable – and the time for Australian policymakers to ignore the industry’s climate harms is ending.

    Wesley Morgan is a fellow with the Climate Council of Australia.

    Gillian Moon 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. A top court has urged nations to clamp down on fossil fuel production. When will Australia finally start listening? – https://theconversation.com/a-top-court-has-urged-nations-to-clamp-down-on-fossil-fuel-production-when-will-australia-finally-start-listening-259996

    MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: United Nations (UN) warns of worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan as displacement, hunger and disease escalate

    Source: APO

    The situation is particularly dire in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur province, which has witnessed some of the worst episodes of the ongoing conflict between rival militaries.

    Those remaining in El Fasher are facing “extreme shortages” of food and clean water, with markets repeatedly disrupted, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists at the regular news briefing in New York.

    Across the city, nearly 40 per cent of children under five are suffering from acute malnutrition, including 11 per cent with severe acute malnutrition.

    Most of the surrounding water infrastructure has also been destroyed or rendered non-functional due to minimal maintenance and fuel shortages, Mr. Dujarric added.  

    El Fasher displacement

    Since April 2023, an estimated 780,000 people have been displaced from El Fasher town and the nearby Zamzam displacement camps, including nearly 500,000 in April and May of this year.

    Famine conditions have been confirmed in the area since last August.

    About three-quarters of Zamzam camp’s residents fled to various locations across Tawila, where the UN and its partners have scaled up critical humanitarian assistance.

    Cholera outbreak continues

    Mr. Dujarric further warned that the breakdown of water and sanitation services, combined with low vaccination coverage, has sharply increased the risk of disease outbreaks, including cholera.

    So far this year, Sudan has reported more than 32,000 suspected cholera cases.

    According to the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) cholera cases continue to rise across Darfur, with over 300 suspected cases and more than two dozen deaths reported in South Darfur state last week alone.

    “Conflict and collapsing infrastructure continue to drive the spread of the disease and impede response efforts,” Mr. Dujarric stressed.

    Unprecedented and complex crisis

    Since war erupted between the former allies-turned-rivals, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023, tens of thousands of civilians have been killed and more than 12 million forced to flee their homes – including approximately four million as refugees in neighbouring countries.

    The crisis is unfolding against a backdrop of extreme vulnerability, as the country remains highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change and disasters.

    From severe droughts to deadly floods, the compounded effects of conflict and environmental instability are pushing communities to the brink, leaving them struggling to survive. Famine has already been declared in some parts of the country, putting millions of lives at risk.

    Lack of resources hamstring response

    Despite growing needs, the $4.2 billion humanitarian response plan for 2025, which aims to assist around 21 million of the most vulnerable people, remains only 21 per cent funded, having received $896 million received so far.

    Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, underscored the gravity of the situation in El Fasher.

    Civilians in the area remain cut off from aid and face the risk of starvation, he said in a post on social media.

    Appealing for an urgent humanitarian pause, he warned that that “every day without access costs lives.”

    Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN News.

    Media files

    .

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Gov. Pillen Deploys Nebraska Task Force One to Flood-Stricken Texas

    Source: US State of Nebraska

    . Pillen Deploys Nebraska Task Force One to Flood-Stricken Texas

    LINCOLN, NE – Governor Jim Pillen has directed the deployment of Nebraska Task Force One (NE-TF1) – Nebraska’s Urban Search and Rescue (US&R) Team to flood-stricken areas of Texas.  The 45-member group, including two canine teams, will leave Lincoln this afternoon. They are expected to arrive in San Antonio, TX in the morning.

    Gov. Pillen has been in contact with Texas Governor Greg Abbott concerning the flooding disaster and its aftermath. A request for state help was issued through the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC), prompting the deployment of Nebraska Task Force One.

    “This continues to be a serious situation in Texas, one which requires immediate response,” said Gov. Pillen. “Nebraska stands ready to assist in any way it can. The team we are sending has the training necessary for dealing with these kinds of disaster environments and will be able to expedite the search efforts that continue to take place.”

    The Nebraska Task Force One team will be transporting boats, vehicles and other equipment necessary for navigating areas devastated by the flood waters. At least 90 people across central Texas are dead and others remain missing.

    Nebraska Task Force One is one of 28 US&R groups in the national disaster response system. Normally, those groups are deployed and managed under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This situation is unique in that the deployment was directed under the authority of Gov. Pillen through the Nebraska Emergency Management Act.

    The group is expected to be deployed for up to 14 days.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • Climate justice a “moral obligation”: PM Modi urges fair tech access and finance for developing nations at BRICS Summit

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday underscored India’s commitment to climate action and equitable health security, calling for urgent technology transfer and affordable financing for developing nations to bridge the gap between climate ambition and action.

    Addressing a session on ‘Environment, COP-30 and Global Health’ at the BRICS Summit in Brazil, PM Modi said he was glad that under Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s chairmanship, BRICS has prioritised key issues that are “interconnected and vital for the bright future of humanity.”

    “This year, COP-30 is being held in Brazil, making these discussions timely and relevant,” he said. “For India, climate change is not just about managing energy demands but about maintaining the delicate balance between life and nature.”

    The Prime Minister noted that climate action is deeply woven into India’s culture and daily life. “In our tradition, the Earth is respected as a mother. When Mother Earth needs us, we respond — by transforming mindsets, behaviours, and lifestyles.”

    The PM highlighted India’s flagship initiatives such as Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ (A Tree in the Name of Mother), the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, the Global Biofuels Alliance, the Green Hydrogen Mission, and the Big Cats Alliance.

    PM Modi also pointed out that India had fulfilled its Paris Climate Agreement commitments ahead of schedule, despite being the world’s fastest-growing major economy, and was progressing steadily towards its Net Zero target for 2070. “In the last decade, India has seen a 4000% increase in its installed solar energy capacity,” he said.

    Calling climate justice a “moral obligation,” PM Modi emphasised that developing countries must receive fair access to technology and affordable finance. “Bridging the gap between climate ambition and financing is a special responsibility of developed nations. Without this, climate action will remain limited to climate talk,” he said.

    The PM also welcomed the “Framework Declaration on Climate Finance” adopted by BRICS leaders, calling it an “important step in the right direction.”

    On health, PM Modi said the pandemic demonstrated how “viruses do not require visas and solutions cannot be chosen based on passports.” He added that India’s “One Earth, One Health” approach had guided its global cooperation during COVID-19 and beyond.

    Outlining India’s health initiatives, including Ayushman Bharat — the world’s largest health insurance scheme — and the expansion of traditional medicine systems and digital health services, the PM said, “We are ready to share our experience with countries of the Global South.”

    The Prime Minister welcomed the BRICS Vaccine R&D Centre, launched in 2022, and the new “Leader’s Statement on BRICS Partnership for Elimination of Socially Determined Diseases,” saying it would inspire stronger cooperation.

    Looking ahead to India’s chairmanship of BRICS in 2026, PM Modi pledged to keep the concerns of the Global South at the forefront and redefine the grouping as “Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability.”

    “Just as we brought inclusivity to the G20, we will take BRICS forward with a people-centric, ‘Humanity First’ approach,” he said, congratulating President Lula for successfully hosting the summit and for Brazil’s warm hospitality.

  • MIL-OSI USA: With Improved Conditions, DHS Ends TPS for Honduras

    Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

    Headline: With Improved Conditions, DHS Ends TPS for Honduras

    ASHINGTON – After finding improved country conditions in Honduras, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem today announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status, as required by the statute

    The termination will be effective 60 days after the publication of the Federal Register notice

     
    Honduras was designated for TPS in 1999 after the impact of Hurricane Mitch in 1998

    The Government of Honduras has made tremendous strides over the years to recover from the hurricane and, as a result of those efforts, it is safe for their nationals to return home

     
    “Temporary Protected Status was designed to be just that—temporary,” said Secretary Kristi Noem

    “It is clear that the Government of Honduras has taken all of the necessary steps to overcome the impacts of Hurricane Mitch, almost 27 years ago

    Honduran citizens can safely return home, and DHS is here to help facilitate their voluntary return

    Honduras has been a wonderful partner of the Trump Administration, helping us deliver on key promises to the American people

     We look forward to continuing our work with them

    ”
    After conferring with interagency partners, Secretary Noem determined that conditions in Honduras no longer meet the TPS statutory requirements

    The Secretary’s decision was based on a U

    S

    Citizenship and Immigration Services review of the conditions in Honduras and in consultation with the Department of State

    The Secretary determined that, overall, country conditions have improved to the point where Hondurans can return home in safety

    Additionally, under President Castro, Honduras has taken steps to welcome home their citizens, providing access to economic and food assistance programs, as well as labor integration and job training

    Honduran nationals departing the United States are encouraged to use the U

    S

    Customs and Border Protection CBP Home app to report their departure from the United States and take advantage of a safe, secure way to leave the United States with a complimentary plane ticket, a $1,000 exit bonus to help them resettle in Honduras, and preserve future opportunities for legal immigration

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Press release – Metsola: “We continue to keep the memories of the victims of Srebrenica alive”

    Source: European Parliament

    President Metsola led members in remembering the victims of the Srebrenica genocide at the opening of the July plenary session in Strasbourg.

    30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide

    After opening the session, President Metsola led members in commemorating the 1995 Srebrenica genocide, where thousands of Bosnian Muslims were murdered or disappeared, and tens of thousands more were forcibly expelled from the enclave. Tragically many victims remain unidentified. MEPs paid homage to two survivors of the massacre, Lamasa and Almir Salihović, who were present in the hemicycle. “This House honours you and all survivors, just as we continue to keep the memories of the victims alive”, Metsola said. She went on to quote the words of the Srebrenica Prayer recited every year; “May mothers’ tears become prayers that Srebrenica never happens again”.

    Possible fast-tracking of European Climate Law revision

    The President announced a request by the Greens/EFA Group to apply the urgent procedure under Rule 170(5) of Parliament’s Rules of Procedure to the revision of the European Climate Law. The vote will take place on Tuesday.

    MEPs to debate alleged misuse of EU funds by members of the far right

    Statements on the alleged misuse of EU funds by members of the far right and measures to ensure institutional integrity are added as a fifth point on Wednesday afternoon, after the debate on stockpiling strategies. As a consequence, Wednesday’s sitting will be extended until 23:00.

    Requests by several committees to start negotiations with Council and Commission

    The Committees on Budgets, Economic and Monetary Affairs, Transport, Legal Affairs, Employment and Regional Development have decided to enter into interinstitutional negotiations, pursuant to Rule 72, paragraph 1 of the Rules of procedure, on the basis of the reports available on the plenary website.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Answer to a written question – Direct funding to address drought on the islands – E-001890/2025(ASW)

    Source: European Parliament

    Between 2021 and 2027, Cohesion Policy funds[1] invest EUR 541 million in Greece’s water infrastructures, and EUR 85 million in water management and resource conservation[2].

    T he Common Agricultural Policy[3] funds moreover financially support soil improvements[4], more efficient irrigation, water reuse and climate resilient crops.

    There are a number of funds, under shared management, that Greece is currently using to finance sustainable water management. The Commission recently proposed an exceptional package of measures to encourage investments in water resilience.

    The next Multiannual Financial Framework will also be an opportunity to further support water resilience through investment and reforms[5].

    EU support for desalination requires that environmental degradation risks related to preserving water quality and avoiding water stress are identified and addressed in line with the relevant legislation[6].

    In the case of Greece, the Environment and Climate Change[7] programme supports desalination units — powered by renewable energy — on small islands facing water scarcity, where no viable alternative solutions exist.

    • [1] https://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/stories/s/21-27-Sustainable-water-management/ehce-gj6d.
    • [2] https://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/2021-2027-Categorisation/Water_2/2aig-bg4c.
    • [3] https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/common-agricultural-policy_en.
    • [4] Greece’s Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy (2023-2027) — 36.5% of the utilised agricultural area will receive support (under eco-schemes and agri-environment climate interventions) for practices beneficial for soil management to improve soil quality and biota.
    • [5] Commission Communication on a European Water Resilience Strategy, 4 June 2025, COM(2025) 280 final, on page 14, available at https://environment.ec.europa.eu/publications/european-water-resilience-strategy_en.
    • [6] Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2485, OJ 21 November 2023: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32023R2485 (Section 5.13).
    • [7] https://peka-program.gr/.
    Last updated: 7 July 2025

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: New boost for Regional Resilience Fund rollout, financing affordable housing, urban development and sustainable tourism

    Source: European Investment Bank

    ©VicaPhoto/ Shutterstock

    • The EIB has announced the signature of agreements with Arcano Partners and Buenavista Infrastructure totalling €410 million.
    • The agreements will channel new funding to urban development projects (including those promoting affordable housing) and others related to sustainable tourism.
    • The funds come from the Regional Resilience Fund financed by NextGenerationEU and implemented by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise with EIB support.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed agreements with Buenavista Infrastructure and Arcano Partners to channel a total of €410 million to new urban development projects (including those promoting affordable housing) and others related to sustainable tourism.

    The agreements were made possible by a contribution from the Regional Resilience Fund, part of Spain’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan and financed by NextGenerationEU. More specifically, this was facilitated by the launch of a new EIB-managed instrument to channel financing via financial intermediaries to back urban development and sustainable tourism.

    The intermediaries selected by the EIB will assess investment opportunities across the country to promote urban development in areas such as affordable housing, education, healthcare, social and cultural infrastructure, sustainable mobility, waste and water management, energy efficiency and sustainable tourism. The investment period runs until December 2030.

    The first two intermediaries selected for the distribution of these funds were Arcano Partners (with a €210 million signature) and Buenavista Infrastructure (€200 million).

    The first two intermediaries selected for the deployment of these funds were Arcano Partners and Buenavista Infrastructure. Arcano Partners has been allocated €210 million by the EIB, which it will channel through “Spanish Urban Development SICC” fund. Buenavista Infrastructure was allocated €200 million to be channelled through “Buenavista NextGen Urban SICC” fund. Both are regulated vehicles set up specifically for this action. Funding can happen in the form of both equity investment and debt, or a combination of both. The maximum allocation per project is 22 million while maximum recovery periods are 15 years for equity investments and 20 years for debt.

    “These agreements are a further step forward in the rollout of the EIB Group-managed Regional Resilience Fund and will drive new investment to promote urban development and sustainable tourism. The resources can also go to affordable housing projects, which is one of the EIB Group’s strategic priorities,” said EIB Director General of Financing and Advisory Operations within the European Union Jean-Christophe Laloux. “Close cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise made it possible to launch this new line of action for the Regional Resilience Fund, promoting key investments in Spain’s regions.”

    “Thanks to the signature of these agreements, the implementation of the intermediated instrument for urban development and sustainable tourism materialised. This instrument is one of the pillars of the Regional Resilience Fund. It will channel funds to relatively small projects that aim to invest in social and affordable housing and urban regeneration, as well as sustainable tourism activities. Furthermore, funds from the Regional Resilience Fund continue to be a crucial tool for the green transition in Spain, supporting projects that promote sustainability in key areas such as housing and tourism in various regions of the country,” said Inés Carpio, Director General of International Finance at the Treasury.

    Partner in Asset Management at Arcano Partners Eduardo Fernández-Cuesta added: “We are very proud to be once again have the confidence of the European Investment Bank to channel vital financing to bolster our national infrastructure, with a special focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. This combined debt and equity strategy will enable Arcano Partners to continue to diversify our capabilities and deliver the excellence we guarantee to our private investors and the public sector institutions that rely on us to manage investments.”

    Managing Partner at Buenavista Infrastructure Victoriano López-Pinto said: “We are very grateful for the vote of confidence in our judgment and expertise in facilitating the use of EU funds. With this new allocation, we have become one of the leading European fund managers by volume of European funds under management. Our team is one of the most experienced in managing public funds and we are excited to be able to contribute to this project promoting local connections, sustainable urban development and the renovation of our national tourism infrastructure to make it more sustainable.”

    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 Climate Agreement, as pledged in our 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.

    Regional Resilience Fund

    The Regional Resilience Fund (RRF) was created to facilitate access to NextGenerationEU loans from the Spanish Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan for the autonomous communities, with the aim of boosting investments and developing projects in eight priority areas: social and affordable housing; urban renewal; transport and sustainable tourism; the energy transition; water and waste management; the care economy; research, development and innovation; and the competitiveness of industry and SMEs.

    The fund is led by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise, which takes input from the autonomous communities and cities for investment decision-making and looks to the EIB Group as a strategic management partner.

    The initial phase of the RRF includes the activation of up to €3.4 billion in financing via:

    • a direct financing mechanism, to co-finance EIB-supported operations in sectors like renewable energy, clean transport and sustainable infrastructure;
    • an intermediated mechanism managed by financial intermediaries selected by the EIB, to support projects in urban development and sustainable tourism;
    • two instruments intermediated by the European Investment Fund that will facilitate SME financing for innovation, sustainability and competitiveness.

    Arcano Partners

    Arcano Partners, founded in 2003, is an independent global firm with more than 20 years of experience in international financial advisory and private markets’ asset management. Arcano currently has four business areas:

    • Asset Management, with more than €12.5 billion managed and advised since the start of its activity in 2006, and with six asset classes: Private Equity, Credit Strategies, Real Estate, Sus-tainable Infrastructure, Venture Capital and Aviation Finance; Arcano has a strong focus on sustainability and responsible investment, being one of the benchmark asset managers in ESG.
    • Investment Banking provides advisory services in M&A, refinancing, restructuring and capi-tal markets transactions to companies in various sectors; Arcano has specialized teams by sector, and additionally offers a transversal technology/digital approach.
    • Research & Consulting provides economic, real estate and differential market analysis, as well as geopolitical and technological analysis of both local and global trends. This analysis is extremely useful for optimizing business decisions, especially in environments of extreme uncertainty where the impacts of making mistakes are profound and can be mitigated by in-vesting in quality analysis.
    • Asset Finance, an area that allows investors to participate in the creation of solutions for the financing of real or intangible assets in Spain.

    Arcano Partners has a team of more than 260 professionals of more than 20 nationalities across 7 offices in Europe and the United States and has become one of the independent firms of reference in the European private markets industry.

    Buenavista Partners (www.buenavistaequity.com)

    Buenavista Equity Partners is an independent asset manager founded in 1996 that operates in the middle-market segment. It currently manages more than €1 billion through different Private Equity, Infrastructure and Venture Capital vehicles.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: New boost for Regional Resilience Fund rollout, financing affordable housing, urban development and sustainable tourism

    Source: European Investment Bank

    ©VicaPhoto/ Shutterstock

    • The EIB has announced the signature of agreements with Arcano Partners and Buenavista Infrastructure totalling €410 million.
    • The agreements will channel new funding to urban development projects (including those promoting affordable housing) and others related to sustainable tourism.
    • The funds come from the Regional Resilience Fund financed by NextGenerationEU and implemented by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise with EIB support.

    The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed agreements with Buenavista Infrastructure and Arcano Partners to channel a total of €410 million to new urban development projects (including those promoting affordable housing) and others related to sustainable tourism.

    The agreements were made possible by a contribution from the Regional Resilience Fund, part of Spain’s Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan and financed by NextGenerationEU. More specifically, this was facilitated by the launch of a new EIB-managed instrument to channel financing via financial intermediaries to back urban development and sustainable tourism.

    The intermediaries selected by the EIB will assess investment opportunities across the country to promote urban development in areas such as affordable housing, education, healthcare, social and cultural infrastructure, sustainable mobility, waste and water management, energy efficiency and sustainable tourism. The investment period runs until December 2030.

    The first two intermediaries selected for the distribution of these funds were Arcano Partners (with a €210 million signature) and Buenavista Infrastructure (€200 million).

    The first two intermediaries selected for the deployment of these funds were Arcano Partners and Buenavista Infrastructure. Arcano Partners has been allocated €210 million by the EIB, which it will channel through “Spanish Urban Development SICC” fund. Buenavista Infrastructure was allocated €200 million to be channelled through “Buenavista NextGen Urban SICC” fund. Both are regulated vehicles set up specifically for this action. Funding can happen in the form of both equity investment and debt, or a combination of both. The maximum allocation per project is 22 million while maximum recovery periods are 15 years for equity investments and 20 years for debt.

    “These agreements are a further step forward in the rollout of the EIB Group-managed Regional Resilience Fund and will drive new investment to promote urban development and sustainable tourism. The resources can also go to affordable housing projects, which is one of the EIB Group’s strategic priorities,” said EIB Director General of Financing and Advisory Operations within the European Union Jean-Christophe Laloux. “Close cooperation with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise made it possible to launch this new line of action for the Regional Resilience Fund, promoting key investments in Spain’s regions.”

    “Thanks to the signature of these agreements, the implementation of the intermediated instrument for urban development and sustainable tourism materialised. This instrument is one of the pillars of the Regional Resilience Fund. It will channel funds to relatively small projects that aim to invest in social and affordable housing and urban regeneration, as well as sustainable tourism activities. Furthermore, funds from the Regional Resilience Fund continue to be a crucial tool for the green transition in Spain, supporting projects that promote sustainability in key areas such as housing and tourism in various regions of the country,” said Inés Carpio, Director General of International Finance at the Treasury.

    Partner in Asset Management at Arcano Partners Eduardo Fernández-Cuesta added: “We are very proud to be once again have the confidence of the European Investment Bank to channel vital financing to bolster our national infrastructure, with a special focus on small and medium-sized enterprises. This combined debt and equity strategy will enable Arcano Partners to continue to diversify our capabilities and deliver the excellence we guarantee to our private investors and the public sector institutions that rely on us to manage investments.”

    Managing Partner at Buenavista Infrastructure Victoriano López-Pinto said: “We are very grateful for the vote of confidence in our judgment and expertise in facilitating the use of EU funds. With this new allocation, we have become one of the leading European fund managers by volume of European funds under management. Our team is one of the most experienced in managing public funds and we are excited to be able to contribute to this project promoting local connections, sustainable urban development and the renovation of our national tourism infrastructure to make it more sustainable.”

    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 Climate Agreement, as pledged in our 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.

    Regional Resilience Fund

    The Regional Resilience Fund (RRF) was created to facilitate access to NextGenerationEU loans from the Spanish Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan for the autonomous communities, with the aim of boosting investments and developing projects in eight priority areas: social and affordable housing; urban renewal; transport and sustainable tourism; the energy transition; water and waste management; the care economy; research, development and innovation; and the competitiveness of industry and SMEs.

    The fund is led by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Enterprise, which takes input from the autonomous communities and cities for investment decision-making and looks to the EIB Group as a strategic management partner.

    The initial phase of the RRF includes the activation of up to €3.4 billion in financing via:

    • a direct financing mechanism, to co-finance EIB-supported operations in sectors like renewable energy, clean transport and sustainable infrastructure;
    • an intermediated mechanism managed by financial intermediaries selected by the EIB, to support projects in urban development and sustainable tourism;
    • two instruments intermediated by the European Investment Fund that will facilitate SME financing for innovation, sustainability and competitiveness.

    Arcano Partners

    Arcano Partners, founded in 2003, is an independent global firm with more than 20 years of experience in international financial advisory and private markets’ asset management. Arcano currently has four business areas:

    • Asset Management, with more than €12.5 billion managed and advised since the start of its activity in 2006, and with six asset classes: Private Equity, Credit Strategies, Real Estate, Sus-tainable Infrastructure, Venture Capital and Aviation Finance; Arcano has a strong focus on sustainability and responsible investment, being one of the benchmark asset managers in ESG.
    • Investment Banking provides advisory services in M&A, refinancing, restructuring and capi-tal markets transactions to companies in various sectors; Arcano has specialized teams by sector, and additionally offers a transversal technology/digital approach.
    • Research & Consulting provides economic, real estate and differential market analysis, as well as geopolitical and technological analysis of both local and global trends. This analysis is extremely useful for optimizing business decisions, especially in environments of extreme uncertainty where the impacts of making mistakes are profound and can be mitigated by in-vesting in quality analysis.
    • Asset Finance, an area that allows investors to participate in the creation of solutions for the financing of real or intangible assets in Spain.

    Arcano Partners has a team of more than 260 professionals of more than 20 nationalities across 7 offices in Europe and the United States and has become one of the independent firms of reference in the European private markets industry.

    Buenavista Partners (www.buenavistaequity.com)

    Buenavista Equity Partners is an independent asset manager founded in 1996 that operates in the middle-market segment. It currently manages more than €1 billion through different Private Equity, Infrastructure and Venture Capital vehicles.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: A Continental Imperative: Launch of Africa’s One Health and Climate Health Strategies

    Source: APO – Report:

    .

    In a landmark moment for public health and environmental stewardship, AU-IBAR and Africa CDC have jointly launched two pivotal strategies: the One Health Zoonotic Disease Prevention and Control Strategy (2025–2030) and the Africa CDC Strategic Framework on Climate Change and Health (2025–2029). These frameworks mark a unified, cross-sectoral approach to tackling the interlinked challenges of zoonotic disease and climate change on the continent.

    Speaking at the launch in Addis Ababa, Dr. Huyam Salih, Director of AU-IBAR, urged stakeholders to move from intention to implementation:

    “Let us move beyond declarations—now is the time for united, cross-sectoral action. I call on all stakeholders to embrace the One Health Strategy as a continental imperative. Together, we must forge a new era of health security, where animal, human, and environmental health are protected as one. Africa’s resilience depends on it, and our future demands it.”

    The strategies were developed through a collaborative, evidence-based process engaging Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), technical partners, and civil society. The goal is clear: to build a resilient Africa that manages risks proactively rather than reactively.

    The Deputy Director General of Africa CDC emphasized that the time for talk is over:

    “These frameworks are more than strategy documents; they are Africa’s collective commitment to protecting our people, our ecosystems, and our future. We must move from rhetoric to results. The time to act is now, and the responsibility rests with all of us.”

    Adding to the sense of urgency, Ethiopia’s Minister of Health reminded participants of the interconnectedness of Africa’s well-being:

    “Our health, ecosystems, and economies are deeply intertwined. We cannot protect one without investing in all. This is a call for action, not another declaration.”

    With over 75% of emerging human diseases originating from animals, and climate change exacerbating health risks, the new strategies offer a roadmap to strengthen surveillance, improve early warning systems, and integrate public, animal, and environmental health responses.

    These frameworks serve as a rallying cry to governments, RECs, donors, research institutions, and civil society organizations to come together under a shared vision. As the continent faces an increasingly uncertain health landscape, these strategies offer not just guidance, but hope—and demand decisive, coordinated action.

    – on behalf of The African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Governor Stein Provides Updates on Flooding

    Source: US State of North Carolina

    Headline: Governor Stein Provides Updates on Flooding

    Governor Stein Provides Updates on Flooding
    lsaito

    Raleigh, NC

    Today Governor Stein provided updates on recent flooding in central North Carolina and urged North Carolinians to stay safe and be aware of ongoing flooding and road closures in their areas.

    “I am grateful to the first responders who are keeping people safe and for the proactive work of emergency management professionals and the North Carolina Department of Transportation,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I urge all North Carolinians to listen to any guidance from local weather and local emergency management officials and be aware of any road warnings and closures before they leave the house.”

    Local states of emergency have been declared in Alamance, Moore, and Orange Counties, and there have also been reports of flooding in Durham County. North Carolina Emergency Management continues to support impacted communities with resources, rescue teams, and personnel as requested to supplement local responders.

    NCDOT has reopened several major roads that closed due to flooding, including I-40/85 in Alamance County, but about 120 roads remain closed due to this weather event. The department reminds everyone to play it safe and never try to pass through standing water.

    For real-time travel information, visit DriveNC.gov or follow NCDOT on social media.

    Please follow your local government and local news outlets on their websites and on social media. Many local emergency management agencies have public notification systems in place that you can sign up for.

    In the event of flooding, North Carolina Emergency Management officials recommend these tips:

    • Listen to local weather forecasts – floods can occur with little notice.
    • Enable emergency alerts on your cell phone to receive notifications from the National Weather Service.
    • Barricades are there for your safety. If you see a barricade, find another route. Do not attempt to go around it.
    • Turn around if you see flooding to reduce the likelihood of drowning.
    • Never walk through moving water – 6 inches of moving water can knock a person down.
    • Don’t drive through flooded areas – 2 feet of moving water can sweep a vehicle away.
    • Visit Fiman.NC.Gov to access the state’s over 600 flood gauges and to sign up for alerts for the gauges closest to your home.
    Jul 7, 2025

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Overuse of riprap to prevent riverbank erosion is harming B.C. rivers

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Charlotte Milne, PhD Candidate, Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia

    Every spring, melting snow and heavy rainfall brings a higher risk of flooding and riverbank erosion to parts of Canada. Bank erosion is responsible for a significant portion of annual flood damage in Canada, with estimates suggesting the costs could grow as high as $13.6 billion anually by the end of the century.

    In British Columbia, erosion is primarily managed by “hardening” riverbanks with large rocks called riprap. These rocks are so prevalent along B.C. rivers that you might think they are part of the natural environment, but they are not.

    Hardened riverbanks offer temporary protection from river movement, but riprap can lead to degraded rivers. Erosion is a natural process that helps maintain healthy and diverse river habitat. However, as societies expand, there is more demand to control river movement and prevent erosion.

    Through my work as a river scientist and flood risk researcher in New Zealand and Canada, I have witnessed the sometimes devastating impacts of river erosion and have also seen just how lifeless rivers can become when overly restricted.

    Of course we need to protect people, property and infrastructure from riverbank erosion. But current erosion management is hurting B.C. rivers.

    The problem with riprap

    Riprap is essential for stabilizing riverbanks when infrastructure and property are at immediate risk. The rocks are often laid down as “temporary” erosion prevention before or during floods.

    The problem is, if you harden one area with riprap, that bank transfers the erosion-hungry current elsewhere, driving the need for further riprap to be installed.

    The exact impact that riprap is having on B.C. waterways requires more research, but professionals working in the province’s rivers are already seeing the damage.

    During a workshop I led with colleagues from Resilient Waters and Watershed Watch, we found that in a group of 83 river and flood management professionals, 53 had witnessed adverse impacts from riprap use in the province’s Lower Mainland region.

    It is now estimated that more than half of the gravel sections of the Fraser River have been hardened through riprap. To date, there has been limited consideration of the environmental consequences of such widespread bank hardening.

    Riprap can bury the shallow spawning habitats preferred by many fish. It can prevent the “undercutting” of banks, a process that creates important spaces that salmon species prefer for shelter.

    In addition, riprap causes water temperatures to rise as rocks trap heat from sunlight that would normally be shaded by riparian vegetation. That lack of vegetation also means less wood and debris in the rivers, which would normally add essential habitat complexity that is preferred by many fish species.

    Riprap also acts as a potential migration barrier for salmon and other species trying to navigate the riverbanks. Finally, as riprap lessens available habitat for indigenous species, it can offer preferential habitat for invasive ones instead.

    Given the potential for environmental harm, there have been calls to limit riprap use in British Columbia. Experts have suggested it should only be used in essential cases, ideally in river systems that are already heavily impacted by humans.

    Bioengineering, revegetation alternatives

    The good news is that there are bank-stabilizing alternatives to riprap.

    Bioengineering involves using vegetation to create or support engineered structures. For example, live tree cuttings can be woven together to create wattles or brush mattresses. This process creates living tree walls and coverings that grow and strengthen over time.

    Revegetation is another approach, using riparian planting to strengthen riverbanks with root systems. In some cases, this can be as simple as laying down seeds at the right time of year, often with other erosion control options like mulch terraces.

    The key to the success of bioengineering and revegetation efforts is that they need to be done proactively. Unlike riprap, which can be installed as an emergency response measure, vegetation needs time to grow.

    Next steps for B.C.

    Riprap along part of Vancouver’s False Creek in July 2020. Given the potential for environmental harm, there have been calls to limit riprap use in British Columbia.
    (Shutterstock)

    Is it possible to move on from our over-reliance on riprap in B.C.?

    During our workshop, experts discussed what needs to happen to support environmentally friendly bank stabilization options.

    First off, we need to be talking about the overuse of riprap more. Currently, decision-makers and property-owners are often unaware of the potential harm that riprap can have on our rivers, or that alternatives exist. While many alternatives won’t be appropriate in extreme erosion cases, for the province’s smaller and healthier rivers, they would be ideal.

    For this to happen, the bank-stabilization regulation process in B.C. needs to change. Currently it is hard to receive consent or funding to undertake bank strengthening activities outside of emergency riprap installation.

    The B.C. government needs to adapt local guidelines and regulations to allow wider use of alternative methods, prioritizing proactive bank strengthening. They can draw on findings from elsewhere in Canada where alternative bank-stabilization options are already being tested.

    Shifting away from a dependence on riprap won’t be easy, but in a province that relies on healthy rivers and fish, it should be a priority.

    As one workshop attendee put it: “We don’t want to see sterile kilometres of riprap.”

    Charlotte Milne receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and the Public Scholars Initiative at UBC. The research mentioned in this article received funding from UBC’s Sustainability Scholars Program and support from Resilient Waters and the Watershed Watch Salmon Society.

    – ref. Overuse of riprap to prevent riverbank erosion is harming B.C. rivers – https://theconversation.com/overuse-of-riprap-to-prevent-riverbank-erosion-is-harming-b-c-rivers-255283

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: Sevilla Outcome Document ‘Seeks to Rekindle Sense of Hope Embodied in Sustainable Development Goals’, Notes Deputy Secretary-General, Closing Conference

    Source: United Nations General Assembly and Security Council

    Following are UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed’s remarks at the closing of the Fourth Financing for Development Conference in Sevilla, Spain, today:

    At the opening of this conference, the Secretary-General remarked that, for decades, the mission of sustainable development has united countries.  Yet today, development and its great enabler — international cooperation — are facing massive headwinds.

    Over the last four days — through formal sessions, six multistakeholder round-tables, 400 side-meetings and special sessions, and countless bilateral discussions — we have reckoned with this challenge.

    The human consequences of rising debt burdens, escalating trade tensions and steep cuts to official development assistance (ODA) have been brought into sharp relief. 

    Likewise, we understand all too well the collateral damage that competing Government priorities can have on development finance and that global support for sustainable development can no longer be taken for granted. 

    Nevertheless, amid this sobering backdrop, the Sevilla conference has delivered a powerful response. 

    We have agreed an outcome document — the Compromiso de Sevilla — that upholds the commitments from Addis Ababa 10 years ago and seeks to rekindle the sense of hope embodied in the Sustainable Development Goals.

    The outcome document contains three major areas of commitments. 

    First, an investment push to close the financing gap.  This incorporates steps to grow the full capital stack:  domestic, international and private capital.

    Second, at last, a serious attempt to confront the debt crisis.  The actions agreed here seek to reset how debt is used, managed and treated, to make it work in service of sustainable development.

    Third, the elevation of developing countries throughout the international financial architecture.   Developing countries need to be heard in global policymaking — just as they have been at this conference.

    In addition to the outcome document, the conference has witnessed the unveiling of more than 130 initiatives to turn the outcome document into action:  through the Sevilla Platform for Action.

    The Platform includes:  A debt pause alliance to relieve countries of fiscal stress in times of crisis; a new tool for multilateral development banks to manage currency risks; a commission to explore the future of development cooperation; and the introduction of the world’s first solidarity levy on premium-class flights and private jets to generate new resources for sustainable development including climate action.

    In addition, I’m delighted to report today that the Government of Spain will support the UN Secretary-General, in consultation with Member States and stakeholders, to operationalize the Sevilla Forum on Debt, to help countries learn from one another and coordinate their approaches in debt management negotiations and restructuring.

    As I think back over the past four days, I’ve been struck by three aspects about this conference.

    First is the remarkable sense of resolve on display. 

    Attendees here are under no illusion of the difficulty of our current context.  But they have approached this moment with a sense of unity and solidarity and demonstrated that intergovernmental processes still matter and still work.  I hope this spirit will be taken forward into the World Summit for Social Development, the G20 and thirtieth UN Climate Change Conference later this year.

    Second, the conference has been deeply practical. 

    In today’s constrained financial environment, our community is working to stretch the resources we have, and to focus them where they’re most needed, to confront the largest problems, and search for innovative solutions.

    Third, everyone is focused on implementation.

    The commitments agreed in the outcome document come with specifics, and Member States, financial institutions, businesses and civil society are already looking ahead at how these commitments will be delivered, with a can-do attitude. 

    Taken together — resolve, practicality and implementation — this provides a basis for rebuilding trust and solidarity. 

    Let me conclude by sincerely thanking the people and the Government of Spain, who have proven not only to be gracious hosts, but have demonstrated outstanding leadership on sustainable development. 

    The journey ahead will not be easy.  The global challenges we face will not be overcome overnight. 

    But I leave Sevilla confident that we can walk that path together with clarity, with courage, a sense of purpose and commitment.

    Let the Fourth Financing for Development Conference be remembered as a conference where the world chose cooperation over fragmentation, unity over division and action over inertia.

    Let us leave here inspired and ready to finance the future that we want.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: With Improved Conditions, DHS Ends TPS for Honduras

    Source: US Department of Homeland Security

    WASHINGTON – After finding improved country conditions in Honduras, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem today announced the termination of Temporary Protected Status, as required by the statute. The termination will be effective 60 days after the publication of the Federal Register notice. 

    Honduras was designated for TPS in 1999 after the impact of Hurricane Mitch in 1998. The Government of Honduras has made tremendous strides over the years to recover from the hurricane and, as a result of those efforts, it is safe for their nationals to return home. 

    “Temporary Protected Status was designed to be just that—temporary,” said Secretary Kristi Noem. “It is clear that the Government of Honduras has taken all of the necessary steps to overcome the impacts of Hurricane Mitch, almost 27 years ago. Honduran citizens can safely return home, and DHS is here to help facilitate their voluntary return. Honduras has been a wonderful partner of the Trump Administration, helping us deliver on key promises to the American people. We look forward to continuing our work with them.“

    After conferring with interagency partners, Secretary Noem determined that conditions in Honduras no longer meet the TPS statutory requirements. The Secretary’s decision was based on a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services review of the conditions in Honduras and in consultation with the Department of State. The Secretary determined that, overall, country conditions have improved to the point where Hondurans can return home in safety. Additionally, under President Castro, Honduras has taken steps to welcome home their citizens, providing access to economic and food assistance programs, as well as labor integration and job training.

    Honduran nationals departing the United States are encouraged to use the U.S. Customs and Border Protection CBP Home app to report their departure from the United States and take advantage of a safe, secure way to leave the United States with a complimentary plane ticket, a $1,000 exit bonus to help them resettle in Honduras, and preserve future opportunities for legal immigration.

    ###

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: PRESS RELEASE: Barragán, Wasserman Schultz, Garcia Lead Letter Urging FCC to Prioritize Language Accessibility in Hurricane Resiliency Planning

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

    For Immediate Release

    July 6, 2025

    Contact: jin.choi@mail.house.gov

    Barragán, Wasserman Schultz, Garcia Lead Letter Urging FCC to Prioritize Language Accessibility in Hurricane Resiliency Planning

    Washington, D.C. – Last week, Congresswomen Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), and Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) led 24 of their colleagues in calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to include language access experts and advocates for communities with limited English proficiency (LEP) in the agency’s upcoming Hurricane Season Resiliency Roundtable on July 7, 2025.

    Signed by Members of Congress representing linguistically diverse and hurricane-prone districts, the letter urges FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and Acting Bureau Chief Zenji Nakazawa to prioritize multilingual, culturally competent emergency communications and to embed language accessibility into every phase of disaster preparedness and response.

    “Nearly 68 million United States residents speak a language other than English at home, and over 25 million are classified as LEP,” the lawmakers wrote. “During hurricanes and other disasters, these individuals face significant, documented barriers to accessing emergency alerts, evacuation orders, and disaster recovery information in a language that they can understand.”

    “As the FCC convenes its Hurricane Season Resiliency Roundtable, it has an opportunity to address longstanding gaps in language accessibility during disasters,” they continued. “To improve access to lifesaving information and support economic resilience, the FCC should prioritize making public safety communications—including Wireless Emergency Alerts, Emergency Alert System messages broadcast over television and radio, and 9-1-1 accessibility standards—multilingual, culturally competent, and accessible to all.”

    Rep. Barragán has long championed language accessibility and continues to lead efforts in Congress to ensure that language is never a barrier to safety or survival. 

    In addition to Barragan, Wasserman Schultz, and Garcia, the letter was signed by Representatives Maxwell Frost, Darren Soto, Adriano Espaillat, Yvette Clarke, Alma Adams, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Frederica Wilson, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, Bennie Thompson, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Sanford Bishop, Jr., Lois Frankel, Nydia Velázquez, Kathy Castor, Lizzie Fletcher, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Dan Goldman, Jared Moskowitz, Robin Kelly, Cleo Fields, Judy Chu, Valerie Foushee, Kevin Mullin, and Bobby Scott.

    The full text of the letter can be found here and below:

    Chairman Carr and Acting Bureau Chief Nakazawa:

    As the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) prepares for its upcoming Hurricane Season Resiliency Roundtable, we urge you to include language access experts and advocates who serve communities with limited English proficiency (LEP). Public safety communications that fail to address language needs leave millions of people vulnerable, and no resiliency framework is complete without closing this gap.

    Nearly 68 million United States residents speak a language other than English at home, and over 25 million are classified as LEP.[1] During hurricanes and other disasters, these individuals face significant, documented barriers to accessing emergency alerts, evacuation orders, and disaster recovery information in a language that they can understand. These challenges are not hypothetical—they have played out in real time during recent disasters, with serious and sometimes deadly consequences.

    In Houston, for example, nearly half a million residents have limited or no English proficiency, and the city is home to more than 145 spoken languages.[2] When Hurricane Beryl tore through Houston last year, significant portions of the city’s LEP community reported feeling unprepared, as most emergency resources were available in English and Spanish but not other languages spoken by a large number of residents.[3] This is particularly alarming as Harris County, where Houston is located, scores a 100/100 or “very high” for hurricane risk on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Risk Index.[4]

    The State of Florida, another hurricane hotspot, boasts over 4.8 million foreign-born residents who speak more than 130 languages.[5] More than 400,000 households in Florida speak Haitian Creole as their primary language, and tens of thousands more primarily speak Portuguese, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Arabic, German, Russian, Italian, or another language.[6] Communicating effectively with these diverse populations is a complex undertaking—particularly for rural, agricultural counties in north central Florida, which often operate with limited resources. Many of these counties lack in-house interpreters or multilingual social media outreach, and more than a third do not have bilingual staff or call-in language lines.[7] These constraints highlight the need for stronger federal support and coordination to ensure all communities receive timely, accurate emergency information in a language that they understand.

    The stakes of inadequate communication go beyond immediate safety—they also affect a community’s ability to recover economically after a disaster. Immigrants in Florida’s workforce—including many who are classified as LEP—contribute an estimated $179 billion to the state economy annually in personal income, making up more than one-fifth of all spending power in the state.[8] Throughout the United States, immigrants represent approximately 17 percent of the nation’s labor force and contribute over $2 trillion annually to the United States’ gross domestic product. Ensuring effective communication with these LEP communities during emergencies not only protects lives but also safeguards economic resilience by minimizing disruption and enabling faster recovery.

    As the FCC convenes its Hurricane Season Resiliency Roundtable, it has an opportunity to address longstanding gaps in language accessibility during disasters. To improve access to lifesaving information and support economic resilience, the FCC should prioritize making public safety communications—including Wireless Emergency Alerts, Emergency Alert System messages broadcast over television and radio, and 9-1-1 accessibility standards—multilingual, culturally competent, and accessible to all. Language access must be embedded into every phase of disaster management: preparedness, response, and recovery. Yet too often, it is treated as an afterthought.

    For these reasons, we urge the FCC to include LEP-serving advocates, language access experts, and representatives of immigrant, refugee, and Indigenous communities in the July 7th roundtable. Their perspectives are critical to identifying systemic weaknesses, enhancing protocols, and ensuring emergency systems reach all communities before, during, and after disasters.

    Thank you for your attention to this critical component of disaster preparedness and public safety.

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: Why are we so obsessed with bringing back the woolly mammoth?

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Rebecca Woods, Associate Professor, Institute for the History & Philosophy of Science & Technology, University of Toronto

    A photograph of a steppe mammoth on display at the Australian Museum in Sydney. (Unsplash/April Pethybridge), CC BY

    In just the last several months, de-extinction — bringing back extinct species by recreating them or organisms that resemble them — has moved closer from science fiction to science fact. Colossal Biosciences — an American for-profit de-extinction startup headed by geneticists George Church and Beth Shapiro — announced two major achievements almost back-to-back.

    In the first, scientists spliced part of the woolly mammoth’s genome into mice to create “woolly mice,” incredibly cute pom-pom like rodents sporting coats that express the genes of long-extinct woolly mammoths.

    Reuters reports on the woolly mice developed by Colossal Biosciences.

    Just a few weeks later, Colossal announced an even bigger achievement, claiming to have brought back the dire wolf, a contemporary of the woolly mammoth who, like their Ice Age proboscidean co-travellers, last roamed the Earth roughly 10,000 years ago.



    Read more:
    Colossal Bioscience’s attempt to de-extinct the dire wolf is a dangerously deceptive publicity stunt

    Mammoth popularity

    Woolly mammoths are at the forefront of these controversial de-extinction efforts. Despite a deep bench of more recently extinct species — the dodo, the moa, passenger pigeons, the bucardo, quagga, thylacine, aurochs and a whole host of others — readily available to take centre stage in de-extinction efforts, woolly mammoths figure prominently in de-extinction stories, both scientific and popular.

    Woolly mammoths featured prominently in the imagery of Revive & Restore, a “genetic rescue” conglomerate of scientists and futurists headed by tech-guru Steward Brand; in 2021, Colossal “established ownership” over woolly mammoth revival. Colossal’s own logo visualizes CRISP-R, the gene-splicing technology that facilitates de-extinction, and the signature spiralled tusks of Mammuthus primigenius.

    In popular culture, woolly mammoths have been a source of fascination for the last several centuries. Thomas Jefferson famously held out hope that live mammoths would be found beyond the frontier of American colonialism in the late-1700s, while early excavations of American mastodons were major events in the early 1800s. American painter Charles Willson Peale captured the first such excavation in oils, and later capitalized on that mastadon’s skeleton in his Philadelphia museum.

    More recently, Manny the mammoth featured in the ongoing Ice Age animated film franchise, first launched in 2002.

    Climate icons

    At the same time, woolly mammoths have also become an emblem of the contemporary climate crisis. During the recent wave of defacing famous artwork in order to draw attention to the climate crisis, environmental activists painted the (fortunately artificial) tusks of the Royal B.C. Museum’s woolly mammoth model bright pink.

    In a 2023 publicity stunt, the Australian cultured-meat startup, Vow, unveiled a mammoth meatball produced out of the woolly mammoth’s genome with sheep DNA as filler. Not for sale, the mammoth meatball was scorched before an audience at the Dutch science museum, Nemo.

    The stunt was intended to call attention, again, to the plight of the Earth’s climate, the unsustainability of industrialized food systems and the potential for lab-grown meat to square this particular circle.

    Model animals

    For a creature that no human being has ever seen live and in the flesh, woolly mammoths certainly get a lot of media exposure. How did this long-extinct species become the emblem of contemporary extinction and de-extinction?

    People have been interacting with the remains of woolly mammoths for hundreds of years. Dig a hole deep enough almost anywhere in the northern hemisphere, and you are apt to come across the bones or maybe the tusks of extinct mammoths or mastodons.

    In early modern Europe, mammoth fossils were famously interpreted as the bones of unicorns and giants before being recognized as belonging to elephant-like creatures around 1700. Only around 1800 were mammoths recognized as a distinct and extinct species of proboscidea.

    Elsewhere in Arctic regions, especially Siberia, Indigenous Peoples were familiar with mammoth remains preserved by permafrost. As rivers and their tributaries surged during annual thaws, whole carcasses of mammoths (and woolly rhinos) were sometimes exposed.

    Local peoples who came across these remains, apparently recently dead but belonging to creatures they never saw walking the Earth’s surface, surmised that they were great burrowing rodent-like animals that tunnelled through the ground and perished if they accidentally came into contact with atmosphere.



    Read more:
    Ancient DNA suggests woolly mammoths roamed the Earth more recently than previously thought

    Around the Arctic, including in Alaska, permafrost prevented the fossilization of mammoth tusks as well as bodies, and this ice ivory was — and remains — an important element of Arctic economies, carved locally and exchanged into historically regional, and now global, markets.

    Continued relevance

    Despite their association with the distant past, woolly mammoths have long resonated with modern human cultures as their fossilized or preserved body parts entered economic practices and knowledge systems alike. But as the extinction of once numerous species like the passenger pigeon, the American bison and African elephant began to loom over the late 19th century, woolly mammoths took on new meanings in the context of modern extinction and emergent understandings of human evolution.

    A mural by by paleoartist Charles R. Knight depicting wooly mammoths, displayed at the American Museum of Natural History.
    (United States Geological Survey)

    Revolutions in geology, archeology, paleontology and related disciplines were changing long-held assumptions about the origin of humankind.

    Narratives of the rise of “man the hunter” arose in natural history institutions such as the American Museum of Natural History and the Field Museum in Chicago. These origin stories were explicitly connected to the presumed extinction of woolly mammoths and their evolutionary relatives, the mastodons.

    These led to some of the most powerful expressions of mammoths in visual form, like the frescoes and paintings produced by renowned paleoartist Charles R. Knight.

    At the same time, cave paintings in France, Spain and elsewhere came to light in the early 20th century. For example, the 40,000-year-old frescoes at Rouffignac, France clearly depicting woolly mammoths were interpreted as further evidence of this deep and powerful historical connection.

    It is this connection — the association of the rise of modern humankind with the decline and extinction of the woolly mammoth — that feeds today’s continued fascination. Notions of human complicity in extinction stories have long been embedded in modern scientific understandings of woolly mammoths. It is no accident that woolly mammoths are so central to de-extinction projects and climate activism alike.

    Rebecca Woods received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. Why are we so obsessed with bringing back the woolly mammoth? – https://theconversation.com/why-are-we-so-obsessed-with-bringing-back-the-woolly-mammoth-253432

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Alberta-Ontario MOUs fuel more pipelines and trade

    [.

    The two provinces agree on the need for the federal government to address the underlying conditions that have harmed the energy industry in Canada. This includes significantly amending or repealing the Impact Assessment Act, as well as repealing the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, Clean Electricity Regulations, the Oil and Gas Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap, and all other federal initiatives that discriminately impact the energy sector, as well as sectors such as mining and manufacturing. Taking action will ensure Alberta and Ontario can attract the investment and project partners needed to get shovels in the ground, grow industries and create jobs.

    The first MOU focuses on developing strategic trade corridors and energy infrastructure to connect Alberta and Ontario’s oil, gas and critical minerals to global markets. This includes support for new oil and gas pipeline projects, enhanced rail and port infrastructure at sites in James Bay and southern Ontario, as well as end-to-end supply chain development for refining and processing of Alberta’s energy exports. The two provinces will also collaborate on nuclear energy development to help meet growing electricity demands while ensuring reliable and affordable power.

    The second MOU outlines Alberta’s commitment to explore prioritizing made-in-Canada vehicle purchases for its government fleet. It also includes a joint commitment to reduce barriers and improve the interprovincial trade of liquor products.

    “Alberta and Ontario are joining forces to get shovels in the ground and resources to market. These MOUs are about building pipelines and boosting trade that connects Canadian energy and products to the world, while advocating for the right conditions to get it done. Government must get out of the way, partner with industry and support the projects this country needs to grow. I look forward to working with Premier Doug Ford to unleash the full potential of our economy and build the future that people across Alberta and across the country have been waiting far too long for.”

    Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta

    “In the face of President Trump’s tariffs and ongoing economic uncertainty, Canadians need to work together to build the infrastructure that will diversify our trading partners and end our dependence on the United States. By building pipelines, rail lines and the energy and trade infrastructure that connects our country, we will build a more competitive, more resilient and more self-reliant economy and country. Together, we are building the infrastructure we need to protect Canada, our workers, businesses and communities. Let’s build Canada.”

    Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario

    These agreements build on Alberta and Ontario’s shared commitment to free enterprise, economic growth and nation-building. The provinces will continue engaging with Indigenous partners, industry and other governments to move key projects forward.

    “Never before has it been more important for Canada to unite on developing energy infrastructure. Alberta’s oil, natural gas, and know-how will allow Canada to be an energy superpower and that will make all Canadians more prosperous. To do so, we need to continue these important energy infrastructure discussions and have more agreements like this one with Ontario.”

    Brian Jean, Minister of Energy and Minerals

    “These MOUs with Ontario build on the work Alberta has already done with Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Northwest Territories and the Port of Prince Rupert. We’re proving that by working together, we can get pipelines built, open new rail and port routes, and break down the barriers that hold back opportunities in Canada.” 

    Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors

    “Canada’s economy has an opportunity to become stronger thanks to leadership and steps taken by provincial governments like Alberta and Ontario. Removing interprovincial trade barriers, increasing labour mobility and attracting investment are absolutely crucial to Canada’s future economic prosperity.”

    Joseph Schow, Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration

    Together, Alberta and Ontario are demonstrating the shared benefits and opportunities that result from collaborative partnerships, and what it takes to keep Canada competitive in a changing world.

    Quick facts

    • Steering committees with Alberta and Ontario government officials will be struck to facilitate work and cooperation under the agreements.
    • Alberta and Ontario will work collaboratively to launch a preliminary joint feasibility study in 2025 to help move private sector led investments in rail, pipeline(s) and port(s) projects forward.
    • These latest agreements follow an earlier MOU Premiers Danielle Smith and Doug Ford signed on June 1, 2025, to open up trade between the provinces and advance shared priorities within the Canadian federation.

    Related information

    • Leading the way on interprovincial trade

    Related news

    • Next stop for free trade: Ontario!

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: City of York Council to invest £500,000 in green spaces

    Source: City of York

    Clarence Gardens

    Published Monday, 7 July 2025

    City of York Council has announced a significant £500,000 capital investment over the next two years to revitalise parks, play areas, and public green spaces across the city.

    The Executive is set to approve the proposed criteria and prioritisation framework that will guide the funding allocation and ensure the greatest community impact.

    This initiative marks the first major investment in York’s public spaces in several years and comes in response to widespread resident support and strategic ambitions laid out in the Council Plan 2023–2027. A key focus is ensuring accessible and sustainable outdoor environments that enhance biodiversity, wellbeing, and social inclusion. Work on assessing the conservation needs of our much-valued War Memorials will take place alongside the parks projects.

    Strategic Benefits

    The funding aligns with national findings from the “Space to Thrive” report by The National Lottery, which highlights the vital role parks play in supporting physical and mental health, community engagement, and local economies. The council aims to amplify these benefits by engaging residents, community organisations, and volunteer groups in improving green spaces citywide.

    The decision also aligns with the council’s core commitments to equality and health. By prioritising sites in high deprivation areas and those with ageing infrastructure, the programme seeks to redress inequalities in access to quality recreational space.

    Next Steps

    Council officers will assess potential projects over the summer, with a final decision on funded schemes to be presented to the Executive this September. Recruitment for a dedicated project officer is already underway to support delivery through March 2027.

    Cllr Jenny Kent, Executive Member for Environment and Climate Emergency, said: “In investing in our parks and public spaces, we’re not just enhancing infrastructure or play equipment – we’re investing in communities, public health, and a greener future. York people love our parks and have spoken clearly about the value of these shared spaces. This project reflects our commitment to creating a more vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable city, with people and pride in place at its heart.”

    For more information, visit the council’s website or read the Space to Thrive report at: Space to Thrive – National Lottery Heritage Fund

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • Modi govt has planned ₹5,000-crore investment to develop northeast waterways: Sarbananda Sonowal

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    In a major push to boost inland waterways and maritime infrastructure in India’s Northeast, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Monday announced a slew of initiatives with an investment outlay of ₹5,000 crore. The projects aim to transform the region’s connectivity, trade, tourism, and employment landscape over the next few years.

    Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Sonowal said the Modi government has drawn up comprehensive plans to develop year-round navigable waterways, modern terminals, community jetties, urban water metros, and maritime skill hubs across the region.

    Empowering Northeast Youth

    A key highlight of the plan is the training of 50,000 youth from the Northeast in maritime skills over the next decade. The Maritime Skill Development Centre (MSDC) in Guwahati and a new Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Dibrugarh will spearhead this effort, with an investment of ₹200 crore earmarked for the CoE alone. Together, these centres are expected to generate at least 500 jobs annually.

    “Prime Minister Modi has always envisioned how Yuva Shakti can bring real transformation to the country. Our vision is to train, enable and empower 50,000 youth from the Northeast with world-class maritime skills, ensuring meaningful employment and growth,” Sonowal said.

    Strengthening Connectivity and Trade

    The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has undertaken projects worth ₹1,000 crore in the region’s inland waterways sector in the past two years. Of this, ₹300 crore worth of works have been completed, with the remaining ₹700 crore scheduled for completion by 2025.

    Major initiatives include setting up permanent cargo terminals at Pandu, Jogighopa, Dhubri, Bogibeel, Karimganj, and Badarpur; new approach roads to Pandu Port; heritage restoration works in Dibrugarh; and the development of tourist jetties worth ₹299 crore.

    Additionally, 85 community jetties will be built across the Northeast to boost local trade and connectivity. To ensure uninterrupted navigation on major river routes, the government will deploy 10 amphibian and cutter section dredgers at an investment of ₹610 crore.

    A fleet of 100 modern barges operated by German logistics major Rhenus is also expected to become operational on National Waterways 2 and 16 by 2025, significantly enhancing cargo movement across Assam and neighbouring states.

    Kaladan Project to be Operational by 2027

    Providing an update on the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) — a crucial link connecting India’s Northeast with Myanmar — Sonowal said the project would be fully operational by 2027.

    “This strategic initiative, born out of the India-Myanmar Friendship Treaty, will provide the Northeast with direct and shorter access to international sea routes. It will unlock new trade opportunities for Northeast India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, and Myanmar, strengthening regional ties with Southeast Asia,” he said.

    The Kaladan corridor connects Sittwe Port in Myanmar to Paletwa via an inland waterway, and from Paletwa to Zorinpui in Mizoram by road. Goods can also move from Kolkata to Sittwe Port and onward to Teknaf Port in Bangladesh, then by road to Sabroom in Tripura, reducing transit times and logistics costs substantially.

    Focus on Tourism and Urban Transport

    In a bid to boost regional tourism, the government plans to develop tourism and cargo jetties at Silghat, Neamati, Biswanath Ghat, and Guijan with an investment of ₹300 crore. Water Metro projects for modern urban transport have also been proposed for Guwahati, Tezpur, and Dibrugarh, with feasibility studies already completed.

    Lighthouses will be installed at Pandu, Tezpur, Biswanath, and Bogibeel, equipped with IMD units to provide local weather forecasts. These will be supported by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

    Sonowal said, “These projects reflect our commitment to transform the Northeast into a vibrant hub for waterways-based trade, tourism, and employment. This is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas — ensuring inclusive growth and development for all.”

  • MIL-OSI Russia: Chinese Foreign Ministry: China is ready to make positive contribution to global climate governance together with the EU

    Translation. Region: Russian Federal

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

    An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

    BEIJING, July 7 (Xinhua) — China is willing to strengthen cooperation with the European Union in climate change mitigation, adaptation and green transformation to jointly make positive contributions to global climate governance.

    This was stated on Monday by the official representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, at a regular press briefing, commenting at the request of the media on European proposals to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of energy transformation and green development, which were voiced during the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Europe.

    Mao Ning noted China’s commitment to regulating its energy structure and ensuring green development in the country, while at the same time closely cooperating with international partners in global climate governance.

    “China and the EU actively support low-carbon transformation and green development,” she said. “Both sides firmly adhere to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change as the cornerstone of the international climate governance system, and the range of common interests and potential for cooperation between the two sides in combating climate change is broad and enormous.”

    China is a firm supporter of green development and has made significant contributions to its promotion, the diplomat stressed, adding that China is willing to work with the EU to uphold multilateralism and the goals of the Paris Agreement, strengthen cooperation in climate change mitigation, adaptation and green transformation, and jointly promote global climate governance. -0-

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

    .

    MIL OSI Russia News –

  • MIL-OSI China: China ready to work with EU on global climate governance efforts: spokesperson

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

    China is willing to work with the European Union (EU) to enhance cooperation on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and the green transition, to make positive contributions to global climate governance, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

    Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular press briefing when responding to European proposals for enhanced China-EU collaboration on energy transition and green, low-carbon development, which were raised during Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Europe.

    Mao noted China’s commitment to adjusting its own energy structure, promoting green development, and engaging closely with international partners in global climate governance.

    “China and the EU both actively support low-carbon transformation and green development,” she said. Both sides firmly uphold the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as the cornerstone of international climate governance, and the shared interests and potential between the two sides for cooperation in tackling climate change are vast.

    Noting that China is a firm advocate of and significant contributor to green development, Mao said that China was willing to work with the EU to uphold multilateralism and the goals of the Paris Agreement, enhance cooperation in climate change mitigation, adaptation, and green transition, and jointly advance global climate governance. 

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Nature-friendly farming budget swells in UK – but cuts elsewhere make recovery fraught

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Nathalie Seddon, Professor of Biodiversity, Smith School of Enterprise and Environment and Department of Biology, University of Oxford

    Skylarks are a red-listed species, which means they are of high conservation concern in the UK. WildlifeWorld/Shutterstock

    Nature in the UK appeared to receive a rare funding boost in the June spending review, with the government setting a spending target of up to £2 billion a year for England’s environmental land management (ELM) scheme by 2028-29.

    By steering public funds toward farmers who restore hedgerows, soils and wetlands, England’s ELM programme is meant to renew landscapes that absorb carbon, support pollinators and keep water clean while helping rural businesses stay viable in a changing climate.

    If delivered in full, the package would elevate the UK’s post-Brexit model of investing public money in shared ecological care (rather than payments based on acreage) to one of the most generously funded in the world.

    Yet, scrutinise the details and a more complicated story emerges.

    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.

    The review has trimmed the day-to-day budget of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in real terms. Defra now faces the unenviable task of signing and monitoring thousands of new ELM agreements with fewer staff and shrinking data resources. Without the capacity to check whether fields really have become richer in skylarks or streams clearer of fertiliser, large sums could be delayed or misdirected.

    Scale is another challenge. An independent analysis published in 2024 estimated that roughly £6 billion every year across the UK is needed to bring agriculture in line with the Environment Act targets for habitat restoration and net zero commitments.

    Even the full £2 billion promised for England would meet only about half of that evidence-based need. And the “up to” £400 million for trees and peatlands is not new money: it is funding that was first promised in 2024 and the payment schedule has still not been confirmed.

    Money could be paid to farmers for allowing woodlands to regenerate.
    Richard Hepworth, CC BY

    While the review earmarked £4.2 billion for flood and coastal defence, it does not specify how much of that will support nature-based measures such as floodplain restoration, or the creation of saltmarshes or riparian woodlands. The Environment Agency is consulting on a funding model that could embed such solutions, but the Treasury papers are silent on who will pay for that shift.

    Tech spending dwarfs habitat investment

    Contrast this with the sums heading to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

    Roughly £30 billion is earmarked for nuclear fission, fusion research and carbon-capture hubs. These projects are heavy on concrete and steel (materials with a hefty carbon cost) but have no immediate ecological benefit.

    While new low-carbon technologies are crucial, thriving and resilient soils, wetlands and woodlands nourish food systems, safeguard water and hold vast stores of carbon – benefits that deepen and become more cost-effective over time.

    Nature-based solutions can also revitalise local economies. The Office for National Statistics estimates that replacing the benefits flowing from the UK’s forests, rivers and soils – flood buffering, crop pollination, cleaner air, recreation and more – would cost about £1.8 trillion, a figure that only hints at their deeper, immeasurable value.

    Yet the review sets out no plan to safeguard these life-support systems, or to factor their decline into the Treasury’s green book (the rule book used to appraise public investments) or the Bank of England’s stress tests, which check how shocks could ripple through the financial system.

    This is also a matter of fairness and public health. Growing evidence shows that regular contact with nature lowers the risks of heart disease and anxiety, while improving children’s cognitive development. These are benefits with a value that defies any price tag.

    Yet the places with the fewest trees and parks tend to be the same post-industrial towns ministers want to “level up”. The review is silent on biodiversity net gain (the flagship policy meant to channel private finance into local habitats) and on a proposed national nature wealth fund that could blend public and private capital for large-scale restoration.

    Housing money could repeat past mistakes

    One line in the spending review could still shift the balance.

    The chancellor has earmarked £39 billion for building social and affordable housing over the next decade. If every development delivers at least a 10% net gain for biodiversity onsite, and if schemes build in climate-smart design (living roofs, shade-giving street trees, permeable surfaces) with local residents, Britain could pioneer the world’s first large-scale, nature-positive, net-zero housing programme.

    Without those safeguards, “levelling up” risks repeating old mistakes: sealing green space under concrete today and paying tomorrow to retrofit drainage, shade and parks.

    Green space is scarce on this new housing estate near Cardiff, Wales.
    Shutterstock

    That risk is heightened by the government’s planning and infrastructure bill, now before parliament. In an open letter to MPs, economists and ecologists warn that the bill would let developers “pay cash to trash” irreplaceable habitats by swapping onsite protection for a levy, a move they describe as a “licence to kill nature”.

    At the next UN climate summit, Cop30 in Brazil in November 2025, the UK will have to show the world that its domestic spending matches its international rhetoric.

    More than 150 UK researchers made that point in an open letter to the prime minister, urging him to put nature at the centre of the UK’s Cop30 stance. Converting the Treasury’s headline figures into habitat gains and locking robust rules into both the planning bill and the housing drive would give ministers credible proof of progress when they update the UK’s climate and nature pledges on the Cop30 stage.

    The spending review may have nudged farm policy in the right direction and set a new higher water mark for nature-positive agriculture. Yet amid the squeeze on Defra, the recycling rather than expansion of tree and peat budgets and the continued dominance of technology over habitat, nature still comes a distant second to hard infrastructure in the UK growth model.

    There is still time to change course. Guaranteeing Defra’s capacity, publishing a timetable for the tree-and-peat fund, reserving part of the flood budget for community-led nature-based solutions and hardwiring strong biodiversity net gain rules into housing and planning reforms would turn headline promises into projects that enrich daily life while stewarding public money wisely.

    Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

    Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 45,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

    Nathalie Seddon receives funding from UKRI and the Leverhulme Trust and sits on the UK Climate Change Committee. She is also a trustee of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance and is a non-executive director of the social venture, Nature-based Insights.

    – ref. Nature-friendly farming budget swells in UK – but cuts elsewhere make recovery fraught – https://theconversation.com/nature-friendly-farming-budget-swells-in-uk-but-cuts-elsewhere-make-recovery-fraught-259091

    MIL OSI –